May 3rd will mark one year since the SNP’s historic election win, and a year of achievement for the new SNP Scottish Government.  With the abolition of road tolls, the historic concordat signed by local authorities and a whole host of policies and legislation, the Scottish Government hit the ground running and has shown what the SNP can do for the people of Scotland.  As of last week you, and your family began to save money with five key manifesto pledges that came into force. Scots from all walks of life will benefit with:

A reduction in prescription charges, moving towards full abolition by 2011.

A Council Tax freeze for 2008/09, benefiting householders across Scotland.

An end of the £2,289 graduate endowment, benefiting students who graduated last year, and students currently in the system.

A Small Business Bonus Scheme, benefiting 150,000 small businesses in Scotland.

Free personal and nursing care payments to older people in care homes rising in line with inflation, benefiting more than 9,000 people. 

All this is taking place just less than a year after the new SNP Scottish Government came to power - this underlines the fast pace of delivery and the fact that this is a government of action.  These policies will help deliver a fairer society, putting more money in people’s pockets and boosting the wider Scottish economy.  We, in the SNP mean business - we stand for Scotland!

Born on Tollcross Road and brought up in the east end I see the negative effects of being governed from London every day.  In Scotland, one third of children live in poverty, a quarter of our pensioners live in poverty and struggle to meet bill payments.  Thankfully we have a new SNP government working for them in Scotland but we still do not have the full powers a Scottish Parliament should have to act on these horrendous unionist inflicted problems.   What sense is their in being governed from Edinburgh on some issues and some from London?  We need a Scottish Parliament with the powers to change Scotland for the better.  Even in Shettleston, under the Union, life expectancy is the one of the lowest in the whole of Western Europe.  This is not acceptable!   Under the union, Scotland has no say on the illegal war in Iraq, Tony Blair and his Labour cronies just went full steam ahead and the 100,000 protesters in Glasgow were ignored. Only Independence will allow us to tackle these problems.   I hope you will use this National Conversation to think about how to move Scotland forward, for I know the only way is with Independence.  Join us in moving Scotland forward.  Join the Scottish National Party.  

To join Shettleston SNP call me on 07973451902 or e-mail me: david@shettlestonsnp.com

One of the most frequent issues that comes up at my surgeries and in my mail bag is housing.  Under the Labour Party, the housing stock transfer has meant that houses have been moved out of democratic control and into the hands of GHA.The pay off was meant to be that houses were improved, but many in the East End, particularly Shettleston are still in horrendous condition.  GHA are also hitting homeowners with absurd bills they do not want for improvements to their property. It will take time for the SNP government to undo the catalogue of Labour’s past mistakes, but the SNP are committed to delivering what tenants were promised: modern, affordable homes under local control. Labour in Glasgow have also failed to build more socially rented and affordable housing, meaning some tenants are stuck on waiting lists for years on end.  We, in the SNP believe this is unacceptable and must be issued. It is despicable that people are stuck in overcrowded housing, which is not suitable to tailor their needs.  They can’t move because there are no other houses available.We need to build more socially rented houses in the east end of Glasgow to end this, and give tenants a choice. If you have a housing issue you want me to take up, please call me on 0141 287 5315 or e-mail me at john.mclaughlin@councillors.glasgow.gov.uk  

Resident’s all over Tollcross, Fullarton and Shettleston were shocked to go to their letterboxes recently a find a copy of Shettleston SNP’s “Tollcross & Shettleston news”, a newsletter from their local SNP branch and councillor John McLaughlin.  Many residents have been delighted to know what the SNP have been doing for them during “peacetime”, and how to get in contact with local councillor, John McLaughlin.  One local resident said “It’s nice to know what my local councillor is doing for me and that they still want to know my views, even though they aren’t scrapping for my vote”. 

Shettleston SNP believe that it’s imperative to keep constant contact with local constituents, and we will do this on the web, at surgeries, on the streets and through leafletting! 

I’m always happy to take up local issues, please do not hesitate to contact me on any of the following ways:

Write me a letter:
Glasgow City Council
Bailie John McLaughlin
Ward 19 - Shettleston
City Chambers
George Square
Glasgow
G2 1DU

E-mail me:
john.mclaughlin@councillors.glasgow.gov.uk

Call my office at the council:
0141 287 5315

Call my mobile:
0782 552 1215

Send me a fax:
0141 287 4972

You can visit my surgery:

Whiterose Community Hall - On the first Monday of the month from, 6-7pm, (112 Caroline Street)

Fernan Street Social Work Complex - On the first Tuesday of the month, 6-7pm (20-30 Fernan Street)

Shettleston Community Centre - On the second Monday of the month, 6-7pm (54 Amulree Street)

Mount Vernon Primary School - On the third Monday of the month, 6-7pm (Penryn Gardens)

Shettleston Library - On the fourth Monday of the month, 6-7pm (154 Wellshot Road)

Welcome to the Shettleston SNP homepage,

This website will be the online hub of all SNP activities in Shettleston, as your local councillor I will be using this website to keep you up-to-date with my activity and work in the ward.  Please feel free to contact me at any time if you need assistance with a local issue.  I was elected to serve you - I intend to work for you.

Yours, for Scotland,

 John

Bailie John McLaughlin
Ward 19 - Shettleston
Glasgow City Council