Political Activity By Scottish Homes

EDM number 673 in 1994-95, proposed by Jimmy Dunnachie on 23/02/1995.

That this House believes that executive agencies, quangos and governmental trusts should adhere to the principle of political independence which has always been claimed, if not always adopted, by the Civil Service; condemns the Chairman of Scottish Homes, Sir James Mellon, and Mr Peter McKinlay, its Chief Executive for becoming increasingly involved in promoting the political ideals of the Conservative Party, and making direct attacks on the policies and personalities of the Labour Party in the mass media and elsewhere; finds it abhorrent that they have used public funds, much of it raised from rents paid by low-income families, to finance their involvement; notes that neither of these men has any democratic mandate to speak for anyone else as they were appointed by the Secretary of State for Scotland, rather than elected through the ballot box; regrets that they have allowed themselves to become an extension of the arm of Tory Central Office; and reminds them that a future Labour Government will expect people in appointed positions like theirs to deliver the policies democratically endorsed at the General Election, whilst having the objectivity, integrity and rectitude to remain apart from involvement in political debate which rightfully involves those who have been elected to participate.

This motion has been signed by a total of 33 MPs.