More Shops Til we Drop

Work has begun on the new 55,000sq foot retail park at Linlithgow Bridge. Earlier this year this project caused major concern to local residents as many felt it would detract from the unique shopping environment on the historic High Street of the Burgh. However, objections were overcome as the retail outlets that were proposed, Homebase, a garden centre, Argos Extra and Acorn Pets Centres, were not the type that could fit easily into the settings of Linlithgow's existing shopping centre.

However, residents in Belsyde Court, near the Falkirk Road development, claim they have suffered vibrations in their homes and sand being blasted onto their cars as a result of the foundation laying works. Macdonald Estates who are building the scheme are hoping respond to residents' fears at a public meeting in the Chalmers Hall on 5 August.

We shall see what communication there is between the locals and the developers next week.

Meanwhile across the other side of the county a planned £90 million expansion to the shopping centre in Livingston has been announced. This will make the Boulevard more of a British shopping High Street rather than an American retail strip. New retailers to take over the existing Safeway's site when Morrisons move to their new purpose built store. There will be new leisure facilities bowling alley, arena and cafes. Also there are plans for some flats on the Boulevard frontage.

Already the local party have been discussing what needs to be part of these plans, we'll see what the details plans show later this year.

IRA Order has been Given

Two hours ago the IRA ordered an end to its armed campaign and says it will pursue exclusively peaceful means.

Many back home in Northern Ireland are sceptical of this news. I for hope this is the genuine step forward I have been waiting for all my life.

I hope the arms that are outstanding are decommissioned swiftly. I hope we see the end of punishment shootings and beatings as well. Also we need to an end to the extortion rackets that also exist which have funded these organisations.

I worked in the Northern Irish Civil Service when the first period of devolution was entered into. I want to see the enthusiasm from politicians of all persuasions to do things for their fellow countrymen restored to that level from the early days.

This should be a major step forward, but I'm worried about how hard line unionists will respond.

Please everyone allow Northern Ireland to move on.

Setting Prestonfield House Hotel Alight

Susanne Lamido mentions in her blog today the fire raising of Mike Watson MSP earlier this year. I have far happier memories of Prestonfield House Hotel recently.

Along with the other Lothian based Parliamentary candidates we gathered on the eve of poll to escort Charles, Sarah and Donald James Kennedy to their helicopter. We were told we where to meet Charles after he completed his last interview with the BBC and then walk with him to the helicopter. While we were waiting for Charles to finish we planned not to walk out after himmlike something out of Reservoir Dogs. The following day on a polling station one of my supporters came up to me and said “I saw you on TV last night. You lot looked just like the mob out of Reservoir Dogs.” Quentin Tarrantino has a lot to answer for!

Meanwhile Lord Watson will be up before the beak on 12 November.

Apply here to Become an MP. Not!

I've been catching up on the blogs I've missed over the last few days. Almost all of them mention this article about Simon Hughes' plans for the party. Most round on his comment that we should apply for Parliamentary Candidates through the press.

Having recently gone through my development day to become an approved candidate for the party nationwide (I was only licenced for the recent General Election) I would like to say this is one idea I will be voting against at the conference in Blackpool or whenever it comes before us. To increase the spectrum of candidates we don't advertise for them we need to reach into those communities for members then encourage, train and motivate them to become candidates.

We already have some very able candidates from all sorts of minorities. Groups within the party EMLD, DELGA and GBTF along with the PCA and ALDC are doing what they can to encourage more. Those minorities includes three Bangorians, that is North Down not North Wales, one of the others I happened to back for the role of President.

Linlithgow to be Wedding Oasis

More celebrity goings on in Linlithgow. This time Liam Gallagher, lead singer with Oasis, plans to marry fiancee, and former All Saint, Nicole Appleton at Hopetoun House just out of town.

Hopetoun House is the home of the Marquis of Linlithgow and the couple visited earlier this month. Romours have it that they will be married around Christmas time in a red marquee in the grounds.

First Scotty, now Liam and Nicole, which celebrity will be next to beam down to Linlithgow?

What next for teenage wizard?

I'm quite surprised I managed to prepare for my candidate development day yesterday and read the lastest Harry Potter book all in the space of about 9 hectic days. Fear not I will not spoil the plot I'm just looking forward to the next and final installment.

Anyone know of a good reliable time machine I could borrow? So I can grab the new one now!

Club to Honour Electrocuted Youth Star

Falkirk Football Club are to honour Craig Gowans who was electrocuted in a freak accident on their training pitch earlier this month. Craig was carrying a pole which struck overhead cables at the club's Grangemouth training ground. The 17 year-olds strip is to be placed above the clubs tunnel as a tribute.

Falkirk's first away game of their first SPL season is on the 6 August and sees them coming to Almondvale to take on my team Livingston in a local derby. This comes a week after unfurling their Dvision 1 Pennant against our other arch rivals Inverness Caledonian Thistle.