Irfan Rabbani

WOW!!!

What the personal political turmoil, upheaval, emotion and people of the last 6 months couldn’t do a school full of wonderful children, parents and the staff of St Albert’s managed to : they got to me. 

I was reduced to a breathless, speechless, sniffling, greeting, quivering wreck. Moved to tears by their big screen musical and memory filled tribute recalling all the work with the school over the last 5 years. 

Then the album of pictures from the last 5 years presented to me along with Headteacher’s award for achievement and the singing of the most apt special song in dedication. 

Tears welling up again as I write. I was so taken aback and speechless I couldn’t even thank them properly such was the emotion running through me.
Not ALL politicians are made of steel ……or always have something to say(though a first for me at St Albert’s).

We all were moved and until we calmed down had forgot to take pictures such was the feeling in the hall but we did manage some with staff at end.

THANK YOU TO ALL THE PUPILS, PARENTS, PARENT COUNCIL, HEADTEACHER AND EACH AND EVERY STAFF MEMBER. Your support, friendship, and love really did COMPLETE ME.

So that was that in more ways than one. Every emotion possible has coursed through these veins during the course of at least the last year and most definitely the last few months. 

From the running battles within the Labour Group at Chambers to the total absence of leadership, vision and backbone within the party citywide and nationally both preceding and subsequent to their internal elections.

From the emotional and soul searching decision to leave the party I had been a member of for so many years to the realisation that it wasn’t actually me leaving but that it had progressively (or should that be regressively) left me and so many others over a recent period.

From the excitement of joining the SNP and the heartwarming welcome from so so many at every level of the party to the disappointment in the totally unneccasarily bitter reaction from Labour and some of the so called friends.

For the record the decision I made was one of the best personal decisions of my life, and certainly by far and away the best political decision. I feel the SNP is a perfect fit for my political beliefs and views as the only left of centre social democratic party since Labour has given that mantle up. I believe that is what the vast majority of our country wants when it votes: social justice and equality.

Independence is in my view the only way for our country to ensure that we get the model we continually vote for election after election but are often denied with the status quote. There is something needing fundamental change as a result and I am convinced Independence is that change.

So to the local council elections we went. For the SNP to take control of Glasgow was always a big ask. However we still had a fantastic result in the increase of Councillors in the city and were of course the winners in the country as a whole. That said having worked so hard I was very disappointed we just fell short of getting two SNP Councillors elected in Pollokshields. I was extremely saddened particularly that we were unable to manage to see my ward colleague of 5 years Khalil Malik home in the final count.

The campaign for the YES vote has now been launched and I look forward to blogging on the subject as the campaign develops

In little under 3 weeks we are faced with a significant choice in our local areas, in our cities and towns and across our country in local government elections.

The local governments we choose are and will be directly responsible for key services we all use on a daily basis. How these services are decided and delivered will be crucial to each and every one of us.

This will be the case regardless of whether we vote or not. That being the case isn’t it better to be part of the process in determining who we trust to do so in our name.

In my local area (Pollokshields) and in my city (Glasgow) it is an exciting and positive time. For the first time (for most people) there is the very real possibility of an opportunity to influence change:real and positive change.

In Pollokshields we have the opportunity to elect 2 SNP Councillors and have joint representation from our party for the area. Similarly in Glasgow we can elect a majority SNP administration for the first time ever.

We in the SNP are putting forward a manifesto which is based upon consultation with the people we represent. An unprecedented level of input into a manifesto for a local government election.

It is the input which in fact sets the tone for the type of administration we wish to become.

One which will engage, consult and involve YOU in our decisions.

One in which the decisions will be transparent, and open to your scrutiny.

One which will not be distant and detached from the very people it will represent.

One where the people and not individual politicians nor the party will be our priority.

In Pollokshields and in Glasgow politics for too long the focus has been the latter.We are told this when we talk to people who long for a change. But longing for it unfortunately is not enough. We need to vote for that change and vote to make a difference now more than ever at a local level in Glasgow.

Whilst I am not standing I have been campaigning for this change in Pollokshields and in Glasgow. My message to everyone I talk to and ask to vote SNP 1 and 2 for Khalil Malik and Norman MacLeod in Pollokshields has been simple.

I do not intend to slip into oblivion after these elections. I am a resident in Pollokshields and I will continue to work with people and for the area. If I am advocating for these people and with your support they are successful I am personally committing to continue to work for you to ensure they fulfil their pledges to us.

To my friends and those who have supported me and wished to continue to support me I say a vote now for the SNP candidates is as good as a vote for me.

I will work with you and them to work for the area. We will represent you and Pollokshields together. We will be answerable to you and not personal political ambition.

Please vote SNP 1 and 2 in Pollokshields and for your SNP candidates in Glasgow.

Let GLASGOW flourish.

Much in the Glasgow Labour manifesto looks remarkably like some of the SNP announcements recently, thank goodness we kept some of them back

The SNP Council Leader Alison Hunter announced Carers Champion during the debate Friday 35m10secs, NOW it appears in Glasgow Labour manifestohttp://votesnp.com/zq 

Glasgow SNP announced plans to introduce Petitions Committee last Tuesday, do Glasgow Labour not have own vision or ideas? ideas?http://votesnp.com/zg 

Glasgow SNP is committed to no compulsory redundancies in Glasgow City Council, a glaring ommission from the Glasgow Labour manifesto

A perfect up to the minute analysis of  where the Labour Party is

As the local council elections approach we are faced with a choice. A choice and an opportunity :across Scotland, but particularly in Glasgow, which often only comes along once in a generation.

For too long now the City Chambers has for many been seen as distant, detached and unrepresentative of the citizens of Glasgow.

We (you) have the ability to elect an administration which can and will change the face of local politics.

An administration which engages with the people it serves in a more transparent and accountable fashion.

An administration which promises to work on a concesual basis leaving behind the tribalism of party first and people second.

An administration made up of Councillors who represent YOU first and foremost.

An administration made up of grounded people with community interest at their hearts.

I believe that administration is an SNP administration.

We should take this opportunity to elect such an administration we may not get the chance again for a long time.

An interesting analysis of the STV (Single Transferable Vote) voting  system

I wanted to share a little story with you all. A brief  reminder on how relatively small most of our problems sometimes are in reality.

My sister looks mentally and physically beat this week for the first time in 30 years. She has in that time buried not one but two terminally ill children. One Waeem was 16 years old and Ayesha passed away when she was 6.

A third child Awais was also diagnosed as terminally ill . Awais is 16 now and so it could be any time shes been told and my sister lives with that fear on a daily basis whilst a regular visitor to hospital. Despite that Awais lives as full a life as possible but every infection brings about that dread that it may be his last.

However she has coped with all this throughout the 30 years.  Last week Awais broke his leg  and for the first time ever my sister now looks like a broken woman wondering why Awais has to suffer so much.  Awais is also at an age when meeting his needs and moving him etc is hard enough but whilst his leg is broken so much more difficult.

Therefore I ask you all to pray for or spare a moments thought for my sister as much as my nephew. Particularly whilst we complain of a coffee thats too hot or traffic thats too slow or as in my case currently minor ailments like a cold.

We sometimes really don’t appreciate how very fortunate we are (maa shah Allah).

It feels strange at times campaigning full throttle for my two colleagues as Council candidates in Pollokshields  One of whom I hope will ultimately take the Council seat I vacate: the other already being an existent Councillor.

My term has been filled with fantastic memories, some notable achievements and I have been blessed to meet some wonderful and supportive people.

However the campaigning does also as I said feel strange and on occasion there are mixed feelings (but only on a very personal level)-as a little sadness creeps in. Sadness that the opportunity to continue the job I had started was not afforded me.

The decision by my old party to not allow me that opportunity taken away not only from the electorate but away from local party members too. Where is the democracy in that?

The local elitist egotistical clique within my old party conspiring and then pretending my fate was decided elsewhere made the pain all the more difficult.

The reality is my face no longer fitted personal agendas and my questioning of anything was frowned upon. As we speak to people on the campaign trail for my new colleagues the response we receive is very positive.

Individuals and organisations tell me of their bewilderment to replace me as a candidate by my previous party with “one of their own gang”.  Their support of my record and commitment to Pollokshields whilst in office is humbling.

It is also very positive to hear from people who know me saying I am now in the party that is mutually suited in terms of beliefs and values. They say I should be as pleased as they are that I have joined the SNP and no longer need to associate with some of the people that I previously was forced to. It is as they say the right party for the right person.

However it is my continuing commitment to the area which is also the reason why I am campaigning for Norman MacLeod and Councillor Khalil Malik.

I am still a resident of Pollokshields as I have been for nearly 50 years. I want the elected members to be responsible and accountable to us the residents of Pollokshields and not to political elites.

Everywhere I seek support for these two candidates I assure people that I would not be campaigning for them were I not going to remind them of the commitment I seek from them in front of people.

These two candidates appreciate and respect that and knowing them I am sure they will NOT let us down.

VOTE FOR both these candidates (Norman MacLeod and Khalil Malik ) using your preferences 1 and 2 ensuring we have REAL representation for Pollokshields.

Blog

Pictures