03/07/2013 Newsnight Scotland

they are getting there. But this struggle could stilling very long

in some of these places. Prime Minister has been taking

advantage of Labour's pain over the selection battle in Falkirk. We'll

hear from an MP and a local party member.

And the end of Scotland's favourite Thatcherite policy. Is the right to

buy an idea that has had its time or is the Government putting dogma

ahead of practicality? Good evening.

David Cameron couldn't seem to stop smiling as he hammered Ed Miliband

over Labour's relationship with the unions at Prime Minister's Questions

this afternoon. The events surrounding the selection of a new

candidate for Falkirk is what has given the Conservatives such high

grade ammunition. The party's executive has taken over control of

the process after accusations the Unite union has been attempting to

fix the selection for their favoured candidate. The control of the

selection process has been taken over by the national check executive

committee. Ed Miliband wanted to talk about education policy, but

David Cameron was having none of it and took every opportunity instead

to raise Labour's links with the unions. His questions are written by

Len McCluskey of Unite. He is taking a his script from the trade unions.

Too weak to stand up to the Unite union and done by Len McCluskey who

gave him his job. It might not be part of Len McCluskey's script. He

has to stick to their scriptment -- script. This is a Prime Minister

who had dinners for donors in Downing Street! He gave a tax cut to

his Christmas card list and he brought Andy Coulson into the heart

of Downing Street. The idea that he is lecturing us a

eth ethics takes double standards to a whole new level. For his part, the

Unite General Secretary Len McCluskey accused the Prime Minister

of shameful cheap political shots and misusing his office. Labour

sources said a new candidate should be in place by the end of the summer

along with a review into membership procedures.

I'm joined now by Brian Capaloff, an executive member of Falkirk Labour

Party and from London by Dan Hodges who has worked for the Labour Party

and is now a commentator for the Telegraph. Brian Capaloff do you

agree with the decision to have a new shortlist? Absolutely not. The

decision removes from the local party the ability to choose its own

candidate and it be smirches the actions of a union and someone who

is working, who are working to reinvague rate the party in Falkirk

and I feel that it removed democracy from Falkirk.

Just to be clear because it is a question we have to ask a lot

tonight. Are you in Unite? I am now in Unite. I wasn't until a couple of

weeks ago, but yes I am now in Unite.

So you are a member of Unite. The most damming accusation levelled

against the union is that members of the union particularly at the plant

in Grangemouth were joined into the Labour Party and their subscriptions

were paid without them even knowing that they were becoming members.

This is one of the fundamental problems I have with this whole

process in that there has been a report done by officials of the

Labour Party. A decision has been made based upon what evidence, we

don't know Have you any knowledge of that? I would like to see the

evidence that the Labour Party has on which it based that decision. All

we're getting is leaks and smears against Unite. From your experience

as a senior member of Falkirk Labour Party, you do not know of cases

where people have been joined into the Labour Party without their

knowledge? No. I personally know of no such cases. But as I've said,

there, if there are such cases, then give us the evidence and then we can

see... So you would like this report to be published? There is someone I

don't agree with, David Blunkett who is saying yesterday that let's

reveal what the report says and until that happens, this episode

isn't going to end at all. The other accusation is that the

union has even, if people know their joining the Labour Party, has been

paying their subscriptions for them. Even if that's not against the

rules, you can see it looks fishy from outside? Well, it is within, it

is within the rules for unions and Unite are doing it at the moment,

other unions are capable of doing so, to pay just one year's

subscription and it has been alleged that some of the other candidates

looking to stand as the Parliamentary candidate were doing

like wise. But as I've said, let's see the evidence to say what has

been happening. I'm not aware of any breaches of the rules of the Labour

Party. Reveal there is evidence to say such a thing.

All right. Dan Hodges do you think Labour were right to step in and say

no, we are going to start again here? Clearly, the reality is that

the Unite trade union has been caught bang to rights. There has

been accuse bus in Falkirk on an industrial scale and to believe what

we just heard then the conspiracy theory and the accusation that we

are hearing from Unite about smears. First of all, you have to believe

that Ed Miliband overnight has suddenly turned into a crazed

Blairite who wishes to damn the billing biggest union in the

country. You have got to believe that... Hang on, one thing you would

agree with Brian Capaloff on. This report is to be published. You can

see his concern that he is not sure what the allegations are supposed to

be? I have got no problem with the report being published. When the

report is published, it will reveal that Unite are up to their next in

attempting to rid the constituency. The key point that has to be

remembered here and this is the thing that I think is really angered

and infuriated a lot of the Labour officials I have been speaking to

over the last 24 hours, Unite have not been subtle about this. Len

McCluskey has been open about his strategy, his political strategy, of

packing Labour constituencies so he can get his members selected.

Hang on, you think the political concern and what looks bad for

Labour is not this rather narrow point about whether people were

brought into the party without their knowledge, it is just the general

point that Unite is going around trying to fill the party, the local

parties up with its members ahead of a selection process? It is not a

narrow point that the people were joined up to... No, no, you think

even if it is all proper and above board, you think Unite are at it

just trying to bring these people in even if they know they are joining?

It seems evident were brought in without their knowledge, but it is

quite clear because Unite have been open about this that they are

seeking to bring people into the Labour Party en masse for their own

political ends and they are clear, their own strategy document makes

very clear that this is not being done in the interests of the Labour

Party, it is been done in the interests of the Unite trade union.

Brian Capaloff, whatever the rules say, everyone knows, I mean Unite

have not been shy about saying this. They were trying to get people in

because they wanted a particular candidate to win. From outside the

Labour Party, it might be normal inside, it just stinks? I don't

think it does stink. Secondly, I failed to see what is wrong with the

union, whether it is Unite, Unison, or whichever union is actively

involved in recruiting members to the Labour Party to ensure that the

unions have a voice in the Labour Party. Packing a local party ahead

of a selection process is different from getting people involved in the

party? Packing is an emotive word. I see no problem in reinvigorating a

party and make making sure the trade union voice is heard. Is Thank you

very much. Listening to that in Westminster is

the Labour MP, Willie Bain. Are you a member of Unite? Yes, I am. I'm

proud to be so. Are you sponsored by them? Well, my

local constituency party before the restructuring of constituency

parties had a development agreement. That was a public issue. It was

acknowledged to the Electoral Commission and above board.

Permitted under law and something that I was proud to see in place.

Yes, sorry, for us mere mortgageles who are not inside the Labour Party

-- mortels who are not inside the Labour Party. Do you get money from

Unite? No. What happens is constituency parties sign

constituency development agreements... How much was that for?

The last and it is publicly accessible through the Electoral

Commission website, the previous CLP, Glasgow North East had a

constituency development agreement which meant �2,000 per year are

provided for political activities including campaigning. It is within

the law and entirely declared. Do you agree with the Labour Party's

decision to drop draw up a fresh list of candidates in Falkirk?

were serious issues around the Falkirk selection. It was right for

the national executive to take measures today to announce the

freeze date for membership for the selection should be March 2012. For

the General Secretary to look at the issues around recruitment of members

and I think it is important that the people of Falkirk will have

confidence that the next Labour candidate for that seat at the

jection is going to be -- general election is going to be selected in

a fair, open and transparent way. So you agree of the decision?

the decision was right. What do you make of Brian Capaloff's

call for this report to be published. He says he is not sure

what the allegations and what the allegations are supposed to be?

Well, remember Gordon, the National Executive Committee of the Labour

Party is a constitutional body of the party. It does not generally

publish private reports... Even your members involved are asking you to

publish it, why not publish it? does no the publish decision of this

sort. The national executive... That's a bureaucratic answer to a

straightforward question. Let me explain the he legal position,

Gordon. The National Executive Committee of the Labour Party is a

judicial organisation. So it should not generally publish reports of

this nature and I think what we have announced today is the right

approach. We have taken on board the views of the Labour Party in

Falkirk. We have looked at the wider considerations and we believe that

the special measures are necessary to restore trust and confidence in

the selection process in the Falkirk constituency.

What do you make of Len McCluskey's comment when he says that Ed

Miliband will be cast into the dustbin of history if he allows

himself to be seduced by the if likes of Jim Murphy and Douglas

Alexander? Well, Len is entitled to his views. I think what was

really... Different views at different times. He was blunt about

it. The Prime Minister came into office claiming to be the great

uniter of the country... We will talk about David Cameron some other

time. Hang on. Look, there is something wrong herement even

watching you tonight, our viewers could be justified in thinking,

given that you have admitted you got �2,000 from Unite. They could be

thinking who isle Willie Bainess speaking for? Look, the Labour Party

is a broad based political movement and we are proud of the connection

we have worthwhile hundreds of thousands of ordinary workers,

dinner ladies, electricians, engineers who choose through the

political levy to donate to a political party in a democratic,

free and open way. You say I have had money. I have not benefited at

all. My constituency party has an agreement which covers outreach

activities and campaign activities. It is within the law and public and

above board and it stands in stark con crast to the speculators who

have been funding the Conservative Party.

Thank you very much indeed. Once upon a time the majority of

Scots lived in council houses, now 65% of homes are owner-occupied.

The right to buy is one of the main reasons for that shift - a

Thatcherite policy that was taken up with great enthusiasm in Scotland.

Today the Government announced the final measures that will end that

right to buy here. Andrew Black build new homes to replace them on

estates outside of the city. There were space for small gardens between

each house. Take a look around the Glasgow

neighbourhood today and it is a different place from its beginnings

as a 1930s council house scheme. The introduction of right to buy meant

many people went from being tenants to owner occupiers and it has been a

desirable place to own a house. is a very special occasion. It is my

pleasure to hand that over to you as a little token. Right to buy was

brought in by Margaret Thatcher in 1980. Not everyone in Scotland loved

her policies, but this one was enthusiastically embraced. Some

450,000 tenants would go on to buy their homes. The price for this home

owning revolution led to a shortage of social housing for rent.

Delegates that's why I believe that the right to buy has now had its

day. APPLAUSE

Today, Nicholas Sturgeon popped around for a cup of tea with none of

the newest tenants. The Scottish Government scrapped right to buy for

new council tenants. Today, she announced it would be abalancished

in 2017. -- abolished in 2017.

It is right if we are investing in good quality, social rental stock

for people who can't afford to buy or take a lifestyle decision not to

buy their house. That house should not be available for this

generation, it should be available for future generation, because there

will always be people for whom house ownership is not the right decision.

This was welcome for if lady. the properties were bought at that

point and the housing association couldn't provide the bigger families

with bigger houses because they were taken up by the right to buy.

You were hear that sentiment from others who argue despite its

popularity, right to buy has been a disaster. We have lost those homes

forever. Those homes are no loppinger available to people in --

longer available to people in need at a time when we have 65,000 people

on the waiting list. We have 45,000 people assessed as homeless and

10,500 people in temporary housing. There is a lack of housing for

people. What about those who did exercise

the right to buy? Jane thought she was on to a winner when she did that

a few years ago, now she regrets it. There is this European legislation

that is coming in where all council houses have to be up to a certain

standard for 2015 so the council is going to put me and the three other

owners in this block into a situation where we might have to

spend several thousand pounds on fixing up the block.

With 400,000 people on waiting lists for social housing in Scotland, the

Government knows it must take action. That means that the era of

council tenants buying their own homes at a discounted rate will be

over. I'm joined now by the Leader of the

Scottish Conservatives, Ruth Davidson and by the Chief Executive

of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Mary Taylor.

Why do you think it is a good idea? We think it is a good idea because

there is a shortage as Graham Brown pointed out in your piece of

affordable, rented housing and taking a, giving ten as assy takes

property out of the rented pool ads the figures he has quoted, the

numbers of people on waiting list and so on.

Which is true Yes, but if you are looking at some of the problems that

exist at the moment, what happened today isn't a solution to those.

There was only 990 houses last year bought under the right to buy this

year. The Scottish Government is pulling �60 million out of the

housing budget. Right to buy has been a successful scheme. Nearly

500,000 Scots benefited from it and it transformed the landscape in

Scotland. People who have at aspiration to own their homes on

modest incomes can do so. New tenants can't buy. You could

have a rush to buy couldn't you? This doesn't happen until 2017.

Anyone who wants to buy their council house has from now until

then to do it. You could get a rush? We could, but there are restriction.

There are a raft of restrictions depending on the history of your

house and your tenancy which is one of the things that makes it unequal

at the moment. But this could, the three year window could provoke a

spike. Look, of course, you can argue about

it reducing the stock of social housing, but this is just a policy

that people loved. Why shouldn't they have the right to buy their

house? The people who were in a position to buy a particular house

they liked and wanted to stay in, for a discount, clearly benefited

from that, but there are lots of people who are not in houses that

they wanted to buy. The whole communities that these

people lived in benefited? necessarily, we are seeing the

longer term cons consequences of that. If you look around, you will

see in... She is getting annoyed here. Situations where the houses

which are in the poorest condition are the former right to buy

properties. Well, are this is about what kipped

kind of Scotland do you want? Like massive estates before right to buy

was brought in. More than half of all houses in Scotland were council

houses or do you want a mixed estates where you have people living

in socially rented accommodation, buy to to rent. That's the Scotland

I want to see. I want the sort of Scotland where people can think

there are lots of different ways that one day I can own my own house.

One of the ways which people who buy their own house has stopped today.

What we haven't seen from the Scottish Government today is we

haven't seen any counter measures brought in. They have just ended

this. They haven't brought in any other path ways to replace that.

What are they doing to let young people benefit from that aspiration?

Speaking for housing associations, we are interested in balance,

sustainable communities which includes the tenure mix and it

includes an age mix and so on and there are... The difference is doing

that by bureaucrat bureaucratic and letting people buy their houses.

People may not have voted for Ruth Davidson in Scotland, but this was a

massively... Nearly 500,000 people chose to buy their houses.

I am speaking on behalf of landlord organisations who had their business

plans disrupted by having to sell for below than the market price. On

the point about alternatives, in the Queen's Cross area today...

shouldn't run social policy for social landlords? No, but we have to

have a sows housing system that stacks up. And that's why there was

a review. I wanted to finish the point I

started to make in the vicinity of the development at Queen Cross

today, there was equity sharing and shared ownership and improvement for

sale and so those are options which continue to exist for people who

want to buy their house. All of which have been in place for

a large number of years. The Scottish Government stopped another

route when we should be cin he issing the ways -- increasing the

way for people to buy their own home, not decreasing them. If I

could address the point she raised, she talked about the discounts and

that was about how we ran this scheme and that's why there were

changes made to the scheme so the discount is capped at 35 % or

�15,000. The discount she is talking about don't exist and it is

disingenuous to say it does. There is an argument to say its time

was then, not now? You keep this going, but invest the money you get

going, but invest the money you get from selling in new housing stock.

The Scotsman leading with what we have been talking about funnily

enough. In the Guardian, there it is, a

dramatic picture of Egypt's second revolution. President Morsi ousted

as Army suspends constitution. It says. There is Andy Murray on the