Thursday 13 May 2010

The New Alexander on the Scottish Scene




I'm definitely getting old. We now have a Scottish secretary who looks younger than my own offspring and I've never heard of him until now. He's only been a name on election results.

Danny Alexander, 37, has been the MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey since 2005. Five years as an MP qualifies you to command a nation these days. How times have changed.

He's a career politician. He has no knowledge of business having worked for the lies of the Britain in Europe campaign and the Cairngorm National Park. His claim to fame could well be that he's very acquaint with government grants and he thinks Europe is the bees knees.

Allegedly he was responsible for the libdem's election manifesto which stated that the libdems wished to abolish the post of Scottish secretary. I heard him on Newsnight Scotland last night, attempting to justify the policy by saying the libdems wanted an office for all the devolved parliaments/assemblies, which would mean amalgamating four offices into one. Will he give up Dover House after Jim Murphy's expensive refurb? Not in the now confirmed five year term of this parliament. I mean, who would want to leave such luxury?

It will be interesting to see how the relative unknown Mr Alexander copes with Alex Salmond and now of course the labour party. He isn't renowned for being a warm person. Maybe it's time he upped his temperature because he'll need to be on form.

4 comments:

Baron's Life said...

Well you might be surprised on how he does or does not handle it.
Nowadays, things are shifting rapidly and maybe it is time, for us, the old guard, to hand over the reigns to the next generation as foolish as they might seem to us

JRB said...

I may not agree with Danny Alexander’s politics, but I feel I must give credit where credit is due.

As a constituency MP he has been both diligent and effective; he has, it must be said, served Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey to good effect.

Do not be fooled by his youthful appearance, equally, do not underestimate this young man’s abilities, he is a highly intelligent, mature, motivated and driven in his political beliefs.

He will be a much more formidable and able Scottish Secretary than the previous incumbent could ever be.

subrosa said...

I agree Baron. The days of having people experienced in business are gone. We have career politicians who have never had to think too much for themselves in order to survive.

Is that good or bad? I'd say not too good as I prefer my representative to understand the grind of making a living from their own abilities in the wider world.

subrosa said...

Afternoon John. I don't know the lad at all so I accept your reference.

Virtually anyone should be better than his predecessor surely but I shall watch him with interest.

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