tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43204020298535733602024-03-12T20:43:58.090-07:00Crap Holyrood ChatA webspace to record any chat coming from Holyrood that could reasonably be described as 'crap'. The aim of this blog is to raise the standard of debate in the Scottish Parliament and embarrass MSPs into thinking before they speak.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01485196287282298695noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-13814254934625582282009-09-03T15:02:00.000-07:002009-09-03T23:39:46.628-07:00Parliamentary ParadesThe parliamentary term is a long and winding road, an epic adventure that leaves our steely MSP warriors bruised and broken when recess finally comes around. They look out on that new daunting journey this week as the legislative programme is unfolded, as the first joust of FMQs gets going and as Crap Holyrood Chat enjoys its latest relaunch (it's like Kylie Minogue's career here, mercifully without the gold hotpants).<br /><br />Anyway, with this odyssey in mind, what better motion to kick off some Holyrood Chat with than this one on marches and parades....<br /><br /><a href="http://scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/default.aspx?pq=S3W-26912"><em>S3W-26912 - Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab) (Date Lodged Thursday, September 03, 2009)</em></a><em>: To ask the Scottish Executive how many marches and parades were held in 2008, broken down by local authority area.</em><br /><em></em><br /><br />I am sure Bill has his reasons but really, why would anyone need this information?<br /><br /><br />Anyway, hopefully CHC will enjoy this parliamentary parade with Mr Butler and his 128 colleagues right up to recess 2010.<br /><br />If anyone wishes to join the site as an Editor, feel free to leave a message in the comments or get in touch with <a href="http://www.snptacticalvoting.com/">myself</a>.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01485196287282298695noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-62737487696815143642009-09-03T03:34:00.001-07:002009-09-03T03:35:05.619-07:00Quote of the DecadeThis cannot be topped until after 2019 surely?<br /><br />"Alex Salmond does not have any mandate in any way from the Scottish people"<br /><br />Mike RumblesHolyrood Patterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011279364711982978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-53630137129187425272009-09-02T20:08:00.000-07:002009-09-02T20:19:55.439-07:00A Blast from the Past - Taking it LiterallyI have been meaning to do this for ages, but <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jeffs</span> rallying call inspired me to revisit it.<br /><br /><br />A paltry 6 months ago, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">WWF</span> (the panda lovers, not the wrestlers) held an <a href="http://www.worldwildlife.org/sites/earthhour/index.html">earth hour</a> which meant that people, if they cared about our dear circle of a world, were to turn off all their lights (and electricity if they were really committed).<br /><br /><br />The fact that this <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">occurred</span> during a vital world cup qualifier between Scotland and Holland did not deter dozens of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">MSPs</span> from signing their support. Sadly for them, the crafty people at the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">WWF</span> took their names and added them to a <a href="http://earthhour.wwf.org.uk/how_you_can_help/who_signups/scotland/">list</a> of organisations and people who had effectively signed up to earth hour. The question is, how many of those <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">MSPs</span> can honestly say that between 8.30 and 9.30 on the 28<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> March they switched off their lights? We would be angry if mentioned business shut as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Whyte</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mackay</span> and Scottish Power Reneged on their green credentials, so step forward those listed <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">MSPs</span> (for some reason blogger will not let me paste - but they include Wendy Alexander, Rebel Malcolm <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chisolm</span>, Blogger Jamie Hepburn, Signing Sensation Stuart McMillan, and Sleepy Sir Jamie <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mcgrigor</span>) and tell us - were you really in the dark on that fateful night, or did you just lie as the Tabloids would lead us to believe you do every day?Holyrood Patterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011279364711982978noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-81011206003265874972009-07-13T22:47:00.000-07:002009-07-13T22:47:00.269-07:00Calman Shmalmam<a href="http://scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/business/motions/Default.aspx?motionid=16908"><em>S3M-04447 Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (Scottish National Party): Calman Commission A Wasted Opportunity</em></a><em>— </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>That the Parliament is disappointed with the rather timid recommendations set forth in the publication, Serving Scotland Better: Scotland and the United Kingdom in the 21st Century; believes that proposals merely to redraw Scotland’s complex relationship with Westminster would only perpetuate a complex constitutional mess; regrets that the outcome of this report seems largely predetermined by an unrepresentative unionist clique as evidenced by the convenient sidestepping of full fiscal autonomy and veto powers, the paucity of public meetings and the commission’s own stated objective of securing the union; recognises the National Conversation to be much more democratic in its deliberations, considering as it does all constitutional options; sees the Isle of Man and other crown dependencies flourishing through self-governance and wonders why Scotland is not recommended the same privilege; notes that these crown dependencies have long successfully governed in many areas that the commission appears to believe Scotland incapable of managing, such as varying the tax regime, setting energy policy, regulating health professionals, running the postal system and meeting our unique immigration needs; recognises that the Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey and the other Channel Islands, with a population of less than 200,000 among them, are entirely self-supporting, receive no subsidies from the United Kingdom and even make an annual contribution to Westminster for defence services; welcomes any increased powers but is disappointed that Scotland will still be denied its own oil revenues and considers limited borrowing to be a far cry from a long-term solution; agrees with those economists who state that the Calman recommendations are at best an opportunity missed and at worst a recipe for economic instability; acknowledges the sovereign right of the Scottish people to determine the form of government best suited to their needs, as stated in the Scotland Act 1998, and therefore seeks the public’s view on this non-consensus document through referendum; suggests that there is no reason why the Scottish people should not decide how they should be governed; believes that these issues could simply be resolved by full Scottish independence, as any other system would restrict Scotland’s potential as an enterprising nation, and looks to take Scotland forward following a positive result in the free and fair referendum that the Scottish Government proposes to hold in 2010. </em><br /><br /><br />For length, word choice, partisan approach and distinct improbability of ever gaining a majority this seems a suitable motion to perhaps jump start Crap Holyrood Chat with.<br /><br />You can always rely on Kenny G....Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01485196287282298695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-2538460921735926732009-05-07T03:57:00.000-07:002009-05-07T04:22:12.888-07:00Football FocusFinally back with some crap chat to report, and it is a cumulative effort as the parliament has recently been swamped with a pandemic, not of swine flu, but of cheesy football related motions that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">dont</span> really say anything whatsoever. The criteria seems to simply be that you exist, you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">dont</span> have to have had any success.<br /><br />S3M-04055 Aileen Campbell (South of Scotland) (Scottish National Party): First Division Champions— That the Parliament congratulates St <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Johnstone</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">FC</span> on its promotion to the Scottish Premier League; notes the hard work of the team, manager and backroom staff and the dedicated support of the fans, and wishes the team all the very best for a successful season next year.<br /><br />To be fair, St <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Johnstone</span> did win the league, so this motion is forgiven.<br /><br />S3M-04031 Willie Coffey (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Kilmarnock</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Loudoun</span>) (Scottish National Party): <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Kilmarnock</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">FC</span>, Scotland's Oldest Professional Football Club at 140 Years Old— That the Parliament congratulates <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Kilmarnock</span> Football Club on its 140<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">th</span> anniversary; recognises that the club is the oldest professional football club in Scotland and has played a significant role in the development of professional football in Scotland, and looks forward to the club’s continuing contribution to a strong and successful future for Scottish football.<br /><br />They are 140, but any lover of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Arsene</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Wenger</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">esque</span> free flowing football will doubt the statement that they have played a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">significant</span> role in football in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">scotland</span>.<br /><br />S3M-4011 Cathy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Jamieson</span>: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Auchinleck</span> Talbot <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">FC</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Citilink</span> Scottish Junior Cup Final—That the Parliament congratulates <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Auchinleck</span> Talbot <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">FC</span> in reaching the final of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Citilink</span> Scottish Junior Cup; notes that the club has won the Scottish Junior Cup on seven previous occasions; wishes the team well for the final against <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Clydebank</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">FC</span> at Rugby Park, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Kilmarnock</span>, on 31 May 2009; also notes that the club is currently celebrating its centenary year, and thanks everyone associated with the club for their continued work in the local community.<br /><br />However, there was no consensus on this note.<br /><br />S3M-04040 Des <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">McNulty</span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Clydebank</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Milngavie</span>) (Lab): That the Parliament applauds the renaissance of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Clydebank</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">FC</span>, which sees the team reaching the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Citilink</span> Scottish Junior Cup final for the first time since its reinvention six years ago; acknowledges the tremendous work of the United <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Clydebank</span> Supporters Trust in its tireless support of the team that started out with no funds and still has no home; thanks everyone associated with the club for their contribution to the local community, and hopes that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">Bankie</span> fans will have every reason to celebrate on 31 May 2009.<br /><br />There is a hint at least of achievement in those, but this:<br /><br />S3M-03444 Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Scottish Labour): St <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Mirren</span> Football Club— That the Parliament notes that St <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">Mirren</span> Football Club was established in 1877 and is one of the oldest football clubs in Scotland; further notes that St <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Mirren</span> Football Club was a founder member of the Scottish League in 1890 and moved to Love Street in 1894; acknowledges the club's success in winning the Scottish Cup in 1926, 1959 and 1987; notes that the move from Love Street to the new St <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Mirren</span> Park stadium provides a tremendous new stadium that will benefit both the club and the wider community, and wishes St <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">Mirren</span> Football Club success both on and off the field in this new chapter in its long history.<br /><br />But they are second bottom?<br /><br />Youth teams <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">aswell</span>!<br />S3M-04043 Shirley-Anne <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Somerville</span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">Lothians</span>) (Scottish National Party): <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">Hibs</span> Under-19s <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">SFA</span> Youth Cup Win— That the Parliament congratulates Hibernian Football Club under-19s on their <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">SFA</span> Youth Cup win; notes that the final against Rangers was won by two goals to one; further notes the exciting game that went to extra time as both teams were drawn one each, and also congratulates <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">Kurtus</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">Byrne</span> whose goal in the last minute of extra time gave <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">Hibs</span> its first taste of Youth Cup glory for 17 years.<br /><br /><br />Also, in true crap chat fashion, some motions are double <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">dunters</span>!<br /><br />S3M-04066 Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour): Congratulations to St <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">Johnstone</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">FC</span>— That the Parliament congratulates St <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51">Johnstone</span> Football Club in capturing the First Division championship and wishes the club well on its deserved return to the Scottish Premier League next season.<br /><br />S3M-04010 Cathy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52">Jamieson</span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53">Carrick</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54">Cumnock</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55">Doon</span> Valley) (Scottish Labour): <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_56">Kilmarnock</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_57">FC</span> 140<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_58">th</span> Anniversary— That the Parliament congratulates <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_59">Kilmarnock</span> Football Club on marking its 140<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_60">th</span> anniversary; notes that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_61">Kilmarnock</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_62">FC</span> is the oldest professional football club in Scotland; recognises that the club has been a great ambassador for Ayrshire and Scotland, and looks forward to further success on the pitch and as part of the local communityHolyrood Patterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011279364711982978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-50013636183628389322009-04-25T04:52:00.000-07:002009-04-25T04:53:52.207-07:00StarkeyHow long will it take an outraged MSP to lodge a motion in Parliament slating David Starkey about his comments on Question Time?Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03092264892200529590noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-19527290658941184812009-04-04T09:19:00.001-07:002009-04-04T09:22:48.727-07:00Finally, some crap chat to reportI honestly had no plans to make this an anti-Foulkes website but if he keeps lobbing up daft Motions and PQs then we at Crap Holyrood Chat will keep batting them back into the public eye.<br /><br />George's latest is yet another example of a motion that I wager not one single person in the country would deem to be a worthwhile use of Parliament's resources:<br /><br /><a href="http://scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/business/motions/Default.aspx?motionid=16263">S3M-03860 George Foulkes (Lothians) (Scottish Labour): Culture of SNP Cronyism</a>— <em>That the Parliament notes the reimbursement paid to Brighton-based singer Sandi Thom for services to the Scottish Government; recalls the “dosh for dinners” incident where, in the early days of the SNP government, donors were wined and dined at the First Minister’s official residence; notes the appointment of an SNP councillor as head of the Scottish Qualifications Authority, an SNP supporter as head of the Scottish Futures Trust and an SNP donor as head of the Scottish Council of Economic Advisers; remembers the SNP policy to deregulate bus services and considers that the SNP abandoned that policy after the owner of a major bus operator gave substantial funds to the SNP’s 2007 election campaign, and finally recognises the First Minister’s admiration for Scots-born, Barbados-based, SNP donor Sean Connery whose return to Scotland would be the ultimate homecoming. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em></em><br />Fair play to our MSPs though, the quality of the motions and PQs has been fairly high recently.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01485196287282298695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-17344202364828654022009-03-06T04:41:00.000-08:002009-03-06T05:40:43.418-08:00A decent motion? Shock HorrorAbout time there was a motion to have a dig at George Foulkes, shame it doesnt mention the Jowly Jambo by name..<br /><br />Short Title: Cost of Parliamentary Questions<br />S3M-03628 Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP): That the Parliament, mindful of the answer to question S3W-17445 by the Minister for Parliamentary Business on 10 November 2008 that the cost of answering a parliamentary question is £98.51, notes that at least <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">one member</span> has asked over 1,000 questions in this parliamentary session, costing a total of over £100,000, and that if all members followed this example that the cost to the taxpayer would be nearly £13 million, or £26 million in a full session, and therefore requests all members to consider whether their question is really necessary before incurring yet more public expenseHolyrood Patterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011279364711982978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-52364899925580041552009-03-06T02:04:00.000-08:002009-03-06T02:11:53.509-08:00George Foulkes does it againHot off the press this one:<br /><br /><strong>S3M-03621 George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab):</strong><br /><em>That the Parliament calls on the Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution to retract his derogatory remarks about parts of Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Stirling and Lanarkshire, made in his book, In Waiting: Travels in the Shadow of Edwin Muir, in October 1998; in particular calls on the minister to retract the comments that imply that Glasgow is too dangerous to get out of a car and that tenement closes are covered with the bodies of unconscious drug addicts, that describe the flag on Edinburgh Castle as “an awful mutant tablecloth”, that suggest that Dumfries is full of “skinny, ill-dressed women”, that Aberdeen is inhospitable and that Stirling is undesirable, and believes that it is against the interests of Scotland to have a minister who is responsible for promoting Scotland and its culture to be seen to continue to hold these views.</em><br /><em></em><br />Heaven forbid that a politician would go out and, you know, actually meet people, talk to them and then tell it like it is.<br /><br />For a better context on George Foulkes' rather carefully shown phrases, go to <a href="http://the-universality-of-cheese.blogspot.com/2009/02/russell-browned-off-at-gnome-jokes.html">this blog</a> and then decide if the eminently capable Mike Russell is a force for good or not.Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01485196287282298695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-48650692817572633302009-03-01T14:47:00.000-08:002009-03-01T14:52:18.985-08:00Long time, no crap chatCrap Holyrood Chat seems to have been impressed by the standard of motions and PQs of late. I have to admit my infrequent amble into what is being said at the Parliament has not turned up anything worthy of inclusion here.<br /><br />That is until today. I fear Jackie Baillie is on thin ice with this rather poor motion and, so, she is entered into the vaults.<br /><br /><a href="http://scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/business/motions/Default.aspx?motionid=15921">S3M-03567 Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): SNP Fails Dumbarton Academy</a>— <em>That the Parliament welcomes the decision by the Labour group of West Dunbartonshire Council to set a budget that included funding to enable a much-needed rebuilding of Dumbarton Academy; considers that the rebuilding of this 500-year-old school should be a priority; expresses considerable disappointment and anger that the SNP-led council failed even to consider the Labour group's proposals and voted against the rebuilding of the school; further expresses concern that, if the school is not rebuilt quickly, it will disadvantage thousands of young children in Dumbarton who are currently being denied access to the best educational environment possible, and therefore calls on the SNP to build a new Dumbarton Academy without any further delay. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em></em><br />A valid grudge perhaps, but a parliamentary motion? Save it for your campaign leaflets I think...Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01485196287282298695noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-5248300393554340252009-01-22T16:02:00.000-08:002009-01-22T16:06:21.695-08:00Obama's Coat TailsOf course there is nothing wrong with congratulating President Obama on a successful inauguration but there is something unmistakably cringey about this one:<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">S3M-03260 Alasdair Allan (Western Isles) (Scottish National Party)</span>: <div>Lewis Congratulates Island Connection for New President— That the Parliament welcomes the inauguration of Barack Obama as 44th President of the United States of America; notes the welcome tradition of new American Presidents identifying their ancestors around the world, and further notes the particular pride in Ness on the Isle of Lewis that President Obama has ancestors from the township of South Dell. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Scotland has never felt so small.</div></div>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01485196287282298695noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-8769465782148663972009-01-17T04:08:00.000-08:002009-01-17T04:13:45.416-08:00George Foulkes - As unionist as they comeI understand that George Foulkes is mad keen on keeping Scotland inside the UK but not only do I find it strange that this zeal is taken to such lengths that he is troubled by the Tories choice of name, but I am annoyed that he uses our money to register his disapproval via a crap motion.<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /><a href="http://scottish.parliament.uk/business/motionsAndAmendments/motions.htm">S3M-3195George Foulkes</a>:Scottish Conservative and Unionist—That the Parliament notes with incredulity that the Scottish Conservatives have dropped the term unionist from their title just as the UK party has resumed its use following its electoral agreement with the Ulster Unionists and urges Annabel Goldie to end the confusion by reaffirming that the unionist credentials of the Scottish Tories remain intact.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div><div>Thanks George, the good people of the Lothians will be delighted with a hard days work there. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then again, given how often you put questions and motions up, I guess the above amounts to about 20minutes work on any given day!</div></div>Jeffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01485196287282298695noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-46354830208857547352009-01-05T02:20:00.000-08:002009-01-05T02:22:06.069-08:00A motion we won't see Kenneth Gibson lodge...Short Title - <strong>'Making the Parliament More Serious'</strong><br /><div align="justify"><br />That the Parliament continues to be astounded by certain <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">SNP</span> members capacity to lodge turgid, utterly pointless motions such as 'Making the Parliament More Scottish'; notes that the processing of parliamentary motions costs money and should be used to raise issues of relevance and genuine importance to constituents; challenges Mr Gibson to find one member of the public who takes this sort of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">pish</span> (fine Scottish word that so don’t accuse me of not wanting to make the Parley more Scottish!) seriously; recalls that, earlier this year, Mr Gibson's laid a motion praising his young daughter for winning a colouring in competition and pleads with the Kenny (sorry Kenneth) Gibson's of this world to stop wasting <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">everyone's</span> time with daft pedantic motions such as the one about wanting to make the Parliament more Scottish.</div>Holyrood Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577796295296324242noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-67164866559101024662008-12-23T09:42:00.000-08:002008-12-23T09:47:41.901-08:00Highway to a Hellish MotionIt would be getting partisan to suggest that AC/DC are rubbish, which they are, but if we are to let the motions database go unchecked then nonsensical, and trivial guff can be allowed to be published. Is Christine the new George <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Foulkes</span>?<br /><br /><br /><strong>*S3M-3151Christine Grahame:AC/DC - We Salute You</strong>—That the Parliament recognises the significant musical contribution of rock band AC/DC, whose founding members, Angus and Malcolm Young, moved from Scotland to Australia and joined with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bon</span> Scott, another Scottish <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">émigré</span>, to create what has become a musical legend with the band selling an estimated 150 million albums worldwide and establishing themselves as one of the best-selling rock bands of all time; notes that the popularity of AC/DC continues to grow and welcomes their forthcoming performance at Scotland’s national football stadium on 30 June 2009, and finally acknowledges the musical inspiration that the band has provided to thousands of Scottish musicians who have themselves gone on to great international success.Holyrood Patterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011279364711982978noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-55599196410840065032008-12-21T05:59:00.000-08:002008-12-21T06:28:01.693-08:00CHC Budget - 100KInteresting Press Release, admittedly from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">SNP</span>, that shows that through his obscene and wasteful <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">PQs</span>(as we have so lovingly presented to the viewing public), have cost the taxpayer a whopping £100,000. From this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">PQ</span> and answer:<br /><br /><br />S3W-17445 - Ian McKee (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Lothians</span>) (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">SNP</span>) (Date Lodged Monday, November 03,<br />2008): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question<br />S3W-6776 by Bruce Crawford on 18 December 2007, whether an updated<br />estimate of the financial cost of answering a written parliamentary<br />question is available.<br /><br />Answered by Bruce Crawford (Monday, November 10, 2008): Following a review<br />by the Scottish Government Finance Administration, the average cost of<br />answering a written parliamentary question is calculated to be £98.51.<br /><br />I assume, as is not explicitly mentioned in the release, that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Foulkes</span> has asked around 1000 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">PQs</span> for this to add up.<br /><br />A new Favourite of mine to remind you why he is worth the money, and why this blog exists:<br /><br /><br />S3W-17351 - George <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Foulkes</span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Lothians</span>) (Lab) (Date Lodged Thursday, October<br />30, 2008): To ask the Scottish Executive how many <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Saltire</span>-branded space<br />hoppers it has ordered for the purposes of celebrating St Andrew’s Day<br />2008; where they were manufactured; what the item price is, and what the<br />overall cost was of production.Holyrood Patterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011279364711982978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-41715299201072343212008-12-19T12:01:00.001-08:002008-12-19T12:01:48.395-08:00Classic KennyNothing to add on this to be honest. The man is a hero!<br /><br /><br />Short Title: Making the Parliament More Scottish<br />S3M-03150 Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): That the Parliament recognises Scotland’s phenomenal contribution to world civilisation over recent centuries in medicine, science, literature, philosophy, exploration and a host of other fields; shares the disappointment of many visitors from home and abroad that the Parliament building barely reflects this; is aware that in the heart of the Parliament one could be in almost any country; believes that in the Year of Homecoming this should be rectified; considers that rooms such as TG.21, Q1.03 and Committee Room 1 and the Garden Lobby would each be better named, and should be themed, after individual Scots who have contributed both to making Scotland the nation it is today and to the creation of the modern world, and urges the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body to, imaginatively and decisively, give the Parliament the identity it needs.Holyrood Patterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011279364711982978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-21944140652766902032008-12-16T06:01:00.000-08:002008-12-16T06:04:31.622-08:00Any need for this?We have seen some guff motions from some quarters recently, but is there really any need to waste time and resources with crap like this?<br /><br />S3M-03109 Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP): That the Parliament congratulates SNP councillor Anthea Dickson, elected on 11 December 2008 to serve the people of Kilbirnie and Beith Ward on North Ayrshire Council in Cunninghame North constituency; notes that Anthea more than doubled the SNP share of the vote from 23.4% in 2007 to 48.9% in 2008 with a swing of 15% from Labour; is aware that in 2007, even as the SNP won Cunninghame North by 48 votes, it polled 831 fewer votes than Labour in Kilbirnie and Beith but has now polled 424 more; recognises that Labour has two branches in the area, including Scotland’s biggest, two Labour clubs and that the MP Katy Clark has two offices in Kilbirnie and Beith, and believes that if the SNP can win in such traditionally strong Labour territory it can look forward with confidence to even greater success elsewhere in the months and years ahead.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03092264892200529590noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-23216489266741563202008-12-05T09:37:00.001-08:002008-12-05T09:38:25.491-08:00Interesting Press Release from John SwinneyBest to check them before sending them out eh?<br /><br />-----Original Message-----<br />From: Stephen.Carter@scottish.parliament.uk [mailto:Stephen.Carter@scottish.parliament.uk]<br />Sent: 03 December 2008 15:06<br />Subject: News Release from John Swinney<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />News Release from John Swinney MSP<br /><br />Attn: News Desk<br />For Immediate Release<br />Photo Desk<br />Friday 21st November 2008 <br /><br />SWINNEY TO HOLD CONSTITUENCY SURGERIES<br /><br />Mr John Swinney, SNP member of the Scottish Parliament for <br /><br />North Tayside will be holding constituency surgeries in December.<br /><br />John Swinney endeavours to hold surgeries around his <br /><br />constituency as often as possible. He regularly has <br /><br />appointments in his constituency office in Blairgowrie but <br /><br />travels around North Tayside to meet those who cannot attend <br /><br />meetings in the office.<br /><br />John Swinney will be holding surgeries at the following <br /><br />locations on Monday 15th December 2008.<br /><br />Pitlochry, Town Hall – 10.00 – 11.00<br /><br />Aberfeldy, Breadalbane Academy - 11.30 – 12.30 <br /><br />Dunkeld, Birnam Institute – 1.00 – 2.00<br /><br />Scone, Robert Douglas Memorial Institute – 2.30 – 3.30 <br /><br />Coupar Angus, Town Hall – 4.00 – 5.00<br /><br />Commenting on the upcoming surgery John Swinney said,<br /><br />“God I hate these things!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />“These surgeries are an important element of my portfolio as a <br /><br />representative of the people of North Tayside.<br /><br />“They provide me with an opportunity to travel around the <br /><br />constituency and meet those who are not able to meet me in my <br /><br />constituency office.<br /><br />“I encourage the constituents who wish to see me to come along <br /><br />to one of the surgeries, to make an appointment to meet with me <br /><br />simply phone 0125... .” <br /><br />END<br />Contact: Stephen Carter<br /> 0125... <br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />-----Original Message-----<br />From: Stephen.Carter@scottish.parliament.uk [mailto:Stephen.Carter@scottish.parliament.uk]<br />Sent: 03 December 2008 15:08<br />Subject: Previous Press Release<br /><br />Dear All <br />Please immediately disregard the previous press release. <br />Yours Sincerely <br />Stephen Carter <br />-----Original Message-----<br />From: Stephen.Carter@scottish.parliament.uk [mailto:Stephen.Carter@scottish.parliament.uk]<br />Sent: 03 December 2008 15:10<br />Subject: Previous Press Release<br /><br />Deal All <br />I would be very much grateful if the previous press release would be immediately deleted. <br />I am sorry for this inconvenience <br />Yours sincerely <br />Stephen Carter <br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br /><br /><br />**********************************************************************<br /><br />"For latest news and information about all aspects of Parliamentary business, MSPs and our work, visit the Parliament's website at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/.<br /><br />For information about how you can visit the Parliament, go to http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/visitingHolyrood/index.htm.<br /><br />Watch Parliamentary business live at http://www.holyrood.tv/<br /><br />The information in this e-mail transmission and any files or attachments transmitted with it are strictly confidential and may contain privileged information. It is intended solely for the person or organisation to whom it is addressed and if you are not the intended recipient, you must not copy, distribute, disclose or take any action in reliance on it. If you have received this e-mail in error, please delete it from your computer system and notify the sender as soon as possible.<br /><br />While this e-mail message and attachments have been swept by the content filter software for the presence of computer viruses, the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body does not guarantee that either are virus-free and accepts no liability for damage sustained as a result of a virus. It is the recipient's responsibility to ensure that the onward transmission, opening or use of this message and any attachments will not adversely affect their systems or data or otherwise incur liability in law."<br /><br />**********************************************************************Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03092264892200529590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-32443890625519266462008-12-05T06:49:00.000-08:002008-12-05T06:58:21.041-08:00Immitation is the highest form of flattery....apparentlyWhen you copy Jamie Hepburn you sink to new depths but that didn't stop SNP MSP Bill Kidd lodging virtually the same motion as his Central Scotland colleague had previously lodged.<br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><strong>*S3M-3049 Bill Kidd: Scottish Youth Parliament Website</strong>—That the Parliament congratulates the Scottish Youth Parliament on the establishment of the new website, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.syp.org.uk">http://www.blogger.com/www.syp.org.uk</a>, which now includes a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) finder feature, making it easier for young people to communicate the issues that are important to them to their MSYPs and recognises the valuable contribution that MSYPs make to their local communities and youth politics across Scotland.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><strong>S3M-03046 Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP):</strong> That the Parliament welcomes the relaunch of the Scottish Youth Parliament's website; notes that improved features include a redesign and a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) finder facility aimed at improving links between young people, MSPs and MSYPs; believes that the Youth Parliament continues to play an important role in representing the views of young people in Scotland, and encourages all MSPs, and the wider public, to make use of the new website.</div><div align="justify"></div><p align="justify">How much can you possibly congratulate a Parliament that spawned John Loughton? </p>Holyrood Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577796295296324242noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-55470882071308337712008-12-05T06:47:00.000-08:002009-04-04T09:23:24.832-07:00Worst press release ever?<p><strong>LABOUR in the Scottish Parliament</strong><br />News Release<br />Immediate Release<br />Friday December 5, 2008<br /><strong>LABOUR TELL SNP 'SCOTLAND IS A NATION'</strong><br />Scottish Labour is calling on the SNP to accept that Scotland is a nation. Alex Neil said in a press release that he will be presenting his case against the HBOS merger to a 'national audience' on Channel 4. Does he think that when he appears on Scottish programmes he is only addressing a region?</p><p>Scottish Labour Finance Spokesman David Whitton said:</p><p>"Alex Neil seems to think that Scotland is only a region.</p><p>"He says his appearance on Channel 4 is before a 'national audience'. Well, I believe I am speaking to a 'national audience' when I appear on programmes in Scotland. </p><p>"Alex Neil should accept that Scotland is a nation and apologise for his patronising slur."</p><p><strong>ENDS</strong></p>Holyrood Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577796295296324242noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-63274090967439478692008-12-04T12:31:00.000-08:002008-12-04T12:33:41.371-08:00Scots Wha Hae?These 2 motions are so strikingly and pointlessly similar that there is even a subtle <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">namecheck</span> from one to the other!<br /><br /><br />Short Title: New Translation of the Universal Declaration o Human <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Richts</span><br />S3M-03031 Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">SNP</span>): That the Parliament<br />welcomes the publication by Amnesty International of a Scots language version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in poster format, in time for its 60<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span> Anniversary on 10 December 2008; believes this will help to promote awareness and understanding of both the human rights agenda and the importance of the Scots language; reaffirms its belief in the declaration’s opening statement that "All human beings born free and equal in dignity and rights", which translates as "Aw human <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">sowels</span> is born free and equal in dignity and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">richts</span>"; notes that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is one of the most translated documents in history and welcomes the Scots and Gaelic translations of it, and further reaffirms its commitment and respect for fundamental human rights, irrespective of language or any other distinction.<br /><br /><br /><br />Short Title: European Parliament Civil Liberties Committee’s Recognition of Right to be Educated in and Speak Scots and Gaelic<br />S3M-03035 Bill Wilson (West of Scotland) (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">SNP</span>): That the Parliament, further to motion S3M-3022 in the name of Jamie Hepburn (European Parliament Committee’s Concern at Human Rights Abuses), welcomes the desire of the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee to promote regional or minority languages, and specifically the statement that it believes that "the right to speak and to be educated in one’s mother tongue is one of the most basic fundamental rights", and accordingly expresses the opinion that failure to provide education in Scots and Gaelic to the children of native speakers of these languages should be considered a breach of human rights.Holyrood Patterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011279364711982978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-52476890752003638622008-11-28T02:23:00.000-08:002008-11-28T02:34:57.071-08:00Axis of EvilAlex Neil thinks the UK is going broke. The Arc of Insolvency is bust too. Perhaps he thinks someone from the Axis of Evil could save us all.<br /><br />S3M-02953 Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): That the Parliament notes that, as a result of the pre-Budget report announced on 24 November 2008 by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the estimated budget deficit for the UK Government will rise to over 8% of GDP in 2010 and the national debt will rise to nearly 60% of GDP, with both these figures excluding the billions required to pay off the debts arising from PPP/PFI commitments and the bail out of the banks; notes that the United Kindgom’s credit rating has now been downgraded to being, apart from Italy, the lowest in the developed world; deduces that, based on previous statements made by the unionist Labour, Liberal and Tory parties about the economic viability of an independent Scotland, the United Kingdon can no longer survive as a politically independent state, and therefore invites those parties to advise which other nation should now assume responsibility for running Britain.<br /><br />No, wait, it's just the usual plucky fightback against the Unionisht Conshpirashy!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NL2Gdh5aPQc/SS_I3C1lkhI/AAAAAAAAACM/Rs5jOHSEpZc/s1600-h/alexjongil.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 243px; height: 345px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NL2Gdh5aPQc/SS_I3C1lkhI/AAAAAAAAACM/Rs5jOHSEpZc/s400/alexjongil.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273654536654131730" /></a><br /><br />Also, it appears he loathes the United Kingdom so much he can't even spell it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-27936300992998703412008-11-27T08:54:00.001-08:002008-11-27T08:54:59.588-08:00And the point is?Date of Lodging: 27 November 2008<br />Short Title: A St Andrew’s Day Belter for Kinross<br />S3M-02983 Keith Brown (Ochil) (SNP): That the Parliament congratulates the residents of Kinross postcode KY13 8?? on winning the biggest ever prize of £1 million in the People’s Postcode Lottery draw and wishes them a very happy St Andrew’s Day.<br /><br />What????Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03092264892200529590noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-31070520004849359852008-11-24T16:39:00.000-08:002008-11-24T16:46:14.440-08:00The short arm of the Law (centre)Interesting motion.<br /><br /><br /><a name="ShortTitleLabel">Short Title: </a><a name="ShortTitle"></a>Govanhill Law Centre<br /><a name="UniqueIdPlusText">S3M-02941 Mr Frank McAveety (Glasgow Shettleston) (Lab): </a><a name="IntroText"></a>That the Parliament<a name="MotionText"></a><br />welcomes the opening of the Govanhill Law Centre, a new law centre offering free legal advice to residents of Govanhill, which will work with the local community to root out slum landlords, gangmasters and organised criminals; congratulates principal solicitor <strong>Mike Dailly</strong> for his commitment to the centre; thanks Glasgow City Council leader Steven Purcell and Govanhill Housing Association chairperson Janice McEwan for their work on behalf of the centre; further thanks Louise Carlin of Oxfam Scotland’s Poverty Programme for the charity organisation’s ongoing support, and hopes that the Govanhill Law Centre will help empower the community to solve the problems that it faces and provide further confidence to residents in their campaign for a better Govanhill.<br /><br /><br />Mike Dailly.<br />Hmm. Is this the same guy who was quite close to backing a legal challenge against the election of Kenny Gibson (what a tragedy, we would have no business!) and then said the whole Holyrood Election should be re-run?<br />The guy who has regularly slagged off the SNP and is a Labour party member as far as I am aware, if not a former Candidate in some way.<br />Old Frank should be careful, this backinf of Housing Associations can backfire...Holyrood Patterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011279364711982978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4320402029853573360.post-42595623832149282012008-11-24T08:00:00.000-08:002008-11-24T08:05:48.512-08:00George Foulkes - Buffoon<div align="justify">Since entering Holyrood last May, Labour buffoon George Foulkes has asked a startling 850 questions and in the process, barring a few exceptions, unearthed nothing of any use. He discovered once that police numbers had gone up and another time that the new SNP Government spent less on special advisers than his lot did in the previous Government. Trawling through his parliamentary questions on the Parliament website is a soul destroying waste of time, however, I would like to point the following two questions out to everyone. Bear in mind these cost £100 each to answer.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="center"><strong>Ministerial Costs</strong></div><strong></strong><div align="left"><br /><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/default.aspx?pq=S3W-17900">S3W-17900 - George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab) (Date Lodged Friday, November 14, 2008)</a>: To ask the Scottish Executive in what circumstances it meets dry cleaning costs incurred by Cabinet ministers and whether it will detail any such costs met since May 2007, broken down by Cabinet minister.<br /><strong>Answered by John Swinney (Friday, November 21, 2008):</strong> There have been no dry cleaning costs incurred by Cabinet ministers since May 2007.<br /></div><div align="center"><strong>Scottish Government<br /></strong></div><div align="left"><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/default.aspx?pq=S3W-17899">S3W-17899 - George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab) (Date Lodged Friday, November 14, 2008)</a>: To ask the Scottish Executive which members of the Scottish Government have received the services of a stylist since May 2007.<br /><strong>Answered by John Swinney</strong> (Thursday, November 20, 2008): None.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="justify"></div><p align="justify">Well, there's two hundred quid the taxpayer won't see again</p>Holyrood Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15577796295296324242noreply@blogger.com3