News item 26th June 2008

A Vitriolic Diatribe of Rubbish.

In response to media interest in the allocation of a Council house to Councillor Ellen Glass, this party would like to express our outrage at this totally unwarranted attack. The story published in today’s Daily Record is factually inaccurate and politically motivated, worthy only of coverage by the gutter-press.

We would not normally comment on domestic matters, but will say that this situation has arisen not through self-interest or abuse of position, but a commitment and devotion to family that should be applauded and not pilloried. But then we live in a society where having strong family values is no longer honourable, but merely something that is paid lip service to by the major political parties.

Ellen Glass has worked in the front line of health care in West Lothian for 40 years. In 2007, she gave up her job to devote her time and energies to being a full-time Councillor. In doing so, she took a significant drop in earnings. Contrary to the statements made, she does not sit on the Police Board, although she does sit as Vice-Convenor on Lothian Fire Board. This is NOT a paid post.

Further, it was not her decision to axe the bonus payments to people with learning disabilities. That decision was taken by the full Council in February, voted for by ALL parties, carried unanimously. The hypocrisy of the Labour Party since voting for this measure has been breathtaking. They claim everyone but them was responsible. Some of them claim not to have read the papers. That speaks volumes about how seriously they take their responsibilities, that they would vote for a budget without having looked at it. Could it be that they are actually jealous of Councillor Glass’s dedication to her job? That is probably nearer to the truth.

The alleged comments made about the people of Fauldhouse is also taken out of context. At a full meeting of West Lothian Council in 2007 Ellen was honest and brave enough to stand up and tell the world she suffered from Dyslexia. In return, she was lambasted by the Labour group. Were they not the party who claimed to be the protectors of the disabled and those with learning difficulties?

Contrast this with when a member of the Labour group in West Lothian called the people of Fauldhouse “headbangers” at a Council meeting on 6th. June 2008. There was no running to the press then. How curious.

Finally, we have the remarks from Jim Devine MP. What utter tripe! What would he know about being in dire straits, living as he does in the rarefied all-expenses paid environment of an MP? As with most of what emanates from the mouths of Labour politicians, his comments are as insincere as they are offensive.

Councillor Glass has our unswerving support, and she should be applauded for her conscientious hard work on behalf of the people of her ward, and West Lothian as a whole.