21/12/2011 Politics Scotland

Hello and welcome to Politics Scotland. Coming up on the

programme: The Sports minister says Scotland's

Commonwealth Games will be on budget as the London Olympic teeter

on the edge of an overspend. And as 2011 draws to a close, we

look back at an historic year in Scottish politics.

Scotland's Sports Minister says there will be no overspend on the

Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. With next year's London Olympics in

danger of exceeding its �9 billion budget, Shona Robison is adamant

Glasgow's Games will be delivered within their �524 million framework.

I'm joined by my two political commentators for the afternoon -

Professor John Curtice from Strathclyde University and Lorraine

Davidson from The Times. How difficult is set to deliver a big

project like this on time and in budget? We should not need any

reminding us as far as the Scottish Parliament is concerned, all about

the difficulties of delivering on time and on budget. It is an

example of the potential difficulty that these big projects can have it.

The London Olympics, which is a much bigger project, again, one of

the bigger promises was made is that it would keep to budget. A

recent report has said that it will be hard to do that. If anything

goes wrong, it will go over budget. Given we are in times of austerity,

the last I think any politician can be seen doing is advocating any

overspend. What kind of a legacy can the games deliver? You have to

be realistic about your expectations what it comes to

delivering a legacy. The Scots -- are being Scottish, that comes

naturally it for us. It will not pull us out of recession, but it

could get more people interested in sports, especially young people. In

Glasgow, with its appalling health or could, -- appalling health

record, that could only be good. You have to be building homes and

regenerating the East End of Glasgow which is an area up badly

in need of regeneration. These games where awarded during

different financial Times. What is happening here in Scotland? One of

the arguments at the Greens are putting forward to is that they do

not want a particular chemical company to be a sponsor. They want

people who are ethically acceptable to be sponsors. So far as the

Government is concerned, one of the crucial things about the

Commonwealth Games is it is a big opportunity to present at Scotland

as a nation. These are the only games, international games, in

which it Scotland competes as a separate nations. The SNP need this

to be a big public relations success. They hope that if it is,

and Scotland is presented to the world, as a separate nation

competing separately, it is the kind of backdrop they need before

any referendum. Let's hear what the Sports Minister has to save.

I will ensure that the members are said any reports. We agreed to

regular meetings with opposition spokes people. I am very pleased to

be able to reassure members of a significant progress being made. I

mentioned earlier the new legacy portal, and you back one stop shop

for all games are related activity. It is becoming a key focal point

for information on the legacy. Enormous progress has been made

this year and I am pleased to say that we remain on schedule and the

budget continues to be soundly based. Work is now under way on

almost all the remaining the venues are the outstanding facilities that

are springing up will leave a legacy to be enjoyed for

generations to come. The velodrome complex will be finished by this

time next year. Construction began on the athletes village in the June,

it will be home to more than 6500 athletes. When the Games are

finished, they will be converted into new homes. It is not just

Glasgow that the games will touch. The shooting events will be taking

part in my own part of the country. The diving competition also

promises to bring the excitement of the games to Edinburgh as well as

generating wealth and the revenue for the city. It is clear that even

in difficult times, there is still an enormous by him for the games.

Over �32 million of commercial income has already been secured.

These sponsorship deals are with established names. There is still a

long way to go to achieve the commercial income targets, but the

organising committee is ahead of previous games at this stage. I

hope to see that improve further in their new year. The BBC has

announced it will be the domestic a broadcaster for the games. That is

key to inspiring our athletes for the future. This contract will

enable the moments of triumph to be shared by us all. I want to touch

for a moment on the impact their games are having in Glasgow. The

government is working to ensure that that benefits is felt -- that

benefits are felt all over Scotland, but Glasgow is there focus.

Transport connections have been improved ahead of schedule and

under budget. Work has started on refurbishing Dalmarnock station,

ensuring greater access for local communities. All of the games are

related transport projects are on course and when complete will leave

a lasting legacy of reduced journey times, reduced come -- reduced

congestion. The work on the Clyde gateway programme is also on going.

It is a dirty your programme aimed at transforming the local area. --

30 year programme. It shows a long- term commitment by the government

to this area. We are on track and while there is no room for

complacency, I am encouraged by the progress made. That confidence is

shared by the Commonwealth Games Federation. they have audited our

preparations and are satisfied that are planning for the games is on

track. The federation it saw a clear focus on generating value add

legacy for the people of Glasgow and Scotland. That external

confirmation that we are on target and on budget and on schedule is a

very good indeed. Finally, the Federation remarked on the strong

partnership working that they saw with the visited us in October.

That and wars are well for our preparations -- that borders well

for our preparations. Evaluation was raised by several members in

June. I am clear about our ambitions for 24 team, but I am

equally clear that progress needs to be monitored and evaluated

robustly. Work is underway to establish an met up evaluation --

meta evaluation. Partners in national and local government, as

well as academia are all involved in this process. This will be

progressed further in January and we expect to have measures in place

by the end of February. I wonder if the minister might be able to tell

us if she has spoken to manage just a -- a to Manchester to see how the

evaluated their own games? Yes, I have been down to look at the

legacy that has been left in Manchester. And also some of the

issues that they felt could be of benefit to us to look at. If there

are any lessons to be learnt, we will do that. One of the things we

have been successful at -- of they have been successful at is

promoting Manchester as an international sporting venue and

Glasgow is already doing that. I want to turn to our legacy

ambitions. There are up enormous benefits already coming to Scotland

as a result of hosting the games. Our ambition is a legacy for all

the people of Scotland. The games are beginning to inspire and change

lives already in Scotland. Helping Scottish people to get more

physically active is power over riding legacy and ambition. That is

why we are building on the success we have already achieved in getting

Scots active. 72% of people have participated in support of the last

four weeks, and 85% of Scottish people visited the outdoors for

Leisure. We need to build on this and use their excitement of their

games to encourage our efforts. Shona Robison, the Sports Minister.

The Scottish Parliament is set to increase the number of days it sits

every week amid concern it has become too rigid and lacking in

excitement. It's one of several changes put forward by a group of

MSPs. I'm joined now by our political reporter Andrew Black,

who's in Holyrood. Why are these reforms being brought forward at

what exactly is being proposed. are now some 12 years into

devolution, but the concern mores recently is a Holyrood has not be

moving with the Times. Some of the main concerns is to do with the way

that MSPs do business in the chamber at the moment, that their

procedures are too rigid. The procedures committee has been

looking into the issue and thus published a report today. The main

recommendation is that there should be a change in the way that chamber

business is done. At the moment, the chamber sets for two days a

week. This is proposing three afternoons a week. The main

question is that of First Minister's questions. This is the

parliamentary highlight of the week. It is currently on at lunchtime on

Thursday. It may move towards the after them because of these reforms

-- afternoon. Possibly some big changes ahead. When will they come

into force and how effective will they be? The Scottish Parliament's

newly elected to Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick is driving these

changes. She wants these changes to be in place as soon as possible. It

is looking as if they will come into force after the Easter

holidays. Many MSPs recognise that you can play around with procedures

as much as you like, but if MSPs are not seen to be discussing

issues of interest to the public, they will not get any media

coverage. Thank you very much. You're watching Politics Scotland

from the BBC. Still to come on the programme. Minimum pricing for

alcohol is winding its way back through parliament. We'll hear

industry concerns. Let's pick up on the reform issue

now with my two political commentators for the afternoon. It

sounds like some quite big changes. Yes, when Holyrood first began,

most of the work was to be done in committees. Also, the chamber was

not to meet after 5 o'clock the evening, to allow for family life.

But the chamber needs to be more responsive. And at the committees,

well of they may be worth a, -- while they may be worthy, it is

difficult to generate very much in the way of public attention. This

may suggest that the chamber will look rather different. Some MSPs

have argued that votes should be interspersed with business. These

are pretty radical reforms and they raised questions about some of the

distinctive characteristics of the Scottish Parliamentary timetable.

Will it these changes have much of an impact? It looks like there is

hardly anybody in Parliament. can look at any Parliament and see

that. I do not think it is unique in that regard. But I think they

will have a big impact. When a Jack McConnell stood down as First

Minister, he filled the rigid nature of sitting hours was holding

the Parliament back. -- he felt. I suspect most people do not care

whether it MSPs stop at 5:00pm or not. The family friendly think

never really happened. If you want to be home at teatime, do not be a

politician, go and work and are back! -- in a bank. As well as

being able to respond to issues that are happening, at the moment,

if its something happens in Scotland on a Thursday night, the

first time the chamber can debate it is on a Wednesday afternoon, it

is ludicrous, the look out of step. It is not their fault, it is the

way things are designed. Ministers will start each session with a

question time, so there will be more holding to account. Also last

programme of the year, let's hear what each of your top five stories

are. There is no doubt that the big story of 2011 was the SNP victory

which has completely transformed the political landscape and the

debate about Scotland's constitution. There is no doubt the

way will have a referendum now. -- that we will half. The defeat of

the alternative vote in Westminster is also important. It is a step

change between Liberal-Democrats and the Conservatives. Having been

bruised by that experience, the Liberal Democrats have been much

more open about disagreements with their conservative colleagues. They

have to demonstrate greater secure their distinctiveness. The eurozone

crisis has been a constant argument during the course of the whole year.

It raises fundamental questions about the future of the economy. It

has just begun to emerge that the eurozone crisis and the way it in

which it is being proposed have to solve, it was he the took their

The Eurozone crisis is one of the things that George Osborne blamed

in his Autumn Statement. That is my number four. An intriguing

statement for two reasons. It looks as though the next UK general

election will not be fought against a backdrop of the pain is bad, but

you can see the spring of recovery. It will still be an age of

austerity and there will be questions about the incumbent

government being able to get the benefit for the medicine it has

delivered. It also raised the ability of in abilities of the

party to profit from the Government's difficulties in the

economy. The question is always there about Labour's economic

conference. Coming back north of the border, the Scottish leadership

contest, that is my number five. In particular the defeat of Murdo

Fraser. He had a distinctive agenda are taking the Conservative Party

to centre right, but instead they elected Ruth Davison, and the

Scotland Bill going through the House of Lords is a line in the

sand for her. We now have the Conservative party north of the

border saying it doesn't want to go for further devolution. Not only

did the Welsh vote for getting more law-making powers, but we have seen

the conservative coalition creating a commission to think about giving

the Welsh assembly tax-raising powers. A big difference between

the Scottish party and the Welsh party. We will pick up on your top

five in a few moments, Lorraine. Proposals for minimum alcohol

pricing are making their way through Holyrood again on their

second attempt. The Government says they're essential to tackle

Scotland's unhealthy relationship with drink. Like the last time, the

plans have their critics. Today MSPs on the Finance Committee heard

concerns from Scotland's grocers and the whisky industry.

Why do you think a minimum unit price for alcohol, which is not

whisky specific, would impact on sales across the world? Minimum

prices we believe is illegal and a barrier to trade. So the Scottish

government would have to overcome the legal impediments, as would the

Cabinet Secretary their health mentioned. If the Scottish garden

could bring in a balanced in trade, they held exemption that does not

exist or other countries could see them bring in their own models of

restriction. It does not have to the minimum pricing. It could be to

bring in specific discrimination against drinks that are over 30 %

alcohol by volume, ie Scottish whisky. The Scottish licensing

trade association think this will encourage people to drink more

socially in pubs and therefore there will be less harm -- harmful

drinking. Is it not the case that the opposition is one of a vested

interest rather than looking at the wider implications for Scottish

society? Our members rely on a custom from people who are

basically on low incomes, and we believe that this in discriminant

policy will affect low income people. It is a regressive policy.

Do you contend there will be a large number of people crossing the

border to England to purchase alcohol when most people, unless it

is for big events, most people tend to purchase their alcohol on an

impulse buy or they have an event that evening or that weekend and

they do not tend to pre-planned or alcohol purchasing to the extent

that would make internet purchasing or cross-border purchasing as

prevalent as you suggest? There is evidence from all over the world

that cross-border shopping takes place. 50 % of the Norwegian market

is supplied through cross-border shopping. What do you anticipate it

will happen if minimum pricing would be introduced? We believe

internet business will increase as people become more and more

computer savvy. And the impact on some of the smaller members may be

significant, particularly those in rural and remote areas. Does it

make a big difference what the unit price would be in terms of the

impact on your members and the number of jobs that could be

affected? We see that 26 % of the trade his own label, so companies

in that sector of that market will get it straight away. The impact

will be felt across the board whether it is branded whisky or the

legal business. Do you not think there is something morally

questionable about predicate in the business model for sale strategy on

selling alcohol which is predominantly used by people who

are hazardous and harmful drinkers? As I say, it is a legal product and

they sell it as part of the overall product mix. It is not necessarily

consumed by the kind of people who cause trouble. I would disagree and

suggest I would struggle to find anyone who buys a three-litre

bottle of White Lightning who likes the taste of it. Let's talk to

Lorraine Davidson from the Times about her top five storeys of the

year. What were your highlights? The big story was the election of

the first majority government with the SNP victory, but the flipside

was the opposition in Scotland effectively crumbled and it is very

rare you see an opposition crumbling in the space of two and a

half minutes. I think that is what happened to the Labour leader when

he went into Glasgow's Central Station for a pre-arranged photo

opportunity and there were a couple of professional protesters just to

wind him up, and they did it beautifully. There we saw the man

who thought he was about to be First Minister he wanted the keys,

scurrying out of Glasgow Central station and into way sandwich shop.

A great advert for Subway. But it did show how unprofessional the

party had become and crystallised the fact that it is so important in

politics to set your own narrative and explain to the voters who you

are, because we saw Gordon Brown having a terrible time with Julian

Duffy, but a least the voters knew about him, but with the voters in

Scotland that is all they knew about Ian Gray. Someone shouted at

him, and he ran away. But almost catastrophic moment and a turning

point in the election campaign. There was also how the parties pick

themselves up and dealt with the election of Alex Salmond's majority

government. There was a demonstration that you can have a

party reduced to a total romp and there is no money in the kitty, and

the parties on its knees, but actually if you got up every

morning and you focused on the right issues, whether the row or

the the Supreme Court or the constitution and to say the right

thing, you'll get the coverage and get under the skin of the First

Minister. You do not need baying from the backbenches. One person

and a few resources can make a big difference in politics. Lorraine,

thank you very much. Let's now look back at 2011 with our A-Z, produced

by our colleagues on our sister programme, the Politics Show

Tonight, I can report to the American people and the world that

the United States has conducted an operation that killed a Osama Bin

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 205 seconds

Can you name the three of them? Paris, jail and Lamont, and a third

candidate he also has to put himself forward, but he is the

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 205 seconds

front runner. Ken Mackintosh.? Ken We the no vote has had a thumping

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 205 seconds

What a busy year, and are busy in year at Westminster for David. What

has been the most significant story for the year way you were? To put

it simply, you say the economy and everything that has flowed from

that with Europe and all we have seen for a few years. We have an

election in Scotland and the Avi referendum for the whole of the UK,

which had important implications for the coalition government and

the relationships within it. No shortage of things to talk about. I

am joined by Kevin Schofield from the Sun newspaper, a keen observer

of the Scottish political scene. Kevin, if we have to encapsulated

in a sentence, it is the economy and Europe in time it -- entwined

as well. Both stories go hand in hand. Although we are not a member

of the Eurozone, it has a huge impact on the British economy and

worried to collapse or countries like Greece fell out, that would

have a massive impact here. It is all tied in with how the respective

parties perform as well and ordinary voters only really care

about which party will look after their economic interests. At the

moment Labour are struggling on that front. It seems strange with

the mire in the economy the Labour is not ahead in opinion polls

because we are taking unpopular medicine. Absolutely, but the

presence of Ed Balls on the Labour front bench is a major problem. The

old regime close is to Gordon-Brown, as was Ed Balls, so as long as he

is Shadow Chancellor they will struggle to get a fair hearing from

the public. They launched a five- point plan with great fanfare about

how they would get the economy back on track, but they were honest

enough to make -- admit it would involve more spending and borrowing

which the public will not contemplate at the moment. Europe

is an issue which has come back in the last month or so. Not only

causing a skis and throughout -- Asia's and the three British

politics, but also all fronts so at sixes and sevens. Before he became

Prime Minister, David Cameron were very concerned that the

Conservatives stopped banging on about Europe, as he said at the

time. But on the back of him using the veto in Brussels a couple of

weeks ago his own poll rating went through the roof. So Europe has

actually been a godsend, not for the Liberal Democrats who are

hugely pro Europe, and they are at the -- at sixes and sevens. Nick

Clegg is really struggling, but the Liberal, given that their ratings

are at about 8%, they would be looking at a wipe-out at the

general election so they are tied into the coalition until 2015.

Talking about general elections, we had one in Scotland and a momentous

result for the SNP, a majority relationship between Scotland and

the rest of the UK, the Unionist parties and the SNP. The Unionist

parties have not got their act together. There isn't that level of

interest in the constitutional question. There is a real threat

that this could be broken up, but Labour, the Tories and Liberal

Democrats have not got their act together as a result of that.

Gazing into your crystal ball, as we move towards 2012, what will be

the key issues? It will still be Europe. We were told that 2011

would be tough and things would get better after then. Now all we are

hearing is that the economy forecasts have been downgraded and

2012 will be as bad if not worse than 2011. Again, that is all tied

in with Europe and the Eurozone and the debt crisis has not been sold.

It has been kicked into the long grass, but it will come back. If

that was to collapse, there would be huge repercussions for the

economy here. Again, it will be about which party can get the

message across on the economy. A great chance for Labour in the 12

months ahead. We should not forget there will be elections for the

mayor of London, politically a very big test, but also local government

elections through the UK which will be a referendum on all the parties,

won't it? Absolutely. The London mayoral election is keen not to be

a great heavyweight contest between Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson.

If Boris is re-elected that will be a massive coup for the Tories given

that we are in this period of austerity. It would be a massive

blow for Ed Miliband and there are already rumblings about how long he

will last as Labour leader. But they don't really have a history of

getting rid of their lead is essentially. But it could be issued

blow for Ed Miliband and Labour were Boris Johnson to be re-elected

-- a huge blow. We will have to leave it there, Kevin. As you can

see, some interesting thoughts in the discussion we just had with

Kevin. Somehow, I don't think we will be stuck for things to talk

about in 2012, just as we have not been this year. David, a busy if

the look at Westminster and we will see you there. Well, let's go to

Holyrood now to review a momentous year in Scottish politics. I am

joined by Jamie Fraser, -- Murdo Fraser, and Willie Rennie of the

Scottish Liberal Democrats. Good afternoon tea. I hope you are in

festive mood today. Absolutely. Jamie Hepburn, much to the

disappointment of your political colleagues standing there, it has

been the SNP's year when it comes to winning elections. I imagine

even my colleagues to my left could not disagree that the big event has

been the election of an SNP majority government, the first time

we have had a majority administration. That has to be the

big story of 2011. It has been a momentous year for the party, but

on the policy front, do you think the SNP is losing what might be

called their finer touch or they are sure touch when it comes to

policies? Look at the anti- sectarian legislation and the

matter criticism that came under, and the Scottish Governor may have

painted itself into a corner in terms of gay marriage.

particular position will come into criticism from some quarters, but

there is great support for the legislation passed last week out

there across Scotland. I have not had a bulging postbag of people

complaining. I think it will prove to be a popular measure and only

one of many initiatives coming forward from the SNP government to

tackle the serious problem of sectarianism. Will you still have

Alex Salmond as your leader -- well. But are not at all the other three.

Murdo Fraser, on the programme last week, the Scottish leadership

election was described as operatic, people thinking the Tories would

split down the middle with the controversial proposals to put

forward. It was quite a year for the Scottish Tories. No split yet,

but it isn't over until the fat lady sings. We will leave that

suggestion stuck to the wall for a while. You have to accept it was

not a good year for any political party in Scotland apart from the

SNP. From our point of view, at the UK level, not a cause for

celebration but there was a certain about of -- amount of grim

satisfaction looking at the collapse of the euro. Those of us

who for years argued that this was a project built on folly now feel

that we have been entirely justified in our approach. The sad

thing is we will have to deal with the consequences of the fall-out

from this political project. Looking at things from a

Westminster perspective, how difficult has it been as a party

having a Chancellor, a Tory Chancellor at Westminster in the

shape of George Osborne when it comes to selling your message here

in Scotland. Even tomorrow we will see what the Parliament thinks of

Iain Duncan-Smith's welfare reform bill. How difficult has it been for

you to defend a Westminster government in Scotland as well?

haven't found it difficult at all. I will be defending the Welfare

Reform Bill which I think is essential as we improve the chances

of life for people and deal with the legacy of debt from the last

government. What I think is astonishing is that at a time when

we are in the worst economic recession since the 1930s, where

the government has had to take some difficult decisions to deal with

the public finances and make some fairly serious cuts but we are not

seen the major opposition at Westminster, 10 or even 20 points

ahead in the opinion polls. The latest opinion poll suggested

government is neck and neck with Labour or even in some cases

slightly ahead, which says a huge amount about the leadership being

provided by Ed Miliband and the general competence of the Labour

Party at UK level. And talking about Labour at a Scottish level,

Sarah, this was a humiliating year for Scottish Labour. 2011 will be a

year you will probably want to forget quickly. We will want to

move on, and I spent the last six months coming round Labour Party

members and trade union members, people in the Labour Party, talking

about how we get back on track. We did have a bad defeat but we have a

lesson to learn because we did not just losing 2011, the seeds of the

defeat were sown earlier and we have to rejuvenate ourselves and

rebuilt and reconnect with communities who have lost faith in

us to represent them. With the recession hitting the ball so hard,

28 % rises in youth unemployment, 26,000 people at work over two

years, that we have a job to do as the official opposition in the

Scottish Parliament to make sure that the SNP raised their game on

things like youth unemployment. We were really glad of the new

appointment of minister for youth unemployment at but the challenge

is to get the tours and resources to get on with the job. For as it

is about renewal, learning lessons and looking for the future and the

radical programme we need to put together if we are to gain people's

Why did you not raise your game before that? When you have a bad

campaign, it is easy to regard all the aspects of that campaign. But

we need to look at how we can move forward. I have spent the last six

months are doing that with local Labour Party members. We need to

talk about things that are affecting people. The effect of

local authority cuts. There are things in the Scottish Parliament

that we are having to raise to make sure that the reality of people's

lives is not missed out. It is our job to stand up for people. To make

sure they have strong political representation. For the Liberal

Democrats, we have at their new leader, with a Renney. -- Willie

Rennie. We lost some good parliamentarians. But since then,

we have been very feisty, very energetic. We can show that there

is a strong liberal voice in parliament. On issues like colleges

support, on the riots in England. Essentially, is your main problem

not Nick Clegg? He is still in place at Westminster. He is still

causing problems for the party when it comes to the European Union

debacle. Of course at the coalition, when you are making big difficult

decisions, there will be people who disagree with that. But it is

important you do the right thing for the economy, get it on the

right tracks to create jobs and opportunities for people. I know

that Liberal Democrats in the coalition are making a difference.

I think it would be a lot worse if they Tories were doing it on their

own. We are just coming up to 2012, what are you hoping for? The big

challenge is the economy. Making sure that we are creating jobs for

young people. Too many young people are unemployed. That is why the

youth contract is so important. That is a big priority for the

Scottish government. Labour have a new leader, issue you big hope for

2012? She is it. She has done a fantastic job in the last few days.

She has a strong team around her. We will be committed to making sure

she gets support. We are not just focusing on what Alex Salmond is

doing in the Scottish Parliament, but getting out of the Scottish

Parliament and talking to people who have been let down by their

government, both nationally and locally. It is important that the

voice of people is heard in our Parliament. The Conservative Prime

Minister will face a very difficult 2012, what is the agenda for the

Scottish Conservatives? We want to see a referendum on independence.

Overshadowing us all is this unanswered question on the

constitution. It has become a huge a distraction in Scottish

Parliament. I find it a dismal prospect, discussing the

constitution for three years instead of improving the economy.

Let's have that referendum. Do you think they will be any clearer

about the independence referendum in 2012? I think it is crystal

clear already. There was a clear statement from Alex Salmond that

that referendum would be held in the latter half of this

parliamentary term and we are going to stick to that promise. All the

heard from other parties was a promises had been broken. Now they

are asking us to break a promise. We will not do that. We will have

the referendum. Thank you all very much. And very Christmas. NEWLINE

Let's turn to our commentators one final time. The Unionist Partys

have had a terrible years. A yes, there is a struggle for the

Unionist parties to say that the referendum is a terrible

distraction. The unionist parties lead to get their act together

early in the new year. A thing the Liberal Democrats and the Tories

have had long enough to think how they want to address their

independence referendum campaign. But they really wanted to be led by

a Labour figure. Add it is to be good to see who a significant

Labour figure will be. -- and it is difficult to see. I think we have

to see a someone out with the chamber so that there debate is

eared properly. 2011 was at the SNP's here when it came to the

election. I know that they have faced some tough criticism, but are

they still in a honeymoon phase? Certainly, the SNP still has a good

rate of approval. There is no doubt that the SNP are hoping that that

mood will be maintained until the local government elections at the

beginning of May. The SNP have set themselves a big target which is to

topple Labour from power in Glasgow. If the party can do as well as

later this year, it could be possible. It should be a good set

of elections for the Labour Party because they are the only party

that are not empower postop but that was also true in May of this

year and much good it did the Labour Party. It may well be that

the SNP managed to consolidate local government as well as

Holyrood. Any other crystal ball gazing? I think Europe, that will

be the big issue in Westminster and it will have an impact in Scotland.

Alex Salmond's big flagship policy was Scotland in Europe. He has to

work out his strategies for all the questions that are coming his way.

Europe is the one issue that has moved up the political agenda to

the point where it will have to be addressed a far more urgently and

the SNP will have to decide whether they have got the guts to go ahead

and not be led by public opinion because public opinion on Europe is

instinctively to be cynical about Europe, but to come in and say that

we are I European country and that is where we are different from

England. For all those Scots who are still not convinced by

referendum, is it because they want to be part of a bigger

organisation? And the economic conditions. We have to hope that

the deal in the eurozone sticks. The Tories might be saying that it

is great but we did not go into the euro, but not really, because we

are completely affected by it. And yet we will not be able to go into

any of the big meetings about it. Thank you very much.