Politics And Death

Labour and the Libdems managed to have their spring conferences on the same weekend. A feat of organisation some would say and others, the cynics amongst us, may think it was down to a lack of communication. I'd go with the latter because no political party wants to share publicity with another.

Nick Clegg and Michael Moore spoke to the faithful in Inverness but had little of interest to say. I have to be honest - the little I did see of the Libdem leadership was only more feeble requests for the referendum to be brought forward. Congratulations must go to Caron for her debut on the Sunday Politics. She stuck hard and fast to the party line and Willie Rennie should be grateful to have such support.

Dundee should have been full to the brim with Scottish Labour supporters this weekend but that wasn't the case. This past Saturday was no busier than any normal Saturday and few people seemed to realise the leaders of Labour and Scottish Labour were coming to town. Changed days. Only a couple of decades ago most Dundonians would have shown some interest in the visit of their then rulers.

Ed Milliband and Ms Lamont didn't have much to say for themselves either, other than the usual 'we need to win back the trust of the people' and 'separation is bad for the soul'. Johann Lamont reiterated her lies about the new Forth Bridge contracts and mentioned Labour were to set up their own wee anti-independence talking shop.

Both Labour and the Libdems repeatedly called for the referendum to be held 'sooner rather than later' but neither party can agree on who will lead the No campaign and what its key messages should be. One message from both conferences was that any agreement still looks a long way off.

The SNP didn't escape the Sundays either with the Scotsman revealing the (alleged) murky past of one of their MSPs.  Rightly, the SNP immediately suspended Bill Walker, while they investigate the matter more thoroughly. The Scotsman may have questions to answer too now that Lallands has uncovered this little piece of dusty legislation.

The weekend of politiking was overshadowed by the untimely death of QC Paul McBride who is thought to have died from natural causes in his sleep during a business trip to Lahore. His friend and fellow QC Derek Ogg described him as a 'star'. A fine tribute indeed.

1965 -  2012

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"Dysfunctional Morons"

Yesterday I was slightly surprised Paul McBride didn't appear on the Politics Show, but having the new Scottish leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party - she insists upon the full title - as a guest, then it's perhaps as well Mr McBride wasn't invited.

Paul McBride QC was the youngest person ever to be appointed to the Queens Council at the age of 35. He is no shrinking violet, but which QC is?  They're all performers with a intricate knowledge of the law, but without Equity cards. His legal career is as colourful as his political opinions and he's a man I think I may enjoy having to dinner, mainly because he's unafraid to change his political thinking.  Unfortunately I doubt if I could persuade him that Scotland should be an independent country, but the discussion would be vibrant.  I dream.

Mr McBride, who appears to have always held strong political views was a lifelong member of the Labour party until he decided, in 2009, after growing sick of seeing his former clients shopping on the high street when they were supposed to be locked up, he would join SCUP. His reason was that they were 'the only party serious about tackling the Scottish justice system'.

He was adopted as justice adviser to the ex-leader Annabel Goldie and now, hours after the tories have elected a new leader, he's resigned.  He said he quit over the tories' opposition to anti-sectarian and minimum pricing laws, yet I feel that's not all.  Resigning within hours of the election of Ruth Davidson must be a a blow to her and her henchmen.

“It had nothing to do with Ruth winning. I resigned over their performance on criminal justice, in particular their approach to the Offensive Behaviour Bill.

“They are the most moronic, dysfunctional, introspective bunch of MSPs I’ve ever seen.

“They have no interest in the people of Scotland. Their only interest is their careers."

Oh dear, not an positive endorsement of the new leadership.  I wouldn't dare to suggest Mr McBride has little time for the new leader Ruth Davidson.

He says he will not join another political party. Good for him.  Nobody needs to be a member of a political party and his decision will allow him to act on the political stage without having to toe the party line. Welcome to those of independent thought Mr McBride.

Meantime, Ms Davidson is off to London today to be congratulated by her boss colleague David Cameron on a job well done. She must keep him on side as finances are short in SCUP and CallMeDave will be writing the cheques for their anti-referendum campaign.

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Today's Non-Story

Paul McBride QC is no shrinking violet - quite the contrary. As one of Scotland's most outspoken unionist lawyers, having once been a vocal member of the Scottish Labour party but defected to the Scottish Tories in 2009, he enjoys the limelight and the attention he receives in the Scottish MSM.

The QC is a fan of Celtic FC and has represented them on several occasions. It is also reported he is currently representing Andy Coulson in the ongoing investigation into phone hacking.

A busy man by all accounts is Mr McBride, yet he's found time to add his support to George Galloway's latest entry into the literary world with his publication Open Season: The Neil Lennon Story.  Being a typical unionist Mr McBride couldn't resist having a dig at the SNP, but his effort was a disgrace to all self-respecting Scots, regardless of their religious beliefs.

Mr McBride... warned of possible damage to "social cohesion and related matters" if voters backed independence in a referendum.


To imply sectarianism would increase in an independent Scotland is not only foolish - he has no evidence - but totally irresponsible from a person of his professional standing. His opinion is so blatantly absurd it deserves to be labelled a non-story.

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