Voters' views: George Whillans

MEET THE PANEL Name: George Whillans Age: 61 Lives: Langholm Works: Community councillor Current voting intention: Labour

Top of my list of election issues will be NHS 24 and out of hours medical cover, this certainly in my area will give the greatest cause for concern, being a rural area with an aging population.

I hope the Iraq war does not become a primary issue, despite it having caused so much anguish.

Transport, hospitals, care in the community, roads and, of course, the old chestnut the "Holyrood Building" will not go away.

So, the people who support the new Waverly line had better get there act together so there is no repetition of the parliament building fiasco.

VOTERS' PANEL INTRODUCTIONS Jim Monaghan Michael Marley David Hamilton Stephen Edenborough Jennifer Mackay Bob Crozier Michelle Hunt Duncan King Olivia Drennan Keith Brockie George Whillans

I want to see more accountability from our Scottish MPs and MSPs and a reduction in there numbers.

I will consider voting Labour for the following reasons.

In Scotland the Labour/Lib-Dem pact has brought some benefits, although I have to admit that Jack McConnell's choice of people to fill the posts sometimes leaves a lot to be desired.

The Tories are still facing a backlash from their 18 years in power.

The Scottish Nationalists are a one man band with Alex Salmond, and the Lib-Dems have some good politicians but will always be the "bridesmaid" at the wedding.

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Send us your comments on George's views using the form on the right.

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Are you voting in the general election or the Scottish election?
Undecided, Glasgow, Scotland

I too live in a rural area and find that the NHS24 support and out of hours services are fairly good so far. This is a sensible way to manage cost in the NHS going forward. Yes, people are not going to have the doctor on their doorstep any more. But it also means that doctors are not being called out for trivial non-emergency calls in the way that they used to. People abused the system so the system got tighter - live with it!
pete, Kinross

The lies leading us into an unjustified war are the primary issue, as far as I am concerned.
Robert Rogerson, Port Alberni, Canada

Indeed, transport, hospitals, roads and the Holyrood building will not go away but these are all devolved issues dealt with by MSPs. In this election we are voting on the issues that affect the UK and not devolved ones. This is potentially a huge issue for much of the population who still seem to fail to realise exactly who does what!
Stewart, Fife

Iraq is a more genuine cause to vote about in this election than the NHS, lets remember we are in Scotland and much of what will be talked about is devolved and therefore not applicable to us in this election.
Neil, Glasgow

I agree that NHS out-of-hours medical cover is a huge issue. I do not see how the Iraq war can be other than a dominant feature of the election. Under the UN rules it can only be considered a illegal war. Everyone is suspicious of the true reasons for embarking on the military action
D. Mc Michael, Stranraer,Scotland

I'm afraid whatever Labour's record on the economy, public services, etc the Iraq war has to be the crucial issue. The reason is simple - Tony Blair knowingly lied to the British Parliament and public in order to convince them to allow him to join the USA in a war which was illegal under international law. This is our one chance to tell him that his behaviour was unacceptable.
viki, edinburgh, scotland

My major concern is trust because of all the spin and deviations to policies after parties are elected! Who can we really trust to deliver what they tell us?
Andrew Mackay, Kirkintilloch Glasgow

Er..George this is a UK election not a Scottish election. I think you'll find that issues like transport, hospitals, care in the community, education, law etc. are all controlled by the Scottish parliament. So why exactly are you voting for a Labour MP again?
Tom Britton, Leith, Scotland.

George, how can you consider voting for the criminals who lied to get us into a war which has caused the death of tens of thousands of completley innocent civilians? Labour must realise that it has to change leadership before the people of Scotland will ever trust it again.
Don, Edinburgh, Scotland

Like most others who've responded I'm concerned that George (like many people) seems to be confusing devolved and reserved issues. Much of this election is irrelevant to Scotland - so all the more reason to make this a referendum on Blair's foreign policy (which does affect us), and where he has made surely the biggest error of judgement a British PM has ever made. The SNP or Lib Dems are your best chance to elect someone who didn't support the war in Iraq.
Chris, Edinburgh, Scotland

Poor old George having to use NHS 24 which I feel has the potential to be one of the best things about the NHS in Scotland. It provides easier access to support, advice and access to medical to more people than the old system ever did. Anxious mothers and old people often held back from calling "the doctor" through the night because they were concerned about waking him - now there are nurses 24 hours a day. NHS 24 is not change for changes sake, it is change for the sake of improving the NHS which is now made up of a multitude of professional.... its not just about Doctors.
Tom Barry, Methlick, Scotland

I live on a small remote island. I had to phone NHS 24 regarding a personal matter. The call was handled with the utmost professionalism, much better than limited service from our local grumpy GP. May I suggest that it is people like Mr Whillans who states there are issues with a service but does not give details is scaremongering. Mr Whillans shows his ignorance on national politics not only in failing to recognise a devolved issue but an issue that was introduced by the Labour Party in Scotland.
Maj. K Thompson (ret), rum, scotland

The future of the United Kingdom lies with the political party that can most energise the voters. The SNP is certainly not that party, with its narrow views and conflicting stances depending where in Scotland you live, Socialist in the central belt and 'tartan tory-like' when it suits them in the areas north of Perth. Areas such as the north east of Scotland are routinely ignored by politicians except when it suits them, and we need a party in government that will give the power back to the people by way of allowing more choice and freedom, not more nannying and cuddling up to Europe. Under these criteria it must be clear that the Conservatives are the only party offering anything remotely resembling that.
Tim Wood, Elgin, Scotland