This week in Holyrood…

Lockerbie Bomber The release of the Lockerbie bomber by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has remained a major issue in Scottish politics this week, with the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee signalling it may visit Scotland as part of its inquiry into Mr Al Megrahi’s release. This latest move came after Scottish and UK ministers, past and present, turned down the Committee’s invitation to give evidence … Continue reading This week in Holyrood…

Review recommends Scottish conservatives change their name and go it alone to rid themselves of the ‘toxic’ brand.

Having only secured one seat in the UK General Election the Scottish Conservative party has been subject to review ahead of the 2011 Scottish Parliament elections. A grassroots Conservative website (Conservativehome.com) has recommended that the party becomes independent from their Southern counterparts and also suggested that the party change its name. Suggested new names include the party’s original title up until 1965 the Scottish Unionist … Continue reading Review recommends Scottish conservatives change their name and go it alone to rid themselves of the ‘toxic’ brand.

SNP FORCED TO INVESTIGATE INTERNAL RIGGING IN PARTY LIST SELECTION PROCEDURE

According to Scotland on Sunday, the SNP National Executive Committee (NEC) is investigating claims of ‘bulk buying’ in the West of Scotland region in the run up to the party’s internal selection procedure for the Scottish Parliamentary Elections in 2011. ‘Bulk Buying’ is the practice of buying numerous party memberships in a region with a view to securing the selection of a candidate high enough … Continue reading SNP FORCED TO INVESTIGATE INTERNAL RIGGING IN PARTY LIST SELECTION PROCEDURE

THE ICEBERG ELECTION: SALMOND OUTLINES SNP’S ALTERNATIVE TO ‘SAVAGE CUTS’

Today, Thursday, on the top floor conference suite of the Point Hotel in Edinburgh, Alex Salmond outlined his “Alternative Vision For Scotland” to a gathering of journalists, SNP MSPs, MPs and activists. The First Minister began by warning that Labour, Tory and Lib Dem policies on the economy represent a ‘decade of despair’ for Scotland. He stated figures from the Scottish Government’s Chief Economic Adviser’s … Continue reading THE ICEBERG ELECTION: SALMOND OUTLINES SNP’S ALTERNATIVE TO ‘SAVAGE CUTS’