When indisposition strikes
It was a day for indisposition at Holyrood. The first minister, Alex Salmond, is laid low with a stomach bug. His deputy Nicola Sturgeon duly deputised.
Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson is recovering from keyhole surgery on his knee following an injury. His place in the chair was taken by Alasdair Morgan.
My sympathies to both the FM and the PO. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
And did this outbreak of illness result in quieter, more contemplative exchanges in the chamber? What do you think?
Certainly, the chat between Nicola Sturgeon and Annabel Goldie was notably consensual.
But then they were discussing the problem of youthful abuse of alcohol and wisely chose to abstain from political barracking.
Coming unstuck
By contrast, the discourse between Ms Sturgeon and Labour's Wendy Alexander was as sharp and argumentative as anything witnessed when the FM is present.
Ms Alexander was doing a fair job of pursuing her rival with claims of cuts in education, despite Ms Sturgeon's assertion that the claims were untrue.
However, the Labour leader came rather unstuck when the Deputy FM disclosed that Ms Alexander's press aide, Simon Pia, had phoned the head teacher of a Paisley school where there is concern about future provision.
The clear implication was that Mr Pia was deliberately fomenting discontent in order to stand up claims due to be made at Holyrood by his boss.
Mr Pia insists he was merely phoning the school out of politeness to alert them to the fact that they were to be mentioned in the chamber.
Perhaps the most effective intervention came from Nicol Stephen of the LibDems.
He reflected upon remarks made by Alex Salmond in a conference webcast interview with myself; in particular, exchanges on the subject of student debt.
Clever point
Mr Stephen noted the FM said then that the government had instigated a consultation on the topic of student debt, the contents of which could be read.
Was, Mr Stephen inquired, that statement true?
Ms Sturgeon averred that everything said by the FM was truthful. However, she rather spoiled the effect of that by going on to indicate ministers will consult on debt.
Future tense. It will apparently emerge later this year.
Mr Stephen, she conceded, had produced a "clever debating point", just the sort of stuff she used to chuck at Jack McConnell.
PS: On the subject of the former FM, an earlier post on this site asked me whether Mr McConnell had made other contributions in parliament since losing office.
He has indeed, most notably urging ministers to restore funding to an organisation which helps with youth employment training.
I'm 
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As usual at FMQs Labour MSPs disgraced themselves by shouting loudly and long during the answers to Ms Alexander's baseless inaccurate scare-story questions. What an affront to democracy. They should be ashamed of themselves. All members of a democratic parliament should be heard. It is what the people expect.
Only Labour seemed to be guilty of this atrocious and somewhat obtuse behaviour. Is it even paying any dividends? Apparently not, as the SNP government's popularity and the electorate's disapproval of Ms Alexander and her party continue.
To seek to prevent the government from defending its conduct is to show that you are afraid to let it be heard and is tantamount to conceding that that conduct is irreproachable.
Another unimpressive performance from Ms Alexander. Congratulations to Ms Sturgeon for standing in for the First Minister so ably.
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afternoon all well it looked as though ms sturgeon was on the ropes a bit at fmq's but we should of known better . obviously her training as a lawyer stood her in good stead .what a final answer to wendy alexander , a cracker, all of a sudden the racket from around ms alexander on the labour benches stopped. found out again wendy . if in doubt come up with another scare story.no credibal policy's = no hope.
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MajorStishie seems to overlook the sycophantic nonsense that the SNP usually come out with.
In fact the whole parliament is a disgrace when it comes to that - it's embarassing to watch the shouting, laughing, name calling, etc. I used to think Westminster was bad, Holyrood is ten times worse.
Not only that but the long drawn out questions and the avoidance of answers by falling back on abuse (yes, I'm looking at you First Minister) and waffle.
The Presiding Officer is the one that should be ashamed. He has let the parliament get into this state by not exerting his authority and letting people get away with behaviour they shouldn't. The result is a kindergarten parliament which puts the whole of Scotland to shame - and ALL parties contribute to it.
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This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
What all reasonable readers will want to know is whether there is substance to Wendy Alexander's assertions about Glennifer at FMQs today.
Readers should go to the webpage of the Parent Council of the school:
http://www.glenifferhigh.renfrewshire.sch.uk/ga.html
Here the minutes for February, March and April indicate that parents are appalled by the cuts being demanded of the school by the SNP-led council.
By way of example, in February the minutes report:
"We received a report on budget cuts to Gleniffer High School. For the coming year this totals over £330,000 which is approximately £250 per pupil. This will have an enormous impact on resources including staffing, books and curriculum."
In March the minutes report:
"We considered very carefully Renfrewshire Council?s response to our letter of concern about cuts to Gleniffer?s budget for 08/09. We have now written to them again as their response did not address our concerns. We have also contacted the School Inspectors and the First Minister, and await their replies. We are appalled at the impact the cuts will have on pupils, staff and the community as a whole, both in the immediate and longer term."
And in April:
An impressive number of concerned Gleniffer parents, carers and guardians attended the meeting on 23 April 2008 called by the Parent Council on the issue of budget cuts .......... Parents were clearly extremely concerned - amongst other things - at the curriculum and option choice restrictions spanning Standard, Intermediate, Higher and Advanced Higher subjects."
So when faced with this evidence who has come "unstuck" here Brian? Ms Sturgeon or Ms Alexander? I leave it up to your non-partisan readers to decide.
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It seems that Wendy Alexander, ably assisted her backroom team, is still intent on shooting herself in the foot at FMQs every week.
Parent teacher councils would be better to address their concerns directly with the local authorities rather than see Wendy Alexander hijack the issue and then make a hash of addressing their concerns at Holyrood.
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Since when did parent teacher groupings set the budget for local authority education departments? Me thinks they'll have to join the queue with other focus groups looking for money.If a bit less finance went into the black hole that is education there might be a bit more around for the rest of the populace's needs.Glad to hear McConnel's doing something since he was removed from office maybe he'll be able to do a wee bit more to justify his existence when he gets a proper job.
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The real issue here focuses on the choices for Advanced Highers. Advanced higher subject choice in schools depends on uptake in individual schools, exam results etc. Arrangements for final choices take place later in the year, so this does seem to be politiking by Wendy.
Later in the year the range of Advanced Highers will become known. It is unfortunate Wendy has picked on Glennifer just because it is SNP-led Renfrewshire Council. Another shot in the foot for Wendy!
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Nicola was epic today showing yet again that the SNP is not a one man band. John Swinney shone during the budget speech, Richard Lockhart and Fiona Hyslop have proven their worth and of course Kenny McCaskill is dogged in pursuit of justice.
Wendy should take a leaf out of Nichol Steven's book. He lays down his questions in a calm, direct, no nonsense manner. Consequently he is effective.
Wendy should spend less time trying to look smart and find some decent questions which are pertinent to the proceedings and based on facts rather than Labour propaganda.
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Wendy takes an interest in Paisley shocker!
That'll be a first apart from photo opportunities.
Why was a "press aide" phoning the school Headie, matters concerning Scottish Education budgets are not property of a Labour Cabal, but they are of the Parliament. Why didn't Pia just extend his courtesy in letter via the PTA Secretary.
More point scoring gone west, thankfully
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here brian
i am very concerned to hear the FM is ill. Did he eat anything when he went to see gordon brown the other day.
You dont think someone is trying to bump him off do you?
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No 11.
'i am very concerned to hear the FM is ill. Did he eat anything when he went to see gordon brown the other day.
You dont think someone is trying to bump him off do you?'
More likely the 'culprit' could be one Alf Young - or do you not remember his memorable act with one Helen Piddle in a 1979 BBC election ad portraying the border jackboots of the SNP government??!!
Credibility destroyed forever, eh Alf??
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Brian,
Don't you think it's time that you started writing a really trenchant analytical set of posts on the current state of Scottish politics, rather than all those pretty little vignettes which you love to offer us??
I may have got this wrong, but it seems to me there is a yawning gap being created in Scottish politics between a new and maybe raw government which seems to be winning and maintaining the heart of the country in terms of its productive policies and openness and, on the other hand, a completely disarmed opposition, ostensibly led by the worst Scottish Labour 'leader' in history, aided and abetted by the empty soundbite Tweedle brothers.
There's a real considered and continuing commentary waiting to be undertaken on this matter, Brian.
Over to you (or not)!!
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freedjmac, expect little from the Scottish media, it is only serving the status quo and itself.
Bu**er the people of Scotland who long for fair press and TV reporting.
I consider it the job of the media to tell us facts , not follow a slavish line in party politics.
The once great newspaper ,the Herald, has descended to tabloid level.
Once it could boast putting forward a many sided argument and leave the reader to judge the merits, not now.
It cannot report anything on an impartial basis because it is in the pocket of the Labour Party.
My disgust with journalists in general, falls on the once great Times , the Telegraph and the Guardian all of whom follow the party line as witnessed by the dreadful articles in said newspapers over the London Mayoral elections.
Happily I vote for policians and NOT journalists and there are many ways to find the truth, we are not confined to the spoon feeding of misinformation by the media.
It takes a little more effort but it is worth it!
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As it happens it was Ms Sturgeon who was lying, not Wendy Alexander.
My mum is the chair of my former school's parent council where my brother and sister are still studying and she was mentioned by Wendy Alexander as one of the many parents and pupils concerned about their children's futures.
My mum has been pushing for a reversal of the budget cuts that are causing so many problems for a few weeks now. 4 million pounds have been cut from the local education budget by the local (SNP dominated) coucil (interestingly the local council has decided it wants to spend £4 million on purchasing new property). In modern times that is a disgusting amount to cut from education. Realistically, there should be an increase in the budget to cope with inflation. The head teachers of local schools can't offer the services they are expected and need to give for the benefit of their pupils. On top of losing supported study and some teachers and having cutbacks in behaviour and learning support, advanced higher options have been cut right down to just english and maths from a much wider selection including art, biology, physics, chemistry, modern studies and so on. This doesn't affect the "underpriveledged" it affects the kids who really want to be there and are serious about professional careers. A lack of advanced highers also restricts such pupils to Scottish Universities due to entry requirements. A girl I work with thinks she will have to leave at the end of fifth year because she can't study the subjects she needs to get into the degree she wants.
I feel Ms Sturgeon's comments were brazen, unfounded lies, used simply for political gain and without care for the people she and her party should be serving. Her running of FM's Question Time was dire. By branding Wendy Alexander a liar she has not only made a fool of herself, but she has added insult to injury to the many pupils, parents and teachers struggling to cope with these cuts. If a government wants to be taken seriously by the coming generation, it should start investing in young people's future.
SNP won't be getting my vote.
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Check your sources next time
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watching FMQs today on the TV made me think just how well Wendy did. Calm, careful measured questions and the fact that she had directed her support team to check the facts showed sound judgement. If she had not done so that would have been a fault and the SNP would have said so. Nicol Stephen as ever had done his homework.
The fact that the Deputy FM responded as she did to Anabelle Goldie was a reflection of two facts of life now in Scotland. All parties appear to me to agree that todays topic on under age drinking chosen by Anabelle commands universal concern if not a universal solution.
The second fact of life is that if we reflect on last year's elections we know that the Tories are unelectable as a Government in Scotland. Tactically, the captains of industry and all those conservative supporters across Scotland knew that their best bet therefore was to back the SNP in the mission to beat Labour as they did. So the SNP know that they have to keep the traditional SNP supporters happy but also to keep their Tory supporters happy too. Witness the constant collaboration between the SNP and the Tories in the Parliament that we read about in the newspapers regularly. We are seeing right across Scotland right wing cuts taking us back to memories of the worst days of the Thatcher Government. So Salmond's Tory Government in SNP clothing. We know what happened to the Tory approach - the people of Scotland will not tolerate the schools closures, the move from free help to elderly and disabled people to punishing charges on the poorest and least fit in Scotland. Our media reporters like Brian and others enjoy too many comfortable evenings wining and dining with the rich and affluent to know what our old folks whose care services are being priced out of their reach - Brian maybe you and your media folk need to walk around Torry, Edinburgh, the mining villages across Scotland to see how the real hurt is reaching the parts you are not reaching. Yes the SNP is keeping the dinner tables full of the feel good factor but don't get old in Scotland today and don't need a nursery place and don't be a person needing protection from the police - it's all fast disappearing uner the SNP
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Despite being a Labour man i would like to offer my best wishes to Mr Lochead who this week has had his second kid, personally i think that in these times (of both illness and great joy, all parties should not be as petty as stick to nonsense like party lines and accept the great joy that can be brought to peoples lives by these wonderfull additions to our lives. i dont ever think that illness or absence is ever a political advantage and i wish the best of health to all those in times of not best health and great joy in the addition to their lives.
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Krupskya, what is it with you Unionists?. Why cant you actually debate the issues without resorting to keek you read on a cereal box.
I am well left of centre, and an avid SNP supporter because they are the only REAL SCOTTISH POLITICAL PARTY.
My question to you and your ilk is "Why do people like you put their party before the interests of the Scottish People". It is becoming a real embarassing situation to have labour supporters banging on about a Union and at the same time being guilty of condemning hundreds of thousands of Scots to living in poverty. I mean why would you want a leader who put Scots on near poverty wages, and then turned around and doubled their 10p tax to 20p.
As I have said people are being made sick by the constant whining that escapes from your mouths. Try and get a spine so that you can stand up and hold your head high. Then perhaps you will actually Vote for a referendum that nearly 85% of Scots want.
If you were better informed you would understand that any shortfall on Scottish Pensioner care has been guaranteed by the SNP Scottish Government. You would also realise that the London Government cut thirty million from pensioner care, not the SNP. It was your right wing big business party, yes the Labour Party. The SNP in fact appointed Lord Laidlaw to investigate the cuts by Gordon Brown, which he has condemned in the media over the last two days. Laidlaw stated that the 30 million should be reinstated and agreed with the Journalist that the 400 million they have also with held should be paid to the Scottish People.
As a Scot you should be fighting for Scottish Rights, not for the London Controlled New Labour Party machine. Think for one moment on why Scots should on average die much earlier than most European People, or why Scottish Bairns should live in the worst poverty levels in Europe. This fact is one of total shame for all Scots, but more importantly is the fact that New Labour and the LIBDEMS presided over the Scottish Government since the Parliament was founded. Your London Controlled Political Parties under Wee Jockeee and Nichol Stephens sent back 1.5 billion pounds to London, because they were more interested in impressing their Masters Down South, than impressing the People of Scotland.
I wont go on about a subject you are blind to. Some Folk are beyond help. Sleep Well Tonight.
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So Wendy's people are getting up to dirty tricks - is this a 'Wendygate' in the making? - what next? - will Wendy's minions be seen lurking furtively around school gates in the hope of overhearing a disgruntled teacher making derogatary remarks about the state of education in Scotland - watch this space :-)
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As predicted by the polls, Labour have been slaughtered in the council elections south of the border, would it be unreasonable to assume yesterdays rant in respect of the polls was the usual denial tactic, so often used by an unpopular party led a by an unpopular leader?
Just a thought.......
Wansanshoo
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Oldskulejosh needs a little bit of perspective.
I went to school in Paisley 30 years ago when it was still a Labour monolith. I was told that in order to pursue some of my chosen subjects I would need to either (a)proceed without tuition (ie the school would provide the books but otherwise I was on my own) or
(b) take the classes for subjects not on offer at my school elsewhere.
This did no harm - widened social networks and crossed sectarian divides - and law school beckoned.
To suggest that in some sort of Labour golden era all subjects were available at all schools in Paisley is just laughable (though, sadly, entirely characteristic of the terminologicalinexactitudes of Labour and its acolytes)
Ms Alexander is my MSP. Everytime I watch FMQs and watch Salmond (and now Sturgeon) wipe the floor with her I cringe.
For Krupskya to invoke old folk priced out of the market for services in advocating the policies of the party that tried to double tax on old folk the length and breadth of Britain, and who have privatised more of the NHS than the Tories ever dared is hypocrisy on a mind-numbing scale.
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So much misinformation about....the education budget has actually increased in Renfrewshire from £150m to £157m this year....
while some additional services may have been sclaed back - the real issue is that Wendy and her team were phoning around schools trying to dig up dirt....have they Disclosure Scotland clearances to be doing such activities?
Also remember that the new snp administration in Renfrewshire inherited a £13.5 million budget gap, including £16m per year being wasted on PFI schools...check out Paisley town centre it was dying on its feet under Labour, the turnaround is slowly starting to happen in paisley - watch this space!
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Wendy and her crew are ones well acquainted with mismanagement of ALL sorts of Renfrewshire budgets.
I have had the misfortune of serving on a Community Council in this fiefdom and it was a salutory and unedifying experience to this old duffer.
Plenty of 4 page colour newsletters of Wendy opening and attending sites she'd never seen in her puff, local engagement aye right!
As Warren Zevon said, send for the PressAide
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"Ms Alexander's baseless inaccurate scare-story questions", "Congratulations to Ms Sturgeon" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel I have to reply on the comments (number 1) made above by 'majorstishie'.......
majorstushie should TOTALLY check his facts!! Wendy Alexander is not scaremongering.... A number of staff have been declared surplus, losing their current jobs and being transferred god knows where and education is under threat due to lack of courses on offer..... but importantly - the behaviour support bases in all of Renfrewshire have no funding and have to close. Learning Support has also been cut drastically and staff made surplus. The Scottish Exec in Better Behaviour Better Learning vowed to provide money to the schools for a behaviour support base as, due to social inclusion, children who would otherwise have been in a specialist EBD school are now in mainstream. These children have no support as of August and face a school career of exclusions after exclusions. And the learning support pupils - cannot receive the support they require.....
Other Authorties (e.g. Glasgow) have still allocated their budget to pupil support and maintain their behaviour suport bases and learning support allocation - SNP Renfrewshire? Not.
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Brian:
I hope that everyone in your piece; are feeling better now...
~Dennis Junior~
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