As far as I can make out from the trickle of news that has come through since, it seems Iain Gray led with blogging at FMQs today, particularly challenging Mike Russell's claim that he did not know about the seemingly omni-present Universality of Cheese.
The new Education Minister's denial that he knew anything about is so crystal clear and absolute that it is beginning to make a mockery of Mark MacLachlan's insinuations in the Sunday Times.
Overall, the approach to FMQs here is similar to that of Cathy Jamieson when she tried to wring a story out of a John Mason comment in a tabloid when there are genuine, meaty issues to discuss.
In the papers today we can read about the worrying lack of progress at Copenhagen (Obama seems to be bizarrely using this Conference to call for another Conference in June), health worries across genders and breakthroughs in combatting Glasgow gang violence.
Gray could have led with any of these issues but went with a blog 'scandal' that ran out of steam a while ago.
Gray's poor judgement needs to be called into question once again...
Salmond vs Trump
9 minutes ago
51 comments:
The only things Gray cares about are himself and the Labour Party. His party couldn't care less about what's good for Scotland, it just wants back into power and will do whatever it takes to make that happen. With most of the media sharing the desire to have Labour back in power, the SNP better be prepared for a hard fight over the next two set of elections.
Jeff - Never have I thought you are so wrong.
These are genuine issues about the conduct of not just a member of the Cabinet, but also the role of the First Minister's advisers.
Someone at the heart of this murky affair is lying and that is a serious matter.
Honestly, someone get a hold of the two leading parties and smack their heads together. The pettiness which pervades Scottish political discourse just now is simply worrying.
"The new Education Minister's denial that he knew anything about is so crystal clear "
Must be true then - can't imagine he would say that if it wasn't true!
"it just wants back into power and will do whatever it takes to make that happen."
How cynical of them - no-one else does that do they?
A certain level of naivety on display here, or at least selective vision.
how come the "they're a' as bad as each other" comments nearly always come from unionists seeking to paint everyone has hopeless, petty and incompetent as labour?
Thomas, although I agree it's an issue the key question has already been answered by Russell and an investigation is on so to suggest this is a higher priority for the public than Fly Globespan or Copenhagen or a recession that's so debilitating that we can't have a referendum is simply nonsense.
Gray is seeing what he wants to see here and, for me, getting it spectacularly wrong.
Anon,
I'm not saying that just because Russell's position has been "crystal clear" he is 100% telling the truth but for Gray to ask what the position is despite having this knowledge is, I think, amateurish.
It's going to checked out in the long run but, with everything else going on in the world at the moment, how many people really care about this political bubble guff?
Jeff - There was a story in today's Herald about this issue, so how is it not topical?
MacLauchlan has made some pretty serious allegations (and I will stress that these are just allegations) about a Minister and a special adviser. I really cannot understand why SNP bloggers think trashing Iain Gray for asking topical, legitimate concerns about this matter, doesn't show up the argument regarding cyber nats.
I suspect taht this is one where you and I will have to disagree.
Jeff
If Gray had gone on Globespan, all he would have got in reply is 'Labour recession, Labour recession, Labour recession'.
If he'd then said well, give us GARL back to create jobs and make the budget more about job creation, he would've got Labour cuts, Labour cuts, Labour cuts.
It's hardly surprising that he preferred to focus on a negative story for the SNP. Obviously, you can argue over how important this whole blog story is.
Did you think the Damien McBride thing was not a serious issue? Personally, I'm convinced Russell knew OF the blog but I'm not sure he knew about the precise content.
I do think it matters if elected reps, especially Ministers, are actively planting smear stories about opponents (this is assuming the stories are untrue).
I KNOW Russell does NOT seem to be at fault here but I don't think you can blame Gray for latching onto this.
After all, spin and smears is one of THE key accusations that the SNP throw at Labour. OF COURSE they love to point out that apparently the SNP aren't above these kind of tactics, either.
You always have to remember one thing about politics that is easy to forget: It is practised by PEOPLE. They're all human beings.
It may be hard to imagine, but in my view, there was a bit of an emotional side to today, too. Gray mentioned that things had been posted about 'me and my marriage' which he asked Salmond to do something about months ago.
Politicians have thick skins but I wouldn't assume everything just bounces off them. If they feel someone's trying to get at them personally, of course they're gonna try and give as much as they get.
As a Labour sympathiser, I would have felt much prouder if Gray had gone on the whole climate change/alleged FM posturing thing, but I don't blame him for choosing the blogger story over it.
I tend to like the term cyberbrit but it doesn't seem to be overly used in our media, wonder why?
Surely Britnatbloggers deserve a nice wee term of their own.
Anonymous @ 6:01
I prefer Ethereal Empire Loyalists
I think the concern is that while there are suitable things to talk about - collapse of globespan, recession, climate change etc, the discussion is instead about barbeques, marquees and bloggers.
For nationalists, surely the desire should be there to debate slightly more important issues. For unionists like Gray, who like to accuse people of being childish etc, why not focus on grown up issues and test the government on these?
I think the very personal and intense battle between the SNP and Labour is coming at a price to the quality of political debate in Scotland.
Journalism is also highly questionable in Scotland. There is by far a greater bias against the SNP/nationalism/independence in general as there might be against unionism. I think the internet and blogging is filling that vacuum - hence "cybernats". There is a sore need on the part of the nationalists to get a hold of the narrative and to stop appearing to be buffetted around on the various storms that hostile journalists might cook up. Equally, it is unsound to dismiss all criticism of the SNP as unionist propaganda. This might wash amongst the converted, but as we know, they are not the people who need convincing.
Nationalists complain frequently about people such as Glenn Campbell, David Maddox etc and I think they are right to, to a certain extent. But if you can tell me where the rules are which say that media outlets - least of all private ones - must be unbiased, then they might have a point. The BBC is the UK's state sponsored broadcaster and is funded by the government.
For the record, I would not call myself a nationalist and I am not a unionist. I believe in devolution max and eventual independence for the geo-political normalisation that it would bring. It would also bring economic and social benefits but I would go further to state that as many decisions as possible should be taken as close to the population as possible, so independence of a Scottish state in this context should not be the end result.
"It's going to checked out in the long run but, with everything else going on in the world at the moment, how many people really care about this political bubble guff?"
Very few, I suspect.
Why did you put it on your blog, one wonders?
In the grand scheme of things, of course, the travails of one blogger are less important than global warming and the palm oiled fate of orangutans.
However "how many people really care about this political bubble guff?"....
...is a phrase which glibly and insensitively generalises a personal, indvidual experience.
While I find commentary from Gray, Goldie et al on "CyberNats" puke making, given daily Brit Nat blogging trashing Scotland and pro-independence folks in often racist, abusive, sectarian terms, we shouldn't forget this all started with a fantastically, fabulatory spin effort directed against a comedic blog and its author.
If gross hypocrisy has been exercised by those connected to Montague (did they have to stick the boot in so hard? For a blog taken out of context by a tabloid journalist whose "organ" deals largely in scum and scum making) then they should reap what they have spoffed. Not in general. But against an individual.
Thomas Docherty said...
Jeff - There was a story in today's Herald about this issue, so how is it not topical?
thomas, you are kind of half right here.
But has anyone asked why the story written by Sunday Herald journalist Paul Hutchens appeared in the Herald today rather than the Sunday Herald on Sunday - i can't think of an instance where this has happened before. If not unique, most unusual.
Why then? I suspect so as Ian Gray could ask his question at today's FMQs, given Holyrood went into recess today for the best part of a month.
Aye We Can
"I suspect so as Ian Gray could ask his question at today's FMQs, given Holyrood went into recess today for the best part of a month"
Gosh. Really? A cosy stitch up with the British Imperial Labour Party? Sounds like a nonsense conspiracy theory to me.
Of course, folks like "Aye We Can" gave credence to the start of all this.
When a comedic, surreal blog, with some naughty words (even naughtier, but not much, than Jackie Baillie used to describe Wendy's press conferemce, even worse that Helen Liddel and McCleish used to describe John Reid, and much the same words as Blair is quoted in Campbell's diaries using about various people)was held up as beyond the pale by the supporterts of rendition/ torture/ detention without trial, it was of of course the stalwarts such as "Aye" and "jeff" who piled on. And helped this current story.
Well done lads.
Ayrshire scot - id take you seriously if you told us who you were. But a nat, who you pose as, I doubt.
I suggested no unionist media conspiracy here, just a Herald group one, and a semi legit one: I am in no doubt that the latest instalment is in todays Herald rather than the next sunday herald was directly linked to today's FMQs.
And there was no News of The World conspiracy either. A blogger called its Scottish Political Editor a cunt, and when he found out (without any difficulty) who
the blogger was he was astonished.
The rest is just inevitable fall out, driven now by attempts to secure "justice" via various arms of the media.... for which the media outlets are ever gratefull
Thomas, a good litmus test for me is the fact that Cameron would look daft if he went for Brown over such an issue in Westminster. What are we aspiring towards for Holyrood?
Episodes like this cheapen the value of the Scottish Parliament.
Aye says - "Ayrshire Scot - id take you seriously if you told us who you were"
I fear our electronic relationship of serious regard would become asymmetrical if you did.
"I suggested no unionist media conspiracy here, just a Herald group one"
Good that you suggested no media conspiracy then, I suppose.
As for me not being a "nat", I say a big ho hum to you and file your dubiety along with Jeff's consistency. I have posted for several years on the Scotsman under this moniker (beware fake ID's etc) and have strived and worked for the SNP since age 16. A lot harder than you have, I am guessing.
So, doubt away, if my concern about natural justice and attention seeking cyber sheep piling on to kipper a guy who was stitched up by a scum paper transcends my party membership.
Jeff.
Your last comment is spot on.
Compared to the catastrophic loss of a Scottish airline and the porential of 4500 people being unable to use the services that they paid for, the Grayman's tactic at best looks stupid and unstatesman-like. At worst it could be construed that Gray has displayed no confidence in his "comrades" government in Westminster,as well as a diregard for the people strande or facing redundancy.
It makes Scotland look small, petty-minded and very backward.
Allan "Compared to the catastrophic loss of a Scottish airline and the porential of 4500 people being unable to use the services that they paid for, the Grayman's tactic at best looks stupid and unstatesman-like"
no on disagrees.
I was merely suggesting that an individual has been done up like a kipper by a scum newspaper, and this process was aided by bland, unspirited attention seekers like Jeff.
I don't doubt the fate of the Maldives is more pressing, generally.
I just have grave concerns about the type of SNP supporter who would crap all over an individual, because there was a slight whiff of political damage.
Walk the talk and all that. What benefits a man to embrace social employment law if he loses his sense of humour?
Ayrshire Scot, you still aint told us who you are ( Me? - check my blog out)
I never asked when you suppossedly joined the SNP or how hard you worked "the cause". Just who you are?
And it's fake IDs I'm, asking about!
Ayreshire Scot
I agree. However it does smack of critisising something because the newspapers tell you that it's wrong. The whole epesode has the smack of "Brass Eye" about it...
Aye
my details are on my google blogger page.
You seem to be going by way of "Aye" as a name?
Why would setting myself up for a scum NOTW spin piece, no doubt then heartily and sanctimoniously chuntered about, disapprovingly by the likes of you and Jeff, add any substance to my opinion?
Who is defining 'attack blog'?
Sound analysis roygbiv, I'd certainly go along with your suggestion that all quarters need to buck up their ideas to improve political debate, particularly as I'm someone who occasionally and far too readily buys into the 'SNP are victims of a unionist media' complaint which can often be unhelpful and inaccurate.
Fair enough Ayrshire Scot, here I am complaining about this story dominating the agenda while blogging about it with not a little irony and perhaps even hypocrisy but Iain Gray can set the agenda given the pulpit he is awarded at FMQs. I wasn't planning on blogging anything at all today (i'm on my hols in Sweden) but my surprise at the chosen topic, coupled with a long and dull bus ride, moved me to register my surprise.
I would have much preferred to have heard more about Globespan than I would about 'Cheese'.
Aye we Can - Ayrshire Scot used to post on the Scotsman and the Herald occasionally.
One of the most persuasive posters I have ever read to be honest.
I disagree with him on this one, he knows my views, but he's not just some bloke who has strayed on here, far from it.
Jeff "(i'm on my hols in Sweden) but my surprise at the chosen topic, coupled with a long and dull bus ride, !"
all just suggests a RyanAir thing.
Observer
Thanks. And I respect you. Your posts are always cogent, and mostly aligned with my views, by which I dont mean to flatter, just that we share a similair perspective - I abhor abuse, lack of respect for a differring opinion, lack of engagement.
On this, the treatment of Monty, we disagree, it seems. I feel strongly that an individual has been wronged - tarred and feathered by the scummiest part of the media, andnow hung out to dry by his associates.
A good guy has been kippered.
Ayrshire Scot:
"electronic relationship of serious regard"
Ayrshire has obviously spurned a career as a wordsmith.
To make money.
Conan.
I told you, the cash, wrapped in a card, is in the post
Spot on with Ryanair AS, nice work. But v cheap tickets, a flight on time, £2 transfer into city centre and picturesque snow on arrival means I'm not complaining too much!
AWC
On the Paul Hutcheon/Herald issue, you may have a point about FMQs, but hasn't the 'rationalisation' at the Herald (and Scotsman)meant that there's less substantive difference between the weekday and Sunday titles now, ie they share journalists and the like?
Thus it's a bit more like the HeraldScotland website (they dumped the separate Sunday site) so PH is more likely to appear during the week?
And perhaps it's just a case of making sure the news appears before another title gets it, and PH was the journo dealing with it.
Jeff,
Gamlastan will look great, I advise against the ice hotel replica in same, and indeed the ice bar near northern lights hotel
Big kiss
This story has been around in the media for about two weeks now, and its getting noticed elsewhere too.
Why? Because the original story has been given legs by the way the SNP handled it, the now aggrieved blogger and the Minister who employed him.
Gray brought it up at FMQ's because its was a gift for Labour, and you can bet that if the shoe had been on the other foot the ever excellent SNP crew would be mentioning it as well. Lets not all get too precious here, you cannot do what that blogger did and expect it to all go unnoticed in the media or in Holyrood as if it was beneath everyone.
I saw it mentioned on the BBC Scotland news tonight because the Minister involved is now threatening legal action.
And when Brian Taylor has to peer down from his intellectual mountain to cast an eye over it, and heaven forfend, bring himself to even mention it. It is finally news.
I am minded to remember the well worn story of John Major phoning Kelvin McKenzie after Black Wednesday, and Kelvin describing what he was going to do with the contents of the bucket of **** he had sitting on his desk ready for the paper the next day.
Don't expect your opponents to sit quietly while there is a bucket omitting something nasty in the corner. Address the problem head on and get the air freshener out sharpish, don't for god's start pretending that it doesn't matter and that there is something even more smelly in the other corner that needs to be addressed instead.
Doctervee got it spot on in his blog post about it. There are some great Scottish blogs out there right now, some are a must read. But the stuff being peddled was nasty and over the top, and it came from someone working in the SNP camp and I cannot muster any sympathy over the supposed 'hostile Scottish media' either. Get used to it if you aspire to be taken seriously in power, and deal with the criticism by proving them wrong.
The Tories have had a crap press North and South of the border for years, and its got nothing to do with being a Unionist or Independence party. That is politics for you. I still shudder at some of the comments threads in the Scottish newspapers, and no surprise they have now gone.
You don't win by shouting the loudest or being the most aggressive. You do so by making the right argument and being successful at it.
If I was Salmond, I would have welcomed Gray's question today, and I would have made the running to make sure that I was on the side of positive politics not the negative.
I would have given the undertaken to make sure that my team would be pushing that same positive attitude right across politics, unlike Labour back in the 2007 GE campaign.
I hated that Sun frontpage on that election day, and I was disappointed to later learn that Salmond himself had used the 'hung by a Scottish rope' slogan before then. The SNP are best when they are being positive about their politics and policies, and worst when they are trying too aggressively to deal with any criticism.
I loved Mike Russell's answer when asked if he knew Mark had a blog:
"I don't think so, I mean no doubt people will say 'you must have known' but I don't think so, no."
(see video in link)
http://news.stv.tv/scotland/145179-ministers-legal-threat-over-blog-claims/
Far from his emphatic denial when this story broke, eh? And then threatening legal action soon after? Hmm.
"I hated that Sun frontpage on that election day, and I was disappointed to later learn that Salmond himself had used the 'hung by a Scottish rope' slogan before then. The SNP are best when they are being positive about their politics and policies, and worst when they are trying too aggressively to deal with any criticism."
I genuinely had not seen this story in the Herald when I posted that comment. The economics might be sound, but the timing stinks politically. This is a truly worrying development just months before a GE.
Herald - Outrage at SNP plans for public notice ads
"A Scotland Office source accused the SNP of “trying to strangle papers which are the lifeblood of democracy”. He said: “The SNP are sore losers. The minute they get a bad press they want to punish newspapers.”
Mr Swinney insisted switching to online would provide “more cost effective public information”. The Government’s consultation on the proposals runs until February 12."
And a GE as early as March next year? This is an extremely aggressive move from the SNP government right now when the Scottish newspaper industry is already under considerable strain.
I feel very uncomfortable about this.
"I feel very uncomfortable about this"
Since when was it the taxpayers responsibility to keep rags like the scotsman afloat?
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I missed the story on withdrawing Scottish Government public notices from the MSM, for economy reasons.
I think that is a smart move, at least as a warning to the MSM before the General and especially the referendum.
Watch the Editors’ sphincters start to quiver as they contemplate a serious revenue drop and their jobs on the line.
the threat to take revenue may get a slight change in political position from the scotsman.
the question must be asked by a hootsmon beancounter, at least privately if not to the snp; "if we (slightly) change our editorial position will the snp let this suggestion fall over?"
certainly an offer i would make if i ran the hootsmon.
Hi Jeff,
An interesting take on the Globespan affair here.
If you feel like you need to escape the snow and ice for an hour head to this Thai restaurant in Södermalm, just south of the old town: Koh Phangan - it's an awesome place, complete with beach huts, jungle noises, a fish-filled river and geckos on the cave walls downstairs. All that and the food is great too, well worth a visit :o)
OMG - Comedy Genius
http://newsarse.com
Cheers Forfar, will have to keep it in mind for next time. I'm up in Umea where it's -21 degrees and a bit of koh Phangan beach magic wouldn't go amiss right now!
AS, Gamla Stan was immense. All the city looks superb sprinkled with snow. Stockholm could be the perfect Christmas city actually.
For the record, Scottish Government pulling advertising from MSM makes sense as a costcutting move for me. Not sure if it's the same thing but I rail against having to pay tax to be reminded not to smoke and not to be racist.
On the removal of public ads from the print media, I believe the Scottish Government are only following the lead of that staunchly nationalist organisation, COSLA.
Bottom line is that this will save a pile of taxpayers' cash at virtually no diminution to service delivery. It's a no brainer and, frankly, just shows how desperate Labour are to portray this as some kind of conspiracy.
Re councils not advertising in the press. It is simply untrue to suggest that this comes from the SNP Government or that is has anything to do with punishing newspapers for their editorial stances.
The move comes from councils themselves - John Swinney has merely allowed them to do it. It is within his power as there are certain statutory requirements with regard to advertising planning applications etc.
I think there is an issue with it in the sense that there are still significant numbers of people who are not online. However presumably councils have provided assurances regarding making sure that matters which require to be circulated to the public will be circulated. If the optimal way to do that is no longer through the printed press that simply reflects changes in society.
The argument that the SNP is acting unfairly and undermining the newspaper industry is simply nonsense. Neither the Scottish Government nor local authorities have any obligation to subsidise the newspaper industry.
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"The argument that the SNP is acting unfairly and undermining the newspaper industry is simply nonsense. Neither the Scottish Government nor local authorities have any obligation to subsidise the newspaper industry."
Indy, I am aware of the council's increased online presence these days. But both the government and the local councils have an obligation to keep the people well informed.
But as I said up thread, its the timing of this consultation which ends in February which I find uncomfortable. And I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss that making this move look more political than economic.
"AS, Gamla Stan was immense. All the city looks superb sprinkled with snow. Stockholm could be the perfect Christmas city actually"
And at last, Jeff, we agree.
Aye we can - I am afraid that you, or someone posting as you - has been referenced in the Scotsman making a post on spook's blog calling Gordon Brown a cunt and various other stuff.
It's quite apparent to me that there are a good few stalkers out there and they seem to have every single post that has ever been made on any subject ever.
It's on the SOS thread abt Cllr Davidson the comment and tinyurl comes from someone called Sally frae Freuchie (today).
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