Tory is front runner to be presiding officer Tory MSP Alex Fergusson is front runner to be Presiding Officer at Holyrood after his party relented and allowed him to stand.
George Reid will serve in the role for the last time on Monday as his successor is elected by secret ballot. The only other candidate so far is Margo MacDonald, the veteran nationalist turned Independent, who has offered to serve for a year to break the current impasse.
The Conservatives had felt angry at the perception they were being bounced into providing a candidate. Annabel Goldie ruled herself out, then appointed David McLetchie, her predecessor as party leader, as chief whip, narrowing the options.
But yesterday she relented and gave her blessing to Mr Fergusson. Cross-party colleagues had been queueing up all week to praise his suitability, citing him as one of the most outstandingly fair and efficient committee conveners in the parliament.
The SNP minority government likely to be elected under Alex Salmond next Wednesday will need a degree of protection against obvious wrecking tactics if it is to run the country.
But the pro-Union majority will also look for support if the SNP acts outwith its statutory powers to pick fights with Westminster. In both these scenarios, Mr Fergusson could be expected to be scrupulously fair.
He also has a real political base, having fought off an SNP challenge and increased his majority in Galloway and Upper Nithsdale last week.
He said yesterday: "I have been both flattered and humbled by the number of colleagues of all parties who have urged me to take this step, but my first duty was to ensure my service to my constituents would not suffer as a consequence of being elected to the post."
12:42am Saturday 12th May 2007  Print  Email this  CommentPosted by: Alan Smart, 267-397 on 9:48am Sat 12 May 07 What a fix - and illegal too. The law - The Scotland Act - required the election to be at the Parliament "first meeting", last wednesday. But that way Margo would have won - so they illegaly delayed so as a "stop Margo" candidate could "emerge", and hence have fixed yet anoher election.
Who are "they"? - The establishement - corrupt public servants (watching their Holyrood building backs) and the "big four" party cabal.
SNP hang you heads in shame. You prefer a tory unionist - the guy that just turned you over in Galloway - to Margo.
An how iroinic to see Alastair Morgan ( list MSP , now SNP business manager) , the guy Alex Fergusson thumped in Galloway, moving the illegal motion of suspension at Holyrood last wednesday that enables Alex Fergusson to win on Monday. But legally? Watch this space.
Jounos - waken up. Read the Scotland Act and the Parly's Standing orders ( google search - its all onlne now - that's computers) The Act has been broken, clear and simple. And just because George Reid says it aint and all four big parties agree with him dont make it right. Just like that combined ballot paper - they all agred to it too.
But this time you can stop the fix in advance of the vote, if you got up off your lazy backsides. Or is it only illegal wars in far away places that you can harmlesly report on via a Reuters wire that interests you? Our are our elected members, your drinking chumbs, (sometimes your wives and husbands), allowed to break the law? We're Scotland - aye, everything that wrong with it.
[bold]And on a related matter, why aint you all parked outside Douglas Alexanders door demanding his resignation.[/bold] Or does he have to do something really serious to deserve such attention - like try and snog a couple of 18 year olds when he's half cut?
But Douglas Alexander - Gordon Brown is planning to promote him. All part of his "bold and immaginative" plans to enhance parliamentary democracy. It's real democracy we want - a democracy that allows us to remove the likes of Dougie, a democracy that allows us all the right to vote, a democracy who parliamentarians uphold their own laws.
[bold]PS[/bold] With Eton educated Alex Fergusson now apparently a [italic]shoe in[/italic] , this now mean that all three of of Scotland's Presiding Officers wil have been public schoolboys. A co-incidence? Could we not even have a public schoolgirl for divesity!.
Not seen recent figures , but I am sure well less than 5% go to private schools, but the Scottish parliament apparently needs to be permantly headed up by one. I wonder why?
No, I dont
Oscar, Dumfropolis on 8:00am today - thanks for this info
This now mean that all three of of Scotland Presiding Officers wil ahve been public schoolboys. A co-incidence? Could we not even have a public schoolgirl for divesity!.
Not seen recent figures , but I am sure well less than 5% go to private schools, but the Scottish parliament apparently needs to be permantly headed up by one. I wonder why?
What a fix - and illegal too. The law - The Scotland Act - required the election to be at the Parliament "first meeting", last wednesday. But that way Margo would have won - so they illegaly delayed so as a "stop Margo" candidate could "emerge", and hence have fixed yet anoher election.
Who are "they"? - The establishement - corrupt public servants (watching their Holyrood building backs) and the "big four" party cabal.
SNP hang you heads in shame. You prefer a tory unionist - the guy that just turned you over in Galloway - to Margo.
An how iroinic to see Alastair Morgan ( list MSP , now SNP business manager) , the guy Alex Fergusson thumped in Galloway, moving the illegal motion of suspension at Holyrood last wednesday that enables Alex Fergusson to win on Monday. But legally? Watch this space.
Jounos - waken up. Read the Scotland Act and the Parly's Standing orders ( google search - its all onlne now - that's computers) The Act has been broken, clear and simple. And just because George Reid says it aint and all four big parties agree with him dont make it right. Just like that combined ballot paper - they all agred to it too.
But this time you can stop the fix in advance of the vote, if you got up off your lazy backsides. Or is it only illegal wars in far away places that you can harmlesly report on via a Reuters wire that interests you? Our are our elected members, your drinking chumbs, (sometimes your wives and husbands), allowed to break the law? We're Scotland - aye, everything that wrong with it.
And on a related matter, why aint you all parked outside Douglas Alexanders door demanding his resignation. Or does he have to do something really serious to deserve such attention - like try and snog a couple of 18 year olds when he's half cut?
But Douglas Alexander - Gordon Brown is planning to promote him. All part of his "bold and immaginative" plans to enhance parliamentary democracy. It's real democracy we want - a democracy that allows us to remove the likes of Dougie, a democracy that allows us all the right to vote, a democracy who parliamentarians uphold their own laws.
PS With Eton educated Alex Fergusson now apparently a shoe in , this now mean that all three of of Scotland's Presiding Officers wil have been public schoolboys. A co-incidence? Could we not even have a public schoolgirl for divesity!.
Not seen recent figures , but I am sure well less than 5% go to private schools, but the Scottish parliament apparently needs to be permantly headed up by one. I wonder why?
No, I dont
Oscar, Dumfropolis on 8:00am today - thanks for this info
This now mean that all three of of Scotland Presiding Officers wil ahve been public schoolboys. A co-incidence? Could we not even have a public schoolgirl for divesity!.
Not seen recent figures , but I am sure well less than 5% go to private schools, but the Scottish parliament apparently needs to be permantly headed up by one. I wonder why?
Posted by: Rhona Branks, London on 7:51pm Tue 20 Nov 07 [bold]bold[/bold] [italic]italic[/italic] I Think Alex F Sucks Balls[quote]quote[/quote] I LOve Him Really :) I Think Alex F Sucks Balls quote I LOve Him Really :) | 
