Mike Russell, currently at the centre of controversy over his appointment as chair of the Scottish Land Commission, hit the political big stage during Scotland’s first ever SNP administration under Alex Salmond, whom, in turn, Mike had previously seen into office as Salmond’s campaign manager.
In 2007 he was appointed as Minister for Environment, then in 2009 he became the Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution, and his conventional ministerial career concluded when he went on to replace Fiona Hyslop as Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning until the end of 2014.
Following the 2014 independence vote, the pre-referendum era ended with Salmond’s dignified (albeit temporary) stage exit; Nicola Sturgeon took the helm and began to reform what had been left to her by her predecessor.
A core pillar of Sturgeon’s centrist reform was the construction of an almost entirely opaque ivory tower of power from which both SNP and the state would run their covert affairs with subversive, centralizing, strong-arm granularity, cleverly camouflaging its sinister implications from the public through cult-of-personality media management.
Instrumental in this, among a very few select others, was Mike Russell.
It’s rather apt that this happened on the last day of the calendar. Because it truly is the rock-bottom moment in the grotesquely sullied history of the Scottish National Party.
We’ve heard that line somewhere before, haven’t we?
So, just a quick one, because we’ve got Christmas shopping to do:
Since continuing to fight for the GRR was famously a “red line” for the Scottish Greens in terms of the Bute House Agreeement, do we think that the Greens will now withdraw from the governing coalition, sacrifice their ministerial cars and salaries and influence, and return to the back benches for the next two and a half years until they can try to form an alliance with Labour?
Captain Caveman on Search And Replace: “Ah, impotently throwing insults around, blatantly ignoring points raised and refusing to address them – and posting more mince I…” Jul 8, 06:25
Peter McAvoy on The Interests Of The Many: “I thought it was worth mentioning the Daily record Tuesday 7th July. Humza Yousef warned Scotland can no longer pretend…” Jul 8, 01:53
Dan on Search And Replace: “Aye, Sam, the dickhead troll jist has to try to find an angle to kick off and create discord and…” Jul 7, 22:07
100%Yes on The Interests Of The Many: “Carol, I don’t need to read the book to know. Take a look at the picture of Swinney and then…” Jul 7, 22:01
100%Yes on The Interests Of The Many: “Alf I totally agree and support the work Salvo and yourself is doing but de-colonization isn’t going to work alone.…” Jul 7, 21:49
Alf Baird on The Interests Of The Many: “If national independence is not decolonisation, Hatey, then pray tell us and all those former colonies that are now UN…” Jul 7, 21:47
Hatey McHateface on The Interests Of The Many: “I guess once you’ve ruled everybody else out, Twat H, that’ll just leave you. You can count on my vote…” Jul 7, 21:16
twathater on The Interests Of The Many: “I agree with Alf regarding Joanna Cherry she sat for years in silence and her vociferous opposition to the GRA…” Jul 7, 21:07
Carol Neill on The Interests Of The Many: “https://malcolmrichardclark.substack.com/p/sturgeons-crime-fiction-sob-story” Jul 7, 21:00
Hatey McHateface on The Interests Of The Many: “Of course, Alf, excepting yourself and a few disciples who “know what Independence means”, damn few Scots know either. Which…” Jul 7, 20:58
Chas on The Interests Of The Many: “Simple question Alf. Who forms an honest, competent Government in a newly Independent Scotland? Names please.” Jul 7, 20:41
Alf Baird on The Interests Of The Many: ““She’s only one who I believe can can bring Independence” A hae ma douts. Unfortunately, like most of the SNP…” Jul 7, 20:22
twathater on The Interests Of The Many: “Oh I love that comment, how very appropriate, I hope the big man Alex Salmond can see KARMA taking place” Jul 7, 18:13
100%Yes on The Interests Of The Many: “Put your hand up who would like to see a SNP MSP give up their seat, to allow Joanna cherry…” Jul 7, 17:36
100%Yes on The Interests Of The Many: “I had to look at my emails but I did it by checking emails from Jim Henderson and it brought…” Jul 7, 17:18
Cherrybank on The Interests Of The Many: “Big trouble in Cranhill district of Glasgow ,massive police presence locals protesting about local alledged rapist .” Jul 7, 16:57
Andspouse on The Interests Of The Many: “Can anyone give me a heads up on when the donations were paid (month, year) and to whom so I…” Jul 7, 16:54
sarah on The Interests Of The Many: “@ Morag: I didn’t until very recently! But the other, more commonly understood, meaning is what I think the Rev…” Jul 7, 16:43
Morag on The Interests Of The Many: “Do you know what that phrase is actually referring to? (Clue: “Jock Tamson” translates to “John Thomas” in English.)” Jul 7, 16:30
Morag on The Interests Of The Many: “Surely it’s your bank record of payment that’s the important thing? If the Yes Scotland thing goes anywhere, I have…” Jul 7, 16:28
Lorncal on The Interests Of The Many: “Prior INTENT will require to be proved: that the SNP top brass and NEC members knew that the money raised…” Jul 7, 16:22
Lorncal on Search And Replace: “James: I have checked those cases, and none of them appears to be applicable to this case. In each case,…” Jul 7, 15:45
Skip_NC on The Interests Of The Many: “So nobody bothered to spend a few quid a year maintaining the domain? How stupid is that? Perhaps more pertinently…” Jul 7, 15:35
100%Yes on The Interests Of The Many: “When the greedy fear the loss of there own money, that’s when the rats start turning on each other its…” Jul 7, 15:10
Ian Smith on The Interests Of The Many: “Even if there was a technical route for a court order, the court would do everything in its power to…” Jul 7, 15:10
Andrew F on The Interests Of The Many: “Love how the link for ref.scot in the first paragraph under “The Defender’s Fundraising Representations” takes you to an online…” Jul 7, 15:06
MP on The Interests Of The Many: “Yes – but if there is no criminal prosecution they can buy off the Civil Case, which is why I…” Jul 7, 15:04
100%Yes on The Interests Of The Many: “Nigel Farage resigns as MP forcing by-election in his own seat.” Jul 7, 14:55
barelybare on The Interests Of The Many: “This is great, and R.E.S.P.E.C.T. for your work. However, I wonder how many people you’ll get to join. One problem…” Jul 7, 14:51
