Having said yesterday I thought Tommy Sheridan was past his sell-by date, I have to agree with Jeff because Annabel is now beginning to drop into her use-by date. Any time she speaks it's never about Scotland without mentioning the union and how strongly the tories support it. Actually she's quite wrong because, as I've said before, many of my tory voting friends are ambivalent about the union.
This week Annabelle wrote, on theblueblog, a post entitled 'Securing Scotland's place in the Union'. Nothing new in it, but I did laugh at this sentence - 'Given my strong and unwavering commitment to the Union, let me be clear that the creation of the (Calman) Commission was not a decision I entered into lightly. If I remember correctly Annabel was at the table before Wendy Alexander managed in the door.
As for Jeff suggesting Murdo Fraser should be given a go at the tory leadership I don't consider him leadership material. He's a very pleasant person but he lacks a sense of authority. Now in Derek Brownlie I can see leadership material and he could be the one to move the tories on from their present standstill.
The photo of Annabel above was taken from the blue blog. Must be at least 20 years old. Any further opinions?
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2o years old; like her frock when the Queen visited, this week and ten years ago?
Shamelessly ripped from Blether with Brian (thanks to oldnat for highlighting it):
CONSERVATIVEHOME.COM SURVEY OF ADOPTED TORY CANDIDATES IN THE 220 TOP TARGET OR CONSERVATIVE HELD SEATS
Replies received from 144 candidates as of 6am on Friday 3rd July 2009
Which of these statements comes closest to your opinion:
The [UK] Union should be defended at all costs : 54%
I would not be uncomfortable about Scotland becoming independent : 46%
I should state my strong and unwavering opposition to the Union. But Ms Goldie's role is not the same as Mr Cameron's. She is fighting a hit-and-run campaign every day to maximize the influence of her small-but-dedicated group. Cameron is looking to the bigger prize; Goldie - with undue respect - is not in danger of occupying the FMS job any time this century. The dynamic will change in the period after the next UK election but before the next Holyrood election. Then your 'hopeful' might have a chance...
Annabel at least manages to avoid seeming as utterly clueless as the other opposition leaders. From Mr Eugenides:
(quote)
Onwards, then, to the second glorious decade of Scottish devolution. Here's Iain Gray, Labour's Scottish leader (Gray, Brown - they're all named after boring colours), extolling the virtues of the pretendy Parly:
"Has it [the Scottish Parliament] made a difference?" he asked rhetorically. "Yes it has. When the Parliament started one in five children in this country lived in poverty. That's now one in three. That's significant progress."
Iain Gray is a mathematics teacher.
(unquote)
You're possibly a lot nearer than me bugger lugs.
Now that's interesting FL. I do read BB but I've forgotten my nikname lol. Suppose I could register another, but it doesn't surprise me the balance of it.
Now that's my thought too Mek, I'd like to see her go after the GE. I do hope my wee protege gets a wee shottie.
Ah Vronsky, thanks for that. I read it too and will use it sometime I hope.
The problem is the opposition, fairly awful and all negative. If there was a more stimulating opposition I'm sure Salmond would perform even better.
In my day Vronsky beat it was Mental Arithmetic and Sums.
Otherwise the numpty is still innumerate.
and another thing he can't read his FM questions which is a bit like Speaker Martin trying to read his resignation speech.
I thought Scottish education standards had dropped in the last 30 or so years.
Jeez they must have been really bad in my day, and I didn't know!
Oh dear bugger lugs, I did think your assessment was better than mine. I can go to bed feeling bad now.
The problem has been that Scottish Tories were are an aging party, as most of the younger ones temporarily moved to lending their support to the SNP to help get rid of Labour amongst other reasons. The change to a younger Tory party is happening but it is slow progress so a leader like Annabel fits quite nicely for the next year but I would expect to see changes after the next GE. She has been an admirable interim leader but needs some freshening up just like the Scottish Tories. Who is just a guess at the moment. If independence happens maybe we will have a bigger and better choice...
Dear Subrosa
Derek Brownlie leadership material?
Do you mean managing a B & Q store?
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
Fitaloon, I don't think the tories who moved to the SNP will return until independence. Not all are in the 55+ age group but of course most are now.
Thanks for being so honest about how split the tories are about independence. It's so hard to make David Cameron see that he's losing so many votes because he insists an referendum isn't essential.
May I use your comment for a post later on? I've something in mind but it's only half cooked at the moment :)
Do tell me what's wrong with Derek Brownlee George. I'm sure you'll fill me in with his inabilities.
Dear Subrosa
I am sure that you are more than capable to see that Brownlee isn't sellable to the public.
Stick a moustache on him and put in Dad Army; you get a Capt Mainwaring type.
He is not interesting, not funny and in my opinion has no traction as a leader.
It is a big No but on the plus side a deadbeat such as him helps the SNP.
Yours sincerely
George Laird
The Campaign for Human Rights at Glasgow University
George, my opinion of Brownlee is only gleaned from watching and listening to him debate. He prepares very well, rather like Swinney and Salmond.
I take it you have heard him often in situ rather than only broadcasts.
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