In defence of Alex Salmond

This blog is not known for praising Alex Salmond but he in his defence of the Commonwealth Games in 2014 he is absolutely right when he defends the budget increase saying:

“The budget increases are going to be challenging but they are necessary. It means we can guarantee the successful delivery of the Games.”

Yet the sniping has already started with Murdo Fraser trying to scare people already saying that “we are already £80 million over budget and the Games are still five years away. Is this going to be another disaster on the scale of the Scottish Parliament building?”

And as if that wasn't enough today we have the Liberal Democrats scoring an easy headline with a story about consultancy fees with Ross Finnie declaring that "blowing over £1.2m on consultants and PR in the first two years isn't a good sign that ministers and councillors are focusing on the essentials and getting their spending priorities."

It's easy to look at a cost increase for the Games and get an easy quote in the press by talking about spiralling costs and talking about consultancy fees is guaranteed column inches but the fact is that everyone uses then and at £1.2m that is 0.3% of the budget.

There is never any analysis as to where they feel costs can be cut or any structural proposals to ensure there are no further budget over runs but then they are not actually interested in the 2014 budget, this is just about getting a party political jibe in but this is much more important than that.

I'm not one of the people around the Games who believe that 2014 is a golden bullet for all of Scotlands social ills but with political leadership it can be used as a catalyst to help tackle 3 major issues in Scotland.

1. Unemployment and Housing - In terms of creating jobs and regenerating housing there is a fantastic opportunity to tackle the history of deprivation left in Glasgow following deindustrialisation. A lot has been achieved but there is plenty left to do. These jobs won't last forever but with initiatives like the 2014 apprenticeships there is every possibility that this can be used to give young people the first opportunity on the employment ladder and rescue many from a lifetime of unemployment.
2. Health - This is something which can benefit not only Glasgow but all of Scotland. The Games should be a aim for many young people to get active and involved in sports just as the 2012 Olympics should but more importantly is the response from Local Authorities with a much greater effort to renew and upgrade sporting facilities and improve access so everyone in Scotland can get the opportunity to join in the health revolution the Games can bring in
3. Tourism and Infrastructure - The massive amount of visitors to Glasgow will create not only a short-term impact but also the chance to change enhance the reputation of the city for the future like Barcelona did in 1992. And the preparations for the increase in terms of infrastructure changes could have a massive effect on Glasgow's economy and that benefits all of Scotland. Well at least it would if the Scottish Government wouldn't abandon projects like GARL.

an £80 million overspend? Unfortunate but in terms of building this phenomenal legacy for Glasgow and for Scotland more than worth it, well it would if you think projects that can have such a revolutionary effect on tackling poverty is a priority...