Former Labour MSP Andy Kerr to lead charity, Sense Scotland, a good base to tread water while waiting for the next Holyrood election in 5 years time!

Dear All

Andy Kerr was one of the high profile casualties of the Holyrood 2011.

Early on in the night, he was defeated in East Kilbride by the SNP’s Linda Fabiani.

In a previous existence the former Labour MSP for East Kilbride was a Scottish Executive minister.

Now, he has been named as the new chief executive of social care provider Sense Scotland.

So, with no history of working in a charity or business with the exception of being founder and managing director of Achieving, a quality assurance consultancy, Andy Kerr walks into a chief executive position.

The rest of his employment has been attached to Glasgow City Council and as an adviser in the Leader's office at the Council.

Does 12 years at Holyrood as an MSP really prepare someone with no real experience to be a chief executive at Sense Scotland?

I would say no.

This is what I mean that Scotland is a corrupt country; opportunities are ring fenced to those and such as those in the social and political elite.

You or your family couldn’t do what Andy Kerr has done.

You don’t have the social connections.

But Kerr does!

Sense Scotland is a charity, which is part of the UK National Deafblind and Rubella Association.

The organisation provides support services for deafblind and disabled children and adults and their families.

Mr Kerr says he is passionate about supporting people to enjoy their rights and achieve their aspirations in life.

He added:

“This will be an essential part of my new role here. I’m looking forward to meeting all the people who use our services, their families and staff.

“This is one of the most challenging times for the voluntary sector and for the people who rely on its services and support

“Sense Scotland is a successful and respected organisation and I’m really looking forward to leading it to more success.”

Like he led the NHS?

The charity’s chairman Roy Cox said Mr Kerr would be a “great leader and ambassador for our organisation and I am very much looking forward to working with him to develop our work”.

Can I say I am surprised that he has got a position like this?

Absolutely not, I also expect Wendy Alexander to walk into a similar position along with other former Labour MSPs.

The Labour Party set up a shadow government of Quangos staffed with their family, friends and party members right across the country.

Sense Scotland is a useful base to sit out and wait for the next Holyrood election.

Yours sincerely

George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University