New spin doctor to help Alexander’s fightback
Robbie Dinwoodie: "My nomination for the brightest comment on the site"
Labour leader Wendy Alexander's fightback continued yesterday with the appointment of her latest spin doctor and the support of
former First Minister Henry McLeish.
But both developments were to a degree undermined by the new aide's lack of Holyrood or political experience, and Mr McLeish's frank views on Labour's recent difficulties.
Simon Pia is an experienced journalist on the Edinburgh scene, but his background is mainly in humorous writing and sport rather than in
politics.
Mr McLeish's admission that the SNP had played a blinder since last May and that Labour MPs at Westminster had undermined Ms Alexander were both seized on by
the SNP.
The former First Minister said: "The SNP have proved that they've been very popular in government, they've been very effective, they've been very Scottish."
But his criticisms moved on from where the SNP had
got things right to where his
former colleagues had got things very wrong, particularly in terms of MPs' attitudes.
"For some time there's been a problem at Westminster, because part of Wendy Alexander's difficulty is the fact there's a constant sniping from Westminster," he said.
"Labour MPs, ministers, don't accept the reality that the parliament is 10 years old. The parliament has done a tremendous job for Scotland and the genie is out of the
bottle and it won't go back.
"I think he Scotland Office Minister David Cairns was maybe a victim of that kind of view at Westminster and I think the Prime Minister's intervention has said this is the line to take, this is what we're doing'."
Mr McLeish said that Labour had delivered devolution and the Scottish Parliament but had allowed the agenda to be "taken over" by the SNP.
"The SNP have proved that they've been very popular in government, they've been very effective - they've been very Scottish," he said.
"I think what should happen is that Wendy Alexander should be given the space and the time to actually add
a distinctive Scottish brand
to Labour which actually unashamedly is very Scottish, unashamedly wants to be uncompromising in the defence of Scottish interests and she's got to be able to
tell Westminster MPs and
ministers that she's actually in charge of what's going on."
Mr McLeish said that
the constitutional issue will
move on, but said there
was a third way between the
"constitutional fundamentalism" at Westminster or
separation.
"One of the big issues is that Wendy Alexander for the Labour Party needs political space. Alex Salmond is dominating the political landscape of Scotland. What you do need, though, is effective opposition and you do need an effective advocacy of a
third way.
"She now has the opportunity to do that, but the Prime Minister must continue to support and to make sure that
we don't have this extraordinary week in which senior ministers are talking about McChattering classes, suggesting that Labour should be concerned about poverty and nothing else."
Ms Alexander said of Mr Pia's appointment: "Simon is an experienced and respected journalist who I know will make a valuable contribution to Labour's team at Holyrood. Labour is determined to expose every single promise the SNP break and scrutinise every pledge they make."
Mr Pia said his new boss was a steely character with a sense of humour, never "precious, smug or pompous" and said he hoped to be working for her through until she became First Minister in 2011.
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Posted by: Traquir, Alba on 12:08am Tue 19 Feb 08
"Simon Pia is an experienced journalist on the Edinburgh scene, but his background is mainly in humorous writing and sport rather than in politics"
Sound like he has the right job - a sense of humor is clearly
required in joining team Bendy, Zebedee and Jackie the Hutt.
"Simon Pia is an experienced journalist on the Edinburgh scene, but his background is mainly in humorous writing and sport rather than in politics"
Sound like he has the right job - a sense of humor is clearly
required in joining team Bendy, Zebedee and Jackie the Hutt.
Posted by: druidh, Edinburgh on 12:10am Tue 19 Feb 08
Surely as a journalist at the Scotsman he was working for her already??
Surely as a journalist at the Scotsman he was working for her already??
Posted by: Scunnert, Travelling in Nihlon on 12:10am Tue 19 Feb 08
Robbie writes:
[quote]Simon Pia is an experienced journalist on the Edinburgh scene, but his background is mainly in humorous writing and sport rather than in politics.
[/quote]
Simon - not wanting to prove Robbie wrong - gives us his first joke:
[quote]Mr Pia said his new boss was a steely character with a sense of humour, never "precious, smug or pompous" and said he hoped to be working for her through until she became First Minister in 2011.[/quote]
LoL
Robbie writes:
Simon Pia is an experienced journalist on the Edinburgh scene, but his background is mainly in humorous writing and sport rather than in politics.
Simon - not wanting to prove Robbie wrong - gives us his first joke:
Mr Pia said his new boss was a steely character with a sense of humour, never "precious, smug or pompous" and said he hoped to be working for her through until she became First Minister in 2011.
LoL
Posted by: Supershug, Eaglesham on 12:13am Tue 19 Feb 08
Comedy speech writer secured. Get Trinny and Susannah on board and you've got the Wendy dream team.
Comedy speech writer secured. Get Trinny and Susannah on board and you've got the Wendy dream team.
Posted by: Stevie, Bo'ness on 12:13am Tue 19 Feb 08
What a shame, I used to like Simon Pia.
Never realised he was a pia brain. I give him 3 moths max.
What a shame, I used to like Simon Pia.
Never realised he was a pia brain. I give him 3 moths max.
Posted by: Los Angeles, Edinburgh on 12:13am Tue 19 Feb 08
Roll the dice!
Pia will resign in:
One week.
One month.
Two months.
Three months.
Is packing his suitcase now to join Armando Ainnucci as a TV scriptwriter.
Roll the dice!
Pia will resign in:
One week.
One month.
Two months.
Three months.
Is packing his suitcase now to join Armando Ainnucci as a TV scriptwriter.
Posted by: Huttcity, New Zealand on 12:16am Tue 19 Feb 08
Unless it's Doctor Who, I think she's (still) dead in the water
Unless it's Doctor Who, I think she's (still) dead in the water
Posted by: megz, glasgow on 12:16am Tue 19 Feb 08
what is the longest wendy has kept a spin dr?
what is the longest wendy has kept a spin dr?
Posted by: Samoyed, Costa del Menie on 12:20am Tue 19 Feb 08
[quote]Labour is determined to expose every single promise the SNP break and scrutinise every pledge they make."[/quote]
Should Mr Pia call that constructive criticism? would it be humourous or sporty?
Labour is determined to expose every single promise the SNP break and scrutinise every pledge they make."
Should Mr Pia call that constructive criticism? would it be humourous or sporty?
Posted by: Big Stu on 12:22am Tue 19 Feb 08
Here we go, another twister, another professional liar on Scotland's back. What did we do to deserve these people? When did it become perfectly ok to employ someone whose raisond'etre is to distort the truth? Mr Pia, be advised, while you are scrutinising the politicians who are actually trying to genuinely move Scotland and her people forward, you and the liars you work for will be scrutinised in your turn.
Your first effort at spin (actually just stating the opposite of the truth) is a failure. Wendy Alexander is entirely precious, smug and pompous and you are a warped parasite.
Get a real job
Here we go, another twister, another professional liar on Scotland's back. What did we do to deserve these people? When did it become perfectly ok to employ someone whose raisond'etre is to distort the truth? Mr Pia, be advised, while you are scrutinising the politicians who are actually trying to genuinely move Scotland and her people forward, you and the liars you work for will be scrutinised in your turn.
Your first effort at spin (actually just stating the opposite of the truth) is a failure. Wendy Alexander is entirely precious, smug and pompous and you are a warped parasite.
Get a real job
Posted by: Jimbo on 12:25am Tue 19 Feb 08
[quote]Ms Alexander said of Mr Pia's appointment: "Simon is an experienced and respected journalist who I know will make a valuable contribution to Labour's team at Holyrood. Labour is determined to expose every single promise the SNP break and scrutinise every pledge they make."[/quote]
This woman is more obsessed with with her stupid, futile attempts at making the SNP look bad than she is about actually doing anything to make Scotland a better place to live in.
If she and her party would put as much effort into coming up with ideas for policies which would benefit the country instead of spending all their time trying to find ways to trash the SNP Government, they could perhaps earn a little respect.
As things stand right now, it would appear they are under the impression that the sole purpose for their existence is to bring Scottish politics into disrepute, which is the only thing they have excelled at since Alexander's coronation.
Ms Alexander said of Mr Pia's appointment: "Simon is an experienced and respected journalist who I know will make a valuable contribution to Labour's team at Holyrood. Labour is determined to expose every single promise the SNP break and scrutinise every pledge they make."
This woman is more obsessed with with her stupid, futile attempts at making the SNP look bad than she is about actually doing anything to make Scotland a better place to live in.
If she and her party would put as much effort into coming up with ideas for policies which would benefit the country instead of spending all their time trying to find ways to trash the SNP Government, they could perhaps earn a little respect.
As things stand right now, it would appear they are under the impression that the sole purpose for their existence is to bring Scottish politics into disrepute, which is the only thing they have excelled at since Alexander's coronation.
Posted by: doonhamer on 12:26am Tue 19 Feb 08
I hope that Pia was only given a leave of absence by the Scotsman. He will need a job when he gets Wendied or when he realizes the utter futility of his job when Wendy is getting ALEXED every week at FM questions.
I hope that Pia was only given a leave of absence by the Scotsman. He will need a job when he gets Wendied or when he realizes the utter futility of his job when Wendy is getting ALEXED every week at FM questions.
Posted by: Wardog, Buckie on 12:28am Tue 19 Feb 08
Roll on Labour Conference in Aviemore.... who can't wait to hear about their new 'policies' and how after 10 years in power they are NOW the party of the underdog, the dispossessed, the vulnerable and the battered!
Get grip Wendy, nobodies listening to Pravda anymore...
Roll on Labour Conference in Aviemore.... who can't wait to hear about their new 'policies' and how after 10 years in power they are NOW the party of the underdog, the dispossessed, the vulnerable and the battered!
Get grip Wendy, nobodies listening to Pravda anymore...
Posted by: Traquir, Alba on 12:29am Tue 19 Feb 08
I wonder if this is just another example of Gordon Brown taking more control here.
"He was a big star and had a natural way with people," radio presenter Simon Pia, who was taught by Brown during this period, would later recall.
tinyurl.com/2ybrf3
But then again he does have a good sense of humour
so perhaps a good choice :
"When Gordon was speechless"
"GORDON Brown should be shuffled into No 10 sooner rather than later before he is found out. The image of the best Chancellor since Gladstone (or including Gladstone, as Gordon would have it) may be dunted somewhat if Janey Godley doesn’t keep her trap shut.
The comedienne and Channel 4 regular was telling us that her book, Handstands in the Dark, is about to come out, and in the course of the conversation she told a tale of the time when she used to run a bar in the East End of Glasgow - seems like a millennium ago, as the Tories were still in power. During an election, she let the local Labour Party use a spare room next door. One night, Gordon Brown came in and walked up to the bar with a long list of drinks to buy for "the troops". He delivered the order in classic Brownian tones, and Janey whispered to her barman, Wullie: "He’s the shadow chancellor. He’ll be the guy who controls the cash when he gets into power."
They both smiled as Gordon added up the order with his wee pen. "That’ll be £34, please," said Janey, overcharging him by £12. "He blinked and then simply handed over his cash. I stood there smiling, but Wullie was aghast.
"See, Wullie," Janey says in front of the bar, "he either can’t count or can’t cope with me overcharging him and winnae challenge me. And that’s why I will never vote Labour."
Brown blushed as he struggled to get all the drinks on to one tray. "Mr Brown, don’t overload the tray," said Janey, "you may find you have taken on more than you can carry." But if you knew Janey like we know Janey, you wouldn’t blame Gordon. "
By Simon Pia - tinyurl.com/2yl9l5
I wonder if this is just another example of Gordon Brown taking more control here.
"He was a big star and had a natural way with people," radio presenter Simon Pia, who was taught by Brown during this period, would later recall.
tinyurl.com/2ybrf3
But then again he does have a good sense of humour
so perhaps a good choice :
"When Gordon was speechless"
"GORDON Brown should be shuffled into No 10 sooner rather than later before he is found out. The image of the best Chancellor since Gladstone (or including Gladstone, as Gordon would have it) may be dunted somewhat if Janey Godley doesn’t keep her trap shut.
The comedienne and Channel 4 regular was telling us that her book, Handstands in the Dark, is about to come out, and in the course of the conversation she told a tale of the time when she used to run a bar in the East End of Glasgow - seems like a millennium ago, as the Tories were still in power. During an election, she let the local Labour Party use a spare room next door. One night, Gordon Brown came in and walked up to the bar with a long list of drinks to buy for "the troops". He delivered the order in classic Brownian tones, and Janey whispered to her barman, Wullie: "He’s the shadow chancellor. He’ll be the guy who controls the cash when he gets into power."
They both smiled as Gordon added up the order with his wee pen. "That’ll be £34, please," said Janey, overcharging him by £12. "He blinked and then simply handed over his cash. I stood there smiling, but Wullie was aghast.
"See, Wullie," Janey says in front of the bar, "he either can’t count or can’t cope with me overcharging him and winnae challenge me. And that’s why I will never vote Labour."
Brown blushed as he struggled to get all the drinks on to one tray. "Mr Brown, don’t overload the tray," said Janey, "you may find you have taken on more than you can carry." But if you knew Janey like we know Janey, you wouldn’t blame Gordon. "
By Simon Pia - tinyurl.com/2yl9l5
Posted by: Sean Connery for President, Perth on 12:29am Tue 19 Feb 08
Big Stu
On the button!
[quote]Here we go, another twister, another professional liar on Scotland's back. What did we do to deserve these people? When did it become perfectly ok to employ someone whose raisond'etre is to distort the truth? Mr Pia, be advised, while you are scrutinising the politicians who are actually trying to genuinely move Scotland and her people forward, you and the liars you work for will be scrutinised in your turn.[/quote]
Big Stu
On the button!
Here we go, another twister, another professional liar on Scotland's back. What did we do to deserve these people? When did it become perfectly ok to employ someone whose raisond'etre is to distort the truth? Mr Pia, be advised, while you are scrutinising the politicians who are actually trying to genuinely move Scotland and her people forward, you and the liars you work for will be scrutinised in your turn.
Posted by: David, Scotland on 12:31am Tue 19 Feb 08
Scottish Labour have not managed to get to grips with the real aspects of opposition in a devolved parliament. It is not enough to snipe and groan at pretended wrongs but it must be about belief in Scotland and positive fine tuning the governments endeavours. [bold]It is NOT all about Wendy[/bold] .
Scottish Labour have not managed to get to grips with the real aspects of opposition in a devolved parliament. It is not enough to snipe and groan at pretended wrongs but it must be about belief in Scotland and positive fine tuning the governments endeavours.
It is NOT all about Wendy .
Posted by: Karin, glasgae. on 12:34am Tue 19 Feb 08
whit number are we on noo. Is it fourth or fifth?
I have lost count .
same with the donations etc lost count of the number of them we have heard about.
whit number are we on noo. Is it fourth or fifth?
I have lost count .
same with the donations etc lost count of the number of them we have heard about.
Posted by: Karin, glasgae. on 12:38am Tue 19 Feb 08
ah well yet another party poltical propaganda peice by the labour party.
ah well yet another party poltical propaganda peice by the labour party.
Posted by: Karin, glasgae. on 12:38am Tue 19 Feb 08
boring
Posted by: Wardog, Buckie on 12:40am Tue 19 Feb 08
[bold]Wee Wendy[/bold] - Vulnerable, Battered and very likely soon to be Dispossessed by Overlord Brown
Wee Wendy - Vulnerable, Battered and very likely soon to be Dispossessed by Overlord Brown
Posted by: Jimbo on 12:49am Tue 19 Feb 08
As [bold]Traquir[/bold] points out, this guy is a pal of Gordon Brown.
Did Alexander have any say in this appointment?
Has Brown put him in the job to keep an eye on Alexander?
Has he been imposed on Wendy in the same way that she was imposed on Labour's Scottish branch?
As
Traquir points out, this guy is a pal of Gordon Brown.
Did Alexander have any say in this appointment?
Has Brown put him in the job to keep an eye on Alexander?
Has he been imposed on Wendy in the same way that she was imposed on Labour's Scottish branch?
Posted by: Los Angeles, Edinburgh on 12:52am Tue 19 Feb 08
Big Stu[quote]Here we go, another professional liar on Scotland's back.[/quote] Here [bold][italic]he[/italic][/bold] goes - soon enough.
Is the Scotsman less of a slaughter shop than Wendy's office? Why anybody would want to walk into a pit of sleaze is a mystery.
Big Stu
Here we go, another professional liar on Scotland's back.
Here
he goes - soon enough.
Is the Scotsman less of a slaughter shop than Wendy's office? Why anybody would want to walk into a pit of sleaze is a mystery.
Posted by: pehman, sussex on 12:57am Tue 19 Feb 08
Right Mr Pia, for your first job, why not tell us what Henry really meant to say---
Mr McLeish's admission that the SNP had played a blinder since last May and that Labour MPs at Westminster had undermined Ms Alexander were both seized on by the SNP.
The former First Minister said: "The SNP have proved that they've been very popular in government, they've been very effective, they've been very Scottish."
Seems clear enough to me !
Right Mr Pia, for your first job, why not tell us what Henry really meant to say---
Mr McLeish's admission that the SNP had played a blinder since last May and that Labour MPs at Westminster had undermined Ms Alexander were both seized on by the SNP.
The former First Minister said: "The SNP have proved that they've been very popular in government, they've been very effective, they've been very Scottish."
Seems clear enough to me !
Posted by: Sean Connery for President, Perth on 1:03am Tue 19 Feb 08
For your second job Mr Pia
Can you explain the confusion surrounding SIF? Is it a Labour fund raising forum or an "Independent Business Organisation"
For your second job Mr Pia
Can you explain the confusion surrounding SIF? Is it a Labour fund raising forum or an "Independent Business Organisation"
Posted by: Karin, glasgae. on 1:20am Tue 19 Feb 08
here i just thought now we get to say
PIA ---------- NOOOOOOOOOOOOO
pia-no will now be trying to compose some spin for the wendy waltz of shame.
here i just thought now we get to say
PIA ---------- NOOOOOOOOOOOOO
pia-no will now be trying to compose some spin for the wendy waltz of shame.
Posted by: Karin, glasgae. on 1:22am Tue 19 Feb 08
will pia- no get make all to sing from the same crib/song sheet like wendy.
will pia- no get make all to sing from the same crib/song sheet like wendy.
Posted by: Karin, glasgae. on 1:23am Tue 19 Feb 08
pia pia pia noooooooooooooooooo
pia pia pia noooooooooooooooooo
Posted by: allymax, uk on 1:24am Tue 19 Feb 08
He's an experienced sports journalist?
Can we look forward to sporting cliche's and one-line tabloid headlines?
McNuLab really have no where to go now.
But I really love it! Don't go Wendy, please stay.
Vote SNP for a better, fairer independent Scotland.
He's an experienced sports journalist?
Can we look forward to sporting cliche's and one-line tabloid headlines?
McNuLab really have no where to go now.
But I really love it! Don't go Wendy, please stay.
Vote SNP for a better, fairer independent Scotland.
Posted by: Scunnert, Travelling in Nihlon on 1:50am Tue 19 Feb 08
"Little Miss Can't Be Wrong" - By The Spin Doctors - New Version
Be a whole lot easier if the bratch left town
Be a whole lot happier without her face around
Nobody upstairs gonna stomp and shout
Nobody at the back door gonna wash your laundry out
She hold the shotgun while you spin and lie
She want one man made Cyrano by the by
Be a whole lot easier if the bratch was gone
Little miss, little miss, little miss can't be wrong
Little miss, little miss, little miss can't be wrong
Ain't nobody gonna bow no more when you sing your song
Little miss, little miss, little miss can't be wrong
What'cha gonna do to get your gong?
Other peoples' thoughts, they ain't your hand-me-downs
Would it be so bad to simply turn around
You cook the books so well, all nice and French
You do your brain surgery too mamma, with your monkey wrench
Little miss, little miss, little miss can't be wrong
Ain't nobody gonna bow no more when you sing your song
Little miss, little miss, little miss can't be wrong
What'cha gonna do to get your gong?
Yeah
Can't be wrong
No, no, no
Can't be wrong
Oh, you can't be wrong
Can't be wrong
Can't be wrong
No, no, no
I hope them porkie pies are gonna make you cough
I hope you heard this song and it pished you off
I take that back I hope your doing fine
And if I had the money I might give you nine hundred and ninety-nine
Little miss, little miss, little miss can't be wrong
Ain't nobody gonna bow no more when you sing your song
Little miss, little miss, little miss can't be wrong
What'cha gonna do to get your gong?
Ah
Little miss, little miss, little miss can't be wrong, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
Oh, you can't be wrong
Oh, you can't be wrong
You can't be wrong
Oh
Little miss, little miss, little miss can't be wrong, no
Oh, you can't be wrong
Little miss, little miss, little miss can't be wrong, whoah
"Little Miss Can't Be Wrong" - By The Spin Doctors - New Version
Be a whole lot easier if the bratch left town
Be a whole lot happier without her face around
Nobody upstairs gonna stomp and shout
Nobody at the back door gonna wash your laundry out
She hold the shotgun while you spin and lie
She want one man made Cyrano by the by
Be a whole lot easier if the bratch was gone
Little miss, little miss, little miss can't be wrong
Little miss, little miss, little miss can't be wrong
Ain't nobody gonna bow no more when you sing your song
Little miss, little miss, little miss can't be wrong
What'cha gonna do to get your gong?
Other peoples' thoughts, they ain't your hand-me-downs
Would it be so bad to simply turn around
You cook the books so well, all nice and French
You do your brain surgery too mamma, with your monkey wrench
Little miss, little miss, little miss can't be wrong
Ain't nobody gonna bow no more when you sing your song
Little miss, little miss, little miss can't be wrong
What'cha gonna do to get your gong?
Yeah
Can't be wrong
No, no, no
Can't be wrong
Oh, you can't be wrong
Can't be wrong
Can't be wrong
No, no, no
I hope them porkie pies are gonna make you cough
I hope you heard this song and it pished you off
I take that back I hope your doing fine
And if I had the money I might give you nine hundred and ninety-nine
Little miss, little miss, little miss can't be wrong
Ain't nobody gonna bow no more when you sing your song
Little miss, little miss, little miss can't be wrong
What'cha gonna do to get your gong?
Ah
Little miss, little miss, little miss can't be wrong, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
Oh, you can't be wrong
Oh, you can't be wrong
You can't be wrong
Oh
Little miss, little miss, little miss can't be wrong, no
Oh, you can't be wrong
Little miss, little miss, little miss can't be wrong, whoah
Posted by: Traquir, Alba on 3:39am Tue 19 Feb 08
The Scottish Industry Forum is going to be a good first test - will
be very interesting to see how this is spun.
This looks more and more like a clear breach of the law.
From the Electoral Commission website :
"Under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act (PPERA) 2000, third parties that wish to spend more £5,000 in Scotland supporting or opposing a party or group of candidates
MUST register with us as a recognised third party."
On the 29th of Nov 2003 the Scottish Industry Forum
donated £10,000.00 to Wendy Alexander.
In the last few days Wendy, Lord Foulkes and Lord
Robertson have confirmed that Scottish Industry Forum
is a Labour Party Vehicle
i.e. they are "supporting or opposing a party or group
of candidates" in direct contravention of the
PPERA Act 2000.
Additionally the Scottish Industry Forum has
held dinners in March and June 2002, which were attended by Tory
fundraiser John McGlynn, SNP-supporting businessman Laurie
Clark and Scottish Television political editor Bernard Ponsonby. Despite the dinners being billed as for 'Renfrewshire Renaissance',
the SIF later gave Alexander GBP 12,000 generated from the events
towards her campaign to become re-elected as MSP for Paisley
North in 2003. The 10,000 came from this 12,000.
Sir Alistair Graham, the former chairman of the Commons committee
on standards in public life, has been quoted as saying: "It is fairly fraudulent to invite people as paying guests to discuss one subject,
when the real purpose is to collect money for a political party."
Spin away Mr Pia - a great first challenge - if you can
win this one you will have truly earned your stripes.
Turning it into a joke won't I don't think work
this time, Baron Zebedee has already tried that approach.
The Scottish Industry Forum is going to be a good first test - will
be very interesting to see how this is spun.
This looks more and more like a clear breach of the law.
From the Electoral Commission website :
"Under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act (PPERA) 2000, third parties that wish to spend more £5,000 in Scotland supporting or opposing a party or group of candidates
MUST register with us as a recognised third party."
On the 29th of Nov 2003 the Scottish Industry Forum
donated £10,000.00 to Wendy Alexander.
In the last few days Wendy, Lord Foulkes and Lord
Robertson have confirmed that Scottish Industry Forum
is a Labour Party Vehicle
i.e. they are "supporting or opposing a party or group
of candidates" in direct contravention of the
PPERA Act 2000.
Additionally the Scottish Industry Forum has
held dinners in March and June 2002, which were attended by Tory
fundraiser John McGlynn, SNP-supporting businessman Laurie
Clark and Scottish Television political editor Bernard Ponsonby. Despite the dinners being billed as for 'Renfrewshire Renaissance',
the SIF later gave Alexander GBP 12,000 generated from the events
towards her campaign to become re-elected as MSP for Paisley
North in 2003. The 10,000 came from this 12,000.
Sir Alistair Graham, the former chairman of the Commons committee
on standards in public life, has been quoted as saying: "It is fairly fraudulent to invite people as paying guests to discuss one subject,
when the real purpose is to collect money for a political party."
Spin away Mr Pia - a great first challenge - if you can
win this one you will have truly earned your stripes.
Turning it into a joke won't I don't think work
this time, Baron Zebedee has already tried that approach.
Posted by: Scunnert, Travelling in Nihlon on 4:23am Tue 19 Feb 08
Traquir, Alba on 3:39am today;
Great post man!
Traquir, Alba on 3:39am today;
Great post man!
Posted by: Donald Anderson, glasgow on 5:22am Tue 19 Feb 08
Are we taking bets on how long he will last?
Bombing Iraq was a rerr joke. How is he gonny spin that and Trident and the Union Jack?
Are we taking bets on how long he will last?
Bombing Iraq was a rerr joke. How is he gonny spin that and Trident and the Union Jack?
Posted by: Donald Anderson, glasgow on 5:22am Tue 19 Feb 08
Are we taking bets on how long he will last?
Bombing Iraq was a rerr joke. How is he gonny spin that and Trident and the Union Jack?
Are we taking bets on how long he will last?
Bombing Iraq was a rerr joke. How is he gonny spin that and Trident and the Union Jack?
Posted by: pencildick on 5:28am Tue 19 Feb 08
He said he "hoped to be working for her through untill she became first minister in 2011"
tee hee hee
Whaurs the Bookies.
His background is mainly in humorous writing and doesnt it show.
He said he "hoped to be working for her through untill she became first minister in 2011"
tee hee hee
Whaurs the Bookies.
His background is mainly in humorous writing and doesnt it show.
Posted by: Rock Lobster, North o the Tay on 5:38am Tue 19 Feb 08
Here come's Donald, at the double.
Here come's Donald, at the double.
Posted by: tommiking@gmail.com, UK on 5:44am Tue 19 Feb 08
[bold]GOOD DAY TO BURY BAD NEWS BROWN SPINS AS MUCH AS BLAIR[/bold]
[bold]Jacqui Smith buries a minority report[/bold]
Whilst everyone is still talking about Northern Rock there was something else announced today it seems. The Home Secretary made some statements about crime. Specifically she said she wanted to reduce violent crime because it was quite bad.
You must of course ignore the fact that only a few weeks ago she was telling us how safe we all were so long as we didn't walk the streets after midnight. What struck me as one of those things that has been quite usefully buried by the Northern Rock disaster was this little announcement though.
[the Government will be] investing over £20 million over the next three years to support the rollout of multi-agency interventions and information sharing, involving local police, local councils, voluntary groups and health workers, across the country to manage and identify people at risk of committing serious violence as well as providing support for victims
Got that? £20 million to be spent on what is essentially a "pre-crime unit" (see this). Scary stuff really, they're going to start identifying and targeting people that they think 'might' commit a crime before the crime they might commit has happened yet.
How will they do this? Well, like it says, they're going to share data between all and sundry right down to volunteers at a local level. That's the plan of the Government that lost 25 million personal data records; hard drives and laptops.
That's the same Government led by a Prime Minister who is currently carrying out a "review" on data security, saying that its going to start sharing data with God knows who, in order to figure out if you 'might' commit a crime, and then go after them to stop them doing what they have not done yet but that their sociological algorithm predicts they will.
What a marvelous day to announce that you plan to target people who have not committed a crime but that you think might do on the basic assumption that you can share lots of personal data about them with every Tom, Dick and Harry. Pass the spade, I have a Minority Report I need to bury.
GOOD DAY TO BURY BAD NEWS BROWN SPINS AS MUCH AS BLAIR
Jacqui Smith buries a minority report
Whilst everyone is still talking about Northern Rock there was something else announced today it seems. The Home Secretary made some statements about crime. Specifically she said she wanted to reduce violent crime because it was quite bad.
You must of course ignore the fact that only a few weeks ago she was telling us how safe we all were so long as we didn't walk the streets after midnight. What struck me as one of those things that has been quite usefully buried by the Northern Rock disaster was this little announcement though.
investing over £20 million over the next three years to support the rollout of multi-agency interventions and information sharing, involving local police, local councils, voluntary groups and health workers, across the country to manage and identify people at risk of committing serious violence as well as providing support for victims
Got that? £20 million to be spent on what is essentially a "pre-crime unit" (see this). Scary stuff really, they're going to start identifying and targeting people that they think 'might' commit a crime before the crime they might commit has happened yet.
How will they do this? Well, like it says, they're going to share data between all and sundry right down to volunteers at a local level. That's the plan of the Government that lost 25 million personal data records; hard drives and laptops.
That's the same Government led by a Prime Minister who is currently carrying out a "review" on data security, saying that its going to start sharing data with God knows who, in order to figure out if you 'might' commit a crime, and then go after them to stop them doing what they have not done yet but that their sociological algorithm predicts they will.
What a marvelous day to announce that you plan to target people who have not committed a crime but that you think might do on the basic assumption that you can share lots of personal data about them with every Tom, Dick and Harry. Pass the spade, I have a Minority Report I need to bury.
Posted by: Donald Anderson, glasgow on 5:53am Tue 19 Feb 08
Brown welcomes independent Kosovo
"I think that is a very strong position on which to build. I believe other countries will follow in due course," he said. (Guess which countries he hopes does not follow suit?)
http://www.theherald
.co.uk/national_news
/index.var.185830.0.
brown_welcomes_indep
endent_kosovo.php
Spin that.
Brown welcomes independent Kosovo
"I think that is a very strong position on which to build. I believe other countries will follow in due course," he said. (Guess which countries he hopes does not follow suit?)
http://www.theherald
.co.uk/national_news
/index.var.185830.0.
brown_welcomes_indep
endent_kosovo.php
Spin that.
Posted by: Donald Anderson, glasgow on 5:53am Tue 19 Feb 08
Brown welcomes independent Kosovo
"I think that is a very strong position on which to build. I believe other countries will follow in due course," he said. (Guess which countries he hopes does not follow suit?)
http://www.theherald
.co.uk/national_news
/index.var.185830.0.
brown_welcomes_indep
endent_kosovo.php
Spin that.
Brown welcomes independent Kosovo
"I think that is a very strong position on which to build. I believe other countries will follow in due course," he said. (Guess which countries he hopes does not follow suit?)
http://www.theherald
.co.uk/national_news
/index.var.185830.0.
brown_welcomes_indep
endent_kosovo.php
Spin that.
Posted by: Scunnert, Travelling in Nihlon on 6:00am Tue 19 Feb 08
[bold]tommiking@gmail.com, UK on 5:44am today:
Scary stuff indeed. CCTV, bugged 'phones, intercepted e-mails, web surfing monitored, stop and search, administrative detentions, trials in-camera without access to evidence, government departments and councils using lie detector software during 'phone calls to their constituents, and Bio-metric ID Cards - democracy - Grand!.[/bold]
tommiking@gmail.com, UK on 5:44am today:
Scary stuff indeed. CCTV, bugged 'phones, intercepted e-mails, web surfing monitored, stop and search, administrative detentions, trials in-camera without access to evidence, government departments and councils using lie detector software during 'phone calls to their constituents, and Bio-metric ID Cards - democracy - Grand!. Posted by: Saul Tyre, Germany on 6:14am Tue 19 Feb 08
'Labour leader Wendy Alexander's fightback continued yesterday with the appointment of her latest spin doctor and [bold]the support of former First Minister Henry McLeish.'[/bold]
Am I the only one who thinks Henry McLeish is an SNP mole?
'Labour leader Wendy Alexander's fightback continued yesterday with the appointment of her latest spin doctor and
the support of former First Minister Henry McLeish.'
Am I the only one who thinks Henry McLeish is an SNP mole?
Posted by: Los Angeles, Edinburgh on 6:23am Tue 19 Feb 08
Scunnert [quote] CCTV, bugged 'phones, intercepted e-mails, web surfing monitored, stop and search, administrative detentions, trials in-camera without access to evidence, government departments and councils using lie detector software during 'phone calls to their constituents, and Bio-metric ID Cards - democracy - Grand!.[/quote] And that's just getting a fornight's social security from the Job Centre.
Scunnert
CCTV, bugged 'phones, intercepted e-mails, web surfing monitored, stop and search, administrative detentions, trials in-camera without access to evidence, government departments and councils using lie detector software during 'phone calls to their constituents, and Bio-metric ID Cards - democracy - Grand!.
And that's just getting a fornight's social security from the Job Centre.
Posted by: McNasty, Edinburgh on 6:55am Tue 19 Feb 08
Another victim for the poison pill.
Another victim for the poison pill.
Posted by: The Watcher, Scotland on 7:28am Tue 19 Feb 08
Simon Pia and his co-host were taken out for dinner one Friday, to be told they wouldn't be hosting the Drive-Time slot on Talk 107, the following Monday. In effect they were fired with two days notice.
They were replaced by the former (and bitter) XFM Scotland jock, Dominik Diamond. Check out the Sunday Herald for Dominik's rant against XFM. Where he calls his ex-bosses Morons:
http://www.sundayher
ald.com/business/bus
inessnews/display.va
r.2050516.0.diamond_
brands_his_exbosses_
morons.php
Simon Pia and his co-host were taken out for dinner one Friday, to be told they wouldn't be hosting the Drive-Time slot on Talk 107, the following Monday. In effect they were fired with two days notice.
They were replaced by the former (and bitter) XFM Scotland jock, Dominik Diamond. Check out the Sunday Herald for Dominik's rant against XFM. Where he calls his ex-bosses Morons:
http://www.sundayher
ald.com/business/bus
inessnews/display.va
r.2050516.0.diamond_
brands_his_exbosses_
morons.php
Posted by: megz, glasgow on 7:58am Tue 19 Feb 08
whit number are we on noo. Is it fourth or fifth?
depends on whether you count kieron cross or not, seems most aren't though maybe so it doesn't sound so bad.
whit number are we on noo. Is it fourth or fifth?
depends on whether you count kieron cross or not, seems most aren't though maybe so it doesn't sound so bad.
Posted by: daveymac, web on 8:00am Tue 19 Feb 08
Wendy doesnt need a new Spin Doctor, she needs
a) A Witch Doctor
b) some good lawyers
c) Some decent researchers who will work for a minimum wage (no family members, please).
c) lots more donations to pay for it all.
Send your support to :ThePaisleyPleaderFo
rum.com.
P.S. OverSeas and Channel Islands donation send to WendysDirtyLaundry.o
rg
Wendy doesnt need a new Spin Doctor, she needs
a) A Witch Doctor
b) some good lawyers
c) Some decent researchers who will work for a minimum wage (no family members, please).
c) lots more donations to pay for it all.
Send your support to :ThePaisleyPleaderFo
rum.com.
P.S. OverSeas and Channel Islands donation send to WendysDirtyLaundry.o
rg
Posted by: steve4349, larbet on 8:09am Tue 19 Feb 08
a back ground in humorous writing,thats good,so we can expect in the future comments to go along with pictures of wendy and the jersey coo,like seaside postcards
a back ground in humorous writing,thats good,so we can expect in the future comments to go along with pictures of wendy and the jersey coo,like seaside postcards
Posted by: spagan, heisker, scotland on 8:22am Tue 19 Feb 08
Poor Simon!!!
Sacked by the Scotsman.
Then sacked by Radio Talk 107.
I'm guessing that his work on the book he co-authored with Irvine Welsh in 2005 will be invaluable in his new role with Oor Wendy.
Its title?
[quote][italic][bold]Alive and Kicking: A Story of Crime, Addiction and Redemption in Glasgow's Gangland[/bold] [/italic] [/quote]
Wonder what his next publication will be called?
Poor Simon!!!
Sacked by the Scotsman.
Then sacked by Radio Talk 107.
I'm guessing that his work on the book he co-authored with Irvine Welsh in 2005 will be invaluable in his new role with Oor Wendy.
Its title?
Alive and Kicking: A Story of Crime, Addiction and Redemption in Glasgow's Gangland
Wonder what his next publication will be called?
Posted by: Duns Scotus, The Borders on 8:28am Tue 19 Feb 08
Wendy, Zebedee and Simon - no, not a new children's TV programme. It is the trio trying to plug leaks.
Pee-er, peer & Pia = Mission Impossible.
This fantasy threesome was prophesised by the spin doctor who never was - Kerron Cross, who knew the alternative name for dandelions. This from his website - [quote]Your superpower is that you smell like dandelions whenever someone lies. How will you maintain your secret identity?
Ensure I never hang around liars.[/quote]
Wendy, Zebedee and Simon - no, not a new children's TV programme. It is the trio trying to plug leaks.
Pee-er, peer & Pia = Mission Impossible.
This fantasy threesome was prophesised by the spin doctor who never was - Kerron Cross, who knew the alternative name for dandelions. This from his website -
Your superpower is that you smell like dandelions whenever someone lies. How will you maintain your secret identity?
Ensure I never hang around liars.
Posted by: Carlung, Haddington on 8:35am Tue 19 Feb 08
Another useless 'dep' for Alexander's Ragtime Band!
Another useless 'dep' for Alexander's Ragtime Band!
Posted by: BM, Glasgow on 8:47am Tue 19 Feb 08
Will he last
1)hours
2) days
3) weeks
4) months
before going the way of the last four and deciding that this is not a woman who can be worked with?
Will he last
1)hours
2) days
3) weeks
4) months
before going the way of the last four and deciding that this is not a woman who can be worked with?
Posted by: megz, glasgow on 8:52am Tue 19 Feb 08
i think he will last atleast a month.
i think he will last atleast a month.
Posted by: BM, Glasgow on 8:54am Tue 19 Feb 08
[quote][bold]Karin[/bold] wrote:
whit number are we on noo. Is it fourth or fifth?
I have lost count .
same with the donations etc lost count of the number of them we have heard about. [/quote] That depends on how you count them. Three previous ones have already done the job, but one resigned between being appointed and taking up the work. I would count him too, making the Holy Woman (which is what Pia means) fifth.
Karin wrote:
whit number are we on noo. Is it fourth or fifth?
I have lost count .
same with the donations etc lost count of the number of them we have heard about.
That depends on how you count them. Three previous ones have already done the job, but one resigned between being appointed and taking up the work. I would count him too, making the Holy Woman (which is what Pia means) fifth.
Posted by: BM, Glasgow on 8:54am Tue 19 Feb 08
[quote][bold]Karin[/bold] wrote:
whit number are we on noo. Is it fourth or fifth?
I have lost count .
same with the donations etc lost count of the number of them we have heard about. [/quote] That depends on how you count them. Three previous ones have already done the job, but one resigned between being appointed and taking up the work. I would count him too, making the Holy Woman (which is what Pia means) fifth.
Karin wrote:
whit number are we on noo. Is it fourth or fifth?
I have lost count .
same with the donations etc lost count of the number of them we have heard about.
That depends on how you count them. Three previous ones have already done the job, but one resigned between being appointed and taking up the work. I would count him too, making the Holy Woman (which is what Pia means) fifth.
Posted by: Goatmeister, glasgow on 9:01am Tue 19 Feb 08
Am I the only Nationalist who feels slightly uneasy about the vitriol being spouted by some of my fellow 'CyberNats'?
I'm all for slating the Scottish Labour Party. But sometimes I think it's just knee-jerk stuff and there's the same abuse dished out to every story. There's plenty of genuinely scandalous stuff pumped out by Scottish Labour... let's be slightly discriminating.
In an attempt to kick off a more reasoned discussion... I actually think Henry McLeish is speaking a lot of sense here. If I was a Unionist (which I'm not), he would be 'my kind of Unionist'... He certainly puts forward a view of Scotland that isn't all about an umbilical chord to England, cringing about everything that's wholly Scottish, and us not being capable of running our own affairs.
Am I the only Nationalist who feels slightly uneasy about the vitriol being spouted by some of my fellow 'CyberNats'?
I'm all for slating the Scottish Labour Party. But sometimes I think it's just knee-jerk stuff and there's the same abuse dished out to every story. There's plenty of genuinely scandalous stuff pumped out by Scottish Labour... let's be slightly discriminating.
In an attempt to kick off a more reasoned discussion... I actually think Henry McLeish is speaking a lot of sense here. If I was a Unionist (which I'm not), he would be 'my kind of Unionist'... He certainly puts forward a view of Scotland that isn't all about an umbilical chord to England, cringing about everything that's wholly Scottish, and us not being capable of running our own affairs.
Posted by: indyleith, edinburgh on 9:02am Tue 19 Feb 08
Simon Pia will have to tell us all that Scotland is not a country or we dont deserve our independence unlike all the other independent nations on this planet.. Labour's desperation will get worse, Pia will twist the truth (spin is labour speak) on this one that he will spin his way into orbit.
Regarding Wendy's alleged fightback, does that mean more scaremongering of all walks of life and huge dollops of negativity along with 'i'm no listening to you lot but i will tell youse whats good for you'. Labour are on a hiding to nothing.
Simon Pia will have to tell us all that Scotland is not a country or we dont deserve our independence unlike all the other independent nations on this planet.. Labour's desperation will get worse, Pia will twist the truth (spin is labour speak) on this one that he will spin his way into orbit.
Regarding Wendy's alleged fightback, does that mean more scaremongering of all walks of life and huge dollops of negativity along with 'i'm no listening to you lot but i will tell youse whats good for you'. Labour are on a hiding to nothing.
Posted by: megz, glasgow on 9:06am Tue 19 Feb 08
I don't see how they can support independence for kosovo and not scotland.
I don't see how they can support independence for kosovo and not scotland.
Posted by: Old school, Ayrshire on 9:07am Tue 19 Feb 08
Carlung good morning
I think Wendy's band is ready to disband.
Carlung good morning
I think Wendy's band is ready to disband.
Posted by: Carlung, Haddington on 9:08am Tue 19 Feb 08
A JOURNALIST who once described Wendy Alexander as "Gruppenfuhrer" has been appointed as the Labour leader's new spin doctor. I think we're in for some jolly fun!
A JOURNALIST who once described Wendy Alexander as "Gruppenfuhrer" has been appointed as the Labour leader's new spin doctor. I think we're in for some jolly fun!
Posted by: BM, Glasgow on 9:09am Tue 19 Feb 08
From the Wikipedia article "Simon Says"
[quote]If Simon says "Simon says jump", the players must jump (players that do not jump are out). However, if Simon says simply "jump", without first saying "Simon says", players do not jump; those that do jump are out.[/quote]
The work of a spin doctor described.
From the Wikipedia article "Simon Says"
If Simon says "Simon says jump", the players must jump (players that do not jump are out). However, if Simon says simply "jump", without first saying "Simon says", players do not jump; those that do jump are out.
The work of a spin doctor described.
Posted by: sociowoman, Dundee on 9:18am Tue 19 Feb 08
Henry Macleish?
Eh?
Now, given what happened to him that really is a no brainer. Birds of a feather eh?
They are going to get humped at the next election.
Henry Macleish?
Eh?
Now, given what happened to him that really is a no brainer. Birds of a feather eh?
They are going to get humped at the next election.
Posted by: sociowoman, Dundee on 9:21am Tue 19 Feb 08
Labour, are to become more Scottish, says, Henry.
What a buffoon.
WHY would I vote Labour if they were more Scottish? Surely I would vote SNP. If Labour do as he says more Labour voters will vote SNP.
Labour, are to become more Scottish, says, Henry.
What a buffoon.
WHY would I vote Labour if they were more Scottish? Surely I would vote SNP. If Labour do as he says more Labour voters will vote SNP.
Posted by: indyleith, edinburgh on 9:23am Tue 19 Feb 08
Been looking for news of Kosovo's independence on the herald now that they have the backing of the USA, cant find this story. Why is the herald not covering this along with a forum to give our views? After all Gordon Brown said he welcomed Kosovo's independence ... Could it be that his and labour's agenda and rank hypocrisy would shine through regarding their opposition to his/their own country Scotland's independence?
And the press wonder why we think they are aiding and abetting labour and the union. They prove our point. Shameful.
Been looking for news of Kosovo's independence on the herald now that they have the backing of the USA, cant find this story. Why is the herald not covering this along with a forum to give our views? After all Gordon Brown said he welcomed Kosovo's independence ... Could it be that his and labour's agenda and rank hypocrisy would shine through regarding their opposition to his/their own country Scotland's independence?
And the press wonder why we think they are aiding and abetting labour and the union. They prove our point. Shameful.
Posted by: megz, glasgow on 9:23am Tue 19 Feb 08
it is funny to think that mcleish and mcletchie were hounded out for less. Yet here we have ms alexander going from one scandal to the next and yet here she stays.
it is funny to think that mcleish and mcletchie were hounded out for less. Yet here we have ms alexander going from one scandal to the next and yet here she stays.
Posted by: sociowoman, Dundee on 9:23am Tue 19 Feb 08
Labour, are to become more Scottish, says, Henry.
What a buffoon.
WHY would I vote Labour if they were more Scottish? Surely I would vote SNP. If Labour do as he says more Labour voters will vote SNP.
Labour, are to become more Scottish, says, Henry.
What a buffoon.
WHY would I vote Labour if they were more Scottish? Surely I would vote SNP. If Labour do as he says more Labour voters will vote SNP.
Posted by: tapsalteerie, Edinburgh on 9:50am Tue 19 Feb 08
spin doctor for Wendy? is that like a poisoned chalice for a job or what? would you go work for someone like this after all the bad news? She must be paying him a "risk premium" on top of normal spin doctor rates to take the job.
spin doctor for Wendy? is that like a poisoned chalice for a job or what? would you go work for someone like this after all the bad news? She must be paying him a "risk premium" on top of normal spin doctor rates to take the job.
Posted by: Los Angeles, Edinburgh on 9:55am Tue 19 Feb 08
[bold][quote]New spin doctor to help Alexander’s fightback[/quote][/bold] Since when did "fight" and "back" become one word?
And would a more apt description of her current precarious political predicament and femme fatale personality not be "claw back"?
The press is puffing her up for another fall, and another spin doctor walkout. Since when did "walk" and "out" become one word? Yawn.
"Spin Doctor" - the new drama series from the company that gave you "Neighbours." set in Labour's heartland, an everyday story of perscription drugs, plate spinning, and dud cheques. Episode One: The spin doctor goes walkabout in the outback without a backpack. Ms Wendy claims the dingoes got him.
Aye, she'd be a charmer if it wasn't for her personality.
New spin doctor to help Alexander’s fightback
Since when did "fight" and "back" become one word?
And would a more apt description of her current precarious political predicament and femme fatale personality not be "claw back"?
The press is puffing her up for another fall, and another spin doctor walkout. Since when did "walk" and "out" become one word? Yawn.
"Spin Doctor" - the new drama series from the company that gave you "Neighbours." set in Labour's heartland, an everyday story of perscription drugs, plate spinning, and dud cheques. Episode One: The spin doctor goes walkabout in the outback without a backpack. Ms Wendy claims the dingoes got him.
Aye, she'd be a charmer if it wasn't for her personality.
Posted by: Duns Scotus, The Borders on 10:05am Tue 19 Feb 08
Simple Simon met a porky pie man, going to the buroo ...
Sorry Goatmeister @ 9:01 am, all this story is worth is mockery and laughter. There is a lot in what you say, so it is probably time to move on and ignore the shenanigans as NuLabour self-destructs.
Thankfully our national government have not been distracted and remains focused on rebuilding our proud country.
Note though, as another poster pointed out, where's the beef? Why no follow up on Kosovo? Why is Northern Rock not the front page? Instead we get a Quatermass story of killer bugs.
When you want to control people, frighten them first.
Simple Simon met a porky pie man, going to the buroo ...
Sorry Goatmeister @ 9:01 am, all this story is worth is mockery and laughter. There is a lot in what you say, so it is probably time to move on and ignore the shenanigans as NuLabour self-destructs.
Thankfully our national government have not been distracted and remains focused on rebuilding our proud country.
Note though, as another poster pointed out, where's the beef? Why no follow up on Kosovo? Why is Northern Rock not the front page? Instead we get a Quatermass story of killer bugs.
When you want to control people, frighten them first.
Posted by: ex labour voter, glasgow on 10:06am Tue 19 Feb 08
The pia man as entered the world of the Mc muddle ,Mcfiddle and Mcpuddle chattering classes.
Bad career move but the money and perks must have been too tempting.
Just think if Broon had signed him up .
Pia and bean.
lol
The pia man as entered the world of the Mc muddle ,Mcfiddle and Mcpuddle chattering classes.
Bad career move but the money and perks must have been too tempting.
Just think if Broon had signed him up .
Pia and bean.
lol
Posted by: Ian Jones on 10:10am Tue 19 Feb 08
I'm a bit surprised by this. Used to listen to Pia on Talk 107 and since May he's been pretty positive about the SNP and pretty negative about Labour. I wonder how much his heart will be in this job.
I'm a bit surprised by this. Used to listen to Pia on Talk 107 and since May he's been pretty positive about the SNP and pretty negative about Labour. I wonder how much his heart will be in this job.
Posted by: Oscar on 10:14am Tue 19 Feb 08
# Goatmeister
McLeish comes from a background
of having been abused by Westminster Labour for many years. From his days as Blair's whipping boy, when he worked as junior shadow in Treasury (?) where Blair would regale the office staff, with the cry, "Unleash the McLeish." Poor Henry would simply grin and bare it. No doubt fostering a visceral hatred for the full headed, Edinburgh schoolboy en route to the top.
As Dewar's deputy he was caught in the middle of the John Reid versus Donald Dewar battles in the early stages of the Scottish Parliament. It was only back in 2001 when he and Helen Liddle were caught on microphone describing Reid, as "a patronising ****." They didn't spare Brian Wilson either, he was labelled a "bloody liability, who spends more time in Dublin, than in Africa."
Remember the Question Time, where McLeish was considered to have come over as an embarrassing milksop, incapable of debate at a national level. The Westminster spinning increased to dangerously high levels after that. He was further ridiculed when he took a holiday to the Amalfi Coast in Italy and was overheard describing himself to an Italian waiter as Scotland's 'Primo Minister'.
As the WENDY's immediate superior under Dewar, a lot of hostilities were created, McLeish is not trying to help the WENDY in the above comments he is merely supplying her opponents with more armoury.
# Goatmeister
McLeish comes from a background
of having been abused by Westminster Labour for many years. From his days as Blair's whipping boy, when he worked as junior shadow in Treasury (?) where Blair would regale the office staff, with the cry, "Unleash the McLeish." Poor Henry would simply grin and bare it. No doubt fostering a visceral hatred for the full headed, Edinburgh schoolboy en route to the top.
As Dewar's deputy he was caught in the middle of the John Reid versus Donald Dewar battles in the early stages of the Scottish Parliament. It was only back in 2001 when he and Helen Liddle were caught on microphone describing Reid, as "a patronising ****." They didn't spare Brian Wilson either, he was labelled a "bloody liability, who spends more time in Dublin, than in Africa."
Remember the Question Time, where McLeish was considered to have come over as an embarrassing milksop, incapable of debate at a national level. The Westminster spinning increased to dangerously high levels after that. He was further ridiculed when he took a holiday to the Amalfi Coast in Italy and was overheard describing himself to an Italian waiter as Scotland's 'Primo Minister'.
As the WENDY's immediate superior under Dewar, a lot of hostilities were created, McLeish is not trying to help the WENDY in the above comments he is merely supplying her opponents with more armoury.
Posted by: The West Awake, Argyll on 10:27am Tue 19 Feb 08
"Mr McLeish said that Labour had delivered devolution and the Scottish Parliament but had allowed the agenda to be "taken over" by the SNP."
No Henry, Labour failed because it regarded the establishment of the Parliament as "the settled will of the Scottish people". In other words, an event not a process. Having established the "pretendy wee Parliament, they then proceeded to studiously ignore it and allow it to be staffed by incompetents and fools.
It did not allow the agenda to be taken over by the SNP, it failed to admit there WAS an agenda. Even when glaring evidence was in front of their eyes in the form of increasing support for more powers to come to Holyrood, Labour turned away, obviously hoping it would all go away, they also obviously thought that however crap or out of touch they became, we would nonetheless vote them back in. Why - because we always had done, - the worm would not turn.
The SNP did not just grasp the agenda - they BECAME the agenda - and Labour allowed it to happen.
I think Labour will start to wake up now, - as McLeish says "the genie is out the bottle and won't go back in".
But Labour is a fundamentally Unionist party, who view even their own survival as being tied up with the Union. Cairns may be extreme, but he is not unrepresentative of mainstream thought in UK Labour, perhaps indeed the reverse is true.
Can weak, ineffective and damaged Brown control the "Cairnites" - or will they end up calling the shots?
Where will Labour go? Where CAN Labour go? They could be looking at a "perfect storm" in Scotland, lets hope so.
"Mr McLeish said that Labour had delivered devolution and the Scottish Parliament but had allowed the agenda to be "taken over" by the SNP."
No Henry, Labour failed because it regarded the establishment of the Parliament as "the settled will of the Scottish people". In other words, an event not a process. Having established the "pretendy wee
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