The wages of sin

A rare beast skulked up to the portcullis in Brigadoon yesterday, casually wondering whether he could count on my vote for the Conservatives at the forthcoming Euro elections.

After I stopped laughing and had released the dogs I started thinking about tactical voting. Has disillusionment with New Labour's misrule really reached a point where upstanding Scots should consider a vote for the Tories in those few Scottish seats where they might unseat Labour (Jim Murphy's constituency for one)?

Thankfully I don't find myself with that dilemma in Brigadoon (rock-solid Natural Law Party territory since you ask, yogic flying being the only way in or out). But with the list of Labour's outrageous failings lengthening daily, I can imagine a fair few Scots will be thinking the unthinkable come election time.

Swinging into this picture I learn today, is that loveable rogue Tommy Sheridan. He is to stand proud as a candidate for the snappily-named NO2EU/Yes to Democracy coalition. This ragtag bunch of left-wing reprobates is being sponsored by those erstwhile rogues the RMT. Apparently none of the candidates intend to take up their seat at the EU should they be elected.

Now, first off I wonder if anyone would notice if they didn't turn up. Indeed the prospect of saving all those MEP expenses should easily be enough to see them romp home.

And secondly, how did it come to this? The RMT helped found the Labour party. Yet they are now so disgusted with what Labour has become, that not only have they severed their ties, but they are also actively campaigning against Labour. And how many other unions are considering the same heresy?

With any luck this will serve to split the Labour vote, leaving plenty room for the SNP to pick up a few seats. Or even (whisper it if you dare) for the Tories to rear their ugly heads again...

Tommy the Statuesque

Evening one and all! Do my eyes deceive me?! Is the greatest comeback since Lazarus on the cards? Comrade Tommy is reported to be in discussions with the RMT to stand in some kind of left wing coalition in the Euro elections in June. What do you make of it? And how would the mooted coalition affect the Labour vote? Do any of you even know your MEP's name?! (I know I don't) NB The Sheridan legal proceedings are ongoing so tread very carefully please!

Also, do any of you have any suggestions for the new "Gateway to Scotland" (or England depending on your perspective!) statue near Gretna? What would you like to see welcoming/farewelling visitors to our little piece of the planet? A 100-ft high statue of Rev IM Jolly? A 100-ft wide animatronic of Alex Salmond? Unleash your imaginations if you dare...!