Not Trumptown but Trumpcountry....

According to The Donald's man about Scotland, George Sorial, not content with building the world's greatest golf course and a hotel and hundreds of houses it appears that Team Trump are to buy Scotland. At least that's what The Scotsman is implying with it's headline – First Menie, next Scotland – Trump expands. According to Sorial, the managing director for international development at the Trump Organisation,

"I can't comment specifically on anything. However, we have been and are looking at a number of distressed properties in Scotland, in the UK, in Europe and globally. There are several very attractive projects right now in Scotland where we have ongoing discussions. They are in the areas of our core business – homes, hotels and leisure resorts. It can be situation where a developer has got in trouble with the banks, or where a developer simply has run out of money and doesn't have the funding to bring a project forward. We have said over and over again that, although there are some very obvious problems with the global economy, there are plenty of opportunities out there for a developer with a good cash position."

Don't you just love the Trumpies. They think we dim enough to buy this kind of b/s. Pound to a penny nothing of the kind is happening in Scotland. It's the business equivalent of a deflector shield. Somethings afoot in Trumpworld.

In The Name of God Go. . .part 2

The official web site of the Prime Minister's Office, and more specifically the bit about the petitions, seem to be tampering with the information. The petition that states – We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to resign, has been shortened to just 'resign' on the front page. Why? 'Cos it's all so horribly embarrassing for Gordon Brown who seems to be completely losing his grip. Even Baron Mandy in his interview at the weekend spoke in a way to suggest he knows that they're doomed....then as long as Brown is in charge I guess we all are.

I urge you all to sign here....it's already the most popular petition on the site.

Scottish Minister Being Deliberately Unhelpful

Last Wednesday Jim Hume (South of Scotland Lib Dem MSP asked when the Scottish Executive reporter’s findings in relation to the Fallago Rig wind farm public inquiry would be published. Bearing in mind enquiry took place in February 2008 so it is now well over a year not an unreasonable question.

This was the answer from the minister. Possibly the most unhelpful answer in the history of parliamentary answers.

Jim Mather: The report from the Public Local Inquiry on the Fallago Rig wind farm will be published on the day the ministerial decision is announced. A news release will be issued and the decision details, including the Inquiry report will be made available on the Energy Consents website www.scotland.gov.uk/enterprise/energy.

Of course it's taking so long because it's turned into a matter on national security. The RAF don't want the windfarm because it affects their radar and creates black holes. Torness Nuclear power station is just down the road.

In The Name of God Go!

During the early months of World War 2 with Chamberlain both ill and his position increasingly untenable there were calls in parliament for him to resign. Among the Tory members who spoke out against Chamberlain was Leo Amery, a man not noted for his oratory but who on this occasion surpassed himself. “You have sat too long for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say let us have done with you. In the name of God go!”

On Friday a petition was added to the downing Street web site asking Gordon Brown to resign. It quickly reached 500 signatures and by this morning it's well on the way to 12,500. I suspect by the end of the week it could be at 100,000. Who knows where it will end up. You can sign HERE

BT Scotland, Not So Green As They Could Be

The Scotsman is running a top 50 Scottish Green Giants list and today the top ten will be announced in Edinburgh. On the list already announced at No.13 is Brendan Dick, The director of BT in Scotland has led the company's climate-change programme, and has been an ambassador for Prince Charles on corporate responsibility for the past year. The Prince said Mr Dick was a "natural leader" who inspires others.

Well 'tis a pity that BT Scotland seem unable to provide the level of broadband services in many remote parts of Scotland that are necessary. Here in the Lammermuirs the exchanges are so old that some people are still unable to get broadband and those of us who are get a half meg line. Broadband for all, at decent speeds, would allow many small businesses to relocate to the rural parts of Britain and reduce commuting by allowing more people to work at home. Our local Community Council has even offered them money to upgrade the Longformacus exchange, but no joy. Sometimes it's better to look at what's happening in your own back yard that worrying about corporate climate change programmes.

Why Bother with Gaelic Roadsigns?

According to the Scotsman this morning a delegation from Bord na Gaidhlig, the national Gaelic agency, will today try to find a way forward with senior councillors from Caithness who oppose the introduction of bilingual road signs in the area. The councillors have consistently argued against Gaelic-English signs, despite their being part of Highland Council's Gaelic Action Plan.

All this occurs as Caithness prepares to host the Royal National Mod, Gaelic's premier arts and music event, next year. Arthur Cormack, Bord na Gaidhlig's chairman, who will head the delegation for the meeting in Inverness, said: "We are keen to meet the councillors to hear what they have to say. We have not had any direct contact with people who are apparently complaining, and we want to hear the issues first hand." Did he say this in Gaelic and then has someone translated it?

Two thoughts. With around 50,000 Gaelic speakers in Scotland what is the point of road signs in both languages? If there was an independent Scotland how long before all signs across Scotland would go the same way? We already have a sign on the A1 saying 'Welcome to Scotland' in both languages. Given that the visitors to Scotland are almost to a man and woman unable to read Gaelic why is there a sign welcoming them in that language?

Mandy Watch No.11

Lord Mandelson told the BBC that the matter was now closed and no-one in government was implicated in Mr McBride's dealings. "That is where the matter, I believe, can rest."

I've just about stopped laughing. His Lordships tells us we can all stop worrying about this and by golly we all shall. Now I know he has to say this, but the manner in which he says it is so irritating. I've even a good mind to go back on my post agreeing with him last week, just because he's so bloody arrogant!

Gordon Brown is Finished

Anyone who has been a regular on this blog will know that I'm no fan of Gordon Brown. But, honestly? Not even I thought he was this bad. Back in May 2007 under a post entitled, Never Make Dreams Your Master, I said.
Previously the one thing that people perhaps could say about Brown is they respected him for what he has done, now even that is unravelling. So what are we left with? A man who isn't actually very likeable, who is fond of telling us all how wrong we are and how he knows what's best. At the same time those close to the clunking one have been working double time to try and soften his image, they know how damaging it is. Yet no matter what they do he will never be able to pull it off. Gordon Brown will never a leader be.

Five days later I commented on The Last Ten Years – It was Nothing To Do With Me.
It was after his first speech as PM in which he famously said.
He was to move away from the "cult of celebrity" and sleaze allegations that had tarnished Mr Blair's years in office and that his premiership would be guided by a "moral compass" instilled in him by his father, a Scots minister of religion, and his mother.

By June I went all Oscar Wilde and talked of The Importance of Being Earnest. It was in response to Milliband's appointment as Foreign Minister and the bringing in of 'experts' who would be made peers to do specific jobs.
Government of all the talents my big toe, it's Gordon Brown trying to appear to be all embracing while he will continue to be what he's always been - a controller and a man who is exclusive rather than inclusive. This is not going to be a lot of fun.

By May last year I was getting desperate, Gordon Brown – Back Door Man
People talk of Brown's intellect, his work ethic, his brain, all the other attributes that he is supposed to have in abundance, yet has any one ever talked about his leadership skills? It's too easy to say, ah yes, but he was always been in Tony's shadow, but he’s had time to do his own thing and he’s been found wanting. No matter what Brown does he has not the charisma, the charm, the interpersonal skills - that special something that leaders have and those who are their number's two's always think they have - that's GB's biggest problem and always will be. He thinks he's cleverer than everyone around him, which he might well be in intellectual terms, but IQ, brainpower, cleverness, and being a bit of a know it all will never out trump someone who has that special something. Like it or not Blair had it and Brown will forever be the man in search of it.

In the same month I was asking if he was Standing on the Shoulders of Midgets.
Twenty-five years ago I was on a plane somewhere over America when I picked up a copy of Time magazine with Ronald Reagan’s picture on the cover. The lead article was about Reagan’s style of managing his team. He said, “Surround yourself with the best people you can find, delegate authority, and don't interfere as long as the policy you've decided upon is being carried out.” It’s the total antithesis of what Gordon Brown is about and it’s why he can’t hack it. As a No.2 his power was based upon tripping people up on the detail, as a No.1 it’s his Achilles heal. He just doesn’t have what it takes to be a leader and the more that the young guns defend him it only highlights what’s wrong with his leadership.

By June it was another question. Are No.2s Always Brown?
Leadership is an art and it’s also something that has a huge deal to do with confidence. It’s why I have constantly said that Brown is no number one, he’s a No.2 and always will be; sort of appropriate really….

By July 2008 I was loosing it Gordon Brown, Superstar

“Gordon Brown, Gordon Brown
Who are you, what have you sacrificed
Gordon Brown, Superstar

Do you think you're what you say you are?”

Gordon Brown is no superstar; he’s just damaged goods.

At the Labour Party Conference in the autumn I noted that Gordon Brown was Like A Worn Out Record
"This is not about rhetoric", says the Prime Minister. It's not? That's what this and his entire government is based upon. He doesn't do leadership; he does talking. Politics as we all know has a lot to do with the ancient art of smoke and mirrors, but it also, just occasionally, has to do with not just talking the talk, sometimes you have to walk the walk too. Fundamentally it's all about leadership and it's what Brown doesn't get about it. He thinks the more he talks the talk about “fairness” and “rising to challenges” it will all magically come right on the night. Just about everyone in Britain have had their pockets picked by Labour with stealth tax after stealth tax making things ever worse, while all Brown can do is blame it on the global crunch. Yes of course there are global issues but our problems are also domestic, labour-made, issues. It's been an accident waiting to happen and Brown has overseen this mess - much of which is his own making.

A couple of days later I suggested that.
Gordon Brown will become a similar object of derision for Conservatives and those who vote labour out at the next election. He will become the man whose legacy will keep Labour out of power for years to come. No matter what happens he’ll be the Brown eyed loathsome man.

Over the past week or so the McBride scandal and now the addition of Balls, Whelen and co. has dragged Brown to a new low. In the Sunday Telegraph there is an article by Tom Bower. It is THE best article I've read anywhere on the calamity that is Labour and the unmitigated disaster that is Gordon Brown – especially since becoming PM. The simple fact is that Brown does not have the ability to lead. He's like a guy I once worked with that was recruited from academia. His response to everything was, let's write a paper. These papers looked impressive, were big and were full of graphs and diagrams. However, very little of what he proposed made any sense – fine in the confines of the classroom, no good in the real world of cut and thrust business. Brown and his boys (because that is largely the problem, they have little experience) can go on and on talking the talk – they just can't walk the walk.


What's to happen? Well, we're going to have a completely discredited government under a leader who cannot lead, doesn't know how to lead at a time when we need leadership and a strong government more than we've ever needed one. The blogosphere (not keen on the term, but it'll do) did well under Guido's full frontal attack last week. However, the MSM, and especially the newspapers have been stung into action. They are having difficulties coping with declining sales and Ad revenue; they don't need their credentials as journalists and commentators called into question. We will have a run of stories on the government from papers anxious to show their Lobby correspondents are not tame hacks doing Labour's bidding.

Watch their space....it's going to get bloody.

Labour Gone For A Generation...

The story in the News of the World on Sunday about Labour's General Secretary being fully involved in the Red Rag web site and now the Sunday Times breaking the story that Ed Balls has been 'running' McBride come as yet more seismic shocks for Labour and Gordon Brown.

You will need to the read the full shocking details for yourself, but suffice to say. Is it any wonder that things in this country are the way they are? Government ministers are so busy sniping at each other that they are too preoccupied to run the country. Of course they all see the writing on the wall for Labour who are hopelessly out of touch and will be out of office as soon as there's an election. The SNP will decimate Labour in Scotland; the Tories in England, which means Labour will be gone for a generation. . .at least.

Owl Watch is Back

For several weeks now Mrs H. has been worrying about her owls and whether or not they would return to the nest that they used last year, which is in full view of the house. The nest has been extended with a patio to stop the young owlets falling off. Well, there was near jubilation in the house this week when at dusk she saw an owl fly at low level down the lane on a hunting trip. Yesterday she saw an owl drop on a mouse early in the evening and this morning we both watched an owl hunting. Rubbish pictures taken through our bathroom window, with its 100 year old panes of glass, but at least its proof!

UPDATE

18.20 Saturday. Mrs H. just saw the owl go into the owl box. He must be feeding his mate on the nest.

Patrick Harvie Proves He's a Twit

I'd not normally bother having a look at the Twitterpades of Green MSP Patrick Harvie, but given the stories of him twittering while sitting at dinner with Gordon Brown, Alex Salmond et al this week I couldn't help myself. There has been general condemnation of Harvie twittering throughout the dinner and it prompted him to write to the Scotsman to say.

"This is the first time in my life that I've been chastised by an 'etiquette guru', whatever that means." In his letter, Mr Harvie suggests that Mr York and other critics were just out of date. "Being only vaguely aware that such people existed, I am very grateful to you (The Scotsman] for securing the services of an etiquette guru to comment on my Twitter habit."

It's bloody obvious that sitting there on such an occasion twiddling with your blackberry, or whatever it is he uses, under the table is just bad manners. His justification of his actions really does make you feel that we are being governed by idiots. His sarcasm towards the notion of an etiquette guru is not unreasonable yet Mr Harvie on his twitter pages asked this question about a month ago.

"Wondering whether it's bad etiquette to post the same update to Facebook and Twitter"

So he's clearly someone who is concerned with etiquette in general. Other twitter entries reveal a man who has some interesting takes on his life and being an MSP as well as his relationship with those that follow him on the social networking site - there are 108 of them.

Trapped on a train next to a fat couple making out.
11:47 AM Apr 2nd from mobile web

Was it a gay or straight couple?

It's twelve o'clock, it's Holyrood, it's the deja vu show!
4:12 AM Mar 26th from mobile web

I thought it was his job. . .

Why the fuck can't this country run trains properly? I know, don't answer...
3:23 PM Mar 19th from mobile web

Most of his comments are pretty predictable fare from a Green MSP, but the idea that they we shall ever have the chance of judging their ability to run the trains is of course never going to be tested. . .thank goodness.

How The Lobby Works

Very interesting piece by Iain MacWhirter on the Lobby system HERE

Mandy Watch No. 10 – I Agree With Lord Mandelson

The Scotsman takes Lord Mandelson to task this morning and has got opposition politicians to join in on a chorus of disapproval for what his Lordship had to say. But quite incredibly I find myself agreeing with the Minister. This is what Mandelson had to say.

"There are still really major sources of opportunities for us. There are huge growing economies out there, with rising incomes among growing populations, that are going to be demanding and buying the sort of goods and services that we excel at producing. When people talk about the world with such pessimism, they are ignoring all the opportunities and concentrating only on the risks. So frankly it's about time people stopped being so darned pessimistic, looked at it on the upside and looked at what we're good at in this country."

The opposition lined up with a series of meeja sound bites that look like they have been written by teenage politics students (actually I apologise that's rather insulting to teenagers, they would probably have done better).

"Peter Mandelson's extraordinary remarks are yet another indication of just how out of touch the UK Labour government is. Lord Mandelson may not be feeling the pinch, but when families and businesses across Scotland are really struggling – with figures this week showing sharply rising unemployment in Glasgow – it is bad taste and bad judgment for him to deny the reality of the Downing Street downturn." – John Mason, the SNP's work and pensions spokesman.

"The world may look bright to Lord Mandelson, but for hard-working families facing rising unemployment, stagnant wages and shrinking credit, the contrast couldn't be more stark. Labour's failure to understand how the world looks to ordinary families makes them part of the problem, not the solution." – Philip Hammond, shadow chief secretary to the Treasury.

"Scotland is being hit hard by Labour's recession and doesn't need cheer-up lectures from Peter Mandelson. He needs to get out more and experience the real world and the turmoil created by Labour's broken economy." – David Mundell, the shadow secretary of state for Scotland.

First of all this is not some attack on Scotland as the Scotsman and the SNP in particular have tried to make it. It may have been said in Scotland but he doesn't single out Scotland in his remarks. Anyone who knows anything about business knows that there is a need for confidence and talking things down the whole time is a huge problem. Much of what has gone on in these past months over the recession has not been helped by the media with their 'end of the world' style of presentation.

I find Mandelson patronising most of the time and if I were talking to him, face-to-face I know I would find him intensely irritating. However, the SNP and Tory remarks are typical of the reactionary, opposition style of politics in Britain, of the kind where one side says "black", the other automatically, without much thought says, "white".

David Mundell, a lawyer by training, calls for Mandelson to get experience of the real world. Mr Mundell worked as a solicitor in private practice and BT's head on national affairs in Scotland – many would consider this as only a tenuous link with the real world. John Mason from the SNP trained as an accountant in Glasgow before working for housing associations, nursing homes, and with a charity in London. He also spent 3 years in Nepal with an NGO representing churches from all over the world.

Lawyers and accountants are the brakes of a business, not the accelerators.

Sorry seems to be the Hardest Word

Gordon Brown's letter to Nadine Dorries MP. I wonder what a hand writing expert would have to say?

McBride. . .How Come It Took So Long?

There's an interesting post on Iain Dale this evening about 'client journalism'; talking about how journalists are reliant on people like Damian McBride for their information so that he was in some way tolerated. Am I surprised, not one bit. But when you get to hear how bad McBride's behaviour has been it's all pretty staggering. Take this little scenario...

In early 2007 McBride sent a text message to Anthony Browne, the outgoing political correspondent of the Times.
'I just wish for once you'd try to get past your cynical, Tory, halfwit Harold Lloyd schtick to try and be a genuine journalist. It’s presumably cos of your inability to do so that you’re off to earn a crust at some Tory think-tank instead. Pathetic.’

Apparently Browne had asked McBride for a comment on his paper’s scoop that Gordon Brown had been warned in advance about the problems his 1997 pensions fund raid would cause. He was the Prime Minister's special adviser on press issues, working closely with the director of communications Mike Ellam. Even then McBride operated in the shadows and was perceived to be closer to the PM. He also dealt with personal PR for Sarah Brown, the PM’s wife.

According to some McBride employed Machiavellian means when it came to Brown’s obsession to succeed Tony Blair as Labour leader. According to one unnamed source ‘Anybody who was potentially a rival to Gordon would suddenly find lots of negative stories about them in the press, whether it was David Blunkett, Alan Milburn or John Reid – with all the disasters in the Home Office – and then David Miliband. A lot of people would say those stories have come from Damian.’

Now let's not forget that this man was being paid by us, the taxpayers and are we seriously to believe that Gordon Brown knew nothing of his dark arts?

Hat Tip Brand Republic

Phil Spector – The Murder and A Book

The news the Phil Spector has been found guilty of second degree murder and is to be jailed for at least 18 years will be all over the media today. It will, for some, tarnish the reputation of one of music's great creative figures. I fondly remember looking forward to new releases of Spector produced records during the sixties – even those that were run of the mill, and there were few of them, were better than most anything else that was being produced. He was emulated and revered by musicians during that golden age of pop. To get a better understanding of the man and his music read my friend Mick Brown's wonderful book, Tearing Down the Wall of Sound – The Rise and Fall of Phil Spector. Mick is a brilliant writer who has the eye for detail of the journalist that he is, coupled with compassion and humanity that produces great books

Mick talked to Spector in December 2002, the legendary recluse's first interview in 25 years. Six weeks or so later Spector was arrested on suspicion of murdering a small time actress named Lana Clarkson and that trial is about to commence in Los Angeles. Ironically twenty-four hours before the alleged murder Mick's article appeared in the Daily Telegraph Magazine. As the book's publicity states, '"Tearing Down the Wall of Sound" is Mick Brown's personal odyssey into the heart of the strange life and times of Phil Spector. Beginning with that fateful meeting in Spector's home and recounting the story of his mercurial life and career, including the unfolding of the Clarkson case and its aftermath, this is one of the most bizarre and compelling stories in the annals of pop music.'

McBride – The Price of Silence

Is it fair to assume that McBride was allowed to resign, rather than be sacked, because it will in some way help his financial position? Will he keep pension rights as a result? Is there any 'hardship payment' for a resignation rather than a sacking? Or was this all about buying his silence. If McBride was sacked then surely he would be more likely to have something to say about the Great Protector that is Gordon Brown.

Which ever way the affair is looked at how can Gordon Brown not be implicated? The PM had lunch with Derek Draper at Chequers shortly after Draper registered his Red Rag web site. . .WHY? Why would the Prime Minister invite Draper to lunch? To discuss his work as a psychotherapist? Downing Street were oh so quick to react to the situation, casting McBride adrift, which tells you how worried they are.

What is clear is that there is something very rotten at the core of Labour. The fact that they think there is some orchestrated Tory campaign against them, led by Guido, shows how delusional they are. They are so beleaguered that they are demonstrating all the worrying traits of a bunker mentality. Brown's ability to get on with the more important job of getting us through the recession will be close to impossible.

Guido Gets Under The Telegraph's Radar

Guido Fawkes posted this blog entry on the Telegraph's blog this afternoon. It was still there at almost 3.30 p.m. Maybe the Telegraph has Easter Sunday off. Thought I'd post it for when the Telegraph get around to removng it.

Telegraph Has Behaved Terribly Over Smeargate

Sunday, April 12, 2009, 01:38 PM GMT [General]

There are a lot of bitter, jealous journalists at the Telegraph and you have behaved shamefully over the McBride story. You even tipped off Downing Street in advance as to exactly what I was up to. It reflects on you a lot more than it does on me.

You revealed sources, broke a confidence, breached a signed non-disclosure agreement and behaved like patsy's for McBride.

You still failed to spoil the story. Your political team is about as weak as it gets, that is why you sucked up to Downing Street.

The Telegraph was once run by gentlemen for gentlemen. This would never have happened under Deedes or Charles Moore.

Do your worst.

Draper, McBride and Brown – Triplets of Different Mothers?

Liam Byrne, the Cabinet Minister, was on BBC News this morning stating the government and Gordon Brown's position on Smeargate debacle. He said not once but several times that Mr. McBride sent these emails to "a friend" and engaged in "juvenile banter". It's as though Derek Draper, the 'friend' had nothing to do with Labour and this was just a couple of 'lads having a laugh'. Draper is the editor of Labourlist, for which we can assume the Labour party have been paying handsomely. How long will Draper be in that position? Draper has written a piece on LabourList justifying his actions and in the comments section he's been attacked by just about all the commentators. Interesting too that the minister in commentating about McBride always referred to him as "Mr." It's as though they barely knew one another when in reality they worked together on a daily basis.

Of course Gordon Brown didn't order McBride to do what he did, but he knew exactly what kind of person McBride is and what in general he was up to in his capacity as his tame spinner. If Brown didn't know, why didn't he? You don't employ someone like McBride, who incidentally is paid for by us, and not know what he's doing, do you?

Regional Airports in Decline

All over the BBC news this morning is the story about the serious decline in passenger numbers from regional airports. It's being dressed up by calling into question the so called 'hidden charges' that regional airports are introducing. The fact is that there are too many airports in Britain for the size of the country. We get away with it in a time of rampant passenger demand but this is only going to get worse over the next year or so. We can expect more airlines to fail and more services to be cut. It's all about economics.

What's more surprising is that no one has linked what's going on to the proposed sale of some of the BAA's airports. There's a lot more to come on this story in the next few months.

Guido and Draper. . .Kane and Abel?

There's fascinating news today that Guido Fawkes has rumbled a big one going down in Downing Street involving that ‘master’ of spin and psychotherapy, Derek Draper.

A Saltire in 2009

The Saltire is Scotland's national flag which is the oldest flag in Europe and the Commonwealth, and it has its origins in a battle fought in East Lothian in the Dark Ages. Its believed that the battle took place in 832AD. An army of Picts under the High King of Alba, and aided by a contingent of Scots had been on a raid into Lothian and were being pursued by a larger force of Angles and Saxons under one Athelstan. The Scots were caught and stood to face their pursuers in the area of Markle, near East Linton, north of the modern village of Athelstaneford. Fearing the outcome of the encounter, the Scots' King led prayers for deliverance, and was rewarded by seeing a cloud formation of a white saltire (the diagonal cross on which St Andrew had been martyred) against a blue sky. The king vowed that if, with the saint's help, he gained the victory, then Andrew would thereafter be the patron saint of Scotland. The Scots did win, and the Saltire became the flag of Scotland.

This photograph was taken at 8.15 pm this evening looking towards East Lothian, near Athelstanesford. History does repeat itself. . .

Gordon Brown Speaks Out on Second Homes Row?

"Something must be done about the iniquitous arrangements by which senior cabinet ministers are claiming massive benefits on second homes while living in grace and favour properties supplied at the taxpayers expense. Hard working families in Britain need to know that we feel their pain, that we share that pain, and are not out of touch; we aim to take action on this issue as soon as possible. As Prime Minister, I, of course, don't do any such thing as cheating the system, I am above all that kind of thing. Neither do I accept that I'm now making this statement because the cat is out of the bag and I'm being forced into it by public opinion. I've always felt it immoral and it's evidence of greed from MPs of all parties, who work the system to their advantage, while increasing the burden upon the state. However, what am I to do? I have been totally unaware things like this are going on in parliament, even when I was Chancellor. Neither was I aware that it was an issue with the public at large because none of my cabinet colleagues have brought the matter to my attention. Now that I am aware I will put in place a parliamentary review to come up with an alternative scheme that will help to realign the collective moral compass of Parliament. This review will be conducted by a select group of MPs chaired by a minister who will I am sure act promptly and in the best interest of MPs."

New Blog Banner and St Andrews

Mrs H. and I were driving home from a lovely weekend in St Andrews with Mr & Mrs K. and stopped to take the photo in the banner of this typical Lammermuirs spring scene. Hefted sheep on the hills and the burning of the heather.

On a Sunday there's no golf played on the famous Old Course at St. Andrews. people are free to walk it and so we did, all the way out on the front nine and back on the back nine. It was a glorious, but breezy day. It's well worth doing if you are interested in golf or not as you get some great views on the first 9 holes as you approach the water at the around holes 7 and 8. Coming back you get this famous view of the R & A Golf Club (the building on the far left) and a property (the dark red building on the right) that is currently standing empty but it would make a wonderful boutique hotel or apartments. The American owner of the property had intended converting it into a luxury time share in which a two week stay was going to cost something more than the Panamanian national debt – the developer has gone bankrupt.

Singles Only?

To respond to the challenge of Columbia’s ‘long-player’, the LP or 12 inch record that played at 33 1/3 rpm, RCA decided to take an alternative approach. They concentrated their research and development efforts on an alternative to the 78-rpm ‘single’. RCA decided on the 45 rpm for their ‘singles’ by taking 78 and subtracting 33 leaving them with 45. When the 45 rpm launched 60 years ago this week a key player in RCA's plan was a blues singer named Arthur Crudup. The first 45-rpm in Victor’s R&B series was ‘That’s All Right’ recorded in September 1946 having already been released on 78rpm. Some dynamic marketing executive had the idea of colour coding the RCA releases. ‘That’s All Right’ came out on orange vinyl (although they called it cerise), popular music on blue, country records, rather appropriately, were green. While ‘That’s All Right’ did get some airplay on Black radio stations, it again failed to chart. But for a certain Mr. Elvis Presley ‘That’s All Right’ would have been a footnote in recording history. Elvis covered the song in 1954 at Sun Studios with Scotty Moore and Bill Black and while it was nothing more than a local hit it put Elvis on the map. Among the other releases was Eddy Arnold's 'Texarkana Baby." The B-side was "Boquet of Roses," both recorded in Nashville. The single was released on bright green vinyl.

Is it Love Gordon?