Most Expensive.

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.

Separated At Birth?

Liberal Democrat Leader Tavish Scott MSP ... and an eagle.

Bob A Job.

Mr Smith was intrigued to read of the return of political bob a job week with posh bloke Liberal Democrat Leader Tavish Scott MSP packing customers' bags at an Edinburgh supermarket.

It is out of character for our elected representatives to make themselves so useful.

"SCOTTISH Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott was visiting Asda at the Jewel today to talk to shoppers about the rising cost of living. He was due to help customers pack their shopping while hearing how they're coping with recent price hikes."

The Times Are Changing.

It would appear to Mr Smith that the landscape of Scottish politics is shifting.

Last week we had Conservative Leader Annabel Goldie MSP call for cuts in Council Tax, and over the weekend we had a call from Liberal Democrat Leader Tavish Scott MSP for the Scottish Parliament to use its powers to cut two pence off the basic rate of income tax in Scotland to alleviate some of the pressure from increasing household bills.

Suddenly, Scotland is being offered tax cuts by politicians who haven't offered that choice before. Mr Smith finds it all very strange. But the sad thing is that Mr Smith doesn't think they are actually being serious.

Nicol?

What exactly is the point of Nicol Stephen MSP?

"TAVISH Scott, the new Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, has named his 15-strong campaign team charged with taking politics outside the Holyrood bubble. Only Nicol Stephen, who stepped down as leader two months ago to devote more time to his young family, has been left without a portfolio."

Nicol is the only Lib Dem MSP who is "without a portfolio", allegedly because he under pressure on the domestic front. But we shouldn't forget that Mr Stephen whilst Deputy First Minister had a reputation as a bit of a slacker who didn't even turn up at events where he would have been expected. So is Nicol really under pressure or is he going to spend some time topping up his tan?

Bothered?

"Concerns have been expressed after it emerged that only 61% of Lib Dem members across Scotland bothered to vote for the party’s new leader. A senior party source said it was “extremely dis- appointing” that only 2,457 members out of around 4,500 took part in the contest to find a successor to Nicol Stephen. The official lamented that if grassroots supporters “could not be bothered” to return a ballot paper in a pre-paid envelope, what chance has the party of attracting new support."

If four in ten Lib Dem members couldn't be ... why should anyone else?

Tavish-ing.

From the Scotsman.

Follow The Leader.

So Tavish Scott has become the new Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats ... but does anyone really care given that he was always the "shoo-in"?

"The Scottish Liberal Democrats have elected Tavish Scott as their new leader north of the border. He secured 1,450 votes, representing a 59% share of the turnout. Ross Finnie polled 568 votes (21.3%), and Mike Rumbles won 439 votes (17.9%). Mr Scott, 42, succeeds Nicol Stephen, who stepped down earlier this year to spend more time with his family. The former transport minister and Shetland MSP was tipped to win, but not by such a big margin."

Hardly a "big margin." He got under two thirds of the vote in a three way contest, albeit securing a majority on the first ballot, but that was against Ross Finnie MSP and Mike Rumbles MSP, hardly inspiring alternatives. Roll on 2011.

Dream Ticket.

"Tavish Scott and Nick Clegg will make a "dream ticket" for the Liberal Democrats, said former UK leader Sir Menzies Campbell. His endorsement came with that of former Scottish leader Lord Wallace, meaning that Mr Scott now has on board four peers, eight MPs and seven MSPs, giving him an unassailable lead among the party hierarchy."

Mr Smith thinks just about the only thing that can possibly stop Mr Scott from becoming Scottish Lib Dem Leader is an endorsement from Sir Menzies Campbell MP. He looks a certainty, but does anyone care?

Freedom Of Information.

So, Lib Dem leadership candidate Tavish Scott MSP apparently supports the Scottish Parliament having responsibility for taxes raised at UK level, ... but he doesn't want to tell anyone yet what taxes he thinks that Holyrood should actually oversee. Very Liberal. Mr Smith is sure we will find out eventually.

"TAVISH Scott, the front-runner for the Scottish Liberal Democrat leadership, wants the Scottish Parliament to have control over most of the taxes raised in Scotland – but he would not reveal which ones."

Lib Dem's Army.

So Lib Dem MSP Ross Finnie has joined the race to succeed Nicol Stephen MSP as Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Mr Finnie, best known for his resemblance to Captain Mannering in TV sitcom Dad's Army, at 61 is probably past it and his arrival in the contest can only be great news for other contender Tavish Scott MSP who's youth will contrast with Mr Finnie's lack of it. The Lib Dems should remember what happened last time they shunned youth for experience in a Leadership election ... er ... Menzies Campbell MP.

No Votes.

Atticus records the fact that only two MSPs who were present for the vote on changing the controversial accomodation allowance scheme for Members of the Scottish Parliament last week chose not to use their vote. They were Liberal Democrat MSPs, Nicol Stephen MSP and his colleague Tavish Scott MSP, coincidentally both major beneficiaries of the current allowance scheme. Mr Smith wonders why they didn't vote?

Truth hurts.

Mr Smith reads that "The Scottish Government came under fire yesterday for the number of reviews and consultations it has launched during its first seven months. The LibDems' Tavish Scott took aim at the administration, claiming it was "heavy on spin and light on action".

For a second Mr Smith thought Mr Scott was referring to himself ... very apt description really.

Watch your back, Nicol.

So, it would appear that the natives are getting restless within the ranks of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, with reports that one "senior councillor" has issued a "raise your game" challenge to current Scottish Leader Nicol Stephen MSP.

Now Mr Smith isn't surprised that the Liberal faction is getting restless with the performance of the Invisible Man of Scottish politics, but he is amazed that apparently he is being given no less than twelve months to sort himself out before he is being threatened with a rebellion, a very generous notice period if ever there was one.

Up Helly Ya regular Tavish Scott MSP is apparently being tipped as a possible successor, so watch your back Nicol.