Once again, we’re dismayed to report that we called it right. Because last night SNP MSP Mairi McAllan, officially representing the party on Question Time, told a weary audience in Fort William that that was precisely the case.
And readers, if ever a policy has been tested in battle and found wanting, it’s that one.
Just over a year ago, Shona Robison – then the Cabinet Secretary For Social Justice, now the Deputy First Minister – told the Scottish Parliament this:
There now follow some quotes from the media regarding the case of Andrew Miller, aka Amy George, who yesterday admitted the kidnap and repeated sexual abuse of an 11-year-old girl at his home in Galashiels earlier this year.
When Humza Yousaf was campaigning to be elected leader of the SNP, he pledged that he would be not only the First Minister, but also the “First Activist”. It transpired that this in fact meant chapping a few doors in Dundee, just down the road from his home in Broughty Ferry (and on the way to his Glasgow constituency).
But what might a real “First Activist” have done with the position and power?
Oily SNP MP John Nicolson – a man who was pompous and condescending even as a teenager presenting Open To Question in the 1980s – this week posted an extended and theatrical Twitter rant at the fine Herald and National columnist Kevin McKenna.
Goodness knows we could all do with some cheering up at the moment, so let’s have a momentary change of tone and kick today off with a chuckle or two.
We’ve been working a bit too hard lately, and yesterday’s Wings post went to press with an unprecedented FOUR errors in it, including an “is is” instead of “it is”, a “more far” in place of a “far more” and a “strata” where there should have been a “stratum”. We’re deeply ashamed, and thanks to the alert Wings readers – including our mum – who swiftly drew our attention to them.
The most embarrassing clanger was this one, which we fixed promptly:
So imagine our surprise when we were reading this morning’s Scottish press.
Captain Caveman on A Long Hard Think: ““When the right start claiming anything they see as left is ‘communist’ you know they have lost the plot and…” Sep 13, 22:55
Captain Caveman on A Long Hard Think: ““3 against 1 again” Ah, your counting skills just as woeful as your debating skills I see, Alf. Anyway, it’s…” Sep 13, 22:46
Southernbystander on A Long Hard Think: “When the right start claiming anything they see as left is ‘communist’ you know they have lost the plot and…” Sep 13, 22:18
Mark Beggan on A Long Hard Think: “What does Cesaire say about Muslim colonization or Communist or Dynasty takeovers. Is that a separate study? Be honest, you…” Sep 13, 21:43
Northcode on A Long Hard Think: “I thought it might be helpful to offer a clarification of what I meant in my earlier comment where I…” Sep 13, 21:25
Alf Baird on A Long Hard Think: “Cesaire wrote specifically about Hitler, and his “crime against the white man, and the fact that he applied to Europe…” Sep 13, 20:25
Hatey McHateface on A Long Hard Think: “What was he angry about?” Sep 13, 20:15
Hatey McHateface on A Long Hard Think: “Four, Alf, you’re forgetting Northy. As I’ve pointed out before, if we play the “thought experiment” of agreeing 100% with…” Sep 13, 20:12
M.E on A Long Hard Think: ““What? You got a problem with it? What do we look like, the Crime Police?”” Sep 13, 20:08
Alf Baird on A Long Hard Think: ““Yet, we and those who came before us, have consistently acquiesced in our own dependency.” Indeed so Lorncal, and which…” Sep 13, 20:04
Alf Baird on A Long Hard Think: “3 against 1 again, rinse and repeat. Reminds us of an EBC independence ‘debate’.” Sep 13, 19:49
Hatey McHateface on A Long Hard Think: “Blocked the Darien initiative, eh? I can’t decide which is the most ludicrous aspect of that complaint. That you’re greeting…” Sep 13, 19:06
Mark Beggan on A Long Hard Think: “That seems a lot like The man they love to hate.” Sep 13, 18:59
Hatey McHateface on A Long Hard Think: “They both released cover versions of “Jerusalem”, accompanying themselves on the melodeon.” Sep 13, 18:56
DaveL on A Long Hard Think: “I’ll add childlike insults to the list of whinges and whines we hear from you. You’ll be telling me next…” Sep 13, 18:54
Mark Beggan on A Long Hard Think: “Cecil Rhodes was a raging homosexual. How does that fit with the theory. Confused? You will be.” Sep 13, 18:50
Hatey McHateface on A Long Hard Think: “So Memmi was Jewish? The usual suspects are going to have to airbrush him out of the post colonial boys’…” Sep 13, 18:49
Chas on A Long Hard Think: “DaveLooney Many thanks for your response. Who do you speak for? Could it be Fanny, Mummi or Ceaser. Or is…” Sep 13, 18:26
Hatey McHateface on A Long Hard Think: “I speak English, TURABDIN, and I am better than the rest. Like most Scots, I’ve little time for the inferior…” Sep 13, 18:23
twathater on A Long Hard Think: “I notice now that the yoonionist parties have come to the realisation that their unwavering support for Is ra hel…” Sep 13, 18:21
Hatey McHateface on A Long Hard Think: “Very happy to accept that you are, Confused. We’re in Scotland, world leader in accepting self-identification in all its forms.…” Sep 13, 18:15
DaveL on A Long Hard Think: “…they’re both on Hatey’s ‘Love/Hate’ scale but at opposite ends?” Sep 13, 17:51
DaveL on A Long Hard Think: “@ Chas You speak for no one but yourself and all we hear is whines whinges and moans. Get back…” Sep 13, 17:46
Captain Caveman on A Long Hard Think: “QUACK QUACK OOPS. Ah, but you’ve been such a lovely contestant, Fatso. Bus fare home. 🙂” Sep 13, 17:44
James on A Long Hard Think: “Is the answer….”Captain Caveman”?” Sep 13, 17:41
