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| The parties - April 18 Labour
Jack McConnell predicted that the SNP's local income tax plans would be seen in the future as "poll tax mark two" and predicted "grievance, conflict and discord" if the Nationalists won power. Wendy Alexander said during her latest onslaught on SNP economics: "I intend to be short on soundbites but long on analysis."
Labour's Edinburgh Council leader, Ewan Aitken, rejected his party's latest tough stance in the war on neds, saying he would not "name and shame" hooligans. "I would not use that particular tool because I do not believe it is effective," he said.
SNP
The SNP still had to be content with the ante-rooms at the STUC, although Nicola Sturgeon hinted darkly this this would change once the Nationalists were in government. She told delegates: "PFI/PPP means credit card levels of annual interest repayment. I have no doubt we can do better with public assets delivered through a not-for-profit trust."
Libdems
Liberal Democrats leader Nicol Stephen set out plans to recruit 1000 extra sports coaches and PE teachers and to give every pupil one hour a day of physical activity.
Conservatives
The Tories pledged £10m a year in putting mobile dentistry units into schools. "Almost 50,000 fewer children are registered than was the case when the Lib-Lab pact came to office," said Annabel Goldie. "This has happened under their watch and they must take responsibility," although critics pointed out that it was Tories who closed Edinburgh Dental School, arguably prompting the crisis.
Others
The Greens launched their rural manifesto, with a £100m climate challenge fund to help communities set up projects to cut emissions.
Tommy Sheridan of Solidarity said: "The STUC general council supported Labour by only one vote with Scotland's largest union in opposition. Labour is no longer the party of the trade unions, more a protection racket for millionaires and big business.
Transport features, with Annabel Goldie on roads policy in Glasgow, and the SNP and SSP leaders both at Waverley Station, Edinburgh. Alex Salmond is later at Bannockburn to launch a pensioners' charter. Labour campaigns in Glasgow and highlights children and universities. Nicol Stephen is in the Borders, focusing on families.
Alex Salmond has admitted that he is projecting a new image - less aggressive, not so cocksure and altogether less pleased with himself. This has given way to a more touchy-feely Nat leader, as he admitted under questioning on Newsnight this week. True, up to a point, but almost all journalists who deal with the new Salmond notice the old Alex bursting to get out and odds are being given among the press corps about when this event will take place.
12:01am Wednesday 18th April 2007  Print  Email this
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