This week, Alex Salmond held discussions with David Cameron about the terms of a referendum on independence, and Cameron launched his own pleas in defence of the Union. It's a story that has been dominating the headlines for weeks in Scotland not unreasonably but this week, Cameron was unlucky with his timing.

This week, Alex Salmond held discussions with David Cameron about the terms of a referendum on independence, and Cameron launched his own pleas in defence of the Union. It's a story that has been dominating the headlines for weeks in Scotland not unreasonably but this week, Cameron was unlucky with his timing.

1000 days. Or thereabouts.
After a rather dull game of Westminster-Holyrood constitutional ping pong, Alex Salmond has named his (rough) date.
The destiny of a nation, as dictated by the constitutional will of the Scottish people, will be decided in the autumn of 2014.
What a year to pick.

1000 days. Or thereabouts.
After a rather dull game of Westminster-Holyrood constitutional ping pong, Alex Salmond has named his (rough) date.
The destiny of a nation, as dictated by the constitutional will of the Scottish people, will be decided in the autumn of 2014.
What a year to pick.

Apparently Alex Salmond's Scottish Government have rushed through emergency legislation declaring that every football article written must include reference to Scottish football's darkest hour.
So be it.
Scotland manager Craig Levein assured us yesterday that the Scottish game would bounce back from the trials of Thursday night.

Susan Boyle, Roseanna Cunningham and Deirdrie "off the Tennent's lager can."
All "close personal friends" of Bob Doolally, the football pundit's pundit making a fleeting Fringe appearance at the Stand Comedy Club.
The act remains much as it always was, that introductory roll call hint that a scattergun approach, devoid of subtlety, is the order of the day.

I always get slightly concerned when politicians start promising they will fast track or speed through new legislation.
Making a law - and I mean making it, drafting it, ensuring it is an informed and workable piece of legislation - should not be a process that can be easily bypassed.
The kneejerk, easy fix solution is beloved of politicians because the only real dialogue it involves is the media soundbite that is now their sole means of communication.

I always get slightly concerned when politicians start promising they will fast track or speed through new legislation.
Making a law - and I mean making it, drafting it, ensuring it is an informed and workable piece of legislation - should not be a process that can be easily bypassed.
The kneejerk, easy fix solution is beloved of politicians because the only real dialogue it involves is the media soundbite that is now their sole means of communication.

I always get slightly concerned when politicians start promising they will fast track or speed through new legislation.
Making a law - and I mean making it, drafting it, ensuring it is an informed and workable piece of legislation - should not be a process that can be easily bypassed.
The kneejerk, easy fix solution is beloved of politicians because the only real dialogue it involves is the media soundbite that is now their sole means of communication.

I always get slightly concerned when politicians start promising they will fast track or speed through new legislation.
Making a law - and I mean making it, drafting it, ensuring it is an informed and workable piece of legislation - should not be a process that can be easily bypassed.
The kneejerk, easy fix solution is beloved of politicians because the only real dialogue it involves is the media soundbite that is now their sole means of communication.

A leadership entirely out of touch with the needs of the consumer.
A belligerent refusal to listen to any sort of reason.
An arrogant belief that it doesn't matter how badly you build it, they'll come anyway. Because, hey, that's what they've always done.
A fixation with how things are done "down south" with no apparent realisation that Scotland's experience and England's experience no longer bear direct comparison.