Decision made

Having given the 'kiss of death' to Ming Campbell with my last post I have refrained from comment on the Liberal democrat leadership election. I had hoped that Vince Cable would stand and he would have almost certainly have got my first preference vote. Unfortunately he decided against it but has certainly done an excellent job as temporary leader.

The choice between Nick Clegg and Chris Huhne has been extremely difficult and I have changed my preference several times whilst following the campaign on TV and via Lib Dem blogs. In the end Chris Huhne has edged it for me for his ability to work harder and get noticed. Whoever wins I hope they then work closely together because for me their undoubted talents compliment one another.

Clearly we have more talent in the party now than I can ever remember. We must now make this count and avoid coming across as 'a one man band' as we have done in the past to those with limited interest in politics.

Ming inspires me.

Well for the first time in a long while I am inspired to write something on this blog. I watched Ming Campbells speech at the party conference on TV and was very impressed. He clearly set out how the Liberal Democrats differ from the other parties and did it with just enough humour and detail to make it both entertaining and of substance.

Ming did not get my first preference vote when he was elected but he would now.

The only part of the speech I would argue with is the part about a referendum on Europe. For me this does not sit comfortably with the Scottish parties opposition to a referendum on Scottish Independence.

The full speech may be read here:-
http://www.libdems.org.uk/conference/brighton-2007-menzies-campbell-leaders-speech-part-1-of-3.7749.html

Success in the Highlands

John Farquhar Munro comfortably held his Scottish Parliamentary seat while in the first elections to the Highland Council by single transferable vote Independents won 35 seats, the Liberal Democrats won 21, SNP 17 and Labour 7 . Although this means that Independents have lost overall control it certainly shows that they can still do well under STV.

On the Black Isle itself four councillors were elected. Two independents, one SNP and David Alston for the Scottish Liberal Democrats. Election anoraks who are interested in how the STV vote was calculated can see the details here.