Bird in the hand
Despite all efforts to prevent this kind of thing, a seagull has created a nest at the Scottish Parliament, right outside the 5th floor window – opposite Christine Grahame’s office. Just before recess, two of the three eggs had hatched. However, the MSP has prevented people peeking at the new additions as a result of ‘mother gull’s’ furious reactions. She claims that she persuaded the Parliament to temporarily suspend the hawks flying, in the name of animal welfare! But wait a minute – weren’t those hawks supposed to get rid of the seagulls in the first place?
Food for thought
It was approaching dinner time at St. Ninian’s Primary school polling station in Gourock during the Inverclyde by-election and Jackie Baillie and Toni Giugliano couldn’t help but dwell on the politics of food. Indeed Jackie spent more time chatting to Toni about Come Dine With Me recipes, following his infamous appearance on the cult show, than smiling at people on their way to the vote. However, Giugliano’s distractions clearly weren’t enough to stop a Labour victory in Inverclyde. Some have suggested that perhaps Ms Baillie not smiling at them encouraged a vote for Labour. We couldn’t possibly comment…
It’s magic
Strange things happen in Edinburgh during the Festival but one of Holyrood’s friends just recovering from a bout of illness wondered if she was still suffering the effects of a soaring temperature when magician, Paul Daniels, jumped in her parked car and started asking for directions to a post office…with his skills, you would have thought he could have found his way there with just the help of a wand.
Leading from the front
Former council leader and now rising SNP star in the Scottish Parliament, Derek Mackay MSP, who is also the new party Parly business manager is being touted as a future political leader but his aspirations may have over-reached his current responsibilities as he appears to have adopted the moniker of ‘chairman of the party’ on the parliamentary website.
Enquiries to SNP HQ were met with a curt: ‘there is no such position’. Perhaps Derek would do well to consider the words of another chairman, Chairman Mao, who, in referring to the need to have collective leadership, said: ‘The party committee system is an important party institution for ensuring collective leadership and preventing any individual from monopolizing the conduct of affairs.’
Forging coalitions
David Cameron keeps emailing newsletters to the SNP MSP for Edinburgh Western, Colin Keir, addressed to the Rt Hon Colin Keir MP as a member of the Tory group.
Is the party so desperate for MPs north of the border that they’re trying to poach them and from other parties?
The bottom line
Some sage sexual health advice, courtesy of Lord John Prescott’s twitter feed:
Guess who?
Which MSP could this New Statesman columnist have been talking about?
@PennyRed
I spent all evening drinking tea with an SNP MSP, then come home to find my entire feed talking about Scottish independence. #bbcnewsnight
@PennyRed
In fairness, we mostly talked about space opera, local elections and cruising bylaws in Soho toilets, but still.
Tweets
@JoanMcAlpine
Just been invited to “National Wear Your Jammies to Work Day” Fear I must decline…
@immurphymp
Puzzled. What fashion statement are people making by wearing their designer slippers and pyjamas out shopping at 8pm?
@mikeweirsnp
Went to see “Cowboys and Aliens”. A western with space monsters and Olivia Wilde. What else could you want?
@HumzaYousaf
Just offered a sausage roll by a Labour MP. Wasn’t sure whether 2explain Ramadan or Muslim/pork thing in end settled with ‘eh am no hungry’!
@IanMurrayMP
I wonder how successful the “buy 2 Malibu and mixer and get a free nail polish” has been in Diggers?
@kdugdalemsp
Thanks @C_Stihler_MEP for the lovely Birthday card – far more welcome than @GordonAikman ‘s gift of a Saga Holiday brochure.
@jimmurphymp
Thanks for all the b’day wishes yesterday except the #Guardian who added a decade to say I was 54 not 44.