Having a go
Isn't it exasperating when the wrong question comes up?
There you are, thoroughly briefed on the Romantic poets.
And do they feature in the exam paper? They do not. Instead, the examiners, blast them, want to know about Pope and Dryden.
Alex Salmond faced a comparable conundrum today at Holyrood.
He was yearning, just yearning, to have a go at Labour over their stance on the budget or the release of Megrahi or, indeed, almost anything.
Did Iain Gray oblige by raising these topics?
He did not. Instead, he pursued the subject of schools in Renfrewshire and their use of non-teaching staff in classrooms.
Trading insults
Mr Salmond answered extensively and in full detail - about schooling in North Ayrshire where they have been floating such ideas as a four-day week (since rejected.)
Why the disjunction? Because one council is led by the SNP and the other by Labour. Guess which is which.
Mr Gray and Mr Salmond duly traded insults for a spell - to the irritation of Margo MacDonald who later raised a point of order suggesting, broadly, that they might stick to their own responsibilities and leave local councillors to do their job.
As the rhetoric grew still more vehement, Mr Salmond could stand it no more.
He made the point he had been itching to make from the outset: that the Megrahi affair and Labour's no vote in the budget, despite offered compromises, proved that his chief rival led "an organised hypocrisy".
As I recall, that is a jibe first directed at the Conservatives by their own leader, Benjamin Disraeli.
He probably couldn't get Gladstone to ask the right questions either.
'Odious deal'
Mr Salmond's rhetoric drew hoots of derision from the Labour benches - and gentle chiding from the Presiding Officer who said that Mr Gray was perfectly entitled to pick his own topics for question time.
Still, the FM will be content that he got the attack in.
And he was given another opportunity when he was questioned about Megrahi by Annabel Goldie.
She asserted that Scottish ministers had been willing to do "an odious deal" over the potential inclusion of Megrahi in a prisoner transfer agreement.
Mr Salmond was answering the Conservative leader - insisting vehemently that there had been no false dealing whatsoever by his government and that the published documents confirmed as much.
But he kept darting meaningful glances in the direction of Mr Gray who opposed the compassionate liberation of Megrahi while UK Labour Ministers were actively attempting to facilitate his release.
Tavish Scott elevated the tone by pleading for Scottish government support for the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music, based in Plockton.
Mr Salmond noted that central funding for the school had been transferred to Highland Council - but, without offering a precise promise, there was a decided warmth in his replies which might indicate possible progress.
~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~44~RS~)
I'm 
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The FM was on fine form today. Even hapless Ricki Baker was put in his place. The worry is that only anoraks really see how inadequate the opposition are - FMQs means nothing to the bulk of voters and don't labour know it. For Ian Gray to dive into proposed cost cutting in schools was poor advice from his team - the FM could not believe his luck. You don't win against the FM by allowing him any room for manoeuvre. Gray just opened himself up to a tirade of taunts, even managing to bring one of the Millibnad boys into the lecture. Classic stuff. As for Baker, can he please take early retirement? The only hope is that he fails to make it to the top table after the election.
All joking aside, labour believe the election is in the bag. Shadow ministers are already staking their claims to ministerial briefs and Gray seems oblivious to the break down in party discipline all around him. Or perhaps he sees the election as a done deal and he can sort it all out after the SNP are skelped in May. We need a few televised debates with a wide range of participants so that the people can see for themselves where the talent lies. It certainlt ain't with labour.
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"He was yearning, just yearning, to have a go at Labour over their stance on the budget or the release of Megrahi or, indeed, almost anything."
The Grey One's minders had obvious put the gag on him. But if there was any substance to the latest British Labour Party smears then they would not have felt obliged to do so. In fact, were it not all lies, duplicity and hypocrisy, his minders would have been spurring him on.
As it was, Gray maybe managed to avoid making a fool of himself on this occasion. But Alex Salmond was there to do the job for him.
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I didn't think that Alex Salmond had a great FMQs against Iain Grey. Complaining that the leader of the Labour MSPs didn't ask the questions he wanted to answer wasn't Alex's greatest moment. And let's face it - it was only Iain Grey he was aqgainst.
I am glad to see though that, in a spirit of co-operation, Annabel and Tavish asked questions that he could handle with ease and aplomb.
The best answer, and the real Alex Salmond, came to the fore when that noneity Baker stood up, asked a question, and was immediately 'crushed' [or should we now invent the word 'Salmonded' and use it as a verb?]
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Brian,
"He [Alex Salmond] was yearning, just yearning, to have a go at Labour over their stance on the budget or the release of Megrahi or, indeed, almost anything."
I can understand the FM's frustration. We would all like to have a go at the pathetic labour party (northern british branch) for their disgraceful conduct. If you have a God, then please pray to him that this MOB never get back into power in Scotland. They are such an embarrassment to this country.
And by the way, did you see that Jim Devine ex labour MP is now a convicted criminal. He joins a select club of labour supporters. I wonder what title he might take when (as I'm sure he will) get his retirement in the house of cards. Lord Shelvie of Livingsting perhaps?
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Gray was too cowardly to bring up the subjects of Megrahi and labours policy of voting against the budget ,that's four times now labour have voted against. Even when being given what they asked for labour still voted against the budget.
Labour really are a nasty bunch.
Still, Wee Eck handled Gray with ease as he always does.
Who in their right mind would want children to start school at the age of six or have kids in school only four day,s of the week?
Oh thats right , LABOUR, Very daft idea as the FM pointed out.
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It's time the election started and all keep our fingers crossed that the cowardly gray lion is outed as the sham of a first minister he may well become. I personally will be ignoring politics and the BBC in Scotland if that excuse for a politician should ever become the figurehead for this great country. Doomsday scenario......
our choice
The politics of Scotland (must give the Nat's credit for standing up for Scotland)
vs
the politics of whatever Ed tells Ian to do (not forgetting of course that Labour still live in the 1950's as do most of their voters)
Labour = 50 years of failing Scotland (and in particular the deprived areas of the west of scotland) and its voters largely aided by Auntie and the West of Scotland tabloid trash
vs
SNP = 4 years of hope for Scotland, some improvement and no major c*ck ups and at least a line in the sand against Westminster considering us just another county of England
The Lord help us if Gray, Kerr, Baker, Ballie and the rest of that shower of glorified councillors get the keys to this great kingdom, they don't even realise there is life in Scotland outside the western part of the central belt.
Purcell - Swept under the carpet quietly
Devine - Convicted criminal
Megrahi - Seems Labours position is duplicit
Budget - Blatent hipocrasy
The trams - Voted into existence by them and then denied
as for the players in this great game......
Gray - Second string player (the boy picked last at football)
Kerr - MBA.....really !!!!!
Baker - Should have stuck to making bread
Ballie - Not exactly a shining example for a health minister
These are of course just my personal views and supposed to be a little tongue in cheek however I am sure they will be deemed too strong to survive moderation.....
Highland Laddie (that's in the North of Scotland for all you Labour types)
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Poor wee Richard Baker - "Sent home to think again"?
Big Jackie should have given the wee soul a cuddle.
He looked really hurt by the FM's riposte.
Well at least we know what New Labour are good at - and its certainly not finance - its "organised hypocrisy" and false sanctimony.
In the immortal words of the woman with a brain (self-reputedly)larger than a refrigerator - "Bring it on"!
Slainte Mhor
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"We need a few televised debates with a wide range of participants so that the people can see for themselves where the talent lies. It certainlt ain't with labour."
I think we ALL know the answer to this one EFL. There is NO way any of the Broadcasters will allow Elmer to be humiliated on live TV. It is bad enough that he humiliates himself each week on FMQ's without adding to the pathetic picture that is Elmer Fudd being roundly whipped by AS in a live debate.
Elmer HAS challenged AS to a live debate though. So maybe there is a chance, albeit a very slim one, of seeing an Elmer versus AS debate, who has the popcorn?
Mind you they would have to find some way of arranging inter communications between Elmer and his "advisers" without AS or the general public finding out. If Elmer's recent appearance on Newsnight Scotland is anything to go by he will probably be looking to his off screen advisers to shut the debate down after about 10 seconds.:)
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Hmmm ... The verb 'to Salmond ...' ... Could it mean 'to employ rapier wit to put down with a cutting jibe hapless nobodies whilst maintaining an air of faux superiority that thinly disguises a glib smugness' ??? ...
There's fun to be had here; what about 'Sturgeoned' or, better, 'Swinneyed' (with the added frisson of topical onomatopoeia) ...
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there was just no way that Mr Gray was going to go with Megrahi or the budget because he would have received what Mr Baker got later on in the session. Cannot believe that Renfrewshire council are continuing with there plan .
what they plan is Not acceptable for the future education of our children BUT neither Mr Gray nor Ms.Alexander has a clue what they would do instead ,where they would make the cuts.
The same happened when my local library was closed . the local LABOUR MSP's the MP's AND ALL THE COUNCILORS were out on the streets in the local paper etc demanding that it didn't happen but did not have a clue what they would do differently. they are just against anything that the SNP put forward.
personally I would start at the dream factory AKA Renfrewshire council HQ
Sid
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New Lie-bour's Organized Kleptocracy,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12403945
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I see the verdict on Jim Devine is 'Guilty' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12403945
Sentencing is in 4 weeks. I wonder if he will be sharing a cell with Tommy? Makes you wonder whether the prison overcrowding problem would be solved if we just had honest politicians!
Oh well, at least Jim and Tommy will still retain the right to vote... I guess there is a silver lining to every cloud :o)
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Interesting though that, SNP council leader at Renfrewshire, Derek Mackay is a shoe in as a list MSP, being 3rd on the West of Scotland list. He could bring some radical ideas to the floor. It has to be a reflection of his popularity with the SNP hierarchy that his plans for school changes in Renfrewshire whilst looking out of kilter with Mike Russell's views, have been allowed to be accepted without too much fuss at Holyrood.
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In your blog Brian you have mentioned Megrahi,so therefore I am allowed to do the same.
Gus O'Donnell did not redact much, but specifically redacted all mention of Mr Megrahi's medical details for reasons of data protection.
In order to get some clarity on the basis upon which Megrahi was released it is vital we have the full disclosure of the medical evidence.This is from Richard Baker before the release of Gus O'Donnell papers so is he still going to ask for the release of medical papers,after the roasting from AS today may I suggest he keeps his head down and maybe find himself another job,mind you looking at his CV I don't know what that would be.
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The sun doesn't get much brighter than this, why aren't the tories and libs making a mountain of hay? Slapped down by their master across the pond?
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A.S and every member of the government have every right to publicly show the duplicity of the Labour group They have done Scotland down at every cut and turn over the last 4 years when we had a great opportunity to move forward to the betterment of every person living in Sccotland.A look at Glasgow where they have had carte blanche for 70years and have failed the residents of that city in a way that is shameful.It is your choice come May Live on your knees under Labour or rise up and regain a pride in yourself and your country that we were once known for the world over
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Personally I think there is great scope for having various professionals going into school. Many children do not even have a male role model in their life Various people I could think for starters could include ex military, members of the British Legion, from local history groups how many children know very much about where they live? horticultural society explaining about growing food ect health professionals many areas could be tackled there, the list is endless and would give children a broader perspective on life in general education is much much more than just books
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It has not been Labours best week in Scotland what with Devine, Megrahi and the Budget, of course Iain Gray was not going to ask questions at FMQ about these matters, he maybe limited but he is not stupid.
What I find interesting about these matters is that everyone of them has taken scrutiny from outside Scotland to fully expose the shallowness and hypocrisy of Labour in Scotland, and in each one Labour are found seriously wanting and the SG shown to be a far more consistent and capable lot.
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Having a go.
"He made the point he had been itching to make from the outset: that the Megrahi affair and Labour's no vote in the budget, despite offered compromises, proved that his chief rival led "an organised hypocrisy".
New Labour an organised hypocrisy, or as post 12 states "Kleptocracy". My own favourite is Thanatocracy which is normally reserved for North Korea, but hey, if the cap fits.
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Kadok #6,
I consider myself to be in my right mind and would have loved my children to begin formal schooling at age6, or even 5, rather than age 4 which is when they did start. I believe that we in Scotland are wrong on this one and should look again at the evidence from our Scandinavian cousins.
I did try to have my kids deferred but was unsuccessful.
Back on topic I thought the FM's handling of Mr Baker at FMQ's was inspired but thought that Mr Gray did better than usual, not good, just better than usual.
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The Political Situation in Scotland
(determinants on an arbitrary scale of 0 to 10)
A. Policies.
SNP - progressive,holistic,relevant(8)
Labour - contradictory,reactive,dictated by London(5)
B. Leadership.
SNP - strong,focused(8)
Labour - mediocre to poor(5)
C. Morale.
SNP - good,resilient(8)
Labour - holding up but with big problems(7)
D. Funding.
SNP - problematic but always sufficient and well used(6)
Labour - greater resources but getting into difficulties(7)
E. Activists.
SNP - enthusiastic,steadily growing in numbers(8)
Labour - decreasing in numbers and commitment(7)
F. Organisation.
SNP - efficient(7)
Labour - fair but hampered by London(6)
G. Probity of Elected Representatives.
SNP - good(8)
Labour - varied but overall poor,too many rotten apples(4)
H. Commitment.
SNP - very good(9)
Labour - average(7)
I. Strategy.
SNP - hard to say with fog of war etc but not bad(6)
Labour - very poor(3)
J. Propaganda.
SNP - sensible(7)
Labour - overcooked(5)
K. Parliamentary Performance.
SNP - sure(7)
Labour - obstructive,negative(4)
Aggregate.
SNP(82)
Labour(60)
Just the assessment of a nationalist of course but I tried to be objective.And even if the above is accurate there is still the Chinese Yin-Yang theory of the seeds of disadvantage lying in advantage and vice-versa.
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I see my post 18 is still under consideration more than 1.5 hours later.
In it (amongst other points) I congratulated Isabel Fraser for her demolition of one R Baker of the Labour Party of Westminster in Scotland and then asked the question why other newscasters were seemingly beholden to LPOWiS.
Seems we touched a nerve.
Shame on you BBC Scotland!!
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Ah the joys of living in a 'democratic' state!!
Someone should tell the poor Egyptians before they vote for it!
Or maybe not - for they do not have BBC Scotland stifling honest informed debate!!
So, I told the truth and said that R Baker (and M Curran) had a face that deserved to be 'skelpt' 24/7.
And this gets eliminated - give me strength!
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Iain Gray defines cargo cult unionism.
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Of course, if the shoe was on the other foot and it was the SNP who'd been shown to have acted hypocritically, the Grey man wouldn't need to use FMQs to get the boot in because the media would be doing it for him.
You know, their job.
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The really good thing to come out of all this mess is that Iain Grey is still at the helm of labour (North Brittish Branch).
after all he is the SNP's best asset.
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Hello Fellow Blubber With Flubber followers - Borrowed that catchy title from somewhere else.
Well, FMQs, what can I say, I think Iain Gray got off very lightly, Alex Salmond looked like he was prepared to chuck his folder at the Gray man. - Poor Wee Ricky Baker did not fare so well though.
He's a List MSP in the west, they don't even trust to have him in a proper seat.
Anyway, tonight on BBC2 Newsnight Scotland and Alex Salmond. Wonder what questions he will be asked. will he perhaps have a chance for that shoutout that was requested elsewhere?
my reactions as it happens on Twitter.
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oh, you can watch todays Alex vs Iain encounter on Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXG3kOwSPtk
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"Tavish Scott elevated the tone by pleading for Scottish government support for the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music, based in Plockton."
I'm really pleased that Brian has included traditional music in this thread.
I well remember Piping Live! in 2007, when Councillor Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: "Glasgow: Scotland with style is delighted to be supporting Piping Live! once again this year. The festival’s diverse and exciting programme will not only appeal to local audiences, but is sure to attract visitors from throughout the UK and abroad and further enhance the city’s reputation as one of Europe’s premier cultural capitals."
Purcell knew good stuff when he came across it, and would have been sure to have supported national funding for Plockton.
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Hi Grahame I think it may have been my blog (different sign in name) on one of these other internet locations. Specifically the one that is deemed to be spam by Blubber with Flubber moderators. I just thought that it has a nice ring to it. :)
I am looking forward to seeing AS on Newsnight Scotland tonight. I don't think it is so much about what questions he (AS) will be asked, it will be more about how long Gordon "Numpty" Brewer will last before crumbling on the floor screaming and bawling like a baby because AS is ignoring his (Numpty) outrageous outbursts.
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32. Grahame
"oh, you can watch todays Alex vs Iain encounter on Youtube - "
I almost feel sorry for Baker. But he volunteered for a slapping. And that's precisely what he got.
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Stirling_Brig_1297 - it was one of your comments on "the site which can't be named."
anyone know Who is confirmed host for tonights #newsnicht ? is it Gordon Brewer?
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Belay my last comment from NEWSNIGHT website.
""Coverage of the day's national and international news stories, with Gordon Brewer.""
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So Alex Salmond is on Newsnicht at the same time as Question Time.
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Reincarnation
Yes we are so lucky to have such wonderful music and talented young musicians,not to be sniffed at,Was Councillor Purcell the driving force behind the festival coming to Glasgow or did he share that particular brief with others? Did you sign the petition for Plockton? It's a wonderful place pity the coos still do not wander along the street but at least you now breathe in lovely fresh air with a hint of ozone
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39. fairforfochen
"Was Councillor Purcell the driving force behind the festival coming to Glasgow or did he share that particular brief with others?"
To be fair, I think others did the work and he was just the public face for it. However, it is very difficult to tell as "Team Glasgow" seems to have been a very secretive organisation. I'm sure that they were all deeply concerned to continue the features of Glasgow's culture.
Kenneth Roy in the Scottish Review
http://www.scottishreview.net/KRoy231.html
said "According to the Herald, the network of key individuals branding themselves Team Glasgow are assessing how to fill the vacuum created by the downfall of figurehead Steven Purcell who, as a gregarious politician had been regarded as the epicentre of the group. I put many of these words and phrases in italics to show how language must be inflated in the service of something so devoid of merit as Team Glasgow.
It does not appear to have occurred to the Herald, before it committed its 'analysis' to print, that Team Glasgow has no address, no telephone number and no website – in other words, that it is impossible for anyone to contact it; that it is appointed by no one and accountable to no one; that it is without constitution or status; that it has no authority to act on anyone's behalf; and yet that it presumes to be 'working behind the scenes to influence the workings of the city' and, in doing so, is uncritically supported by the city's own newspaper."
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I just got an email saying that a comment in the last thread was removed.
The comment merely said;
"Steven Purcell. I did not realise that mods had stopped censoring any mention of the man."
Apparently they are still censoring the mans name.
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Is this BPs second big spill, in as many year's. Spewing cabinet secretaries, and double dealing, three faced liebor ministers. Wonder what the yanks will do. A senate enquiry, at least? Holding of breath not advised at this point.
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39. fairforfochen
Alas! I tried to respond to your fair question by reference to Kenneth Roy's article on the topic.
The result may be noted at #40
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reincarnation
Pity that,I so looked forward to your pithy reply,the best laid schemes o' mice and men often go up in a puff of smoke
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39. fairforfochen
The article that I thought might enhance your understanding of traditional culture was this one
http://www.scottishreview.net/KRoy231.html
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With all the scandals and expenses swindling. Jailing of Eric Illsley, Mike Watson and we await the sentencing Jim Devine. Officially according to even the allowed media Labour is officially the most corrupt party in the UK in context of MP's caught, arrested and sentenced.
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reincarnation
Thanks for that link it has most certainly enhanced my understanding of modern culture I think I'll keep my idea of traditional culture well out of the way it somehow doesn't quite fit in with that company. Labour and Glasgow has been very kind to a select few
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The more posts the BBC in Scotland, because there does seem to be a difference, remove or moderate the more the political bias at the BBC in Scotland becomes apparent.
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What Scottish people want is here >>> http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/history/debates/home_rule/
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50. HERE HERE !
If we return a Majority SNP government in May we might get a Scottish Alternative!
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peter-
Ther's always more than one way to skin a cat
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i thought so :) when did the Labour, Conservatives and LibDems become Scotish?? They are a UK party run from London and breach the Trade Desciption Act by porporting to be Scottish.....pull this one too....
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Alex Salmond very statesmanlike on Newsnight. His master-stroke was the undertaking to legislate in the next parliament to disclose the full Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission report on the Megrahi case. Good to see at least one party that is prepared to break out of the British state's obsession with secrecy.
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55. Sizzy
"They are a UK party run from London and breach the Trade Desciption Act by porporting to be Scottish"
Of course. But being UK parties they combined to make another kaw in their own interests. Any party in Scotland can add "Scottish" to their name - whatever name they have registered.
We should probably respond by fighting elections as the
Scottish Scottish National Party
Scottish Scottish Green Party
Scottish Scottish Socialist Party
And the Scottish (take the p*ss out of the Unionists) Scottish Scottish Scotland for the Scottish (including Scottish Asians, Scottish English etc etc) Scottish Party.
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Utterly astounding the sheer ignorance of the facts with regards the release of Megrahi. On the "This Week" programme Gisela Stuart Labour MP for Birmingham, Andrew Neil and Miguel Portillo managed to not only muddle the facts of the matter, again, but also imply that the Scottish government was also perhaps involved in the sinister dealings of the Westminster Labour government with Lybia. I think the thing that stood out most was the lofty condescension purported by all three regarding the government of Scotland; quite frankly it was disgusting. If you have mind the discussion takes place about 15 minutes from the end of the programme should you wish to watch on the iPlayer.
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Oh dear, did anyone else witness the arrogance of the This Week guests tonight when discussing Al Megrahi? We should all watch it to prevent us Scots from getting above ourselves.
Michael felt that the "little Scottish Parliament" should not have been trusted with such an important decision. The wee labour woman thought that small governments often don't realise the full implications of such big decisions.
It was all quite depressing really.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGA4R_d0Gso&feature=related
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61. snowthistle
"It was all quite depressing really."
Oh, I don't know. It makes those people "down south" who talk of the Scots as being ethnically different look a tad silly.
There was a English Tory of Spanish origin and an English Labour MP of German origin agreeing that the Scots were somehow inferior.
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55. Sizzy
Actually, the law is a really complex beast. I came across this on the website of a company specialising in blog moderation
"Law and Comment Moderation
The EU Unfair Commercial Practices Directive 2005 outlines the use of ‘sharp practices’ which includes misleading consumers. If you choose to remove all negative comments and only allow positive ones to remain then this would need to be communicated very clearly on the site otherwise these positive comments might not offer a true representation of comments received to the site."
Thank goodness that the Beeb doesn't have to bother about such issues.
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I think the problem for Unionist supporters here was, not that the Libyan Popular Front had cleverly evaded questions on ALL the important issues of the day but that the population of Scotland were denied hearing the answers. Iain Gray stated "If I were etc" I would have defied my party and leadership. that would make him very disloyal or untrustworthy. Either of which is a rogue.
Today, again Mr Gray stated that "If I were etc" which makes him look as sharp as Richard Baker and the Popular Front of Libya chose a very silly topic to waste their four questions on.
Why has Brian's blog avoided Iain Gray's faux pas in a similar vein?
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65. Cyril
"the Popular Front of Libya chose a very silly topic to waste their four questions on."
I think you underestimate the Machiavellian brilliance of Elmer & Co.
It doesn't seem to have been mentioned here, that I remember, that Jim Mitchell, Councillor for Paisley South sadly died last month. Consequently, there will be a by-election and it will take place sometime before the Scottish GE.
Jim would have expected nothing other than the intense political analysis of the by-election - he lived for SNP and the thrill of politics.
Like all Scottish local by-elections, STV becomes AV when there is only one vacancy. In 2007, the party votes cast were as follows -
Lab 2330
SNP 2104
Ind 1230
LD 928
Con 513
Grn 130
Sol 104
SSP 46
Gray's strategy is clear. By highlighting GARL and the strategies of Renfrew Council, he hopes to ride to victory in Scotland from his Paisley South base. A masterful strategy.
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66. reincarnation
Sorry. That list is, of course, of 1st preference votes.
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It may have appeared on first viewing that Iain Gray managed to score a couple of points against Alex Salmond yesterday. All very well but this following quote from Eddie Barnes in the Scotsman today shows information to the contrary emerged soon after:
"Once the chamber was emptied, it became clear Mr Gray's logic had been a tad stretched, to say the least. It was officials in Ayrshire who had dreamt up the potty four-day-a-week idea. SNP members had dumped it in the bin. But the SNP's response came well after Mr Gray's coup de théâtre.
A bit underhand? Well, that's politics for you."
Although the screeching hyenas enjoyed it, this sort of thing turns voters off completely. I don't know if Iain Gray simply got his facts wrong, which is incompetent, or worst still told an outright lie. Either way, it is not the sort of behaviour to be expected from a prospective First Minister of Scotland. If he is found to have deliberately mislead parliament, then he should have the book thrown at him.
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"Isn't it exasperating when the wrong question comes up?"
Sure is Brian.
But even more exasperating is "official" avoidance of pertinent questions and " official " avoidance of pertinent answers,or as it is better known the "sweeping under the carpet" of anything which could might ,possibly ,perhaps cause embarrassment to a favoured few .
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Brian, I am surprised that you have not added a clarification that it was the Labour members of North Ayrshire Council who suggested the 4 day school week you reference, and not the SNP members, as stated by Iain Gray.
Was Mr Gray ill advised? Did me misspeak?
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It is now being reported that Mr Gray was factually inaccurate when describing the 4 day school week as an SNP proposal, it turns out the proposal came from the Labour group in North Ayrshire along with proposals that children start school at 6. The proposal was immediately rejected by the SNP in January. Is this another example of Labour councils creating conflict with the SG? or did Mr Gray mislead the chamber?
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As we now know Jim Murphy knew all along what was going on regarding Megrahi will you Brian and the BBC be interviewing him live and asking him some serious questions.
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"Once the chamber was emptied, it became clear Mr Gray's logic had been a tad stretched, to say the least. It was officials in Ayrshire who had dreamt up the potty four-day-a-week idea. SNP members had dumped it in the bin. But the SNP's response came well after Mr Gray's coup de théâtre.
A bit underhand? Well, that's politics for you."
No ,lets call it what it is a BIG FAT LIE - now being reported as truth by that esteemed journalist Mr Cochrane and most probably by other trustworthy worthies in other " quality" publications.
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Why not mention the fact that Gray pointed out it was SNP councillors in what Salmond describes a Norff Ayrshire, who publicised the 4 day school week notion, after it had ruled out by members at a confidential meeting on how to cope with further cuts to local authorities from the SNP.
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Brian,
Having only just had the opportunity of watching yesterday's FMQs in full [courtesy of holyrood.tv] may I first point out that not everyone can follow your every word at all times, which is one of the many reasons why these threads should not be closed as quickly as has become the norm.
You're certainly correct with your "As the rhetoric grew still more vehement, Mr Salmond could stand it no more", but I'm surprised that you didn't mention hapless Mr Baker's wonderful cameo appearance [appx. 21m 20s into the video]. Had he shown a little more forbearance, that provided the FM with an open goal for his entirely accurate "organised hypocrisy" remarks without intervention by the PO.
Overall, therefore, although Mr Gray didn't manage to lay a glove [to use a boxing analogy] on the FM, one has to concede that it was one of dour Iain's leastworst performances, deserving at least 2 out of 10.
Not so for Mr Brewer in his interview of the FM on Newsnicht yesterday evening. Could not the services of feisty Isabel Fraser be used more extensively to spare Mr Brewer's blushes?
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I have previously emailed the PO regarding Mr Gray's habit of mis-speaking at FMQs.
Seems that responsibility for what members say in parliament rests with said member and has absolutely nothing to do with the PO.
What is it that the PO does again?
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Yes indeed the latest less than honourable MP due to serve a spell at HMP whilst a jibe @ one party, those living in glass houses beware! Quite simply those that got away are touching wood & turning around 3 times! Perhaps due to overcrowding HMP (Scottish) establishments, may have also influenced the justice secretary's decision alongwith report prepared by a expert doctor that conviently opened the door so to speak. Oh Margo almost gave the game away by way of order that all local politics should be left to local representatives, hello just what part of a glorified regional council, this lady is part, understand that this is her bread & butter, all the more worldly things are confined to a select UK few! as for the skullduggery aka 4 day school week at oor regional cooncil they are past masters of this well establised art! I quite sure its on the minds of teachers unions to reduce the working week of its members, don't forget that the rest of us left in real manaufacturing that contributes hard earned cash to GDP all work Mon-Fri indeed Sat-Sun are at times included!!
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Of course, it is clear that the UK Labour Party (Northern Britain Parish Branch) will leave no stone unlived-under, oops, sorry, unturned, in order to paint their inabilities to deliver local council services as a direct result of “SNP Cuts” in funding.
Lets be fair. Everything is under pressure and difficult decisions are having to be made the length and breadth of Scotland about what gets how much.
It is time that the UK Labour Party and this imaginary entity known as “Scottish Labour” acknowledged
1) The Economy is down the pan because of
a)Paw Broon and Cap’n Darling’s mismanagement and
b) their cozying up to the mates of the Notting Hill Set in the City and Big Business to show that NuLab was ”business friendly” by deregulating everything in sight.
2) They would have cut as much as the Tories and Liberals if they had got back in.
3) That if the money that the Scottish Government is doled out from our Lords and Masters in England is cut, then the Money that the Scottish Government gives to the Councils has to be cut.
The councils need to stop party-political posturing, trying for perceived political gain to moan, “It wisnae us, Mr Taggart, it was that big bully Eck. He did all the cuts like. We tried tae fight him off but he got his mates round and he made us dae it.”
Many council Leaders in the rest of the “UK” would cheerfully sacrifice their grannies on the steps of the town hall for “only” a 2.9% Cut.
Quit the moaning, face up to your responsibilities and do what you were elected to
SERVE THE PEOPLE NOT THE PARTY.
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Lets be clear - it was Labour refrewshire councillors that floated the idea about a 4 day week etc and it was SNP councillors that binned it.
Ian Gray miseld the parliament on that one but, in his defence, it appears he was poorly briefed - just like everything else he talks about.
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# 17 "A look at Glasgow where they have had carte blanche for 70 years and have failed the residents of that city in a way that is shameful."
Shameful, and criminal, the whole lot should go where JD is heading and many labour politicians have spent time in the past - "THE BIG HOUSE".
labour have been disasterous for Glasgow, look at the health statistics, employment, out migration, crime statistics and any other quality of life measurement you could quote.
labour is not working!
Could any Scot look at themseleves in the mirror and say that Ed Milliband would do more for Scotland than Alec Salmond?
C McK
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Brian,
Regarding your mention of the "schooling in North Ayrshire where they have been floating such ideas as a four-day week", Iain Macwhirter has some insightful comments on his blog: Let's close Glasgow University. Who needs degrees anyway?, where North Ayrshire receive a mention as one of the public bodies pursuing a "bleeding stumps" strategy by proposing "cuts in the most painful and visible services in the hope that the media firestorm forces the government to back down".
Well written, as you would expect, and well worth a read.
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#75 Jaibee
You have a wonderfull way with words. Very reminiscant of labour spin doctors.
SNP members of the council may have PUBLISCISED the suggestion [after the fact, and to highlight its stupidity], (I do not know the truth of this), but the suggestion ORIGINATED from labour councillors.
As for your jibe about salmonds accent, I find it highly unlikely that he has a estuary accent.
John
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If Gray has misled Parliament can he not be reported to the Standards Committee or wherever,Lab has always been ready to Report Mr Salmond,BBC then would be obliged to report that,come on someone do this,how I don't know.
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#80
Correct but I'll bet you a fiver this doesn't actually make it onto BBC Scotland news.
And...... if he was going to make such strong allegations you'd have thought Gray would have had a member of his commissariat check the facts.
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"If Gray has misled Parliament can he not be reported to the Standards Committee or wherever,Lab has always been ready to Report Mr Salmond,BBC then would be obliged to report that,come on someone do this,how I don't know."
We can't do that wildjack, he is Labour don't you know. It is well known that no one is permitted to report ANY Labour MSP to ANY committee for ANY wrongdoing, it just isn't cricket old chap.
Only the SNP government CAN be reported to the Standards Committee etc. After all they (SNP) are the people who STOLE the First Ministership away from Labour. And we ALL know you should NEVER take anything away from Labour. If anyone takes anything away from Labour they (Labour) react in a bad way, they start throwing ALL their toys out of the pram.
What Labour says goes, what anyone else, particularly the SNP, say is wrong.
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