Councillor accused of hypocrisy and double standards over Fife Council care homes
Fife's SNP social work spokesman has hit back in the row over the future of council-run care homes, accusing the main opposition party of "hypocrisy and double standards" by continuing to criticise the plans.
- By Craig Smith
- Published in the Courier : 08.08.11
- Published online : 08.08.11 @ 02.00pm
Councillor David Mogg condemned comments made by Labour leader Alex Rowley in The Courier last week after it emerged that Fife Council had formally started the process of seeking interest from the voluntary, private or not-for-profit sectors when it comes to replacing current services.
The SNP/Lib Dem administration is pressing ahead with the plans to replace provision in the 10 council-operated care homes, although Mr Rowley slammed the plans as being "short-sighted and plain wrong."
That has now provoked a stern response from Mr Mogg, who believes Mr Rowley is "still in denial" about the state the last Labour government left the economy in.
"The cuts coming from Westminster are all too real but in Councillor Rowley's fantasy world all can be achieved simply by wishing for it," he said.
"It was obvious that Labour had buried their heads in the sand for the last 20 years when they were responsible for the administration in Fife.
"That is of course except when Alex Rowley, as the then leader of the council, solved a budget shortfall by closing down two care homes — one in Leven and one in Kirkcaldy— and distributing the residents to the four winds."
'Sickening'
He added, "This latest diatribe in the pages of The Courier adds up to hypocrisy and double standards being demonstrated by the Labour leader.
"In 2011 Labour eventually came up with a plan to replace about three homes by 2022 with no hint as to when the rest would be replaced, and even this could only be funded by withdrawing all the budgets for even basic maintenance of the remaining homes.
"Their entire response to the issue of care for the vulnerable has been characterised by misinformation, scaremongering, incompetence and irresponsibility.
"I find it sickening that Councillor Rowley continues to attempt to scare the elderly and their families in order to attack his opponents."
Mr Mogg also rejected the idea that council-run care homes will be sold to the private sector, stressing that the local authority is inviting interested parties in the voluntary, not-for-profit and private sectors to submit proposals to build and run replacements for the ageing homes.
He said, "Our focus is on the welfare of the vulnerable, we're taking steps to make sure our older people, now and in the future, get the quality of care they need and deserve.
"We have met this vision by examining alternative ways to meet those needs while always keeping the welfare of the individual at the centre of our plans."
02.13pm - 08.08.2011 Eoin Ryan - Glenrothes, Scotland Report This
Labour in Fife, double standards and hyprocisy, never!! It can't be true! Did Alec really close two care homes? Oh, yes he did! Does he want us to forget it? Oh yes he does!!
05.33pm - 08.08.2011 Brian Shepherd - St Monans, Fife Report This
Oh! And look who is closing even more now! My wife will be out of a job! Forced to work in the private sector! For crap wages if she can find a job! With foreign workers! Payed for her own training she did HNC, Svq etc.. Weres your loyalty to your work force? David Mogg! ya mug!!!!
06.19pm - 08.08.2011 Eve - Cupar, UK Report This
The legacy left by Mr Rowley's chum Gordon means that tough decisions have to be made. Mr Rowley was ably assisted in shutting care homes in Fife by Claire Baker's dad, a Fife Labour Councillor. We're meant to forget that too, when she is also banging on about this decision to score a few points.
08.06pm - 08.08.2011 Alex Rowley - Kelty, Fife Report This
The really sad thing is the SNP vice chair is privatising the homes because he says the council care workers 'get paid too much'. It seems the SNP are happy for care workers to get the minimum wage, this is not a position I can ever support
09.20am - 09.08.2011 Eve - Cupar, UK Report This
So what position were you supporting when my Dad was turfed out of Parkdale. Mr Rowley?
11.20am - 09.08.2011 Eve - Cupar, UK Report This
Foreign Workers? Oh I say, surely not... What's you position on that (immigration) Mr Rowley? Careful now! Remember what happened to your pal when he voiced a view about this!!
12.05pm - 09.08.2011 Alex fae Cardenden - Cardenden, Scotland Report This
What next Mr Mogg? Did Salmonds meetings with Rupert Murdoch have anything to do with the decisions to privatise swathes of Scottish service provision? As for Alex Rowley...I think he should reveal the full text of the comment allegedly made by Mr Mogg, that the care workers 'get paid too much'
04.05pm - 09.08.2011 Eve - Cupar, UK Report This
Councils all over the UK (yes even Labour ones) are privatising services so I don't know what Blair, Brown, Cameron or Salmond cosying up to Murdoch has to do with it. Mr Rowley will have Mr Mogg's comments in writing or he wouldn't be saying such a thing. That would be a bit silly, wouldn't it?
01.13am - 11.08.2011 Angus M - Dundee, Scotland Report This
What was the SNP view in its 2007 manifesto? Can someone remind me?
10.58am - 11.08.2011 Eve - Cupar, UK Report This
Whatever it was (SNP Manifesto), everything's been turned on it's head by the Brown Legacy and the results of his government's chaotic bungling of the economy.
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