'Tartan Tories.' More than just a soundbite.

We all have our shadows

I've never known true Home Rule. Not true Nationalism. I'm sickeningly young and good looking. I'm out enjoying myself along with my fellow hoody wearing, crack smoking, abnormally offensive friends. I'm almost a real grown up now and have a job. But due to all this malarcky and carry-on I did as a teenager, the arguments made by Nationalists to vote Nationalist are the ones I read today. They're not yesterday's arguments of oil or lack of voice; in 20 years we'll have no oil, and with a Scottish Parliament we do have a voice.

For me, the SNP are nothing more than their last manisfesto, which was very impressive, and their delivery of it, which has not been such fun...

Parties do change. Maybe not fundamentally change, but they certainly adapt.

In politics, one of the secrets success is the instruction to 'Talk right, act left". Speak of competition, act on cooperation. Speak of entrepreneurialism, act on equality. Speak of choice, act on no child being left behind. However, the SNP have been speaking left and acting right. That is a dangerous tack.

People speak of Labour scare-moungering. Scare moungering?!

• The Edinburgh Cyrenians- £28 000 cut


• The Scottish Refugee Council- £10 000 cut


• Capital City Partnership- £15 000 cut


• Gorgie Dalry Partnership- £15 000 cut

The list goes on...

These are real cuts happening to real people. Not just people of this country, but the most vulnerable members of our society.

They really are Tories hidden by a Scotland flag and a see you Jimmy hat.

Poems, Prayers and Promises

Almost a year into government, and the people of Scotland have seen nothing but cheap rhetoric and lies.

Tartan Tories. Nothing more, nothing less.

1) "1000 more police officers." If found please return...
2) "Labour's school building programme matched brick for brick." Nice soundbite- I like it. Symbolism, with the bricks. Get it? Brick to brick?? Bricks?? Get it...??? Told you it was good. Shame not one's been built yet.
3) "Dump student debt." I am waiting in great anticipation...
4) "First time buyers a £2000 grant." Cheque or credit card- whichever you prefer.
5) "Class sizes reduced to 18 in the first 3 years of school." But they're sooo cute! How could you say no to that?!

They are a farce of a government. And many arrived into government with good intentions, I really do believe that. I wonder what the lefties of their party think like Bill Kidd or Alec Neil? No wonder they're never in the chamber- all couried up in a corner like a scared puppy.

An unaccountable government. Responsibility escapes them.

SNP Councillor Proposes Bed Tax

SNP Councillor, Tom Buchanan, thought it would be a good idea to introduce a tax on hotel beds, in a desperate bid to help meet the increasing financial crisis of Edinburgh Council.

The "Tartan Tourist Tax" has been slammed by Labour's Tourism spokesman, Lewis MacDonald, who said that our struggling and declining hotels needed an added tax "like a hole in the head".

Charming! But fair enough.

What is this 'Government's' problem with identifying problems and solutions to the real issues facing our country? The Herald reported a decrease of 1.3% in hotel occupancy in Edinburgh compared to this time last year. It is at times like this that we need to invest further into our sectors, and not kick them while they're down.

This month it may just be hotel owners who pay the price. But with a tax on beds, the workers, the tourists, the small businesses, and as a result, all of us, will follow.

Yes We Can

Obama Rally

4.30pm

Scottish Parliament

Saturday 12th April

I, like an increasing amount of others, have taken up a bit of (when I say a bit of I of course mean a completely obsessive addiction) interest in the movement taking place in America.

It is an exciting time for America and the world. People are really starting to question Barack Obama's depth and policies. I say, "Who cares?".

My father was born in a world where blacks didn't even have equal rights in America, and now, in his working life time, I believe he will see a black President of the United States. What a movement to be a part of. What a feeling.

"I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about real change in Washington... I'm asking you to believe in yours"

Whatever type of President he becomes, and whatever he does, he is asking not just for votes, but for people's belief that a different world is possible. That is wonderful. Just wonderful.

If you can join us on Saturday, please do.

Expensive Expenses...

If our great First Minister can't answer a question in Parliament, is it not simply a matter of time before people start to look elsewhere for answers? I know I have.

Favourite restaurant? The Raj, Leith. He's made a fair number of trips there in his ministerial car, sometimes with only a day in between visits (26th and 28th June), naughty boy...

Oh well, at least that's not as bad as his hotel bill, which lay at £2333 a night while in London. That's 8 times the price of staying at the Ritz.

There are many politicians who manage to keep their feet firmly on the ground, and others who don't. With £116 000 worth of expenses for just 6 trips to Westminster (he's still an MP by the way...) you can make up your own mind which side he lies on.