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A gap in blogging results from some post-election R and R on the Black Isle.
Highland Council is seeing the impact of the SNP breakthrough in council
politics. Independent councillors remain the dominant force, having survived
the uncertain effects of the new voting system. But once again, it seems the
SNP was much better prepared than its party opponents to pounce on the
opportunity of sharing power across Scotland’s council chambers. R and R
wasn't all local politics - the dog enjoyed some good walks.

Back to Holyrood today, and a genuine slice of history, as Alex Salmond
became First Minister. Two weeks preparation had prepared us for the sight
of SNP MSPs having the centre of the debating chamber, and of Salmond making
his acceptance speech. We have even been getting used to the sombre,
consensual Salmond - though Labour MSPs are still rubbing their eyes to see
if it is for real. But what really brought home the change was at St
Andrew’s House, a building which speaks more eloquently of power than
Holyrood’s architecture, and where the small, close-knit SNP leadership team
are now calling the shots with the civil service. At a press briefing far
better attended than the room for which it was intended, it was a clear
there is a revolution taking place here. The SNP say they are impressed by
the response of the civil service, relishing the challenge of a change. But
that’s only after meeting some of the officials. While Labour ex-ministers
are convinced it will be hard for any party to challenge the inertia of the
civil service, others blame inertia on Labour ministers. Note that Alex
Salmond and his wife are both former civil servants. They know the mindset
in a way that few political leaders have before. The only former civil
servant to lead a government in modern British history was, I think, Harold
Wilson... unless you know better.

John Prescott stood in for Tony Blair at prime minister's questions today for the last time. He has resigned from the deputy leadership of the Labour party and will cease being deputy prime minister when Mr Blair stands down on June 27.
William Hague, standing in for David Cameron wished Mr Prescott well, applauded his 10 years in government and 37 years as an MP, and told MPs how much they would miss him. MPs on all sides laughed uproariously. Mrs Prescott sitting in the gallery with her family smiled indulgently.
I suppose if they didn't laugh they would cry. Mr Blair may not answer the questions, and he may provide answers to questions he has not been asked but at least he does so with some style. In contrast the deputy leader bluffs and blusters his way through question time. Anyone with a greater sense of self awareness, or any self awareness, would surely be more modest, would refuse to play the court jester and would play down their inadequacies rather than play them up.
Mr Prescott warned today that he would not be going away, that he would be retiring to play a supportive role from the backbenches.
When Enoch Powell's barber asked him how he wanted his haircut, Mr Powell replied: "In silence". Gordon Brown, if asked how Mr Prescott should support him, should give the same reply.

Alan Johnson, the education secretary, yesterday became the latest figure to
launch his campaign to become the deputy leader of the Labour party. Mr
Johnson has the declared backing of more than 60 MPs so is running neck and
neck with Harriet Harman, and ahead of Hazel Blears, the two women in the
contest.
Mr Johnson, whose campaign slogan will be ‘the people’s choice’ believes he
epitomises the social mobility the Labour party should be striving towards.
Once a former supermarket shelf stacker and postman Mr Johnson rose through
the union ranks to become leader of the Communications Workers Union.
“I am the right person at this time for this leader. I believe I've got the
skills, I believe I've got the experience and I believe I've got the
background,” he said.
Mr Johnson has won the backing from John Prescott, the present deputy
leader, and David Miliband, the environment secretary, as well as other
aspiring young ministers.
Three other candidates are expected to join the race to succeed Mr Prescott.
Peter Hain, the Northern Ireland secretary, expects to launch his campaign
on Monday.
Hilary Benn, the international development secretary, and Jon Cruddas, the
backbencher standing on a left-of-centre platform, have yet to garner the 45
nominations needed to reach the ballot paper.

A nation waits. Labour had warned the SNP would purse a "day one conflict strategy" from day one. But even if installed in Bute House next Wednesday, Alex Salmond's room even for grandstanding may be constrained.

Much of Scotland's public sector is uncertain. Will there be enough votes to introduce elections for health boards, as the SNP want, and what would that mean for the NHS? And what will the consequences be for public sector workers from the efficiency drive promised by Mr Salmond during the campaign?

Is this the time when quangoes will finally be thrown into the long-delayed bonfire, promised by Labour before 1997?

Don't be so sure. Quangoes are hard to remove, and often with good reason. Quite a few of them do a necessary job, at arm's length from politicians and drawing in expertise far below the market rate.

Some are already wondering how to avoid the chop. And hats off to Nick Kuenssberg, newly-appointed chairman of VisitScotland.com, for taking the most direct self-preservation route of all.

The businessman phoned in to BBC Radio Scotland on Friday, where Alex Salmond could be found listening to the voice of the great Scottish public. Mr Kuenssberg pleaded with the FM-elect to tear up the tourist agency, or its commercial arm.

The SNP manifesto had backed the demise of VisitScotland and the creation of a Welcome to Scotland agency, tied into a revamped, slimmed-down Scottish Enterprise, and including elements of tourism, work, study and living in Scotland.

Only identified in the phone-in as "Nick", Salmond quickly clocked who was on the line, and was predictably non-committal ahead of taking power.

I phoned Mr Kuenssberg to ask about this unusually public approach to lobbying, and he confirmed that he thinks it would be "absolutely crackers" to get rid of the VisitScotland brand, at a time when Scottish tourism is doing so well.

This raises the prospect of the New Politics in Scotland featuring every public sector boss phoning in to radio stations to plead for their jobs with the First Minister. It would, at least, be a highly transparent form of government. It would also crowd out the ranting and axe-grinding of the green ink brigade - one of whom threatened on Friday to lynch Mr Salmond if he doesn't hold an independence referendum.

More mischief-making in the coalition talks. It has been suggested that
Nicol Stephen could become First Minister next Wednesday. How? Stick with
this, and keep a calculator to hand.

If it comes down to Jack McConnell versus Alex Salmond, the Nat has 47 votes
to Labour’s 46. If Salmond keeps the two Greens sweet, he is three clear of
the Labour leader. Meanwhile, you can assume the Tories (17) and Lib Dems
(16) sit on their hands.

But past experience has had the Tories nominating their own leader. It's a
futile gesture, but allows at least for an entertaining speech.

Lib Dems could do likewise and put up Nicol Stephen. If Tories abstain,
Labour could back the Lib Dem leader. Labour plus Lib Dems equals 62, while
SNP plus Greens makes 49. All of a sudden, the man who was relentlessly
positive and passionate about young people is planting a Lib Dem wind
turbine on the roof of Bute House.

The idea has been firmly knocked down by Labour. But no harm in keeping the
Nats on their toes.