Mr Smith Goes to Holyrood

1000th Post ... And Goodbye For Now.

2009-03-02T23:59:00.000-08:00

This is Mr Smith's thousandth post.

He didn't think he would make it.

He wasn't sure he would be able to keep it going, but the political machinations of our elected representatives and public servants made it all possible. He tried to comment fairly on the duplicity and contradictions in our political system and intended no real harm. However, he thinks that now would be a good time to take a break and take care of the family business for a while.

Hopefully you felt this blog had value because Mr Smith was fighting for the lost causes and you wanted to keep reading his take on all things Holyrood-ish. But for Mr Smith now it is time to take care of his own lost causes.

Hopefully when things are clearer he will return, but for now he has things to do in the real world.

Goodbye and remember ... you fight harder for the lost causes than you do for any others because they really are the only causes worth fighting for.

True Blue?

2009-02-20T00:12:00.000-08:00

As noted by Drumlanrig, "Is the Queen a Rangers fan? On his website, Labour MP Iain Davidson reveals the following: "There was only one picture that I recognised when I went round Buckingham Palace and that was the team photo of my local club Glasgow Rangers which I was surprised to find pasted up in a section of the Palace."

Wounded.

2009-02-19T00:16:00.000-08:00

It would appear the vultures are starting to circle Labour peer Lord Lewis Moonie. How long can he limp on?

"THE LABOUR peer Lord Moonie has been caught up in a fresh sleaze row after his business associates were arrested in a police probe into alleged fraud in the NHS. The Sunday Herald can reveal that Richard Nawrot and George Henderson, who run Fife-based Americium Developments, were arrested in London last month on "suspicion of conspiracy to commit fraud and misconduct in a public office". Americium currently pays Moonie, a close ally of Gordon Brown, up to £40,000 a year in consultancy fees. The peer's relationship with the company dates back to October 2006."

Kings Of The Castle.

2009-02-19T00:06:00.000-08:00

And from Drumlanrig again, "What short memories Holyrood's security guards have. It wasn't that long ago that Sir George Reid, was king of the castle as Presiding Officer, but when he came back last week he had difficulty persuading security that he should be admitted. Reid sniffily commented that he found it easier to get back into the House of Commons, even though he ceased being an SNP MP 30 years ago ... Spare a thought for Reid's successor Alex Fergusson, who has been seen limping around Parliament. When asked what the matter was, the Old Etonian replied "a spot of gout". As he nurses his aching joints, Ferguson can console himself with the fact that fellow sufferers included Henry VIII, Sir Isaac Newton and Galileo."

Browne-d Off.

2009-02-18T00:19:00.000-08:00

Mr Smith never realised that Labour MP Des Browne had any connections with Sri Lanka. Clearly he doesn't according to the Sri Lankan Government, which means it is another purely political appointment. Mr Smith is sure the good people of Kilmarnock and Loudoun will be relieved that Des won't have to worry about heading off just yet and can continue as their Member of Parliament for a little while longer.

"Des Browne, the former Scottish Secretary, found himself at the centre of an embarrassing diplomatic spat last night after the Sri Lankan Government flatly rejected his appointment as Gordon Brown's Special Envoy to its country, claiming the move smacked of imperialism from its old colonial master." "Discussions are on-going." Bit of an understatement really.

For Charity.

2009-02-18T00:03:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of Drumlanrig, "Alex Neil's promotion to the position of Housing Minister has cost the SNP's arch trouble-maker £50. The likeable Alex, had previously been limited to a role as the Nat's backbencher on the telly, where he regularly defended Alex Salmond's team. After one appearance on STV's Politics Now, then-presenter Michael Crow, now a Tory spin doctor, bet Neil £50 he would eventually make it on to the front bench. Neil, a long-standing thorn in the SNP leadership's side, insisted "hell would freeze over" first and instantly accepted. Drumlanrig hears that Crow has graciously donated the £50 to the Sick Kids in Edinburgh."

Strike Four.

2009-02-17T00:18:00.000-08:00

So President Obama lost another of his nominees, the fourth one in a couple of months.

"President Barack Obama's choice to lead the Commerce Department, Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, has withdrawn his nomination. The Republican lawmaker cites differences with the Democratic president over policy issues, including an economic recovery package nearing final approval in Congress. Senator Judd Gregg's announcement that he was withdrawing as President Barack Obama's nominee to be commerce secretary shocked much of Washington Thursday."

Getting elected it seems was easier than governing.

Bad Cop ... Again.

2009-02-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

He may have been provoked by what can only be described as a bunch of neds ... but that doesn't make his actions and what he went on to do right. The Police are held by the highest standard, and this officer failed to meet it.

"A POLICEMAN punched a 14-year-old boy after he threw burning wood at firefighters. Constable John Carr then smashed the heads of the boy and another teenager together. Yesterday, he was convicted of two charges of assault after police lied under oath."

Indygal MSP.

2009-02-16T00:25:00.000-08:00

So Scotland's newest MSP, Anne "Indygal" McLaughlin, has been officially sworn in. But remarkably her "surreptitious" pictures of her now MSP colleagues taken on the day the Scottish Parliament didn't pass the original Scottish Budget, appear to have disappeared from her blog.

It's amazing how little actually being "elected" has on the habits of our elected representatives. But never mind. Mr Smith made a point of downloading all of the offending images a few days ago. But it makes you wonder what else will disappear from Indygal MSP's blog going forward. Maybe even the blog will go?

Bad Cops.

2009-02-16T00:09:00.000-08:00

Very officially two bad cops. But lots of cops resign before they are forced to.

"TWO disgraced cops who lied to fit-up a law student and his pal have quit before they could be fired. Community officers Neil Jones, 35, and Andrew MacRobert, 28, were found guilty of making up breach of the peace charges against William Reid and Callum McCaig. They were suspended on full pay after the incident in Bothwell, Lanarkshire, in February 2006. Following a trial last April, a judge at Hamilton Sheriff Court told the Blantyre-based constables they had shamed their force."

Hope.

2009-02-15T00:23:00.000-08:00

"BOSTON -- The controversial street artist who gained fame with his red, white and blue posters of President Barack Obama was arrested in Boston Friday night, Boston police said. Shepard Fairey, 38, was arrested on two outstanding warrants as he was about to enter an exhibition of his work at the Institute of Contemporary Art. Fairey was charged with damage to property for having painted two Boston area locations with graffiti, spokesman James Kenneally said."

Nae luck. One man's art ... is another man's graffiti.

Leaks.

2009-02-15T00:12:00.000-08:00

From The Herald Diary, "SCOTS Secretary Jim Murphy, was attending the Subsea 09 oil conference in Aberdeen yesterday where he stopped at the stand of pipeline leak location company Brinker, and asked the company rep what they did. "We stop leaks," she told him. "You could go and work for the government," Jim replied."

Suspended Annimation.

2009-02-14T00:35:00.000-08:00

"A SCOTTISH policeman has been suspended on full pay for the past four and a half years, Scotland on Sunday can reveal. The Strathclyde officer, who has not been named, is understood to have clocked up at least £100,000 in wages since he was sent home on full pay in 2005.The officer is one of five individuals at the force who have been on suspension for more than a year while they await criminal proceedings and internal disciplinary hearings."

Is he a bad cop? We don't know. But should it really take four years to find out? Justice delayed is justice denied, especially for the officer involved.

Nae Luck George.

2009-02-14T00:19:00.000-08:00

It is not as though Labour MSP and peer and lobbyist George Foulkes really needed another job, but Mr Smith is amazed that so many people voted for Iain McWhirter. A bit of a landslide really.

"JOURNALIST Iain Macwhirter was last night voted in as the next rector of Edinburgh University. Mr Macwhirter beat Labour MSP George Foulkes to fill the three-year post, taking 69 per cent of the vote. Thousands of students took part in the ballot to elect the university's 50th rector."

Dave'll Fix It.

2009-02-13T00:33:00.000-08:00

But what if devolution ain't really broke, just being deliberately misused to create tensions that don't need to exist?

"DAVID Cameron pledges today that as prime minister he will end the cross-border war between the UK and Scottish Governments, and insists he will introduce a new "maturity and respect" for Scotland. The Conservative leader, writing in Scotland on Sunday, says if he is installed in 10 Downing Street, he will insist on far closer relations between the two administrations than has occurred under Labour.And he reveals that SNP ministers and Tory shadow ministers have begun talks to discuss their potential roles, with discussions between Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney and shadow chancellor George Osborne having taken place."

Is Mr Smith the only one who sees some contradictions between the alleged status of the Conservatives as a "unionist" party, and their close relationship with a nationalist administration in Scotland?

Wise?

2009-02-13T00:04:00.000-08:00

Maybe not as dodgy as some of the antics of Scotland's Councillors as previously chronicled by Mr Smith, but Councillor Coleman should have known better given the length of time he has spent in elected office. It makes Mr Smith wonder why he forgot to declare an interest on this occasion?

"A leading councillor is expected to face an inquiry by the public-sector watchdog over claims he helped award a £1m public contract to a firm of which he is a director without declaring an interest. Jim Coleman, the deputy leader of Glasgow City Council, is accused of potentially breaching the Standards Commission's code of conduct by not declaring his interest in The Wise Group when the council committee, which he was chairing, awarded it the contract. The two-year deal, worth more than £540,000 annually, will see the Wise Group run a community service-style scheme for fine defaulters, known as Supervised Attendance Orders, on behalf of the council's social services department."

U-Turn.

2009-02-12T00:16:00.000-08:00

As Mrs Thatcher once famously said, "you turn if you want to ... the lady is not for turning."

Well Alex Salmond and the SNP Scottish Government obviously don't share Mrs T's perspective. Amidst all the bluster from John Swinney MSP about why the Government had to back down, the fundamental reason, which he didn't mention, was that the Scottish Parliament didn't actually have the power to introduce a local income tax under the terms of the Scotland Act.

"Alex Salmond stood accused of the most humiliating U-turn of the devolution era after the Scottish Government yesterday ditched its pledge to replace the council tax with a local income tax. Finance Secretary John Swinney blamed the economic downturn, Westminster cuts and Holyrood arithmetic, but Labour called it "the most humiliating climb-down since devolution" and evidence of a "government in meltdown". Mr Swinney told the Scottish Parliament the government would not be proceeding with its plan to introduce a Local Income Tax before the next election in 2011. Instead, he railed against the Treasury and plans for £500m of cuts, and attacked Labour and the Conservatives for being opposed to the plan."

Feel The Power.

2009-02-12T00:05:00.000-08:00

So, it would appear the old emnities within the Peoples' Party are flaring up again, with the Westminster Parliamentary posse wanting to curtial the powers of their Scottish Parliamentary colleagues.

"SCOTTISH Labour was facing a fresh internal split last night after the party's MPs called for its MSPs to be stripped of some of their powers. The Westminster group – which includes Prime Minister Gordon Brown – told a private party meeting on Friday that Holyrood should no longer have decision-making powers over crucial policy areas such as energy and national security.The move has sparked a backlash among party MSPs, who not only want to keep the powers but also expected more powers to be devolved. MSPs accuse the MPs of "bad politics" in demanding powers be returned to Westminster."

Mr Smith thinks that they need to bury the axe, preferably not in each other, and get on with running the country. It is all somewhat reminiscent of rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.

You Are Invited ... To Resign.

2009-02-11T23:27:00.000-08:00

Mr Smith likes the symbolism of SNP Scottish Government Ministers being "invited to resign" by First Minister Alex Salmond rather than just being sacked. But why is that only junior Ministers in Mr Salmond's administration seem to be incompetent, whilst all of their Cabinet Secretary colleagues are performing so brilliantly?

"THE first reshuffle of the SNP Government yesterday saw three ministers depart, another moved to the heart of the administration and two former foes of Alex Salmond brought in from the cold. The point was passed last summer where this administration was the longest without change in the devolution era, and when Mr Salmond's first re-shuffle came it spared his immediate cabinet colleagues. However, culture minister Linda Fabiani, schools minister Maureen Watt and sport and housing minister Stewart Maxwell were all sacked. "

It is well seen that we are heading for the SNP's Independence referendum next year. The timing of the reshuffle means it was not so much a "night of the long knives", as an almost St Valentine's Day Massacre.

Too Close To Call.

2009-02-11T00:03:00.000-08:00

Scotland is apparently on a knife edge with support for independence on a par with support for the Union. Or is it?

Mr Smith is very sceptical of the results of this poll. He still doesn't believe that in the current economic climate Scots would actually vote for independence, and as the uncertainty increases over the next few months he believes that will become even less likely.

"SUPPORT FOR independence has hardened in the face of the global recession, despite Labour predictions that the crisis would see more Scots turning to the Union for protection. The latest TNS System Three survey for the Sunday Herald found support for leaving the union rose three points during the last quarter, while opposition to a separate Scottish state fell to its lowest level since the poll began 18 months ago. The findings suggest the public has ignored Labour warnings that a breakaway Scotland would be doomed to join Iceland in the "arc of insolvency".

Snap Happy.

2009-02-10T00:23:00.000-08:00

So, the ink isn't even dry yet on the SNP press release unveiling Anne McLaughlin as a new Glasgow MSP, when the Daily Record manages to come up with a story about Scotland's newest political representative taking surreptitious snaps of MSPs and putting them on her blog.

"New Nat Msp Caught Taking Sneaky Snaps Inside Holyrood ... SCOTLAND'S newest MSP has posted sneaky snaps from Holyrood on her website - before she is even sworn in. Nationalist Anne McLaughlin - who blogs under the name of "Indygal" - was last night accused of "lacking respect" by MSPs furious at her secretly taking photos of them inside the parliament building. The 42-year-old activist, who has been working at Holyrood as a researcher, will be sworn in as a list MSP this week to replace Bashir Ahmad, who died of a heart attack on Friday. Her photos, taken on the day MSPs threw out the budget last month, are accompanied by mocking captions. And last night, Labour's Margaret Curran demanded McLaughlin make an apology to parliament."

Mr Smith also sees that our Anne is a researcher to SNP MSP Bob Doris who has been noted for having some issues with his staff members in the past. Obviously not with our Anne given he buys her the occasional gin and tonic. Mr Smith has nothing against former political researchers becoming MSPs, but wouldn't it be nice for them not to go STRAIGHT from being researchers to being MSPs, maybe having to "pass go" and maybe also getting a bit of real world experience which would broaden out their political and personal maturity? Even if they are already 42.

Jamie Dodger II.

2009-02-10T00:03:00.000-08:00

Mr Smith seems to recall this isn't the first time that Conservative MSP Jamie McGrigor has had questions raised about his expenses claims to the Scottish Parliament.

"A SENIOR Conservative MSP is facing an investigation into the tens of thousands of pounds of public money he has handed his wife for "research" services. Sir Jamie McGrigor says he pays his spouse Emma up to £7000 a year for reading newspapers and typing "stuff" at their home in Argyll. This is on top of him billing the taxpayer for a full-time aide and services from a Conservative research unit that includes media monitoring. Professor David Miller, of not-for-profit monitoring organisation Spinwatch, has written to the Scottish parliament's corporate body to call for an investigation into the work carried out for the MSP. McGrigor was one of 27 MSPs who last year declared the employment of a relative. The Highlands and Islands MSP's wife is listed as an "assistant/researcher". However, parliament sources told the Sunday Herald it was unclear what research McGrigor's wife carried out. Emma McGrigor is not mentioned on the parliament's internal staff list and does not have a Holyrood email account."

Water. Water.

2009-02-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

But no risk to anyone's health.

"HOLYROOD WAS last night in the grip of an outbreak of the deadly legionnaires’ bug—just days after MSPs had been told it had been dealt with. Legionnaires’ disease bacteria was discovered in the water supply in parts of the parliament building last June, although MSPs and staff were not informed until the end of last month when they were given assurances it had been dealt with. However, yesterday parliament chiefs were forced to alert the 1200 people working at Holyrood that the potentially- fatal bacteria had been discovered again."

But it still shouldn't be there.

Bashir Ahmad MSP.

2009-02-09T00:21:00.001-08:00

Mr Smith's sympathies go to Bashir Ahmad's family at this time of loss. He was by all accounts a decent man who came into politics for the most decent of motives. He will be missed.

But Mr Smith was waiting to see which publication would be the first to name Mr Ahmad's successor who will be "elected" by default from the Glasgow Regional List to the Scottish Parliament, despite actually failing to get elected in 2007. Step forward the Herald Diary with the information.

"DENNISTOUN'S Anne McLaughlin, who is set to become Scotland's newest MSP for the SNP, reveals in her blog that her first Saturday job was at Woolworth's in Greenock, where she was not cool enough to work on the record counter, and instead was sent to the jewellery counter. "Unfortunately," writes Anne, "I caused such chaos that they demoted me to the sweetie counter. Apparently there was a regular stream of complainers each Monday morning with complaints ranging from that wee lassie gave me a Timex guarantee for a Sekondo watch' to instructions for cleaning silver chains are nae use to me when I want to wind up my cuckoo clock'. The full-time workers loved to utter the words, all them O Grades and nae common sense'." A Government post will surely beckon soon with such talent."

Very Adventurous.

2009-02-09T00:10:00.000-08:00

Wouldn't it be nice to work for a public body in Scotland?

"PUBLIC BODIES have been criticised after spending hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money on "away days" and bonding sessions to boost staff morale. A survey of Scotland's public sector has found councils, police forces and quangos have been sending employees on golfing junkets and adventure breaks. Activities included treasure hunts and "It's A Knockout" sessions ... Scottish Enterprise (SE), the quango set up to boost economic growth, spent £99,910 on a "staff conference" at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre in October ... The quango also shelled out £9000 for an away day in Glasgow and £4680 for a session at Hampden Park. All told, the public body spent £119,824 on team-building events.
In addition, Scottish Water used £33,990 of public money on away days over the past 12 months. This included a £23,265 strategy session in Kirknewton Stables, provided by team-building events company Maximillion."

Difficult.

2009-02-08T00:09:00.000-08:00

Interesting item on the agenda of a recent meeting of the Scottish Parliament's Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee.

"6. Guidance for MSPs on handling difficult correspondents or constituents (in private): The Committee considered and agreed draft guidance for MSPs on handling difficult correspondents or constituents."

Mr Smith isn't a big fan of items being considered "in private" by the Scottish Parliament unless it is really necessary. The fact that this item was considered behind closed doors presumably means the public will never get to see the contents of the "guindace." Mr Smith thinks we all should get to see it.

Flash Gordon?

2009-02-08T00:04:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of the Herald Diary, "MEMBERS of Parliament: what a hard-working bunch they are. abour's Ochil and South Perthshire MP, Gordon Banks, put out a press release this week stating that: "Gordon was busier than usual in Parliament last week as he took part in four separate debates." Three of the debates were on the same day, and in two of them Gordon merely asked one question. So he spoke in parliament on two days last week, and that merited a press release. Well done, that man."

He's been a busy boy or maybe not. Mr Banks gets his first "menshie" on Mr Smith's blog. For the record, according to various parliamentary monitoring sites, he is "above average" in terms of parliamentary activity, albeit that he never rebels against the government line. A safe pair of hands.

Yes Police.

2009-02-07T00:14:00.000-08:00

"An influential committee of MSPs has criticised Scotland's top police officers association, warning it is unaccountable and should be subjected to closer scrutiny. The Scottish Parliament's public audit committee has called on the government to investigate measures to bring the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) under effective inspection."

Given the prominent role which Acpos fulfills and its major role in deciding the policing priorities for Scotland, Mr Smith would agree there needs to be far more political and public scrutiny of their activities. We'll see how long it takes for that to happen. Mr Smith won't be holding his breath waiting for it to happen.

Lost.

2009-02-07T00:05:00.000-08:00

He's a bad cop ... albeit by accident.

"A POLICE officer on a drugs raid lost a notebook containing top secret information on suspects and operations. It was left behind after a raid carried out as part of Operation York, one of Scotland's biggest drugbusting operations. The book contained details of interviews with suspects - which could have been vital as evidence - as well as a list of about 40 suspected dealers and crucial personal information."

We're Doomed - Not.

2009-02-06T00:22:00.000-08:00

"Politicians yesterday heaped criticism on a health boss who forecast "unprecedented catastrophe" for humanity and an economic disaster worse than any since the Great Depression. In a report for the Scottish Government, Dr Laurence Gruer, director of NHS Health Scotland, warned of upheaval and ruin ahead as the nation falls victim to the economic downturn. Dr Gruer, Scotland's most senior public health official, told ministers to expect increases in crime, child abuse, obesity, depression and suicide as decades of "have it all" economic policy catch up on the world. "This upheaval can be expected to create changes in socio-economic conditions in Scotland of a magnitude not seen since the early 1980s," he said."

But seriously, these comments seem to sum up the typical attitude of most health professionals in Scotland. They are always on about the risks in public health terms of just about anything, without recognising that Scots are massively better off now than they have ever been in terms of their health and well-being, especially by comparison with 1929. Cheer up Dr Gruer. And give us Scots a break.

Peer-Less.

2009-02-06T00:16:00.000-08:00

"A LABOUR PEER AT THE centre of the "cash for laws" row is facing fresh controversy over his work for one of the world's biggest defence companies. Half the parliamentary questions tabled by Lord Moonie, a close friend of prime minister Gordon Brown, relate to areas of commercial interest to US-based Northrop Grumman Corporation."

In case people have forgotten the history.

In the last review of the boundaries of Westminster constituencies when the number of seats in the PM's backyard of Fife was reduced from five to four, it was Dr Lewis Moonie who selflessly bowed out the game of political musical chairs in Fife by standing down from the Commons thereby avoiding pulling the current PM Gordon Brown into an embarrassing nomination fight with the other Labour MPs in Fife. His selfless act was of course recognised by his elevation to the House of Lords, but Mr Smith thinks if Lord Moonie is dragged further into a lobbying scandal in the Lords it will unavoidably rub off onto the PM. Unless of course our Gordon can keep Lord Moonie out of it somehow?

Family.

2009-02-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

You can pick your friends, but not your family as the old saying goes. And that applies as much for US President Barack Obama as much as anyone else.

"THE half-brother of President Barack Obama was arrested yesterday for alleged possession of marijuana near his home in a Nairobi shantytown. George Obama, who is in his 20s and barely knows the President, had one joint of marijuana on him, said Joshua Omokulongolo, the police chief in the area. "He is not a drug peddler," Omokulongolo said. "But it's illegal, it's a banned substance."

Special.

2009-02-05T00:24:00.000-08:00

The "special relationship" between Britain and the US is still alive and kicking. At least as much as it has ever been, which is probably not saying very much.

"US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has paid tribute to Britain's "special relationship" with the US, saying it "stands the test of time". She was speaking after meeting UK counterpart David Miliband, her first ministerial-level talks since President Barack Obama's inauguration last month."

Significantly, the US State Department website gave equal billing to the Milliband-Clinton meeting and the one between Secretary of State Clinton and the German Foreign Minister, of which she said:

"We have had an excellent and broad discussion. Germany is one of our closest allies, and we greatly value opportunities like today to discuss the issues that affect our nations and the international community as a whole. ... You know, the longstanding and enduring German-American relationship is close and firm. And as our meeting today made clear, we rely on Germany's support and assistance to face global challenges together."

Looks like the US has loads of "special relationships."

Sorry.

2009-02-05T00:07:00.000-08:00

"FINANCE secretary John Swinney last night apologised for the petty squabbling between parties that saw Scotland's £33billion budget hit the buffers. He admitted: "I don't think it was parliament's finest hour."

That was nice of him, but at least he recognises his partial responsibility for the shambles.

On The Tab.

2009-02-05T00:04:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of Drumlanrig, "RAISE A GLASS TO THAT ... When the SNP Government released information last week on the amount they were spending on booze at official functions, there was one omission on the records. The sums spent on drink at a dinner held for First Minister Alex Salmond's Council of Economic Advisers in September 2007 is unrecorded as there was "no accurate invoice". Must have been a good night."

Cock-Up?

2009-02-04T00:21:00.000-08:00

Mr Smith sees that the SNP seem to be coming very close to alleging election fraud in last year's Glenrothes by-election because of the fact that the marked register for the by-election has gone astray.

"THE official register of all those who voted in the crucial Glenrothes by-election in November was lost within days of being handed over by the returning officer to the sheriff clerk in Kirkcaldy, it has been revealed. The loss has prompted an investigation by the Scottish Court Service, but Tricia Marwick, the SNP MSP for Central Fife, yesterday called for an independent inquiry."

It is a major cock-up by the Courts Service, not the first, but does anyone seriously believe that someone forged a few thousand votes in order to let Labour win a by-election that it wasn't expected to, and all in Fife which is actually controlled by an SNP-Liberal Democrat Council which had responsibility for running and overseeing the election? Mr Smith is known to believe in the odd conspiracy, but this isn't one of them.

Glitch Pickings.

2009-02-04T00:19:00.000-08:00

By Mr Smith's reckoning that is no fewer than three senior cabinet appointments which President Obama has not been able to get through on the basis that his appointees has dodgy tax records and have been forced to withdraw.

"US President Barack Obama has said "I screwed up" over his handling of a controversy that led two politicians to decline posts in his administration. Tom Daschle was to become the new secretary of health, and Nancy Killefer was Mr Obama's choice to oversee budget and spending reform. They both withdrew when questions were raised about their tax affairs."

Why is it so many US politicians seem to have problems paying their taxes on time?

Silo.

2009-02-04T00:16:00.000-08:00

"HOLYROOD BOSSES lack "focus and structure" and do not have a "clear vision" for the Scottish Parliament, according to a secret report released last week. The findings also found that the parliament had become a "stale" organisation with "fatigued" managers working in a "silo culture".

Naw never. It can't be true. Can it? Mr Smith thinks they could have built a better "silo" for £413 million.

Business As Usual.

2009-02-03T23:55:00.000-08:00

Better Late Than Never.

2009-02-03T00:10:00.000-08:00

Good to see that someone has finally woken up to the potential conflicts of interest (as previously highlighted by Mr Smith) between the various roles of Lord George Foulkes as a member of the House of Lords, as a Member of the Scottish Parliament, and as a "lobbyist." It took a while, but things should become clearer when the complaint that has been raised is resolved.

"A SENIOR Labour MSP is facing a Holyrood investigation into his lucrative work as a lobbyist in the House of Lords. George Foulkes, who doubles up as a peer and MSP, is being paid £36,000 a year to provide advice to a law firm."

Holden On.

2009-02-03T00:08:00.001-08:00

"A HIGHLAND councillor’s disability allowance has been stopped as he is investigated over allegations of benefit fraud, the Press and Journal has learned. Labour councillor John Holden, who has represented Inverness South since the 2007 election, has been the subject of inquiries involving the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Northern Constabulary since last September. The DWP expects to complete its investigation into his benefit claims within a fortnight. A police investigation that has focused on Mr Holden’s role in organising car boot sales in Inverness is continuing."

Snifter?

2009-02-03T00:08:00.000-08:00

"THE SNP government spent more than £36,500 on alcohol at hospitality events in its first year at Holyrood, almost double the bill posted by the Labour/Liberal Democrat regime in 2003-4. Scottish Government spokesman said: "These ministerial events are for good causes and promote Scotland's interests."

And all at the same time as the Scottish Government are involved in a political crusade to stop everyone else in Scotland from availing themselves of Buy One Get One Free (BOGOF) promotional offers at their local supermarket.

Presumably its OK for foreign visitors to be knocking back the free booze courtesy of the Scottish Government given that any adverse health impacts will largely be met by their own health services in their own countries? Or maybe just double standards of the most blatant kind?

Normal Service Resumed.

2009-02-02T01:12:00.000-08:00

Mr Smith must admit to being surprised by the defeat last week of the Scottish Government's budget, especially by the margin of 65 votes to 64. Mr Smith didn't think that our political representatives at Holyrood had it in them. Well it would appear that MSPs of all parties are now falling over themselves to pass a slightly amended SNP budget in exchange for a few baubles.

"ALEX Salmond was last night on the verge of rescuing his government's battered Budget by making enough concessions to bring all the opposition parties on board. Just a day after seeing it thrown out by the Scottish Parliament, the First Minister believed last night he could secure the unanimous backing of every MSP for the Budget just by making a series of simple changes."

What exactly is the point of voting down a budget because it didn't include major items, like a 2% cut in taxation, or major expenditure to try and offer more help to those made redundant in the current economic downturn, when apparently a letter from Alex Salmond is now enough to placate at least the Liberal Democrats?

Mr Smith thinks our politicians risk doing their credibility damage with the voters and, yet again, let Mr Salmond emerge from a crisis largely of his own making, looking like the cat that got the cream.

Surprise, Surprise?

2009-02-02T00:12:00.000-08:00

Straight from the school of "tell us something we didn't already know."

"ALMOST a third of people in England think Scotland receives more than its fair share of government cash, a survey revealed today. The latest British Social Attitudes report found 32 per cent of people in England felt that was the case. That compares with a total of 22 per cent in 2003, revealing growing concern about the amount of public spending north of the Border."

Going Cheap?

2009-02-02T00:06:00.000-08:00

The Chairty Regulator will decide. Even their own Council colleagues want an inquiry. All a bit dodgy?

"Five Aberdeen councillors could face an investigation by charity regulators after it emerged that a residential school was sold for £4million less than the highest offer. Governors of the former Oakbank School, which closed last summer amid financial difficulties, could soon be at the centre of an inquiry by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (Oscr). Board members confirmed last night that the school had been sold to city-based developer Carlton Rock last July for £7million – despite offers of up to £11million being on the table."

Unshaven.

2009-02-02T00:04:00.000-08:00

And again from Drumlanrig, "MAN BEHIND THE BEARD ... Budget day always has a good turnout of MSPs, with even the most rarely seen faces on show to cast their vote. But who was that chap on the Labour backbenches with what almost passed for a beard? None other than former First Minister and now our man (sometimes) in Africa Jack McConnell. You'll need to come up with a better disguise, Jack."

Tunnocks Rip Off Scandal.

2009-02-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

Fom the Herald Diary, "MEP Struan Stevenson stuck to his Tory principles while chairing the European Parliament Burns supper in Brussels last week, by insisting that all bids in the charity auction be in pounds rather than euros. Just to show how parlous the state of the economy is, a shiny ingot-style block of 18 Tunnock's wafers was described as the new Scottish reserve currency, and was sold to a sweet-toothed expat for £75."

Mr Smith thought that the European Parliament was trying to stop consumers from being ripped off? £75 for a box of Tunnocks wafers is a rip off, even if it was for charity. By Mr Smith's reckoning you could have gotten 444 Tunnocks wafers for £75 and that is at Tesco prices.

Feeling Perky.

2009-01-31T00:35:00.000-08:00

Mr Smith thinks this is all very dodgy. The Deputy Chief seems to really like rugby, but the other details demonstrate just how entertaining being a senior cop can actually be.

"ONE of Scotland’s most senior police officers accepted dozens of gifts from private firms and sports organisations, including tickets to rugby matches, golf tournaments, theatre performances and a pop concert. Tom Halpin, the deputy chief constable of Lothian and Borders, is believed to have accepted more corporate hospitality than any other senior officer in Scotland. Over the past three years he has attended at least 10 rugby internationals as a guest of the Scottish Rugby Union, including a France v Scotland match in Paris. He also accepted two invitations from the Royal Bank of Scotland to attend golf tournaments at Gleneagles and the Euro 2008 qualifier between Scotland and Italy in 2007 at Hampden, where he was treated to a champagne reception."

And all at the same time as the thin blue line is looking increasingly under pressure.

"Police officers in Scotland took an average of 10 days’ sick leave last year, almost double the amount taken by private-sector workers. Injuries suffered during non-frontline duties and stress because of rising paperwork have been blamed for the high sickness rates among Scottish officers, many of whom are off for months at a time."

But why are so many big companies so keen to keep on the good side of the cops?

Charlie's Darling.

2009-01-31T00:23:00.000-08:00

Another disclosure about the expenses claims of one of our MSPs.

"The son of Charlie Gordon MSP has received more than £26,000 in parliamentary expenses for work carried out on behalf of his father with additional payments also made by at least one other MSP, it emerged last night. Figures show that Gavin Gordon was paid for work carried out on his father's website, call handling and other consultancy work, which amounted to £15,246 for the 2007-08 session alone. Payments have been made to Gavin Gordon for the past three years after invoices from his enterprise, GMG Solutions, run from his home in the Whiteinch area of Glasgow, were sent to Holyrood. He received £9747 in 2006-07, and £1400 in 2005-06. But the website address given for GMG Solutions on the invoices does not exist, with the domain name not registered and a search on the internet does not throw up any trace of the sole trader." And, for the record, Charlie's denial of the story.

Not So Green.

2009-01-31T00:07:00.000-08:00

Another insight into the expenses claims made by our elected representatives, courtesy of Drumlanrig, "GREEN BUT CERTAINLY NOT NAIVE ... How do former MSPs earn money when they get kicked out of parliament? Easy – they live off their colleagues' expenses. Green party leader Patrick Harvie lists among newly revealed expenses a payment of £1,200 on "consultancy work" for an organisation called EMBE. This body describes itself as an "environmental communications" company run by none other than Mark Ballard... the former Green MSP."

A bit of back scratching going on?

Welcome.

2009-01-31T00:04:00.000-08:00

Mr Smith sees that the Scottish Government is seeking to recruit Front of House Staff.

"A lot of very different people of every age, religion, creed, colour and walk of life visit the Scottish Government every day. As a result, we’re looking for Front of House (security and reception) staff from as wide a range of backgrounds as our visitors. The roles are based in either Edinburgh (Victoria Quay, St Andrew’s House, Saughton House and Pentland House). The position involves working a combination of day, early, back and night shifts."

But the salary at £14,000 - £16,947 might not guarantee visitors a very warm welcome.

The Broons.

2009-01-30T00:27:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of one of Mr Smith's Glasgow "readers." Did you see it? Was it worth waiting for?

Dodgy? Until Proven Guilty.

2009-01-30T00:07:00.000-08:00

"A MAN accused of a string of sex offences attended a prestigious council gala as a politician's guest. Alan Wilson, 64 - who is due to stand trial in April - was invited to the bash for the Royal Caledonian Curling Club by councillor pal John Holden. The event, held by Highland Council in Inverness, was hosted by Provost Jimmy Gray."

Mr Smith is a great believer in people being viewed as innocent until being proven guilty, but surely Highland Council should be showing a bit more concern for causing unnecessary pain and suffering to the alleged victims of Mr Wilson until he appears in court?

But then again Councillor Holden has previous form as being a bit dodgy.

Just Visiting.

2009-01-30T00:04:00.000-08:00

And courtesy of Drumlanrig again, "Being an MSP would be a great job, if it wasn't for those pesky constituents. The new Holyrood expenses also show that eight members have even farmed out the job of showing visiting voters round the Parliament, spending a total of £700 on on-site tour guides to do the job. Step forward Bashir Ahmad, Keith Brown, Malcolm Chisholm, Fiona Hyslop, Richard Lochhead, Kenny MacAskill, Mary Mulligan and Mike Russell."

Mr Smith can understand why Ministers may not always be able to take the time to show constituents around the Parliament as events overtake their diaries, but are the others really that hard pressed for time, and don't the Ministers have staff that could do the job for them?

Never-endum.

2009-01-29T00:32:00.000-08:00

Mr Smith admires Mr Salmond's optimism, but Mr Smith believes the SNP have no chance of winning a referendum on independence in the foreseeable future, so what excuse will Oor Eck come up with for not having one? We will have to wait and see,

"Alex Salmond is to press ahead with plans for an independence referendum bill next year despite the economic downturn and the collapse of Scottish banking. The first minister said Barack Obama’s victory in the American election demonstrates that people can vote for change during turbulent times."

No offence to Mr Salmond, but he ain't no Barack Obama, and more to the point, Gordon Brown, whatever his faults, is no George Walker Bush.

BarackBerry.

2009-01-29T00:25:00.000-08:00

Do you have one?

"MOVE over, iPhone; the latest must-have gadget for international men of mystery is the BarackBerry. The president of the United States is to become the proud owner of a secure, souped-up, high-tech personal digital assistant (PDA). It comes fully loaded with encryption devised by the National Security Agency (NSA), which gathers intelligence from cyberspace. The buzz about Obama’s BlackBerry replacement is “almost as exciting as the presidential dog”, reported Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, this weekend. There is speculation that the e-mailer-in-chief will carry a Sectera Edge, made by General Dynamics, the military contractor, and developed specially for the NSA. At the touch of a button it can switch from an ordinary PDA to a secure communications device."

Sounds like a great gadget ... or just a President's boy toy?

Another Bad Cop?

2009-01-29T00:02:00.000-08:00

"A POLICEMAN has been accused of assaulting a teenage boy and destroying a recording of the attack. PC Brian Carswell, 48, denies grabbing suspected thief David Shields, 16, by the throat and pinned him against a wall during an official interview. When three other officers entered the room at Ayr Police Station, they found Shields crying with marks on his throat. Slightly built Shields, of Ayr, claimed 15- stone Carswell assaulted him and that he had recorded it on his mobile phone."

The courts will decide.

Tommy's Big Bother.

2009-01-28T00:14:00.000-08:00

"BIG Brother star Tommy Sheridan and his wife Gail are to stand trial for perjury. In a court case that could cost £20million, the couple are accused of lying during Tommy's defamation case against a Sunday newspaper. Yesterday, the firebrand politician vowed to fight the charges."

Mr Smith isn't sure where the estimate of £20 million came from, but the court case should be worth a watch. But will our Tommy defy the establishment again and get off? Or will he be one of the few politicians who actually end up being convicted for telling lies?

Kofi Anyone?

2009-01-28T00:13:00.000-08:00

Now Mr Smith realises that the Daily Record wouldn't put Alex Salmond at the top of its popularity list, but even he thinks on this occasion their story might not just be trying to create a storm in Kofi cup.

"ALEX Salmond is desperately trying to organise a visit from Kofi Annan - after jumping the gun by announcing the former UN chief was coming to Scotland. The First Minister told the Year of Homecoming launch on Saturday that he had accepted an offer from Burns fan Annan to deliver a lecture on the Bard. Now an embarrassed Salmond has issued an official invitation to the Ghanaian statesman - and aides are praying he will accept."

There are protocols to be observed in these things and Mr Smith thinks the FM shot as usual from the hip without thinking before hand. Our Eck is growing increasingly impatient these days.

Who Dares ...

2009-01-28T00:11:00.000-08:00

Mr Smith is reminded of the old expression, "be careful for what you wish for."

And why should the Scottish Government get a free pass from opposition parties for its budget? The Scottish Government is fond of reminding us that it is a minority administration, and minority administrations can't expect a majority of MSPs to automatically vote for its plans. We'll see. Mr Smith thinks the budget will pass.

"MINISTERS last night dared opponents to vote down today's Holyrood Budget, claiming they would pay a heavy political price for blocking a Budget designed to take account of hard times in the current economy."

Dodgy.

2009-01-28T00:04:00.000-08:00

This is normally an accolade reserved for our local authority representatives, but Mr Smith has no qualms in extending the nomenclature to Mr Nigel Don MSP. It is perfectly proper for the taxpayer to meet the legitimate and unavoidable expenses incurred by MSPs, but when even they admit to engineering a move of house in order to be able to claim expenses they wouldn't otherwise be able to claim isn't the whole process increasingly coming into disrepute?

"A MINISTERIAL aide has admitted "coordinating" £765,000 in property deals to claim a controversial mortgage allowance that was about to be scrapped. Nationalist MSP Nigel Don was unable to claim mortgage interest on a flat in Edinburgh as he lived in Dundee - which was too close to Holyrood for the subsidy. But the SNP politician sold his family home of 19 years, bought a house in Aberdeen and then used his new found eligibility for the taxpayer-funded perk to buy a property in the capital."

Is it any wonder that the average voter has little time left for their elected representatives, especially when one of them living in Dundee ups sticks and moves to Aberdeen because it is in the political interests of the SNP? For the record Mr Don denies any wrongdoing.

Blueberries.

2009-01-28T00:02:00.000-08:00

From the Herald Diary, "SO, are our expensively-paid politicians at the Scottish Parliament coping with new technology? Well, what about the committee meeting this week when convener Trish Godman of the Labour Party declared: "I ask those who have mobile phones and blueberries to switch them off." This stirred the LibDems' Ross Finnie, who asked: "Blueberries?" Replied Trish: "BlackBerrys. Perhaps some of you have blueberries." Brambles?" continued Ross, having, we suspect, a bit of fun with the convener. "If you have brambles, or anything else, please switch them off," said Trish. But then it got all boring again, so we switched off. "

Mr Smith seems to recall that we have been here before.

Most Expensive.

2009-01-27T00:32:00.000-08:00

In all the coverage of the latest set of expenses claimed by Members of the Scottish Parliament, "posh bloke" and Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader, Tavish Scott MSP earns the dubious title of having claimed the highest level of expenses of any of the 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament. He does represent Shetland, but other MSPs represent other constituencies that are arguable just as remote and some many times the size of Shetland.

"MSPs claimed more than £10 million worth of expenses last year including toilet rolls and management guru guides, figures revealed yesterday. The individual expense claims of all the MSPs for 2007-8, as published by the Scottish Parliament, came to a total of £10,250,471. The sum was £10,815 less than the year before, despite the fact that it also included the amount given back to 42 former MSPs who either retired or were voted out of office in May 2007."

Nice work if you can get it. The overall bill may be falling, but there are still in many cases more questions than answers.

The Gorbals.

2009-01-27T00:08:00.000-08:00

Never has the Gorbals has such prominence in the field of international relations.

"BARACK OBAMA made a historic phone call to Gordon Brown yesterday - while the PM was in the Gorbals. They discussed the global economic crisis for the first time since Obama became US president. The talks, which included plans for a summit in London in April, came minutes after Brown arrived at the City Building training academy in Glasgow's Gorbals."

For Information.

2009-01-27T00:02:00.000-08:00

Is it just Mr Smith or might Mr Dunion just be better getting on with his "day job" before taking on external commitments. After all, there doesn't appear to be an shortage of Freedom of Information requests needing answered, or pursued when government refuses them.

"THE new lord rector at St Andrews University, Scotland’s information commissioner Kevin Dunion, will be officially installed in early March."

Reserved.

2009-01-26T00:09:00.000-08:00

You would think before embarking on trying to deliver its plans for a local income tax, the Scottish Government might actually have bothered to check that it had the legal powers to do so.

"The Scottish Government is to be told there is "no legal basis" for its plans to introduce a local income tax, it emerged today. The SNP Holyrood administration plans to introduce the charge to replace the council tax. Finance secretary John Swinney has said previously his preferred option is for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to collect the tax. But it emerged David Hartnett, the head of Revenue and Customs, is to send a letter to Scotland's top civil servant Sir John Elvidge, the draft of which states: "There is no legal basis for a local income tax along the lines outlined in the SNP consultation document." A spokesman for Mr Swinney today insisted: "We have every right and ability to scrap the unfair council tax and replace it with a fair local income tax to fund local authority expenditure."

Mr Smith isn't a constitutional lawyer, but he tends to think that the powers on this issue are reserved to Westminster and as such the Scottish Government doesn't have a legal leg to stand on. What next Mr Swinney? And in how many other areas of policy which the Scottish Government is hoping to legislate on doesn't it have the powers to do so?

Thom and Ecky.

2009-01-26T00:08:00.000-08:00

Mr Smith paraphrases tennis player John McEnroe: surely The First Minister cannot be serious?

"FIRST Minister Alex Salmond may soon be adding a new line to his extensive list of careers on his CV – that of singer. Mr Salmond has worked as an economist, visiting professor, MP and MSP, but next month at Banff he will reveal another of his talents when he performs a duet with Sandi Thom on stage at the Fife Lodge Hotel."

Can he? What's next?

Bad Former Cop.

2009-01-26T00:07:00.000-08:00

"A FORMER police officer who crashed his car while almost three times the legal limit was banned from driving for 18 months at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday. Gordon Glass, 45, of Lochearnhead, Perthshire, crashed his Renault Clio into a barrier on the A7 just outside Newtongrange, Midlothian, in November 2007. He left Lothian and Borders Police after the crash."

Interior Decoration.

2009-01-25T00:11:00.000-08:00

Given the shambles that is what's left of Scotland's financial services industry it is good to see that other potential industrial giants are emerging to replace it.

"A FAMILY-OWNED Scottish textile company is set to have a key role in helping the Obama family redecorate the White House. Biggar-based Calzeat Ltd are expected to produce the fabrics that will be used by the celebrity interior designer Michael Smith when he begins work on redecorating the presidential home over the coming months."

Good luck to them and great to see the Obamas doing something for Scottish business.

Bonfire Postponed.

2009-01-25T00:05:00.000-08:00

Every politician promises the "bonfire of quangos." Very few ever deliver it. There never seem to be enough matches to go around, but the fact that the Scottish Government has admitted that it is having to delay a piece of legislation for three months suggests that all is not going well at the Lubyanka that is St Andrew's House. Whatever the official line, when one piece of legislation is delayed, it is usually because others have been as well, and things are running less smoothly than expected.

"MEASURES to reduce the number of quangos and watchdogs have been delayed by three months. The public services reform bill will not be introduced until late May to allow more work on it. It aims to reduce public bodies by 25 per cent, and also set up arts body Creative Scotland."

Once ... Twice.

2009-01-24T00:20:00.000-08:00

Here's hoping it wasn't an omen of the shape of things to come.

"Barack Obama has been sworn in as US president for the second time in two days, because one word was given out of order during Tuesday's ceremony. The Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court, John Roberts, administered the oath again at the White House. The decision to repeat the oath was taken out of an abundance of caution, an official said. But Mr Obama joked: "We decided it was so much fun...." before adding: "We're going to do it very slowly."

Happy Consulting.

2009-01-24T00:15:00.000-08:00

Mr Smith isn't sure that Audit Scotland spending public money on external consultants is in the same league as other public bodies that should know better spending even more cash, but perhaps they should also be more careful about how they spend public money?

"SCOTLAND'S SPENDING watchdog is paying hundreds of thousands of pounds to consultants each year despite criticising other public bodies for the same practice. Audit Scotland last week published a damning report on the use of consultants across government, concluding that a lack of strategy and planning was costing taxpayers a fortune. After looking at how central government and 38 quangos (excluding itself) spent £114 million on consultants in 2006-07, it calculated £13m could have been saved by better management."

Councillor Deans.

2009-01-24T00:03:00.000-08:00

Mr Smith has commented previously on the antics of "hokey cokey ... in out" Councillor Colin Deans who defected from the SNP group on Glasgow City Council to join the Labour Party, then perhaps not join the Labour Party and instead become an Independent.

Well he is still listed as a Scottish Labour Party Councillor, but in his very sparse declaration of interests on the Council website, dated 23 May 2007 (which surely must mean it is very out of date and not actually compliant with the legislation under which it is lodged,) he also gives another fascinating insight into his activities by stating:

"I am a freemason and hold office, I have taken higher orders and expect to make future progress."

This might explain why he appears to be so popular with so many of his fellow Councillors in Glasgow. Of all parties.

Coincidence?

2009-01-23T00:19:00.000-08:00

Mr Smith has reported previously on the oft used political phenomenon of "put out the trash day" when our political masters use the fact that some events generate so much media coverage that they can sneak out bad or controversial news which then gets less media coverage and scrutiny than it would otherwise.

A case in point appears to be the announcement, on the day of President Barack Obama's inauguration, of proposals by the City of Glasgow Council to close and amalgamate over twenty schools across the city.

"TEACHERS from Scotland's largest local authority are facing redundancy in the wake of controversial proposals to close 25 primary and nursery schools. The move follows an announcement by Glasgow City Council that it plans to shut 13 primaries and 12 nurseries in the city to bring in savings of £3.7m a year. Up to 100 teaching staff at the closure-threatened schools have been assured there will be no compulsory redundancies, but officials said some staff cuts would be made, either through voluntary severance or early retirement schemes."

Now if Glasgow needs to close schools and can do it without children's' education being damaged then so be it, but the fact that they used a loaded news cycle to avoid initial scrutiny of the proposals in Mr Smith's opinion really sucks.

He Was Evicted.

2009-01-23T00:10:00.000-08:00

So Tommy Sheridan leaves the Big Brother Hoose with his head held high and no cops were involved - for a change. He didn't win. He didn't really lose. He wasn't first. He wasn't last. A bit like how it will be for everyone in Scotland after the Revolution. Very egalitarian, but he can leave the programme secure in the knowledge he has his cheque to fund his new legal career.

"SCOTTISH Socialist firebrand Tommy Sheridan was booed by crowds as he became the fifth celebrity to be voted off Big Brother last night. The former MSP, who went on the reality television show to pay for his law degree, told host Davina McCall last night: "I was very pleased when they called my name."

Goodbye.

2009-01-23T00:04:00.000-08:00

Isn't this the sort of thing that caused all sorts of political ructions in East Lothian when the Chief Executive of the Council decided to retire only to have the decision reversed and him eventually walking away with nothing?

It smells to Mr Smith. Ironically this is perhaps one occasion when they should have employed an external consultant.

"A HOLYROOD OFFICIAL will walk away with a £270,000 golden goodbye as a result of a job losses plan she personally drew up. Carol Devon recently proposed the five parliament directors' posts, which include her own £95,000-a-year job, should be cut to four."

Jings. Crivvens. Help Ma Boab.

2009-01-22T06:19:00.000-08:00

The Broons.

2009-01-22T01:14:00.000-08:00

"Oh! Michty me! There's sure tae be a stooshie at the Burns supper at Number 10 this week. That's Number 10 Glebe Street, not Downing, when Prime Minister Gordon Broon' and First Minister Big Eck' Salmond, both turn up for a taste of Maw Broon's haggis, neeps and tatties, to celebrate the Bard's 250th birthday. In true Broons style, a mix up occurs when the twins think they are having salmon for tea only to be amazed when Paw returns home with Mr Salmond instead."

This we have to see. It is almost on a par in Scottish terms with Barack Obama's Presidential Inauguration this week.

Any Questions?

2009-01-22T00:05:00.000-08:00

Mr Smith agrees that the bosses of the big banks should be called to account for their dismal handling of their businesses not least Sir Fred "the Shred" Goodwin for his management of Royal Bank of Scotland which led to losses this week of £28 billion being reported. But Mr Smith thinks it should be Westminster that does the cross examination and not the Scottish Parliament.

"The former bosses of Scotland's biggest banks yesterday faced calls to appear before a Scottish Parliament inquiry after Labour suggested that Holyrood should have its own probe into why the captains of the banking industry fell so low. Labour wants Sir Fred Goodwin, of the Royal Bank of Scotland, and Andy Hornby, of HBOS, to be held to account for their "mismanagement".

If Westminster doesn't act though then someone should be asking some questions publicly of the banks given that the great Scottish public are effectively all bankers now by massively underwriting most of them. But some MSPS might be prefering to forget the fact that many of them supported and tabled a series of Motions in the Scottish Parliament praising RBS as far back as 2005. The most fawning Motion from February 2008, lodged by Murdo Fraser MSP, stated:

"That the Parliament congratulates the Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) and HBOS plc for achieving year-end pre-tax profits of £9.9 billion and £5.47 billion respectively in 2007; welcomes the strong profit margins, which have come during an unstable time for the banking sector across the world, thus underlining the strength and success of these two major Scottish-headquartered companies; recognises the importance and contribution that both banks make to the Scottish economy and applauds their continued positions among the world leaders in the banking and financial sectors; also notes the various foundations and charities that RBS and HBOS donate to and work with, as well as the importance that they give to corporate social responsibility; and believes that all Scotland should celebrate the continued success of RBS and HBOS."

It was signed by a number of MSPs, namely, Jamie McGrigor, Derek Brownlee, Alex Johnstone, John Lamont, Elizabeth Smith, Nanette Milne, John Scott, Stuart McMillan, Jackie Baillie, Mary Scanlon, Jamie Stone, Bill Aitken, Iain Gray, Gil Paterson, Liam McArthur, Rt Hon Jack McConnell, Tom McCabe.

Mr Smith wonders if they will be rethinking their support in light of more recent events.

Vote For Sale?

2009-01-22T00:02:00.000-08:00

Mr Smith thinks there is a fine line between an elected representative legitimately using their influence to benefit their constituents and hawking their vote to an administration for a few million pounds a pop.

"THE SNP were yesterday accused of trying to "buy" a vote in favour of their budget. Finance secretary John Swinney's spending plans include a £3.5million grant for Edinburgh after pressure from independent Lothians MSP Margo MacDonald."

Margo is an Independent so she has little influence in the Scottish Parliament other than by using her vote on an issue by issue basis, in exchange for whatever she can get, but does that make it right? But it is ironic for the Labour Party to be complaining about it given that PM Gordon Brown did exactly the same thing last year, only on a massively bigger scale when he had to "buy" the votes of Ulster Unionists to keep his government's plans to allow the detention of terror suspects for 42-days on track in the House of Commons. For the record the Government denied a deal had ever been done.

Yes He Can

2009-01-21T00:15:00.000-08:00

Bridge To Nowhere.

2009-01-21T00:07:00.000-08:00

What a jolly political wheeze from the Confederation of British Industry In Scotland (The CBI) to use the confusion over the financing of the new Forth Road Bridge to attempt to resurrect it's call for the privatisation of Scottish Water.

"SCOTTISH Water should be sold off to pay for the new Forth road bridge, one of Scotland's most prominent business leaders will claim today."

Perhaps it is just Mr Smith, but when any government has to flog off its assets to pay for major infrastructure projects then they are probably already on the slippery slopes that no government wants to be on. And shame on the CBI for putting it's perspective ahead of that of the country as a whole.

Save The Snail?

2009-01-21T00:03:00.000-08:00

Is this really all the Scottish Government should be worrying about?

"Bugs, snails and starfish to be protected ... A new vision for the conservation of thousands of Scotland's animal species has been set out today. Invertebrates, such as insects and shellfish, make up around 98 per cent of Scotland's animal species and a new strategy will aim to ensure they are valued and conserved for future generations."

A New Day In America.

2009-01-20T00:41:00.000-08:00

And hopefully the world.

D.I.V.O.R.C.E.

2009-01-20T00:23:00.000-08:00

Breaking up is never easy to do ... even if you are George Galloway. Commiserations George. But the article also provides an interesting insight into what life is currently like in Chez Galloway.

"GEORGE Galloway was divorced by his second wife yesterday on the grounds of his unreasonable behaviour."

RBS ... Making It Happen.

2009-01-20T00:07:00.000-08:00

Voice Of Liberty.

2009-01-20T00:05:00.000-08:00

A really strange article in today's Scotsman, with Conservative MSP and Justice Spokesman Bill Aitken highlighting some of the problems around the Scottish Government's proposed clampdown on extreme pornographic materials.

"Art will suffer under porn ban, warns MSP ... A CRACKDOWN on extreme pornography by the Scottish Government will be difficult to enforce and could end up banning art, critics said yesterday. Downloading images of rape and other extreme material will be punishable by up to three years in prison under laws to be unveiled next month, The Scotsman yesterday revealed.But Conservative MSP Bill Aitken, the convener of the Justice Committee, which will have to scrutinise the proposed Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill, said he had grave concerns over how a new law might work, especially as the new laws on downloading images of rape and serious assault could include simulations between consenting adults."

When Scots have to rely on Bill Aitken to be the voice of liberty in the Scottish Parliament we should all start to be worried about what our politicians are doing with the law and what that ultimately means for our civil liberties.

Burns Supper USA.

2009-01-19T00:20:00.000-08:00

"ALEX SALMOND is attempting to form his own special relationship. The First Minister is trying to schmooze Barack Obama by inviting him to a glitzy Burns Supper in Washington, even suggesting that the President-elect shares some of the qualities of Scotland's national poet."

Mr Smith has a funny feeling that President Obama might be busy, wither washing his hair or solving some of the major problems facing the world's largest remaining superpower.

But it appears that Our Alex will spin any story for a cheap headline. Very unstatesmanlike.

Homegoing.

2009-01-19T00:08:00.000-08:00

Very dodgy.

"LEADERS of a council have agreed to spend £15,000 of taxpayers' money attending a golf tournament in Dubai the same week they were criticised for closing a local swimming pool. Four members of staff at South Ayrshire Council will join its provost and council leader on the trip to the Dubai Desert Classic Golf Tournament later this month, where they plan to promote the south-west of Scotland as a tourism destination during the Homecoming Year."

It is nothing more than a junket and South Ayrshire Council should just pull the plug on it before it causes any more embarrassment.

LATE Edition.

2009-01-18T09:14:00.000-08:00

It was the last word in Sunday politics and today was the first Sunday in eleven years it wasn't broadcast.

Mr Smith has been watching it for years and following the death last year of Tim Russert, the host of Meet The Press, Mr Smith's Sunday mornings will never be the same.

Goodbye LATE Edition. The jury is still out on LATE Edition's replacement: State of The Union.

Thinner Blue Line.

2009-01-17T23:54:00.000-08:00

When we have to make cuts in the numbers of police officers being recruited on order to protect the pensions of those that are already serving or have retired then it seems to Mr Smith that something is not right somewhere.

"Up to 30 fewer police officers are to be recruited in the north-east than was planned after councillors moved to plug a force pension funding shortfall."

Lucky Nigel.

2009-01-17T11:55:00.000-08:00

"NIGEL Griffiths, MP for South Edinburgh, is to be an official guest at the inauguration of Barack Obama as US President on Tuesday. Mr Griffiths was invited to attend the event by Steny Hoyer, leader of the majority Democrat party in the House of Representatives. The two met when Mr Griffiths was Deputy Leader of the House of Commons. He was due to fly to Washington today."

Lucky him, but surely Scotland has people better qualified to be at President Obama's inauguration?

The Truth Hurts.

2009-01-15T23:55:00.000-08:00

"Alex Salmond is at the centre of two separate investigations into the "veracity" of replies to MSPs."

Mr Smith dares to suggest that if our politicians were forced to actually tell the truth then the number of them that would be left sitting in the Debating Chamber in the Scottish Parliament could probably be counted on the fingers of one hand.

Good luck to the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, Alex Fergusson MSP, with his inquiries but Mr Smith suspects they will be quietly buried before they actually have to force MSPs to do something which they are genetically preprogrammed to be incapable of doing, namely telling the voters the truth.

Should Do Better.

2009-01-15T20:03:00.000-08:00

It would appear that Scotland's much heralded educational system really isn't as good as Scots thought.

"A lost generation of pupils aged eight to 14 is being failed by Scotland's education system, with concerns over literacy and numeracy and poor performance in subjects such as maths, languages and science, according to a landmark report."

Perhaps is the Scottish Government spent less time on the distractions of Scotland's constitutional position and more time sorting out the issue it already has responsibility for then more Scottish kids would have a better chance of a healthier and better life? Who needs Independence to sort out Scotland's educational system?

He's A Bad Chief Cop.

2009-01-15T00:52:00.000-08:00

"THE HEAD of a police force today apologised after being caught speeding. Tayside Chief Constable Kevin Mathieson was caught doing 72mph in a 60mph zone on the A9 near Kingussie last September."

But will the Chief face the disciplinary proceedings that would probably result is any of his officers found themselves in a similar position.

He's a bad cop.

Dodgy.

2009-01-15T00:31:00.000-08:00

"CCTV FOOTAGE has revealed how a senior councillor drunkenly smashed his car into a neighbour's Toyota and threatened another man with a baseball bat. The pictures show how Gordon Beurskens, a kingmaker on the SNP-led council in West Lothian, went on the rampage on the A71 outside a hotel he used to own. The incident, in 2003, led Beurskens to plead guilty to drink driving, dangerous driving, and assault. He was later elected to the council as a health campaigner."

Mr Smith is sure that the voters of West Lothian are thrilled by the calibre of their political representatives. Mr Smith thinks at least three of them have now been proven to be very dodgy. A higher proportion than any other Scottish Council ... so far.

Party Hack.

2009-01-14T00:41:00.000-08:00

"THE SNP has been accused of cronyism after appointing party member Graham Houston to chair the Scottish Qualifications Authority. Mr Houston is leader of Stirling Council and a leading member of the Scottish Nationalist Party."

Mr Smith thinks that perhaps the time has come to take politicians out of the process of appointing senior public sector officials. Maybe the process should be handled independently by a group of qualified HR professionals who make the decision not on the basis that someone is a party hack, but actually on the basis they can do the job. But Mr Smith also thinks that the bleating from Labour and Liberal Democrat politicians is totally hypocritical given that they got away with it during the first right years of devolution in Scotland and they never listened to opposition concerns in appointing their party members to well paid public sector jobs.

Mr Militant.

2009-01-14T00:22:00.000-08:00

This story doesn't require any input from Mr Smith.

"AS ONE of Gordon Brown’s inner circle he is seen as a champion of New Labour values, who helped rout the party’s loony left and became a passionate proponent of free market economics. However, it has now emerged that Jim Murphy, the Scottish secretary, flirted with the Revolutionary Communist party (RCP) during his student days and regarded members of Labour’s hard left Militant Tendency as too soft."

Mr Smith would never have credited it.

Nae Mates?

2009-01-13T00:42:00.000-08:00

"A drop in the number of Christmas cards sent out by the Scottish Government this year has led to speculation that the SNP is losing friends. But a spokesman for Alex Salmond, the First Minister, said the reduction was merely a sign that the search for efficiencies even extends to the Christmas period. Last year, the Scottish Government sent a record 8,000 cards to people and organisations spending £6,858. But this year, only 5,000 cards were sent out at a cost of £3,282. There were also e-cards sent to other people, costing £2,150."

Were you lucky enough to get a Christmas card from the Scottish Goverment this year? Mr Smith got one by Air Mail.

The Faces Of Foulkes.

2009-01-13T00:04:00.000-08:00

Two perspectives on Labour MSP and peer George Foulkes.

"He earns £52,000 a year in his 'day' job as a Member of the Scottish Parliament. But the demands of Holyrood haven't stopped George Foulkes claiming a further £54,527 in expenses over the past year as a member of the House of Lords."

And ... "Labour MSP George Foulkes was accused of wasting public money after his bill for asking Holyrood questions topped £90,000. The Lothians MSP has tabled 927 written questions since his election to Holyrood in May last year, at a cost to the taxpayer of £98.51 each. "

Now Mr Smith isn't Lord Foulkes number one fan, and has raised concerns previously about the ability of our George to fulfill his responsibilities as both a member of the House of Lords and Scottish Parliament, but it seems to Mr Smith that as long as he remains a Lord he is entitled to be remunerated for doing the job and as an MSP to ask questions in the Scottish Parliament. Indeed our George has a tendency to ask more insightful questions than many of his colleagues, even if it does cost an average of £100 a pop. What may be more questionable is how Lord Foulkes elected roles sit alongside his business interests, namely ...

"A political and parliamentary consultancy with Eversheds LLP. Payment of £3000 per calendar month (excluding VAT if applicable) for consultancy services for 36 days per annum (all fees are paid to Carrick Court Associates Ltd" (a company which he owns 100% of the shares in).