Alex Salmond threatens to scrap SPT because of the expenses scandal; it is time to pull the trigger on them, ‘yes we can’ and the sooner the better

Dear All

The Strathclyde Partnership for Transport continues to make the news because of the actions of the Labour Party members’ et al that run it.

First Minster Alex Salmond is now saying that Scotland’s biggest transport quango faces the possibility of being scrapped.

An independent audit of its finances is damning.

The first minister is appalled at what he sees as an “abuse of public money” by the Labour ran quango and is said to be minded to abolish it or force it to become more representative of Scottish political opinion.

Here is my advice, they have burnt their bridges, change isn’t going to happen, kill it stone dead.

The time for talking is long gone; a clear message has to be said out to both politicians and the public.

Here is what is getting said;

A Scottish government spokesman said;

“The government will continue to monitor the situation closely. We expect SPT to reform itself and place tighter controls on its spending, and if that reform does not materialise we will consider any actions we can take.”

To which the SPT reply;

“SPT has already taken swift action to reform itself and recommendations from the KPMG report published this week have already been implemented. We are now moving forward and continue to work with our partner organisations to serve the needs of the travelling public. That includes improving bus service provision and modernising the [Glasgow] subway. These services are crucial to passengers in Strathclyde and across Scotland.”

So, what does this translate to the public?

That the SNP Government is showing weakness and the Labour Party is laughing in their faces.

People want strong government, they want leadership and they want action.

Enough is enough and the SNP Government need to step up to the plate, this decision to close it is a no brainer.

Recently, we discovered that SPT had spent more than £6,000 on corporate membership of one of the country’s most prestigious golf clubs.

How much longer must this go on?

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University