Author Archives: davidsberry

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About davidsberry

Local ex-councillor, tour guide and database designer. Keen on wildlife, history, boats and music. Retired in 2017.

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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82: Think No Evil

Posted on February 12, 2011 by davidsberry

Labour is unused to (& deeply unhappy about) being out of power North and South of the border, let alone in most Scottish councils. I can see why. But, their only strategy for salvation appears to consist of pouring vitriol on … Continue reading →

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83: Bob’s Been Busy

Posted on February 11, 2011 by davidsberry

With pressure off after ELC budget-setting on Tuesday, I took a tour of some of the local projects we’ve been funding across the county. Since our Labour opponents in the council and Holyrood both threw their toys so emphatically out … Continue reading →

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84: The Coast Line

Posted on February 10, 2011 by davidsberry

Relevant though they may be, I am not going to bother you with details how Transport Scotland, Network Rail, SESTrans and various Train Operating Companies interact to organise rail services for East Lothian. Their committees meet out of public sight … Continue reading →

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85: Flat Budget

Posted on February 9, 2011 by davidsberry

The Flat Earth Society lives. I use them as examples of denying-the-bleeding-obvious. But at East Lothian Council’s meeting to set a ‘flat’ (£210m) budget, our other-worldly Labour opposition deserved a prize—if not a world record—for cognitive dissonance. After Leader Paul … Continue reading →

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86: Parliamo Politico I

Posted on February 8, 2011 by davidsberry

Let’s Talk Pencil-Pusher: Lesson I—Bob the Builder (First of a series, translating bureaucrat-speak into what it really means for the folk in East Lothian) Ever since Mrs T handbagged councils into selling off homes, our crisis in affordable housing has … Continue reading →

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87: Schadenfreude

Posted on February 7, 2011 by davidsberry

After a lifetime paying attention to politics and over 17 years activism on behalf of my home town/county/country, I may be de-sensitised to what lengths the Labour party will go to rubbish any opposition. But years of close observation of … Continue reading →

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88: Beef Haddington

Posted on February 6, 2011 by davidsberry

I am delicate after an evening’s hospitality from East Lothian branch of the National Farmers’ Union. Though blowing a hoolie outside, the 150-strong annual dinner inside the Maitlandfield roared with cameraderie. And, since members apparently lead double lives as prop forwards, … Continue reading →

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