Linda Fabiani was the last hope at filling the seat from a Scottish Minister, but she declined hours before the curtains parted
The opening of the International Edinburgh Festival at the Usher Hall, the Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny, was all set to be an outstanding event, with millions of pounds worth of tickets for the Festival having been sold in advance.
However, the Director of the Festival, Jonathan Milne, received a cancellation from an important guest so late that he couldn't find a replacement, despite desperate last-minute calls to other Scottish Cabinet members. First Minister Salmond, whose seat lay empty for the show which featured the RSNO, the Edinburgh Festival Chorus and musicians and actors from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, apparently called Mr Milne late on Thursday afternoon, with no notable excuse, despite appearances from Cabinet member Des Browne and ex Lord Provost Lesley Hinds among others.
Among some of the more senior guests, Salmond's absence was described as "shocking".
This seemed to go against Salmond's claim to love Scottish arts and culture, and raises questions over his enthusiasm for Scottish events which are not purely his own.
His lack of presence certainly didn't stop the other guests from having a good night, and as long as we don't have to see him in a leotard and tights then I think I'll be OK...
2 comments:
"There are so many times the Labour Party criticise the SNP for nothing other than the sake of conflict, and I don't believe we should be doing that"
Good to see you are a man of your word...
Professional,
I don't think I've been hypocritical, if that is what you're suggesting.
I do go on to say that the reason behind the not being over- critical is because it discredits you when you really are right, and I aim to do nothing other than that on this blog.
Also, it's important to point out that while I criticise my party on this issue, it is at the end of the day only a political issue, and not one which defines your party's values or aims. It indeed does nothing other than shoot ourselves in the foot. However, what I would criticise the SNP for, for example voluntary sector cuts and a political agenda for nothing other than independence, is far more important, and shouldn't be ignored just because of Labour's political weakness.
Post a Comment