MSP attacked - by the Comhairle!
In what is one of the most astonishing exchanges of correspondence that I have seen for some time, the Director of Education has written to Head Teachers advising them to ignore a piece of correspondence from Alasdair Allan MSP.
The original letter is a masterpiece of banality, with Mr Allan firmly nailing his opinions to both sides of the argument, and wanting to hear from others before he decides where he stands: "I would be keen to have any opportunity to meet with your staff and parents to hear your views about these matters and wondered if you might be willing to contact my office with a view to arranging such a meeting." Such leadership and dynamism!
That he has provoked the Director of Education - a mild-mannered and enormously respected individual - to write a letter to the Headteachers pointing out that "It is inappropriate for the MSP to approach Comhairle employees in this way and I must now instruct you to disregard the contents of his letter."
Then Murdo MacLeod has written to the MSP, "...it would be quite inappropriate for those employees to engage in any action of this kind..." and "...if, in future, you wish to contact Headteachers you should send me a copy of such correspondence."
It seems clear that the breakdown in relations with Ms Hyslop results from the lack of understanding of the situation by the MP and MSP, and the protestations of the Minister are nothing but bluster.
The original letter is a masterpiece of banality, with Mr Allan firmly nailing his opinions to both sides of the argument, and wanting to hear from others before he decides where he stands: "I would be keen to have any opportunity to meet with your staff and parents to hear your views about these matters and wondered if you might be willing to contact my office with a view to arranging such a meeting." Such leadership and dynamism!
That he has provoked the Director of Education - a mild-mannered and enormously respected individual - to write a letter to the Headteachers pointing out that "It is inappropriate for the MSP to approach Comhairle employees in this way and I must now instruct you to disregard the contents of his letter."
Then Murdo MacLeod has written to the MSP, "...it would be quite inappropriate for those employees to engage in any action of this kind..." and "...if, in future, you wish to contact Headteachers you should send me a copy of such correspondence."
It seems clear that the breakdown in relations with Ms Hyslop results from the lack of understanding of the situation by the MP and MSP, and the protestations of the Minister are nothing but bluster.
19 comments:
Utterly clueless individual who along with the Sex Pest of Barra will ruin these islands
Not even pro-active incompetence
You seem to putting all the blame on Alasdair Allan, but you have not explained why he should not contact the headteachers.
I think he states his intial view, when he says "My own very strong instict is that schools should not be closed unless there is some sound education reason to do so".
Maybe the Council should be looking at itself as to why it is stopping the MSP making contact with Headteachers, just to hear their views. If the MSP was not taking action on this issues, I am sure Angus you would be the first to complain
Why can't he approach the headteachers. I am impressed that he is taking an interest in this and also taking the time to find out what people think instead of forcing his views onto everyone. As our MSP he has been elected to represent us and to do that correctly he should find out what we want - exactly what he seems to be trying to do. The council are just scared of what the public opinion will be. They are the disgraceful ones.
Anon 148 is right, let's not blame the author of the letter for writing party political rubbish to teachers and by-passing the democratically elected Council.
These Councillors and officials should remember that they are only there as long as they retain the confidence of Mr Allan, and we shouldn't expect him to have any need to show any courtesy or probity when dealing with public servants.
It’s inappropriate because it is encouraging teaching staff (who are employees of the Comhairle) to take a position on what is a (party?) political issue for the Comhairle.
Potentially that could lead to a situation where employer and employee are at odds with each other which is unfair on both parties.
Furthermore it is pre-empting the consultation process that will take place where all the relevant information and facts will be provided, which will provide appropriate mechanisms for employees to express views, such as through Trade Unions, and that will be part of the consultation process.
A semi-literate press release from Mr Allan:
Mr Allan said: "Everyone is hopeful that Mr Turner will address the long-standing and deep seated problems which have been historical (sic) at NHS Western Isles.
"Ministers are clearly intent on getting to the bottom of the matter. I have been in touch with both ministers, the health board and staff over the issues.
"By far the best way to change the culture at NHS Western Isles is to introduce further openness on the part of the board.
He urged taking the "opportunity to heal staff morale which can only be achieved when people are confident that the mistakes of the past will be addressed."
Mr Allan said that the SNP proposals to have democratically elected board members is "only a good thing in changing culture and to introduce more accountability." (sic)
----
So what is actually planning to do to achieve any of the ill-expressed aims? Nothing by the looks of it.
Bedbath,
I like the use of "sic" in your posting. But not as much as your missing out a word (probably "he") in your second last sentence, and missing a comma after the first word in your last sentence.
If you're going to try be a smarty pants, at least buy yourself a spellchecker!
Maybe Mr Allan is going to propose to the staff that they have a referendum on whether their schools close and then not deliver that one either
AA's had a good teacher in ABM. Just ignore the council and hopefully they will go away
"Utterly clueless individual", "Sex Pest of Barra", "Not even pro-active incompetence",...
From the BBC website yesterday: "The impact of the SNP has been considerable both in tone and style, but also in terms of creating a new excitement in Scottish politics by apparently making devolution work."
Whose words? Alec Salmond? No - Henry McLeish, ex-First Minister.
It is disappointing that whilst some politicians try to make devolution work, and commentators like Mr McLeish recognise their efforts, others are stuck practicing the same negative, snide rhetoric which cost their party two local elections.
How about bringing something positive to the party?
"How about bringing something positive to the party? "
Anon - you first, let us know what positives AA and ABM have brought to the party and then we'll follow.....
anonomous replying to Bedbath - did you even bother to look at what he wrote on the top of the page?!
Anon 12:58
Yes, I read all of Bedbath's post.
His first use of "sic" is appropriate, his second isn't.
You might like to join Bedbath at the back of the class...
Sunny Side Up,
AA is part of the SNP minority government, who last week put forward a range of proposals, including ending graduate endownments, direct elections to health boards, improving the law on rape, and abolishing the tolls on the Forth / Tay bridges. They've also committed to a study into RET with a pilot scheme in the Western Isles.
ABM exposed the practice of selling cash for honours which, although it never lead to any convictions, surely did enough to curb (if not stop) this behaviour.
At a local level, media reports indicate that both worked to get SNH to drop their opposition to the North Harris wind turbines.
I know that none of the above is news to you, but that's just off the top of my head.
Anon 6:02 makes a very interesting admission that the supposed independent advisors to the Government have been nobbled by our MP and MSP.
When I were a lad, this was known as corruption...
Perhaps Mr MacNeil should ask the Met Police to investigate....
Or perhaps just an FoI will suffice to find out if they actually did anything, as they haven't claimed that they did.
Anon 8:21
Admissions of corruption? That smacks of desperation. What I read was on www.western-isles.info, which tends to report the real story, with no axe to grind.
AA is quoted as saying that himself and ABM highlighted the community support to the environment minister.
ABM wrote to the reporters panel, is gracious enough to recognise and thank David Cameron and local councillors for their good work too.
I wonder whether you are gracious enough to recognise the good work done by the MP and MSP on this matter. My guess is no, but you're welcome to prove me wrong...
Anon 6.39 said: How about bringing something positive to the party?
I believe the Barra Sex Pest took 2 teenage girls to a party in Orkney but only took his jacket off. Is this positive enough for you.
www.western-isles.info has no axe to grind????
This is the 'news' site registered at the SNP Offices until earlier this year and still (co-)owned by Alastair Allan's constituency worked, Kenny MacLeod?
I assume that you are the aforementioned Mr MacLeod given you have information not published elsewhere.
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