Monthly Archives: April 2011

5: Democratic Liberals Unite!

Posted on April 30, 2011 by

My Lib-Dem opponent has her work cut out. Not only is she new to such contests but she amplifies her beginner status by making statements like “unlike them, I am not a professional politician”. As a result, bookies have pushed … Continue reading →

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6: Helping Our Neighbours

Posted on April 29, 2011 by

Part of East Lothian that even residents seldom see are our islands. All four are nature reserves under various owners and landing is restricted. But SOS Puffin, a volunteer project sponsored by the Scottish Seabird Centre since 2007 has changed … Continue reading →

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7: Small Country; Big Future

Posted on April 28, 2011 by

I owe my opponent an apology. At our final hustings in Haddington, he disputed my claim (in support of our potential for tidal and wave energy) that the coast of Scotland was 6,000 miles long. I was wrong; it’s 20% … Continue reading →

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8: Calling All Conservatives

Posted on April 27, 2011 by

It’s all very well for David Cameron to come within an inch of suggesting that Conservatives should vote tactically, i.e. for the SNP. But, even with that endorsement and the glib, condescending tone of Ed Balls’ recent visit to goad you, … Continue reading →

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9: Nae Hidey-Hole

Posted on April 26, 2011 by

Our campaign has been from one end of East Lothian to the other. It has been an eye-opener for me as candidate because, having represented one area for 12 years (after half that time campaigning across the county as SNP … Continue reading →

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10 Days to Decide

Posted on April 25, 2011 by

Reading the Sunday papers before setting off round the doorsteps again was really encouraging with another dynamite poll for the SNP that puts the  SNP 13% ahead of Labour and even MacWhirter’s always-measured blog can’t quite stifle a tone of … Continue reading →

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11: Not Part of the Plan

Posted on April 24, 2011 by

As witnessed by the front page of the Courier a couple of weeks back, a local debate on 500 houses planned for Grange Road in North Berwick has resurfaced. This echoes headlines earlier this year about 750 houses at Letham in … Continue reading →

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12: If I Were a Betting Man…

Posted on April 23, 2011 by

A Happy St George’s Day to all our English readers! Confronted yesterday by one of my tireless volunteers who smirked “I’m going to make money off you”, I was unsure whether to be happy for them or wonder if my … Continue reading →

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13: Unlucky for Some

Posted on April 22, 2011 by

Into the last but one lap and all four parties in East Lothian are pouring a blizzard of leaflets through letterboxes as the weather stays benign enough for them to get as many feet on the street as they can … Continue reading →

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14: Who Reports on the Reporters?

Posted on April 21, 2011 by

Anorak that I am, my idea of a time off last night was to head to the David Hume Institute to catch one of their excellent seminars, this time from Blair Jenkins, Fellow of the Carnegie Trust UK  to talk … Continue reading →

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