After all the excitement of local elections, it’s pleasant to see our esteemed MSPs at Holyrood returning from campaigning on their local doorsteps to raise local issues in the corridors of power.
We here at Better Nation do appreciate the importance of keeping it local, but we do so tire of our elected members in Scotland remaining parochial, nowhere more so than in the motions placed at Holyrood. Motions should be a little flag, hoisted by the MSP, to wave attention to something worthy to the rest of Scotland that’s happening in their local patch.
Motions should be more than sticking one’s political tongue out, which is why we accord WMOTW One (for there are two WMOTW this week) to Jackie Baillie, for this unnecessary crowing:
Motion S4M-02783: Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 08/05/2012
Victory in West Dunbartonshire
That the Parliament congratulates all of the candidates who stood for election in West Dunbartonshire on 3 May 2012; commends everyone who voted, and recognises what it considers to be the stunning victory for Labour in gaining control of West Dunbartonshire Council.
Supported by: James Kelly, Neil Findlay, Neil Bibby, Anne McTaggart, Margaret McCulloch, Drew Smith, Richard Simpson, Hanzala Malik, Patricia Ferguson, Mary Fee, Margaret McDougall
There’s no mitigation for trying to be nice by saying “all of the candidates” either.
Nor should motions welcome something which we already have 147 other editions of, according to Amazon.co.uk. Thus, the second WMOTW is awarded to *gasp* Jackie Baillie again.
Motion S4M-02841: Jackie Baillie, Dumbarton, Scottish Labour, Date Lodged: 10/05/2012
Loch Lomond Tourist Guide Launched
That the Parliament welcomes the launch of a new mini guide and map of Loch Lomond attractions to the world’s travel trade at the VisitScotland Expo by Love Loch Lomond; notes that the new information leaflet features the top 50 things to see and do in the Loch Lomond and Clyde Sea lochs area; further notes that the map was specially commissioned to help visitors get the most out of their visit to one of Scotland’s most popular destinations in Scotland’s first National Park, and encourages everyone to come and visit Loch Lomond and the surrounding area.
Tsk tsk.
So it’s a poor showing for West Dumbartonshire in this week’s WMOTW. But fear not, for its geographical rival East Dunbartonshire is here to show how it’s done.
BMOTW celebrates vision. Ambition. Keeping it local, but making it innovative. And this week the award goes to Gil Paterson, for celebrating Scotland’s newest venture to the final frontiers:
To Europe and Beyond
That the Parliament congratulates Bearsden Academy on winning the European Cansat Competition in Norway against teams from 13 other European nations; notes that the competition was promoted by the European Space Agency with the aim of building a satellite within the confines of a soft drink can, conducting a launch of a rocket up to an altitude of 1km, conducting their missions and landing safely; understands that the pupils were chosen as winners based on their performance throughout the project as well as the final flight operations and results, and considers that this is not only a fantastic achievement for the pupils but also brings great recognition for their school and, indeed, Scotland.
Supported by: David Torrance, Richard Lyle, Margaret Burgess, Mike MacKenzie, Colin Beattie, Angus MacDonald, Humza Yousaf, Bob Doris, Joan McAlpine, Fiona McLeod, Annabelle Ewing, Rob Gibson, Dennis Robertson, Mary Fee, Kenneth Gibson, Jamie Hepburn, Neil Bibby, Adam Ingram
Live long and prosper, gentle readers.
Photo credit – Nel C
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