Out and in
Outs and ins. Labour MP, Nigel Griffiths, announces that he is to leave parliament to spend more time with an international educational institution.
Mr Griffiths said it was a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to combine acting as director with lecturing on climate change, conflict resolution and nuclear disarmament.
Rather than looking to the future, some observers may be inclined to cast their minds back a couple of years when the married MP was obliged to apologise after a newspaper disclosed he had sex with a woman in his Commons office.
One or two may be casting still further back in time: to 2005 when Mr Griffiths only held his Edinburgh South constituency with a slim majority of 405 over the Liberal Democrats, leaving the seat potentially vulnerable.
(The third placed Tories are also voicing optimism.)
Also departing, Labour's John McFall, who has won fame for chairing the Treasury select committee during the economic crisis.
Mr McFall is stepping down in West Dunbartonshire.
Now there is always churn at election time - but it does look as if the turnover will be substantial this time around. (The voters, of course, may add to the tally.)
Thus far, nine Scottish Labour MPs are retiring/departing before a vote is cast.
One Lib Dem, John Barrett, has announced that he is to go. The SNP's cohort - with the exception of Alex Salmond - are all seeking re-election, as is the solitary Tory.
And the ins? Those candidates being selected to fill the vacancies.
For Labour, they now include Cathy Jamieson MSP who fancies a switch of venues to pursue her political career at Westminster.
I'm 
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~07~RS~)
Comments
Sign in or register to comment.
Pity poor Cathy Jamieson MSP.
Repeatedly tried to be a big fish in a wee pond, and failed.
So now she'd rather be an even wee-er fish in a bigger pond.
It's enough to make you wee yourself [laughing].
Complain about this comment
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/8491098.stm
On the "defection". The SNP group in South Lanarkshire have had a bit of a fracas now and then, and over the past 18 months there have been some local issues regarding planning. In at least one case there was an apparent mistake by a Labour councillor, but the SNP group totally messed up their attack by not checking their facts.
The infighting might now cease following his defection, but the SNP have not been effective at local level recently.
I don't think the media are making a huge song and dance about this because he is only a councillor (no offence meant) and pretty much unknown outside of the area.
Complain about this comment
The South Lanarkshire councillor who has left the SNP to join Labour is an interesting story.
Not because of his decision to switch, which is simply bizarre given Labour's refusal to endorse anything that the councillor believed in, but the questions over this man's principles.
Does he support a referendum on independence?
Does he support Full Fiscal Autonomy?
Does he agree with minimum pricing?
Does he support the removal of council tax and it's replacement with LIT?
Does he support reduced class sizes
Does he support Trident?
Did he support the Edinburgh tram line?
Does he support the war in Iraq?
All of these issues are at the heart of the divide between the SNP and Labour.
It has to be assumed that this person retains some of the beliefs he held when standing for office - if so, what ones remain, or has he simply ejected all of his former principles and replaced them with ones that are attractive to Labour?
Complain about this comment
Brian writes "The SNP's cohort are all seeking re-election".
Actually Alex Salmond is standing down and Dr Eilidh Whiteford is the new SNP candidate in Banff & Buchan.
Complain about this comment
#3. Online Ed
I'll say what we are all thinking:
Is it that he is attractive to Labour for what he is/was, as opposed to what he brings?
Complain about this comment
Brian
In your list of MPs not standing again, you may have overlooked a certain Alex Salmond.
Mind you does the North British branch of the BBC know who Alex Salmond is?
As for all the Labour MPs bailing out (no rats and ships that are leaking quotes please) maybe the Labour parties own internal polls re voting intentions are far worse than than people think. Is the built in Glasgow vote disguising just how bad things are for Labour in the rest of Scotland?
Complain about this comment
Still no journalist pointing out the rank hypocrisy at the heart of Labour with the news that Cathie Jamieson is pursuing a dual mandate.
Brian 'hard questions' Taylor being the latest example of the hear, see and speak no evil policy that permeates the Scottish media.
Providing a link to the BBC's publication of the Labour press release is supposed to be journalism is it?
Here's a serious question for anyone reading this blog:
Who was the last politician to field a tough question from Brian Taylor in an interview?
Complain about this comment
One of the things the SNP have to do is to ensure that people of the ilk of Jim Devine, Jim Murphy et al are weeded out of the party - the independence movement cannot afford self serving careerists.
The guy under investigation who has jumped ship before being pushed is not a loss to the SNP. That Labour have welcomed him with open arms may prove to be a blunder on their part and perhaps says more about the lack of principles within the present Labour party than anything else.
Complain about this comment
The current count of nine Labour parties MP’s, taking the severance payment of up to £67,000 plus expenses, does not amount to much.
But just how many will the electorate decide come the 6th of May should collect that same figure along with their P45? Not quite enough in MHO, remember that same electorate are getting up the same lies and deceit every morning.
That John McFall is leaving the House of Commons really does mean the quality and integrity of those being returned after May will defiantly be on the lowest plane ever.
What with that funny guy still trying to de-nigh that the WMD’s in Iraq was a fiddle, now he is to assist in the GE anything can happen. Big brown envelopes will be required even directorships from that other place across the pond will not make it all happen.
Complain about this comment
As of the 1st of Jan this year the process for selecting Labour Westminster candidates in vacant seats is a considerably truncated one. Rather the open free for all prior to that date. I'd imagine that has more to do with MPs waiting until now to announce they are standing down than the unpleasant maritime vermin metaphor so beloved of comment pages
Complain about this comment
Into a nice wee climate change non job.
That's why Global was so keen to rob taxpayers of billions in the name of this climate change fiasco.
The gravy train rolls on and on.
Complain about this comment
The BBC article on the South Lanarkshire councillor just defected has an interesting stance. The BBC report that he said the following:
"John McNamee said he no longer believed in independence".
However he is quoted as saying:
" I just think that independence is not the right option for Scotland right now."
The BBCs position here is inaccurate, misleading and biased.
Complain about this comment
#8 Online Ed
As someone who knows nothing about the internal workings of the SNP, what you have written there sounds a lot like spin. Had I heard if from Labour, I would have dismissed it immediatly.
I have relatives who have been active within the SNP (and some who still are), but who only stood once for public office (counciller) because they disliked the internal politics of the party. This is also what put me off politics when I was a student (despite being a very strong supporter of independance).
I am not for a second suggesting that only the SNP have this problem (indeed the same problems are more than evident in other parties), but it is somthing that should have no place in the running of our country. I suspect that more people than just me find the internal power struggles within a political party repugnant. Indeed it is what I think destroyed the soul of the labour party. Once career politicians realise that they did not have to please the public, but instead only had to please their party hierarchy, and in return the party hierarchy ensures a smooth propoganda machine behind which they can hide, then the country is no longer being run for the good of the many, but for the good of the few. that is wrong.
Too much power is in the hands of the party politicians, and in particular is gifted to the party that wins the election. We need more checks and balances, and in particular we need some means of personal accountability. After all, most people nowadays cannot name their MP, MSP or Counciller, but instead rely on the name of the party and the image that that portrays. The parties have every interest in perpetuating this. Unless you are a political geek then you rarely hear of any of the lower MPs, MSPs or councillers (unless there is some sort of scandal).
The only way I can see of doing this is either by greatly reducing the number of politicians (Maybe just the ministers of the government), with a corresponding increase in the impartial civil servants, or by electing the representative by popular vote, where each constituant has 1 vote (not transferable), and multiple representatives are elected for each area (thus reducing the importance of the party, as each party will have multiple representatives in an area).
Any thoughts?
John
Complain about this comment
Many journalists get their "news" from links to articles and blogs selected by Politics Home (proprieter - Lord Ashcroft).
They used to link to SNP Tactical Voting and J Arthur NcN......, but these links are now no longer shown.
The sole link that UK journos will now have an easy link to is our very own Brian!
The Union is safe!
Complain about this comment
"12. The BBCs position here is inaccurate, misleading and biased."
TBF McNamee's position is probably all these things too..
Complain about this comment
#1 NewForfarian
Aye, but there's mair money and less work.
Complain about this comment
Taking a slight side step from this article, link to a well written piece in the Hollyrood Magazine entitled "Devolution dividend"
http://www.holyrood.com/component/content/article/6-letters/3340-devolution-dividend
Complain about this comment
Another Labour MP who may not return is Anne Moffat in East Lothian. Mentioned only briefly in previous posts here, the East Lothian Courier last week (www.eastlothiancourier.com) contained several articles about a local Labour party (MSP Iain Gray) in disarray with stories such as "Bruised... but not yet beaten - the future of East Lothian MP Anne Moffat remains, nevertheless, at risk following last week's rebellion from her local party - but she remains Labour's candidate for the coming General Election". Related stories include "Party members barred from Labour Club - at least three ardent Labour party supporters - allegedly including Anne Moffat's husband Lawrence McCran - have been banned from Prestonpans Labour Club following last fracas" and "Moffat and Gray won't speak but voters show MP support - so what now for the county's under-pressure Westminster MP?"
Given her lack of local support, her chances of survival as a candidate, or as MP beyond the general election, seems poor. How will East Lothian manage without a MP whose record includes many mysteries – how did she manage such high travel expenses, what happened at that mugging, why compare Alex Salmond to Hitler, how can she oppose Post Offices closures locally while supporting the policy at Westminster?
The Courier articles provide a good description of an imploding local Labour party organisation whose infightling could make another SNP gain at the Westminster election that much easier.
Complain about this comment
13. john
"As someone who knows nothing about the internal workings of the SNP, what you have written there sounds a lot like spin. Had I heard if from Labour, I would have dismissed it immediatly."
I can see your point but if you were really disgusted with the internal workings of political parties, it is hard to see that the Labour Party would have any appeal. I have yet to hear that they don't internal conflicts--quite the contrary, they're famous for it. How serious the accusations of abuse in this man's background are, I have no way of knowing.
Complain about this comment
Speaking of Holyrood Magazine, I wonder what other publications will publish this story.
None by any chance? Maybe I'll be proven wrong. I hope so.
Complain about this comment
14. oldnat
"Many journalists get their "news" from links to articles and blogs selected by Politics Home (proprieter - Lord Ashcroft)."
Good lord, 'journalists' who aren't even capable of doing a Google search and don't have their own sources. What HAS the world come to?
Complain about this comment
#19 JRM
The point that I was trying to make was that he sounded exactly like the labour party. It was not supposed to be a flattering comparison.
John
ps Online, apologies for the unflattering comparison, I know your heart is in the right place, it's just that I have certain prejudices.
Complain about this comment
20,
Only Caledonian Mercury hopefully if not already (will read it tonight when I get home)
Complain about this comment
21. JRMacClure
"What HAS the world come to?"
PH has a US version too!
Jeff Breslin seems to have been restored (once he wrote a thread with an anti Labour headline!)
Complain about this comment
What about this story from holyrood magazine from Wendy "bring it on" Alexander
http://politics.caledonianmercury.com/2010/02/01/diary-wendy-to-wend-her-way-to-westminster/
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
From Councillor McNamee:
"I am quite well-travelled and have seen a bit of the world and I just think that independence is not the right option for Scotland right now.
The current global economic crisis has brought that into sharp focus.
"Scotland is better in a bigger union in terms of trading and the economy."
Taken straight from the Labour handbook of hackneyed sound-bites.
Also:
“I’ve lived abroad a bit, in Canada, and travelled in Australia and New Zealand, and come to the belief that economies of small nations really do struggle.”
Does he mean New Zealand?
What bumptious pontificating nonsense.
Complain about this comment
27. tullibardine
"Scotland is better in a bigger union in terms of trading and the economy."
The man is right! We're in the EU. Some might prefer us to be in EFTA, but only the real Brit separatists would want us locked into a silly wee UK Union.
Complain about this comment
From nuLabour website Unemployment under Labour!Check the dates.
Any media willing to take this.
Complain about this comment
Brian
I am just speculating but could part of the reason a lot of Labour MPs are stepping down be down to the English votes for English issues if Cameron wins the election.
Scottish MPs have little enough to do a Westminster at present, appart from supporting Labour with policies that have no bearing on their constituents.
Someone on the blog SNP Tactical Voting has raised an interesting point,
It is interesting that the Same Tory MPs who so believe in English votes for English Issues also believe they have the right to dictate what Tax raising powers Scotland has.
Surely they should refuse to have a position?
It all boils down to Scotland being viewed as subordinate.
More double standards from Torys, though I suppose we should not be surprised.
Complain about this comment
Doing a bit of digging into recent mutterings by 'honest' Jim Murphy and came across last Thursdays Newsnight Scotland.
It has to be seen to be believed, the fawning over Jim Murphy's 'transformation' of Labour and how he is the "best SOS since devolution" [quote from David Torrance] left me wide mouthed.
John Curtice remarks that the pressure of government is getting to the SNP who "didn't come out of the Nuffield argument very well". He also adds that the SNP "aren't doing well in recent polls".
Newsnight Scotland
Pretty much the whole programme centred around promoting Jim Murphy and attacking the SNP. Praising Murphy is like a goalkeeper being described as the best ever when he has yet to face a single shot at goal.
Murphy has carte blanche in Scotland - I have said it often that no journalist is allowed near him.
One talking head made the hilarious claim that the SNP could not handle Murphy because they were so used to being attacked by previous SOS. Do these people not listen to Murphy at all? Were they watching his ignorant responses to Pete Wishart when he appeared before the Scottish Affairs committee?
Not one person allowed to put the case for the SNP and/or against Murphy; a complete overload of Scottish Unionists.
Subjective and completely without balance - the promotion of Murphy by the Scottish media continues apace. He provides them with the excuse to attack the SNP by hiding behind the position of SOS.
Oh:
If anyone has any recent statements from Murphy regarding the Irish economy then please post a link.
Complain about this comment
29. At 5:59pm on 01 Feb 2010, cynicalHighlander:
Thanks for both links.
This is an old ruse that was used by the Republicans in the George 'W' Bush era and highlighted by comedian Al Franken in his excellent expose' of the Right Wing Media news manipulation and twisting of stistics - 'Lies and the lying liars who tell them' [Fox News in particular].
Labour in Scotland tried it a few weeks ago when The Record ran with a Labour press release that claimed the SNP had cut the proportion of the Scottish grant that goes to local authorities. The article 'Labour say councils 'ripped off' by John Swinney's budget cutbacks'.
The years had been manipulated in order to make it look as though the SNP rate of funding had reduced - the truth was that Labour themselves had cut the percentage before leaving office in 2007.
The SNP had increased this percentage since coming to power - a fact that Newsnet Scotland edition 7 highlighted after contacting both the Labour MSP who issued the press release and the finance minister's office.
The clear misleading claim on jobs is as I say similar in it's manipulation of the years involved. However it won't be covered by the Scottish media who appear to believe that Peter Mandelson calling Cameron and Osborne 'Laurel & Hardy' is news.
We also have the pathetic argument between the two tweedle's over who will cut most from the budget and when.
Scotland is indeed irrelevant in this general election - we are mentioned only when Jim Murphy deigns to tell us just how poor we really are or how few of us want constitutional change.
The £79 billion 'devolution dividend' [what happened to the Union dividend?] was also torn to pieces today.
Complain about this comment
Unrelated excepted for the part qouted.Wisdom of the Uncivilized Crowds
"I have traveled across the length and breadth of India and I have not seen one person who is a beggar, who is a thief. Such wealth I have seen in this country, such high moral values, people of such calibre, that I do not think we would ever conquer this country, unless we break the very backbone of this nation, which is her spiritual and cultural heritage, and, therefore, I propose that we replace her old and ancient education system, her culture, for if the Indians think that all that is foreign and English is good and greater than their own, they will lose their self-esteem, their native self-culture and they will become what we want them, a truly dominated nation."
Complain about this comment
Does Spud not get a hat with feathers like other colonial governers or can they not find one that fits?
Complain about this comment
Anyone who wants an idea how internal politics can cause a party huge problems need only look to the Greens. They are probably the party with the most internal issues, in my opinion due to their unwilingness to compromise.
---------------------
See Obama has taken on NASA. While they have achieved much, and I am a strong supporter of space technology, they are hopelessly bureaucratic.
But it will be interesting to see how things develop.
Wonder what JR thinks?
---------------------
I think a lot of MPs are stepping down for three reasons:
Age
Changes to expenses and retirement packages
The danger of losing their seat
Complain about this comment
Online Ed,
Murphy intervews. Not that recent but worth watching.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zWpS0ebms0
"Fiscal autonomy for Scotland is Independence"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GktJWbstod8
Complain about this comment
Great to see so many Labour MPs departing, the financial packages are really attracting them and no doubt there are a few non executive directorships in the offing. Though why any company would find any of this plain bunch of incompetents of any use, is anybody's guess.Cathy Jamieson will fit right in at Westminster (if she gets elected) there is always room for someone to sit anonymously in the chamber until called upon to vote or to ask a fauning non question of Gordie.
Complain about this comment
36. At 7:26pm on 01 Feb 2010, R campbell:
Thanks for those, I remember the frustration when I thought that Glenn was actually going to go after him on the USA sub prime lie - but just at the last moment he backs off.
However what I am really looking for are comments made by Murphy over the Irish economy.
I have a Times article from January 27th which seems to be the latest that includes Jim's traducing of our Celtic cousins, that may well be all there is.
Once again though, thanks for taking the time to post those links.
Complain about this comment
35. enneffess
"See Obama has taken on NASA. While they have achieved much, and I am a strong supporter of space technology, they are hopelessly bureaucratic.
But it will be interesting to see how things develop.
Wonder what JR thinks?"
My main reaction is "how the hell does NASA think can we afford a moon mission right now?" Things over here are looking slightly better FOR THE MOMENT, but do you have any idea how many people in this country took ARM mortgages that are about to have the interest skyrocket? If there isn't a huge rise in bankruptcies and foreclosures in the US--then I assure you a miracle will have happened. We are about to be *ahem* I probably shouldn't use that word. I have NO confidence our economy is on solid ground and we'd better take action. The problem is that Obama should have tackled this when he first came into office instead of leaving it for a year.
I do support space technology. I agree that NASA is bureaucracy laden though. He is still calling for an increase in the NASA budget, albeit a small one. We just cannot afford for the US government to fund all space flight forever. It is time for some of it to go commercial. A flight to the moon or mars? Sure some day but not now.
How it will play out in Congress is a WHOLE different story. I sure don't know. I don't know how much of his budget he can get through and a few people who recently mentioned getting US citizenship or family doing so, I sit back and shake my head. I'm more likely to leave the US. (No secret to some of you though)
I think the US has dug itself into a DEEP whole what with constant wars and an insane fiscal policy. As your FM has occasionally pointed out, when you're in a deep whole, stop digging.
Will the US do that? Good question. I am not optimistic.
Complain about this comment
2 and 3: Re the defection, it was reported in The Herald that Councillor McNamee was the subject of disciplinary procedures by the SNP over concerns about his expensesclaims and council travel allowances.
Complain about this comment
33. cynicalHighlander
""I have traveled across the length and breadth of India and I have not seen one person who is a beggar, who is a thief. Such wealth I have seen in this country, such high moral values, people of such calibre, that I do not think we would ever conquer this country, unless we break the very backbone of this nation, which is her spiritual and cultural heritage, and, therefore, I propose that we replace her old and ancient education system, her culture, for if the Indians think that all that is foreign and English is good and greater than their own, they will lose their self-esteem, their native self-culture and they will become what we want them, a truly dominated nation.""
AMAZING quote! It is something that people should give some serious thought to.
Thanks for the link.
Complain about this comment
Did not catch News night with Murphy but one thing I would like someone to ask Murphy,he says he is going to ignore the SNP in the coming election does this mean that he will not mention anything devolved to the Scottish government as he says its a UK election or will he keep slagging off the SNP without allowing them the courtesy of reply,mind you it will all be irrelevant after the election as I don't think he will be voted in again,has probably lined up a job with BBC or the Scotsman.
Complain about this comment
#39 JR.
I agree space exploration should be at the bottom of priorities right now. It is right to open it up more to private enterprise, as we have already seen what is possible.
The greatest contribution from the space race must be computing power. And that has had a huge impact on our lives.
------------------------------
Complain about this comment
Fascinating speculation in the Cally Merc from the Holyrood rumour mill.
Could Wendy Alexander and Sarah Boyack really be intending to abandon Holyrood for Westminster? To move from being "largely without a role in parliament but is far too young, too bright and too political to retire" in Holyrood (where they could actually to do good work in Committee - especially Sarah) to being "largely without a role in parliament but far too young, too bright and too political to retire" in Westminster?
Complain about this comment
"British economic boom was based on state jobs"
The Tories have been toning down their anti-public sector rhetoric lately. They, along with New Labour, should now be mature enough to admit that the economic model they uphold can only deliver prosperity for one part of Britain, that the UK's economy is mostly based on taxpayers money, and that Wales needs fiscal autonomy to progress any further as a nation.
Complain about this comment
41. JRMacClure
Time to teach the old british bulldog some new tricks like self determination for individual Nations without their meddling.
Complain about this comment
#38 Online Ed
Is this what you're looking for?
"Murphy in 'arc of insolvency' attack on SNP/2
Published in The Herald on 12 Oct 2008
http://www.heraldscotland.com/murphy-in-arc-of-insolvency-attack-on-snp-1.891802
Complain about this comment
Slightly off topic but does anyone have an update to the story about the new HQ for the British-Irish Council?
The story was broken in November:
"A MAJOR row has erupted between Westminster and Holyrood after the UK Government vetoed the proposed new HQ of the British-Irish Council in Edinburgh.
Representatives of Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Irish Republic, the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey all voted for the permanent secretariat to be based in the Scottish capital.
However the move was vetoed by Welsh Secretary Peter Hain, who was representing the UK, at a meeting of the BIC on Friday, in Jersey."
Complain about this comment
Does it really matter? It must be like choosing deckchairs on the Titanic!
TMS
Complain about this comment
#38 Online Ed
Juast realised you are looking for something more recent - sorry!
Complain about this comment
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules.
Someone has probably already mentioned this but Brian have you checked out the Cally? Stewart Kirkpatrick chips in every so often whilst folk are debating and commenting to answer queries posed to him or to the Cally in general. You know that might even be considered a "Blether"
Feels good to know that they give a hoot about the folk posting and taking an interest in their readership.
Complain about this comment
50. At 8:54pm on 01 Feb 2010, raisethegame wrote:
#38 Online Ed
Just realised you are looking for something more recent - sorry!
No need to apologise - the fact that you sought out the article is appreciated.
I think that Murphy has toned down his attacks on Ireland, pretty sensible given that they emerged from recession around three months before the UK.
Complain about this comment
52. At 9:20pm on 01 Feb 2010, jediirnbru wrote:
Someone has probably already mentioned this but Brian have you checked out the Cally? Stewart Kirkpatrick chips in every so often whilst folk are debating and commenting to answer queries posed to him or to the Cally in general. You know that might even be considered a "Blether"
Feels good to know that they give a hoot about the folk posting and taking an interest in their readership.
I've noticed that too, he responds to direct criticisms which is novel and welcome.
One of the few comments from him were aimed at two renegades from The Scotsman forums who demanded to see the terms and conditions of the Cally's comments. They seemed very unhappy at the comment feature and I wondered if The scotsman site traffic had dropped and this was a lame attempt at attacking the integrity of the new kid.
Like most others I am waiting for the real trolls to infest the Cally comments which are almost entirely troll free thus far and seem for the most part pro SNP/independence.
However, my own opinion is that online comments such as these have limited effect as far as influencing political thinking is concerned.
They can though be used as a means of highlighting alternative sources of news - such as Newsnet Scotland ..... if you catch my drift.
Complain about this comment
Do you mean that pro SNP/Independance comments have little effect?
I think that isn't the case, a high number of pro SNP/independence comments are well written and informative and I often site them in discussions at my work to further the Independence cause. They maybe dont have a direct effect in reaching the masses but the knowledge and insite passed on helps when political discussions do come up in work/pub to help, me in any case, get my point across and to argue sensibly when faced with folk who do just swallow what the BBC and record tell them.
As far as your newsnet scotland site is concerned i am an avid fan and have posted links on sites where I can and your ever growing mailing list just highlights how much people are looking for a new fresh outlook on politics and are willing to use the internet to find it.
Complain about this comment
Did anyone watch the 'Seven Ages of Britain' ? Seven episodes spanning 2000 years and episode one covers half of that period ! The impact of Rome's occupation down south is explained in the first 20 minutes. Of course it might have taken longer to do if the good old BBC hadn't, as they always do, muddled British and English history. Will they never learn? I'm forced to conclude that they just don't understand the irony, in their rush to save Britain they undermine it further.
Complain about this comment
#42 - "mind you it will all be irrelevant after the election as I don't think he will be voted in again,has probably lined up a job with BBC or the Scotsman."
Don't know about that, I think he's too pro-nationalist for either of those institutions.
Complain about this comment
55. At 10:26pm on 01 Feb 2010, jediirnbru wrote:
Do you mean that pro SNP/Independance comments have little effect?
Yes and no.
They are valuable but my belief is that those that highlight stories and provide links to otherwise suppressed news items/sources are better.
The poster who calls himself Traquir regularly highlights items that are not widely known through the use of links.
For me this is how the nationalists should be using the internet - draw attention to other sources and stories so that the casual reader is better informed.
Complain about this comment
I watched 'Seven Ages of Britain' All of sudden all of us were Anglo-Saxons. Completely ignoring the Picts, Celts and Gaels of course.
As stated previously, the BBC and Dimblebore can't tell the difference between England and Britain.
To be honest I expected the programme to be exactly the way it turned out on the first episode.
Was an exercise in Brit propaganda, or at least that's the way it came across.
Complain about this comment
55. At 10:26pm on 01 Feb 2010, jediirnbru:
Your point that informative comments help one become better informed when discussing matters political is a good one.
Complain about this comment
Newsnight Scotland - Hamish Macdonnell of the Caledonian Mercury dicussing the road to Westminster also mentioned Jackie Baillie as a possible traveller alongside Wendy A, Sarah B, Cathie J and Magret C....
Complain about this comment
31 ON-LINE ED: I have to agree with everything you say. This unfettered promotion of Jim Murphy by the BBC is quite disgraceful. I have no doubt he doesn't have to employ a PR. Why should he when he has BBC Scotland? That a nonentity should be so revered is beyond me. A man who abuses his office and uses it, at taxpayers' expense, as a promotional party tool is indefensible. The best S of S Scotland has had? I think not and neither Murphy or the deluded David Tennant have any idea of the responsibilities of the Secretary of State or, if they have, choose to ignore them. I thought the Newsnight programme was quite appalling and why such disregard for the BBC Charter is permitted is a mystery. My views would be the same no matter which party was subjected to such overt bias. Truly shocking.
Complain about this comment
I'm not exactly a supporter of the Pope's views on social issues, but how will this
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/outrage-as-pope-attacks-uk-equality-laws-ahead-of-state-visit-1.1003141
play with Murphy's desperation to link himself to the Pope's visit?
Complain about this comment
22. john
"The point that I was trying to make was that he sounded exactly like the labour party. It was not supposed to be a flattering comparison.
John
ps Online, apologies for the unflattering comparison, I know your heart is in the right place, it's just that I have certain prejudices."
I was more agreeing than arguing, John. And I could easily understand the comparison. No offense taken. :)
Complain about this comment
Margo McDonald must be incensed that Terry Pratchett has chosen this moment to come out with his Assisted Suicide proposal which will dominate the news, and is quite unrelated to her Bill.
Her annoyance was obvious when she was interviewed by some fool of a BBC (or Sky) interviewer who suggested that Scotland would be the "new Switzerland". Margo's bill includes the requirement that the provisions would only apply to someone who had been registered with a Scottish GP for at least 18 months.
This is a serious issue, and I suggest people read the Bill for themselves -
It is accessible here
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/bills/38-EndLifeAssist/index.htm
Complain about this comment
Re Rodents/Sinking Ships/Etc.
Anyone any idea if the fragrant Ms Renton will be putting her name forward anywhere ? We note with interest that she has been getting the Mrs McGlumpherty's Cat stories on Reporting Northern Britain of late that have usually been the preserve of Elizabeth Swinney.
We also note with interest that GMS are now making a point again of calling The Grey Man "The leader of Labour in the Scottish Parliament" as opposed to the usual Northern British Sycophancy.
Of course, Northern British NuLab can have only one solution to the problem of filling the seats of retiring MPs. His Lordship the List Member for the Lothians only has to put his name forward in all nine seats and then he can truly fulfil his destiny as a triply-mandated politician.
You would think that there was an election coming.....
Complain about this comment
65. oldnat:
To be fair, Terry Pratchett is also campaigning for an issue which has strong protections as well. Perhaps the media could combine both Margo and Terry to allow people to decide who has the best ideas, or possibly a combination of both.
Pratchett has also been campaigning for some time ever since he was diagnosed.
What annoys me is the reaction by many MSPs to Margo's bill, which is an excellent proposal full of safeguards. Yet it seems brains and commonsense are removed from some individuals when they enter Holyrood.
Complain about this comment
Morning, an absolutely explosive and amazing news story breaking over on the Scottish review . Kenneth Roy has enearthed a diamond of a story.
Interesting to see how Ms Sturgeon deals with it. She had quite rightly stayed out of it BUT "now is the hour"
Sid
Complain about this comment
67. enneffess
Margo's bill may be excellent and well thought out, that does not mean that those who oppose the basic principle are bereft of brains. Such polarisation of the debate does little to advance the cause of any side. It is perfectly possible to think the issues through and come out against the bill.
This is a matter of conscience, it would not be correct for this to become in any way a party political issue. The principle at stake here is very powerful, the right to determine the end of a human life.
There are a myriad of issues to consider here, one I feel is often overlooked is what medical treatments should be offered for what conditions, often people are kept alive by medical intervention with little or no quality of life, debate is required around this issue which is not assisted suicide.
The safeguards in Margo's bill are strong, but they rely on humans to apply them. History shows us that when induced all manner of people will do things they should not do.
Equally humanity should allow us to help those left without hope to end their life in a dignified manner. It is a difficult issue to resolve.
It would also be better if this issue was sorted at as high a level as possible, preferably at the European level. Alternatively this would be an excellent issue to sort out at a UK level in cooperation with the rest of the UK.
These are basic human rights and should be sorted out across Europe. It should never become a political issue and all opinions should be respected.
Complain about this comment
#68 sid_ts63
"Morning, an absolutely explosive and amazing news story breaking over on the Scottish review"
Yes, their `The astonishing testimony of a public servant who has had enough of decisions made behind closed doors´ is pretty compelling reading. It's hard to see how the deputy FM can avoid dealing with it, and hard to see how NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde can emerge smelling of roses.
Complain about this comment
Two contrasting articles by Maddox in the Scotsman today:
● She's smart, she's savvy and she could decide general election –
Worcester Woman's back
is normal Maddox fare, with comments on a "survey" unavailable to the rest of us
with bad news for NuLab in England but better news for them in Scotlandshire, based
on an almost certainly meaningless sub-sample.
● Faint hearts and lost confidence as members charge for the exit
on the other hand begins with: IF LABOUR in Scotland is not a party in meltdown,
then it is giving a very good impression of one that is, and ends with a reference to
the other article suggesting that the middle-class professional women who were
won over by Tony Blair, appear now to be planning to give their support to the
Tories.
Complain about this comment
Ooops! 2nd Link in my #71 should be to http://news.scotsman.com/politics/Faint-hearts-and-lost-confidence.6033153.jp
Complain about this comment
Interesting that on the one hand there is such a concerted political effort to suppress a political discussion of end-of-life issues despite the public apparently being in favour of assisted suicide in certain situations, while on the other certain people (perhaps some of the same individuals) seem intent on privatising end-of-life care.
Don't top yourself, we can still make money out of you.
Complain about this comment
I thought the Caledonian Mercury was just going to be on line but it appears there is going to be a print version as well:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs8hpLWtUEA&feature=channel
Complain about this comment
68. At 11:09am on 02 Feb 2010, sid_ts63 wrote:
Morning, an absolutely explosive and amazing news story breaking over on the Scottish review . Kenneth Roy has enearthed a diamond of a story.
Interesting to see how Ms Sturgeon deals with it. She had quite rightly stayed out of it BUT "now is the hour"
Sid
Real investigative reporting once again from Scottish Review.
You can only really appreciate how god awfull the Scottish main stream media are when you see journalism of this quality.
Note also the this public body appeared ready to ignore Scottish Review and had belatedly prepared a press release only when a journalist from a national paper decided to help himself to the 'leg work' of Kennth Roy and the Scottish Review team.
In contrast The Herald have an article that is simply so pathetic that I won't even link to it. It centres around an assistant to Nicola Sturgeon who in 2006, yes 2006 !!, claimed a few hundred pounds expenses incorrectly then had to pay it back.
The expenses claim had been signed off by Nicola Sturgeon and were accepted by the authorities as valid at the time.
The article includes the equally pathetic line After The Herald queried the expenses last week ....
Yes Herald, the public thanks you for this marvellous piece of investigative journalism. How long did it take to find an expense claim from 2006 associated with the SNP, one that wasn't even claimed by an SNP MSP?
Is this the kind of stuff that will be lost by placing public notices on the web?
Compounding it of course is the fact that these Scottish newspapers simply refuse to print similar stories involving Jim Murphy. In fact Murphy's story is arguably worse as the money (£380) he had to pay back following receipt of the Legg letter was claimed for himself and he has yet to explain what it was for.
There are more expense stories involving Murphy, covered by Newsnet Scotland in our very first edition - but they never made it into the Scottish media.
Complain about this comment
75. At 1:08pm on 02 Feb 2010, Online Ed
You aint seen nothing yet.
Wait till you see the bile and garbage that will be thrown to the Scottish people by the press in the run up to the election.
Complain about this comment
#76 afternoon ,harry, it has long been a mystery to me why the SNP sit back and take it all . when will they finally hit back ,is their a plan ? or, are they hoping the great Scottish public will finally get sick of it and turn against the media?
Sid
Complain about this comment
69. northhighlander
"Alternatively this would be an excellent issue to sort out at a UK level in cooperation with the rest of the UK.
"
So you think Westminster is somehow more ethical than Holyrood? If this were not such a serious issue, I would be tempted to laugh.
Complain about this comment
I have been picking up some stuff about the SNP councillor who has "defected" to Labour.
I think I can say with complete confidence that the SNP will be very glad he is gone and the Labour Party may soon have significant reason to regret their crowing over the switch.
The gent in question came from Dunoon and the people of Dunoon have more information about some background here.
Complain about this comment
I once asked Murphy on a live hootsmon interview if he supported the former states of Yugoslavia gaining independence and he went all abusive and didn't answer the question
Complain about this comment
#69 northhighlander
"These are basic human rights and should be sorted out across Europe." &
#78 JRMacClure
"So you think Westminster is somehow more ethical than Holyrood?"
NH is right in the bit I've quoted and although I agree re ethical standards, I'm of the belief that neither Holyrood nor Westmidden is the place to sort it out.
In Switzerland, the running of the clinics is the contentious bit, and it's up to individual communes (appx = community councils) whether to licence them within their boundaries.
IMO, it should be a basic human right and incorporated in the European Convention on Human Rights but with the same safeguards for the community as in Switzerland.
Complain about this comment
View these comments in RSS