Scotland

Download here the election leaflet from our candidate in the Scottish elections (pdf file)

Download here the election communication (below) from our candidate in the Scottish elections (rtf file)

Note about downloads:
pdf files preserve the layout and formating of the original document. In order to read pdf files, your computer must have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader installed.
rtf files can be read by any word processor including Microsoft Word, Open Office Writer, Word Perferct etc.

See and Listen to the Stirling Peace Party Candidate, Liz Law, on Video

Liz was interviewed recently, along with candidates of other parties standing in the Stirling Constituency. Just click on this link www.youtube.com/electionshorts and then on to Liz Law's photograph. Our thanks are due to David McDonald for organising this.

What do we mean? So often in politics things appear to be complicated, yet to those of us who are involved in Peace work or Peace Politics the underlying answers are very simple, while the causes are complicated by years of mishandling, suspicion and neglect.

When we say “Yes” we mean…

Yes to Dialogue

Communication between people, organisations – national and local- and cultures, is the first step to understanding one another. Culture in our wonderful Scotland is diverse and energetic. Sometimes that is misunderstood by people who interpret difference as a threat. The real threat is closing down and not opening our eyes and hearts to other ideas and hopes.

Dialogue is more than just talking; it is about taking part in activities and projects together. A rich and diverse group of people can create the world we envision.

Beneath the jargon there is a wealth of positive ideas. If equality exists then no one person is more important than another. That does not mean that some people have gifts not granted to us all. Some people struggle to live from day to day even when they are treated equally. What we mean is that under the law of this country we are committed to ensure fair and just practice with regard to all people.

It is easy to be tolerant of people we like or find amusing. It is more difficult when people or their ideas are “other” to us. When their view of the world actually runs counter to our own is it possible to be tolerant? This is where we must look at our own response. Is it measured?; is our behaviour in response to other ideas disproportionate and violent? Are we uninformed?

Tolerance is not saying anything goes; it is about respect for difference while challenging what we find difficult in a constructive way.

Jargon yes; but a fabulous idea. “Positive Peace” moves away from the simplistic absence of war that can cover up shocking human rights abuses, violence at every level and bodies who are not governing in the interests of the people. The Positive part is when the politicians representing people in a country are ruling in the interests of all. When there is rule of law, education, opportunity and hope for everyone.

Today’s security threats go beyond defence threats and include poverty, economic inequality, diseases, human rights abuses, environmental pollution and natural disasters.

The Peace Party takes the view that if, through human security, we focus more on protecting individual citizens and groups from threats to their survival, the world would be a more secure place.

Sometimes this is called diversification. It is when the marvellous minds of inventors are diverted from building weapons and devices that kill and maim people around the world to peaceful constructive inventions that promote quality of living around the world.

Often one argument used for the maintenance of the Arms Industry is that lots of jobs would be lost and our armed services would use munitions from other countries. The British government subsidies the Arms Industry and offers special deals to British companies selling arms abroad that guarantee that the company will be reimbursed if a foreign power defaults on payment.

Corruption has historically been associated with the Arms Industry. The types of corruption include bribery, nepotism, cronyism, sexual exploitation, blackmail and inappropriate links to government officials.

The Peace Party needs people who have disposable income and wealth to pay tax. Otherwise good social services, education and health cannot be paid for. Things that are damaging to the environment or people’s health should be taxed more than things that promote co-operative and sustainable living and good health Glamorous complicated tax systems are designed for people with a lot of money to avoid tax. We don’t like this and see it a form of economic violence.

Social Capital is about Networks and how they make things happen. These have an impact on education, economy, health, wellbeing and crime. The core values of social capital are reciprocity and trust.

There are two types of social capital – bonding and bridging. Bonding strengthens community with “people like us”. Bridging is crossing communities and areas of interest and identity and fertilising creativity with people who are different to our usual partners. Two ways of being with others, these connections represent a huge Scottish Wealth crossing all boundaries.

The Peace Party does not believe that the demands we are making upon ourselves and our planet for more food and goods is sustainable. We believe that by thinking what is “sufficient” for my needs rather than what do “I want” we can move into a way of living that is less driven by consumerism and more about each person’s well being - their mental and physical health.

How do we do it in an environmentally friendly way? Well first of all we try and use all we buy until it is worn out or finished. Then we see how the residue can be used. A hard task – those fantastic minds freed up by diversification could have a field day with these challenges.

Mentioned before but important. We now have poop-scooping in Scotland. It is time for eco-scooping – time to end polluting behaviour. This tax would go directly to offset some of the carbon foot printing. It could open up a whole new way of looking at the world if the cost of being profligate with pollution was redistributed to areas where there was a need to adapt environments. Fantastic development potential for areas of stress.

There are many fine men and women who go into the British Armed Forces. This is a traditional route out for people in difficult home situations or with little local opportunity. Our aim is to create an unarmed organised group of people who are brave enough to intervene in areas of conflict unarmed using conflict resolution skills that do not include weapons.

This would be dangerous work, it would need people trained to a high level, and the added value would be that on returning to their home communities they would have learned ways of working that would actively contribute to social harmony.

Nonviolent Conflict Resolution is active; people who are not prepared to fully engage with others of all types and creeds would be unsuitable for this work until they had developed, grown and learned a transferable life skill.

Competition and Market Place seem to have spread so widely that co-operation is undervalued. Co-operation and working creatively with others can be enriching and we would encourage this in simple ways. Car sharing, hot-desking and shared sport resources are things that can lead to growth. These ways of acting would be encouraged in an appropriate way. Appropriate because if you are trying to build a world where money ceases to be the ultimate incentive it is counter to the culture you wish to create to reward co-operative behaviour with cash.

Travelling from A to B on public transport would be integral to funding for transport services. By prioritising public transport and using environmental tax to develop eco-friendly ways of travelling or bringing services local, communities would regenerate.

How could we effectively share resources? This is difficult because often a shared item is not valued and no one takes care of the “commons”. There are ways of doing this that already exist. The knack seems to be to ensure that when problems arise there are mechanisms in place to address conflicts. That is what The Peace Party is most interested in - working to harness the energy of conflict in all its forms for the common good.

When someone gets cut by a knife carried by someone who is drunk, that is physical violence. The more dramatic murders get the headlines but the everyday hurt that some people experience is what can be tackled effectively when it affects so many people and keeps them wary and unwilling to engage with others. So, the key to our negative physical violence policy is our goal of communication and dialogue.

The Peace Party does not believe Britain should use its military power to bully other countries. Although a reserved matter, international affairs affect the lives of many Scottish families because they have loved ones in the forces or civil service supporting the national government agenda. Guns and nuclear deterrents do not stop wars; they are stopped years and months before through dialogue, fair trade and equal valuing of all people.

“You don’t stop a dog biting when its teeth are bared, you stop it when it begins to growl.”

Regularly we hear statistics about poverty, achievement differentials and house prices and debt rising. Economic violence is when one person feels of less value because their opportunities are reduced owing to lack of access to resources. The Peace Party believes that the underlying causes of people driving for more “stuff” is caused by lack of life satisfaction. We believe our “Yes” ideas address this gap.

We don’t want members of families beating up or psychologically torturing other members of their family.

It is not the job of The Peace Party to tell adults with free choice how to manage their sexuality and sexual engagement with others. It is our aim to eradicate rape, sexual intimidation and coercion from these shores.

Feelings good and less good can be manipulated. They can be manipulated through bullying, teasing, conditioning and social norms. At home, school and work people may use emotional violence. Directly or indirectly emotional violence can become a norm in society often linked to prejudice or the personal fear of the aggressor; “taking it out on someone else” is his or her safety value. But it is not safe for the receiver. We believe that by increasing people’s self-esteem, by encouraging them to communicate assertively and promoting co-operation in our lives the need to emotionally violate another will be significantly reduced in our society. When we have achieved this we will have another look at how to tackle the emotional violence that still exists.

Attempts have been made to keep the answers short.

Who Am I

Who am I and why am I standing for Stirling Constuency?

I am a woman with a diverse working history from civil service through newspapers, business and manufacturing to counselling peace studies and

mediation. I was born and grew up in Edinburgh, one of six children. I have

worked in Dunblane for the last four and half years at the Scottish Centre for

Nonviolence www.nonviolence-scotland.org.uk and more recently my own

Employment or Workplace Mediation business www.llziawmedlatlon.co.uk. I have

lived here for three years with my partner, Alastair Hulbert whom I met while

working at the Scottish Centre for Nonviolence. We will marry in the middle of

May.

I am standing because I kept suggesting to other people to stand to try to make

a difference! In the end I decided to take the leap myself. My motivation is a

driving need to promote positive attitudes in politics and society. I meet great

people all the time and in the Scottish Parliament I have met many committed and

hardworking MSPs and their colleagues. I want to encourage people to be positive

about what they have and what they can contribute rather than to endlessly

encourage negative attitudes and half-full responses to the tremendous capacity

that is in Scotland.

The Peace Party promotes constructive dialogue and interaction. Our aim is to

work towards a country where conflict is used and harnessed as a form of positive

energy and not tumble into negative behaviour that diminish others. For more specific

information go to www.peaceparty.org.uk/scotland.htnil

What can I do for Stirling?

I can bring energy and a fresh approach to the Scottish Parliament encouraging co-operative working rather than the creeping confrontation that is being normalised. I am intelligent, articulate and have a broad working background across government, business, media and not for profit sector. I have volunteered in

organisations ranging across Housing Associations, Samaritans, Mediation,

Counselling Services and faith based organisations. I am not a Party Political

Candidate in the general meaning of the word but a hands on practical person

prepared to have a hands on approach to my Constituents with a broad

experience.

As the Peace Party is a small organisation I will need to work with other politicians

to promote what is in the best interest of Scotland. I will not be obliged to tow a

party line to the detriment of the interests of my Constituents.

I am strong on housing, all things voluntary and I work well with conflict resolution. I am keen to learn and grow. I believe in the Scottish Parliament.

Do I think I can win?

If by winning you mean triumph in a first past the post election - I have a fairly

realistic idea of that possibility.

Winning for me is raising the issue of Positive Politics, of challenging the

confrontational politics that is creeping into campaigns, encouraging destructive dialogue, accusations and counter accusations.

Winning for me is seeing the Peace Party succeed at promoting dialogue and tolerance, challenging the weapons culture in our society and encouraging the sharing of skills and resources.

Winning for me is seeing constructive politics within and outside the Scottish Parliament where the people of Scotland share their gifts and skills to work together for the citizens of Scotland.

The above questions were prepared for the Stirling Assembly Hustings

The following questions were prepared for the Hustings at the Baptist Church Hustings in Stirling.

Marriage and the Family

Given the social and economic costs of family breakdown what are

your policies to strengthen the role of marriage as a key factor in

stable families and communities?

I would extend my policies to include civil partnerships and all long-term

relationships. The social norms of marriage are changing and I believe respect,

commitment and a sense of responsibility are key to marriage, civil partnerships

and long-term relationships.

• Economic violence is often the cause of family breakdown where a couple are

unable to meet the financial demands society imposes on them.

• Access to appropriate nursery and childcare facilities would enable one of

the parents to work part time.

• Recreation facilities that are affordable are also important so that when

families on low incomes wish to go out together the costs are not

prohibitive.

• Housing also plays a part. While property costs rise the pressures on new

family units are increased which is not in the interest of community where

people work all hours to cover basic living costs.

Would you be prepared to fund support services to encourage a

better understanding of marriage and to help people prepare for

the responsibilities of marriage?

No, because I think that implies that the state or institutions can intrude in the

personal relationships of adults.

Would you be prepared to improve the funding for conciliation to

support those undergoing problems in their marriage to support

and encourage them to work through the difficulties together?

I would be interested in supporting conciliation of independent bodies for

marriage, civil partnerships and long-term relationships.

Do you think the legal right of homosexual couples to adopt should

thereby deny faith-based organisations the opportunity to provide

a service of adoption?

I believe that if public money is being used to promote adoption then the laws on

equality and tolerance should apply.

Religious Freedom

Do you agree to the fundamental right of all Scots to express and

practice their religious convictions without harassment, coercion

or persecution?

Yes, the laws of Scotland state that inciting racial hatred is illegal. I have

grave misgivings about female genital mutilation.

Faith Based Initiatives

What measures would you take to ensure that the wide range of faith based

voluntary bodies who provide social services and often depend on

Government support like many other voluntary based organisations are not

penalised for being faith based organisations?

• I believe national checks and balance must be in place in all social services.

• If faith based voluntary bodies are not adhering to equal opportunities,

are not financially accountable, transparent and tolerant then I think they

should be penalised.

• It is important that through their accountability and the monitoring of volunteer

contribution and donations in kind that an accurate picture of faith based

organisations' contribution is appreciated.

Do you think that a Scottish Government should develop specific strategies to

work with faith-based organisations in the delivery of social care programmes

in Scotland?

No, there should not be double standards.

Health and Social Services

Given the scourge of drug addiction in Scotland and the damage this does to

both individuals and communities what action do you consider necessary to

tackle what is often described as a modern social plague?

I believe that the licensed legalisation of all drugs would drastically reduce this

scourge. The illegal element drives the financial incentives for drug cartels and

pushers.

However, it is also true that social desperation is often the cause of drug use in poorer communities and the thrill of the illegality in other communities. Legalisation of drugs would move drugs onto the same playing field as alcohol.

So high tax, checks and balances on suppliers, quality control on content would

address this issue more than criminalising people and drugs.

Would you support a system of enhanced informed consent, including pre-

abortion counselling and heightened awareness of post abortion trauma as a

mandatory part of the process leading to the termination of a pregnancy?

• I always believe in information.

• I have concerns that this question is more about people with one worldview

trying to inflict it on others than truly about informed consent or information

raising.

• Education around responsible sexuality, fertility, sexually transmitted

diseases and psychological implications for our own actions would be more

useful than institutionalising information after or during the event.

Do you support euthanasia and assisted suicide and if so why?

• Yes.

• In hospitals doctors can decide to keep people alive way beyond

their natural lifecycle so people whose life is in question should have the choice

whether doctors do this.

• My difficulty is at a further stage when state or health care professionals

decide without proper reference to end a patient's life.

• I believe in living wills and the welfare power of attorney.

Justice

If you were in Government would you sign the regional protocol of the Council of Europe's Convention on Human Trafficking?

Yes

Do you support the long enshrined right of Habeas Corpus in Scotland?

Yes

Do you support the right to trial by jury?

In appropriate cases yes but I think we need to review the judicial system to see if

more effective ways of handling crime can be sought.

Do you support the forced incarceration of the children of asylum seekers in

facilities like Dungavel? If not, what would you do about it if elected?

• I don't support the forced incarceration of anyone in Dungavel.

• I believe that as^ money can move country easily, as labour - that is in

demand ' can move country fairly easily, as trade and goods generally are

free, it is highly hypocritical that people are somehow not allowed to travel.

• The difficulty of large numbers of people moving from their homes will be

aggravated over the next generation by climate change and resource war.

• I believe if we in Britain and Scotland tackle unfair trading relations, reduce

our consumption and pay realistically for what we use then there would be

less need for people to migrate.

• Scotland needs a new generation of people. If families with children wish to

come here this is good for our future economy.

Education

What is your policy on the teaching of the Christian tradition of Scotland in

Scottish schools both in the formal and informal curriculum?

• I think we should teach about all religions in Schools. If families wish their

children to have faith education they should have out of school classes.

• An alternative might be for all schools to give equal opportunity to all faiths.

This might take the form of one or several classes per week to each child

who has a faith and another class on ethics for the children who do not

identify as religious.

Would you support a requirement on local authorities to facilitate the

provision of an abstinence-based approach to sex education in Scottish

schools?

• No, I think abstinence is just one element of sex education.

• It is more important to teach children about self-respect, appropriate

boundaries, how to decide for themselves how they wish to use their bodies,

the responsibility of their sexuality for themselves, their possible partner,

their family and any children they might have.

• To take a uniquely abstinence-based approach shuts the door on dialogue.

Would you be prepared to require local authorities to assess the demand for

faith-based education and to respond to this demand where it exists?

• No. I think if there is a demand then it will be raised directly with the local

authority.

• I have concerns about segregated schooling in an age when tolerance and

understanding is needed more than ever.

Community Development

How would you tackle the issue of affordable housing in Scotland?

• I would give preference in the planning process to developments that had a

mix of housing.

• Instigate research into how to keep housing affordable and re-look at the right to buy.

• Reseach on this issue needs to be comprehensively integrated.

• I would also ensure that second homes, which were not occupied more than

60 days of each year, were appropriately taxed.

Homelessness is a complex issue - how would you undertake to address

homelessness in such a way that the need to rebuild family and community

relations is addressed?

• I believe it is important to have mediation and conciliation for families when

they are finding it difficult to live together.

• People coming out of care or the armed forces often find it difficult to settle

into "home" life and have behaviour that is challenging. Low self-esteem is

often a reason for homelessness.

• Building up people's self-respect is important to ensure they are able to live

on their own and manage accommodation and their money.

• Lifting the stigma of homelessness would play a part in this process.

Sustainable Development and the Environment

Sustainable development and its many aspects needs joined up Government.

How would you improve the integration in the delivery of Government policy

in Scotland?

• There exists a network for sustainable development organisations in

Scotland.

• I believe the way to improve delivery is to ensure organisations that exist,

the funding they receive andthe objectives they are to deliver would aid the

delivery of Government Policy.

• I believe that organisations that work in partnership and share resources and premises should be rewarded.

How can we encourage people to consume less to support the war against

global poverty?

• I believe that green taxes are needed ie encourage the less destructive forms

of agriculture, put higher taxes on activities that increase pollution and

environmental degradation.

• Food needs to be identified as to its mode of transportation - for instance, air,

road, ship or rail.

• Airplane fuel needs to be taxed appropriately.

• A campaign to support local producers should be instigated on the basis

that if transport, irrigation and pesticides, artificial growing conditions

created in the world, treatment of grown goods were taken into the cost of things then goods grown locally would not be so expensive.

General Questions

How can we ensure we protect our young people from some of the internet's

more dangerous effects (pornography, gambling, violence, paedophiles) and

is an uncensored internet a desirable thing?

• Teach them critical thinking.

• If young people are taught to think for themselves then they will be able to

make informed choices in all areas of life.

• It is time to wake up to the fact that we will never be able to police

everything.

• Ensure that parents are aware of the different checks and balances available

for internet users.

In an increasingly relativistic world would you defend the right of Christians

to proclaim that 'there is only one way to God and that is through Jesus