David Maddox: Happy Birthday Andy Kerr

You would have thought that Andy Kerr (pictured right), Labour's finance spokesman in Holyrood and recently defeated leadership candidate, would have something to smile about today considering that it is his 47th birthday.

But if he dined in the parliament canteen today the passionate Rangers supporter will not have felt quite at home with the green and white balloons and flags up for St Patricks Day. That after having to endure the gloating in a box at Hampden from the "Glasgow Labour Catholic mafia" (in the words of Frank McAveety, the Labour MSP for Parkhead), as the Hoops beat the Huns two nil in the Scottish League Cup.

Maybe Mr Kerr should take a lead from fellow Rangers fan Donald Findlay (pictured left), one time deputy chairman of the club and Scotland's leading QC, who also was born on St Patrick's Day. He apparently found a prominent Catholic whose birthday was the same day as the Battle of the Boyne (July 12) and did a birthday swap.