tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post3452744684656212548..comments2023-10-16T08:37:22.742+00:00Comments on An incredulous eye on the isles: Our MP's successesElectricCrofterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495260997875836669noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-62454615236351815872007-07-28T18:01:00.000+00:002007-07-28T18:01:00.000+00:00There was a recent radio debate questioning the gr...There was a recent radio debate questioning the green credentials of trains - they pollute more per passenger than modern buses - and suggesting that the railway lines be tarred over and used by buses to provide fast link services between towns. It's an interesting thought, however trains pollute less than planes and if there was a high speed rail link between London, the major cities of northern England, and central Scotland there would be less people flying and less planes required.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-41990109349692308442007-07-28T10:02:00.000+00:002007-07-28T10:02:00.000+00:00You missed this 'success' in The Herald 25/7/07:An...You missed this 'success' in <A HREF="http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.1569859.0.0.php" REL="nofollow">The Herald 25/7/07:</A><BR/><BR/>Angus MacNeil, the SNP's Westminster transport spokesman, condemned the government transport policy on environmental grounds, and its failure to plan a high-speed rail link, but Tom Harris, the Transport Minister, pointed out that the SNP had not supported any of the government's investment to date.<BR/><BR/>He said: "Angus doesn't understand that to increase the top speed of any train by 15% requires an increase in energy of 90% so it is frankly naive to assume a high-speed link would in some way be environmentally friendly.<BR/><BR/>"By 2009, we will have invested more than £8bn upgrading the west coast main line between England and Scotland, every penny of which the SNP opposed. In the meantime, while we have been looking at ways to increase capacity on the west coast line the SNP have been busy cancelling rail and tram projects in Scotland and giving the go-ahead to roads. So, no lessons from the SNP on environmental credentials."<BR/><BR/>-----<BR/><BR/>Angus is obviously to ill-informed to understand his brief.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps he's hoping for a high speed raillink between Barra and Benbecula?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-29529814805309685462007-07-27T22:49:00.000+00:002007-07-27T22:49:00.000+00:00ID cards – 9 votes against introduction of this af...ID cards – 9 votes against introduction of this affront to civil liberties<BR/>Terrorism bill – 16 votes against another affront to civil liberties<BR/>Replacement of Trident nuclear missile system – 2 votes against this affront to humanity<BR/>Investigation into Iraq war – 4 votes for <BR/>Reform of the House of Lords into a 100% elected house – voted for although, sensibly, later voted against a bicameral parliament.<BR/>Voted for keeping sub post offices<BR/>Voted in favour of reducing the voting age to 16 <BR/>Asked over 200 questions of government departments<BR/>Spoke in 29 debates last year<BR/><BR/>Of course there are some who think these actions do not affect us teuchtars so far away from London!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-63416856496646105682007-07-23T20:13:00.000+00:002007-07-23T20:13:00.000+00:00"but I think it was eyOOPS who said that the good ..."<I>but I think it was eyOOPS who said that the good thing that ABM did for the islands was get rid of CM - isn't that a bit like saying; "good old Stalin the guy before him was a lot worse. LS</I>"<BR/><BR/>Er, well no, not really. Using such ludicrous comparisons weakens your argument considerably.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-27359598148419052092007-07-23T12:54:00.000+00:002007-07-23T12:54:00.000+00:00I am sorry to come to this debate late - i've been...I am sorry to come to this debate late - i've been away, but I think it was eyOOPS who said that the good thing that ABM did for the islands was get rid of CM - isn't that a bit like saying; "good old Stalin the guy before him was a lot worse. LSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-37562504070415745362007-07-21T14:21:00.000+00:002007-07-21T14:21:00.000+00:00Good to hear that, Angus. I only ask because there...Good to hear that, Angus. I only ask because there have been flights where Mr Morrison was 'cordoned off' from the other passengers at the front of the plane, and have been told he used the executive lounge at Edinburgh Airport.<BR/><BR/>Given the debacle of the £440m parliament building, it's important that politicians (whether MPs, MSPs, MEPs or councillors) try and set an example by not overspend unnecessarily.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-17240112975331948842007-07-21T11:43:00.000+00:002007-07-21T11:43:00.000+00:00Without defending the expenses regime, can I just ...Without defending the expenses regime, can I just point out that the flights between Stornoway and Edinburgh are all one class, economy.Angushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06819249125186554637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-23158638183743687932007-07-21T10:23:00.000+00:002007-07-21T10:23:00.000+00:00There have been a few comments on the blog about o...There have been a few comments on the blog about our MP having a "fat salary". <BR/><BR/>Whilst MPs do vote on their salaries, the salaries are advised by the Senior Salaries Review Board, an independent body. (In December 2006, some Conservative and Labour MPs wrote to the SSRB calling for a 66% increase to their salaries.)<BR/><BR/>On top of that, expense claims often exceed politician's salaries.<BR/><BR/>George Lyon, Liberal MSP, claimed mileage expenses in his constituency when he was in New York at Tartan Week. Another Liberal MSP, Keith Raffan, stood down shortly after an abnormally high expense claim. David McLetchie resigned as Scottish Conservative leader over his taxi expense claims.<BR/><BR/>Indeed, our own Alastair Morrison had the 4th highest expenses in 2003/4 with £89,397. And had the highest travel expenses in 2004/5 with almost £20,000.<BR/><BR/>Of course, the main reason for this is that he had to travel regularly between Edinburgh and the Western Isles. But how often did he fly business or first class rather than economy class? <BR/><BR/>Maybe Madrudhach could provide a breakdown of his flights by economy, premium economy, business class, and first class for us...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-71427009727392419982007-07-19T09:58:00.000+00:002007-07-19T09:58:00.000+00:00He doesn't even understand what the most basic res...He doesn't even understand what <A HREF="http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2007-07-18a.150313.h&s=speaker%3A12004#g150313.q0" REL="nofollow">the most basic responsibilties of Government are</A>, so how can he be expected to achive anything?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-40055920404104720832007-07-19T08:53:00.000+00:002007-07-19T08:53:00.000+00:00The playpark is an excellent project and I've vote...The playpark is an excellent project and I've voted for it.<BR/><BR/>Anything that gets children out into the fresh air and away from the gogglebox and computer games is good.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-28771284692413028242007-07-18T18:49:00.000+00:002007-07-18T18:49:00.000+00:00What are Westminster MPS from scottish seats suppo...What are Westminster MPS from scottish seats supposed to do these days anyway? Apart from pick up a huge salary.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-39900692664359893342007-07-18T17:34:00.000+00:002007-07-18T17:34:00.000+00:00In a short interlude from the party politics, coul...In a short interlude from the party politics, could I encourage everyone to vote for the Ness playpark, which has been nominated for some National Lottery money. Here's the link:<BR/><BR/>www.eoropiedunespark.co.uk<BR/><BR/>If you've ever been to Eoropie and have seen the playpark, you'll know what a great achievement it was for the community to build this.<BR/><BR/>Apologies to Angus for hijacking his blog with this good news story.<BR/><BR/>Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-60706559190633862352007-07-18T17:20:00.000+00:002007-07-18T17:20:00.000+00:00Madrudhach, apologies if you misinterpreted my pos...Madrudhach, apologies if you misinterpreted my post. I'm not looking to score goals.<BR/><BR/>I said that I expect the Labour MSPs to be hard working. Your posting confirms that they are. <BR/><BR/>They are to be congratulated for this, as their work has benefited the islands (I assume that the other 2 MSPs work as hard as Peter Peacock). I don't care whether they represent Labour, Tories, Greens, SNP, Liberals, whoever. As long as they're working for the islands, we should say "well done".<BR/><BR/>My point was that, on the whole, the Tory, Green, SNP and Liberal supporters appear to be trying to engage in serious debate (there will always be exceptions!), whereas Labour appear to be stuck in the "if you say black, I'm saying white" politics we should be leaving behind. <BR/><BR/>Everything is shades of grey in the end. Try and lay off the negativity and cheap insults and we might start working towards a better future.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-56267661975754326732007-07-18T12:09:00.000+00:002007-07-18T12:09:00.000+00:00If eyoop insulted less and answered the questions ...If eyoop insulted less and answered the questions posed he might actually have a case.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-77920653122197875352007-07-18T11:05:00.000+00:002007-07-18T11:05:00.000+00:00Throwing personal insults about, whether you are a...Throwing personal insults about, whether you are a Labour supporter or an SNP supporter, is counterproductive.<BR/><BR/>Not answering simple questions and resorting to bluster is even worse.<BR/><BR/>Can anyone tell me anything positive our MP or MSP have done for the islands to keep my children here and give them jobs?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-12790092293899478902007-07-18T09:07:00.000+00:002007-07-18T09:07:00.000+00:00eyoop, don't try to find me into your neat little ...eyoop, don't try to find me into your neat little boxes that satisfy your desire to be right.<BR/><BR/>I voted for Macneil to get rid of Calum Macdonald. NOT SNP to get rid of Labour. The party was irelevant.<BR/><BR/>If there is a half decent candidate at the next election I will vote to get rid of Macneil who is every bit as bad as Calum.<BR/><BR/>That's not pro-Labour, it's anti-useless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-7324201332438936732007-07-18T09:05:00.000+00:002007-07-18T09:05:00.000+00:00anonymous 9:46 pm "And when they’re in Harris they...anonymous 9:46 pm "And when they’re in Harris they should take a trip to Scalpay and tell the Scalpachs why the factory hasn’t re-opened."<BR/><BR/>Jeez, talk about Labour spin! Perhaps you should think about the circumstances under which the factory closed, and the utter disgust directed by the locals at the Labour MP at the time. Do you remember that? I do!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-24796705629420165692007-07-17T23:50:00.000+00:002007-07-17T23:50:00.000+00:00Anon 12:07"Bonking Brendan", "Inarticulate, stamme...Anon 12:07<BR/><BR/>"Bonking Brendan", "Inarticulate, stammering, twit", "the bespectacled gormless one"<BR/><BR/>What a shame to stoop to such nasty language, worthy only of the gutter press. Have the lessons of Labour's negative campaigning in 2005 and 2007 not sunk in yet? <BR/><BR/>The public don't like it, and it totally detracts from any sensible points you might have been trying to make.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-61099554586312570272007-07-17T22:27:00.000+00:002007-07-17T22:27:00.000+00:00Anon 8:34 You ask what the 3 labour list MSP's hav...Anon 8:34 You ask what the 3 labour list MSP's have done for the Islands. While as minister for Education Peter Peacock invested more money in to Gaelic medium education than any other minister had previously and also in to nursery education. Peter also assured CNES of over £52 million for the new schools in Barvas and Balavanich and the refurbishment of Bayble as a new community school. <BR/>So before you start asking stupid questions, regarding Labour list MSP's think first.<BR/>So along with our elected monkeys at Westminster and Holyrood we also have 3 SNP list MSP's how have also not delivered for our Islands, but we cannot say that when Peter was part of the Labour led executive.<BR/><BR/>ps. What an own goal that was Anon 8:34 instead of 2 monkeys we have 5 representing us. " What a circus" Mind you it is amazing what you can teach monkeys to do maybe Alex Salmond is the clown in the centre of the ring.madrudhachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00666588853174721620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-48719423442479802792007-07-17T20:40:00.000+00:002007-07-17T20:40:00.000+00:00Anon 6.23Ill assume you are being impartial but pe...Anon 6.23<BR/><BR/>Ill assume you are being impartial but pedantic.<BR/><BR/>I think you can take the Labour Free Zone jibe, and I concede it is a jibe, at their hopeless peformance in the Highlands & Islands over the last two elections, in the context in which it was delivered, i.e number of seats won in the Highlands & Islands.<BR/><BR/>If members from the top up lists at the Scottish Elections only deflects this jibe to their satisfaction then fine by me. <BR/><BR/>I submit to your statistical pedant. :-) well done.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-18260513952832997632007-07-17T20:34:00.000+00:002007-07-17T20:34:00.000+00:00I notice there's a lack of people on this blog cla...I notice there's a lack of people on this blog clamouring for '5 things' that the three Labour MSPs for the Highlands & Islands have done for the islands since they were elected. Are these politicians being dismissed by SNP supporters as "party puppets"? No. I guess SNP supporters have a wee bit too much class for that. <BR/><BR/>I expect the Labour MSPs are far from "party puppets", and are probably working hard both in parliament and throughout their constituencies, just as our MSP and MP are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-90651970418399271032007-07-17T20:22:00.000+00:002007-07-17T20:22:00.000+00:00Anon 10:05Thanks for your post, but could you expl...Anon 10:05<BR/><BR/>Thanks for your post, but could you explain how my post was "anti labour diatribe" please. I don't think I mentioned the Labour Party in my post. Though it is perhaps no coincidence that the overwhelming majority of nasty language on this blog seems to be aimed at the SNP and it's elected representatives.<BR/><BR/>I was merely pointing out the contradictions in the council's wind farm arguments. If the 3 criteria to judge a wind farm's are (in Angus' own words):<BR/><BR/>- that it was a community development<BR/>- that the community was supporting it<BR/>- and, that the Comhairle supported the planning application<BR/><BR/>then the LWP proposals meet only the last (you cannot class it as a community development, since only a fraction of the benefits go to the community).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-7742730389883141022007-07-17T19:32:00.000+00:002007-07-17T19:32:00.000+00:00SNP won in the Western Isles because it was there ...SNP won in the Western Isles because it was there turn, Not because of Policy, I very much doubt if 90% of the Western Isles voters are in favour of Independance, which in the short to medium term would be devestating for the economy of Western Isles.<BR/>AA did promise RT for the Western Isles, he obviously can't deliver.<BR/>Which either makes him incompetent or stupid.<BR/>Changing of the Westminster boundarys will get rid of ABM, <BR/>It will be interesting to see how the local SNP and Labour parties react to Charles Kennedy as their MPAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-84588213427371463302007-07-17T18:24:00.000+00:002007-07-17T18:24:00.000+00:00Labour = WarLabour could have stopped Blair.All La...Labour = War<BR/>Labour could have stopped Blair.<BR/>All Labour members have blood on their hands.<BR/>If any Labour member had any decency they would have left after the decision for war. <BR/>The blood of innocent people is on the hands of the Labour Party. A stain that will never go away. <BR/>Vote anyone but Labour and yes even Tories if they can beat the Party of War!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17278382.post-17339407961259242062007-07-17T18:23:00.000+00:002007-07-17T18:23:00.000+00:00Erm, Anon 4:51, think you had better check what yo...Erm, Anon 4:51, think you had better check what you've written. Someone earlier posted a link to the Scottish Elections results for 2007 and I think you'll find that there are 3 H&I MSPs.<BR/>Oops or is that Eyoops!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com