Comment posted Cabinet Secretary responds to McGrigor on Islay power cuts by Robert Wakeham.
Quite apart from any local problems with the condition of overhead lines in some areas of Islay, is there a problem with the Bowmore diesel power station providing supply if the Knapdale – Jura – Islay line is disrupted? Are these generators no longer up to the job?
Robert Wakeham also commented
- Do you mean he treats his Islay constituents as the proverbial ‘cash cow’, ie voting for him come what may therefore worthy of contempt? I know that Islay folk are no more daft than anyone else, so how come they vote for him?
Recent comments by Robert Wakeham
- Minutes of today’s meeting of ‘Concerned Councillors’ Group
Perhaps Argyll should be reclassified from a local authority area to a semi-wilderness zone not suited to self-government, of a similar standing to the Northwest Territories in Canada; if that doesn’t work, then how about the Tribal Areas of Pakistan’s Northwest Frontier? – anarchic groups that continually disintegrate and morph into new allegiances, beyond rational control and inviting attack by pilotless rocket-firing drones controlled from outside the country’s borders. Attacks noisily condemned by a dis-functional central government, but secretly welcomed. - CalMac geared up to start Campbeltown-Ardrossan ferry service on Thursday night
If indeed Calmac were ‘thrown a curve ball’ by the Scottish government then it doesn’t bode well for the future, if indeed the government is into cynical manipulation of public finances to enhance their popularity.
The trouble is, this would fit with the apparent cynical manipulation, by this government, of Argyll & Bute Council politics – and if this really is all in character then it reinforces my cynicism about politicians in general.
You can find some decent ones, in most parties, if you try – but anyone listening to Alex Salmond jousting with James Naughtie on BBC R4 ‘Today’, this morning, will have heard him claim that Denis Healey (whom I respected for his ability in government) has said that the Treasury deliberately underplayed the value of Scottish oil in years gone by to make independence seem less attractive.
A plague on the lot of them. - Walsh to lead all but Lib Dems, Conservatives and George Freeman
I’m just wondering if this is a wild goose chase – barking up the wrong tree, so to speak – and it might be a creature of a different political colour altogether? - Walsh to lead all but Lib Dems, Conservatives and George Freeman
Talking of Conservatives, and bearing in mind the ornithological wonders of this part of the world, has anyone yet spotted a swivel-eyed loon? – or is it an imaginary creature? - First Minister’s choice not to condemn mob behaviour proves Farage point
Farage was in Edinburgh to raise the profile of UKIP – don’t underestimate wee Nige.
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Thank goodness we have one MSP willing to work for the good of his constituents rather than waste his time and energy pursuing separation .
I hope the Conservatives have a strong team of councillors to compliment the excellent work done by Jamie McGrigor after the election on May 3rd
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What a silly response from Islay for Ever but entirely typical of the relics that would keep Scotland separate from the rest of the world.
Jamie McGrigor is a personable and generous man and would be the first to admit I’m sure that there are very few in either of our Parliaments who work as hard at his job as John Swinney.
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I wonder why the nats ditched John Swinney as leader if he is as talented as you claim ? My recollection of his time as SNP leader was of being a disaster for them .
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John Swinney is a profoundly talented man who works incredibly hard and has managed to soften the effects of an ever reducing settlement from Westminster. Even his opponents in the parliament acknowledge this. SNP members had no problem with his leadership but the public didn’t warm to his quiet, sincere style.
Alex Salmond also works hard and one of his many talents is for debate. He makes a better public face than John but that’s just a difference. In the broader sense they’re equals. It’s just horses for courses.
I’m pretty certain that’s the way Jamie McGrigor would tell it as he’s also an honest man and I can vouch for the fact that he’s quite able to work with people from other parties for the common good. Maybe we should all try it Islay.
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The problem with the so called hard working nats is that rather than dealing with the pressing problems of their constituents they spend most of their time trying to break up the United Kingdom . Thank goodness we have MSPs like Jamie McGrigor to call them to account .
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Quite apart from any local problems with the condition of overhead lines in some areas of Islay, is there a problem with the Bowmore diesel power station providing supply if the Knapdale – Jura – Islay line is disrupted? Are these generators no longer up to the job?
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Massive amount of work done on the power station in the last couple of years Robert and seems to be working fine.
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Without wishing to be cynical (!), there is a Conservative standing for the Council next month who is based on Islay, the first for some while (?) and who has been saying that one of his objectives if elected is to lobby hard for a better infrastructure for the island, including a more secure electricity supply, and better roads, water supply, etc. He seems to be keeping McGrigor informed as the latter mentions Portnahaven in his questions to the Minister, which is where the would-be councillor lives.
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Probably needs all the help he can get. Can Mr McGrigor produce miracles?
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The main problem with the power supply in Islay is that each time there has been a power cut it has resulted in a make do and mend situation rather than trying to find out the source of the problems.
The situation was brought to a head as a result of the January 3rd storm when the Rhinns of Islay were without power for over two days. I was without power for 53 hours and 20 minutes but other areas of the Rhinns were without power over 60 hours and householders in Portnahaven and Port Weymss had no water supply because there was no electricty to pump the water.
Here in Islay we seem to be “out sight out of mind” as far as Argyll & Bute Council and the Public Utilities are concerned.
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The last line should read;
Here in Islay we seem to be “out of sight out of mind” as far as Argyll & Bute Council and the Public Utilities are concerned.
Sorry for the error.
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Incidentally our local councillor Robin Currie who is resident in Bruichladdich did not contact he local constituents to see if they were needing assistance. He did his usual, SOD ALL.
If the power supply had been off for the same period in either Tabert or Carradale as it was in the Rhinns area of Islay he would have rushing over there on the first available ferry to look after the needs of his constituents on the mainland and hopefully their votes on the 3rd May 2012.
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Do you mean he treats his Islay constituents as the proverbial ‘cash cow’, ie voting for him come what may therefore worthy of contempt? I know that Islay folk are no more daft than anyone else, so how come they vote for him?
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Did vote!
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