Farmers will be delighted that things have finally dried up.
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
Monday, 12 April 2010
Another joke (nothing to do with politics)
Some-one else on their death-bed..............
In a convent in Ireland . . .
the 98-year-old Mother Superior lay dying.
The nuns gathered around her bed
trying to make her last journey comfortable.
They tried giving her warm milk to drink
but she refused it.
One of the nuns took the glass
back to the kitchen.
Then, remembering a bottle of Irish Whiskey
that had been received as a gift
the previous Christmas,
She opened it and poured a generous amount
into the warm milk.
Back at Mother Superior's bed,
they held the glass to her lips.
The frail nun drank a little,
then a little more and before they knew it,
she had finished the whole glass down to the last drop.
As her eyes brightened,
the nuns thought it would be a good opportunity
to have one last talk with their spiritual leader.
"Mother," the nuns asked earnestly,
"Please give us some of your wisdom
before you leave us."
She raised herself up in bed on one elbow,
looked at them and said:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
..
"Don't sell that cow!"
In a convent in Ireland . . .
the 98-year-old Mother Superior lay dying.
The nuns gathered around her bed
trying to make her last journey comfortable.
They tried giving her warm milk to drink
but she refused it.
One of the nuns took the glass
back to the kitchen.
Then, remembering a bottle of Irish Whiskey
that had been received as a gift
the previous Christmas,
She opened it and poured a generous amount
into the warm milk.
Back at Mother Superior's bed,
they held the glass to her lips.
The frail nun drank a little,
then a little more and before they knew it,
she had finished the whole glass down to the last drop.
As her eyes brightened,
the nuns thought it would be a good opportunity
to have one last talk with their spiritual leader.
"Mother," the nuns asked earnestly,
"Please give us some of your wisdom
before you leave us."
She raised herself up in bed on one elbow,
looked at them and said:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..
..
"Don't sell that cow!"
Beautiful spring day in Highland Perthshire
This is Ben Lawers with Drummond Hill in the middle ground....... it is to be warm and dry for most of the week, very welcome after the long, cold winter. Perth & North Perthshire Liberal Democrats will be out and about with a spring in our steps this week, leafletting and canvassing and spreading the word around.
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Build-up to the first Leaders' Debate on Thursday
The first Leaders Debate will be on ITV this Thursday at 8pm.
The papers are building things up today, setting the scene, trying to give a bit of insight in to the preparations required behind the scenes. Nick Clegg has an excellent opportunity to get in between Gordon Brown and David Cameron like Vince Cable did with Alastair Darling and George Osborne, very successfully, just recently.
It will be interesting to see who is literally standing in the middle, which is of course really pole position, giving that person an important subliminal advantage.
It is interesting that with all the early attention on the economy, there is a poll out today that strongly suggests that George Osborne is the Conservatives' weak link. Expect to see Tory economic policy unravel quickly then when put under a bit of pressure, either on Thursday or at some point before then.......
The papers are building things up today, setting the scene, trying to give a bit of insight in to the preparations required behind the scenes. Nick Clegg has an excellent opportunity to get in between Gordon Brown and David Cameron like Vince Cable did with Alastair Darling and George Osborne, very successfully, just recently.
It will be interesting to see who is literally standing in the middle, which is of course really pole position, giving that person an important subliminal advantage.
It is interesting that with all the early attention on the economy, there is a poll out today that strongly suggests that George Osborne is the Conservatives' weak link. Expect to see Tory economic policy unravel quickly then when put under a bit of pressure, either on Thursday or at some point before then.......
Saturday, 10 April 2010
Looking out over Crieff
Another cross- boundary operation today, leafletting in Crieff and Gilmerton in support of Graeme Littlejohn in the neighbouring Ochil and South Perthshire constituency. It was a beautiful sunny day today.
As usual, our local man on the ground, Russell Auld, had a well edited Focus leaflet and all the preparations done in advance. Well done Russell. happy to help out.
Gilmerton next.......
Another leafletting blitz. Despite the bad press for politicians over the past year, people are more than happy to take election communications, ask a few questions. It is very satisfying to see people out in the sun in their gardens, still reading the material you gave them half an hour beforehand. Ordinarily, you might expect much of it to go straight to the bin, but people seem curious about this election, and appreciate you making an effort. Maybe it is just the Liberal Democrats they are pleased to see and others are getting a different welcome!!
A number of people are asking how to register, how to get a postal vote. Good signs for a good turn-out maybe.
And on to Perth........
.......for some essential election campaign business. The Scottish Liberal Democrats have built up a very solid base of support in the south of Perth from scratch, and this has radiated out over a much wider area in recent years.
Thursday, 8 April 2010
Away day on Speyside
Perth and North Perthshire Liberal Democrats had a great day up on Speyside today, helping local MP Danny Alexander leafletting and canvassing in the neigbouring (& rival) towns of Kingussie and Newtonmore. These away-days are great for giving us insights in to how other local parties operate, and the Liberal Democrats on Speyside are really well organized, positive and confident, and local people obviously appreciate the hard work that they put in.
We make a point of supporting other neighbouring campaigns as often as we can, and it gives other local parties a boost when they get additional help like this.
Danny Alexander MP
Danny Alexander is the sitting MP here, having been elected for the first time in 2005. We had a lot of very positive comments on the doorstep today. Danny has clearly been doing his job very well here, and the Inverness office is a very professional operation, giving great back-up to a number of seats in the north. That is why the north of Scotland is all yellow (not the SNP shade).
Clear, concise messages.....
Danny's campaign material is very well put together, clear and concise, and the very professional prior preparations made our leafletting very easy today. Labour are the closest challengers here today, but by some of the comments we were getting today, Danny Alexander is a popular MP here and he will be confident of getting re-elected.
The stunning backdrop of the Cairngorms
This is a view of the Cairngorms from just outside Newtonmore. Like Kingussie, Newtonmore has invested in tourist infra-structure and rightly so.
The Highland Folk Museum
The Highland Folk Museum is just on the eastern outskirts of Newtonmore. This is obviously a great facility, and, as above, the backdrop is wonderful.
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Its official.......
Gordon Brown went to see the Queen today, and we have a General Election on 6th May.
Monday, 5 April 2010
The Roman Bridge in Glenlyon
North Perthshire is a big open space, and it does'nt get any further from Perth than in Glenlyon; the longest, loveliest and loneliest glen in Scotland. Sometimes also referred to as the "Crooked Glen of Stones".
Here are a few snaps of animals in the glen today, all happily doing their own thing.
You can see the amount of water coming down these burns at the moment; part rain, part snow-melt. Glenlyon is truly a very wild place.
Pig escape
These pigs are actually domestic animals, not wild boar....but they have escaped from their field and are busy digging in the woods here for whatever they can find. You never know what you are going to see in Glenlyon.
New born lambs
These little Cheviot lambs are no more than an hour old, born just beside the river Lyon on a very cold day.
Looking down Glenlyon from Lubreoch dam
Lubreoch Dam is 26 miles from the junction of the River Lyon and the Tay, and probably 65-70 miles from Perth.
Fancy leafletting up here anyone.......?
Thought for the Day
With the 2010 General Election campaign set to get going, probably tomorrow by all accounts, we all have our work cut out to persuade a sometimes sceptical electorate what we will be able to do for them.
The Labour Party say the country is safest in their hands. The Conservatives say they are going to cut taxes but also protect services at the same time, and provide plenty of room at the trough for those who say they want to get their noses in. The SNP are dreaming that they might end up being relevant and will be able to hold the country as a whole to ransom.
With all these promises being made and strategies being developed, it is worth while bearing in mind this thought:
Two negatives usually make a positive but in Scotland, two positives make a negative - 'Aye right'
The Scots are more canny than most. "Aye right!" is right.
For this reason, the Liberal Democrats will be forwarding four very simple and consistant messages relating to fairer taxation & education, a modern green economy and cleaning up the electoral system.
We will know who was right in due course.
The Labour Party say the country is safest in their hands. The Conservatives say they are going to cut taxes but also protect services at the same time, and provide plenty of room at the trough for those who say they want to get their noses in. The SNP are dreaming that they might end up being relevant and will be able to hold the country as a whole to ransom.
With all these promises being made and strategies being developed, it is worth while bearing in mind this thought:
Two negatives usually make a positive but in Scotland, two positives make a negative - 'Aye right'
The Scots are more canny than most. "Aye right!" is right.
For this reason, the Liberal Democrats will be forwarding four very simple and consistant messages relating to fairer taxation & education, a modern green economy and cleaning up the electoral system.
We will know who was right in due course.
Thursday, 1 April 2010
The Tay near Aberfeldy.
We did a leafletting blitz in Highland Perthshire today. It was a beautiful, dry spring day, cold but good for walking. Luckily, Highland Perthshire has missed much of the really bad snow that has occurred elsewhere, although conditions in places like Glenlyon are pretty tough, lambs are beginning to appear with snow still on the ground and a lot of wildlife is suffering at present. We really need the spring to come now quickly to give anyone involving with working the land a bit of a chance. Ben Lawers is in the distance here, partly obscured by the trees.
Joke
A life long supporter of the Lib Dems was lying on his death bed when he suddenly decided that he wanted to join the Conservatives or the SNP."But why?" asked his puzzled friend, "You're Lib Dem through and through…………….. Why change now?"The man learned forward and explained, "Well, I'd rather it was one of them that died and not one of us."
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
A Consensus for Cable
Although the Chancellors' debate on Channel 4 last night was a bit of a cagey affair and never really set the heather on fire, it was interesting to see how the three candidates related to one another.
Polls after the programme indicated that Liberal Democrat Vince Cable came out on top (36%) against 32% for each of the others.
More significantly, of the 4-5 times that there was spontaneous applause from the audience, all but once was for Vince, especially when he said that "Some of us DID see the financial crisis coming......." and again when he suggested that the Conservatives "wanted to get their snouts back in the trough again...". The BBC's Nick Robinson described Vince Cable as the clear winner and on Breakfast this morning, 4/5 of those questioned after leaving the event thought that Vince Cable came out on top easily.
That all sounds like a bit of a consensus. Methinks we could do quite well in this election.......well done that man!!! A great start.......
Polls after the programme indicated that Liberal Democrat Vince Cable came out on top (36%) against 32% for each of the others.
More significantly, of the 4-5 times that there was spontaneous applause from the audience, all but once was for Vince, especially when he said that "Some of us DID see the financial crisis coming......." and again when he suggested that the Conservatives "wanted to get their snouts back in the trough again...". The BBC's Nick Robinson described Vince Cable as the clear winner and on Breakfast this morning, 4/5 of those questioned after leaving the event thought that Vince Cable came out on top easily.
That all sounds like a bit of a consensus. Methinks we could do quite well in this election.......well done that man!!! A great start.......
Monday, 29 March 2010
Chancellors Debate tonight at 8 pm on Channel 4
For those of you who are interested, there will be a live debate this evening at 8pm on Channel 4 between the would-be Chancellors, Liberal Democrat Vince Cable, Labour's Alistair Darling and Conservative George Osborne. Krishnan Guru-Murthy will be asking the questions.
Vince Cable had his finger on the pulse well before the financial crisis broke, so it should be interesting to see how he comes across in comparison to the current Chancellor and the boy from the Tory party.
Vince Cable had his finger on the pulse well before the financial crisis broke, so it should be interesting to see how he comes across in comparison to the current Chancellor and the boy from the Tory party.
Sunday, 28 March 2010
A little story.......
Recently, one of our many supporters, 95 years young, was out delivering leaflets in a certain Highland Perthshire town. Having delivered to one house, an SNP- leaning lady came out and shouted after her "The Lib dems must be really desperate in Perthshire if they are asking some-one your age to help them...!!"
"They did'nt ask me," our well experienced deliverer retorted quietly, " I VOLUNTEERED........"
No-one can beat the Liberal Democrats for committment and perseverance and for coming up with a good put-down when the occasion asks for one.
"They did'nt ask me," our well experienced deliverer retorted quietly, " I VOLUNTEERED........"
No-one can beat the Liberal Democrats for committment and perseverance and for coming up with a good put-down when the occasion asks for one.
Saturday, 27 March 2010
In Good Heart for the General Election Campaign
Perth & North Perthshire Liberal Democrats completed our fundraising activities today with a coffee morning at Oaklands Community Centre in Perth. After six months of community events like this, we have an excellent budget for the General Election campaign ahead, which is likely to be called in a week or so. This will give us around 6 weeks for campaigning before the expected general election date of 6th May.
Very well done to all those who have contributed thus far. We have a very positive and confident team in place, and who knows what the outcome will be when the day comes.
One thing is certain, the Scottish Liberal Democrats are certainly going to be in the race.
Ready to go
With all the necessary fundraising behind us, Peter Barrett and his team can spend the next 6 weeks or so campaigning and getting Liberal Democrat messages across.
We will be campaigning on four key themes, all based around the central principle of fairness for all. With Liberal Democrats in office:
1 No-one will pay tax on their first £10,000 of earnings, giving the average wage-earner £700 extra in their pocket
2 We will introduce a "pupil premium" to create greater educational opportunities for everyone, so that not only those who can afford a good education will get one.
3 We will build a modern economy based around new technology and especially new green jobs
4 We will work hard to clean up politics, including introducing mechanisms that will allow voters to recall errant MPs, and introducing Proportional Representation which will deny complacent career politicians the chance of a nice secure seat where they do not have to try too hard.
When you're ready Gordon.........!!
Mrs & Mr.......
There will be a council by-election on the same day as the general election, following the very sad death of Strathallan ward SNP councillor John Law.
Neil Gaunt will be contesting the seat for the Scottish Liberal Democrats. His wife Ann is already a Councillor for the ward
A fine spread.....
All Liberal Democrat fundraising in Perth & North Perthshire involves raising money at local community events like this, we have no big donors like others and have to build our support and campaigns from the grass roots up..........hard work but a good discipline nonetheless and it keeps us in touch with the needs and concerns of ordinary people.
Well done to all for the work that they put in to organizing these events.
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
An evening out at Perth College
Cllr Peter Barrett, Connor the chef, and Depute Provost Willie Wilson at Perth College Gourmet Dinner, themed on the last gala dinner served on the Titanic before it sank. The students prepared an excellent 5 course dinner, and served it with flair and selected wines. Peter was particularly interested to hear from the students their plans for the next stages of their careers in hospitality. Connor plans to go to Glasgow to join the Social Work department in teaching young people to cook at home.
Monday, 22 March 2010
Away Day in Grantown-on-Spey
Perth Lib dems went up to Grantown-on-Spey last week to help current MP Danny Alexander with his campaigning. As usual, these trips are a great opportunity to catch up and find out how others are getting on. We managed to deliver material to over 700 houses. Danny and his team will be coming down to Perthshire to re-pay the favour in due course, and Perth Lib-dems will be having another trip north before the general election as well.
Here, Danny Alexander MP (right) has a chat with Peter Barrett, our parlimentary candidate for Perth and North Perthshire.
"Now off you go Peter........."
........"you can do all the houses between here and Inverness before lunchtime..."
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
On the campaign trail in Dunfermline with Willie Rennie MP
"Whats that? You want to be an MP too?"
On the campaign trail in Dunfermline with sitting MP Willie Rennie. Peter Barrett (right), our local Westminster candidate has made a point of taking time out from his own campaign to help in neighbouring constituencies. Willie Rennie runs a very effective team in Dunfermline and being part of a confident, winning team is excellent for generating momentum in Perth and North Perthshire as well.
Lib Dem Spring conference in Perth
Peter Barrett slams cuts in the SNP affordable housing budget during the Perth spring conference recently.
Who's this?
Peter Barrett chats with former Party Leader Charles Kennedy...a very popular and easily recognized politician still throughout the country.
Lib Dem duck derby
Careful guys...!! The dividing line between a good PR photo and a scandalous photo is very fine!!
Clearing the January snow
During the very bad weather after Christmas, Perth and Kinross Council were widely praised for their handling of the very difficult situation. Our local Councillors made a point of setting a good example from the outset.
Monday, 25 January 2010
Rabbie Burns Joke (featuring Mr Gordon Brown)
Gordon Brown is being shown around an Edinburgh hospital. Towards the end of his visit, he is shown into a ward of people with no obvious signs of injury.He greets the first patient and the chap replies:
"Fair fa' your honest sonsie face,
Great chieftain e' the puddin' race!
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm,Weel are ye Wordy o'a grace,
As lang's my arm."
Gordon, being somewhat confused, grins and moves on to the next patient and greets him. He replies:
"Some hae meat, and canna eat,
And some eat that want it,
But we hae meat and we can eat,
And sae the Lord be thank it."
Then Gordon moves on to the third patient who starts rattling off:
"Wee sleek it, cowr' in, tim'rous beastie,
O, what a panic's in thy breastie!
Thou need na start awa sae hasty,
Wi bickering brattle!"
Gordon turns to the doctor accompanying him and asks, "What sort of ward is this, a mental ward?"
"No" replies the doctor,
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"............this is the Serious Burns Unit."
"Fair fa' your honest sonsie face,
Great chieftain e' the puddin' race!
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm,Weel are ye Wordy o'a grace,
As lang's my arm."
Gordon, being somewhat confused, grins and moves on to the next patient and greets him. He replies:
"Some hae meat, and canna eat,
And some eat that want it,
But we hae meat and we can eat,
And sae the Lord be thank it."
Then Gordon moves on to the third patient who starts rattling off:
"Wee sleek it, cowr' in, tim'rous beastie,
O, what a panic's in thy breastie!
Thou need na start awa sae hasty,
Wi bickering brattle!"
Gordon turns to the doctor accompanying him and asks, "What sort of ward is this, a mental ward?"
"No" replies the doctor,
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"............this is the Serious Burns Unit."
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