May column

Published on Tue 8th May 2007

Up to 100,000 ballot papers were counted as spoiled across Scotland

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Electoral Commission should probe Ballot debacle

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There is an issue about the large number of rejected ballot papers and the failure for many postal voters to receive their ballot papers in time.

To my mind if people followed the instructions there was no real reason for so many papers being spoiled.

However, I believe the appearance of "Alex Salmond for First Minster" at the top of the regional list caused confusion as at least some people thought they could mark that box, almost as if it was a presidential style vote, and then vote for their preferred party.

The Electoral Commission should not have allowed the registration of the Alex Salmond party as if it was different from the SNP.

As for the council vote, perhaps it would have been better for the ballot papers to have been issued separately - so that people could have cast their Scottish ParIiament vote and then returned to the desk for their council ballot paper and separate instruction.

The single transferable vote is a fair system and preferential voting by numbers is inherently simple. To my mind it would be a better system for electing the Scottish Parliament.

Yes, there needs to be a review of why so many papers were rejected and whether it in any way distorted the result by favouring one party over others.

It is not an argument per se for changing the system or not having the council and Scottish parliament votes on the same day but it does mean more needs to be done to ensure that voters fully understand what they are required to do and that misleading descriptions are not allowed.

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Salmond prejudiced coalition

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I am surprised that, given the outcome of the election, the SNP think it would be easy to come to a formal arrangement with the Liberal Democrats.

Mr Salmond is not a natural negotiator. His style is abrasive and confrontational. More than that he chose to target a Liberal Democrat rather than a Labour seat such as Aberdeen Central, which would have seemed more logical if the aim was to defeat Labour and seek an alliance with the Lib Dems. This is hardly the actions of someone who is trying to win allies.

More fundamentally the Liberal Democrats are opposed to the SNP's raison d'etre of destroying the union, although there are common policies on which the two parties can agree.

Maybe if the SNP was led by a more pragmatic and emollient politician and the parliamentary arithmetic was clear cut, an accommodation could be reached but Mr Salmond has made it clear there are many issues on which he wants to provoke confrontation with London as a means of advancing the cause of separation.

I find it difficult to see how Liberal Democrat Ministers could give comfort or cover for that.

As the leader of the party with most MSPs it is reasonable for Mr Salmond to become First Minister. It will be a test of his mettle whether or not he can provide leadership of the Parliament to deliver for Scotland while recognising that the clear majority of voters did not and do not back separation.

Malcolm Bruce working to save post offices in Gordon

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Threat to local post offices imminent

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When the dust has settled normal politics will no doubt be resumed. One vital issue that has been held in abeyance until after the election is the future of our post offices.

I expect a hit list will be published very shortly and that it will include some in Gordon to the dismay of the communities affected.

I will, of course, be in touch with all those who are threatened and do everything I can to support them.

The Government has consistently failed to support our post offices and ensure they have sufficient products and income to maintain a vital service.

Continuing to remove income from post offices, prevent them from finding viable alternatives and failing to recognise the value of the public service they provide has been a characteristic of the Government.

I expect a storm of protest to greet their next announcement.

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Nora deserves thanks and a tribute

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Nora Radcliffe has been a worthy representative of Gordon. Born in the North East and living in Inverurie she is very much from the local community and has been happy to meet, engage and help a wide variety of organisations and individuals.

She is genuine and as passionately committed to the Scottish Parliament as she is opposed to separatism. She deserved to be re-elected and would have been but for the steamroller of a well funded, high profile party leader.

Whilst Nora Radcliffe's eight years as MSP may have come to an end, she will continue to be a key member of the community and work with the Liberal Democrats in Gordon

I am sure that many people have reason to be grateful for her hard work and dedication and in due course I know the people of Gordon will want to pay a tribute to her for the service she has given.

Unlike some defeated politicians she will remain in the community which is her home and where she is popular and respected.

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Nora lost despite record vote

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I cannot deny being heart-sick and deeply disappointed that Nora Radcliffe lost to Alex Salmond in spite of the fact that she substantially increased her vote. More people voted for Nora than ever before.

Nevertheless the result was clear cut and I doubt if there is anything more we could do to counter the vast media exposure of Alex Salmond plus the huge resources he was able to put into the seat from outside.

Our campaign engaged local people and focused on many local issues. The SNP campaign was based on large sums of money for telephoning, advertising and hype in the shape of helicopter tours, planes flying over Gordon with SNP slogans on polling day reaching people more responsive to the national campaign rather than the local.

It worked and the SNP have every reason to be pleased with themselves. I was surprised to see Alex Salmond arrive at the count with a police escort but disappointed that he chose to focus on the media scrum at the exhibition centre and then head off by helicopter for a press call at Prestonfield House outside Edinburgh with no pause to visit Gordon in between.

The fact that every Liberal Democrat candidate for Aberdeenshire in the Gordon constituency was elected was a comfort and an indication that the vote was close everywhere except Keith and Turriff from where Mr Salmond secured his majority.

Former Ellon Councillor, Alison McInnes was also elected as a regional MSP for the Liberal Democrats and I am sure she will be a great asset to the Parliament and to local people.