I am interested to know what governance model …

Comment posted Coalition for Progess to Govern Argyll & Bute by Integrity? Not in the ConDemAll.

I am interested to know what governance model is going to be adopted. It is time the Executive Committee, at least in its previous form, was thrown out and something more democratic out in place.

Never again should a Council statement on a matter as crucial as primary education go out in the Council’s name when only the Executive Committee approved it.

Recent comments by Integrity? Not in the ConDemAll

  • First Minister’s choice not to condemn mob behaviour proves Farage point
    The NIMBY, of all political persuasion, certainly isn’t a rare bird however their existence in place A, or of persuasion B, doesn’t detract from criticism of specific examples of it.

    I agree it is unsafe to use fringe views to represent a whole group and you make a fair point about the need for clarity in the overall ‘cause’. For me though, UKIP cause it not clear and I don’t see these issues as the views of a minority within the group, or a collection of rogue members.
    Your point about Alex Salmond’s potential reaction to similar treatment of one of his own party (or himself) is valid and is a point I made in an earlier post. At the risk of repeating myself (well not a risk as I am doing it!) I believe the best course of action would have been for him to openly state that he didn’t approve of the actions of the crowd and, in the same statement, making it clear that the group was not representing either the SNP or the Scottish independence movement.

    I am sure he, as any of us would, be shaken by such an experience. The fact that there was no actual physical violence doesn’t for a second mean anger/abuse at such close proximity is not hugely intimidating and a politician, irrespective of opinion, should be allowed to perform their role without being out in a position where they are fearful for their safety. Tony Blair would, almost definitely, face a similar reaction in certain places, as would a number of other politicians over the years. Like you I would argue that this is not the best way to express discontent. Only in a very small number of occasions would I condone taking protest to the point of physical intimidation and I reserve that to some of the most significant ‘upheavals’ in modern times (examples being the fight against apartheid and the civil rights movement in the US) – even then there would be a line I, personally, couldn’t step over.

    Drifting away from the point a little (although I must say it is refreshing to be debating something other than Scottish Independence or A&B Council!). My overall point is that I believe UKIP to be a party with an inherent bigotry at the core of it and this is clearly evidenced by the actions, statements, and affiliations of too many of its members for it to be brushed off as a the actions of a fringe minority. If the same number of statements (of the same nature) had been made by members of any of the mainstream parties (on both sides of the border) then they would face a far bigger backlash from the media and opposition supporters despite the actual percentage representation being far lower.

  • First Minister’s choice not to condemn mob behaviour proves Farage point
    Newsroom

    Writing this on phone so apologies for brevity. You are of course correct that every party has fringe nutters however it gets to a qiantity where the term ‘fringe’ no longer applies as it becomes tpo high a percentage of the party. Just today there is further issue with Otto Inglis being linked to the Letter Writers Guild who pleasantly refer to the Islam Tsunami.

    It is the consistent theme and the number of incidents tgat, fpr me, makes this more than a party with a few fringe nutters. They are a party with an odious core that corrupts any desire to be a civilised, compassionate and inclusive society.

    All that said I respect their right to be that way. I just hope society at large always sees them as the disgusting people they are.

  • First Minister’s choice not to condemn mob behaviour proves Farage point
    You need to read a bit deeper than a manifesto which is basically a random collection of ideas pulled together to respond to ‘ten things that get up the nose of right wing Daily Mail readers.’ Even at that high level policy level there is little cohesiveness of policy that gives any suggestion that the policies can be realistically implemented or, most importantly, afforded.

    What is more relevant than the headline policies is the people in the party who would be attempting, and failing, to implement them. Farage himself is portrayed as this charismatic leader who, by supping the odd pint, and strategically lighting up a fag, is representing the common man as well as appealing to the man on the street scared for his job because of all these pesky foreigners. They portray themselves as a party putting Britain’s interests first and bravely fighting to preserve Britain’s place on the world map (given that their opposition to Scottish independence is a little hypocritical as the SNP are only after what Scotland what they claim to be for Britain). However that battle for Britain only seems to take place when Farrage can take advantage of a variety of television programs as their MEP’s seem to find it rather incovnetnt to actually show up at the European Parliament which begs the question ‘where are they actually carrying the fight for Britain’s future to?’

    They vehemently refute any accusation of bigotry despite umpteen links with a number of the far right parties across Europe. UKIP is a member of Europe of Freedom and Democracy and Farage certainly was co-President of the group (may well still be), the other president being Francesco Speroni who charmingly said of Anders Breivik that he was someone with ideas that are in defence of western civilisation. When another group member said that Breivik has some excellent ideas Farage, in fairness wrote to him to demand the comments be withdrawn of UKIP would pull out of the group. Not only were the comments not withdrawn, the person who said them (Mario Borghezio) added to them and further stated ‘Long live the Whites of Europe, long live our identity, our ethnicity, our race… our blue sky, like the eyes of our women. Blue, in a people who want to stay white.”

    Was Farage good to his word? No. UKIP didn’t withdraw, he carried on his role as co-president and UKIP still have many members in it and a UKIP MEP was thrown out of UKIP because she refused to be a part of EFD due to what she said were ‘extremist’ views.

    Meanwhile Farage has made a lot of noise about UKIP being the only party in the country who ban BNP members from joining. That is factually correct however easily side stepped by the party when the UKIP head of Policy invited the British Freedom Party to join UKIP – that is the party made up almost entirely of members of the BNP who set up their own party. When UKIP was asked to explain why this had happened despite their policy the answer was that their Head of Policy has been in the US and was not ‘up to speed with current policy.’ So the Head of Policy is not up to speed on policy because he was out of the country for a handful of weeks – what bloody rubbish.

    Even Alan Sked who founded the party now descibes them as extraordinarily right-wing and states they are devoted to “creating a fuss, via Islam and immigrants”. It is worth remembering that at the time of the general election when Britain (who UKIP are dedicated to protecting) was facing the worst economic crisis since the late 1930s UKIPs flagship policy was banning the burqa.

    Even if you do support their line on immigration the fact they happily dilute it in their manifesto to avoid criticism points at a party who will whore themselves to the voter where necessary but equally able to bin that manifesto should they get any power. They have a ‘Pocket Guide to Immigration’ in their manifesto which used to promise to “end support for multiculturalism and promote one, common British culture”. They quickly removed it when it attracted criticism. However despite it no longer being an official manifesto policy it disn’t prevent one of their candidates stating that Islam was Islam “morally flawed and degenerate” and he backed a controversial Dutch politician, who called Islam a retarded ideology. He further stated that “A removal of multi-culturalism and assimilation of these people needs to done to save them from the abyss of exclusion and welfare. Above all, one should not shy away of contemplating forced repatriation, or threatening it to further assimilation, as a result of their lack of economic contribution to the UK.”

    There have been many other disgusting views expressed by members of UKIP including, but not limited to:

    1. It being ‘dangerous to allow those who do not work to vote
    2. All babies with disabilities should be aborted as they are a burden (in fairness Farage condemned this one
    3. Some homosexuals prefer sex with animals
    4. A full length book on the links between homosexuality and paedophilia wouldn’t do the topic justice (she was sacked)
    5. There is no such thing as homophobia (he was sacked) although bizarrely the UKIP Youth-Chairman was also sacked when he supported same sex marriage – make your mind up UKIP.
    6. ‘Jokes’ on facebook that old people should be euthanised when they become a burden
    7. ‘Jokes’ about muslims having sex with camels. The same person then made ‘jokes’ about “paki” families going home and spreading Christmas cheer with “eggnog for nig-nogs”

    Would you say ‘there is still not a lot wrong there’?

  • Argyll and Bute Council Coalition Cup 2013: runners and riders
    Agreed – a little ‘horse play’ after weeks of turmoil in Castle Kilmory is not to be sniffed at.
  • First Minister’s choice not to condemn mob behaviour proves Farage point
    Hi Jamie

    I do take your point about Salmond and the Saltire and that was what I was getting at in my last paragraph. I am pretty sure if, for example, Sturgeon or Swinney was greeted in England by a crowd of similar size singing that about the Saltire then Salmond, and many SNP supporters, would condemn it widely.

    Personally I wouldn’t take it as racist though. The union flag has, unfortunately, as an image has become associated with racist connotations due to being ‘adopted’ by groups in the past such as the National Front and, more generally skin heads (who obviously are not all racists either). The flag of a nation is symbolic of the entire nation, not a minority group, or a particular mind set. Equally the Saltire is not a symbol of the SNP, or the independence movement. It is the flag for every Scot be they unionists or nationalists.

    I do agree the protest was somewhat unsavoury but I still don’t think the First Minister should be expected to make a public statement about it. I would acknowledge that it might have been good practice to do so, and a political opportunity to distance the independence movement from any potential accusation of fostering anti-English sympathy however I don’t think it should be incumbent on him to do so.

    In a more general sense, as an Englishman living in Scotland, I don’t personally feel there is a particularly anti-English sentiment amongst nationalists. I have experienced anti-English ‘incidents’ in my years living in Scotland (and also witnessed the reverse in England) but I have always felt it is a very rare occurrence and don’t feel the independence movement has exacerbated it in any way. I think it would be a shame if this incident (which really was a small number of people) is used to evidence Anglophobia to a scale that really doesn’t exist in Scotland.

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74 Responses to I am interested to know what governance model …

  1. Congratulations to Councillor McCuish and his colleagues and I’d like to wish them well as they deliver a responsible,transparent local government that listens to the people of Argyll and delivers for them.

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  2. For those who have not already accessed the information, the appointments that were made at the first meeting of the new Council today were:

    Leader – Councillor Roddy McCuish
    Deputy Leader – Councillor John Semple
    Provost – Councillor Isobel Strong
    Depute Provost – Douglas Philand

    Lead Councillor for Human Resources and Sport is Douglas Philand – Deputy Lead Councillor is Robert MacIntyre

    Lead Councillor for Strategic Finance and European Affairs is James Robb – Deputy Lead Councillor is Gordon Blair

    Lead Councillor for Planning and Regulatory Services is Sandy Taylor – Deputy Lead Councillor is Mary-Jean Devon

    Lead Councillor for Energy, Development, Infrastructure and Tourism is John Semple – Deputy Lead Councillor is Louise Glen – Lee

    Lead Councillor for Adult Care and Learning Disabilities is Anne Horn

    Lead Councillor for Roads and Amenity Services is Donald Kelly – Deputy Lead Councillor is Robert G MacIntyre

    Lead Councillor for Children and Families is Mary Jean Devon

    Lead Councillor for Education and Lifelong learning is Mike Breslin – Deputy Lead Councillor is Richard Trail

    Lead Councillor for Community, Culture, Customer and Communication is Louise Glen – Lee

    Lead Councillor for Housing is George Freeman – Deputy Lead Councillor is Iain Angus MacDonald

    Lead Councillor for the opposition is Dick Walsh – Deputy Lead Councillor for the opposition is Ellen Morton

    Area Committees:

    Mid Argyll Kintyre and the Islands – Lead Councillor is Anne Horn – Deputy Lead Councillor is Donald Kelly

    Oban, Lorn and the Isles – Lead Councillor is Louise Glen-Lee – Deputy Lead Councillor Elaine Robertson

    Bute and Cowal – Lead Councillor Robert MacIntyre – Deputy Lead Councillor Gordon Blair

    Helensburgh and Lomond – Lead Councillor James Robb – Deputy Lead Councillor Richard Trail

    Chair of the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee and Chair of the Licensing board – Councillor Sandy Taylor – Deputy Councillor Mary – Jean Devon

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    • Congratulations George, I am pleased and very happy that you have been given the Chair for Housing and am sure you will deliver a first class service in your position

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  3. Pleased to see that this has come to pass in spite of some very underhand and blatantly dishonest tactics from some senior members of the previous administration.

    One of the first tasks for the new team is to see what can be done to improve communications between the Council and those who pay for it; that is, the people of Argyll & Bute for those still unsure. No news emerged from Kilmory about the developments in the Council chamber until long after decisions had been made and yet For Argyll appear to have been deliberately excluded from the meeting in spite of making every effort to conform to arcane rules badly enforced.

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    • “very underhand and blatantly dishonest tactics from some senior members of the previous administration.”

      and this surprises you..?

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    • I do believe that whomsoever decided to exclude ForArgyll from this or any other meeting should be named and brought to account by the new Administration.
      This action was typical of the past attitude to openness and transparency, which I would hope and expect would form no part of the new regime.

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  4. I am interested to know what governance model is going to be adopted. It is time the Executive Committee, at least in its previous form, was thrown out and something more democratic out in place.

    Never again should a Council statement on a matter as crucial as primary education go out in the Council’s name when only the Executive Committee approved it.

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  5. Money First indeed . A correct description of the new controlling group is SNP/Ind/ArgyllFirst/Con.
    Donald Kelly has finished his political career today .

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  6. Interesting that Islay for ever has never made mention of the fact that in the previous administration the conservative and unionist councillors voted to close rural schools pariculrly on islay (Keills) when MSP Jamie McGrigor (whom i have the upmost respect for) actually wanted to save rural schools a stance which Donald Kelly supported. Perhaps Islay for ever could justify the deviation of his council colleagues from the national party’s stance when Donald Kelly actually supported the party.

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    • I have no idea why you are concerning yourself with the affairs of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist party . I thought you were supposed to be an Independent ? or is your history as a failed Labour council candidate the reason ?

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      • In an open democracy the affairs -unfortunate word- of political parties should quite properly be in the public domain. I suggest that the ill mannered and frankly nasty contributions from ife do neither him nor the party that he purports to support any favours.

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  7. Many congratulations to Roddy MacCuish and his team!
    I went to see Bill Bailey in Corran Halls this evening!—-
    2 happy events in one day! I think it’s a sign!!!!

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  8. Islay for Ever. Dinosaurs are dead. No place now for those that believe their own opinion is the only one that counts. I am not a supporter of your party, but I do respect persons of integrity. A councillor must do what is right for the people he or she represents and personal dogma just gets in the road. The councillors like Donald Kelly deserve and have earned a tremendous amount of respect from all sides of political philosophy. Those from the previous regime who have little or no respect for people and failed to represent the wishes of the majority for short term personal benefit do not deserve that respect. Argyll First, George Freeman and the other councillors who are part of the ‘New Order’ have taken an open and indeed courageous step to bring transparent government to Argyll and Bute. You have not even got the conviction to put your name to your poor inaccurate and at time bile comments

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  9. Well done to Roddy Mcuish and the others. looks like a real good balance of expertise and ability. look forward to seeing real progression in the weeks to follow. The doubters will just have to learn to live with it.

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  10. Bring on the Spygate investigation, great place to start to find out what was going on and where the orders came from.I would hope that when the people are named and shamed they will no longer be collecting a pay cheque from the council.
    George and myself have been waiting a long time for the official response to our repeated requests about the ex councillor,s name to be made public by this council. So now that the new dawn is here and Roddy has all the details our wait is surely over.Look forward to the grand unveiling.
    Power to the People.

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  11. The Good people of Argyll should remember that the old guard that was defeated today was supported by Ellen Morton and the liberal Democrats. Alan Reid should be very worried!

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  12. According to report Walsh’s comment of “embarrassing” hit home as McCuish was unprepared and out of his depth at his first meeting. Seems he had to be rescued by officers all the time as he had no understanding of his brief. 6 months now probably too optimistic. The turn-coat Tory picks up his additional twenty pices of silver.

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  13. To assist the perception stated by Arnie and Islay for ever

    As Leader of Argyll First Group I do not intend to enter into any further dialogue regarding the statement issued below.

    Councillor Donald Kelly has been a Conservative member of the non political Argyll First group since its inception in 2010 The then Leader of the Scottish Conservative party Annabelle Goldie accompanied by Ruth Davidson met with him and discussed his participation within the group. As a result of this meeting Miss Goldie sent a letter to Councillor Kelly which he has in his possession endorsing his participation in Argyll First. The Argyll and Bute Conservative Association requested that Councillor Donald Kelly stand as their candidate for the South Kintyre ward on the clear understanding that if elected he would become a conservative member of the Argyll First Group. During the course of the recent election Councillor Kellys election leaflet made it clear to one and all that he would continue to be a member of Argyll First if elected. I am sure if anyone requires further clarification Councillor Kelly will be only too willing to provide it should anyone wish to contact him directly.

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  14. I think it is quite refreshing that Roddy Mccuish displayed a fresh open approach at the inaugural council meeting rather than the stuffy procedural ministrations of Mr. Walsh and the gerrymandering members of the last administration. We do not need fancy manoeuvres in the council chamber just good honest endeavour.

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  15. For Robert.
    I am very positive that most people in our position would at least expect at the very least the official release of the councillor,s name and the reasons behind the accusations
    he made personally against George.A name is not much to ask for surely.As for a witch hunt, well thats in the hands of our new council if they are true to their claims about open and honest government it should not be a problem.If not we will battle on till we get the answers we deserve.If thats what you want to call a witch hunt just asking for the truth then I hope you apply that across the board on everthing the last Administration and the other born again councillors got up to.I don,t do forgive and forget.
    Cheers Neil.

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  16. Can anybody tell me if the leader of the opposition and his depute receive any financial award from the council for doing this.
    If so the new administration should reconsider this and give the money to someone who will do a real job for the folks here.

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  17. Quite right, Neil.
    If only insure that some people who were involved in very unsavoury behaviour never get a chance to climb back on top again lots of dark corners should be exposed to the light. This is not musical chairs. It is for real.

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  18. The Independents were out of power when the Rainbow Alliance were in control for about half a term at the turn of the century.
    Also let us not forget that the SNP shared power with the Independents in the previous administration until the schools issue.
    What might it take in this term of office for the Independents to regain control over a 5 year timescale?

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    • What might it take? – some genuine (?) apologies to all the wronged councillors who were frozen out of participation in normal democratic process, and so much grovelling to the electorate – or, at least, the non-tribal sector that votes with a brain – that the independents from the old alliance might be so grubby they’d need steam cleaning.
      And even then they’d only be guaranteed spotless on the outside.

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  19. As Leader of Argyll First Group I wish to clarify the situation re Councillor Kelly particularly for Islay for ever and Arnie

    Councillor Donald Kelly has been a Conservative member of the non political Argyll First group since its inception in 2010
    The then Leader of the Scottish Conservative party Annabelle Goldie accompanied by Ruth Davidson met with him and discussed his participation within the group.
    As a result of this meeting Miss Goldie sent a letter to Councillor Kelly which he has in his possession endorsing his participation in Argyll First.
    The Argyll and Bute Conservative Association requested that Councillor Donald Kelly stand as their candidate for the South Kintyre ward on the clear understanding that if elected he would become
    a conservative member of the Argyll First Group.
    During the course of the recent election Councillor Kellys election leaflet made it clear to one and all that he would continue to be a member of Argyll First if elected.
    I am sure if anyone requires further clarification Councillor Kelly will be only too willing to provide it should anyone wish to contact him directly.

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    • What was Ruth Davidson’s role at the time of the meeting ? Note taker ? Ms Davidson did not become a MSP till 2011 .
      Donald Kelly can be assured that the Argyll & Bute Conservative and Unionist Association will not be ‘requesting’ he be a candidate in future, he having urged voters in Dunoon to support the SNP candidate against the Conservative and Unionist one and having put the SNP into power in Argyll And Bute for what appears to be financial gain .

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      • Is it not about time you put your name to your open threats just so we can see who you really are? Or is it the fact that you are unable to accept that some of the party you profess to have some influence over and support have a far higher moral stance than you.

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      • Ife, I’m no conservative, but I recognise an honest man in Donald Kelly and the notion that he would join anything for money over principle is utterly daft. No fewer than 1133 South Kintyre people, from a community that knows his genealogy, habits and every sin, trusted and endorsed him.

        He also has the wit to know that supporting an SNP led administration removes the dead hand of the Independent Alliance from Argyll & Bute and allows some very fundamental changes that will benefit everyone living in Argyll & Bute. Even more people here endorse that!

        It would be good to know what scenario you actually preferred. Were you really hoping for more years of the same?

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  20. Dougie…Is Argyll First a registered group ie can a member put Argyll First on their nomination papers?
    As a non political group does Argyll First accept members of registered political parties?

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  21. For David Grahame, this is stated in our Aims and Objectives as a the Argyll First group.

    It is open to membership of any Elected Councillor within the Argyll and Bute Constituency area irrespective of political persuasions. There is no pre-requisite to resign from political parties only a desire to serve the Population of Argyll and Bute as an elected member and joining the group will be by mutual agreement.

    Secondly we are not a registered group as per electoral commission hence could not put on nomination papers. But when canvassing we put our intentions in campaign leaflets as Donald Stated so people were aware before voting our intentions re Argyll First.

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  22. Islay for ever think we have the gist of what YOU are saying it will be interesting when we next meet with Jamie McGrigor to illicit his view, meantime can you please answer the question i asked which you have so skillfully avoided
    In relation to your Conservative and unionist Council colleagues from the last administration in post 12 above

    Perhaps Islay for ever could justify the deviation of his council colleagues from the national party’s stance when Donald Kelly actually supported the party in relation to school closures.

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    • To try and understand the mentality of Ife is probably a waste of time, but the general impression is of a party apparatchik accusing people of deviantism in the hope of engineering their downfall, preferably as nastily as possible. Widely practised in the old communist regimes, and probably still in North Korea – but maybe the best analogy for Ife’s disease is McCarthyism.

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  23. Ahem, Dougie – I think the word you were (vainly) searching for was elicit…(yes, yes, I know they sound the same but they’re not – trust me ;) )

    But if you actually meant that yon Tory ‘Jamie whathisname’ was doing something illegal –
    A – I would believe you,
    B – I wouldn’t be surprised, and,
    C – Would only ask if he’s related to Jeremy Hunt ?

    Robert – you really don’t have to comment on every post… but if you do – can you post something original please??

    ps How’s yon ’5.2 metre wide road’ blog doing ?

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    • If I thought you were old enough, I’d say you were just back from the pub, Simon. You do know you’re rambling a bit, don’t you? Best sleep it off.

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    • Oh “Simon”! I was about to give you a thumbs up there as I thought your translation of the other Dougie’s unfortunate slip in typing “illicit” rather than “elicit”into a witty attack on the Tories was actually quite good…. but then you went and spoilt it with your attack on Robert.

      Two points: people are capable of making their own minds up about other posters and don’t need any guidance thank you; secondly people in general don’t like personal attacks.

      More wit less… err ordure “Simon”.

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  24. P.S. Dougie, For Argyll have you down as the ‘Depute Provist’.

    So, it must be so obvious (even to you) Dougie that she/newsie cannae spell either … :)

    PS What exactly does a ‘Depute Provost’ do to justify a special responsibility allowance???

    PPS And, how much extra do you actually get for being a Depute Provost of a ‘rag-bag-alliance’*??

    * Copywright Newsie.

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  25. See Robert, I was actually being nice to you then – but you just didn’t appreciate it.

    I wasn’t going to say – and you really should’ve stopped digging – but you didn’t so hell mend you :)

    So, since you didn’t shall I tell you? ‘deviantism’ isnae a real word mate (in normal polite conversation that is). But if you actually meant to say ‘deviantism’ (cough, cough) why not Google it? That site will certainly (and quite graphically) explain it all…and it will have you tied up in knots in no time …:)

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    • Morning Simon – how’s the head? I thought I’d invented a word appropriate to the soviet era, up there with ‘parasitism’, and I’m surprised at what you’ve dug up on the internet – though I doubt anyone your age should be looking at stuff like that.

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  26. ps Robert; I copied your ‘deviantism’ post – just in case you were thinking of editing it ;)

    No thanks necessary :)

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  27. “doc” – Oh come off it! “people are capable of making their own minds up about other posters and don’t need any guidance” Just how many times have we all seen you doing just that?

    You are a clear case of ‘don’t do as I do – do as I say’. :)

    But who cares? Life if good and the weather is beautiful – so have a nice day “doc”.

    ps Anne – are you really that boring?? I can just imagine you after midnight last night feverishly searching on You Tube for that clip and all the time thinking ‘Ha! This’ll teach him….’

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    • I’m sure I slip sometimes but I focus on what people write not on how they write. An important difference. You on the other hand, attack the person, seeking to undermine their confidence through denigration.

      It is just not pleasant.

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      • Dr DM: I’ve read enough of Simon’s contributions to this website to think that there’s quite a disturbed mind at work – bright, yes, but maybe in need of help. But I’m not a mental health expert.

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      • Right on Dr Douglas, play the man not the ball if you don’t have a sound retort based on facts.
        We who are attacked, should turn the other cheek and the lack of response will defuse the attention seeker.

        Probably will resurrect with new name and if needs must, new style.

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  28. Robert – now that was funny – you suggest I’m off my skull but finish with “But I’m not a mental health expert”. You sneaky ould thing you ;)

    Anyway bye for now chaps the boat is calling :) :)

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