The Tumbleweed Files
Readers probably won’t be astonished to learn that we’ve still heard nothing from anyone in Scottish Labour in response to our six simple questions about their “Devo Nano” proposals. We’ve waited three full days now and haven’t had so much as an acknowledgement of receipt or a reply to any of our tweets, so it seems safe to say we’re not going to get one.
So now it’s up to you.
Had they the courage to answer at all, doubtless Labour’s Don’t Tell Anyone The Truth Team would say that none of them are obliged to deal with enquiries from someone who isn’t one of their constituents, especially if they’re an evil separatist webste.
But tens of thousands of you are. Between Holyrood and Westminster, Labour MPs and MSPs cover almost every inch of Scotland. Nearly everyone reading this article will have either a Labour MP, a Labour MSP or both, and they ARE answerable to you.
So we’d very much appreciate if you could fire off the email below (tweak or amend it as you see fit, but please don’t be abusive) to your representative or representatives. They can’t just blank all of you – or if they do, it’ll be a scandal even the mainstream media won’t be able to ignore.
Dear [name]
I wonder if you could give me some answers to these questions about your proposals to partially devolve taxation to the Scottish Parliament in the event of a No vote in the independence referendum. I’ve been unable to discern the answers from the full version of the Devolution Commission’s report and would appreciate if you could clarify your position.
1. Johann Lamont told Gordon Brewer this month that Scotland would not be allowed to have a top rate of tax which was lower than the UK’s top rate. Under your proposals, would Scotland be allowed to undercut the UK on the basic rate (or the 10p rate which UK Labour is committed to introducing if elected in 2015)?
2. Ms Lamont made plain, however, that it would be possible for Scotland to have a higher top rate than the UK. Would Scotland also have the ability to increase the basic rate above the UK level, or only the higher rates?
3. If the answer to Q1 is “No”, then if Scotland ever chose to unilaterally raise the upper rate it would be impossible to ever lower it again – because the proposals only allow the upper rate to be decreased if all other rates are decreased along with it, and doing so would result in Scotland having a lower basic rate than the UK, which would be illegal.
Are the proposals deliberately intended to create a situation where irrespective of what government was elected to Holyrood in the future and what its policies/mandate were, it could only ever increase the top rates of tax, never lower them?
4. If, on the other hand, the answer to Q1 is “Yes”, lowering the top rate after a previous increase – so that it was the same as the UK’s but the basic rate was now below the UK’s – could reasonably be expected to cause damaging competition, as workers from the rest of the UK flooded into Scotland looking for jobs on which they’d have to pay lower taxes. Do your proposals contain measures to counter this problem?
5. Meanwhile, if the UK raised the top tax rate – as Ed Miliband proposes – we know from Ms Lamont’s public comments that Scotland would be forced to follow suit. But if the UK then restored it to its original level (perhaps as a result of a different government being elected), would Scotland be unable to do so for the reasons outlined in Q1, and be forced to keep an upper tax rate higher than that of the UK?
6. If the answer to Q5 is “Yes”, does that mean that a UK government could, if it chose to for any reason, deliberately engineer a situation whereby it had a permanently lower top rate of tax than Scotland, putting Scotland at a locked-in disadvantage by incentivising the wealthy to move out of Scotland to enjoy the lower top rate in the rest of the UK?
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
[your name]
Below are direct email links for all the members of the Devolution Commission. Addresses for other Scottish Labour MPs and MSPs can be found here. If any of these people represent you at either Holyrood or Westminster, please take two minutes out of your day to contact them and ask these polite and entirely reasonable questions.
DEVOLUTION COMMISSION MEMBERS
Johann Lamont (MSP, Glasgow Pollok)
Anas Sarwar (MP, Glasgow Central)
Margaret Curran (MP, Glasgow East)
Sarah Boyack (MSP, Lothian)
Jackson Cullinane (Chair, Scottish Labour)
Gregg McClymont (MP, Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East)
Duncan McNeil (MSP, Greenock and Inverclyde)
Catherine Stihler (MEP)
Willie Young (Councillor, Aberdeen City Council)
OTHER SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT MSPs and UK PARLIAMENT MPs
They’re asking you to vote No on the basis of what powers they’ll deliver to the Scottish Parliament in return (assuming they can also persuade the people of England to elect a Labour government in 2015). A basic explanation of how those powers will or won’t work seems the absolute bare minimum you’re entitled to ask them for.
(We’d appreciate it if you could post in the comments when you’ve sent the mail, noting which MP and/or MSP you contacted. Please contact your own representative even if someone else has already done so – the more mail they get the greater the pressure – but that’ll enable us to see who has and hasn’t been covered, and assist the media with covering the story.)
.
APPENDIX – REPRESENTATIVES CONTACTED TO DATE
Douglas Alexander (MP, Paisley and Renfrewshire South)
Jackie Baillie (MSP, Dumbarton)
William Bain (MP, Glasgow North East)
Claire Baker (MSP, Mid Scotland and Fife)
Richard Baker (MSP, North East Scotland)
Gordon Banks (MP, Ochil and South Perthshire)
Jayne Baxter (MSP, Mid Scotland and Fife)
Claudia Beamish (MSP, South of Scotland)
Anne Begg (MP, Aberdeen South)
Neil Bibby (MSP, West of Scotland)
Sarah Boyack (MSP, Lothian)
Gordon Brown (MP, Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath)
Katy Clark (MP, North Ayrshire)
Jackson Cullinane (party chair)
Alistair Darling (MP, Edinburgh South West)
Iain Davidson (MP, Glasgow South West)
Thomas Docherty (MP, Dunfermline and West Fife)
Brian Donohoe (MP, Central Ayrshire)
Frank Doran (MP, Aberdeen North)
Gemma Doyle (MP, West Dunbartonshire)
Kezia Dugdale (MSP, Lothian)
Mary Fee (MSP, West of Scotland)
Patricia Ferguson (MSP, Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn)
Neil Findlay (MSP, Lothian)
Rhoda Grant (MSP, Highlands and Islands)
Iain Gray (MSP, East Lothian)
Tom Greatrex (MP, Rutherglen and Hamilton West)
Mark Griffin (MSP, Central Scotland)
Tom Harris (MP, Glasgow South)
David Hamilton (MP, Midlothian)
Hugh Henry (MSP, Renfrewshire South)
Cara Hilton (MSP, Dunfermline)
Jim Hood (MP, Lanark and Hamilton East)
Cathy Jamieson (MP, Kilmarnock and Loudoun)
James Kelly (MSP, Rutherglen)
Johann Lamont (MSP, Glasgow Pollok)
Mark Lazarowicz (MP, Edinburgh North and Leith)
Lewis Macdonald (MSP, North East Scotland)
Hanzala Malik (MSP, Glasgow)
Jenny Marra (MSP, North East Scotland)
David Martin (MEP)
Michael McCann (MP, East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)
Gregg McClymont (MP, Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East)
Margaret McCulloch (MSP, Central Scotland)
Margaret McDougal (MSP, West of Scotland)
Jim McGovern (MP, Dundee West)
Anne McGuire (MP, Stirling)
Ann McKechin (MP, Glasgow North)
Siobhan McMahon (MSP, Central Scotland)
Anne McTaggart (MSP, Glasgow)
Graeme Morrice (MP, Livingston)
Jim Murphy (MP, East Renfrewshire)
Ian Murray (MP, Edinburgh South)
Pamela Nash (MP, Airdrie and Shotts)
Fiona O’Donnell (MP, East Lothian)
Graeme Pearson (MSP, South of Scotland)
John Pentland (MSP, Motherwell and Wishaw)
John Robertson (MP, Glasgow North West)
Alex Rowley (MSP, Cowdenbeath)
Frank Roy (MP, Motherwell and Wishaw)
Lindsay Roy (MP, Glenrothes)
Anas Sarwar (MP, Glasgow Central)
Richard Simpson (MSP, Mid Scotland and Fife)
Drew Smith (MSP, Glasgow)
Elaine Smith (MSP, Coatbridge and Chryston)
David Stewart (MSP, Highlands and Islands)
Catherine Stihler (MEP)
Willie Young (Aberdeen City Council)
They gave you their response, in code, when they had you chucked aff the Glasgow Underground.
That photo needs a Ry Cooder track. As I am not called Cameron B, I will refrain. He really has become the Night Jock on this website (wee smiley thingy)
Anas Sarwar contacted.
Can’t copy without all the other stuff on the RHS of the page
E-mail sent to Cathy Jamieson, MP Kilmarnock and Loudoun.
Since Labour in Scotland are generally held in low regard by the population, their opinions and policies set only to keep the people of Scotland compliant, one wonders what use reason is in the face of determined bigotry.
I have just sent an email off to my MP Pamela Nash. I doubt very much she will respond as I have wrtten to her before about other matters and there has been a deathly silence. Maybe this time eh?
Sent with a couple of other queries to Gregg McClymont. I hold my breath
Here we go, visit here and copy/paste (doesn’t include all formatting unfortunately)
link to pastebin.com
Sent to Sarah Boyak 9.23am on 27th March.
Just sent an email to Tom Harris (and included my disgust at the Welfare cap passing)
Copied to Michael McCann MP
Jenny Marra, Lewis Macdonald and Richard Baker, all regional MSPs for the North East – just emailed them all.
There was a telling interview on radio yesterday about a meeting of Northern England MPs in Scotland debating the devolution settlement and the effect on them.
One commentator opined that come 2015 it won’t matter as all regions in England will receive the same powers as Scotland after the next election.
What price their greater powers now?
email to Jackie Baillie
Done, with slight modifications to your text. Jim McGovern MP is the man in question
E-mail sent to Ann McKechin, MP Glasgow North (hope I managed to copy/paste properly: no preview available on her site)
Email sent to Jackson Cullinane.
I really don’t think your average Labour MP/MSP would be able to understand the Questions just like their leader isn’t able to comprehend taxation questions or respond to them .
Perhaps worded in primary 2 reading parlance ,man,cat, vat,tax etc might get something answered but really you are on a losing one here rev
Sent emails to Richard Simpson, Jayne Baxter and Claire Baker!
Posted on the end of previous thread. 😉
link to telegraph.co.uk
e-mail sent to Richard Baker. I might also try Lewis Macdonald and Jenny Marra if I can be ersed.
Meant to apologies for quick OT.
Bugger (the Panda)
😉
“Can’t copy without all the other stuff on the RHS of the page”
It’ll highlight all of it, but you should find that when you paste, it’s only actually copied the letter text.
@ Dave Murchison,
That was very handy Dave many thanks.
Stu, I have e mailled Elaine Smith (Labour) MSP Coatbridge and Chryston.
“Meant to apologies for quick OT.”
And, perhaps, for the fact that it’s a story from 2010.
Copied, pasted and sent to Lewis MacDonald MSP. 09:39, 27th of March.
Just emailed landlord millionaire and deep thinker Willie Young here in ABZ with subject heading link to wingsoverscotland.com Hopefully he’ll have me banned from all cooncil premises.
E-mail sent to Rhoda Grant and David Stewart, list MSPs for the Highlands and Islands who cover Argyll and Bute.
“I really don’t think your average Labour MP/MSP would be able to understand the Questions just like their leader isn’t able to comprehend taxation questions or respond to them.”
Then their responsibility is to get someone in the Devo Commission to answer it for you.
Re. Sarah Boyak. I got the impression she is someone of good intent, who knows very little of the history of British Labour.
mail sent.
Ann Begg, Frank Doran, Richard Baker,, Lewis MAcDonald & Jenny Marra.
I await a response with bated breath
Emails sent to Frank Roy and John Pentland, MP and MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw.
I’ve received an automated reply from Frank Roy saying emails may take a while to be answered due to a high volume being received. It also states that only emails from constituents are replied to, so an address should be included. Bit late telling you that after you’ve sent the email.
Is this the debate with the hard working people of Scotland that we keep hearing about, again and again?
Its not a good start.
Thanks Dave Murchison and Rev – two South Scotland bods lettered.
Email sent to Ian Murray Edinburgh South
Holy shit, a reply!
Dear Mr Name Redacted,
Lewis Macdonald has asked me to thank you for your email.
In order to comply with the protocol of the Scottish Parliament and ensure you are a constituent in North East Scotland, I would be grateful if you would send me your address and postcode.
Yours sincerely
Dianne Drysdale
Cara Hilton and Thomas Docherty both emailed.
Email sent to to Catherine Stihler (MEP), Anne McGuire (MP), and Siobhan McMahon, Margaret McCulloch and Mark Griffin (MSPs).
Done, to Gordon Banks (labour) South Perthshire
Stu, Sarah Boyack emailed I won’t hold my breath
Jenny Marra, Lewis Macdonald, Frank Doran, Anne Begg and Alistair Darling.
Sarah Boyak mail sent at 09:40!
Dinnatouch
Re the address req for Frank Roy.Careful you don’t give yours or you might get a “visit”.Give a neighbours you don’t like.
Every voter in Scotland has two Labour MEPs. Should they not be included on the mailing-list?
Bonus: it’s the MEPs who are next up for election!
Email sent to Graeme Pearson, regional MSP for South Scotland.
Time to concentrate which way Scottish Labour MPs voted London,on welfare
FMQ today,you might see labour hung,drawn,quartered
If you use “write to them ” website, you get the opportunity to put in your e mail and snail mail address.
Email sent to Katy Clark MP North Ayrshire
Stu! Just popped an request off to Johann Lamonts office.
I fully expect an answer without delay.
I’ll give it till Monday then if still no reply I’ll ask personally at her surgery!!
Email sent to Willie Young, as I have the good fortune to live in the Stalinist Republic. I’m not holding my breath for an enlightening reply, as we had a short and unproductive correspondence on the FM ban and I don’t imagine his heart will leap with joy at another email from me.
Reading the comments this is like a really s**t game of Top Trumps to see who can contact the worst Labour representative possible.
I just e-mailed Lindsay Roy, Gordon Brown, Cara Hilton, Alex Rowley, Richard Simpson, Jayne Baxter and Claire Baker. Basically everyone in Fife.
So far I’ve had an automated response from Labour automaton Cara Hilton informing me that she can only respond to people in her constituency. So I won’t hold my breath on her answering a question about Labour’s policies for the whole country.
Three Labour list MSPs for my area contacted.
Just received this response:
You may be aware that parliamentary protocol dictates that Ms McMahon is only permitted to take forward issues or concerns from those constituents who reside within the Central Scotland region. It would be helpful if you could provide us with your full home address, including postcode, in order to confirm that you are a constituent of Ms McMahon’s.
Gregg McClymont contacted.
“Every voter in Scotland has two Labour MEPs. Should they not be included on the mailing-list?”
Their addresses are on the same Scottish Labour page as the MPs and MSPs.
Posted too quickly.
Meant to add to above post: To save time include your name and address
Well that’s Ann McKechin emailed. Not holding my breath either.
Kames Kay says:
27 March, 2014 at 9:48 am
Every voter in Scotland has two Labour MEPs. Should they not be included on the mailing-list?
Bonus: it’s the MEPs who are next up for election!
I’ve just emailed them, too. Got an automatic reply from Ms. Stihler straight away.
Just sent:
David Hamilton MP Midlothian
Kezia Dugdale MSP Lothian
Sarah Boyack MSP Lothian
Neil Findlay MSP Lothian
mail sent to Neil Bibby
email sent to Margaret McDougal MSP Scotland West
Sorry about the OT but “The Wee giger dug has been photoshopping a Glasgow Underground train.
I think you will all enjoy this.
link to weegingerdug.wordpress.com
Jackie Baillie contacted – very politely !
Wullie Bain e-mailed.
Email sent to Richard Simpson MSP, Mid Scotland & Fife. 9.40am 27/3/14
Sent to Tom Harris, MP (Glasgow South).
Kezia Dugdale, Regional MSP.
Mark Lazarowicz, MP.
You can also access
link to writetothem.com
This website identifies your MPs and MSPs simply by entering your postcode and then allows you to send your email to them via this page. You will however need to address it (Dear xxxxx) just to the Labour MPs/MSPs.
Just sent one off to Jim Hood (MP Lanark and Hamilton East), no changes made to the original email text from you Rev.
Devo Nano, Questions sent to Curran
Email sent to Sarah Boyack MSP, clearly stated I was one of her constituents.
I tried the ‘others’ link but it took me to something called ‘Scottish’ Labour who claimed to be democratic socialists! I persevered to find they are the Scottish branch of the Labour Party and populated by a crowd whose faces and names were largely unknown to me. I regard myself as reasonably au fait with current Scottish politics but most of these seat warmers were a mystery.
Anyway, before my stomach heaved I came away from that site and tracked down all the relevant contacts on the BBC’s Democracy Live page at link to bbc.co.uk
Enter your postcode in the ‘Find a representative’ search box at the bottom of the page and all your local relevant names and contacts will appear.
I used Dave Murchison’s link and fired off emails to Anne McTaggart (never heard of her before), Drew Smith (recognised his face but unaware he represented me), Hanzala Malik (thought he was still my local councillor), Ann McKechin, Catherine Stihler and David Martin. So far I’ve had an automatic reply from Catherine Stihler but I’m not holding my breath for much more illumination.
Copies to Sarah Boyack MSP, Iain Gray MSP and Fiona O’Donnell MP.
How comes you,s fae further afield get a reply tae yer
Emails fae SPT, an ah hiv tae wait 5 days, ah could crawl
to the their office faster, ah must be on the ta Doo list.
Morning all
“I’ve just emailed them, too. Got an automatic reply from Ms. Stihler straight away.”
Weird. More than I got. Maybe all Labour types have an auto-block on anything with “Wings Over Scotland” in it 😀
No reply from Willie Young. I don’t think he will as that’s not how local democracy in Aberdeen works so emailed Ms Anne Begg instead, who’s maybe resting today after voting to cap all teamGB benefits, not tax City banksters properly.
emailed Richard Baker MSP
I’m feeling both smug and a bit left out.
I don’t have any labour representatives in my constituency,not even a councillor.
Maybe I’ll email the organ grinder Milliband instead.
Emails sent to:
Anne Begg
Jenny Marra
Richard Baker
Lewis Macdonald
Email sent to Catherine Stihler MEP, 10.20am 27/3/14
Emailed David Stewart, MSP for Highlands & Islands.
email sent to Neil Bibby MSP West Scotland
Jimmy Hood contacted…
Email sent to Willie Young 10.25am 27/03/2014.
First time commenting on this site so just want to say a big thanks to all involved for the great work you put in!
emails sent to
Margaret McCulloch MSP Central Scotland
Siobhan McMahon MSP Central Scotland
Mark Griffing MSP Central Scotland
Anne McGuire MP, Stirling
Have just sent questions to Hugh Henry MSP and Douglas Alexander MP.
Will let you know of any replies.
Sarwar emailed (again)
Don’t expect an answer (again), as he will be too busy lecturing on being an entrepreneur in Pakistan, or instructing them on how to vote with your sworn enemies, keep your head down and avoid the flak.
Catherine Stihler (MEP) emailed.
I these lyrics sum Scotland and Labour up
‘I could see in the distance, all the dreams that were clear to me
Every choice that I had to make, left you on your own
Somehow the road we started down had split asunder
Too late to realise how far apart we’d grown..
“Shoulda woulda coulda” are the last words of a fool’
link to youtube.com
Margaret McDougall, Neil Bibby and Mary Fee politely contacted.
Emailed Katy Clark.MP
Sent it to Alastair Darling, Neil Findlay and Kezia Dugdale. I’ll let you know if I get any response.
Sent to Katy Clark, who I don’t see on your list!!!
Emails duly sent to Johann Lamont and Iain Davidson (cringe)
I have contacted Tom Greatrex and James Kelly. The only amendment I made was to beging the email with the following: ‘With regards to the recently produced Powers for a purpose document I am aware that a list of questions was sent to the Scottish Labour’s Devolution Commission (Scottish Labour, Johann Lamont, Anas Sarwar, Margaret Curran, Sarah Boyack, Jackson Cullinane, Gregg McClymont, Duncan McNeil, Catherine Stihler, Willie Young) earlier this week that unfortunatly has received no responce nor even an agnowledgement that it was recieved.
The questions did come from someone whom is not a residing in Scotland and therefore it may have been deemed that the people who recieved the email are perhaps not answerable to this person. I do understand this view point. However I am a constituent and I do share the concerns below. In view of this I would be greatly obliged if you could provide assistance with this.’
The rest of my email was a copy and paste of yours.
Thanks Stu for making it easy for us to challenge these people 🙂
I’ve just emailed:
Graeme Pearson MSP
Claudia Beamish MSP
Both Scottish Labour list MSPs for the Scottish Borders.
Hi Rhoda Grant Highlands contacted by e-mail
Goldenayr
Well done as regards Councillors MPs and MSPs.
But, as noted above, you do still have two Labour MEPs.
Rev, You did it tae Me again,ah went into MP/MSPs
( can be found here ) whit happens am face tae face wie a
Pict- ture of Johann ( ave no evem hud ma breakfast yet )
AVE BLIDDY TELT YOU FUR WEEKS,CHUST GONNIE NO DEY THAT.
But I will obey our great Squadron Leaders command & Wing
a Email to Pamela Nash ( Airdrie Shotts )
Desimond
FH 🙂
done for all the appropriate people for Glasgow Kelvin…
Jim McGovern (Dundee West MP) contacted this morning.
(An abstainer in the Welfare Cap vote last night)
Emailed Jayne Baxter, Claire Baker, Richard Simpson (MSPs for Mid-Scotland and Fife)
Have emailed questions to Hugh Henry MSP and Doulas Alexander MP.
Will let you know of any replies.
Gordon Banks and Clair Baker contacted by e-mail
Can we have a sweepstake on which MP/MSP/Councillor is the first to send something other than an automated reply? Would also have to have an option on SLAB slinging us a massive, collective deafie!
Sent to –
Gordon Banks (MP, Ochil and South Perthshire)
Jayne Baxter (MSP, Mid Scotland and Fife)
Claire Baker (MSP, Mid Scotland and Fife)
Hello Tom Harris…sent
What should I do if my MP (or other representative) doesn’t reply?
There are lots of things you can do to follow up your enquiry if you get no reply, or an unsatisfactory reply, from your representative.
•See your MP or other representative in person, raise your issue with them at their local “surgery”. Call your MP’s local constituency office or your representative’s party office to arrange this. You can find the number in your local phone book, or on your MP’s website.
•Make sure you have taken all other courses of action to raise your issue, or to get your problem solved. For example, contact the relevant central Government department, and relevant officers at your local councils. Ask your local Citizens Advice Bureau for advice.
•Write a letter to your local newspaper about your issue, and your dissatisfaction with your MP, MEP or councillor.
•Write a letter to your other representatives, such as your MP, your local councillors, MEPs or regional representatives, if appropriate. You can do this for free using WriteToThem.
•Complain about your representative to their local party. Contact the local party office. The local party has the power not to select your MP as a candidate for the next General Election.
•Use PledgeBank (made by the same charity that makes WriteToThem) to gather a group of people with the same issue as you, and solve the problem together.
sorry you wanted names…. I emailed the following for Glasgow Kelvin
Anas Sarwar, Hanzala Malik, Drew Smith, Jackson Cullinane, Anne McTaggart
I will fire a simple question off to Duncan McNeil to ask him whether Devo Plus (he was on Ben Thompson’s group) or Devo Nano best suits him.It will no doubt be a maybes aye maybes naw answer no doubt.
I could also ask Catherine Stilher what her next move is to exclude an independent Scotland from Europe now that the European Parliament has rejected her and David Martin’s devious ploy to create more uncertainty. Sheesh. What does an honest politico have to do to keep the gravy train running!
Richard Baker, Lewis MacDonald and Jenny Marra just e-mailed Rev.
James Kay
Aye..but it’ll be more fun letting him know they’ve utterly failed.I’ll remind him the EU elections are coming up,mibees he’ll get the message.Won’t hold my breath though.
Rev, sorry if I’m being thick here, but in Q5, “..would Scotland be unable to do so for the reasons outlined in Q1, and be forced to keep an upper tax rate higher than that of the UK?”
Shouldn’t the reference in Q5 be to Q3? In that “..because the proposals only allow the upper rate to be decreased if all other rates are decreased along with it..”.
“Rev, sorry if I’m being thick here, but in Q5, “..would Scotland be unable to do so for the reasons outlined in Q1, and be forced to keep an upper tax rate higher than that of the UK?”
Shouldn’t the reference in Q5 be to Q3? In that “..because the proposals only allow the upper rate to be decreased if all other rates are decreased along with it..”.”
It’s the same thing, so either works. In Q5, the reason Scotland wouldn’t be able to cut the upper rate would be that doing so would mean undercutting the UK basic rate, as addressed in Q1.
MISTER THICKY THICKSTON.
OT.
There is an interesting petition from the Electoral Reform Society, which I have edited and sent off to the BBC.
link to action.electoral-reform.org.uk
Have emailed my MP, Fiona O’Donnell. According to her automatic response, she’s in the Middle East on Parliamentary business until 28 March. SLAB MP on a jolly.
@ronnie Anderson
Ronnie, best send that Pamela Nash letter to the Space Station. Plucky Pamela is probably up there now given how much interest she showed in attending a “Job Opportunities in Outer Space” convention in Vienna a while back.
You may recall that was her ‘important’ excuse for missing the Bedroom tax vote despite the convention schedule still allowing Pamela ample time to drag herself away from “the lovely Xmas markets” and get back to the House of Commons.
“Dear Mr Parker.
Thank you for taking the time to email Elaine.
Elaine will send you a full reply to your queries in due course.
Kind regards,
Louise”
That’s both Mr Young & Mr Baker emailed in Aberdeen and North East, if they do not reply I will maybe contact my MSP Mark McDonald who as it happens will be on Brian’s Big Debate today at lunchtime.
For Johann, Anas, Mags et al, with much love:
link to youtube.com
I have just received an email from someone at Siobhan McMahon’s office telling me that as she (MSP for Central Scotland)does not cover Stirling, she cannot answer my questions.
Fortunately I was given three alternative contacts, so I have now also contacted;
Claire Baker MSP, Richard Simpson MSP and Jayne Baxter MSP, who all cover Mid Scotland and Fife. Apparently I have no idea where I live, but never mind, that’s 6 people contacted in total.
One has to ask why, when the policies will affect everyone in Scotland, it matters where I live or who I contact. It would also have been nice if the message had been forwarded on my behalf with me copied in. That is what I do if someone contacts me by mistake.
So what happens if Labour politician don’t respond?
All elected representatives and political appointees must comply with parliamentary and ministerial codes of conduct.
So who do constituents contact to complain that they are being ignored by their elected representative or a by a member of the House of Lords?
1. House of Commons
2. House of Lords
3. Scottish parliament
4. European parliament.
Can we have a list for future reference?
thanks @dave
Emailed Claire Baker .
I’ve emailed Thomas Docherty, Cara Hilton, David Martin and Catherine Stihler – got immediate automated replies from everyone but Mr Martin.
I have just emailed my Scots Parl and Westminster MPs
Hanzala Malik
Anne McTaggart
Drew Smith
Tom Harris
Rev I will get around to the email later when I have more time without interruptions.
Just to say that as a supporter of The Dogs Trust they occasionally send me an email usually regarding compulsory microchipping or similar.
The email I receive contains a template letter and some software that automatically emails all of the relevant MPs and MSPs. All I have to do is enter my postcode.
A bit late for this occasion but something like this could come in very handy indeed.
Contacted the two Labour MSPs (Mr Martin, Ms Stihler) with an automatic reply from the latter.
I noticed that there are also 4 other named MEP candidates for the forthcoming elections. I will email them later today.
Rev, I know I am somewhat late to this request, but I think you may as well take Cara Hilton out of your list,might as well email a brick in a wall!!.
Requested answers from: Rhoda Grant & David Stewart (Regional members for Scottish Parliament Highlands & Islands constituency).
Just emailed Michael Connarty, Labour MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk. 🙂
Lib MP and SNP MSP. 🙁
Graeme Pearson, cathy Jamieson and Claudia Beamish, done 1100 on the 27th won’t hold my breath! Though I think they will have very full email boxes.
Sarah Boyack contacted.
s
Sent article to Elaine Murray Msp Dumfries with a few extra comments
Catherine Stihler MEP? – tick
I fear all this is going to do is result in some
SPAD
MPs Wife/Husband/Child/Relation/Friend
Secretary
Setting up an Outlook Rule to send any such mails into the Junk pile and the MP will be oblivious.
Any follow-up visits to a surgery will be met with a heavy sigh and a “leave with me and someone will get back to you”.
Labour…”We’re all about accountability, except our own”
e-mailed Anne McGuire – MP Stirling. Have asked her to get back to me ASAP with alternative Labour Party contact details, if she is unable to answer any/all of the questions
@David McCann.
I gave them a flea in their ear about a democratic defect that exists in their own country, never mind Europe. While I was at it I took the opportunity of pointing them at Prof Robertson’s report on BBC Bias too, and the complete irrelevance of Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage with respect to Scottish politics.
Felt good.
🙂
Just sent the e-mail to Rhoda Grant MSP and David Stewart MSP. Auto-acknowledgement from Rhoda Grant.
Yesterday, Labour, creater of the Welfare State, sided with the Tories and placed a permanent cap on the UK welfare bill, passing the bill by 522 votes against 22.
The electorate of England can if they so wish show their anger though they are so brainwashed into see their people enemies of the state it’s debateable they will do anything.
Labour knows full well a cap affects the poor and the disenfranchised in Scotland adversely too, but there’s nothing we can do about it outside regaining independence.
Once more New Labour proves it is little different from the Tories, the party of big business, and Scotland is of secondary concern.
Contacted….
Claire Baker MSP
Richard Simpson MSP
Jayne Baxter MSP
Gordon Banks MP
David Martin MEP
Catherine Stihler MEP
No reply or acknowledgement from Willie Young yet (nor, for that matter SPT) but since Mr Young is on the “Devolution Commission” as well as holding office in my local council, I don’t see how he can do any other than at least acknowledge and fudge – I think on that basis heedtracker should get some sort of response as well.
See blogsite Order-Order for full list of MPs who voted against the welfare cap. In fairness quite a few of them represent Scottish constituencies.
Closing jibe, “the member for Kikcaldy and Cowdenbeath was absent”.
Couldn’t see Flipper on the list.
I really wanted to put those questions to Willie Young, but he won’t communicate with me directly, so I’ve sent an email to the local Labour councillor in Aberdeen, Neil Cooney, asking him to ask WY.
Ian Murray, Edinburgh South
David Stewart done.
Jayne Baxter , Richard Simpson , North East Fife
Emailed jenny Marra
Jim Sheridan politely emailed.
Email sent to Ann McKechin.
Gordon Brown failed to vote last night on welfare cap?
he always seems to miss the crucial votes,bizzare
Ian Brotherhood
FH 🙂
Sent to Malcolm Chisholm MSP and Mark Lazarowicz MP.
Just sent emails to Jenny Marra, Lewis Macdonald and Richard Baker, who apparently represent me as a Broughty Ferry constituent.
The writetothem site mentions that copy’n’pasted emails will be blocked, and that only one relevant MP/MSP can help with a problem. I just used the site to get the correct contact details, and sent the emails from my own email program.
Emails sent to Gemma Doyle MP and Jackie Baillie MSP. Not holding my breath
Jackson Cullinane Chair of Scottish Labour emailed. I think everyone should contact him to get him to explain this dog’s breakfast.
That’s Gordon Brown mailed via WriteToThem. I await his clunking fist of a reply with trepidation 🙂
I’ll write to his side-kicks (aka MSPs) when I get more time later.
Auto-acknowledgement from Rhoda Grant says she can only deal with her own constituents and for that reason requests full name and postal address. Suggest that everyone includes this in order to remove that as an excuse for not replying and if e-mail already sent I suggest a follow up with name and address.
Margaret Curran (Glasgow East) has been contacted.
I see Gordon Broon was absent from the debate. Gives him the chance to say he didnae vote for it. He’s such a chancer.
Emailed Rhoda Grant and David Stewart, list MSPs for Highlands and Islands.
Just e-mailed Michael Connarty
Copied and pasted and sent to Gordon Brown ,and if I know him he’ll respond, just not necessarily in English. 🙂
I emailed Claire Baker, Jayne Baxter, David Martin and Catherine Stihler. I received an automated reply from Stihler
I had to resend my email to include my full postal address (as was requested in the automated response from Tom Greatrex). Maybe it was me being a silly billy but I thought I would pass this on form anyone who has yet to send their emails.
Quote ‘Parlimentary protocol also dictates that a member of Parliament can only deal with issues on behalf of their own constituents. I would therefore be greatful if you could ensure you include your name and full postal address…’
I have just e-mailed: Bibby, Cullinane, Fee and McDonald.
Have posed the necessary questions to the following Labour MSPs who represent my area.
Elaine Murray – Constituency MSP
Claudia Beamish – Regional MSP
Graeme Pearson – Regional MSP
Done!
Great pleasure in emailing Jimmy Hood, Siobhan McMahon and Michael McMahon. 🙂
E-mail sent to Sandra Osborne MP (Ayr, Carrick & Cumnock).
Already got an automated reply advising that she could only respond to constituents and to include a full address and postcode. Thanks to the posts above I’d already done that so I await the response!
Central Scotland MSPs Mark Griffin, Margaret McCulloch and Siobhan McMahon all emailed.
Tried Anne McGuire MP, but not sure if it went through – kept saying fill in all fields, which I had.
Wee Bit O/T but relevant,
How about this from lowlife John McTernan after Labour sided with the Tories yesterday on their Welfare cap.
“We are the Labour Party not the Dole Party.
Surely any right minded Scottish Labour activist will end any association they have with this shower of Red Tories.
Read this x-rated trash that was on his twitter account.
link to bellacaledonia.files.wordpress.com
@Brian McCulloch
‘Bibby, Cullinane, Fee and McDonald’
Was that no the cast of Fraggle Rock alongside Fulton McKay?
Carwyn Jones, Welsh First Minister, has gone on record as saying he expects Barnett to be killed off (as he wishes) in complete contradiction to Johann Lamont who says it’s part of DevoNano.
We need to be clear what LondonLabour’s policy actually is. And ASAP.
Gee, I’ve just learned that I have a Labour MSP called Claudia Beamish, I’ve never heard of her.
The web site – writetothem.com (credit to Craig above) advises not to just copy and paste, and to provide contact details. So to head off any excuses I’ll mildly amend the Rev’s text above.
I’ve just emailed Hanzala Malik (MSP), Anne McTaggart(MSP), Drew Smith(MSP), Anas Sarwar (MP), David Martin (MEP) and Catherine Stihler (MEP).
I’ve contacted the 3 North-East MSPs + Anne Begg, copying in my own SNP MSP Kevin Stewart.
What’s all this stuff about needing names and address to verify that you’re a constituent? Since when did our elected representatives start refusing to answer questions on party policy…they seem happy enough to blog, tweet, write articles for the press, appear on telly, respond to pollsters and lobbyists, so why the reticence when contacted by mere member of the voting public?
just emailed, Sarah Boyack msp, Kezia Dugdale msp, Neil Findlay msp, Graeme Morrice mp, David Martin mep, Catherine Stihler mep
I await their responses with baited breath.
If I just happen to get answers from some of them I wonder if there will be any variations/inconsistencies in the responses.
E-mail also sent to South Scotland list Labour list MSP’s Graeme Pearson and Claudia Beamish.
That’s one sent to Jim McGovern. I know he’s already been covered but hey, this might be his busiest day. On that note, I wonder how proud he is that I pay his wages and yet have never heard of him. What a great job that must be.
Also just sent email to Drew Smith.
Got auto reply from Dougie Alexander. Says he is very busy and he might reply and then again he might not.
He did send me a picture of a gate that I could download.
I think it’s because he is one of those Shadow minister guys.
Nothing from Hugh Henry yet.
I’ve emailed Jayne Baxter, Claire Baker & Richard Simpson.
Sarah Boyack emailed.
I’ve also emailed my regional list MSP’s below…
Richard Baker
Lewis MacDonald
Jenny Marra.
“I don’t have any labour representatives in my constituency,not even a councillor.”
Mr la de da
HI all,Never posted before and only been reading Wings for a couple of months although I did manage a wee donation.I just want to say thanks to you all ,in my heart I have always been in favour of an independent Scotland and you have all helped me to formulate rebuttals to all the scaremongering
and plain stupid stories which circulate on MSM.Thanks Dave Murchison for the cut’n’paste option and I have sent e-mails to Richard Baker and Jenny Marra although I wont be holding my breath Keep up the good work all of us and we will be free.
MSPs Jayne Baxter, Richard Simpson and Claire Baker all sent slightly amended emails.
Silly earlier error thinking Dunblane was in Central Scotland! Duhhhhh…
Shows how much effect some Labour list MSPs have that I don’t know most of them!
Question sent to Graeme Morrice
… and a less automated reply from John Pentland, also requesting my address.
Gemma Doyle for West Dunbartonshire has been emailed.
“We are the Labour Party not the Dole Party”.
Quote from John McTernan, 26th March 2014.
Surely the day Scottish Labour died.
I had to re-post this because I find it so sickening that it has to be told to a wider audience.
Email sent to good, honest, hard working Anas Sarwar from a humble constituent!
What a plamf he is.
I’ve sent the questions to Margaret McCulloch and I’ve started holding my breath in anticipation of a speedy response.
Still nothing frae oor Wullie. How about this overhead Scotland’s stadiums Saturday? Can unionists ban WoS from the sky? Severin Carrell 13 o’clock high, “attack outrage on Scottish journalists,” Tally ho chaps… link to theguardian.com
Didn’t see Jim Murphy mentioned.
Fixed that.
Surely every region has at least one Labour list MSP? So I think everybody must have someone they can contact.
My MP is Paddington Mundell (Con) and my constituency MSP is Christine Grahame (SNP) but I suspect that Beamish woman may be answerable to me at some level.
I don’t expect the point of us sending the emails to our MP’s is to seriously expect a response from them. The point is they will be bombarded with overwhelming correspondence from the Scottish electorate. Who, Johann Lamont repeatedly tells us they want a conversation with. This will be an excersise in revealing the disingenuous crap that they are touting as real devolvement of power to the Scottish Parliament.
When the emails are not responded to in any intelligent manner by any of them, it will make the lie of their entire position, and at the same time expose how they truly regard the electorate. This is an excerscise in exposure.
Individually sent to:
Jayne Baxter
Richard Simpson
Claire Baker
David Martin
Catherine Stihler
Sent to Anne Begg and Willie Young.
Incidentally, I attempted to leaflet Willie Young at the Yes Aberdeen stall on Sunday, prior to The Dons’ parade.
However, he was protecting himself from the Aiberdeen hail, (or should that be ‘the hail o’ Aiberdeen’?)
So he pretended not to notice.
Jackson Cullinane contacted, I like going to the top (haha). Off to write to Johann now, Hope she has a secretary cause I doubt she does much reading herself.
@Ronnie
Is that correct Ronnie that there has to be NO saltires flown in Aberdeen.
O/T but worth reading this from Nigel Farage and read his arguments in context of Scotland and the Union instead of UK and EU…
Accusing Clegg of being part of a tired status quo, Farage started the debate saying that if Britain was voting now on whether to join the EU, it would be presented with the offer “to join a club that will cost £55m a day as a membership fee, and there will be thousands of new laws over which our own parliament and you the electorate can make no difference, and mean an open border, unconditionally, to 485 million people from across the whole of Europe – many of them from very poor countries – who can come here to work and live and settle and bring their families”.
I’ve emailed Rhoda Grant & David Stewart MSPs.
Hi Stu, I’ve emailed both my MP and MSP for an answer and I’ll let you know what their response is – though I’m not hopeful as I have Mr T Docherty MP and Ms C Hilton MSP as my “representatives” (for my sins I’m a Dunfermline resident). Keep up the good work.
O/T again but I cant let these crackers from Mr Sell-Out himself slide!!
Danny Alexander, the Liberal Democrat chief secretary to the Treasury, said after the debate: “I think a lot of people watching Nigel Farage, maybe before they thought he was a guy you’d want to go down the pub with, but by the end he was more like the pub bore you don’t want to be stuck in the corner with at the end of the evening.
“I’m not going to comment on the poll … But one else is standing up for Europe in British politics like the Lib Dems are doing.”
link to theguardian.com
MSPs Central Scotland contacted:
Mr. M. Griffin
Ms. M. McCulloch
Ms. S. McMahon
David Hamilton MP
David Martin MEP
Catherine Stihler (MEP
Sarah Boyack MSP
Neil Findlay MSP
Kezia Dugdale MSP
Thats all my representatives done… and now I wait..
Re APPENDIX – REPRESENTATIVES CONTACTED TO DATE:
It would have been simpler for the Labour Party to have sent a response to Stuart’s original request which could in turn have been passed on to the rest of us.
Instead they now have hundreds of requests sent to dozens of their politicians, some of whom (the conscientious among them) will have to respond to multiple requests from numerous constituents.
Maybe in future they’ll see the sense in dealing with questions from any member of the public in a grown-up, responsible manner.
Also; This nonsense about only being able to respond to constituents: Do they ask the likes of Gardham, Taylor, Carrell et al. if they are a constituent before answering any questions?
Stuart
I notice one post creator touches upon the thought that the lack of response to your justified enquiry might be because you’re not domiciled in Scotland.
How can that be when the same Scottish Labour poly-tishuns are encouraging their kind in the north of England to tell Scotland it should sacrifice its rights by remaining quiet and subservient so it can serve the needs of the poor and disenfranchised subsisting in their patch?
Sorry misunderstood, now written to Cara Hilton, and Thomas Docherty. Cara has my message I have received the usual automatic answer.
Right, finally off to Dundee, so you get tonight picks early, again.
I have said before that my PTSD act to undermine my potential in the same way a ball and chain would. Pity me people, that’s PTSD and the British state. 🙂
2 Badcard – Pure Illusion (Extended Version)
link to youtube.com
Annie Anxiety – Waiting For The Fun
link to youtube.com
Afro Celt Sound System – Release
link to youtube.com
Just for the submission and a bit of fun.
Shenanigans – All the small things
link to youtube.com
Patricia Ferguson, Hanzala Malik, Anne McTaggart, Drew Smith
Willie Bain, Margaret Curran, Ian Davidson, Tom Harris, Anne McKechin, John Robertson, Anas Sarwar all sent an email. Got a reply from one of Tom Harris’ lackeys telling me he doesnt have to talk to me since I’m not his constituent so go away! XD
I can’t describe how sick and tired I am of scrolling past posts with links to random YouTube clips which have nothing to do with the debate. And this from a poster who has criticised me for including even a small piece of personal information in a post, or posting frequently on a topic I felt strongly about.
Could we limit the YouTube links to items of genuine relevance to the debate I wonder? Sorry but this has been building for a while and I’m getting seriously fed up with it.
I find it particularly ironic that despite all these attempts at communication Johann never fails to say that she wants to have a conversation. A word I believe she tinks is spelt “tell”.
It is all just so astonishing.
😉
Sent two emails, one to Labour Party Chair – Jackson Cullilane and also MEP – Catherine Stihler at 1230……doubt I will receive reply either, but got to try eh
Morag
Hows the view out your big window?
The fact that we are so diverse is what makes us so strong. Just skip passed Youtube links or certain style if you dont like them, will only take a devo-nano second.
Have you seen the poster on the Scotsman calling themself “wingsoverscotland com” ? Starts off as apparently pro-independence and ends:
“The RUK electorate are happy to bail Scotland out, pay for free university tuition in Scotland, free prescriptions, free personal care for the elderly, etc while people in England have to pay for all these things.”
Doesn’t sound like you. And not nearly as good a writer, LOL
I’m late coming to this idea. http://www.writetothem.com might be helpful. They track messages sent to representatives too.
Ha, Ha,
So my question the other day “who takes over from Joann Lamont`s deputy, at F.M.Q.s” well that was answered today,
bloody hell it`s Wacky Bailey!!, Labour in Scotland is just a pantomime.
Email sent to Thomas Docherty and Cara Hilton
MP 1-2 week response promise
MSP response 1-3 promise
Will put reminder in diary
@Andrew Sinclair.
They also follow up to see if you receive a reply too. I use the site all the time to contact representatives.
Sarah Boyack msp, Kezia Dugdale msp, Neil Findlay msp, Graeme Morrice mp all contacted
Got a reply from Richard Simpson about 10 minutes ago. He’s asked for my address as apparently Parliamentary rules state that he can’t reply unless I’m from the constituency.
Is that actually a rule for a question on national policy?
Email sent to Ian murray MP for Edinburgh South details : ian@ianmurraymp.co.uk
Morag,
Ditto from me.
“Thanks for your email.
Can you provide me with your address please.
Have these questions come from a formal body as I’ve received about a dozen today that are identical.
The reason I ask is if they are from a lobbying body I would like to respond directly to them too in order for duplication to be removed.
Best wishes,
Ian Murray MP
Labour Member of Parliament for Edinburgh South
0131 662 4520”
Thats Sarah Boyack contacted. Definitely recommend using the writetothem website (I can email from work).
It’s shameful that they are not replying back to us.
Nearly as shameful as Labour siding with the Tories.
Sorry, but as I’ve said before, “I don’t do subtlety”. Is Morag referring to me?
The occasional one doesn’t bother me at all. But this is now flooding the comments pages. The posts assume that everybody shares Cameron’s tastes in music and is waiting for him to provide a playlist for the day. He’s trying to take over the threads and make himself some sort of compere.
He’s attacked me in the past, quite viciously, for saying anything personal, or even for in his opinion posting too often in a thread. I actually stopped posting for a while because of his attacks. So maybe you can understand my irritation with his attitude that we’re all here to listen to him and be entertained by him.
Sorry, but as I’ve said before, “I don’t do subtlety”. Is Morag referring to me?
Sorry, I didn’t realise I was being subtle. Yes.
He’s attacked me in the past
Let’s re-write history, eh?
I think the most interesting view about a lot of the posts so far is how many people don’t actually know who represents them.
Given that Wings contributors are, by their very nature, more politically aware than average, this is a shocking condemnation the uselessness of some of the representatives we have today.
Any semi-decent politician would be deluging their constituents with information in the media and elsewhere about how they are doing this or doing that in their area – and generally getting their face and name well known.
Good “constituency” politicians are known about by word of mouth and for many of them it can add vital votes at election time.
However, for list MSPs or those representing “safe” constituencies, it is far to easy to get lazy and retreat to the bubble of parliament rather than get their hands dirty interacting with normal people.
wee e
I had a look on the Scotsman the other night and saw the Wings poster and Dr Cuddles who appears to be some sort of personal vendetta against Stu and has no interest in the actual topic of the news articles.
The Scotsman is a bit of a joke really. I have never felt any inclination to comment there.
@ Morag 12.36, Your hitting what Runners describe as the Wall
sit doon, wee cup of tae, Woo Sah, Woo Sah,press F5,
How do you feel noo, better.
Rev Stew
Time for you to step in here me thinks.
+1 on YouTube (music) links. That’s not why I’m here and scrolling over the fully-embedded ones on my mobile is a PITA.
I actually emailed with a suggested way of disabling the auto-embed feature and got a kind reply. Guess it (a) didn’t work or (b) his coder is even slower than mine.
@ caz-m
So heedtracker says, but I have no info myself. Maybe it’s just on council buildings?
I intend to have a saltire oot the front o’ the hoose once the ‘official’ campaign starts, so if ye get an email fae the new jile at Peterheid ye’ll ken it’s nae allowed on hooses either!
albaman
I’m out of here. Off to Dundee, where I meant to be days ago to console my mother who’s sister passed away at the end of last week.
It would be nice to get some protection from the ref. though.
Peace!
Have I missed something? Why was Jola not at FMQ’s today – not that I missed her Jackba was much more fun!
Morag, Albaman,
Ditto. I understand these links are meant to be a bit of fun. Fair enough. But too many are a distraction. Think of new readers.
Have just emailed David Stewart and Rhoda Grant with a different but related set of questions.
@Jimmy the Pict, wrote to Thomas Docherty previously and he had to be reminded to reply, so I would not hold out too much hope he will get back that soon.
@Andrew
Yep, good call, WritetoThem.co.uk asks you for your postcode, and then lists all the representatives for you to contact & includes your address in the letter – so you don’t get them coming back asking whether they’re in your constituency
Got this from Ian Murry MP Edinburgh South. Dear Bobby. Can i have your address please? Also, is this coming from an organisation? If it is I would like to contact them with my response as I am receiving dozens of these and I think ti would be better if they asked then distributed the responses so we were not duplicating effort.
Well I have emailed my MSP Rhoda Grant and received an automated reply stating only registered voters in her area of responsibility will be responded to, so seeing that I sent another email with my full address under my full name. NO EXCUSES ACCEPTED HERE FOLKS. received an automated response acknowledging receipt. Oh look! a Sqirr . . yup that is getting old
My political representative is Marco Biagi MSP.
I have a feeling he’s convinced already of Labour in Scotland’s gross inadequacy, and Glasgow Labour’s flaky integrity.
anne mcguire emailed.
handandshrimp
Me neither! I wouldn’t touch the Hootsmon with a bargepole. My father used to buy it years ago when it was quite a good heavyweight paper whether you agreed with its editorial line or not. I didn’t think of checking it out online till a few months ago. It’s a sair sicht! I don’t know why I do, but I look in on it every few days when the headlines change. Looking at the bit where people post is like picking a scab.
It’s below the level of debate in the Daily Record, a paper its readers used to scorn.
Lamont at tony benns funeral service Westminster.paying respect,that why no FMQ
Westminster will say goodbye to Tony Benn today at a funeral service yards from the House of Commons where he spent a career spanning more than 50 years.
The former Labour cabinet minister’s body lay in rest before the funeral service in the Palace of Westminster’s Chapel of St Mary Undercroft, only the second politician to be granted the honour after Baroness Thatcher.
The service will take place in St Margaret’s, which is known as “the parish church of the House of Commons”, after his body makes the short journey by hearse from Parliament, with family members following on foot.