Monthly Archives: February 2011

74: Gender Agenda

Posted on February 19, 2011 by davidsberry

One of the strengths of the Scottish Parliament from the outset has always been that it displayed something like gender balance—from matronly competence in Annabel Goldie to ‘lips-made-to-kiss-megaphones’ stridency in Carolyn Leckie. That was already under some threat with five of … Continue reading →

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75: Feel the Beat

Posted on February 19, 2011 by davidsberry

I regard it as a great privilege to chair East Lothian’s License Board, especially as the staff have now steered several hundred premises through the vagaries of implementing the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 and its huge differences from the previous … Continue reading →

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Posted on February 19, 2011 by davidsberry | Leave a comment

76: Where There’s Muck, There’s Brass

Posted on February 18, 2011 by davidsberry

Despite still being Europe’s muckiest power station (5m tonnes of carbon p.a.) things have gone quiet around ScottishPower’s proposal to coin more millions for their Iberdrola masters by adapting the coal-fired station at Cockenzie into a CCGT (Combined-Cycle Gas Turbine) … Continue reading →

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77: Belters’ Pelters

Posted on February 17, 2011 by davidsberry

There is nothing wrong with exercising a good pair of lungs on behalf of other people; it’s at the heart of democracy and community. Any councillor worth their salt gets it tight on a regular basis, using the ear-drubbing to … Continue reading →

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The latest employment figures continue to show Scotland moving in the right direction through SNP commitment to creating jobs, investing in infrastructure and supporting training. The Government level was complemented by ELC’s budget, restricting internal job losses to empty posts, … Continue reading →

Posted on February 17, 2011 by davidsberry | Leave a comment

78: Hootsmon, It’s Times

Posted on February 16, 2011 by davidsberry

I’ve made no secret of my belief that independence offers the best future for everyone in Scotland, irrespective of their origins. I’m happy to take my lumps in debate on this—and debate there needs to be. But when once-great giants … Continue reading →

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79: Security Levels

Posted on February 15, 2011 by davidsberry

The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist threats and have therefore raised their security level from “Miffed” to “Peeved.” Should this persist, security levels may be raised yet again to “Irritated” or even “A Bit Cross.” … Continue reading →

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80 Days to Decide

Posted on February 14, 2011 by davidsberry

Plenty of time, then, in which to make up your mind. Perhaps a table of comparison between the two main contenders—Labour and SNP—at our local council level would help. After all, Labour had long experience running this county for thirty … Continue reading →

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81: Parliamo Politico II

Posted on February 13, 2011 by davidsberry

Let’s Talk Pencil-Pusher: Lesson II—Beancounting for Beginners (Second of a series, translating bureaucrat-speak into what it means for folk in East Lothian) Our UK-wide BBC has focussed on horror stories of English council cuts, ranging from 8.8% in poor Hackney, … Continue reading →

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