Plane failing
The week started with Rishi Sunak making a literal flying visit, far removed from pesky voters at RAF Lossiemouth in Moray. The last time the PM was north of the border he famously failed to name anyone on Douglas Ross’s frontbench, other than Duggie himself. This time he came briefed. His interview with the press almost over, he suddenly shoehorned in a reference to “Rachel on rural issues” and “Liam on education”, referring to Tory MSPs Hamilton and Kerr. Maybe next time he’ll fleetingly memorise their surnames too?
Tractor beamer
Being as far from the central belt as he could manage, the PM’s visit was a slog for the sleep-deprived hacks who had to be there for 10am. One valiant reporter from PA started off not long after 3am. Others began at 4 and 5. Yet the reporter with the shortest trip actually got their last, although not for lack of effort. After months covering the campaign to have the A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness made a dual carriageway, the Press & Journal’s political editor got stuck behind a tractor on it. Case proved…
Scotch missed
The week was also memorable for Shona Robison’s first budget. Talking to the media afterwards, the finance secretary was asked if she ought to have been allowed to deliver it with a glass of whisky, as chancellors can in the Commons. “Well, I’ve got early [broadcast] bids in the morning,” she said, “but Thursday afternoon is when I might have a tipple”. Judging by how it went down, we just hope she remembers to stop.
Name game
The week ended with a noisy FMQs at which the Scottish Tory leader did his best to wind up Humza Yousaf over the budget. Accusing the FM of driving away talent and squeezing workers for cash, Douglas Ross quipped: “Is that all we can expect from high-tax Humza?”
Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone wasn’t impressed, telling Mr Ross it was very important for MSPs to “address one another courteously, which means using first names and surnames”. At which Mr Ross shouted merrily: “Ok, high-tax Humza Yousaf.”
Lecture theatre
Talking of budgets, the Braw Theatre website, which specialises in pantomime reviews, may be confusing readers with its jarring references to Scottish Government spending. “It’s only with the full powers over tax and spend that a Scottish government – of any political makeup – can meaningfully protect the arts sector from further austerity cuts… from Westminster,” declared one piece next to hot takes on Rapunzel in Aberdeen and Snow White in Glasgow. The small print reveals the site is run and written by the SNP’s head of comms at Holyrood, Fraser MacDonald. No doubt Ms Robison’s debut will be hailed as a triumph. (Oh no it won’t)
Banks’ notes
Finally, political anoraks in search of last-minute presents can get the new Gordon Banks album for a bargain £8 on Bandcamp. That’s the Mr G Banks who was Labour MP for Ochil until the SNP wipe-out of 2015. It’s called Roulette, suggesting he thinks it’s safe to bet on red again. It’s mostly love and heartbreak, but Unspun was struck by the track ‘Moderate Man’, which seems to hark back to his former life. It includes the lyrics: “Revolution is no solution/And will never ever start/To change your constitution/Brings no change of heart.” We reckon Flower of Scotland can live with the competition
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