The Steamie: Welcome to the virtual by-election

The Steamie today brings you a first in Scottish politics and Scottish journalism.

Over the coming week candidates in the Glasgow North-East by-election, in adddition to fighting the contest on the doorsteps and on the hustings, will be taking the fight online.

Candidates for the main Scottish parliamentary parties will be be guest bloggers here on The Steamie for the duration of the by-election.

They'll be announcing their policies and their plans here, and taking on their opponents' arguments as well, making The Steamie a major forum for the by-election debate.

And of course, there will be the chance for readers of The Steamie to comment on their contributions.

The internet, one of the most influential tools in the US presidential election last year, is still an untested forum in Scottish and UK politics. But it is certain to be an important part of the forthcoming general election.

This virtual by-election on The Steamie is a chance for all sides to get a taste of that future.

Kenny Farquharson
Deputy Editor
Scotland on Sunday

Kenny Farquharson: Do you Twitter?

The Steamie is now available on Twitter (www.twitter.com/thesteamie).

If you have no idea what that sentence means you are:

a. not in tune with the zeitgeist

b. not paying attention

or

c. a High Court judge

For the uninitiated, Twitter is a micro-blogging site where posts are limited to 140 characters.

Everyone's doing it, from Barack Obama to Gordon Brown to Andy Murray to Stephen Fry to, er, me (www.twitter.com/KENNYFARQ).

There's even a rather good spoof Alex Salmond site www.twitter.com/Alex_Salmond (sample posting from the past few days: "Got to love American portion sizes...")

Get tweeting...

Kenny Farquharson: Obama Mia!

Enjoy the inauguration?
At 4pm today I'll be hosting a live online discussion about yesterday's events and President Obama's inauguration speech.
If you'd like to take part, simply log on to www.scotlandonsunday.com and click on my happy smiling face.
See you there!

Kenny Farquharson: Mike Russell's power nap

A few weeks ago when the SNP announced it was moving into a new party HQ, I was reminiscing about the Nationalists' old base in North Charlotte Street.

If those walls could only speak...

A friend who is an SNP activist emailed me over the weekend with this reminiscence:

Here's a tale from the Charlotte Street HQ.

The morning after the 99 elections Mike Russell was catching 40 winks on one of the sofas in the "media suite" (sic).

Someone popped their head round the door. "Sean Connery here to see you Mike"

"Aye, right," said Mike and went back to sleep.

Ten minutes later, the same now anxious head appeared round the door. "Mike, wake up, Sean Connery is here. Downstairs in the hall. And you are keeping him waiting".

One rumpled, half asleep, bemused and shame faced CEO fell down the stairs to find truly that Sean Connery was standing, patiently, waiting to discuss the election results with him.

He hadn't wanted to come up in case people were busy..

Anyone with any other memories? Add to the comments on this post or email me on kenny.farquharson@scotlandonsunday.com

The Steamie: Christmas blogging

Blogging will be light on The Steamie over Christmas as our politicians recharge their batteries at home and hearth.

But we'll be building up a full head of steam again quicker than you can say Pepto Bismol.

Kenny Farquharson: Obama online

One of the crucial factors in Barack Obama's US presidential election victory - apart from his charisma, his intellect, his integrity and his opponent - was his campaign's use of the internet.

It was the way he raised his cash - tens of thousands of small donations, solicited online, gave him the edge on McCain's big cheques from big business. But the real revolution was in the way the internet was used to foster a direct relationship between candidate and voter.

I joined up to his Facebook group and received regular emails from him. Okay, I know they were written by an aide and sent out in their millions, but it never failed to give me a small shiver when an email from "Barack Obama" appeared in my in-box, and the message started with "Hi Kenny..."

The remarkable thing is that now, seven weeks after the election, the emails keep on coming. And their content gives an insight into how how the lessons learned about the internet during the campaign are likely to be carried through into the Obama administration.

One email landed last night, urging supporters to hold house meetings to discuss what the administration's policy priorities should be. There was even a link to a video of one such meeting to help set the tone.

http://my.barackobama.com/meetingvideo

House meetings were one of the most effective tools of the Obama campaign - a good example of the revolution we're seeing in participatory politics in the US.

I wonder which of the UK parties will learn these lessons most effectively. David Cameron was the first party leader to start a blog, and last year the Scottish Labour leadership candidates all had a presence on social networking websites.

But we've yet to see anyone really use the net to bring politics into hearts and homes in the same way as Obama showed was possible.

Will it be the big political battleground of 2009, potentially a general election year?

Kenny Farquharson: Crumbs!

Iain Gray must be mad.

At this time of year, with Hogmanay in sight, is it really wise for the Scottish Labour leader to make disparaging comments about a great Scottish institution?

I refer, of course, the crumbliest flakiest biscuity treat in the world - Scottish shortbread.

Gray issued a press release this afternoon that berated First Minister Alex Salmond for various failings, personal and political, and summed up with these words:

"What is Alex Salmond's response to the economic crisis? I see his he is launching a commemorative shortbread tin tomorrow."

Now, that's just bad politics.

Does Gray not realise the esteem in which the glorious petticoat tail is held in this country?

Does he not appreciate how highly the Scots value the buttery delight of a good shortbread finger?

These are matters that transcend mere politics.

Gray was referring to an event in the First Ministerial diary for tomorrow when Salmond is launching the Walkers shortbread range to celebrate The Homecoming 2009 - the event designed to attract the diaspora and their dollars back to Scotland.

The First Minister has The Steamie's full support on this one.

What next, Iain, black bun??????

Kenny Farquharson: Off to sunny Spain

The Steamie hears that First Minister Alex Salmond is heading off to Catalonia tonight on an official visit.

It's an intriguing prospect.

The nationalist movement has dominated politics in Catalonia for a generation - the legendary Jordi Pujol ruled for more than 20 years before being finally beaten in 2003.

In that time Pujol didn't exactly bust a gut to demand full independence.

On the contrary, he seemed content to rule within the context of a unified Spain, with a high degree of autonomy from Madrid.

That autonomy was enhanced in 2006 after a referendum held by the new government - a socialist-led coalition.

And Catalonia thrives - politically, culturally and economically.

In other words, Catalonia follows the model that Salmond rejects for Scotland's role within the UK.

It'll be interesting to see how he plays this one.

Kenny Farquharson: Flat-pack policies for Labour?

Labour MSP Margaret Curran has been in Sweden looking for ideas on how to get her party back into power.

She's been speaking to members of the Social Democrat party who - like Scottish Labour - know what it's like to be kicked out of government after losing the trust of the people.

So are we going to see some Ikea-style flat-pack policies being imported to help Scottish Labour? Is party leader Iain Gray a dab hand with a screwdriver?

Gray told a Policy Forum meeting in Stirling today: "One lesson we've learned from Sweden is the Social Democrats approach to regaining power. They said to the Swedish people: 'You sacked us now we want to reapply for the job'. The Policy Forum's role is to prepare our job application to the people of Scotland."

Just remember to count the rawl plugs, Iain.

Kenny Farquharson: A clip round the ear

Paul "Iron Man" Martin is a hard man to please when it comes to law'n'order.

No measure, it seems, is tough enough for the Labour MSP and community safety spokesman.

Take the Glasgow initiative to crack down on the city's gang culture, which is getting lots of publicity this week.

Inspired by a programme developed in Boston, it is designed to coax young hoodlums away from gangs and into education. It's accompanied by hardline policing that holds every gang member responsible for any act of violence committed by any other gang member.

Soft option it ain't.

Yet Martin has today put out a press release dismissing the £1.6m programme as a "hug a hoodie" scheme. He seems to be suggesting it actually panders to thuggery.

I shudder to think what would happen if Martin ever made it into power as a justice minister - he'd make Fergus Ewing look like Polly Toynbee.

Come on, Paul, show us your softer side once in a while. It's the sign of a real man, y'know.

Kenny Farquharson: Tavish Scott on more powers

Tavish Scott, the Scottish Lib Dem leader, wrote an excellent article for today's Scotland on Sunday that we were unable to fit in the paper on a very busy news day.

It's available on the SoS website, but is a little hard to find, so I thought I would reproduce it here. It deserves a wider airing.

The Lib Dems are certainly the ones to watch in the whole Calman process of deciding what new powers Holyrood should have.

Here's the piece...

TAVISH SCOTT:

Recently we've seen a return to politics on a grand scale. In the Pre-Budget Report big choices were made. VAT down here. Top rate tax up there. Previously we might have seen Gordon Brown put pensions up by just 75p, or he would tinker with the economic cycle to make his Golden Rule seem a bit more plausible. Compared to that, the actions we are seeing now are revolutionary.

And I think this changes the way the debate on new powers for the Scottish Parliament will run from now on. The economic events of the last couple of months convince me that people will want to see more lively and responsive government at all levels. That has big implications for the work of the Calman Commission on the future of devolution.

As the economy tumbles, as tens of thousands of bank jobs are put at risk, as home repossession becomes a real risk for thousands, people in Scotland aren't much impressed by a Scottish Government that varies its Budget by just 0.3% to respond. I am not sure there are many people who find it a sympathetic sight to have a Scottish First Minister apparently without the levers - or gumption - to react to a crisis.

The old argument from the do-nothing brigade has gone out of the window. They used to tell us that Scotland shouldn't have any more powers because it might interfere with the Golden Rule on the economy, or bring some other calamity. That was before the Golden Rule went out of the window.

I have argued for Scottish controls over different kinds of taxation. We would gain proper accountability for our Scottish Government rather than a Scottish Parliament relying on an annual handout from another parliament.

And, perhaps, powers for the Scottish Government to borrow money are right in the frame. Whenever I go to visit engineering or construction companies or architects and planners they all tell me the same thing. Their industry is in trouble because the Scottish Government simply isn't getting new projects moving.

People used to say that the old Barnett formula offered stability and predictability. But, facing economic and financial shocks, that all looks a bit arbitrary and wooden right now. Who could have predicted that a log jam in health service building projects in England would mean a compulsory reduction in capital investment in Scotland? And that it would come just at the moment when Scottish industry needs it most, when value for money might be the best it's ever going to be, and when tens of thousands of construction jobs are at stake.

So this is where the Calman Commission need to focus. Look at the economic landscape. Look at how governments have had to react around the world. Be convinced that Scotland would benefit from a Government and a Parliament able to exercise lively and responsive government when we need it most. Government needs to be there for a crisis. And it needs the tools to do the job.

Kenny Farquharson: HQ memories

Are there any SNP members out there who have fond - or less than fond - memories of the old North Charlotte Street HQ?

Or, for that matter, the soon-to-be vacated McDonald Road HQ?

Why not share your anecdotes with us using the comments feature on this post.

Kenny Farquharson: There goes the neighbourhood

Looks like The Steamie is to get some new neighbours.

The SNP announced tonight that its party headquarters is moving to a swish new office block in Jackson's Close, just around the corner from the Scottish Parliament.

The new premises, in Gordon Lamb House, is directly across the road from the HQ of Scotsman Publications.

No doubt that nice Peter Murrell, the SNP chief executive, will be popping round soon to ask The Steamie for a cup of sugar.

The party is flitting early in the new year from its current base in McDonald Road - an uninspiring industrial unit near Leith Walk that has been its home for the past eight years.

It will not be missed.

Those of us with longer memories (i.e. the elderly hacks from the pre-devolution Scottish political press corps) remember the wonderful old SNP base in North Charlotte Street in a rambling suite of high-ceilinged rooms that was once a secretarial school.

Those offices were sold for a reputed £300,000 to help pay off debts the Nationalists ran up in their failed bid for power in the 1999 Scottish Parliament election.

They were subsequently converted into luxury flats. I bet the new owners can still smell Mike Russell's cigar smoke, so deeply embedded in the walls it must be from his time as the party's chief executive.

The Steamie: RSS feed now available

In response to a number of requests from readers of The Steamie, we're pleased to announce that this blog is now available by RSS feed.

You'll find the link on the right of this screen, just below the link to The Steamie Wall.

Now you've no excuse for not keeping up with the latest news and gossip from the world of Scottish politics.

If you've any other suggestions on how we can make The Steamie work better for you, please let us know.

You can leave a comment on The Steamie Wall, or email kenny.farquharson@scotlandonsunday.com

Kenny Farquharson: Class warfare

Labour plainly thinks it has found a weak spot in the SNP government's hide - education.

Last week there was a pretty coherent attack on delays in the school building programme. Today it's a decline in the numbers of teachers.

There are obviously some Labour people who see Fiona Hyslop, the education secretary, as a weak point in the SNP administration.

Education is an emotive issue - far more important to people than the usual political fare - so expect more of this in the weeks and months to come.

The stats used by Labour in its attack, and the official website they're drawn from, are as follows:

Compare Q2 2007 with Q2 2008:
Scottish Government staff up by 600 from 4300 to 4900
Teachers down by 300 from 64,600 to 64,300, and 900 in last quarter.
Police staff down by 800 from 24,100 to 23,300
Council workers down by 3700 from 287,900 to 284,200
Source: Public Sector Employment Statistics, 17 September 2008 http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/09/17083742/0

(Police figures are also interesting, given the SNP's promise of 1,000 more officers. Another broken pledge?)

A warm welcome to The Steamie

Welcome to the new home of Scottish politics on the internet.

The Steamie is a seven-day-a-week blog on Scottish politics brought to you by Scotland on Sunday, The Scotsman and the Edinburgh Evening News.

Our aim is simple - to be the number one place in the blogosphere for Scottish political news, analysis and gossip, provided by the nation's most experienced team of political journalists and commentators.

We intend The Steamie to be the place where Scottish politics washes its dirty linen (in the nicest possible way, of course); where policies and strategies are held up to the light and scrutinised; and where political reputations are examined for unsightly stains.

Our unrivalled team of bloggers is: Eddie Barnes, Kenny Farquharson, George Kerevan, Ross Lydall, Hamish Macdonell, David Maddox, Gerri Peev, Tom Peterkin and Ian Swanson.

We're confident The Steamie will become an essential part of the Scottish political landscape. And there will be plenty of opportunities for you to have your say and join in the debate - simply use the comments facility on each posting, or write on The Steamie Wall.

Let’s turn up the heat...