Wendy Alexander's decision to jump over the top last week by backing an independence referendum has earned some imaginative descriptions. "The politics of the padded cell," was how one commentator put it. Meanwhile, one MP had a more crude descriptio
n. Commenting on her decision to change Labour policy on the hoof on live TV last Sunday, he declared that Wendy had let off "a brainfart".
WHERE THERE'S SPIN…On the same subject, much gossip has been spent on trying to find the source of the original story last weekend which claimed Wendy and Brown were about to back a referendum. The name of Brown's former press handler and now political chief of Unite, Charlie Whelan, above, has once again emerged. Who thought New Labour spin was dead?
GOOD SPORTSA massive blow against sectarianism was struck in the Scottish Parliament last week. Tory MSP Murdo Fraser laid down a motion issuing good luck to Rangers ahead of their Uefa Cup final appearance this Wednesday. It was promptly signed by Hoops fan and Labour MSP Frank McAveety. What more evidence do you need of the New Scotland?
PAYMENT IN KINDREDKeeping it in the family is, it seems, a motto that unites Scottish MPs from all parties. Under new rules introduced after the Derek Conway scandal, MPs were last month forced to declare in the Register of Members' Interests whether or not they employed family members. Twelve of the 59 Scottish MPs did so. Last week another four added their names to the list. Scottish Office minister David Cairns employs his cousin Angela Moore as a caseworker and Labour MP Brian Donohoe employs his wife Christine as an "executive secretary" – which could give her a salary of up to £40,052. Another Labour MP, Jim Sheridan, employs his daughter Joanne as a caseworker while SNP sleazebuster Angus MacNeil, above, employs his wife Jane as a caseworker on a salary of up to £25,195. SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson had already listed his wife Carron Anderson as his "senior caseworker" on a salary of up to £29,716.
PRINTER DISFUNCTIONGlaswegian Scottish Nationalist MSP Bill Kidd, left, managed to alarm a few of his colleagues at an otherwise dull meeting of Holyrood's Equal Opportunities Committee.
When asked to present a report, Kidd began with the startling statement: "I must apologise, because my reproductive facilities broke down yesterday."
Bemused MSPs, not knowing where to look mumbled their sympathy before one fellow Nationalist ventured: "Are you a eunuch now?"
Kidd explained: "My printer was not working."
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