This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/7360655.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
SNP and Labour bid to woo unions | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
First Minister Alex Salmond and Labour leader Wendy Alexander have gone head-to-head at the STUC in a bid to woo Scotland's unions. | |
Mr Salmond set out his vision for working with them as "social partners" in the first address to the STUC by an SNP first minister. | |
In a separate speech, Ms Alexander accused the Scots government of giving special access to big business. | |
Prime Minister Gordon Brown spoke at the event, in Inverness, on Monday. | |
Mr Salmond said his administration and unions shared a common interest in areas such as council house building, and attacked Mr Brown's comments that Scotland could have bigger clout on the world stage as part of the UK. | |
But the first minister's speech came after unions last week hit out at a government failure to consult with them before deciding to extend the ScotRail contract for three years. | |
We don't need a special access government in Scotland that favours its friends Wendy AlexanderScottish Labour leader | |
"The contribution I would like to see Scotland make is a contribution to international peacekeeping and a reconciliation of differences, not to illegal invasions of Iraq or anywhere else," said Mr Salmond. | |
"It may be a substantial contribution to the world to have Europe's largest concentration of weapons of mass destruction in one of the most beautiful areas of our country. | "It may be a substantial contribution to the world to have Europe's largest concentration of weapons of mass destruction in one of the most beautiful areas of our country. |
"But it doesn't make it right and it doesn't make it a positive." | "But it doesn't make it right and it doesn't make it a positive." |
Mr Salmond went on to tell the congress that Scotland trained and educated more people than south of the border. | Mr Salmond went on to tell the congress that Scotland trained and educated more people than south of the border. |
He added: "The most important thing about our training statistics is that there is a 68% completion rate in Scotland and only a 53% completion rate south of the border." | |
In her STUC speech later, Ms Alexander accused the Scottish Government of favouring big business friends. | |
"In Alex Salmond's Scotland, some people are indeed more equal than others," she said.Congress called for a "balanced" energy strategy to include nuclear | |
"The Trump Organisation, Macdonald Hotels in Aviemore, ScottishPower - all big businesses with a special pass to the corridors of SNP power." | |
Emphasising Labour's historic union links, she told delegates: "We don't need a special access government in Scotland that favours its friends. | |
"Scotland should have a government that governs for all - and gives access to all. | |
"The Labour party does not just preach that, we also practise it." | |
Meanwhile, the SNP's stance against nuclear energy received a rebuff after congress passed a motion calling for a "balanced" energy strategy which would include coal, nuclear, oil, gas and renewables. | |
John Quigley of the Unite union said the Scottish Government's decision to adopt a "pick and mix" approach to low carbon-emitting energy sources was negligent and irresponsible. | John Quigley of the Unite union said the Scottish Government's decision to adopt a "pick and mix" approach to low carbon-emitting energy sources was negligent and irresponsible. |
Mr Salmond argued Scotland had a competitive advantage in renewable energy - with 25% of Europe's potential for marine renewables. | Mr Salmond argued Scotland had a competitive advantage in renewable energy - with 25% of Europe's potential for marine renewables. |