Labour plans pact to elect Sir Menzies as Speaker

That's the headline in todays Times.

There are indications, apparently that the current Speaker, Michael Martin is to stand down within months and rather than have a Tory Speaker it appears Labour want a Lib Dem one (as they really dare not nominate a Labour one).

Hurrah for the Lib Dems.

Well, I've certainly never rated Michael Martin, he just doesn't have that presence that previous speakers have had and when he shouts "Order" no one listens.

When he walks into a room, no one notices, and then there's the Damian Green incident where he acted appallingly.

So, who next?

Alan Beith is another contender, but to be honest I do feel Sir Menzies would be fantastic.

However, its a secret ballot for the MPs but last time round some heavyweight Tories backed Sir Menzies but would they this time if it was Sir Menzies up against one of their own?

Time will tell.
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SNP U-Turn over Parkhead Fire Station

Back in July last year I was in Glasgow East fighting the by-election for the Lib Dems.

We were advised by the Fire Brigades Union, as were all the four main parties that Strathclyde Fire Board and Brigade were considering closing Parkhead Fire Station.

We ran the story alerting the public to this outrageous closure, our fantastic candidate Ian Robertson publicly challenged all of the candidates to back the campaign - we were met with deafening silence.

So, today imagine my surprise when this story appeared in todays Glasgow Evening Times - where an SNP MSP has decided to back the campaign now its reared its ugly head again.

Where were you back in July, Sandra White?

Glasgow Lib Dem MSP, Robert Brown was there leading from the front with Party Leader Tavish Scott and Ian Robertson.

It was also fantastic that the Evening Times plugged our petition "The Libdems have an online petition at: http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/saveparkheadfire "

Let us save Parkhead Fire Station from closure!

Recycling Christmas Cards - yes it matters!

Did you know that last year, only 7% of all Christmas cards were recycled in the United Kingdom?

Shameful really. Although I do wonder if that takes into account all those that would have gone into recyling boxes and bins operated by local authorities around the UK?

Anyway, this year it is key that we all do our bit.

Did you know that if each person in the UK recycles just ONE Christmas card, the Woodland Trust would be able to plant 15,000 trees - that is just amazing. Well the Reeves household will be recycling just over 60 cards (counting the two that only arrived yesterday) this year.

This year once all the cards have been recycled the Woodland Trust will be planting trees in five sites around the UK , here in Scotland it will be at a site called Milton, next to the Trust's Glen Finglas Estate.

It is estimated that over one billion Christmas cards will have been sent in 2008, so lets help the Woodland Trust get those trees and take your cards to WHSmith, Tesco, TK Maxx or Marks & Spencer to be recycled.

The tide is out

What a beautiful view as the tide ebbs into Newhaven Harbour.

In the picture you can see the old lighthouse, now disused, in fact it now has coloured lights at night!

But, the small domed tower to the right is in fact the original lighthouse!
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Celebrity Big Brother

Tommy Sheridan - oh come on.

Why on earth do politicians do it?, I know there were rumours that our very own Lib Dem Lembit Opik was asked - if its true then Lembit I thank you for not going on.

Although when you look at this years participants, surely it should have been called "once a minor sort of well known person Big Brother".

Well, this will be three weeks of boredom
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My 2008

Wow - what a year that was!

Career wise, 2008 definitely had its ups and downs. Those who work closely with me know what the main issue was for me in 2008 :-)

2008 started with the commencement of the London GLA and Mayoral campaigns with Brian Paddick as the London Liberal Democrats Mayoral candidate and an array of candidates across London for the GLA Constituency and List.

The election campaign pushed me to the limits on many levels, I learnt a tremendous amount and it made me view some things both politically and career wise slightly differently.

The result was a little hard to swallow, especially with only returning a team of three to the London Assembly. Caroline Pidgeon, Dee Doocey and Mike Tuffrey are the Lib Dems group in the GLA.

Nobody should underestimate the Liberal Democrats in London because of this campaign. In all Council by-elections last year the Conservatives averaged 36%, Lib Dems 29% and Labour 25%.

We were and still are outpolling the Party that is the National Government!

During the London campaign the Party advertised the post of Deputy Director of Campaigns for Scotland, after a discussion with my partner we both decided I should apply, so during a very busy and stressful time at work I put together my CV and also went to the Scottish Liberal Democrats Spring conference in Aviemore.

I got the job - hurrah, but really couldn't think much about it as we still had polling day to get through!

I eventgually got through the London campaign and then had to start planning a move to Edinburgh. I moved up first on Friday 30th May and on the Saturday morning was out delivering leaflets in Dunfermline with Willie Rennie MP, Elspeth Finlay and Caron Lindsay.

Roger arrived in August with Zennor, I had gone down to help them move up on the train. We were both really worried about Zen especially as once in her cage she gets stressed out. In the taxi to Kings Cross Station she was bad, but once we arrived at the station and then got on the train and all the way to Edinburgh she was an absolute angel.

Since we moved here we have had to move and now have a lovely flat in Western Harbour.

I have had a baptism of fire since my arrival with two Parliamentary by-elections, first in Glasgow East where our candidate Ian Robertson was brilliant - a star of the future - and the second in Glenrothes with our candidate Harry Wills. My sincere thanks both to Ian and Harry and the fantastic teams who helped me through those four months!

Since then I have had time to concentrate on our Euro 2009 campaign and also start to enjoy this beautiful country that is now our home.

Happy New Year!