No policies, no manifesto, no named candidates, a leader who may not even stand, and no declared backers - welcome to the latest entrants to the Holyrood political fray.

Scottish Voice has all the trappings of modern politics - a colour scheme, logo, founding document, and a party leader who looked the part as he flashed his cuffs and prepared to read from an autocue.

At yesterday's launch in Edinburgh's Balmoral Hotel, with Archie Stirling striding to the podium against a purple backdrop bedecked with the party's thistle logo, it seemed almost like real politics.

But the vision statement showed no sign of policies, Mr Stirling stuttered through a surreal speech, and in spite of talk about concern for underprivileged the champagne and canapes soon arrived.

Never quite answered were a series of real questions: What is Scottish Voice for, as opposed to what it is against? When would it develop some policies, or sign up some candidates, or demonstrate who was bankrolling it? Mr Stirling's fame to date involved an uncle who founded the SAS, wives from the acting profession, and a daughter who starred in a television drama.

He may be right in his belief he has tapped into a general malaise about the shortcomings of what Holyrood has achieved in its eight years of existence and others may well share his distaste for the party machines. "I believe there is a genuine dissatisfaction with Holyrood and people seem to react favourably to the idea that a group of people, if elected, would hold them to account," he said.

But what is the party's own programme? "We will say what we stand for and what our vision is."

Yes, but what are its actual policies? "If it makes you happier we will produce some policies, but it's not policies that improve things. We would prefer to offer vision."

So, can you name any policies? "No, I can't."