Democracy under attack

When many of us heard about Damian Green MP's arrest, many of us asked ourselves the same question: "When did it become a crime to hold the Government to account?"

Throwing a spotlight on information the Government would rather keep hidden is an essential part of our democracy and a key role of opposition parties in Parliament. And when dealing with an administration legendary for its secrecy, you increasingly have to rely on whistle-blowers to see the full picture.

Nick Clegg MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats has written at greater length on this issue in the Telegraph, as you can read at www.tinyurl.com/damiangreen

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The disgrace that is Scotrail

As both my readers know I normally have high praise for Scotrail, especially their ability to cope in snow and cold weather.

However, today their copy book is blotted, big time.

I was at Inverurie to catch the 12.36 to Aberdeen for my 1.30 meeting, but when the little two carriage train pulled in, there were already no seats plus large crowds standing so actually only one or two people managed to get on.

I caught the next one, half an hour later, so not to bad.

The 16.21 from Aberdeen to Edinburgh was standing room only from Aberdeen and has got progressively worse as the journey has continued, not made any better by the idiot playing the music on his phone by loudspeaker, everyone was tutting and then when I said something everyone else melted into the background, but he did turn it off.......

Then there was the chap projectile vomiting - nice!

And my final whinge on this late service is all those with ipods, I want to listen to my own - NOT YOURS!
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Weirdness on the trains

Well, to my readers, I've been away a while, just really catching up on life, work and home following 3 months in Glenrothes.

So, here I am sat on the train to Inverurie and I get a coffee on the Scotrail service - firstly it is now £1.80 - a rise of 20p, or 11.25%.

Come on Scotrail, where do you get that from?

Secondly, the milk now comes in long tubes, like sugar! Bizarre.
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The Herald - Scottish Politician of the Year 2008

Scottish Politician of the Year sponsored by The Herald

Nominations are

Alex Salmond MSP
Nicola Sturgeon MSP
John Swinney MSP

And the winner is Nicola Sturgeon MSP
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The Herald - Scottish Politician of the Year 2008

Lifetime Achievment Award sponsored by DIAGEO

The winner is Jim Wallace (hurrah)
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The Herald - Scottish Politician of the Year 2008

International Scot Award sponsored by keppie

The nominations are

Sir Sean Connery
Ann Gloag
Chris Hoy

And the winner is

Sir Sean Connery
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The Herald - Scottish Politician of the Year 2008

Public Campaign/Campaigner sponsored by The Herald

Nominated are

Clydeside Action on Asbestos
Tina McGeever
John Muir

And the winner is

Clydeside Action on Asbestos

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The Herald - Scottish Politician of the Year 2008

Free Spirit of the Year - sponsored by The Herald

Chris Harvie MSP
Patrick Harvie MSP
Hugh O'Donnell MSP

And the winner is

Chris Harvie MSP
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The Herald - Scottish Politician of the Year 2008

Committee Award - sponsored by npower renewables

Nominated are

Finance Committee
Health Committee
Bill Aitken MSP Convenor - Justice Committee

And the winner is

Bill Aitken MSP
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The Herald - Scottish Politician of the Year 2008

The One to Watch - sponsored by Microsoft

Nominated are

Richard Baker MSP
Derek Brownlee MSP
John Park MSP

And the winner is
John Park MSP
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The Herald - Scottish Politician of the Year 2008

Donald Dewar Debater of the Year - sponsored by eaga

Nominated are

Alex Salmond MSP
Tavish Scott MSP
Nicola Sturgeon MSP

And the winner is
Nicola Sturgeon MSP
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The Herald - Scottish Politician of the Year 2008

Best Scot at Westminster - sponsored by Bank of Scotland

Nominated are

Gordon Brown MP
Alistair Darling MP
Jim Murphy MP

And the winner is Alsitair Darling MP
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The alternative election

Whilst everyone is over in the States having fun, there are some of us also having fun in Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland.

There is an important by-election going on, polling day is this Thursday.

I was reading a story on another blog, and saw this fantastic line - "James Stevenson argues that Cameron’s Tories have most to gain from a resurgent SNP".

Cameron's Tories - aka Salmond's little helpers. The Conservatives here in Scotland vote with the SNP most of the time, they do as they are told, hence why a vote for the Tories in Scotland is just wasted vote.

I was out today in Kinglassie and later Caskieberran delivering our fantastic tabloid newspaper - okay, I would say that - but we were getting a good reception as we were chatting with local residents.

So, we are stuffing the last of the envelopes for tomorrows first delivery til then folks - g'night!