Snp Set To Strike Local Council Deals (from The Herald Election Site)

The SNP last night appeared to be strengthening its grip on Scotland's councils as it edged closer to striking coalition deals across the country.

Nationalist councillors said they had "every intention" of leading the next administration in Dundee, while the party is also confident of agreeing a deal with the Liberal Democrats to lead Perth and Kinross.

It was also confirmed yesterday the SNP had seized control of West Lothian Council with the support of three newly elected hospital candidates and a Tory councillor.

Negotiations were continuing which could see the Nationalists form part of the ruling administrations in Aber-deen, Aberdeenshire, Highland and Fife.

The Nationalists are the largest party in Dundee, with 13 seats to Labour's 10, and are in talks with the Liberal Democrats, Conservatives and the council's one independent.

Ken Guild, SNP group leader, said: "The worst-case scenario would be a minor-ity administration, although we're hoping to avoid that. The talks so far have been amicable and constructive, although nothing has been finalised."

The SNP is also the largest party in Perth and Kinross and is in coalition with the LibDems.

Ian Miller, leader of the council's SNP group, said: "I'm confident we will be able to put a new administration in place by next week."

In Aberdeen, talks are ongoing between the Liberal Democrats, the largest party on the new council, the SNP and Labour. Kate Dean, LibDem group leader, said: "It could be a coalition between ourselves and the SNP, ourselves and Labour or Labour and the SNP."

The LibDems have 24 seats on Aberdeenshire Council, the SNP 22 and the Conservatives 14.

Alan Cameron, a former SNP councillor and part of the party's negotiating team, said: "We have met the LibDems and both parties are now reflecting on the situation. Events at Holyrood may well have implications for what happens, but things are still quite positive."

In Highland, the 35-strong group of Independents looks set to form a working majority with the 17 SNP councillors, while in Fife Labour is looking to form an administration with the LibDems or the SNP - although a three-way coalition has not been ruled out.

The new make-up of Renfrewshire Council is also expected to be announced, with the LibDems deliberating over a possible coalition with either Labour or SNP.

The SNP would need to deal with the Conservatives if it is to overtake Labour's 30 seats.

Meanwhile, the SNP was celebrating in West Lothian last night after snatching the local council from Labour. Nationalist councillor Peter Johnston was appointed leader of the council while Tory councillor Tom Kerr became Provost.

The old pattern of Labour fiefdoms across Scotland has truly been swept away. We are entering a new era of local government and councillors will have to work with erstwhile political enemies. At a time when there is a unity of purpose in Northern Ireland politics it is good to see local politicians in Scotland seeking compromise and a broader consensus.

So let me get this right. The SNP are the second largest party to Labour in West Lothian but they are now in charge of the council? if Labour at Holyrood had done a deal to run Holyrood despite being second the SNP would have cried foul. Why one PR rule for the SNP and one PR rule for everybody else!

Doug, it's the same rules for everyone. Let me put you right; if there is no majority party, then a coalition must be formed. If the largest party cannot form a coalition then the way is open for minority parties to form a coalition. That is how PR works. It's one system of PR that fits all. It may be that the Labour party will form the executive at Holyrood; will you be more content then?

Doug,

it's the same rules for everyone. Let me put you right; if there is no majority party, then a coalition must be formed. If the largest party cannot form a coalition then the way is open for minority parties to form a coalition. That is how PR works. It's one system of PR that fits all. It may be that the Labour party will form the executive at Holyrood; will you be more content then?

Quite right Gregor. The bad old days of one-party politics in Scotland have shifted forever. I am fairly positive about Labour (or, at least, the old, socialist Labour), but a long period of unchallenged power is bad for any regime. Let's see a bit more consensus politics and a bit less of the confrontation-for-confrontation's-sake adversarial Westminster-style nonsense. Politicians are meant to be there to serve the people - too many of them are only interested in attacking other parties.

Doug + Gregor above. You are both correct in questioning and explaining how this PR works. But, I think people will question why for weeks when the election was still being fought. And some people such as myself where hoping the country would realise the Labour bashing was just Blair bashing. Which would be seen as talk when it came to crossing or numbering your ballots. And Labour would win a majority in holyrood and in the council seats. When people realised this was an election for 4 years of Scottish government. But during the election there where SNP supporters on here dailly who where crying foul, at the idea that Labour would join the Lib Dems and the Tories in stopping Alex Salmond becoming First Minister. Even if he did have the majority. As it turns out. He does have the majority, but still for several days the same whingers have stated it would be immoral, or undemocratic if this where to happen in Holyrood. Yet it is now OK for the SNP to use the very same tactics in the council seats. Why the Hypocrisy? I may be saddened at the prospect of SNP leading the government in Scotland. But I believe they have the right to attempt to govern until the electorate decide otherwise. My belief is that the largest party should be able to make a coalition if it requires one, but the other parties should then get on with the job of being the opposition. So let the SNP talk to whoever it wants to run Holyrood, but let the largest party of each council also form coalitions if required. The largest party, who collected the largest vote should govern. Not be the opposition.

Doug + Gregor above.
You are both correct in questioning and explaining how this PR works.
But, I think people will question why for weeks when the election was still being fought. And some people such as myself where hoping the country would realise the Labour bashing was just Blair bashing. Which would be seen as talk when it came to crossing or numbering your ballots. And Labour would win a majority in holyrood and in the council seats. When people realised this was an election for 4 years of Scottish government.
But during the election there where SNP supporters on here dailly who where crying foul, at the idea that Labour would join the Lib Dems and the Tories in stopping Alex Salmond becoming First Minister. Even if he did have the majority.
As it turns out. He does have the majority, but still for several days the same whingers have stated it would be immoral, or undemocratic
if this where to happen in Holyrood.
Yet it is now OK for the SNP to use the very same tactics in the council seats.
Why the Hypocrisy?
I may be saddened at the prospect of SNP leading the government in Scotland. But I believe they have the right to attempt to govern until the electorate decide otherwise.
My belief is that the largest party should be able to make a coalition if it requires one, but the other parties should then get on with the job of being the opposition.
So let the SNP talk to whoever it wants to run Holyrood, but let the largest party of each council also form coalitions if required.
The largest party, who collected the largest vote should govern. Not be the opposition.

Unfortunitely Ayrshire has 3 councils. But The SNP had better keep its promise to the Ayrshire electorate and North Lanarkshire electorate. In promising to save the A+E depts. Especially if they manage to gang up and take the majority at East Ayrshire Council as has been muted. Look at the bright side. If the SNP fail to save the A+E in Monklands and here in Ayr. They will pay the price at the next election. You may have got the vote, by claiming Tony Blair was a liar, but that will backfire if you fail.

Unfortunitely Ayrshire has 3 councils. But The SNP had better keep its promise to the Ayrshire electorate and North Lanarkshire electorate. In promising to save the A+E depts. Especially if they manage to gang up and take the majority at East Ayrshire Council as has been muted.

Look at the bright side. If the SNP fail to save the A+E in Monklands and here in Ayr. They will pay the price at the next election.
You may have got the vote, by claiming Tony Blair was a liar, but that will backfire if you fail.

All this just make Nichol Stephen's canute like stance look even more sad. He'd be time warped even on the Shankhill Road these days - a "rejectionist" the Rev Ian Paisley would now dub him

Nobody notice this?

The electoral commission sees sense, I wonder who they'll hand pick amongst the International community.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6645143.stm

Jason4Queen, You say, "If the SNP fail to save the A+E in Monklands and here in Ayr. They will pay the price at the next election." It was the Labour party who planned to close hospitals all over Scotland. Do you think they would be keeping the A + E in Monklands open? It's really a bit rich to say that the SNP will pay for failing to prevent the enacting of policies put into place by a party that you support. Talk about hypocrisy!

Jason4Queen,

You say, "If the SNP fail to save the A+E in Monklands and here in Ayr. They will pay the price at the next election." It was the Labour party who planned to close hospitals all over Scotland. Do you think they would be keeping the A + E in Monklands open? It's really a bit rich to say that the SNP will pay for failing to prevent the enacting of policies put into place by a party that you support. Talk about hypocrisy!

Oscar wrote:
Nobody notice this? The electoral commission sees sense, I wonder who they'll hand pick amongst the International community. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6645143.stm

I heard it was Jed Bush that they were bringing in. :)

Jason4queen wrote:
Unfortunitely Ayrshire has 3 councils. But The SNP had better keep its promise to the Ayrshire electorate and North Lanarkshire electorate. In promising to save the A+E depts. Especially if they manage to gang up and take the majority at East Ayrshire Council as has been muted. Look at the bright side. If the SNP fail to save the A+E in Monklands and here in Ayr. They will pay the price at the next election. You may have got the vote, by claiming Tony Blair was a liar, but that will backfire if you fail.

JASON
Son...yer still bein' a numpty !! GO Away !!!

We're currently in a new stage of political evolution - there will be many councillors around unused to the idea of compromise and coalition. For reasons of recent history, most of this old guard is in the Labour party, so they'll find it harder to adjust. Also, because of the near-visceral hatred between Labour and SNP just now, coalitions between them will be unlikely - this may change over time. Once these prejudices are "bred out" of the system, things will work better. Jason, we could go on forever about hypocrisy in this. Until last week, a Lab-Tory-LD coalition kept the largest party in Dundee (the SNP) out of power, for example. It's not about the biggest party automatically forming the council, it's about a bloc representing most voters. That's the new political culture, and it's much better than the old one IMO.

We're currently in a new stage of political evolution - there will be many councillors around unused to the idea of compromise and coalition. For reasons of recent history, most of this old guard is in the Labour party, so they'll find it harder to adjust. Also, because of the near-visceral hatred between Labour and SNP just now, coalitions between them will be unlikely - this may change over time.
Once these prejudices are "bred out" of the system, things will work better.

Jason, we could go on forever about hypocrisy in this. Until last week, a Lab-Tory-LD coalition kept the largest party in Dundee (the SNP) out of power, for example. It's not about the biggest party automatically forming the council, it's about a bloc representing most voters. That's the new political culture, and it's much better than the old one IMO.

As a result of going into coalition with the Lib-Dems, and on the condition it introduced P.R. to local government, Labour hegemony has been swept away! Labour may well have voted itself into permanent second place? How has this ever been allowed to happen? The Nationalists have already destroyed the indigenous Conservative Party and now it's well on its way to eclipsing Scottish Labour! Jack McConnell and Douglas Alexander must go? Lachie Todd

[quote][bold]Jason4queen[/bold] wrote: Unfortunitely Ayrshire has 3 councils. But The SNP had better keep its promise to the Ayrshire electorate and North Lanarkshire electorate. In promising to save the A+E depts. Especially if they manage to gang up and take the majority at East Ayrshire Council as has been muted. Look at the bright side. If the SNP fail to save the A+E in Monklands and here in Ayr. They will pay the price at the next election. You may have got the vote, by claiming Tony Blair was a liar, but that will backfire if you fail.[/quote] Labour retained North lanarkshire, with an increased majority, the only council in Scotland to do so. Cathy Craigie also returned as labour MSP with increased majority, but here's the rub, the 2nd place SNP and 3rd place Libdem also get in via the regional vote, so after all the shouting and bawling, why did we all need to vote in the 1st place. I'm all for smaller parties getting a say in politics, but if you look at the regional votes, this is what took SNP out on top and we need to accept this as this is the rules. All this blah blah blah about PR and who should form the coalition is becoming tedious, this is politics and if the largest or smallest party in any area wishes to join forces then this is democracy. We may not like it but when did we ever like it? Finally, Jason made a very good point. We voted on Scottish Elections for the next 4 years and all we heard was SNP going about the Iraq war, which has nothing to do with devolution, and Labour blabbing on about Independance. I cannot recall one decent grown up debate during the election period where you could form a view, whether that view was to reinforce what you thought, or to perhaps make you reconsider. Shame on all parties for the awful stances taken, if I had a vote now for scrapping Holyrood, it would be a YES. It's only an opinion, but just like all the shamed politicians on all sides, I am entitled to one.

Jason4queen wrote:
Unfortunitely Ayrshire has 3 councils. But The SNP had better keep its promise to the Ayrshire electorate and North Lanarkshire electorate. In promising to save the A+E depts. Especially if they manage to gang up and take the majority at East Ayrshire Council as has been muted. Look at the bright side. If the SNP fail to save the A+E in Monklands and here in Ayr. They will pay the price at the next election. You may have got the vote, by claiming Tony Blair was a liar, but that will backfire if you fail.

Labour retained North lanarkshire, with an increased majority, the only council in Scotland to do so.

Cathy Craigie also returned as labour MSP with increased majority, but here's the rub, the 2nd place SNP and 3rd place Libdem also get in via the regional vote, so after all the shouting and bawling, why did we all need to vote in the 1st place.

I'm all for smaller parties getting a say in politics, but if you look at the regional votes, this is what took SNP out on top and we need to accept this as this is the rules.

All this blah blah blah about PR and who should form the coalition is becoming tedious, this is politics and if the largest or smallest party in any area wishes to join forces then this is democracy. We may not like it but when did we ever like it?

Finally, Jason made a very good point. We voted on Scottish Elections for the next 4 years and all we heard was SNP going about the Iraq war, which has nothing to do with devolution, and Labour blabbing on about Independance.

I cannot recall one decent grown up debate during the election period where you could form a view, whether that view was to reinforce what you thought, or to perhaps make you reconsider.

Shame on all parties for the awful stances taken, if I had a vote now for scrapping Holyrood, it would be a YES. It's only an opinion, but just like all the shamed politicians on all sides, I am entitled to one.

What?,

I often hear people talk of scrapping Holyrood and it amazes me that they would even think this. Go back to the situation we had in the eighties and nineties when the Tories governed Scotland with no mandate from the Scottish people? No thanks.

What incredibly bad losers people can be! and Jack 'Squealer' McConnell is the worst of the lot. As the former first minister he should be setting an example to the rest of us but then again, can pigs fly? We are now in a new age and people need to get their head round that.

As ever the comments veer away from the original story. I read these boards in the run up to the election and it was full of SNP supporters parroting 'it time' etc. Perhaps one of you could now tell me why the SNP has the moral authority to form a coalition in West Lothian but Labour does not have similar authority in Holyrood?

Forgive me while I wipe my rice crispies off the monitor. For verily I have spat them out.

Here we have Labour supporters complaining that the way councils will be run in Scotland is unfair. Yes trusty Herald readers, read that again.

Read it and weep.

It tells its own story really. Labour supporters can't see why forming a co-alition in West Lothian is different than forming one at Holyrood. Some points: 1) That only resonates if you believe Blair that Scotland is a parish council. 2) Labour can have a co-alition if it wants. No-body want to deal with them though so it's all academic anyway. 3) It looks like they will probably form a co-alition soon as they have done a deal to bring down a Scottish government under the SNP. When that happens the libDems will step in and save the day. Perfectly choreographed. It's a hgh-risk game though. Scots might get fed up with the Libs and Labour recking and return the SNP with a working majority in an election re-run or at the next election. Forcing the SNP to concentrate on other executive function other than bringing forward legislation is short-sighted as the SNP have a lot of power as a minority stand-alone government. While you are all recking the SNP is quietly removing Labour's system of patronage. It actually makes sense for unionists to bog the SNP down in legisaltion in a co-alition (with a 'levelling' unionist LibDem party sharing executive power). The unionists are destroying themselves. Salmond will look back and think that this arrangement was better than an outright majority. Slainte.

It tells its own story really. Labour supporters can't see why forming a co-alition in West Lothian is different than forming one at Holyrood. Some points:

1) That only resonates if you believe Blair that Scotland is a parish council.
2) Labour can have a co-alition if it wants. No-body want to deal with them though so it's all academic anyway.
3) It looks like they will probably form a co-alition soon as they have done a deal to bring down a Scottish government under the SNP. When that happens the libDems will step in and save the day. Perfectly choreographed.

It's a hgh-risk game though. Scots might get fed up with the Libs and Labour recking and return the SNP with a working majority in an election re-run or at the next election. Forcing the SNP to concentrate on other executive function other than bringing forward legislation is short-sighted as the SNP have a lot of power as a minority stand-alone government. While you are all recking the SNP is quietly removing Labour's system of patronage. It actually makes sense for unionists to bog the SNP down in legisaltion in a co-alition (with a 'levelling' unionist LibDem party sharing executive power).

The unionists are destroying themselves. Salmond will look back and think that this arrangement was better than an outright majority.

Slainte.

[quote][bold]Joe McTiernan[/bold] wrote: Forgive me while I wipe my rice crispies off the monitor. For verily I have spat them out. Here we have Labour supporters complaining that the way councils will be run in Scotland is unfair. Yes trusty Herald readers, read that again. Read it and weep. [/quote] you should never be near a laptop where there's liquid or food around. surely you should know that? I hope you're insured, and i hope you've wiped down that monitor you naughty boy.

Joe McTiernan wrote:
Forgive me while I wipe my rice crispies off the monitor. For verily I have spat them out. Here we have Labour supporters complaining that the way councils will be run in Scotland is unfair. Yes trusty Herald readers, read that again. Read it and weep.

you should never be near a laptop where there's liquid or food around. surely you should know that? I hope you're insured, and i hope you've wiped down that monitor you naughty boy.

Fortitude, if you bothered to read the comments you'd see that your question has been answered. But here goes: "it's the same rules for everyone. Let me put you right; if there is no majority party, then a coalition must be formed. If the largest party cannot form a coalition then the way is open for minority parties to form a coalition. That is how PR works. It's one system of PR that fits all. It may be that the Labour party will form the executive at Holyrood; will you be more content then?" You see it isn't about "moral authority", it's about party's being willing to work with one another. The reason Labour will remain in opposition in Holyrood is the same as in local government; they've blow it, and no-one wishes to work with them.

Fortitude,

if you bothered to read the comments you'd see that your question has been answered. But here goes:

"it's the same rules for everyone. Let me put you right; if there is no majority party, then a coalition must be formed. If the largest party cannot form a coalition then the way is open for minority parties to form a coalition. That is how PR works. It's one system of PR that fits all. It may be that the Labour party will form the executive at Holyrood; will you be more content then?"

You see it isn't about "moral authority", it's about party's being willing to work with one another. The reason Labour will remain in opposition in Holyrood is the same as in local government; they've blow it, and no-one wishes to work with them.

Isnt it possible that Menzies Campbell has told Nicol Stephen to not go into a coalition with the SNP ? Are the Lib dems working on the the assumtion that there will be a hung UK parliament and that Gordon Brown has given Menzies Campbell a nod and a wink that he will agree on a Lib/Lab UK coalition . Just like Scottish Labour it would appear that the Scottish Lib Dems are at the beck and call of London based leaders.

Isnt it possible that Menzies Campbell has told Nicol Stephen to not go into a coalition with the SNP ?
Are the Lib dems working on the the assumtion that there will be a hung UK parliament and that Gordon Brown has given Menzies Campbell a nod and a wink that he will agree on a Lib/Lab UK coalition .
Just like Scottish Labour it would appear that the Scottish Lib Dems are at the beck and call of London based leaders.

It's a tempting theory Conway, and in a sense believeable. However, what should be noted is that the Lib Dems are in meltdown in England (they lost over half their councillors down there last week) - if that performance were repeated at a General Election, there'd be virtually no chance of a hung parliament. Ming might indeed be doing what you suggest, but he's such an inept old warhorse, he won't have enough LD MPs left to carry out his plan.

teamdroid, its a bit of a Pinky and the Brain scenario... Pinky (Ming the Meaningless): "What we going to do tonight Brain?" Brain (Gordon Brown): "Tonight, Pinky... we're going to .... take over the world" And so the rest of the cartoon will follow that Brain will concoct lots of wonderful and complicated plans to ensure majority domination of Westminister, and Pinky in his usual, useless, inept manner, will foil the whole plan.

teamdroid,

its a bit of a Pinky and the Brain scenario...

Pinky (Ming the Meaningless): "What we going to do tonight Brain?"
Brain (Gordon Brown): "Tonight, Pinky... we're going to .... take over the world"

And so the rest of the cartoon will follow that Brain will concoct lots of wonderful and complicated plans to ensure majority domination of Westminister, and Pinky in his usual, useless, inept manner, will foil the whole plan.

Teamdroid, Not quite sure where you learnt to count, but 240 odd losses out of 2,100 or so councillors up for election is not over half by any stretch of the imagination. Level on 26% in England with Labour in those elections, and if it were repeated in a general election it would INCREASE the number of Liberals at Westminster given their 22% share of the vote last time. Still, it's not your fault...

Teamdroid,

Not quite sure where you learnt to count, but 240 odd losses out of 2,100 or so councillors up for election is not over half by any stretch of the imagination. Level on 26% in England with Labour in those elections, and if it were repeated in a general election it would INCREASE the number of Liberals at Westminster given their 22% share of the vote last time.

Still, it's not your fault...

As so many Labour voters enjoy pointing out, "the majority of people in Scotland did not vote for pro independence parties", which is very true. unfortunately for Labour voters the OVERWHELMING majority of voters voted for... THE SNP, HO WANT INDEPENDENCE, THE LB-DEMS (WHO SAY) HEY WANT MORE POWERS TO THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT AND THE CONSERVATIVES WHO ALSO SAY THEY WANT MORE POWERS. The only party not wanting change is the Labour party and as the voters have spoken, there should be a referendum with 3 options. The fact that Nicol Sevens wont form a coalition which will perform a referendum for more powers is completely bizarre! How else are you going to get more powers for the Scottish government? ASK BROWN POLITELY? Labour are the only ones happy with the way things are... if that doesn't make you think, then there is no hope for you...

conway tranent, your assumption,s are correct thats exactly what is happening, hen broon has struck a deal with ming campbell at westminster where as nichol stevens had not to be involved with the S.N.P. under no shape or form let alone a referendum, a unionist conspiricy along with an electorial fraud to prrevent a democratic coalition ever being formed with the S.N.P. at a time when in the one hand 2, apposing factors in N/IRELAND are getting together for the good of all the electorate, the unionists are excluding the S.N.P.there democratic right to form a coalition government at holyrood. there conspiricy is to make sure that the S.N.P. will never be able to function properly and this is the motherland of democricy, what a pathetic joke, still have a parcel of rouges in our nation.

[quote][bold]Alex Porter[/bold] wrote: It tells its own story really. Labour supporters can't see why forming a co-alition in West Lothian is different than forming one at Holyrood. Some points: 1) That only resonates if you believe Blair that Scotland is a parish council. 2) Labour can have a co-alition if it wants. No-body want to deal with them though so it's all academic anyway. 3) It looks like they will probably form a co-alition soon as they have done a deal to bring down a Scottish government under the SNP. When that happens the libDems will step in and save the day. Perfectly choreographed. It's a hgh-risk game though. Scots might get fed up with the Libs and Labour recking and return the SNP with a working majority in an election re-run or at the next election. Forcing the SNP to concentrate on other executive function other than bringing forward legislation is short-sighted as the SNP have a lot of power as a minority stand-alone government. While you are all recking the SNP is quietly removing Labour's system of patronage. It actually makes sense for unionists to bog the SNP down in legisaltion in a co-alition (with a 'levelling' unionist LibDem party sharing executive power). The unionists are destroying themselves. Salmond will look back and think that this arrangement was better than an outright majority. Slainte.[/quote] Alex the spanish nutcase is learning. No post with any copy/paste! No post telling us the press are undemocratic! All he needs to do now is stop blabbering a lot of mince, go an denjoy the spanish sun or have a siesta, and we can all sit back and enjoy life again knowing that a nutcase has been cured of his ill informed mutterings. On th e+ve side, it shows progress can be made with a nutcase, so maybe ALL our politicians will be able to learn and behave like adults, like Alex the nutter will do soon. You're getting there Alex, we're all rooting for you.

Alex Porter wrote:
It tells its own story really. Labour supporters can't see why forming a co-alition in West Lothian is different than forming one at Holyrood. Some points: 1) That only resonates if you believe Blair that Scotland is a parish council. 2) Labour can have a co-alition if it wants. No-body want to deal with them though so it's all academic anyway. 3) It looks like they will probably form a co-alition soon as they have done a deal to bring down a Scottish government under the SNP. When that happens the libDems will step in and save the day. Perfectly choreographed. It's a hgh-risk game though. Scots might get fed up with the Libs and Labour recking and return the SNP with a working majority in an election re-run or at the next election. Forcing the SNP to concentrate on other executive function other than bringing forward legislation is short-sighted as the SNP have a lot of power as a minority stand-alone government. While you are all recking the SNP is quietly removing Labour's system of patronage. It actually makes sense for unionists to bog the SNP down in legisaltion in a co-alition (with a 'levelling' unionist LibDem party sharing executive power). The unionists are destroying themselves. Salmond will look back and think that this arrangement was better than an outright majority. Slainte.

Alex the spanish nutcase is learning.

No post with any copy/paste!

No post telling us the press are undemocratic!

All he needs to do now is stop blabbering a lot of mince, go an denjoy the spanish sun or have a siesta, and we can all sit back and enjoy life again knowing that a nutcase has been cured of his ill informed mutterings.

On th e+ve side, it shows progress can be made with a nutcase, so maybe ALL our politicians will be able to learn and behave like adults, like Alex the nutter will do soon. You're getting there Alex, we're all rooting for you.

This consensus stuff is a mighty refreshing change! Politics looks as if it may be far more interesting from now on.

And you know,the politicians might actually listen to the electorate for a change!

Ian from Falkirk---

You are an Idiot

Now go away

Go on, shoo, shoo, get away ya wee idiot, shoo.

I haven't seen anyone comment on the rich irony of an electoral system designed by Labour to ensure that there could never be an SNP majority at Holyrood. If there were no regional seats, Labour would now have an overall majority! Anyone for petards?

Herald & Times Group
Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy © Copyright 2001-2009 A Gannett Company