Monklandsgate

Monklandsgate

Monklandsgate

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Monklandsgate was the name of a political scandal in the former Scottish local government district of Monklands (now part of North Lanarkshire) which dominated the Monklands East by-election in 1994.[1]

Map of the Monklands District, within Scotland.

Monklandsgate consisted of allegations of sectarianism spending discrepancies between Protestant Airdrie and Catholic Coatbridge,[2] fuelled by the fact that all 17 of the ruling Labour group were Roman Catholics.[3]

Accusations included: £21M spent on capital projects in Coatbridge while only £2M was spent in Airdrie; councillors handing out green job application forms while the job centre handed out white ones; and also accusations of nepotism as dozens of council workers were related to Labour councillors. The accusations were of increased interest to the media as the Monklands West MP was Tom Clarke, former Monklands District Provost and one time Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, while the Monklands East MP was the Labour leader, John Smith. The allegations of sectarianism were never proven, however allegations of nepotism were found to be true.[4]

Despite the allegations Helen Liddell narrowly retained the seat for Labour, against a strong swing to Kay Ullrich of the Scottish National Party.[5]

References

  1. [1]
    "Labour optomistic despite final split over 'Monklandsgate'". The Independent. 28 June 1994.
  2. [2]
    Webster, Joseph (2020). The Religion of Orange Politics: Protestantism and Fraternity in Contemporary Scotland. Manchester University Press. ISBN 978-1-5261-1379-5.
  3. [3]
    Nelson, Fraser. "Scottish sectarianism | The Spectator". www.spectator.co.uk.
  4. [4]
    "What John Smith left behind". The Independent. 18 June 1994.
  5. [5]
    "Liddell's 'no-nonsense' approach". BBC News. 17 May 1999.


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