There is then hope for Labour. As long as we can retain our base in in Scotland then we still have a platform. Labour has to win back and keep hold of the Metropolitan Cities and Towns and build from there. The Tories will do their best to gerrymander the boundaries and reduce number of MPs to their advantage.

Fryed should be fried then, bolshie should be bolshy AAH if you want to be picky about spelling - people in glass houses and all that.

Lou, you missed one out from our humour inducing friend....

"Just helping you out on the old speling front, you know how I like to be helpful"

That'll be another typing error then AHH, speling rather than spelling?

Why don't you just use the spell checker (sorry 'typing error' checker) AHH!

I know Lou! I wouldn't worry about a bit of word slippage, I'm more worried about my conscience at finding humour in said words of wisdom!

Hi Ray & Nick,

Sorry I missed the thread.

Over ten million pounds will be paid out in settlements I believe. My only points left to make are, what about the rest of us, will we get such sizeable pay offs and resettlement grants when we lose our public sector jobs?
I agree about a specified apartment block for out of London MPs.
I agree about the outside interests,an MP should be working for his constituents and country and not for any financial reward in any other way by sitting on boards, advisory committees and the rest.

Hi Ray, I'd like to see MP's have to undergo a proper qualification in economics (that would be goodbye to Mr Cameron I think). That should be a prerequisite of them being allowed to stand; a proper level of competence. I don't see why they shouldn't have a decent fixed salary rated to their position of responsibility. Given all they earn I can't quite see why they shouldn't just have to set up a private pension like the rest of us are meant to. The mind boggles at why second homes were allowed to be so open to abuse. What would be wrong with giving them a fixed rate for a reasonable flat above their constituent office, Second class rail travel or an agreed mileage rate?

And as for staying in London; can't quite see they can't use a number of unemployed builders to knock up a reasonable apartment block somewhere near Westminster where they could stay when their presence in the house is required. Outside interests should be banned or restricted to sitting on boards of worthwhile voluntary organisations for which they should receive no pay. If they are so passionate about the job they do, they'll do it regardless of loss of perks. Just why are they seen as such a special case?

Any breach of the rules should be subject to normal grievance and misconduct procedures, that's the norm in both public and private sectors. They have no right to privilege, no right at all.

This, in my view, would be a proper clean up. It would also put the right people at the heart of decision-making, not greedy self indulgent and out of touch (often corrupt) individuals who are in touch with the voter.

And AAH; you've slipped up again....it's Allah, remember....I reminded you of that the other day? Do listen to your ol uncle Nick eh, you know how I try and look after you?

It's amazing Raymond how some of us seem to be able to condemn Devine (who has yet to be tried) on the following charges:

Mr Devine, MP for Livingston, is facing prosecution on two charges. The first charge alleges that between July 2008 and April 2009, Mr Devine dishonestly claimed £3,240 for cleaning services using false invoices. The second charge alleges that in March 2009, he dishonestly claimed £5,505 for stationery using false invoices.

Whilst elsewhere protecting a certain Yeovil based liberal for fiddling £40,000 by failing to declare his landlord was in fact his 'bum chum' (not my words, they are 'squealed' by our most eloquent contributor), seemingly taking a view that this is a man of 'honour'.

Now I'd call that slightly bizarre, wouldn't you?

Hi Nick, I have enjoyed reading your other posts elsewhere on this blog, you have a real handle on the current political situation, you show a good political analysis something that others cannot always see even when the facts are staring them in the face. You cannot use the words honourable in the same sentence when you are discussing David Laws. What was it you said there is David Laws and David Law !

Thank you Raymond, I'm pleased someone likes what I write; this could be a really intelligent forum if only.........you know what or rather who I refer to!

If this poll is correct, and not a rogue result, it is excellent news that the SNP are continuing to lose support following their disastrous Westminster campaign.

Their obsession with independence, and their core strategy of provoking hatred and resentment to gain support, has only resulted in causing bitter division among Scots.

The time of the 'small independent country' has passed as nations around the world rush into major regional blocs.

It's time for Salmond and the SNP to wake up, grow up and join the rest of us in the 21st Century.

Hi Nick, It would appear that another blogger appears a little jealous of your success in correctly assessing the political situation and producing even balanced argument and discussion without resorting to what amounts to jealously, I can understand their problem by not being able to string two words together that does not contain some invective. I for one have made my decision not to respond in kind. I am not saying that I am better just more sensible than someone who cannot understand reasoned arguement and appears unable to forge even online understanding of someone elses's point of view without resorting to what amounts to no more than rehashed, sterotyping of a particular group in society with any facts to back a particular assertion.
In fact this person appears almost to look up to you for your approval as most of the comments try to elicit a response from you strange is it not, I for one value your opinion and your disemmination of the fact's from the fiction, unlike the other blogger who cant and appears to live in some parallel universe. I will go enjoying what you have to say even at the wrath of the other blogger who has not completed his Microsoft Word " copy and paste " classes

''For its own sake but also for the sake of a rich social, economic and political alliance that is far greater than the sum of its parts, Labour must urgently become the party of the Union.''

Who cares ? Ho Hum !!

Steve the witless wonder.

Erroneous thinking.

Scotland and England have completely different politics. England has never wanted Labour and Scotland has completely given up on the Tories for generations. The union is just forcing both countries to have something they don't want. I'm sorry NS but you'll never win over England with your politics. You need the union more than Scotland.

Scotland can never identify itself with the Tories, not just through the Thatcher and that was bad enough, closing the pits, car making, steel production etc,etc the poll tax imposing it on the Scot's as trial before unleashing it on the rest of the UK. Hard working Scottish people who have personally experienced financial hardship from unemployment and low wages can never identify with the fox hunting millionaire set, we have nothing in common with them. Scottish socialists fought for the rights of working class people Tories play politics as a game, they have NO interest in the working class no matter how they dress themselves up they cannot disguise the fact that it is only self interest and those who are well off are they interested in.