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Hamish Macdonell: So far, so good – now Gray has chance to show real leadership

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Published Date: 14 October 2008

FIRST Minister's Questions really is a curious fixture. Only about 27,000 people watch it live on television (out of a country of five million) and the weekly jousts receive limited coverage in the newspapers and on broadcast news bulletins. But its effect on morale and party political standing at Holyrood is immense – quite out of proportion to its influence outside the parliament.

For the past year, the Scottish Labour Party has staggered about, unsure of what it was doing and where it was going. Part of this was because of Wendy Alexander's performances at First Minister's Questions. Her back-benchers really did not know whic...

The full article contains 1021 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.

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Last Updated: 13 October 2008 9:22 PM
Source: The Scotsman
Location: Edinburgh
Related Topics: Hamish Macdonell , Scottish Labour Party

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The Strategist,

14/10/2008 00:55:33

Is this journalist on drugs or in the pay of the Labour party. I've never read such biased nonsense.

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Guga II,

Rockall 14/10/2008 08:14:01

Another New Labour Sleaze and Corruption Party (North British Branch) press release from Hamish and the Hootsmon.

It's hard to say which one of you is the biggest toady, yourself or David MadDog.

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Tynietiger,

14/10/2008 08:43:13

Gray may be competent but not inspring and can never win an election going head to head with Alex Salmond.

Lax financial regulations by Brown and Darling caused the Banking crisis and having given £5.5 billion of our money to Lloyds Bank what assurances did GB get from Lloyds Bank to retain HBOS HQ in Edinburgh?

Did he even ask?

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Mr. Lachie Todd,

Edinburgh 14/10/2008 09:34:04

This is wishful thinking in an attempt to compare Iain Gray to someone like the redoubtable Labour worthy, Willie Ross?

A generation of Scots, especially Labour voters, remember the redoubtable Willie Ross.

Iain Gray is NO Willie Ross!

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Conway,

14/10/2008 10:11:39

Why is it that unionist parties and press hacks seem pleased with the humiliation of Scotlands financial sector. I just dont get it rather than being positive about what we could be they are beside themselves with glee in putting Scotland down. The union with England has served its purpose we need to move on and become full members of the European Union which includes joining the Euro .Now that interest rates have dropped the move to the Euro wouldnt be such a shock to the financial system.

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Douglas Eckhart,

Edinburgh 14/10/2008 11:14:12

Unfortunately for Gray, he was awarded his position due to the blessing of the dinosaur trade unions, so he has to bow to their will. This is why the Labour party is doomed to fail, as the hardline unions are just seen as grasping and greedy in today's economic climate, but in order to maintain what is left of its support base, Labour has no choice but to adhere to their agenda

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