Funnily enough election chat came up last night. In the past I’ve voted Labour too on the basis that the other lot were a complete shower. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got plenty of issues with them, jobs-for-life corrupt councillors and civil servants (particularly in the Parking Department) grind my stones no end. I’m no fan of their nanny-state interventionism – and the abuse of civil liberties which masquerades itself as a penalty charge notice (i.e. the Police as judge and jury) causes me concerns. However, on the plus side our own personal experience of something like the NHS since Labour came into power has been exceptional. We’ve been to three hospitals in recent times, Wishaw, Hairmyres and the Princess Royal and all have been effectively brand new builds, bright and airy and full of helpful staff. I can’t really comment on Education, but I can see that all of our towns high schools are currently being completely rebuilt – into three large modern ‘super’ schools. Many of the primary schools are also being rebuilt from the ground up as we speak. Fingers crossed that when the kids start in a couple of years, they’ll get the benefit of that investment. I’m not up for taking a gamble on Salmond and his 3% local income tax. We would not benefit from that, and Government should be encouraging hard working families – not dishing out more handouts.