caltonjock

 

 

 

 

 

April 1998: Rifkind Calls for Pact to Block Nationalists

Rifkind called for the formation of a cross- party movement to protect the Union and prevent the SNP taking power.

The former foreign secretary’s comments were the first clear indication that the Tory party north of the Border believed that Labour, the Tory’s and the Liberal Democrats needed to make common cause in an attempt to halt the rise of the SNP.

He said: “I think there will be a need for a non-party movement in Scotland to support the Union.”

We duly got that when “Better Together” was sent into action at the time of the 2014 Scottish Referendum.

Planning had been in place from 1998!!

He also accused Labour of fostering the mood of nationalism within Scotland by exploiting “nationalist language” during its spell in opposition:

“The genie is out of the bottle and, like all genies, once they are out of the bottle they are difficult to put back in.”

 

 

 

Enter Andrew Fulton

Born in Glasgow in 1944, Andrew Fulton grew up on the Isle of Bute and attended Rothesay Academy. He went on to study Law at the Glasgow University, graduating MA, LLB (1962–1967).

Employment history:

Diplomat: HM Diplomatic Service: (MI6) July 1968 – January 1999 (30 years 7 months): postings in Saigon, Rome, East Berlin, Oslo, the United Nations in New York and finally Washington DC.

President, (Founding Chairman): Scottish North American Business Council, (part of the British American Business network): January 1999 – Present (17 years 4 months)

Chairman: Global Scot World Wide Network (GPW): January 2001 – Present (16 years 4 months): global leaders in business intelligence, corporate investigations, dispute resolution, support and political risk management.

Senior Non Executive Director, IndigoVision: January 2011 – Present (5 years 4 months): United Kingdom based company engaged in the design, development, manufacture and sale of networked video security systems.

The Company’s segments include Europe, the Middle East and Africa; North America, Latin America and Asia Pacific.

Its cameras, encoders, network video recorders and software are designed both internally and with technology partners and manufactured in Asia and Europe.

The Company’s end to end Internet protocol (IP) video security systems allow full motion video to be transmitted around the world, in real time, with digital quality and security, over local or other area networks, wireless links or the Internet, using market compression technology to minimize the usage of network bandwidth.

Appointed to the international advisory board of International Street Papers (INSP).

Senior adviser (All-Party Parliamentary MENA* Group at Westminster): 2013 – Present:

The term MENA is an English-language acronym referring to an extensive region, extending from Morocco to Iran, including all Middle Eastern and Maghreb countries. Https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MENA

 

 

 

Andrew Fulton – Former spy in line for top Scottish Tory job

Former high ranking MI6 intelligence officer, Prof Andrew Fulton. A spy who served behind the Iron Curtain at the height of the Cold War is in line to become chairman of the Scottish Conservative Party in a surprise move agreed by David Cameron and Annabel Goldie, the Scottish leader.

Fulton, whose last posting was “head of station” in Washington, has emerged as one of the favourites for the post that fell vacant when Peter Duncan, the former MP for Dumfries, stood down last summer.

The appointment of the former intelligence officer, will be seen as an attempt by senior Tories to inject fresh blood and new thinking into the Scottish party, which has struggled to recover from its 1997 wipe-out when it lost all its Scottish MPs.

Last year, he became the first high-profile former spy to join a listed British company when he was appointed as an adviser to the Armor Group, a firm that provides security services to national governments and large corporations.

Its non-executive chairman is the Tory grandee Sir Malcolm Rifkind

 

 

 

 

Andrew Fulton – Once a Spy Always a Spy

Fulton is a major player in the military corporate nexus.

He was placed in an overtly political position because of the UK government worries about Scottish secession.

He was put there to coordinate the destabilisation of the SNP government.

He is a very dangerous individual.

The Sunday Herald reported that Andrew Fulton’s CV, issued to the press at the time he was appointed chairman of the Conservative Party in Scotland, claimed that he is a visiting professor at Glasgow University’s School of Law.

The university denies this. The article reads in part:

“The new chairman of the Scottish Tories has become embroiled in a row over his CV after false claims were made about his academic credentials.

“Andrew Fulton, a former MI6 spy, recently appointed by the Conservatives, was hailed as a ‘visiting professor’ at Glasgow University’s school of law.

“But a spokesman for the university rebutted the claims, saying: ‘Mr Fulton is not associated with the University of Glasgow’s law school and is not entitled to call himself a professor.’

Fulton, 64, recently took up the post as the Scottish Tories’ top official and received endorsements from Conservative leaders David Cameron and Annabel Goldie.

“The biography supplied to the media claimed he had read law at Glasgow University and was ‘now visiting professor at his alma mater’s school of law’.

“But Fulton, who was a government diplomat for 30 years, was only briefly a visiting professor at the university between 1999 and 2000.

He worked in the university’s law school at the Lockerbie Trial Briefing Unit until he was dropped from his post when he was unmasked as an ex-spook.

“Visiting professors lose their title after leaving a university, but the academic status symbol has somehow followed Fulton in his business career.”

http://lockerbiecase.blogspot.co.uk/2008/03/andrew-fulton-is-he-professor.html

 

 

 

 

After-note:

In 2008 the growth in nationalist support in Scotland alarmed the US and Westminster.

The Labour Party was in meltdown and it was entirely possible an SNP government would be in place in 2009.

This would bring with it calls for Scottish independence and a referendum.

There were also on-going problems within the Scottish Tory Party, which had suffered yet another bad election defeat.

Voices within the Party in Scotland had begun to raise the spectre of a split from Westminster control so that the Party in Scotland would be able to decide upon policy.

A strategy, designed to deal with the potential problems would need to be put in place.

Fulton was identified as the most effective “agent for change” available and it was agreed he would apply himself and his extensive resources to the tasks of completing a root and branch reorganisation of the party in Scotland, removing any person, (no matter how senior) who did not fully commit to Westminster Party ideals.

He would also design a long term strategy undermining the SNP government ensuring any referendum for independence would fail. It was believed that the SNP would fall apart in the aftermath of a failure to gain independence.

 

 

 

 

Former Spymaster Andrew Fulton Joins Rifkind’s Armour Group

Andrew Fulton (formerly MI6) became the first high-profile former spy to join a listed British company when he was appointed adviser to the Armor Group.

The company has more than 9,000 employees in 50 locations, (including 500 Gurkha’s and other ex UK and US military) providing security services in 38 countries.

It says its work is to ” identify, reduce and resolve exceptional risks in complex, sometimes hostile, environments”.

Its Chairman is Sir Malcolm Rifkind, the former Conservative foreign and defence secretary.

 

 

 

 

The Spies Who Love the Union More Than Scotland

Unravelling and reporting on the many plots and subterfuges of politicians is difficult but not impossible.

It is sadly often the case that they enjoy long and successful political careers within which the finger of fate may be pointed in their direction but never sticks.

This article highlights a small group of players who’s influence and machinations have shaped Scottish politics to their advantage but to the detriment of Scotland.

 

 

 

 

Martin Rifkind, (the leader):

Architect of the hated “Poll Tax” 1986.

As Minister of Defence decimated the regular army transferring responsibility for the defence of the nation to “Cruise missiles” and the Territorial Army 1994.

As Foreign Secretary had charge of Britain’s secret services 1995-2000

Out of government. Took up executive roles in a number of Security, Defence, medical companies outside parliament 2002-2004.

Armour Group, (Rifkind, Executive Director) awarded multi-million security contract in Iraq, by Jack Straw, Labour government Foreign Secretary 2004.

Returned to Westminster, ( retaining and expanding a number of executive roles in private companies). Appointed Chairman of the Standards and Privileges Committee of the House of Commons 2005-2010

Appointed, Chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee (actively involved in the work of Britain’s Secret Services). Supported military action against Iraq, Libya and Syria 2010 -2015.

Founder of Better Together 1998. In 2009, Rifkind, Chairman of the British Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), which oversees MI5, MI6 and GCHQ – (the most important position in the UK intelligence community) took charge of the Better Together disinformation campaign.

 

 

 

 

Former Spymaster Sent to Scotland to Sort Out the Tory Party

Andrew Fulton ( ex MI6 senior spook)sent to Scotland to assess the political situation and report back to Westminster 2008-9.

Additionally took up position as Chairman of the Tory Party in Scotland.

Ruthlessly axed many Party members from positions of influence. Anyone not on board with Cameron’s government in Westminster retired.

Gerrymandered Ruth Davidson’s appointment as leader of the party in Scotland 2008-2011.

 

 

 

Notes:

Craig Murray (ex British Ambassador) confirmed the Security Services had been active in Scotland throughout the Scottish Referendum campaign.

Politicians for hire? Jack Straw & Sir Malcolm Rifkind embroiled in “cash for access” scandal. Rifkind forced to retire from politics. Straw denied place in the House of Lords.

 

 

 

 

 

The Source of the dark money funding the Tories in Scotland needs to be uncovered for the sake of democracy

https://www.opendemocracy.net/uk/brexitinc/adam-ramsay-peter-geoghegan/dark-money-driving-scottish-tory-surge

 

 

 

 

Money Laundering and Illegal Arms Dealing by Scottish Limited Partnerships

https://caltonjock.com/2017/06/26/illegal-sale-of-arms-a-complex-tale-of-greed-intrigue-and-betrayal-and-the-yellow-brick-road-to-the-tory-party-in-scotland-part-2/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tory Party Links With Hardline Unionist’s of Northern Ireland confirmed – Failed Shady Tory Unionist Candidate For East Renfrewshire Orchestrating the 2017 Westminster campaign

A modest, semi-detached house in Clarkston on Glasgow’s south-side seems an unlikely source for a secretive, £425,000 donation to Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party’s Brexit campaign.

But the occupant – Richard Cook – is the only person publicly connected with the Constitutional Research Council, a shadowy pro-union group.

And Richard Cook is not just connected to Northern Irish unionism – he has links that go to the heart of the Scottish Conservative Party, the Saudi intelligence service and a notorious Indian gun-running scandal.

Cook is a former vice-chairman of the Scottish Conservative party and Tory election candidate (for which he was fast-tracked through the selection, according to reports on ConservativeHome).

He campaigned with Ruth Davidson and David Cameron, and his Facebook friends list is a roll-call of prominent Scottish Tories.

He is also listed as an advisor for ” Think Scotland” and “the Campaign Against Political Correctness.”

Hard-line Tory websites owned by former Tory MSP Brian Monteith, who was head of press during the referendum for Leave EU, the campaign group run by Arron Banks and Nigel Farage and Tory MP Phillip Davies.

Flashback: Right-wing Unionist Cook was with ex-Tory MP Allan Stewart when he threatened M77 protesters with a pickaxe in 1995. Stewart, who was MP for Eastwood at the time, was fined £200.

Cook’s interests are not confined to politics.

Since the general election defeat in 2010, he has been involved in a number of international business deals.

In 2012, his company Cook Consulting (UK) Ltd held a press conference in Glasgow announcing its involvement in a £640m water desalination project in Pakistan.

The firm failed to submit accounts in 2014 and was dissolved by Companies House via compulsory strike-off in 2015.

In 2013, Cook founded another company called Five Star Investment Management Ltd with the former head of the Saudi Arabian intelligence agency, Prince Nawwaf bin Abdul Aziz.

The Prince’s son is the Saudi ambassador to the UK.

The other director of the company was Peter Haestrup, a Danish national who has been connected to the Purulia gun-running, arms drop case, a long-running multinational scandal that involved weapons being dropped over the Indian province of West Bengal in 1995.

Five Star Investment Management Ltd was registered at Mr Cook’s Glasgow address. The firm filed no accounts with Companies House and was dissolved in December 2014.

Cook also has connections with right-wing pressure groups in the UK.

He was Scottish spokesperson for Conservative Friends of Israel and for the Campaign Against Political Correctness, a campaign allied to the Freedom Association, a right-wing Eurosceptic pressure group that supported apartheid in South Africa.

Scottish politicians are now calling for the Tories in Scotland to clarify their relationship with Cook, who in the 2010 general election lost out to Labour’s Jim Murphy in East Renfrewshire.

Commenting on Richard Cook’s involvement with the CRC, Scottish Labour General Election campaign manager James Kelly said:

“This whole affair is like something from a spy novel and the East Renfrewshire Conservative Party is at the heart of it. Richard Cook isn’t just someone who happened to be a member of East Renfrewshire Conservatives. He’s been a leading figure in the local Tories for more than two decades… He’s close to senior elected Tories, including Jackson Carlaw. Will Mr Cook play any part in tory campaigns? Will the Tories in Scotland refuse to take any funds from Mr Cook or anyone who has received money from Mr Cook? Will Carlaw make a statement about what he knows and when about these extraordinary allegations? This affair taints any of the Tory campaigns in Scotland to win the East Renfrewshire seat.”

An SNP spokesperson said:

“These are deeply concerning allegations. Just as concerning are the apparent links to the highest levels of the Scottish Tory party. Mr Carlaw must clarify what links he has with Mr Cook and whether the party has helped itself to money from the same murky sources.”

 

 

Richard Cook

 

 

Business leaders ‘ready to donate six-figure sums to save the UK’ in a second Scottish referendum

Business leaders are ready to donate more money to fight Scottish independence in a second referendum than they did in 2014 and several have already promised six-figure sums, a controversial campaign group has said.

Richard Cook, who chairs the pro-Union Constitutional Research Council (CRC), said “several” wealthy backers are prepared to hand over major sums to “a new and positive campaign” to keep the UK together.

Cook broke his silence following claims CRC funnelled money from unknown sources to the Democratic Unionist Party to fund its Brexit campaign.

The £425,000 donation was not only used in Northern Ireland but across the UK, for press advertisements. It also emerged that the group was ready to bankroll opposition to independence in the event of a second independence referendum.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/03/05/business-leaders-ready-donate-six-figure-sums-save-uk-second/

 

 

 

 

Calton-jocks exposure of the right-wing young conservative movement led by Richard Cook

https://caltonjock.com/2016/04/04/scots-need-to-exercise-caution-ultra-right-wing-scottish-tory-party-youth-take-leading-role-under-davidson/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Politics or Church What Takes Priority When the head of Spiritual Organisation decides to Take on a political Role

Westminster 2017 GE Tory Party candidate for Stirling Stephen Kerr, is passionate about the need for a more honest approach to politics.

He believes that principle-centred leadership would do much to restore popular trust in the political process.

Stephen has another calling as First Counsellor, Scotland/Ireland Mission Presidency – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

An observer might wonder that Stephen supports and actively promotes the aims, aspirations and society norms of a party whose values are so much at odds with his beliefs.

But it takes all sorts I suppose.

 

 

 

 
The Family

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – A Proclamation to the World

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God.

Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny.

Gender is an essential characteristic of individual pre-mortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

In the pre-mortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life.

The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave.

Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife.

We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.

We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed.

We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children.

“Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3).

Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live.

Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

The family is ordained of God.

Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan.

Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honour marital vows with complete fidelity.

Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.

By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families.

Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.

In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.

Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation.

Extended families should lend support when needed.

We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfil family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God.

Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 Jun 2017: A Report On the Angus General Election Hustings at Arbroath

Tempers flared in Angus as the second evening of The Courier’s hustings events took place.

The audience packed into St Andrew’s Church in Arbroath to pose questions to candidates for the four main political parties – Mike Weir, defending the seat for the SNP, Conservative Kirstene Hair, Labour’s William Campbell and Clive Sneddon of the Liberal Democrats.

The SNP were attacked over their handling of farming subsidies, a subject that dominated a large part of proceedings in the largely rural area.

One member of the public said that 50% of Scottish farms are unprofitable without EU payments, and challenged the panel to ensure continued subsidies.

Ms Hair said: “The Scottish Conservatives have confirmed that cash payments to farmers will be secured to the end of this parliament and the SNP latched on to that policy Fergus Ewing agreed with it yesterday that they have that security.

It’s obviously a devolved issue and not really a matter for discussion here but the Scottish Conservatives have a good team of MSPs in our Scottish Parliament with farming backgrounds and that’s really important because they understand rural issues.

That’s simply something we don’t have from the SNP, and that was shown with the CAP payment shambles where a lot of farmers are still waiting on payments from that system.

There was a £178 million paid out for the IT system which didn’t work and was 75% over budget.

In terms of post-Brexit I think it’s really important because there’s a number of areas of EU regulation that stifle farming and doesn’t allow farmers to do what they want to be doing – and that is being out working the land.”

Mr Weir hit back: “There is absolutely no certainty that once we leave the European Union whether the funds would still come to Scotland or whether it would be taken back to London and there would be a UK-wide system.

That is a worry because if a UK-wide system works in the same way other UK-wide systems work then we’d end up with less funding for Scottish agriculture than we do at the moment.”
Comment:
But Ms Hair made false claims seeking to credit her party with something they had no part in.

The Scottish Conservatives secured nothing until the end of 2020 – The fact is that there will be major changes in farming subsidies world wide in 2020.

The Common Market Farming policy is scheduled for a major shake up, from 2020, as a direct result of the UK withdrawal from the EC and the culmination of discussions with World Trade countries including; Russia, China, South Africa, Brazil, India, New Zealand, Canada, Australia and a host of developing countries, for European negotiators to set a firm date for ending farm subsidies that effectively lock poor farmers around the globe out of profitable markets.

 

 

 

 

 

A member of the public asked for an explanation as to why farmers were still waiting on subsidy payments, despite a new computer system.

Mr Weir earned cries of derision after admitting he did not have an answer, saying: “I’ve not been involved in that, so I can’t explain the ins and outs of that. I’m a member of the Westminster Parliament.

I haven’t been involved in that, but the fact a computer system doesn’t work, I’m afraid in government that isn’t unusual.

The Westminster Government has had some pretty spectacular computer failures, with computer systems that have to be scrapped.”

The Questioner, a local farmer quipped: “I wonder if that’s the beginning of what we are going to hear from time to time tonight that Mike Weir isn’t defending the Scottish Government.

I think it’s probably quite useful for him to be able to draw that line.

If only Nicola Sturgeon was keeping out of the Westminster election I would be very much happier.”

He added: “It’s simply not good enough to say the computer’s not working, the answer is the computer’s not been programmed properly but the people who are responsible for making sure that folk get the money they need are still responsible for making sure people get the money they need.”

Ms Hair added: “It’s a typical SNP answer when they don’t take responsibility when they are wrong, or hold their hands up.

It was a complete waste of taxpayers’ money.

It’s a complete disrespect to the rural economy, which is very important to Angus, and I think its a bit of an insult for Mike Weir, who represents such a rural constituency, not to understand a system that is so important to them.”

 

 

 

 

 

Comment:
Miss Hair and the farmer questioner were disingenuous, highlighting a failing in the introduction of IT systems which contributed to excessive delays in payments being made to farmers.

Whilst this is correct and there can be no excuse for poor performance it is not the full story and voters need to be made aware of this.

Until this year farm subsidy payments were controlled through Westminster.

At no time in any previous year were payments made on time and central government perhaps exhausted by the many complaints, by farmers and landowners decided to delegate the payments regime to each of the constituent countries of the UK.

As is often the case little advance warning was given and there was an absence of implementation advice.

It was for each government to introduce new systems and make the required payments to farmers and landowners.

Complications arose at the start, created by a much changed qualification requirement and many new claimants being added to the database which had not been updated prior to transfer from Westminster to Edinburgh.

To conclude, no country in the union made the agreed payments deadline and to fixate on the Scottish government is unfair. There are also additional factors to give thought to:
Fact 1: The UK rates 19th. in the EU, with an allowance of £224 per hectare per annum (Germany £302, France £287)
Fact 2: The Westminster government sub-allocates Scottish Farmers £125-£135 per hectare per annum
Fact 3: In 2016 the EU recognised that Scotland was greatly underfunded and provided new money (Convergence Uplift) to be directly allocated to Scotland.

Fact 4: The Westminster government hijacked the finance and indicated Scots would need to get the begging bowl out and prove the need in each case.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The full story: Subsidy Payments to Farmers in Scotland – Convergence Uplift

A major row has broken out over the distribution of subsidies specifically allocated by the EU for the farming sector in Scotland.

The Tory government, took control of the new finance and announced that any payments from the new funds would be made through the common agricultural policy (CAP) and would be applied UK wide.

The government’s decision means that farmers in England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland will receive the same proportion of the CAP budget over the lifetime of the present agreement.

Scottish government ministers and the NFU in Scotland claimed farmers north of the border would be deprived of hundreds of millions of euros in “convergence uplift” subsidies that were “rightfully theirs”, adding that the only reason the UK qualified for the uplift was because of Scotland’s low payments under the current system.

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead described Westminster’s decision to share out Scotland’s money across the UK as “a disgrace.”

He added: “I do not know how UK ministers will be able to look Scottish farmers in the eye after this outrageous decision that amounts to pocketing Scotland’s farm payments.

I am also aghast that Alistair Carmichael, can welcome the UK government’s decision to give Scotland the lowest farm payments in the whole of Europe and the UK.

If Scotland had been a member state in our own right during those negotiations, we would have benefited from a one billion euro uplift.

We have been denied that uplift and now we are even being denied up to 230 million euro uplift that the UK gets because of Scotland.”

NFU Scotland said farmers had been dealt “a bitter blow” by failing to win an immediate boost in European cash.

Scottish Conservative rural affairs spokesman Alex Ferguson said he was disappointed that all the extra convergence money did not go to Scotland.

 

 

Miss Hair

 

 

 

Ms Hair’s own man Boris Johnson added his own perception about the farming subsidy and referred to the government failures to meet payment deadlines:

There is another take on the payment subsidy system – Rural Payments Agency – Acres and acres of madness – and they call this reform

At the bottom of the garden we have a paddock, and on evenings like this I can think of no lovelier place on earth.

The buds have budded.

The trees are in leaf.

The lambs are making a racket.

The rabbits show a boldness that verges on insolence.

Everywhere I look I see nature transpiring at every pore with the green joy of photosynthesis.

I see the hawthorn blossom, rolling for miles in great gun-smoke clouds.

I see the shade starting to lengthen from the old oak, and the lovely rickety fence, on which I sometimes balance champagne bottles and shoot them off with an airgun, and I lie down on the springy grass and look up at the pale moon in the blue sky and I breathe a sigh of deep and unchallengeable contentment.

Sometimes, you know, I just can’t believe my luck.

Because it turns out that I am not only the possessor of a magnificent paddock.

I am a farmer. Yes, folks, I am a Tibullan agricola.

I am Marie-Antoinette.

I have managed to hitch my wagon to the gravy train of the CAP and clamp my jaws about the hind teat of Defra.

By virtue of possessing 0.3 hectares of grass, excluding the dilapidated outside privy, I am apparently eligible for subsidy!

You think I am mad; but read the 98-page booklet provided by the Rural Payments Agency and you will find your lungs tightening and your lips blibbering into a pant-hoot of pure amazement at the insanity of our masters.

The government – Brussels – the taxpayer – whoever – is seriously going to pay me 10 euros a year merely for being the owner of this blissful patch of grass and rabbits.

I don’t have to farm it, in any meaningful sense.

I don’t even have to graze a pony, though I could.

I can use it for clay pigeons.

I can use it for hot-air ballooning, it says here in the pamphlet.

I can organise motocross events or nature trails across the paddock.

Provided I don’t do it for more than 28 days a year, I can even have car-boot sales.

I can invite Billy Smart’s circus to pitch their big top in the paddock, or I can let it out as a location for television.

Year after year, the cheque will come in from Brussels via Defra, 10 princely euros, as a thank you to me and my family for doing – well, for doing absolutely nothing except luxuriating in the existence of this paddock.

Weeping with laughter, I decide to ring the Rural Payments Agency to find out if I can possibly have read this right.

Yes, they say, it sounds like you qualify.

Yes, they say, there are plenty of people who have been given subsidy entitlements for having pony paddocks, just like the one you describe.

Yes, it is OK to mow it.

Yes, it is acceptable to use the land for having barbecues, playing rounders or nude sunbathing.

Yes, says the Rural Payments Agency, you can have a pony paddock and attract the subsidy, without going to the trouble of having a pony.

Yes, says the agency (now with a tremor of exhaustion in its voice), you are right in thinking that you are getting the money for nothing at all except keeping the land in “good environmental condition”.

Fantastic! I say. Where do I send the form?

And it is only then, of course, that I discover the catch.

My paddock qualifies in every respect.

This beautiful, if tiny, corner of Oxfordshire is entitled to all the dignity that goes with being a CAP-funded estate – except that, like a complete fool, I missed the deadline, in May 2005, for registering my claim.

Through sheer stupidity, I failed to grasp that last year the government changed the basis on which agricultural subsidy is to be paid.

Under the reforms of the CAP, farmers are no longer rewarded for growing barley or rearing suckler cows.

It is the end of paying Greeks for growing acres of fictitious olives.

Under the brilliant new single farm payment, the Greeks and the rest of us are to be rewarded simply for having grown acres of fictitious olives in the past.

You no longer need even to pretend to grow the olives; you simply have to show that you have title to the land and that you are keeping it in good nick, olives or no olives; and that is why the pony paddocks of England are now accompanied by EU subsidy.

If I missed the deadline, there were thousands of paddock-owners who were quicker off the mark, who whanged those forms into the Rural Payments Agency – and who caused the monumental chaos with which you will be familiar.

Across Britain there are farming families who have been driven deep into debt, and farmers who have contemplated suicide, because of the government’s disastrous failure to send out the single farm payments.

They were told they could expect the payment in December; then it was February; then March; and when, by mid-March, the Farming minister was forced to come to the Commons and apologise, it was obvious that the system was in meltdown.

And the reason it was in meltdown was at least partly because no one had predicted that the number of subsidy claimants would rise – from 80,000 to 120,000 – as the paddock-owners, the raspberry-growers, the filbert-growers and the possessors of 0.3-hectare marrow patches piled in to register their land.

And, of course, there will be some optimists who point out that the expense can’t be overwhelming, not at 10 euros a paddock.

But if you look at the Rural Payments Agency booklet, you will see how ever more of our countryside is now being sucked into a bureaucratic vortex of madness.

If you claim a subsidy for your orchard (as you may), you have to prove that your trees are 10 metres apart and that the trunks are one metre in circumference; and if you have more than 50 trees a hectare, you’ve got to prove to the inspector that the bases of the trees have previously been nibbled by sheep.

You can grow cucumbers, cabbages and cauliflowers, but not strawberries or mint!

Think of the new legions of bureaucrats being created, who will have to check whether or not you are running your subsidised nudist colony for more than 28 days.

Forty thousand new dependants have been created!

Untold acres are now under new and pointless subsidy!

And they call this reform?
http://www.boris-johnson.com/2006/05/11/rural-payments-agency/
https://caltonjock.com/2017/04/02/scottish-farming-subsidy-payments-pilfered-by-westminster-and-given-to-obscenely-rich-slipper-farmers-and-absent-landowners-time-to-get-tough-and-demand-they-butt-out/

 

Meeting in Arbroath

 

 

 

A Journalist Summarised the Meeting

If the hustings at St Andrew’s Church, Arbroath, had an anger meter last night, it would have looked like any graphs with ups and downs until the end.

Then it shot off the scale, with participants still yelling their fury even after the night’s chairman, The Courier’s editor Richard Neville, called time on proceedings.

Obviously the good people of Arbroath had been gradually building up a head of steam.

It began quietly enough, with the candidates chatting politely as they waited for the audience to file in.

But when show-time began, the gloves were quickly off, with the civility between candidates quickly evaporating.
While the SNP’s Mike Weir, defending the seat, may be the favourite, he couldn’t have felt like a shoo-in last night during awkward questions about the Scottish Government’s expensive lemon – the flawed £180 million IT system that failed to provide the vital support to farmers it was supposed to.

Agriculture, and the computer system failure, proved a hot-button issue.

Mr Weir’s response – that he was not an IT expert – did not wash.

He may have had moments of seeing his 11,230 majority look a bit less of a sure thing.

He did manage to recover lost ground when it came to denouncing the controversial Tory “rape clause”, though, something a feisty Kirstene Hair for the Conservatives tried and failed to explain in a manner that made it palatable.

As the audience relaxed, so their derision levels rose, with Mr Weir and Ms Hair coming in for the most laughter – and not in a kind way – but also often the most applause.

But really, although they were cross about education under an SNP government and not so happy about Brexit uncertainty and Scotland’s future, the head of steam finally exploded when Kirstene Hair mentioned Scottish independence as being the real issue.

Then they really started shouting.
(https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/angus-mearns/439157/courier-general-election-hustings-arbroath-audience-give-angus-candidates-thorough-grilling/)

Comment:
Ms Hair gave the game away at the end of the meeting.

The Tory Party is devoid of any policies relevant to the needs of Scots.

It is a one trick pony seeking to gain the votes of anyone who might be opposed to independence.

Surely Scots are not so gullible as to fall for Ruth Davidson’s tactical ploys.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Learned Behaviour

The capacity for humans to learn is infinite.

The teaching programme begins at childhood within the family and never stops.

On reaching adulthood the conduct of an individual in private or in public is reflected in their lifestyle of choice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This programming is termed “learned behaviour.”

Unacceptable behaviour traits can cause great offence and this in turn often results in the individual being ostracised from society.

But there is good news the human has the capacity to unlearn unacceptable behaviours.

Although this might require professional intervention if the problems are deep seated.

This article comprises a number of Facebook entries posted by an individual.

They are produced here so that opinions may be garnered as to whether the content of the posts constitutes acceptable or unacceptable behaviour

I am able to reveal that the person concerned is closely related to a prominent politician. Would that be Tory, Labour, SNP, Green or UKIP??

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facebook Posts – Thoughts of a Youth – Is this learned behaviour?

Springburn: 28 Feb: Lyin in bed with a cuppa and a fag, unemployment’s great!

Springburn: 01 March: private school punters have life so easy. earywiggin on the train n cunts are talking about family ski trips? a thought that was only in movies.

Springburn: 01 March: ye step off the number 12 smelling like a spice rack. honestly Negroes everywhere.

Springburn: 08 March: A like ma women like a ma coffee…Hot, wet and not black.

Springburn: 24 March: My grandad just showed me his wee bail paper or something from BarL in 1966. DANG hooligan a tell ye!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

More Facebook Posts – Same Youth Mocks the Disabled by Adding the Faces of Friends to Photographs of Truly Disabled persons – Is This Learned Behaviour

 

 

Sponsor R*****

 

 

Springburn: 01 June: Please Sponser R***** for only £1.50 a month as she wants the ability to walk after a horrific dolphin accident left her strapped to a plastic chair at the age of 16!

Springburn: 13 June: Ross I really think ye should take this offffff?        nah !!

 

 

 

sponsor N****

 

 

Springburn: 13 June: Sponsor N***** for only £2 a month. Help her live her dreams of going to the Moon.

 

 

 

 

Springburn: 13 June: Sponsor S***** for only £2 a month and allow her to live her life-long dream of being a Paralympian.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Springburn: 19 June: Sponsor A***** for £3.55 a month after she was rushed to hospital after a earthquake hit her home-town and left her looking like Stephen hawking. Thanks.

 

 

 

Sponsor G*****

 

 

Springburn: 18 June: Sponsor G***** for a easy £3 a month he was left in a wheelchair after a go cart incident broke his anus pipe and he was no longer able to walk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real victims of surrogacy; It is the children who will suffer most from the decisions of their ‘parents

They could have been daughters of an Italian businessman, or of a working-class woman from the Midlands.

But the fate of Danielle and Emma will be to grow up with a lesbian showbiz couple from Hollywood for parents.

Their tale is shocking and distressing.

Miss Claire Austin, the surrogate mother who gave birth to them, says they have no real parents.

But in one sense they have four sets of parents – only one of which they will probably ever know.

First there are their genetic parents – the anonymous English woman who donated eggs and the American man who provided the sperm.

The father was a donor at an American sperm bank.

Nothing is known about the mother, except that Miss Austin has hinted she knows her, and would like one day for the children to know who she is.

Then there is the second set of parents.

An Italian businessman and his Portuguese wife who asked Mrs Austin to provide them with a child.

They already had a son and a daughter – both the result of surrogate births.

It is only because of them that the twins were ever conceived.

Yet upon hearing they were set to receive two more girls, they backed out of the deal and demanded an abortion take place.

Although they had no genetic link with the children, Miss Austin felt influenced enough by their views that she initially lied to them, claiming the pregnancy had been terminated when it had not.

The third potential parents were Miss Austin and her partner.

Under English law, the woman who gives birth to a child is the legal mother, whatever the circumstances.

If she is married, her husband is the father even if he had nothing to do with bringing it into the world.

 

 

 

But Miss Austin felt unable to cope with the babies in addition to the two daughters she already has.

She now says she regrets it, but she desperately sought out an adoption agency to take the children off her hands.

She used the Internet to search abroad, fearing that if she told anyone in this country about her situation the children would be taken away by social services.

But even in highly liberal America states such as California, no one would touch her except agencies such as Growing Generations, which specialise in ‘unconventional parents.’

Then the fourth set of parents came on the scene – Tracey Stern, aged 40, a scriptwriter on hit series such as ER and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and her partner Julia Salazar, aged 43.

Miss Austin flew to Los Angeles, with her partner and her two children.

Within 24 hours of arriving, she fell and was rushed to Cedars Sinai hospital where she was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia.

Although her condition was stabilised, she was to stay in hospital until the children were born.

And this appears to be the root of her feud with Miss Stern and Miss Salazar.

She says they agreed to pay her hospital fees in the event her medical insurance refused – but have gone back on their word, leaving her with a pounds 25,000 bill she cannot afford.

Miss Austin claims the pair who finally adopted the babies were unsympathetic to her suffering, ungrateful she provided them with children and unwilling to allow her any contact with them.

Hence the decision to air her grievances in public.

She said: ‘In time these two little girls are going to want to know the truth about their parentage and, sadly, Tracey and Julia might not be in a position to offer much information.

I am the only person who knows the identity of the egg donor, their genetic mother.

‘As their birth mother, I am also the person who had the most to do with bringing them into this world.

I hope Tracey and Julia realise that, for the sake of their children, they should stay in contact.

‘I often wonder whether I should have tried to keep the babies.

I would have managed somehow and maybe it would have been better for them in the long run.’

She also says she now believes commercial surrogacy should be abolished.

She said: ‘My views on commercial surrogacy have changed dramatically.

Most couples view their surrogate as a commodity, to be discarded as soon as they have their precious baby.’

In fact, making a profit from surrogacy is already supposedly illegal in this country. Couples ‘commissioning’ babies should pay the mother giving birth no more than her costs.

The twist is that this includes loss of potential earnings while she is unable to work during pregnancy.

The total fee can be up to pounds 15,000.

 

 

 

 

And this not the first time Miss Austin’s attempts to help others have ended in turmoil.

In 1992 she gave birth to Matthew, who was biologically her son after she artificially inseminated herself with the father’s sperm.

The father and his wife took out a court order preventing Miss Austin from seeing him.

She says she still misses him.

Then she became pregnant for another couple with a boy who was found to have Downs syndrome.

She agreed to the parents’ request to abort him.

 

 

 

In 1995, to exorcise the pain, she was a surrogate mother again for a Greek couple.

This has been her one complete success and she stays in touch with the daughter, Celine.

But bolstered by this, she decided to try one more time – with disastrous results.

For those who oppose surrogacy, it provides the final proof it should be outlawed.

Prof Jack Scarisbrick, of pro-family and anti-abortion group Life said: ‘This is one of the most horrific stories I have ever heard.

It shows how abominable the practice of surrogacy is and I wish the Government would ban it.

‘The real victims are the children who were rejected by the parents who commissioned them, will never know who their genetic parents are and whose so-called parents now are two lesbians.

They will grow up to be psychotic.

The Rev Robert Ellis, Anglican spokesman for the diocese of Lichfield, said: ‘This case highlights some of the many problems surrounding surrogacy that society has got to grapple with.’

Mrs Heidi Birch, Director of Nursing at Midland Fertility Services, said: ‘This is a very unusual set of circumstances.

In this country the child must have genetic material from either the mother or father of the commissioning parents.

It would seem Miss Austin used a Greek clinic in order to get round this.’

The clinic has been involved in five surrogate pregnancies, of which two resulted in births.

Mrs Birch said: ‘We ensure both the surrogate mother and commissioning mothers have discussed what will happen in various circumstances, such as the child having a disability or being an unwanted sex.

But it seems nothing like that has happened in this case.’

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Real+victims+of+surrogacy%3B+It+is+the+children+who+will+suffer+most…-a061931625

First published in the Birmingham Post 8 May 2000

 

 

 

Nurse Claire Austin

The recent BBC television stage managed ambush on the First Minister by the Nurse, Claire Austin ended up providing the press with a day of blood letting.

Unfortunately there was no BBC blood spilt but the Nurse was hung out to dry. Was her trust in the BBC misplaced or did the cybernats overplay their hand? Evidence indicates the former.

But uninformed opinion often contributes to poor judgement and in this respect much mischief was made by her critics of her claims of hardship and food bank assistance.

The absence of fact caused  me concern and I considered it would be useful to nail the lie and put this matter to bed.Judge for yourself.

 

 

 

Clifton Hall Valued at £1.2million +

 

 

 

 

Ian Austin, Company Director: Date of Birth: February 1965. Companies:

Director: Appointed on: 15 October 2003. Active: Melle Mac Ltd: Correspondence address: Clifton Hall, Clifton, Derbyshire

Director: Appointed on: 17 March 2016. Active: Charles Martin Watch Company Ltd: Correspondence address: 9 Market Place, Uttoxeter, Staffordshire.

Director: Appointed on: 5 December 2014. Active: Meynell Developments Ltd: Correspondence address: Clifton Hall, Clifton, Derbyshire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business Profile:

The Austin family have participated in the business community in Staffordshire for many years.

Ian maintained the tradition having been a Director in a number of companies.

He is presently involved in property development through Meyell ltd.

The company correspondence address, Clifton Hall, Clifton was recently valued at £1.2million confirming that real estate is financially rewarding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marital Status:

Married: 1985, Claire Judith Austin (Nee Chambers) b.1966 Lichfield.

Children: 5? (4 girls & 1 boy)

She claimed in a recent statement that she was not married which might mean that she is divorced.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marital Status at 2017:

It appears she separated from her husband around 2006 and relocated to Scotland with her youngest daughter aged 8y her status is recorded on Facebook as single.

In Scotland she enrolled at Napier College and gained a nursing degree, 2006-2009.

She then took up employment with Lothian Health Board, specialising in emergency trauma care, 2010-2017.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Politics:

There is no evidence of any political activism before the recent television debacle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conjecture:

Her generalised claims of hardship might relate to the period 2006-2009, when she attended Napier College, as a single mother, probably on benefits support.

But a Labour government was in control throughout that period and any financial difficulties would have been resolved by her subsequent employment, from 2010.

In any event the Tory government retained full control of the welfare state and associated benefits, from 2010-2017, with only very limited powers, (not directly attributable to the matters raised by Claire, in discussion with the first minister) being transferred to the Scottish Government in 2016.

Referring to the subject of the imposition of a pay cap on NHS staff Nicola Sturgeon supported Claire’s argument but explained that the Pay Cap had been imposed in the UK nationally and this was reflected in the financial allocation to Scotland by the UK Treasury.

An independent Scotland would be able to set pay awards without reference to Westminster.

In conclusion, many Scots, who viewed the programme were left, yet again feeling betrayed by the BBC who had clearly invited Claire to the show, with malice aforethought being fully cognizant with the inflammatory but entirely rebuttal content of her questions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commentary by Derek Bateman

a nurse – complained to Nicola Sturgeon about her wages. She couldn’t manage on them and used food banks, she claimed.

Cue uncomfortable questions for the FM and, of course, a media establishment loving it.

Over in the Spin Room – God, but it’s tiresome and derivative, isn’t it? – The Daily Labour’s David Clegg couldn’t hide his delight.

‘The nurse is the story’, he announced proudly. I immediately recognised the syndrome – the hound chases the rabbit without noticing the juicy steak in his bowl.

The story is whatever hurts the Nats and nurses confronting the leader is it and…and…food banks! Jings! Even the spoon-fed hacks couldn’t miss this.

It fitted their narrative, the one they’ve pursued for a decade and more now – the SNP gloss is losing its sheen.

But what stood out for me from the exchanges was something entirely different. It was the message that nurses in Scotland are paid more than nurses in any other part of the UK.

It was a chance to point out that when put on the spot with a tough choice in difficult circumstances, the SNP deliver.

An independent review body decides how much nurses should be paid and the Scottish government didn’t hesitate. It paid up.

There was no doctors’ strike in Scotland for the same reason.

In what they call Band 5 a nurse can be £300 better off than in England.

The latest deal gives anyone below £22,000 a minimum rise of £400 and entry level pay for staff is £880 higher than England.

Now it ain’t easy and Sturgeon wasn’t hiding from the effect on budgets of austerity, quoting her own sister’s views as a nurse.

But, ask a non-aligned member of the public if they recognise the dilemma for a government of reducing budgets which have to be balanced.

Ask if they think it reasonable to allow independent analysis to suggest an appropriate level of pay.

Ask if it seems reasonable that Scots nurses get a better deal.

Ask who you imagine would pay more if it were possible – Sturgeon or Theresa May.

http://newsnet.scot/archive/politicians-media-nurses-attack-pay-tv-election-debate/

 

 

 

 

James Alexander Hair (F) Kirstene, Louise, Alison (M), Deborah and James   The Hair Family

 

 

The Hair Family are directly related, by marriage to the powerful Lamont Clan of North Ayrshire.

Kirstene will not be lonely at Westminster since her cousin John Lamont was also elected to Westminster in 2017.

The Lamonts:

https://caltonjock.com/2016/04/25/the-most-expensive-msp-in-holyrood-john-lamont-re-elected-in-ettrick-roxburgh-berwickshire-how-the-hell-did-he-do-it/

Although the clan leader James Lamont was thrown in a dungeon for five years, and his brother Archibald was among those killed, James’ pregnant wife escaped to Ireland and took the name McDonald to avoid suspicion.

The baby boy later retook the name Lamont and became the new Lamont clan chief, continuing the name under reduced circumstances. 

Some sixty years after the Dunoon Massacre, another Archibald Lamont was born in Dunoon.

Several hundred of his direct descendants are listed in Eleanor Thomas’ book, including his great-great-granddaughter, the third Janet Stevenson Lamont, who married a McKinnon and emigrated to Canada, and her granddaughter Dorothy Lamont McKinnon.

Archibald Lamont was born in 1710 in Dunoon, Scotland. He married Jean Gemmel (b. May 16, 1711 in Neilston, Renfrew, Scotland) on July 25, 1732 in the Parish of Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland, according to church records.

They lived in Kilwinning, Scotland and had three children: John (b. Apr. 30, 1734, d. Jan. 7, 1789 in Kilwinning, buried in the Old Kilwinning Cemetery), Jean (b. Jun. 27, 1736) , and Archibald (b.  Jul. 26, 1739). 

John married Martha Crawford (b. 1738 in Kilwinning) and had one child, John (b. July 13, 1769 in Murchland, Ayrshire, d. Jan. 31, 1853, buried in the Old Kilwinning Cemetery).  

During the late 18th century and early 19th, the second John Lamont farmed about 150 acres at the so-called Cockenzie Farm (click for aerial photo from Google Maps; if you back out a little you can see Ardrossan, Scotland on the coast, home of the McKinnons). 

Cockenzie Farm, which is a couple of miles south of  the town of Dalry, and a couple of miles north of Kilwinning, was owned by the Lamont family for hundreds of years, until finally sold by Robert and Elizabeth Lamont in Dec., 1997. 

On May 11, 1804, when John was 35, he married  20-year-old Janet Stevenson (b. Mar. 4, 1784 in Fenwick, Ayrshire to John and Ann Stevenson, d. Jan. 29, 1863, buried in Old Kilwinning Cemetery).

The spelling of Stevenson is sometimes found as Stevenston, which is the name of a town a few miles west of Kilwinning. 

John and Janet Stevenson Lamont had 7 children John (b. Feb. 17, 1805, d. Dec. 18, 1884, buried in the New Kilwinning Cemetery), Archibald (b. Jul. 18, 1809 in Stewarton, Ayrshire, d. Aug. 6, 1897 in Maybole, Ayrshire, buried in the New Kilwinning Cemetery), Anne, James, Robert, William, Allan and Janet. 

They would also have two granddaughters named Janet Stevenson Lamont.  One would stay in Scotland, and the other would end up in North Dakota.

Brothers John and Archibald married two sisters, daughters of John Reid and Martha Crawford.  John (the third John Lamont, if you’re counting) married Ann Reid (b. Nov. 11, 1812, d. Oct. 14, 1858) on Jun. 26, 1835. 

John and Ann lived at Cockenzie Farm, having seven children, including a daughter named Janet Stevenson Lamont (b. Feb. 17, 1845, d. Feb. 13, 1937, buried in Dalry Cemetery). 

Janet (number two) married a farmer, James Warden Hair in Dalry,  Scotland on March 19, 1872.  

Archibald Lamont married Ann’s sister Margaret Reid  (b. 1816, d. May 1, 1880, buried in New Kilwinning Cemetery)  on May 20, 1842. 

They had eight children, John, Martha Crawford, Janet Stevenson (number three), Ann, Margaret, Archibald, Daniel, and Jean Wilson. 

Their daughter Janet Stevenson Lamont (b. Feb. 10, 1847 in Kilwinning, Scotland, d. 1937 in Mapleton, ND) was 4 years old during the 1851 Kilwinning census (check District 2, under Dubbs Farm). 

Archibald and Margaret farmed about 90 acres and raised dairy cows with a half-dozen hired hands. 

It was said that he much preferred the milking to ploughing the fields. 

One afternoon in 1880, at age 64, Margaret died after being hit by the morning express train from Glasgow while walking home along the tracks from shopping in Kilwinning.

 

John Lamont MP

 

 

 

The Hair Family

The family name is derived from the Irish O’hIr, ‘descendant of Irish’ . It is a name common to Ayrshire.

The first direct record linking the current Hair family is:

John Hare and Niven Here  who were registered as voters in the parish  of Qwilton (Coylton), in 1513.

The Hair family went on to become were well established farmers across North Ayrshire from 1500 – to date.

The joining of the Lamont and Hair families was sealed in 1903 in Dalry when John Hair of South Lissens Farm, Dalry (Still owned by the Hair family), married Margaret Lamont of Auchenskeith Farm, Dalry.

 

 

 

 

The Current Hair Family  of Angus – Landowners and Electricity Providers

Two brothers, (James Alexander Hair and John Lamont Hair) are third generation major landowners owning: Smithfield Energy, (electricity production), located at, Smithfield Farm,  Monikie and Regiongrain Ltd, (growing of cereals, except rice, leguminous crops and oil seeds), located at, Mains of Ardovie Farm. Valued in excess of £1million (each).

James is married to Alison. They have three daughters, Louise b1985, Deborah b 1987, Kirstene b1989, and a son James b1990.

The family are of staunch Tory stock and are are keen supporters of the Scottish farmer and Young Farmer organisations (the girls have benefited from a number of sponsored trips abroad over the years) which is nice.

Kirstene is without any relevant experience politically but is keen to start her political career near to the top of the pile. Not for her any lowly Councillors job.

Education. University of Aberdeen. Master’s Degree, Politics. 2007 – 2011 17-21y (She studied for an MA in politics but it is unclear if she managed to gain a degree.)

Family members, a formidable team were highly visible during her campaign for election:

Deborah 30y: A highly qualified digital marketing consultant with expertise in financial, education, fashion and government sectors. Senior manager with Beattie, the large Scottish creative communications group. Most likely  the inspiration behind much of her sister’s excellent campaign.

 

 

 

 

 

Employment Summary

Political Campaigns Assistant. (work experience whilst studying) March 2009 – May 2010 (1 year 3 months 19-20y

Overseas sales representative. OPM Partnership. September 2010 – December 2010 (4 months) 20y

Sales Representative. Kuoni Group. March 2011 – July 2011 (5 months) 21y
Personal Assistant. Scottish Conservatives. August 2012 – August 2013 (1 year 1 month) 22-23y

Personal Secretary. Wilde Thyme Ltd. August 2012 – October 2013 (1 year 3 months) 22-23y

Personal Secretary. DC Thomson Publishing. February 2014 – April 2015 (1 year 3 months) 24-25y

Executive Assistant. DC Thomson. July 2016 – Present (11 months)

 

The Hair girls at brother’s wedding

 

22 February 2016: Kirsten Hair Candidate for Angus South (seriously)

I am delighted to tell you that Kirstene Hair was selected yesterday to stand as the Conservative and Unionist candidate for the Angus South constituency in May’s Scottish Parliament election.

Kirstene has allowed herself to be drafted in at short notice to stand instead of Derek.

Because of the limited time between now and the election on 5th May, and so as to ensure that there is no pause in campaigning in Angus South, the local Association has adopted a fast track selection process, which has been endorsed by the Party’s Candidate Selection Board in Edinburgh.

Kirstene lives in Angus and her family farm here.

She has been an energetic, effective local activist for us during the Better Together campaign and the General Election and has prior experience of the Party and Scottish politics through working in Central Office.

We are therefore extremely fortunate to have such a good, young local candidate..

http://www.angusconservatives.co.uk/2016/02/22/new-candidate-for-angus-south/

 

 

 

 

Questions Put to Kirstene on her Facebook by potential voters from the date of her nomination (All unanswered) Need to Question Why She is Standing

Marion Philip: You do know that the Scottish Parliament has voted for a second Independence referendum??

Your MSP friend clearly does not understand that the decision is made, or does he not recognise Holyrood as a a decision making parliament? If not why is he there?

Helen Cairncross: Tell us what you are going to do to improve things in the UK.

Stephen McConnell: The SNP are Sinn Fein IRA in Scotland. Squash the filthy bastards.

Steve Brannigan: Tut Tut, bad language and such aggression? Are all unionists so aggressive? It is a bit childish is it not to be comparing the SNP to Sinn Fein?

Darren Stewart: Rape Clause?

 

 

Atholl Clark: The Scottish Tories have done a massive handbrake turn on Free Prescription charges. Is there a single journo in our foreign owned media that has the balls ,or honesty to ask Ruthie about this monumental change of heart. Was she wrong then ,or lying now?

Jacqui Cook: I used to vote Conservative but disappointed in the way they are handling Brexit. Also fox hunting, where do you stand?

Dunc Gilmour: The Tories are nothing but scum, attacking the Disabled and sick whilst lining their pockets and making themselves rich. A vote for the Tories is a giant slap in the face for all those being humiliated by a Government that don’t care.

Hamish Budge: The Second independence referendum is already happening as OUR Scottish Parliament has already approved it. Scotland don’t want cruel Torys in charge Your values are vile! #rapeclause #foxhunting #bedroomtax #polltax #taxloopholes for the rich. I could go on…

Brian Shepherd Still better together ??? Winter heating allowance .. gone! Pensions triple lock .. gone ! The Conservative Party plans to scrap free school meals for children in the first three years of their education. Despite reports that 3 million UK children go hungry without school meals during the summer holidays, the Tories have revealed a plan to remove universal free school lunches for infants. Conservatives ….. still attacking the old, weak and defenceless….

Graeme Shepherd: Kirstene, if you say the Tories have done a great job on the economy, can you please explain why we have increasing number of cuts, a doubling of national debt since 2010 and shrinking wages? Surely that is an economy in trouble?

 

 

A brilliant family effort and one of the best Conservative campaigns in Angus for a very long time that will not go unnoticed by Ruth Davidson and party HQs.

Thank you Iain for your support – that is very kind of you.

You will do very well at the next election. I’m sure that you’ll get in.

Charlotte Louise Stratton: Great photo. You did us proud.

Charlie Sharkey: Great job Kirstene and Ruth too. The fight back has begun!

Craig Allan Stewart: Yeah let’s turn Scotland blue. And have food-banks, poverty, bedroom tax, Trident, expenses fraud, election fraud, paedophile cover ups, austerity, monarchy, house of lords……

Like Show more reactions. Can you tell me if you support the raising of the current pension age please? I read that it is planned that this will go up to 70. Can you confirm or deny this and if not 70 what What are your views on fox-hunting?

Further to your question to Mike Weir in Arbroath Herald and his response, can you confirm Scottish fishing grounds WILL NOT be used as bargaining chips with EU and that any post Brexit deal has fishing devolved to Scotland.

I know you must be very busy but I really would like to know your views on University fees?

 

 

Graeme Shepherd: first of all, thank you for the election leaflet that came through my door just now.

You may not know this but I will tell you. Independence referendum is mentioned 26 times, SNP get 20 mentions, Nicola Sturgeon herself gets 9 mentions.

Lagging behind is yer pal Ruth, she gets 7 mentions and Theresa gets 4.

Sadly, for you, no mention.

So, my question is simply this ‘why are the Scottish Tories so obsessed with an independence referendum?

Ruth, Theresa and Tories got pretty much same amount of mentions put together as the independence referendum got on its own.

Stop obsessing about the referendum and get on with your day job – providing a decent opposition to the Scottish National Party (SNP).

As ever, look forward to you answering my questions.

Steve Brannigan: Would you vote to close the Scottish parliament?

Michael Smith: http://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2017-02-20-30000-excess-deaths-2015-linked-cuts-health-and-social-care.

Do you have any thoughts on this ? Or is it just the same as for them as the foxes.

Steve Brannigan: 30,000 more deaths in England & Wales due to cuts to social care budget, surely Kirstene will have a view on that?

Steve Brannigan: I genuinely want to hear where she stands on all the questions I have asked.

I am sure the majority of the county want to hear them as well.

Craig Allan Stewart: Prescription charges. To pay or not to pay?

Depends what face you’re wearing.

Stewart Falconer: This mornings news suggests cuts to free school meals, pensions triple lock gone in two years and no cold weather payments for some pensioners, thoughts please.

Steve Brannigan: I’m sure there is a perfectly reasonable answer to these developments

Stewart. After all the OAPs are key to the Tory vote and to a NO vote in a referendum

.Stewart Falconer: My guess is they’ve been released to hide something else going on but hey I’m an old cynic.

Steve Brannigan: I genuinely want to hear where she stands on all the questions I have asked.

I am sure the majority of the county want to hear them as well.

Craig Allan Stewart: Prescription charges. To pay or not to pay?

Depends what face you’re wearing.re home for perennial losers?

Stewart Falconer: This mornings news suggests cuts to free school meals, pensions triple lock gone in two years and no cold weather payments for some pensioners, thoughts please.

Steve Brannigan: I’m sure there is a perfectly reasonable answer to these developments Stewart.

After all the OAPs are key to the Tory vote and to a NO vote in a referendum.

 

22 Sep 2017: Newly Elected Angus MP found it oh so difficult to make a decision on Brexit referendum so she didn’t vote. Unbelievable!!!

Despite her constituency voting Remain; 55.3% while 44.7% voted to leave and Scotland as a whole voted to remain by 62% to 38% Kirsten did note vote on Brexit.

She said: “I didn’t vote on Brexit. I took the decision not to vote on it. It was incredibly difficult. The first time I’ve never voted in my life. It was very difficult because you get two arguments very strong on both sides. I just ultimately couldn’t make that decision and I thought I would therefore go with the will of the UK which if I’m honest I thought we would remain. But I left that to everyone else. Now I think we all have to get behind it and say, you know what, that’s the way the country voted and we have to make the best.”

Full article here:

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/angus-mearns/504054/newly-elected-angus-mp-kirstene-hair-reveals-not-vote-brexit-referendum/

 

 

 

24 Sep 2017: Kirstine Hair experiences no pangs of indecision when it comes to voting through a cut in the wages of agricultural workers

It’s been a busy week for newly-elected Tory MP Kirstene Hair, who stormed the SNP stronghold of Angus in the recent General Election.

Ms Hair turned her back on the family farm in favour of public service at Westminster.

But she faced pelters this week after publicly admitting that she didn’t vote in the Brexit referendum — because it was all too hard.

Spitting in the face of all that the Suffragettes stood for, she said: “It was very difficult because you get two arguments very strong on both sides.

I just ultimately couldn’t make that decision.”

You can’t blame Ms Hair for being unable to make up her mind.

After all, the Prime Minister used to think that Brexit was an economic disaster — now she loves it to bits.

The Foreign Secretary used to think it would bring in £350 million a week for the NHS and now he says he doesn’t.

In fact, the last time he said he doesn’t think that was exactly one day after he wrote a newspaper article saying that he did think that.

Ms Hair is to be saluted. This is a political break-through moment. Imagine if all our politicians took this kind of principled stance.

Imagine if they all went public and admitted “I don’t know what the hell I’m talking about so I’ll just shut up.”

Imagine if the public joined in and votes were cast only by people who had a clue. The effect would be transforming.

Of course Ms Hair is confused. But at least, now that she is an MP, she won’t have to make any more difficult decisions because the party whips will tell her how to vote from now on.

Anyway, she wasn’t confused when she appeared on the wireless this week.

Since Farming Today is broadcast at stupid o’clock in the morning, you probably missed it, but Ms Hair was there, calling for the abolition of Scotland’s Agricultural Wages Board.

It ensures fair wages for agricultural workers and it ensures fruit pickers are paid a rate which means they are able to earn the minimum wage.

Ms Hair wants it abolished. She thinks it prevents people getting a start in farming because they are priced out of the market.

So there we go. She wasn’t very sure if leaving Europe would be good for the family farm business, but she is absolutely certain that lower wages would be. (The Sun)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert & Julia Grace and boyfriend

 

 

The Okeeffe Family – Born to Rule Over Us

Grace Okeeffe has been selected by Ruth Davidson to stand for the Aberdeen North seat on 8 June 2017.

An examination of her track record reveals little since she has not been in the public political arena for much time.

Facilitating the painting of an accurate picture required a study of her family background and this was more productive.

Her father Robert is a senior executive in one of the world’s largest oil support companies.

His present duties place him in South Africa where he has charge of all Pan-Africa business.

Her mother Julia maintains the family home, a large lodge house with outbuildings and scenic views. in the country outside Aberdeen. She is a company director.

Grace has a sister Lauren who lives away from home, in Edinburgh where she works in the French Consulate expanding her French.

She appears to be pro-European and this should make for interesting political discussions with her sister.

Finally there is Grace, who apart from completing a degree in politics at Glasgow University hasn’t done very much.

I have added mini pen pictures of the family confirming the foregoing.

 

Robert and Julia

 

 

Robert O’Keeffe: English born;

Education:

* Cranleigh; (exclusive private school. Annual Fees around £30-£35K. 1978 – 1983

* University of Oxford, MA (Eng) Field Of Study Engineering Science. 1984 – 1987

* Cranfield School of Management and University. MBA 1999 – 2000

 

Cranleigh

 
Employment Pattern:

* Management Consultant to the Pharmaceutical Industry: Shell – 1987 – Jun 1999 – Aberdeen, Oman, The Hague/Schiedam – Upstream Oil and Gas projects.

* Manager: Risk Management services – ZS Associates – 2000 – Apr 2005 – London, United Kingdom

* Principal Consultant: Risk Management services – DNV Consulting – Apr 2005 – Feb 2010 – Aberdeen, United Kingdom

* Senior Principal Consultant – DNV GL – Apr 2005 – Present – South Africa, Aberdeen, United Kingdom

 

Cranfield University

 

 

Employment Summary

Business Development Manager for Africa, covering Oil & Gas and Energy Business Areas since January 2016 .

Formerly Head of Risk Advisory Services (Aberdeen), Region UK Oil & Gas, DNV GL.

28 years professional experience, supplemented by a full-time MBA qualification, in both the Oil & Gas sector with an Oil Major and in the Pharmaceutical sector with a London-based Management Consultancy.

12 years Upstream experience as project manager leading multi-discipline engineering teams in several countries covering the full spectrum of project life cycle activity including risk assessment studies, conceptual and detail design for brown/green-field projects, onshore / offshore construction projects, hands-on maintenance activity and project management system support activities

5 years Consultancy experience in the general area of change management at Director level, involving in-depth analysis of business data, facilitation of senior management meetings and presentation of recommendations typically leading to changes to product/customer strategy, reorganisation of companies and / or changes to management systems.

10 years Risk Management Consultancy in the upstream oil and gas industry.

 

Lauren Okeeffe

 
Lauren O’Keeffe (Sister of Grace)
Education:

* Albyn School: – exclusive private school in Aberdeen

* The University of Edinburgh: – French MA (Hons)

* Université Paris XII: – Master’s Student of Linguistics MSc.

 

 

 

Employment History:

*Marketing Assistant at Trybal

*Intern at European Parliament

* Committee Leader, “The Exchange Society”

* Expects to take up a career in Marketing,Communications…

 

Lauren O’Keeffe and others at Holyrood

 

 

Lauren O’Keeffe participated in a discussion at the Holyrood Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Relations Committee 25 April 2017

Convener (Joan McAlpine):

Today, the committee will have a round-table discussion with young people to explore Scotland’s future relationship with the European Union.

I welcome all our attendees, who have joined us from a wide range of youth groups across Scotland.

I understand that you have spent the morning discussing in detail Scotland’s future relationship with the EU and the issues that you consider to be most relevant.

The participants were separated into four groups, each of which was allocated one of the following topics:

the economy; education; the environment; and human rights.

Two representatives from each group have kindly agreed to speak on behalf of their groups in our evidence session this afternoon.

Cranfield Uninveristy

 

Lauren O’Keefe (Consulate General of France, Edinburgh):

We are concerned about how young people will be represented in the negotiations, given that over three quarters of young people voted to remain in the EU. There is consistent talk of a hard Brexit, but the vote was split almost 50:50, so why is it not a soft Brexit? Who is representing the remainers?

Lauren O’Keefe:

Our group discussed concerns about the environment, which is never prioritised in any mandate at the moment; it is always at the bottom of the list.

We are worried that some of the environmental protection laws that the EU has created might be lost once we leave. We wonder whether they will be maintained.

There are many lessons that we can take from Europe.

Places such as Holland and Scandinavia have a lot of initiatives, for example people get money for disposing of bottles.

There are so many more things like that that we could take from Europe and do in this country.

We are also concerned about a recent reconfiguration at Westminster, where the environment department’s funds were reduced.

The environmental situation is one of the biggest problems of our time and, for young people, it is our future.

Older people who voted will not see the impact but we will, so the environment is really important to us.

Furthermore, we can take lessons on renewable energy from countries such as Denmark, which has a target to go carbon neutral by 2050.

We have a target to reduce carbon emissions by something like 40 per cent by 2030, but a lot more could be done, such as encouraging less consumption of meat.

We also wonder whether sustainable fishing and farming will continue.

They benefit the economy, especially all the fishing in the north of Scotland, but will fishing and farming damage the environment if we do not have the EU regulations any more?

Someone in the group raised a point about nuclear energy.

Scotland is not proceeding with any more nuclear programmes when, in fact, it is a sustainable form of energy.

We get about two thirds of our energy from Europe, so how will that be replaced?

Will it be replaced with renewables or will the Government just continue with fracking and approaches like that?

Lauren O’Keefe:

Brexit could be seen as an opportunity to make a difference and to look good to other countries.

We could start to create laws that are even better for the environment. If we look at animal welfare, there are no battery hens because of EU law.

Will we maintain or improve those laws?

An excellent discussion group . Well worth a read (http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=10911&i=99818&c=1994316)

 

 
Grace OKeeffe

Education:

* Glasgow University – MA (politics) 2008 – 2013

Employment:

* Whilst studying at University gained knowledge of Westminster politics through a number of 1 month internships. 2008-2013

* Worked as a waitress (part time) in a number of establishments whilst studying at University. 2008 – 2013

* Joined “Better Together” team at the start of the Referendum

* Employed by Alexander Burnett as a political P/A. West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine Election – June 2014-2017

 

Alexander Burnett

 

 
February 2016: Grace O’Keeffe promotes crowd-funder appeal for Multi-Millionaire Tory candidate Alexander Burnett

Alexander has a real chance of beating the SNP and the Liberal Democrats have shown that they have no chance of winning.

Alexander has grown up in Aberdeenshire West and lives near Banchory with his wife and family.

He said “This constituency is my home. I want to see it prosper and our communities flourish. We have so much potential across this part of the North East and I know that with your support, we can ensure this beautiful area of Aberdeenshire continues to prosper.

With your help, we can spread Tory blue across the length and breadth of the Aberdeenshire West.

Your donations will help us contact thousands of voters, explain our Conservative vision and start a conversation about their ambitions for our capital and our country.”

We asked you to donate to Alexander’s campaign to get elected to the Scottish Parliament.

We are able to tell you that we successfully raised £3,020 of £3,000 target with 27 supporters in 42 days.

This page is promoted by Grace O’Keeffe on behalf of Alexander Burnett.  A millionaire Tory has the audacity to ask the electors to fund his campaign. Unreal.

 

 
27 May 2016: Alexander Burnett Tory MSP in sexism row after family firm advert is branded derogatory by feminist group

Burnett is today at the centre of a sexism row after his family’s property firm published racy adverts that have infuriated feminists.

Aberdeenshire – based Bancon Homes are promoting a new housing development with a photograph of a scantily-clad model with the slogan: “I don’t remember him… but I remember his apartment.”

The brochure was last night branded “derogatory to women” by Talat Yaqoob, chairwoman of campaign group Women 50:50.

A Tory spokesman joked: “It’s clear the party won’t be taking advice from Alexander when it comes to advertising campaigns.” (Daily Record)

 

Alexander Burnett

 

 
11 September 2016: Tory candidate, Multi-Millionaire Alexander Burnett and his Agent Claire O’Keeffe in Expenses cock-up ,

Multi-Millionaire Tory MSP Burnett is facing allegations he failed to declare using his own office for his Holyrood campaign.

The watchdog’s rules state the value of any office space used in election campaigns must be declared.

But Burnett, who is worth more than £20 million, allegedly failed to declare the use of his Banchory Business Centre in an official election spending return.

Burnett’s election agent Grace O’Keeffe inadvertently exposed the use of his business premises at the time she posted a photo to Twitter from within the Banchory Business Centre on polling day. A similar snap from the office had been posted in April.

Burnett’s election returns for the five weeks before the election show he spent £376.25 on office costs, with a further £682.50 spent between January and April.

But the return states the accommodation was supplied by the West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine branch of the Scottish Conservatives.

The returns also show Burnett spent modest sums on mobile phone bills supplied by the North Banchory Company, a property firm which the Tory MSP is a director of.

However, there’s no mention of phone costs for the Banchory Business Centre as referenced in the Twitter message from Grace Okeeffe.

Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin said: “It is vital for that candidates and political parties are open and transparent in what they spend.

The Tories won Aberdeenshire West by only the slimmest of margins and any campaign spending kept off the books could be seen as one candidate having an unfair advantage.

Since his election in May, Alexander Burnett has made a series of blunders and caused serious embarrassment for the Scottish Tories.

In cases where a member faces questions over their election spending, the public have a right to expect full answers from the Scottish Tories and Ruth Davidson should now suspend him from the party until the issue is fully resolved.” (The Sunday Post)

 

Davidson needs to apologise

 

 

12 September 2016: Sturgeon calls for Davidson apology over ‘offensive’ EU comments

French-born former SNP MSP Christian Allard reported Aberdeenshire West Tory MSP Alexander Burnett to the Standards Commissioner for failing to disclose his business interests when raising objections against a rival property developer in the Scottish Parliament.

The Tory press office responded with a statement which said: “Some people may find it bizarre that an EU citizen has an interest in a planning application in Banchory.

However, it is easily explained when people understand that the planning consultant in question is an SNP appointee to the Scottish Government housing committee and Christian Allard was a former SNP MSP.”

Allard lives near Banchory in Aberdeenshire and represented the North East Scotland region until earlier this year.

Nicola Sturgeon wrote to Ruth Davidson; “Political leaders, such as ourselves, have a responsibility to set the tone for political debate and never more so than in the current climate, when the post-Brexit landscape has witnessed some deeply troubling episodes in other parts of the UK, and which all of us have a serious responsibility to try and avoid occurring in Scotland.

Although we have different views on the constitutional future of Scotland any debate must be “tempered with respect, a respect which is utterly lacking in the remarks about Christian Allard and, by extension, other EU citizens living in Scotland”.

I urge you to make it clear that your party accept that EU citizens living in Scotland have a right to involve themselves in the affairs of their communities and in public life in general” and that the comment issued by your office was unacceptable.

Ten days have now passed since the comments were made. And every passing day without a public acknowledgement and apology gives credence to the impression that you do not consider it a serious matter.

If you ultimately fail to publicly withdraw the comment and apologise for it, then the only conclusion people will be able to draw is that you – and the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party as a whole – are content for such sentiments to be part of public debate in Scotland. That would be a matter of deep regret.”

The Tories declined to comment. (The National)

 

 

 

 

French Consular General Rebukes Ruth Davidson over Anti-EU comments

The Consular councillor for French nationals in Scotland, Professor David Lussea, called on Tory leader Ruth Davidson intervene after clash over “anti-EU” comments directed at the former SNP MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Christian Allard, who is French.

In a recent statement, the Tory press office questioned Allard’s right to speak up about the property allegations in his area describing him as a EU citizen rather than a local resident with concerns.

In a strongly worded letter to Davidson, he wrote: “You must understand that the slightest slip of the tongue, the slightest allusion, can open the floodgate of xenophobia. The minority of people interested in segregating our communities will take it as a sign that xenophobia is acceptable.” (Daily Record)

 

 

 

 

April 2017: Scottish Tory candidate selections proceed apace using fast-track rules

Whereas in England and Wales there’s a competitive process for most Tory held and target seats (unless CCHQ and the Association agree to automatically reselect a previous candidate), the Scottish Conservatives have opted to make it the norm to offer every association a single candidate approved by by Ruth Davidson.

Any local association has the right to reject that offer and go for the longer competitive route, but, to quote the Scottish rules:

“It will be emphasised to the association chairman that the process needs to be as efficient as possible and (approving a nominated single candidate) is the preferred option for selection.”

This allows total control of the candidate selection process by the leadership.

(http://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2017/04/scottish-conservative-candidate-selections-proceed-apace-using-fast-track-rules.html)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 2017: Scottish Tory candidate selections proceed apace using fast-track rules

Whereas in England and Wales there’s a competitive process for most Tory held and target seats (unless CCHQ and the Association agree to automatically reselect a previous candidate), the Scottish Conservatives have opted to make it the norm to offer every association a single candidate approved by by Ruth Davidson.

Any local association has the right to reject that offer and go for the longer competitive route, but, to quote the Scottish rules: “It will be emphasised to the association chairman that the process needs to be as efficient as possible and (approving a nominated single candidate) is the preferred option for selection.” This allows total control of the candidate selection process by the leadership.

(http://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2017/04/scottish-conservative-candidate-selections-proceed-apace-using-fast-track-rules.html)

 

 

 

The Thomson Family

His family has contributed greatly to the development of shipbuilding and the oil industry in Aberdeen.

His grandfather Stanley Milne was the Chief Designer of ships for many year’s working for Hall Russell and transferred his skills to the oil industry when that company closed in the 1980’s.

Stanley’s daughter, Roslyne married John Thomson in Aberdeen, in 1984. John was employed in oilfield development working for Schlumberger, one of the largest companies in the world. After nearly 20 years he transferred his skills taking up a career with BP where has has worked for 20 years+.

John’s knowledge of Riserless light well intervention oilfield development and safety is extensive  reflecting his long experience and he is often quoted in informative trade journals. Why Riserless?

Contractors and service providers are joining forces, eyeing new areas West of the Shetlands to introduce their technologies and operators are pushing the boundaries of oilfield development into deeper waters.

Riserless light well interventions are performed to address well integrity issues and maintain or enhance well production without using a riser, by deploying intervention tools into the well on wireline, electric-line and slickline using a subsea intervention lubricator. A range of activities can be performed, from acquiring production data and running integrity logs to retrofitting gas lift valves and performing scale squeezes. Riserless stimulation, or high-rate pumping for fracturing, is also being used to improve production.

“Over a period of time, reservoir conditions change, such as producing more water or you might want to set plugs to re-perforate,” says John Thomson, intervention engineer, Global Wells Organization, BP, based in Aberdeen.

Ross was born  on 21 September 1987, in Aberdeen. His education was completed at: Balmedie Primary School, the Bridge of Don Academy and the University of Aberdeen from which he graduated in 2009 with a first class honours degree in Politics and International Relations. his sister was born a year after and followed an education path similar to Ross again gaining her own honours degree. Clearly a family of achievers

The Thomson family home is an immaculate 3 bedroom detached dwelling house with a double garage, and a detached steading, single garage, three stables and pond set within 8 acres of land North of Aberdeen. The property enjoys a tranquil setting with superb country views, yet is still located within easy commuting distance of Aberdeen, Dyce and Bridge of Don.

Roslyne is an experienced and accomplished horsewomen who devotes a deal of her free-time to the support of animal welfare.

 

 

 

Ross a wanna be Politician

2007: Unsuccessful candidate for Coatbridge and Chryston. (Holyrood.) Only 20 yo!!!

2010: Unsuccessful candidate for Gordon. (Westminster)

2010-2011: Gotta job as a bank customer advisor. Itchy feet; moved on to work at Debenhams store in  Aberdeen.

2011: Unsuccessful candidate for Aberdeen Donside. (Holyrood)

2012: Elected to represent Hazlehead/Ashley/Queen’s Cross on Aberdeen City Council. Finally made it!!!

2013: Unsuccessful candidate in the Aberdeen Donside By-election (Westminster)

2013: Civil marriage with husband Gordon. So in love politics on the back burner for a year.

2015: Unsuccessful candidate for Aberdeen South. (Westminster)

2016: Unsuccessful candidate for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine yet again.

Saved from the political scrapheap by Roothie the Moothie Davidson when added to the regional list as MSP for North East Scotland. (Holyrood)

 

 

 

 

 

14 May 2016: Yipee!!!! Ross is incorporated into Holyrood

My Mum, Roslyne, and my husband Dougie (1) came to visit me as Wednesday night was the kirking of the Parliament with HRH the Duke of Rothesay (Prince Charles to most folk).

The service was at St Giles Cathedral which is simply stunning. The service was multi denominational and was quite beautiful. I truly did feel at that time the weight of what I was about to take on.

Following the service there was a reception in Parliament Hall which is next to St Giles.

It was great to have Mum and Dougie with me and it was the first time I met Ruth’s partner Jen who is so lovely and really funny.

Though when Dougie and Jen started swapping first date story’s I thought it best I distract him with Prince Charles at that point.

Full article here:  (http://rossthomson.net/content/?p=793)

 

Dad, Ross, Mum and Husband Dougie (partnership didn’t last long)

 

 

 

2017: Forward one year and Ross is nominated as a candidate for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine (Westminster)

Itchy feet making another bid for stardom.

He is not likened to the Grasshopper for nothing – (Sod the MSP job).

But he hung onto it until he was sure of his election to Westminster

 

 

 

Opposing Ross for the seat is sitting MP Callum McCaig, who said: “Over the past two years I have seen first-hand the horrendous impact Tory policies threaten communities across Aberdeen South, and I have used every opportunity to stand up in the House of Commons and hold the Tory Government to account for that appalling and often inhumane record.

The Tories are failing to adequately support the oil and gas industry by introducing robust fiscal incentives, they are literally leaving people to starve through draconian welfare cuts, and their immigration policies threaten every day to tear families apart.

At every step of the way I have stood up and fought for this constituency and worked to protect people in it from the appalling inhumanity of the Conservatives in Government.

I will defend this seat and work tirelessly to be re-elected as the MP for Aberdeen South so I can continue to serve this fantastic constituency and represent the people here.”

 

 

 

 

In his spare time Thomson sticks his nose into everyone’s business but away from politics he is active within the local community and is a Governor of Robert Gordons College, Trustee of Aberdeen International Youth Festival, Trustee of Chris Anderson Trust, Cowdray Hall Committee, Rubislaw Field Committee, Friends of Hazlehead Park and volunteers at Aberdeen arts Centre. Catch your breath!!!!!

He resides in his ward in Aberdeen and is in a Civil Partnership with his partner Douglas.

In his spare time Ross enjoys watching films, meeting up with friends and family, going out for dinner, going on walks and reading.

 

 

 

 

 

19 November 2015: Bizarre Claims Made By Finance Convenor Regarding Council Delays On Third Don Crossing Construction

​Following initial reports that the Third Don Crossing project was facing a significant delay to its completion, Tory Councillor,  Thomson, went to the local press and announced. “the cause for the delays is down to the ‘re-routing of utilities to the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route”

But Labour Finance Convenor, Councillor Willie Young had a different story to tell, alleging in a tweet that the delay was the ‘Scottish Government’s fault’ as they “stole all the contractors to deal with the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route”.

What renders the wildly different claims bizarre is that Aberdeen City Council is the managing agent of both the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route and the third River Don crossing.

In consequence the council is responsible for the provision of all services in connection with the procurement, preparation and construction of the roads. The Scottish government is not managing the project.

Commenting Mark McDonald MSP said:

“This is clearly another attempt by Ross Thomson and Willie Young to deflect criticism from the Labour and Conservative council’s own failings.

Yet more duplicity creating a fictional scenario in an attempt to encourage antipathy towards the Scottish Government.

This is yet another example of why the current council administration is held in such low esteem by our citizens.”

 

Braden Davy

 

October 2016: The Curse of Braden Davy

Married Tory MSP Ross Thomson protested when ordered by Tory chief whip John Lamont to repay a £120 bill he had claimed on expenses because he had included a share of the cost of room rental in respect of an unauthorised person, former Labour candidate Braden Davy. The challenge to the authority of Party bosses won’t be forgotten about.

Thomson, a high profile Brexit campaigner got into Holyrood via the list and should have maintained a low profile in the early months of his tenure to gain experience but evidently headstrong he elected instead to flex his muscles and blew his political introduction.

Compounding the error in judgement Thomson’s office manager resigned in protest at the activities of his boss.

Well regarded before, Thomson has now shown immaturity and inexperience on several occasions and his case will no doubt be referred to the person that casts the beady eye. His card is marked.

Update: Actions have consequences.

Thomson and partner Dougie have since split. The marriage/civil partnership is over and done with and  ever loyal Dougie is in a happy relationship with a new partner.

 

Braden Davy

 

 

 

Braden Davy -Who or What am I ?

January 2017: Braden Davy was selected for the Forfar and District ward on Angus Council in the local government elections in May.

Davy is currently head of office for Ross Thomson MSP having deserted the Labour Party to join the Scottish Conservatives over Labour’s ‘weakness’ over independence.

Speaking after his selection Davy said: “I joined the Scottish Conservatives in June after the EU referendum as Scottish Labour started to contemplate backing independence.

Yet now Labour are backtracking over their support of Scotland’s place in the UK.

I’m delighted to have been selected as the candidate for Forfar and District so I can play my part defending it.

I will be the only candidate willing to stand up to the SNP, and oppose their second referendum plans.

It’s time we had a candidate focused on local people, rather than another divisive referendum.” (Forfar Despatch)

 

Braden Davy

https://caltonjock.com/2014/12/07/braden-i-worked-at-macdonalds-davy-young-northumbrian-nationalist-seeking-gordon-seat-braden-not-all-citizens-of-gordon-consider-themselves-to-be-britizens/

 

Braden Davy

 

 

April 2017: Callous North-east Conservative MSPs refused to condemn the controversial “rape clause”.

The UK Government rule – branded a “depraved Tory mess” by an SNP MSP – requires rape victims claiming tax credits for a third or subsequent child to prove they became pregnant as a result of an attack or while in a coercive relationship in order to qualify.

MSP Ross Thomson said: “In applying for an exemption, women will not be required to either report their rape as a crime, bring new proof of rape or proof of a conviction, or report it directly to HMRC.

No evidence other than that of a third party professional, such as a health worker or support worker, will be required. Adding: “the Scottish Government has powers to create new benefits and could provide funding for families with more than two children from its own pockets if it wished to.”

A Tory spokesman said Mr Thomson’s view was echoed by his colleagues Alexander Burnett, Peter Chapman, Liam Kerr and Bill Bowman.

The comments came after MSP Gillian Martin had urged them speak out against the policy.

She said victims of the “most heinous of crimes truly do not deserve this added humiliation”.

She added: “It can take years for a woman to even admit they have been raped, and now they are expected to do so in order to receive what their child should be entitled to by way of tax credits.

It begs the question, how can you expect victims of sexual abuse or rape to disclose the most difficult of personal circumstances, in order to receive a small sum of money? And what effect do you think this will have on their children and families?”

MSP Kevin Stewart said the North-east Tories were “hiding behind a spokesman” and sticking to a “sick party line”. He added: “Finally the Tories have admitted that they do not even consider the rape clause to be of importance, and have more confidence in the Scottish Government to mitigate cuts for families than they do for the UK Government to adequately provide support for them.

The conservatives are expecting women to just freely discuss a rape as if it were a casual caveat to put on a form, rather than the horrendous physical and mental trauma that it actually is.”  (Evening Express)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jock – The Labour Party in the West of Scotland Was Never Entirely Reliant on the Orange Order Vote – Willie You are Confused

You are correct but with an added fact.

The Labour Party was always to the fore in the West of Scotland but the Tory’s held the upper hand, up to the 1960’s when it came to the number of Scottish MP’s sent to Westminster.

That is until they removed the word “Unionist” from the party name in the early 1960’s.

The Orange Order Protestants were infuriated and punished the Tory’s by transferring their vote to Labour.

Within a decade the Tory Party declined substantially.

A change compounded when Thatcher gave her support to the Anglo-Irish Agreement allowing Irish politicians a say in the politics of the North.

This almost wiped the Tory Party out in Scotland and it has been, until recently in the doldrums for nearly 30 years.

 

 

 

 

What’s changed?

Devolution in 1997 brought major change to the political map. For the first time in 300 years Scots were permitted a little taste of political freedom, albeit saddled with the oppressive hand of Westminster control over anything of note.

But although Scots had voted in a referendum, for the establishment of a Federal State system of devolved governance the minimal change (as a first effort) satisfied the European Union who had directed the Westminster Government devolve powers to the regions of the UK

But Westminster was not inclined to devolve any control and voting systems applicable to the reconvened Scottish Parliament were gerrymandered by the Westminster controlled civil service and their political masters so that the Parliament would be denied any one party forming the “Executive”

This ensured that the first past the post system of election to Westminster would hold sway over Scotland for ever since the politics of Scotland would be contained by the votes of MP’s sent from Scotland to Westminster which would reflect the make up of the “Scottish Executive”

And it worked. The “Scottish Executive” developed as an extension of the Labour and Liberal Democrat Party’s. But even with a very limited range of devolved powers the incompetence of the Labour and Liberal Democratic party’s became evident and the Scottish electorate turned the voting system on its head, rejecting the old politics and the party’s associated with it.

The 2007 Scottish Election returned Scottish National Party (SNP) candidates in numbers sufficient to allow the party to form a minority executive. Accepting the challenge the SNP went on to govern Scotland successfully blowing way old ways of thinking changing the country from a “can’t do” to a “can do” society.

The success of the SNP minority government was rewarded in the next 2 Scottish Election’s when Scots voted for the Party in very large numbers. Gaining experience and making the most of the few powers it had the SNP Government asked Westminster to devolve more powers to Scotland. Their requests were rejected out of hand. The answer was always the same. “Be content with what you’ve got or we’ll take it away”.

But Scots responded protesting vigorously at the attitude of Westminster politicians and very soon gaps started to appear on the “Berlin Wall” that Westminster had erected between London and Scotland. First the Liberal Democrat Party broke ranks and supported devolving some additional powers. The bandwagon effect brought a reluctant Labour Party to the negotiating table  but progress was torturous and it soon became evident that the efforts of both party’s bringing forward change became hopelessly bogged down as self-interest gained control of the thought process of politicians in Westminster.

The Conservative Party ruled out any change, indeed the reverse was proposed by a number of prominent Tory’s who were in favour of shutting down what they perceived to be a failed experiment. The EU should be ignored and control returned to Westminster

The SNP hit back demanding the right to conduct a referendum asking Scots if (as was their right) they wished to withdraw from the 1707 Treaty of Union. Permission granted and a referendum was held in 2014.

Much has been written about the conduct of Westminster politicians during the referendum but perhaps suffice to say that the only thing of persuasion not used by the State in the propaganda war against those who voted “Yes” was the Trident missiles located at Faslane. History will not look kindly on the behaviour of those who forced the “no” vote to success denying Scots their freedom.

 

 

 

 

Returning to the Tory Party

A check of the Tory Party election campaign literature up to 2016 confirms the Party name was the Conservative Party.

A check of the literature for this years election reveals the change.

The party’s name is now the Conservative and Unionist Party.

Davidson has taken Scottish politics back to the bad old days.

Encouraging and promoting sectarianism and social division.

I despair at the cynical abuse of the Scottish electorate and pray that Scots will reject Tory Party dogma at the ballot box posting it to oblivion for ever as a political force in Scotland.

Let them ply their rich man poor man politics in England.