Lies, damn Lies and Tory Statisitcs

Hidden away near the bottom of the side column of page 4 of yesterdays Scottish Edition of The Times I found the following.

The Conservatives have outpolled all parties in local by-elections in Scotland over the past 2 years, they claimed. The party produced figures showing that since May 2003 it had polled 10,683 votes in local by-elections, compared with Labour's 10,219, the SNP's 9833 and hte Liberal democrats 73,05. The Tories with 23% of the share-of-the-vote tables.

Intriged I decided to investigate using this very usual list of by-election results from the Lib Dem website.

For a start there have been 34 local authority by-elections in Scotland since May 2003. Two of these North Morningside/Grange and Drumry cannot be counted in the same 2 year tally as the last five/six, so the Conservatives should really come clean and say the last 2 and a half years for a start.

Of these seats Labour had won 11 in May 2003, the Independents 10, the Tories 7, The SNP 3 and the Lib Dems 2. One ward Speyside has had two by elections the first being won by the SNP in August 2004. This represents a heavily skewed sample in May 2003 the Tories won 122 seats (10%), Labour 509 (42%), SNP 182(15%) Lib Dems 175(14%), Independents and others 236 (19%), compare that to the sample which had 21% defended by the Conservatives, 33% Labour, 9% SNP, 6% Lib Dem and 30% Others.

The next interesting statistic is that of the 7 Tory held seats which faced a by election 6 of these the Conservatives had over 40% of the vote in 2003, In fact on three occasions they had pulled more than 50% of the vote in 2003 and twice it was over 60%.

In 2003 in these 33 seats Labour polled 34.75%, SNP 24%, Lib dems 13.63%, Tories 24.3%, compared to 32.63%, 24.07%, 14.54% and 15.07% respectively. Showing a further Conservative advatage from the sample.

However, the change in share of vote in these elections makes interesting reading. Labour -7.8%, SNP +0.1%, Lib Dem +5.9%, Conservative +2% SSP -0.3%. So even from their strong starting part they were not hte biggest gainers.

However, best of all is that the fact that they have not been able to add up. Either since May 2003 or Jan 2004 I only get the Tories in 2nd place, which is exactly were they started in these seats in the first place. Labour 10,543 (May 2003 16,520), Conservatives 10,324 (11,551), SNP 9,434 (11,409), Lib Dems 7,644 (6,481) SSP 1,208 (1,577). Since January 2004 and therefore the last two years Labour 9,735 Conservatives 9,548, SNP 9,196, Lib Dems 6,746 and SSP 1,017.

Indeed the only party to actually increased its vote on about 3/4 of the vote in the by elections has been the Lib Dems.

So statistically this report was using false statistics, it is also using a heavily skewed sample in favour of one party over the others. I shall be writting to the Times seeking a correction.

The Petition that Nobody is Taking Seriously

First Jonathan Calder aka Mickey Mouse, of Cheesebourough mmouse@cheeseborough.ac.uk, then Stephen Tall impersonating Charles Kennedy himself, have tested and shown up the inauthority of this petition set up by the Liberal and reported by the BBC.

So I decided to go one better and signed as A C L Blair, that is Anthony Charles Lynton aka Tony, of Westminster at pm@number10.gov.uk just to see if it would be accepted. Well not surprising it went through with no difficulty. If any Tom, Dick or Tony can just march unto this website and sign up to demand our leader steps down it is a travesty of democracy.

We are a democratic party. All leadership elections are decided by one member one STV vote of the entire membership. Charles was returned unopposed at the start of the current parliament there is no challenger standing against him, therefore he is the leader of the Liberal Democrats. The press just seem to like recycling this story as they don't like the difficulty they face in reporting the new three party politics that hte country is facing (it always has been four for us Scots). the press would rather see us Liberal democrats unravel.

I'm sorry guys that is not going to happen, we are looking to the future and seeking to improve our position across the Uk you're just going to have to get used to us being around and challenging in all parts of the country. Hope you have a wonderful new year and hope you find a different Lib Dem story under Charles Kennedy's leadership to report by the end of 2006.

Back from Christmas Holiday

Well I'm back. After a few short days back in Northern Ireland visiting my family I safely arrived back in Scotland last night.

It is amazing just how much you can fit into such a short time. Christmas week for the Glenn family involves two birthdays my dad on the 22nd and my elder nephew on Christmas Eve. When you add in the midnight service on Christmas eve, Christmas Morning service, watching two little boys enjoy their presents, plus playing (and winning) a football match on Boxing Day. I'm glad to be back in Scotland to relax by working up momentum for the 2007 elections.

TV highlights of the holiday have to include David Tennants's explosive debut as the Doctor. That has probably got to be the most spectacular TRADIS entry ever. It is a shame that power seemed to get to Prime Minster Margaret Blaine in such a short period of time.

The last appearance of Ronnie Barker with Ronnie Corbett in their 'Christmas Sketchbook' brought a tear to the eye. As did the obvious ending to a number of characters and possibly the show in 'Little Britain' on Christmas Eve. So we had two Prime Minsters in trouble in the space of 24 hours but neither of them is the MP for Sedgefield.

Here Come the Brides (and Grooms)

Well at 10am this morning at Belfast City Hall, just up Chichester Street from one of my former places of employment, history was made. Shannon Sickles and Grainne Close become the first gay couple to take advantage of the Civil Partnership Act. There were unable to formalise their relationship in Ms Sickles home state of New York where there is not recognition of gay partnerships. Henry Kane and Christopher Flanagan were next in line to keep their appointment with the registrar.

It is good to see Northern Ireland making history for a breakthrough in tolerance and civil liberty for a change.

However, it wasn’t all rosy outside City Hall, some of the Rev. Ian Paisley’s Free Presbyterian Church members were protesting. But then Shatesbury Square wouldn’t be quite the same without some sort of protest.

Timetable for Conservative Change

When can we judge Cameron? He is saying that he is preparing to create a new Conservative sensitivity. Let’s see when he is looking at giving us these alternatives to the May 2005 manifesto which he authored.

Zac Goldsmith is heading up the environment policy group, they are expected to have policies in June 2007. ON the site seeking Lib Dem defections he is asking:

"How can we balance the urgent need to tackle climate change with the need to provide security of energy supply?"

Yet in May he did not seem to recognise Climate Change as an issue it was not mentioned at all in his manifesto.

On asylum David is considering another U-turn dropping the Conservative Party’s policy of imposing a cap on the number asylum seekers Britain can accept. This will come as a shock to most of the conservatives that stood for Westminster in Scotland as they were the sole party not looking at allowing immigration to make up for Scotland’s skill shortages. Therefore I have no idea how he is going to force this through his party as many of his MPs claim that their southern constituencies are actually highly sensitive over htis issue.

It is clear therefore that David Cameron’s plea to Liberal Democrats is nothing more than opportunism. Thankfully I’m glad that most of the people who vote Liberal democrat do so as result of looking at the policies and realising there is substance unlike the hyperbole and empty phrases and promises that the other parties.

Personally looking at what he promising the turn the Conservative Party into I can see him being challenged for the leadership in less time than Iain Duncan Smith. And if he is serious about these being his beliefs expect to see the Lib Dems defending their new MP for Witney in the 2009/10 General Election.

Two Daglishes on the Park This Afternoon

No that is not a type there were two guys called daglish on the turf at Almondvale today. Not only was Paul up to his usual good job up front but his old man, better known as Celtic, Liverpool and Scotland's Kenny Daglsih (I know he also managed Blackburn and Newcastle).

It was possibly the first time Kenny has been introduced on a football field as the father of his son. But he made the half time draw and from my vantage point standing just beside the tunnel I was close to my footballing legend. I was even closer when he sat in the director's box, but I had been even closer still in either 1989 or 1990 while I was standing at Euston Station waiting for the night train to Stranraer.

Kenny, and I think Paul, from a few years back.

I was looking up at the boards when who should come beside me but the manager of my other football team Kenny Daglish, for someone who would later seek to be an elected representative I found myself tongue-tied. Even worse after he moved away he came and stood beside me again; still the words failed to come out.

Any way the match ended Livingston 0 Aberdeen 0; a result and a point I would have taken before kick off, but sadly not what we deserved as we were by far the better team on the park.

However, I'll be up bright and early tomorrow morning to see if Liverpool can become World Club Champions; as I'm sure will Kenny.

John Spencer AKA Leo McGarry has Died

American actor John Spencer aka Leo McGarry from The West Wing and Tommy Mullaney from LA Law has died from a heart attack at the age of 58.

I know many Lib Dems are fans of the West Wing, indeed some of my local party discussed the latest series (only number 6 here in the UK) after our AGM. However, John was also a fan of the Liberal Democrats in fact a signed message of support hangs in Scottish party headquarters.

However, with season 7 of the West Wing still in production it means there will have to be a sudden plot line change for the remainder of the season, especially as Leo's character is fairly central to this year's run.

Sadly his death is a case of life inmitating art at the end of the second episode of season 6 Birnam Wood John's charater Leo has a heart attack in the grounds of Camp David. Unlike Leo who recovered to take part in the campaign of Jed Bartlett's successor John has not been so lucky.

Alison Janney who currently plays Chief of Staff, and former Press Secreatry, C. J. Cregg said:

"John was a consummate professional actor and everyone adored him. We will miss him deeply."

Bradley Whitford who played Deputy Chief of Staff and now Santos/McGarry Campaign manager Josh Lyman said:

"I can't believe that he is gone; We have all lost a dear, dear brother."

The shows creator Aaron Sorkin and oringinal executive producer Tommy Schlamme paid tribute as well by saying:

"We're shocked and deeply saddened by the sudden death of our friend and colleague.

"John was an uncommonly good man, an exceptional role model and a brilliant actor. We feel privileged to have known him and worked with him. He'll be missed and remembered every day by his many, many friends."

This is my favourite Leo McGarry quote which sums up the charater of the man, there is a crisis going down but he has spotted that the New York times has messed up in its crossword has not spelt Ghadaffi's name wrong to fit the grid nor given it enough letters for the clue.

Leo McGarry: [on the phone with the New York Times from the Chief of Staff's Office next door to the Oval Office] 17 across. Yes, 17 across is wrong. ...You're spelling his name wrong. ...What's my name? My name doesn't matter. I am just an ordinary citizen who relies on the Times crossword for stimulation. And I'm telling you that I met the man twice. And I recommended a pre-emptive missle strike against his air force, so I think I know how...

C.J. Cregg: Leo!

Leo: They hang up on me every time!

Lib Dems Truely are the Online Party

So yesterday I mentioned that this site had immerged as part of a coup to drag a reluctant David Cameron into the Liberal Democrats.

Today I mistyped the site to find this and there is also this proving that the Lib Dems are truely the party of the 21st Century and know their way around cyberspace. My hat is off to the people behind both these very rapidly produced rebuttal sites.

Cameron has Given Up On Scotland Already

Just to see what the oppostion are up to I took at look at the Lib Dems 4 Cameron website. They have a map which turns all the Lib Dems seats tory blue for every part of the UK except Scotland.

So at least I can sleep well tonight knowing that David Cameron isn't pursuing me to join his new Conservatives.

Young Dave has Spoken

Well Cameron has spoken and apparently all I have to agree with him on is a commitment to green policies, localism and deregulation and then I should fit easily into the new Tory party. I’m not convinced and neither is Simon Hughes. It will take a lot more than a change of clothes and no new policies to make the sort of waves he is urgently looking for.

As Simon said:

"Talking about the environment, social justice, and a brave new world, is different from changing policy on nuclear power, fairer taxes, and Europe.

"They haven't changed their policy and, until they do so, Mr Cameron should be judged by his authorship of the last Conservative manifesto."

Let us not forget that young Dave and his shadow chancellor were two of the main architects of this.

So Mr. Cameron it’ll take a lot more than a new face to make those of us who have battled against Conservatism for years in various locations to simply up and jump ship. However, it is good to know you realise where the real talent is located, shame you won’t be able to pilfer it.

Leadership Crisis Culprit Revealed

There appears to a leadership crisis is the offing . Apparently David Cameron is about to launch his own brand of "modern compassionate Conservatism", including more environmentally friendly policies. How this will go down the farming, 4x4 driving and industrial supporter who make up the Tory core vote? There is talk of social justice, which is not going down well the BUPA members as this may give their buy to let tenants.

Apparently this is an attempt to woo the Liberal Democrat voters. So I appears that we have found the person who has been briefing against Charles Kennedy. Yes it was the same young policy advisor who was standing on the sidelines during Norman Lamont’s statements on Black Wednesday. That person may now be leader of the conservative party. However, within two weeks he has realised that his membership is largely getting older and is dying off. So he is aiming to take over as leader of the youngest, most forward looking and rapidly growing party. Step forward David Cameron as he launches his bid to be the next leader of the Liberal Democrats.

Sadly I understand on good authority that there are too many illiberal skeletons in his closet for this coup to succeed.

So We Discussed...

Was at my first Liberal Democrat gathering following this weeks news of attempted leadership coups, the Edinburgh Council Groups Jazz Reception. Did we discuss potential leaders to follow Charles Kennedy? No!

What we did discuss was how we can move the party on from our good performance in 2005 to make the most of the Scottish parliament and Council votes in Edinbught, Lothian and Scotland in 2007.

OK there was the occasional sentance about the weeks events but there was no forming of rival camps, no lobbying for potential leaders later this year. No there were far more important things open for discussion and so these were discussed:

Mobilisation of non-activists.

Organising across constituency boundaries for the new Multi-Member wards.

How Lib Dems strive for gender balance against David Cameron's grand scheme.

So any flies on the wall would have had a boring night of gettting what they expected all told.

Bizarre Labour Response to Post Office Closure

It is interesting to see just what sort of public response new Labour run West Lothian Council have to the closure of Bathgate’s main Post Office. Especially as I have posted my thoughts on this on the football club’s website. This is quite an good public arena locally because, as well as myself, a SNP and a Labour councillor are both regular posters.

Somebody had posted that the development of Livingston was shutting Bathgate, once a prospering beating heart of West Lothian, down. I responded that it was actually shutting West Lothian down. So imagine my delight when Labour Councillor Willie Dunn, who is also Deputy leader of the Council, came on an posted not about the Post Office situation but attacking my signature in light of the above post.

My signature comes straight from the West Lothian Lib Dem Website:

Working for Livingston and Linlithgow & Falkirk East with a link to the website.

One ASBO Good More and the Police Can't Cope

Proof that ASBOs are not the best use of police resources comes today from West Lothian’s divisional commander.

While Superintendent Jim Coupland admitted the recent ASBO in Mid Calder had been a success he also told councillors that he would not have resources to police 2 or 3 concurrent dispersal orders across West Lothian. This adds weight to the Liberal Democrats believe that Acceptable Behaviour Contracts are a better way to deal with anti-social behaviour.

ABCs should be set up as a preventative measure rather than ASBOs having to deal with the effects when things go wrong. The result is that young people who signed up for fir ABCs in Islington learnt to take responsibilty for unacceptable behaviour. Similarly Parental control Contracts have been designed for parent of offending children under the age of 10.


Considering the lack of available police manpower to tackle concurrent ASBOs in West Lothian perhaps the local council should look at involving the community more in preventing anti-social behaviour before they find themselves unable to cope with the effects.

My Two Pence Worth on Leadership Shenanigans

I was going to start my post, about the briefing in the corridors of power against the party leader, by supposing I had got elected in May. But then seeing as on some projections Linlithgow and Falkirk East would have given us a overall majority Charles Kennedy would be residing in Number 10 and the issue would not have come up.

A lot has been said and written in the last 24 hours by my fellow Liberal Democrats. My fellow Bangorian Lembit Opik said "I would say if the boss delivers the best result in 82 years, you keep them on."

Stephen Tall points out that not everything CK does is perfect, nor does he please all of the members all of the time. But he argues that the man should be allowed to come to his own decision and not be briefed about behind his back.

James at Quaegquam Blog! warned of the problems of trying to live a life yesterday as Jonathan Calder noticed the BBC had changedits story to this.

Of course this is the biggest thing for us Lib Dems to write about today. Personally I’m ashamed that some of our senior figures are taking a backhanded route to try to oust the leader. Also if they have issues they should take these to the leader, after all we the party of openness, are we not?

However, I think Will Howells puts it best in this open letter.

Space Cadet - Who's Fooling Who

It appears that tow of the so-called ordinary members of the public being fooling into not going to space on Channel 4's Space Cadets may actually be actors after all. How many of the other 8 are may need some more digging.

Iranian President Calls Holocaust a 'Myth'

The Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has further enraged Isreal by saying the Nazi Holocaust is a myth.

He then says, if this happened, the countries responsible should give up some of their land in Europe, America, Canada or wherever to give these people a homeland. Therefore he is ignoring millennia of oppression of the Isreali people, including from the Persians, that forced them from their own homeland in the first place. Somehow he is attempting to justify oppression of the Palestinian people by oppressing another nation.

There is no reason why we cannot come to an amicable solution over the Isreali/Palestinian issue but diatribes like this are not helpful to either side and just heighten already existing tensions in the area.

Bathgate Main Post Office Set to Close

The Main Post Office in Bathgate is set to close under plans released today. A new post office will then be relocated in the Spar shop in the town.

Although this is only 150 metres away from the current location it is relying on the long term commitment of the Spar to maintain the post office on its premises. Recently the Carmondean Post Office was under threat when Safeways was taken over by Morrisons. Morrisons refused to maintain the post office as part of their take over of the business.

The people of Bathgate will be trusting a large number of much needed services to the whim of a retailer who may renege on the franchise if it does not prove profitable enough for their liking, or if the chain goes under or taken over. Then the community may find a newcomer to take up the Post Office franchise not so easy to find.

What if it had been Grangemouth?

Living near the fuel storage depot and refinery of Grangemouth I was wondering what would the equivalent impact of been if Buncefield had happened here. This map was taken from Encarta and modified.

The map above has the extent of the smoke cloud from Buncefield yesterday superimposed on a map of the same scale of central Scotland. As you can see the cloud would have stretched from Glasgow to Edinburgh. In fact Irvine and possibly Troon would be under the cloud to the west.

It would have stretched almost as far as the southern coast of Loch Lomond however, Milngavie, Erskine and the majority of the Glasgow conurbation would have been under the cloud out west. To the southern extent it would have strethed as far as Biggar, Peebles and Galasheils over the the eastern end.

Edinburgh like Glasgow would be almost totally enveloped with Prestonpans and Tranent just outside the eastern shadow. Falkirk, Cumbernauld and Livingston would all be in very dense smoke. as West Lothian, North and South Lanarkshire and the southern shore of the Forth would all be in the thick of it.

In fact the Forth is a worrying addition to the Grangemouth scenario. The expolsion was heard up to 100 miles away from Brucefield. What force would that have made? Would that have created some form of tidal wave or mini-Tsunami in the Forth Estuary? The impact would have gone both up and down stream affecting Kincardine and Stirling upstream. Torry Bay on the opposite banks. Rosyth shipyard down stream, along with Bo'ness the Queensferry towns, Dalgety Bay. And what about the famous bridges themselves?

It is scary to contemplate the added affects this incident could have had at Grangemouth. It is horrifying to work out part of the area affected based on a local scenario. Even knowing that the snapshot I usedwas not the full extent of the cloud of smoke it is still a harrowing thought. I think we are very lucky that nobody was critically injured in this incident.

Tony Blair's Broken Resolutions of 2005

Almost a year after the Tsunami and Tony Blair has failed to meet his promise to more than match public donations from the public purse.

£300 million were donated by the British public yet of the £275 million committed by government only £75 million has gone to direct humanitarian aid.

This is becoming a year of broken promises by Tony Blair as similarly he failed to meet expectations of his promise to Make Poverty History. If you want to send a Christmas card to the Prime Minister to ask him to meet his promises and encourage others to do so you can do so at the Make Poverty History website.

China Adjust Massacre Estimate

As I yesterday there were reports of a massacre near Shanwei in Guangdong province. The Chinese authorites have up their declared number of people killed by 50% to 3. Howver, the locals are still claiming as many as 20 have been taken.

This is the second rural demostration in rural Guangdong this year the previous one occured in Taishi village. Most of these demostrations are against corruption, pollution and land seizures that are affecting rural life in China. Whole villages have already been uprooted in a number of schemes carried out by the Chinese government.

Double Standards of Woolworths

One wonders what Woolworths are attempting to do.

Earlier this week they said they had withdrawnJerry Springer the musical from their shelves because of 'numerous' complaints about it.

Then the claimed it was over lack of sales.

yet you can buy it from thier online shop.

Indeed the website is doing its outmost to sell this product with this gushing review.

"The Opera is the smash-hit multi-award winning musical, which opened to unprecedented rave reviews and standing ovations at the National Theatre. The Opera is the smash-hit multi-award winning musical, which opened to unprecedented rave reviews and standing ovations at the National Theatre."

So maybe neither point one or point two are actually correct. I wonder just what Woolworths will have to say for themselves.

Massacre in China

Reports and pictures are coming out of China of a massacre of reportedly as many as 70 people in Dongzhou, Shanwei. Official Government sources are reporting only two dead yet these pictures would seem to back up independent sources claims that the death toll is far higher.

These killings took place close to Hong Kong on Tuesday as residents were protesting against the construction of a power plant. Official sources say they were throwing bombs at the police and army while eye witnesses are reporting that these were only fireworks.

If the reported death toll is correct it is the worse massacre since Tiananmen Square but this one was away from the western camera crews.

Coming just 3 years before Beijing is due to host the Olympic Games the readiness of the Chinese authorities to still suppress protest by deadly force is a worrying sign. What will happen if such a protest were to break out in Beijing during the high profile international event that is the Olympics? Would innocent foreigners caught up in such a protest be slain as well?

There had been concerns when Beijing was awarded the XXIX Olympiad that their human rights record was still not suitable to host such an event. The events of the last few days, the deadly force, suppression of news and government cover up show that little has changed inwardly in China.

Maybe it is time for the International Olympic Committee to seek an alternative venue capable to hosting the games at very short notice.

Scotland to Cheer on Trinidad and Tobago

My prediction for the world cup is that there will be a high demand for Trindad and Tobago shirts here in Scotland.



With Dundee keeper Kelvin Jack, Rangers defender Marvin Andrews, Falkirk Midfielder Russell Latapy Dundee United Striker Colin Samuel and St. Johnston Striker Jason Scotland all hailing from Trindad and Tobago, not to mention Dwight Yorke, Shaka Hislop, Dennis Lawrence, Scotland fans loved England's world cup draw.

Devon Mitchell, Errol McFarlane, Jerron Nixon, Anthony Rougier, Brent Sancho, Arnold Dwarika and Lyndon Andrews have also all had spells in Scottish football. They even have a Gary Glasgow on the squad who like Scotland is aptly named though has never played in Scotland. Indeed the full list of clubs in Scotland for whom these players have plied their trade is Rangers, Dundee, Dundee United, Falkirk, Hibernian, Livingston, St. Johnston, Raith Rovers and East Fife.

In fact if you see the full list of players who are currently playing in Britain it makes some interesting reading:

Chris Birchall (Port Vale), Russel Latapy (Falkirk), Jason Scotland (St Johnstone), Stern John (Derby), Kenwyne Jones (Southampton), Kelvin Jack (Dundee), Marvin Andrews (Rangers), Dennis Lawrence (Wrexham), Carlos Edwards (Luton), Shaka Hislop (West Ham), Brent Sancho (Gillingham), Hector Sam (Wrexham)

So be prepared for cheers of Marv, Marv, Super Marv, Super Marvin Andrews whenever a ball is cleared from defense leaving Owen, Rooney or even Crouch looking stupid.

Equity Opposes Sainsburys and Woolworths in Springergate

The actors' union Equity has voiced its concern about the removal of Jerry Springer: The Opera from the shelves of Woolworths and Sainsburys.

They issue is two fold their General Secretary Christine Payne has issued the following statement:

"Equity is opposed to the action which Woolworths and Sainsbury's have taken on two grounds. Firstly, Equity strongly supports artistic freedom and equally strong opposes censorship in all its forms, however offended any individual may feel themselves to be by a particular piece of dramatic art.

"Secondly, Equity members derive income from the sales of recorded material, including DVDs, and so stand to lose income from actions such as these.

"Equity is inviting all of its members to make their views known to Sainsbury’s and Woolworths about these acts of censorship."

So the ruckus rumbles on. Isn't it amazing how much negative publicity 10-20 complaints have received? I have noticed at least 50 bloggers who have mentioned this, then there was the BBC online article, not to mention the number of emails and letters that are winging their way to the Sainsbury and Woolworth ivory towers.

Strangely unlike earlier this week both companies are now telling the media that it was done for commercial reasons not as only yesterday or in the email I received because of complaints alone.

USA Attention Deficient on Climate Change

What is it with the Bush administration and climate change?

First they back out of the promises made by the Clinton administration about the Kyoto Protocols. Of course they had to cheat the most environmental minded almost President out of the white house by shutting down the recount in Florida to do so.

Then they seem to blindly think that climate change is somehow not going to affect them, as they glibly drive around in their gas guzzling cars, even to the end of the drive to pick up the paper and mail.

Now it appears their representatives have walked out of the latest UN climate conference in Canada.

I just hope many American's take to heart the message that former President Clinton gave the conference when he said:

"There is no longer any serious doubt that climate change is real, accelerating and caused by human activities."

Sadly I think the only place that doubt still exists is in the West Wing and the Oval Office. Even the plea of Prime Minster Martin of the host nation that the USA needed to heed "the conscience of the world" was formally declined by the US delegation.

Maybe we'll see Bush on an episode of Jerry Springer in a few years time entitled "Sorry I left the thermostat on too high", but then again he'll probably have deep fried before he realises that.

Pipe Down or You'll Get an ASBO

Schoolboy piper Andrew Caulfield has been told he cannot practise his bagpipes at home anymore or he will be landed with an Anti-Social Behaviour Order. It is not that Andrew is a novice piper who tortures the air with inexperienced squeaks and squeals but at 13 he has already piped Santa in to lights on for the same council that is threatening him now. He also teaches other aspiring pipers on the canter.

After being 2 decibels over the limit on a simulated test his parents bought him a quieter set of pipes but the council have refused to retest the conditions.

Is this a case of an ASBO too far? What does this mean for the traditional music of Scotland, if pipers can no longer practise in their own homes?

Meanwhile to follow up on Mid Calder's ASBO the calming effect was evident last weekend. However, Charles Dundas, the Lib Dem candidate from both Westminster Elections for the area this year, while praising the police expressed concern that Anti-social Behaviour Contracts, which are used by some other councils, were not explored. These would have which helped to prevent anti-social behaviour before it took place, rather than an ASBO which deals with the problems after the event.

Will Blair Remember Them?

The exclusion zone of protest outside our nations Parliament at Westminster has resulted in a most illiberal conviction.

Yesterday under Section 132 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act a 25 year old woman was found guilty for reading out the names of the Iraq War dead at, wait for it, central London's Cenotaph. You probably know it, it is just down the road from Tony Blair's central London flat and it has a starring role every November when the Queen leads the tributes laying her wreath on its steps.

But it falls within half a mile of the Palace's of Westminster and therefore is subject to no protests, therefore it is hardly any wonder that Tony Blair cannot hear the voice of the people they are being kept up to half a mile away from him while he remains tucked up in the Westminster village.

What next: a motorist arrested for arguing with a traffic warden in Parliament Square? A tourist arrested for wearing a Che Guevara T-shirt while taking a picture of the Great Clock of Westminster?

Jerry Springer: The BBC Soap Opera

Well the BBC have noticed blogsphere's widespread uproar to the Jerry Springer: The Opera DVD being removed by Sainsburys and Woolworths.

I appear to be getting what is appearing to be the standard reponse from Woolworths which did not even address my specifific questions. There are tell tale signs in the response.

My Email

To: customer.relations@woolworths.co.uk
Subject: Jerry Springer: The Opera DVD

Dear Sir/Madam,

I understand for press coverage that you have removed
the above product from your shelves because of 10
letters of complaint for a so-called 'christian'
group.

As a Christian myself I am apalled that these people
should want to ban anything which while secular in
origin contains a message of redemtion at the end. I
think this is one way that the Christian message can
be spread to a secualr world and have actively used it
in outreach to non-churched teenagers.

May I ask why this decision was made by your company?
Does the production breach the BBFC classification? Is
Woolworth's claiming to to be above the BBFC in its
decision of what it's customers including myself are
allowed a choice to purchase?

If Sainsbury's are removing this DVD because of these
'chirstian' saducees are they also complaining what
about lad's magazines such as 'Loaded', Women's
magazines such as 'Cosmo' which surely also violate
thier high moral stand point. If not, are they being
selective in their protest? And therefore have they
forced Woolworths to bow to selective protest?

I look forward to your response. Until then I shall be
shopping elsewhere as believe in the freedom in our
country for all people to have their say, without fear
of any religious group seeking to censure.

Yours

Stephen Glenn

Their 'Automated' Response

Dear Stephen,

Thank you for your email.

Please find below our Media Statement regarding this title:

WOOLWORTHS STOCKING THE JERRY SPRINGER OPERA

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However, we also listen to our customers and their feedback. On this occasion we have received numerous complaints and it is clear to us that our customers would prefer us not to stock this product.

As a result it has been removed from sale.



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Notice the gap after 'as a result it has been removed from sale' a sign that there was a pasted section above that.

Kennedy Not Worried by Cameron

Charles Kennedy has said that the election of David Cameron will not affect the identity or ambition of the Liberal Democrats.

Critics have said that David Cameron would turn into a clone of Charles Kennedy's image with voters as a young family man. However, on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme the Lib Dem Leader said:

"You will see very clear differences of policy and of substance between ourselves and the Conservatives"

He stated real policy differences with Mr Cameron on issues such as the Iraq war, university tuition fees and the environment. He said:

"The one policy decision on Europe that the new (Conservative) leader has announced is that they're going to withdraw from the Conservative grouping in the European Parliament their British MEPs, so that's an isolationist approach and that's not the real world.

"On tuition fees [Mr Cameron] doesn't share with us the opposition to tuition fees."

He also ruled out the question of a coalition between the two parties as now being "redundant".

Actually keeping an unique identity from both Labour and the Conservatives will not be too hard going on the performance at PMQs yesterday.

Queen's Carol's Mother Taken to Hospital

Just two day's after Carol Thatcher was crowned Queen of the Jungle in the fifth series and the day after David Cameron becomes the fifth sucessor to her mother, Maggie Thatcher has been take to hospital after feeling faint. A number of tests have been carried out and she is being detained at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital overnight as a precausion.

Not a Fantasy Shadow Cabinet Anymore

Well how did my selection of the Fantasy Shadow Cabinet get on now that the major positions have been filled.

Well I got the leader right young David, who clearly benefited from the long campaign to win over the Conservative party members how he will do in the country we have yet to see.

I was right on bringing William Hague back to a prominet role, although I had him as Shadow Home not Shadow Foreign Secretary.

I may have shunted George Osbourne off to the Chairmanship prematurely however I expect him to possibly be there in 2008 to oversea the election bid og DC. he is for now remaining as Shadow Chancellor.

David Davis has remained as Shadow Home Secretary and not fulfilling my fatasy of shadowing Gordon Brown.

Other candidates in the leadership bid fared less well. Liam Fox made way for Hague and has taken on the defence brief. No word yet on Rifkind or Clarke.

Jerry Springer: The Opera An Alternative Christian Perspective

Many of my fellow bloggers have mentioned that Woolworths and Sainsbury’s have banned the Jerry Springer: The Opera DVD from their shelves. Some are blaming Christians for the limited outcry over this issue, as a Liberal Democrat, a Christian and a dramatist here is my take on this issue.

Most of the Christians who are upset about this DVD have never seen the show, or at least I think have not seen all of it. Also if they are upset about the language and people used in the show they would be equally as shocked as some of the people who listened to some of Jesus parables when they were first told.

The second half of Jerry Springer: the Opera is surely about redemption isn’t that the central ethos of the Christian message. As someone who has written Christian material for a non-Christian audience I know how difficult it is to get any message across in that theatre, however I applaud Jerry Springer the Musical for at least asking the questions in a way that gets noticed. I’m sorry that some other Christians do not see it in that way.

I've Outgeeked Will Howells

Will Howells aka No Geek is an Island is hiding in shame as a bad geek due to his poor result of books read in the best geek novels since 1932 published in today's Guadian.

Therefore I'm not sure whether it is with some pride or shame that I have read the following half of the top 20 listed.

1. The HitchHiker's Guide to the Galaxy -- Douglas Adams 85% (102)
2. Nineteen Eighty-Four -- George Orwell 79% (92)
3. Brave New World -- Aldous Huxley 69% (77)
4. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? -- Philip Dick 64% (67)
6. Dune -- Frank Herbert 53% (54)
7. I, Robot -- Isaac Asimov 52% (54)
8. Foundation -- Isaac Asimov 47% (47)
9. The Colour of Magic -- Terry Pratchett 46% (46)
14. Consider Phlebas -- Iain M Banks 34% (35)
16. The Man in the High Castle -- Philip K Dick 34% (32)

If you add on that I have read the entire series of 1,7,8 and 9 does that make for bigger geekdom?

Best's Final Journey 3

Here is the text of the poem that Calum Best son read by Belfast woman Julie McClelland, the one that brought him and me to tears earlier today.

Farewell our friend, but not goodbye.
Your time has come, your soul must fly.
To dance with angels, find the sun,
But how we'll miss our special one.

He walks among us just a while,
Weaved your magic, made us smile.
Your life was so full of light and tears,
We lived it through you, through the years.

The golden days, they went so fast.
The precious times, why can't they last?
So many loved you, did you know?
We were not ready to let you go.

The stars from Heaven are only lent.
A gift from God, that's why they're sent.
We won't forget our Belfast boy,
He filled our lives with so much joy.

Your star will shine now in the sky.
Farewell our friend, but not goodbye.

I've just being reading the comments on the BBC website and am astounded at the number of people complaining about the coverage amongst all the tributes. Why no? Why today? Why mock a man for the disease of alcoholism? Something which as he doctor put so eloquently today he was made too well by the transplant that he returned to drink.

Many of the comments however do refer to the fact that yet again today George Best has done more to unite the people of Northern Ireland than many a politician has tried and been unable to do.

Best's Final Journey 2

Since I last wrote I've been griped by the coverage on the television. I tried to identify the scarfs that were thrown unto the hearse. As well as Northern Ireland and Manchester United I'm sure I also spotted Linfield and Celtic showing that yet again George has united the people of Northern Ireland.

The service was very moving. The second poem that Callum read out got to me as well so I'm not surprised he reached the point of tears. Hearing all the anecdotes for his friends, family and doctors shows the light he will be remembered in. Yes there was the down side but he was a light that was extinguished too early.

Best's Final Journey

I have the TV playing in the background showing live pictures from the Cregagh Estate as the funeral procession of George Best prepares to pass through thousands of mourners to Stormont. Already in scenes reminiscent of Diana flowers are being thrown from the masses unto the hearse in what is the biggest funeral in Northern Irish history.

The location of the funeral service is somewhere I used to walk to during my lunch breaks from one of the government departments just off the estate. It's at the top of a mile long wide avenue that leads up to Parliament Buildings and will undoubtedly provide exception pictures of crowds later on today as the masses stand either side of Prince of Wales Avenue watching the service on big screens.

Best marks a period of Northern Ireland football history where the fans did not care which side of the community the players came from, it was a form of escapism. Sadly for the last few years Neil Lennon has been hounded out of the Northern Ireland team by sectarianism. Best debuted alongside Pat Jennings, two young lads from different sides of the community who both enter the hearts of al football fans in the province.

It is a shame that in relative peace the national football team has become a target of sectarianism, while at the heights of the troubles it was one thing we could agree upon, largely.

ASBO Over Mid Calder

I know that there have been at least two hits to this site this week over the Anti-Social Behaviour Order that has been placed over Mid Calder. I suspect that as my blog mentions both ASBO's and Mid Calder in the past that is why I am coming up high on the list.

Here is my take on this issue as someone local to the area, involved in politics and known to frequesnt the area in the evening following bowls at Mid Calder Bowling Club.

The situation in Mid Calder is starting to remind me of a mild saturday night ack home in Bangor. I say mild in that there are not as many kids hanging around, nor are they all as drunk as Bangor tended to be at chucking out time. However, Mid Calder is not as big as Bangor, so the groups of young people who congregate there look more like a hoard and are closer to residential areas than Bangor's main streets.

Our candidate in the General Election and By Election Charles Dundas talked to local police about this problem while out canvassing in the village in September with Simon Hughes. The police were saying that they were having difficulty controlling the situation which has been getting steadily worse in recent years.

It now appears that the only option open to them has been to apply for an ASBO that covers the entire village. Allowing them powers of dispersal to any group of two or more people, that they suspect of anti-social behaviour.

Are the police right to do so? Well there is no other option open to them under current legisation to take further action.

What affect will it have? Already some people are thinking and writing to the press saying the issue is liable to move just over half a mile away to East Calder. Others are saying the police cannot be everywhere to dispearse everyone all the time.

Where will this lead? We have yet to see but I will keep you posted.

USA Next to None on Climate Change - Says USA

Being a quiz freak while attempting to answer the BBC New Americas weekly quiz I can across this story that I had somehow missed.

What shocked me first is the arrogance of the USA who said on Monday:

"With regard to what the United States is doing on climate change, the actions we have taken are next to none in the world," said US negotiator Dr Harlan L Watson, saying greenhouse gas emissions had dropped 0.8% since George Bush became president.

The statement was of course shot down by environmentalists at the conference, Steve Sawyer of Greenpeace said:

"The one thing... we cannot afford is to allow this US administration to hold the rest of the world hostage while they go on about voluntary this and voluntary that," he said.

However, I think the statement from the US is just an attempt at over spin. They have merely changed sentance order and punctuation. This is the statement that possibly is mor ethe reality they were faced with.

With regard to what the United States is doing on climate change in the world. The actions they have taken are next to none.

After all Bush, rejected Kyoto, doesn nothing to inhibit the oil companies in his own country, is taking little action to encourage alternative fuels. Unfortunately Americans may think this happening due to the activity in the Bartlett Adminstration in The West Wing.

Retirement Seems Further Away with Each Passing Day

I don’t know about anyone else but his post by Peter Black got me thinking about the exponential rise in proposed age of eligibility for the state pension this couple of weeks.


On the 22 November the Liberal Democrats unveiled their proposal to raise the age to 67 and provide the citizens pension. This was widely expected at the time to be the recommendation of the Taylor report.

On Wednesday we are told that the Government in light of the Turner report is considering raising the age to 68.

Then this morning I read that if state contributions are made smaller it could rise to 69.

The clarify what the report is actually saying, The Scotsman writes:

The age of entitlement to the state pension is likely to rise to 66 in 2020, then 67 in 2030 and finally 68 in 2050. If ministers decide the state's contributions should be smaller, Lord Turner said pensions could even be delayed until 69.

So it looks like I’ll be getting my entitlement at 67. Why did I leave the civil service where my contract guaranteed I would have to retire at 60 and be able to claim my contribution pension?

Press Plagiarist of the Year Award

Guido Fawkes in association with a Recess Monkey and Tim Worstall are getting their own back at those lazy newspaper journalists who merely take their copy straight off unsuspecting bloggers. They have launched the Press Plagiarist of the Year Award.

Rather than repeat anything that they say, although of course it would be credited here, I’ll just encourage you to go and take a look and vote.

Fantasy Shadow Cabinet

The BBC Politics Show has launched a Fantasy Shadow Cabinet pending the election of hte new Tory Leader. All you have to do is name the men who will file the big 4 jobs.

I've gone for DC is the leaders shoes and the following for his main appointees.

Shadow Chancellor: David Davis, I know George Osbourne is close to Cameron but he may serve another role such as Party Chairman to get Cameron's points across and attempt to make the party electable.

Shadow Foreign Secretary: Sir Malcolm Rifkind after stepping down before the first round of voting Sir Malcolm is bound to feature somewhere prominent, he's probably the best hand the Tories have for the foreign portfolio even though he has been out of Westminster for 8 years in the interim.

Shadow Home Secretary: William Hague, there is much speculation about the baseball cap wearing former leader's return to the shadow cabinet. He is still young enough to serve in seniour roles for some time and he is liable to have to come back now or else be seen as an opportunist nearer the election. So I can see his rapier wit being used in the Home Affairs against all those terrible decisions that Blair will be forcing through.

Having said that, I'll probably be well off track but it's fun to try.

I'm Your Prime Minster Get Me Out of Here

Jungle Tony is obviously scared of things creeping through the rafters above him yesterday. As he left the hall he was supposed to give his speech about Nuclear energy to go to another room when Greenpeace protesters climbed to the rafters demanding a 10 minute counter statement.

This man is supposed to be the leader of our parliament. Does he parlez much? For a start he tends to avoid the chamber. He also tends to avoid debate of any kind. This man is supposed ot be in charge of a democracy but is scared of debate.

I will encourage people to continue not to Vote Tony in I'm A Prime Minster Get Me Out of Here.

Is this Blogdaq?

Ok I've done Celebdaq, I've traded on Sportdaq now from the lijnks to this site I've found that the latest trading game appears to be Blogshares. I have no idea how I came to be listed, nor have I nay idea how it works. If I did I might be accused of insider dealer trying to increase my value.

Although if I read this right (Economics degrees come in handy some times) I'm currently valued above LibDem Blogs, Susanne Lamido, The Apollo Project and a number of other Lib Dem Bloggers.

Although Lynne Featherstone and Jonathan Calder are way out ther in high value land.

I might of course have got all that wrong.

MPs really Are Old Fuddy Duddies

MPs have rejected Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Williams' Representation of the People (Reduction of Voting Age) Bill by eithg votes 136 to 128.

While you may be old enough to but cigarettes, have sex, get married, join the army and pay income tax. You are not old enough to have you say in any of these things, or so the Labour and Conservative parties say, and vote.

Just when do children become aldults, when are they old enough to make adult decisions. Clearly we trust them with their long term health with both smoking and sex. We allow them to sign up for a career which might lead them into the valley of death. We are more than happy to accept their income tax. Unfortunately they don't trust you to vote.

So how is this going to inspire the most apathetic group of voters the 18-25 years olds?

Answers on a postcard to:

I'm a Prime Minster Get me out of Here
Number 10
London

Will ID be Required to Travel Through Town?

Edis at MKNE Political Information has reported on his blog that a woman has been arrested in denver for refusing to show her ID on a cross-city bus.

Will the introduction of ID cards in the UK to this level of scrutity of the documents? How long will it take to escalate to this level? Is this not a gross infringement of our civil liberties?

If this can happen in the 'land of the free and the home of the brave' what are the odds of this coming to a bus service near you if Tony blair has his way?

A Minutes Applause

Have just come back from the Livingston game this afternoon.

Before the kick-off all the fans observed a minutes applause for George Best. I'm sure that George as the consummate showman and rebel would have approved.

Unfortunately had little to applaud the rest of the game as the team lost to Kilmarnock 3-0.

So Long Bestie

Obviously as a Northern Irish born football fan yesterdays news of George Best's death came with great sadness if not a great shock.

There are so many tributes from so many people Malcolm Brodie football correspondent for the Belfast Telegraph who knew George before he even set foot in Manchester.

He was to go to Matt Busby's Manchester United to join England's first choice striker Bobby Charlton and Scotland's Dennis Law.

In 1964 he made his Northern Ireland debut with another debutant Pat Jennings.

He lived a life claiming that he lived up to his name being the Best. In first his autobiography, 'The Good, the Bad and the Bubbly', he had a photograph standing next to Pele with the caption:

Me with the second best player in the world.

However, Pele admitted that Best was the best player he had ever seen. He did dazzle and entertain and on several occasions even after beaten his man would go back just for fun and do it again. he won English and European footballer of the year titles before he was 22. And was a key part in Manchester United's European Cup winning team of 1968. However, he walked out on United in 1974 after a dispute with Tommy Docherty never to return, he was only 28.

He returned to football with lowly Stockport County in 1975 then joined the North American Soccer League. From 1976 to 1982 alongside names like Pele and Franz Beckenbauer, first playing for the Los Angeles Aztecs, Fort Lauderdale Strikers and San Jose Earthquakes. He interspersed this appearances with spells at Cork Celtic, Fulham and Hibernian before ending his playing career at Bournemouth.

Sadly none of George's 37 International Caps lead to one at a world cup. His first was six years after the historic side reached the 1958 Quarter Finals in Sweden, the last in 1977 five years before a glorious return in Spain 1982.

He may have succumbed to alcoholism, but in his death the greats remembered his football from Diego Maradonna to Sir Alex Ferguson, many of his Man United, Hibernian and Northern Ireland Colleagues.

Welcome to Narnia...

...or so it seems. The snow has arrived in East Central Scotland, with a vengence.

The snow started just after 9 o'clock so I was already sat at my desk and hasn't let up yet. At times I have been unable to see Edinburgh City by pass through the snow, which is a bit disconcerting as it is less than 50 metres from my office window.

Now if only I can find my way back to those faux fur coats in the wardrobe.

Blair's Nuclear Winter

It is interesting that within weeks of terrorist suspects’ arrest in Australia, apparently aiming to blow up a nuclear test centre, Tony Blair believes that more nuclear power is just what the UK needs.

The Prime Minister is said to believe nuclear power can improve the security of the UK's energy supply and also help on climate change. But what security will be provided to ensure we don't have a terrorist attack on such a new plant? Also what does he intend to do about the radioactive waste that will be produced? He is creating another damaging by product to cover for his inadequacies in eight years of moving on alternative, totally clean, sustainable energy sources.

I've Been Re-elected

Last night was the local party AGM at the end of a hectic year, what with the general election and the by election. I was returned unopposed as treasurer for another year, no real surprise there then. Also I've been reappointed as a Rep fpr both the Federal and Scottish Conference. So I'll see you all at Harogate, Aviemore, Brighton and TBA in 2006.

There was some changing of the guard as our convernor stepped aside to concentrate on her Scottish Party role. But there is some new blood in the exec, while the old hands are staying on board, they say, only until we have councillors in 2007 at the latest.

No Longer Bottom of the League

After finally getting over all the elections of this year it is a relief to get back to watching football on a Saturday afternoon again.

This afternoon I took the short hop to Dunfermline for what was a real needle match, there is a lot of animosity between the fans and the chairmen of the two clubs. However, we came away smiling as Livingston won away 1-0 and deservedly so. There was a good traveling support we had to queue for fifteen minutes to get to the turnstile. But Paul Dalglish standing in sparkling form and it was he who scored a belter of a goal. Sized up looking to get through from the edge of the box just like his old man. If it is King Kenny we have definitely found Prince Paul.

The result is our first win in the league all season following 5 draws. However most importantly it takes us off the bottom leaving Dunfermline there instead with just one win and three draws.

While we were getting back into the car the draw was made for the semi-finals when we avoided Celtic and got Dunfermline again. There is a real possibility of us getting to our fourth game at Hampden (semi-finals of the Scottish are also played at the national stadium).

My Carbon Footprint

Thanks to Will Howells for this link which allowed me to calculate my carbon footprint.

My house came out at 6 tonnes of CO2 of which most was the 4.35 tonnes for the car. My house came in at only 1.11 tonnes because of all the energy saving and recycling intiatives that I take.

Considering the average UK footprint is 10 tonnes, I've done not too badly. If only I was on a high enough wage to afford a hyprid car I could save an additional 2 tonnes. The worrying thing though is that the average American carbon footprint is 19 tonnes of CO2, almost double that of the UK.

Local MP to Fix Minimum Wage Injustice

Hat's off to Michael Connarty this weekend. The
Sunday Mail tells of the bill he about to introduce to ensure that restaurant bosses do not pay the minimum wage from the tips that are earned my their employees.

A tip as defined by the Mirrian Webster Online Diction is:

Tip 10 Function:noun
a gift or a sum of money tendered for a service performed or anticipated is an reward

Note that this is for the service rendered as a reward, not as a right which is what the pay people recieve is. I'm glad Michael is seeking to close this particular loophole in minimum wage legislation.

Although I'm still upset that his name is not on this list, it is good t see he isn't fully on the dark side.

Smokescreen or Counter Smokescreen

Defence Secretary John Reid has been defending the police. Saying the the Tories are using the political activies of the police over the last week over the 90 days they said they needed to detail suspected terrorists.

Firstly when the police come under the Minstry of Defence? Are they not under the remit of Charles Clarke the Home Secretary?

Secondly the fact is that the Tories along with a large number of Labour back-benchers and the Liberal Demcrats support the most draconian period of detention without trial in any western democracy to rise it to 28 days. That is a four fold increase from earlier this year already. This was offered as a compromise.

Therefore, is not the smokescreen that Dr Reid is trying to errect over the fact that his government colleagues were trying to make us even further the most draconian free state?

Wikablog

Woke up this morning and in between waiting for my online chess oponents to respond to my moves noticed Susanne Lamido and other Liberal Democrats have found and listed themselves on what is seeking to be the ultimate list of all blogs. I was good to see that the Lib Dems are by far the best represented UK political party on this list.

Although to be fair Bloggers for Cameron and Boris Johnson represent the Conservatives. Niether Labour nor Socialism are currently listed in the category index so maybe the spin doctors are circling threateningly around Labour bloggers seeking to prevent publicity of possible rebellion.

There is also a Who Do You Think you are kidding Mr Prescott blog campaigning for an English Parliament. No doubt I will have fun finding out more blogs as time goes by.

One of the strangest categories was for Noddles which brought up one blog. Fortunately it mentions more that just noddles and will not be fielding candidates in any by elections in the near future.

Scottish By Election Results

Colin Ross was bemoaning the fact that we are failing to staind candidates in the West Midlands. However, here in Scotland by election fever has carried on. It is six weeks since we had a hat trick with Westminster, Holyrood and Council election by elections on the same day.

Although we did not stand a candidate in Dumfries and Galloway last month we again were fighting three elections in Scotland this week.

In the Murrayfield ward in Edinburgh Mike Crockart increased the Lib Dem vote by 10.5% to close the gap on the Tories. Labour and the SNP vote dropped dramatically and even the Conservatives suffered a dent in their share.

Over in Glasgow in Knightswood Park Katy Gordon leapfrogged the Scottish Socialists and Conservatives with an 8.5% increase to come a very credible third. Closing in on both the SNP and Labour carrying on the trend of the Lib Dems in Scotland's largest city.

Only in Loanhead in Midlothian did our vote go down. However, the Labour candidate had held the seat until being defeated by an independent in 2003 and two indepedents and a strong local SNP candidates caused quite an intriguing day.

I agree with Colin however that we need to stand candidates in as many by elections as possible as we should always be working on building nad maintaining our local presence between elections.

Health Centre Set to Move: Possibly Out of Town

Linlithgow's health centre is set to move from its High Street premises under the latest plans from NHS Sotland.

One possibility is to move it out of town to he Blackness road. This would further add to the traffic problems which the town is already concerned about. Moving the health centre to the North of the town centre would add more vehicles to the busy High Street as people are less likely to walk if able following a new build on that site.

Another alternative is the County Buildings which are set to be vacated by moving services the multi-purpose Civic Centre centralising a large number of council services in Livingston.

Linlithgow Community Council are understandably up in arms are are preparing an alternative town plan to present to West Lothian Council.

Just Who is Out of Touch Tony?

Tony Blair is saying that certain areas of Parliament are out of touch with the public over the terrorism bill.

However, interesting viewing is the BBC poll on the topic.

Just now of 145472 Votes Cast:

52% favour 28 days or keeping it at 14. (28 and 24 % respectively)

7% will allow up to 42 days only 41% will allow 90 days hardly a resounding majority Mr. Blair.

Going by my reckoning that makes 47.5% of MPs in favour of the 90 day detention which is 6.5 more than the general public. Therefore maybe Tony has a point and is making us aware that his majority should have been cut further in yesterday evening's vote. Very honourable of you Tony to point that out to us.

28 Days a Policeman's Lot

The result of the terrorism debate on period of detention has led to defeat for Tony Blair.

The Vote for 90 days was defeated by 322 votes to 291.

The second vote on the 28 day ammendment the vote was 323 to 290.

There was a heated aftenoon which kicked off with the Prime Minister stating in PMQs that he was backing the police over the 90 days and that he expected every member of the house to do so as well.

The debate on the terrorism bill followed and it was clear the the Prime Minster's final pleas had fallen on deaf ears.

Alistair Carmichael one of the Liberal Democrat Home Affair's Spokepeople said:

"This is no flight of fancy because we have been here before - detention without charge is not a new concept. We tried it in Northern Ireland - we know what the consequences of that were."

As someone raised in Northern Ireland who experienced the result of internment while a child I can understand exactly what he means. I'm glad the 90 days was not handed over to the police because they wanted it without thought of the rights of our citizens.

What now for Tony Blair following his first defeat on any vote? Has he finally lost his authority? Will he step aside now?

The nation is watching with interest.

Dalglish Scores Winner in Cup Tie

Before any of you think I am going slightly mad or have stepped out of a TARDIS by accident I'm not referring to King Kenny but to his son Paul.

This season I must have entered an elite groups of people who have cheered on both Kenny and Paul from the terraces/stands while they play for my team. Being Northern Irish I feel that I am allowed to indulge my football support not just for home team Bangor but also two other teams that have been in European competition, Liverpool and Livingston.

Paul has overcome a slight injury earlier this season to return with strength to the Livi starting line up. Scoring in extra time in today's game against Inverness Caledonian Thistle to secure a place in the semi-finals of the CIS Insurance Cup.

Energy Crisis Predicted for 2030

According the International Energy Agency in 25 years time demand for energy will surpass the supply available from the world's fossil fuel reserves. This is due to the advancement of developing economies in Africa, the Middle East and China. To meet these demands Carbon Dioxide emissions will rise by 52%.

Hardly surprisingly then the IEA say this trend is:

Not sustainable from an energy, security or environmental perspective. We must change these outcomes and get the planet on to a sustainable energy path.

All this at a time when Tony Blair appears to be going back on his promises on global targets and the UK’s contribution to them.

Labour Not Sure What to Do

It appears that Labour is not sure what to do about terrorism and have posted a questionnaire on their website. The most worrying thing about this questionnaire is how vague the questions are. This suggests just the opposite that Labour knows exactly what they are doing and are ready to interpret the answers accordingly.

Here are the questions and a possible interpretation in italics.

Do you think that our laws should be updated to cope with the current security threat?

This would appear to be an innocent question. However, look closely it strikes fear my drawing attention to a current security threat. 'What is Labour not telling us?' some people may wonder. Also most people including liberal leaners will agree that our terrorism laws need updating so it leads almost everyone to say yes. Saying no might just lead to your immediate detention on the suspicion of being a terrorist.

Do you think police should have the time and opportunity to complete their investigations into suspected terrorists?

This does not specify a time limit. This is a seriously loaded question. The government will use yes answers to automatically mean a backing for 90 day detention and not alternatives such as less paperwork to allow them more time to investigate on the street before making a n arrest.

Do you think the government should make sure there are new safeguards to protect innocent people?

Again with no specifics this is giving the government a blank cheque to do whatever they want.

In other words be careful how you answer a question put to you by a Labour politician. They avoid specifics, can make answers made in all innocence tell a distorted truth and message; in other words exactly what they want to hear not what the people are saying.

Be Careful of Labour activists carrying clipboards

Goldie to Lead Tories and Loses an MSP Already

I'm sorry I am of an age that associates Goldie with Simon Groom's dog on Blue Peter. Not the next leader of the Scottish Tories looks set to share the name.

Annabel Goldie appears to be having a Michael Howard style coronation as the leader to replace David McLetchie, with Murdo Fraser completing the 'dream' ticket. However, we all know how sucessful Howard proved to be, especially in Scotland.

Annabelle has managed to do something that not even Michael Howard managed however. Her group in parliament has shrunk by 5.6% before she has even been officially appointed as leader. Brian Monteith a list member for Mid Scotland and Fife has resigned the whip after it emerged that he had e-mailed a Sunday newspaper editor suggesting a leader column calling for Mr McLetchie to quit as party leader.

Therefore the Conservative benches are now reduced to 17 in the Scottish Parliament.

Devine's Voter Honeymoon Over

It appears that the voters are watching carefully and seeing that Jim Devine’s claim to be following in Robin Cook’s footsteps is falling short. This appeared in the online West Lothian News:

SIR, I am pleased to report that the new MP for the area has at least lived up to his own words. During the election he said he was no Robin Cook. How true, because Robin Cook wouldn't have voted for the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Bill which Mr Devine has just signed up to!

Labour - and Mr Devine - believe that the only way to stop terrorism is to turn this country into a police state and that's what this bill does.

Mr Devine was once a senior officer of a union that wholeheartedly objects to this bill - it seems that Mr Devine's morals are up for grabs for the highest bidder, once it was Unison now it is the Labour party!
Ian Wallace, Mid Calder

So I guess this means that the Devine honeymoon period is over. I make that five weeks.

Place Your Bets Now

So David Blunkett has finally resigned.

So it looks that Lynne Featherstone’s question which I alluded to yesterday has been answered in the negative.

Are William Hill or Ladbrokes taking bets on when David Blunkett will be rehabilitated in a third Mandelsonesque way?

The Blunkett Sidestep

I read Lynne Featehrstone’s blog with interest yesterday. She said that she had the first question on David Blunketts latest big news dayand that her supplementary was shunned by the Minster for Works and Pensions. So I eagerly awaited this morning's update of Hansard with interest to see what was actually said.

What is wrong with asking him:

…does he believe that he remains in a position to secure the consensus that he mentioned in a divided Cabinet over the urgent need radically to reform the pensions system?

I agree with Lynne that some mention had to be made about his judgement as the whole media was asking that question. Not to do so, as the first opposition questioner, would have been derided in the media.

Unfortunately due to a minsters share dealings and his own frustration at his foolishness we did not find out if the Minster feels that there is a consensus in cabinet to push through another of their manifesto pledges. Their recent discussion on a smoking ban being a case in point that the public are concerned how stable the promises of this government is at present.

Not A Treat for The Local Constabulary

I have just had a visit from two of Lothian and Border's finest.

Unfortunatley upon returning from the gym and my weekly grocery shop I was 'treated' to a smashed rear patio window. There was glass all over my kitchen floor, in the dogs water bowl, amongst the laundry that was drying out. Apparently I am not alone and hundreds of calls have been made about smashed in windows across the area. My back garden is not overlooked and a pathway leads to a business park so the tricksters who carried out this costly act had clear access.

I live just 1 minute from sheltered housing indeed the sheltered houseing would have been facing unto the location that the stone was thrown. It is a shame that Halloween has become Americanised and Trick or Treating has replaced Guising. Trick or treat is the precurser to Shock and Awe so maybe we should not be too surprised about President Bush's actions in the war on terror.

However, if my small area is having hundreds of call outs how many of our elderly and vulnerable are quaking at the moment, with the lights out and the television off? How many incidents are going unreported, with people not looking to claim for damage under their insurance? How much will the insurance companies have to pay out?

This is something that need to be covered in citizenship classes in our schools the cost of Trick ot Treating too far. A 7 foot by 3 foot sheet of double glazing is not cheap.

Second Tory Leadship Battle in the Offing

David McLetchie has resigned as leader of the Scottish Conservative Party following continued pressure over the taxigate scandal. He had spent £11,500 on taxis during the first five years and there has been intense scrutiny and questions asked of him about the legitimacy of some of these claims.

It of course means that two Davids will not be leading the Scottish Tories the other will not be elected for a few weeks yet as the national leader.

Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen said:

"This is clearly a major blow to the Conservative Party.

"However, if David McLetchie believes that he can no longer defend his position, he has clearly done the right thing."

I Want a Recount

The BBC have posted a sample Citizenship test. According to their result:

You got 13 right!
0-5: Seat in Heathrow arrivals.... 6-10: Seat on the district council......11-14: Seat in Parliament.....15: Seat on the throne

I should now be seating in Parliament.

Is it too late to demand a recount in Linlithgow and East Falkirk?

My Century

I suppose as this is my landmark 100th post in my blog I should come up with erudite passage of literary greatness. I'm sorry my muse fails me having just got back from the gym and watched the latest episode of West Wing.

However, highlight of the week may be the maiden speech of my new MP who spoke on Tuesday on the Electoral Administration Bill at 5:46pm.

I cannot fault him on his tributes to Robin Cook, nor his support of a total ban on smoking. However, his contributions to the debate were full of half truths. He said:

I have ideas on how we should improve turnout. From my experience in the by-election, one idea is about political honesty and political debate.

This is from the man who failed to engage one on one with the electorate at two of three hustings meetings that were held during the campaign, failing to turn up at one and arriving late and leaving early from another. This from a man who ten day before polling day said that the number one issue that people were talking to him about on the streets was drugs. This was the 'tabloid' banner on a leaflet that went throughout the constituency. Yet on the eve of poll in The Scotsman said:

The issues are the bread-and-butter ones - health, education, jobs.

I ask him where did the drugs issue go from 10 days before?

His team also on two separate occasions hindered the Liberal Democrat candidate from actively engaging with the electorate. Once while attempting to point out an anomaly in one of Mr Devine's leaflet and once to meet the people in a village main street.

Mr Devine if as you claim dishonesty alienates voters, and is why people do not participate in the political process maybe you should look at your own house first.

Having re-read this maybe I was erudite after all.

20 per cent Less Pubs to Serve Food

While doing abysmally in this week's BBC 7 days 7 questions quiz. I mean I haven't seen the latest Harry Potter film yet! One of my wrong answers brought up a very worrying statistic.

Under the fudged smoking policy that Patricia Hewitt tried to defend yesterday 1 in 5 publicans have said they will stop serving food to get around the legislation. So instead of having food to mop up the alcohol you will be 20% less likely to find food served in the pub and 20% more likely to find smoke instead. So much for defending the nations health. Fortunatley my excursions south of the border are less frequent these days, I'll be enjoying clean atmosphere in Scottish Pubs is a few months.

Hoon Promises to Put Police Before Liberty

I've just got around to reading the Hansard Report of Wednesday's PMQs. So further to Wednesday's post I find this quote from Geoff Hoon worrying:

The police have made it clear what they require: they would like to have a three-month period in which they can hold suspected terrorists before charge

Bear in mind this comes from a government who say that their 'war on terrorism' will not lead to a police state.

So why would the police require a 3 month period of detention in custody? This could only be to gather evidence which means that the suspicions on which somebody could be arrested must be pretty sketchy. What the Liberal Democrats have proposed instead of ID cards is more police to carry out their investications and the facilities to aid them. This is a worrying development but thankfully the is a real alternative and the Liberal Democrats ahve set upa campaign page for people to show support.

Classic Movie Test, Scotland Wins and Smoke Over the Border

Jonathan Calder and Peter at the Apollo project came out as Apocalype now. I'm

What Classic Movie Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

As reported earlier Andrew Murray was off to a flying start we Tim Henman rallied and made a mathc of it. But hte boy from Dunblane won in the end on a tie break in the 6th set. Two good things about this match Murray did not lose his way or nerve too much with so much riding on the result. Tim Henman showed there is live in the old boy yet he may have a couple of years left yet.

When is a smoking not really a smoking ban? When it applies to England (but not Wales as I previously wrote, thanks to Peter Black AM for pointing that out).

It is a shame that Patricia Hewitt was forced to back down in her stance for a complete ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces for England and Wales. Even though she had watered this down herself to allow smoking carriages her steps would have been substantial. The excemptions for private members clubs, pubs that don't sell food does not go far enough to protect the publics health. Unlike in Scotland and Northern Ireland where there will soon be total bans on smoking in public these exceptions will still give people who work in such locations no option but to enhales other's smoke or little incentive to cut down or stop smoking themselves.

Ironically John Prescott thought a compromise of a workplace ban was enough. What about those who have to work in the establishments that allow smoking John? Or don't those workplaces count.

Scot Takes First Set in Battle of Britain

Latest from Basel youngster Andy Murray has taken the first set off British No. 1 Tim Henman 6-2.

Hoon's PMQs Finishes on Time Shocker

With Blair propably off preparing for the EU mini summit tomorrow Geoff Hoon was at the dispatch box for Prime Minster's Questions today.

Unlike last weeks debacle he seemed to run on time. But if the best he could come back to David Heath about Labour's over draconian anti-terror laws was that the Liberal Democrats should start living in the real world it may be some time before he allowed back.

Let's take a look at the real word. Someone heckles a speech at the Labour Party conference he is arrested under the over draconian anti-terror laws. Animal rights protesters are now under threat of the over draconian anti-terror laws.

What next? Our right to assemble in protest against a draconian governemnt; will they round us all up under over draconian anti-terror laws? What if there is a motion against a Labour policy at conference next year will they arrest everyone in the hall for making noises against the government?

Watch this space.

Tories + Opposition = Backing for Labour

Chris Black asked on his blog a couple of days ago if we care about democracy.

Well today's debate in Westminster on the Electoral Adminstration Bill is a case in point. The Tories are worried about broadening democracy saying it will allow fringe groups to get more access, although they were relieved that it helped their survival in Scotland.

The thing is that extreme groups will be open to more scrutiny if they are in the national picture. The only thing the Tory's and Labour should worry about is there lack of direction and ideas in such a system. Indeed the Tory have shown today how to act as official opposition. Have doubts about part of controversial legislation but back the whole. Will things change in 6 weeks? Doubtful.

Scottish Winery

Yesterday I spent a wonderful afternoon at Cairn O' Mohr a winery in Perth. Yes! Scotland does produce wine and these are award winning fruit wines.

Really pleasent surroundings and did the whole tour the Elder platation, the winery the work. Of course the best part was the tasting and this also took the largest part of the day. But was very enjoyable.

Liam Fox is Shown Yellow Card

Liam Fox is taking his beating in the Conservative Leadership election badly, he has just been booked in the SPL game away to Livingston.


Liam Fox is booked at Livi







Liam Fox defeated in Conservative Leadership Elections

Hoon Not 'Short' of Talk

I find it disgraceful that the Leader of the House Geoff Hoon should talk out Claire Short's private member's bill to make the government accountable to parliament before sending troops to war. It must be a sign of how concerned the government were that they could not whip their own back bencers to the no lobby.

The fact that Hoon serves as leader of the House with his main duty being the handling of the business of the House makes this episode all the more galling. It makes it all appear to be a deliberate attempt by the government to stall further democracy within hte elected chamber and try an maintain the semblance of Presidential leadership enjoyed by Tony Blair.

At least one recent octogenerian at least maintained cabinet government and respected the House of Commons whatever her faults in policy.

Going Out on a Limb

The next leader of the conservative party will be David.

This of course is being cursed by political editors across the country as there goes the David v Goliath headline. Although that would only have applied if Clarke had made the run off as I don't see any paper calling Liam Fox a Goliath of the Conservative party.

At least the party has maintained some semblance of democracy as David Davies has not stepped aside to allow a coranation. If the Tories had actually taken the whole decision out of the hands of their MPs there might have been a very different top two. But maybe that is a discussion for the next century when they look at modernising the Conservatives.

The Love of Politics and the Politics of Love

Some of you have noticed that I have been a little quiet in blogging since the end of the Livingston by election. There are two reasons for this.

First obviously is the fact that the by election itself took a fair amount out of me, as it also did the rest of the local party activists.

Second however, is that within a week of the by election my fiancée of five years sat me down to say that while she still liked me as a friend she no longer saw herself as able to remain my fiancée.

While I admit having two Westminster campaigns in twelve months is not ideal for a non-political partner this was not the reason for the spilt. As aluded to in an earlier post she has started a job over on the west coast which had led me to think about my future. Mainly this thinking occured whilst out actually delivering leaflets as this was the only time I had for such activities.

Whilst I was prepared to consider making a fresh start in a new region and new local party she said this wouldn’t be fair to me, to her or to the local party here. She said quite rightly that I have built up in my four years in West Lothian a good network both in the local party and indeed in Edinburgh. That I am standing at the edge of possibly winning an election, for the local council, in a couple of years. She knows that while she hates the amount of time that political campaigning takes up to be good and successful I need to put that amount of time in, because is the kind of caring politician I am.

She got engaged to me when she was young, she was still at University, while I was a good few years older. While I had already found out who I was and what my passions were she had never really had that chance to be her own person away from her parents or from any other connection. She is seeing this opportunity eventually to move to live on the West coast with her new job as a chance to do just that. She hasn’t ruled out that I might be the anwser she is looking for but she also can’t rule it in.

She still loves the fact that if I commit to something I give my all to it. That was one of the things that attracted her to me in the first place. However, she does not share that passion and while she knows it is important to me she cannot yet bear to have that as a regular occurance every two years.

So what does that mean for me? Well quite possibly I’ll being giving more time than even I was planning to to the 2007 campaign; giving myself an even better chance of getting elected. So I will continue in my quest for the council seat I’ve been pencilled in for since 2003. I’ll be looking for the party to achieve as many Lib Dem councillors in West Lothian as we can manage. Currently we're on the outlook for a few more good people to fight the new wards and to represent them after that.

But I still also have a very good friend who has been the biggest part of my life for the last five years. Who encouraged me to get involved with the local party while she was studying and working elsewhere and who has still promised to act as my devils advocate on areas of policy. Who also has more faith and hope in how far I can go than I do at times