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In the BMJ of 9th January you published a feature on Sam Galbraith,
Scottish Health Minister, which, among other things, reported his hope to
become the first Health
Minister of the Scottish Parliament if New Labour obtain a majority in the
May 6th election. Despite the overtly political tone of this feature, and
the fact that Scotland is in the middle of a hotly contested election, I
have scanned the pages of subsequent BMJs in vain for similar cover being
offered to Mr Galbraith's principal opponents.
It is far from clear that New Labour will secure a majority in the
Scottish Parliament and possible that the Scottish National Party (SNP)
may be the largest party. The SNP has
distinct health policies (notably opposition to Private Finance, and
active support for a strengthened public health agenda). Last week's
conference committed the SNP to using
the Parliament's tax varying powers to reverse the income tax cut in the
recent Budget with the express intention of enhancing spending in health
and education.
Press coverage in the rest of the UK of this historic election has
been scanty and inadequate, but this should not excuse the BMJ. BMA
members in Scotland are entitled to expect some serious coverage of the
election and its major issues, and, above all, evidence of an intention to
offer political balance.
Yours sincerely
Dr Malcolm Kerr
General Practitioner
Brodick
Isle of Arran
Additional Member List Candidate (SNP)
West of Scotland Electoral Region.
Scottish parliament elections
Dear Sir
In the BMJ of 9th January you published a feature on Sam Galbraith,
Scottish Health Minister, which, among other things, reported his hope to
become the first Health
Minister of the Scottish Parliament if New Labour obtain a majority in the
May 6th election. Despite the overtly political tone of this feature, and
the fact that Scotland is in the middle of a hotly contested election, I
have scanned the pages of subsequent BMJs in vain for similar cover being
offered to Mr Galbraith's principal opponents.
It is far from clear that New Labour will secure a majority in the
Scottish Parliament and possible that the Scottish National Party (SNP)
may be the largest party. The SNP has
distinct health policies (notably opposition to Private Finance, and
active support for a strengthened public health agenda). Last week's
conference committed the SNP to using
the Parliament's tax varying powers to reverse the income tax cut in the
recent Budget with the express intention of enhancing spending in health
and education.
Press coverage in the rest of the UK of this historic election has
been scanty and inadequate, but this should not excuse the BMJ. BMA
members in Scotland are entitled to expect some serious coverage of the
election and its major issues, and, above all, evidence of an intention to
offer political balance.
Yours sincerely
Dr Malcolm Kerr
General Practitioner
Brodick
Isle of Arran
Additional Member List Candidate (SNP)
West of Scotland Electoral Region.
Competing interests: No competing interests