NEVER let the truth get in the way of a good story is, I believe, a comment attributed to that great footballer and socialite Jim Baxter. However, I believe he meant it in a spirit of humour rather than the feigned disgust of one of your correspondents today regarding the bizarre reaction to my comments about a chauffeur.
For the record I have no intentions of hiring a chauffeur. Neither am I advertising for the position as one commentator suggested, never mind the suggestion that I need a driver to take me from Inverness to Edinburgh every day!
This story arises out of some light-hearted comments I made to a journalist that I would require a researcher that could drive to help me from time to time when visiting all areas in my constituency. As other MPs and MSPs could tell you it is common practice.
Personally I plead guilty to breaking the European working-time directive on working over the maximum 48-hour working week to highlight the scandal of the highest fuel prices and taxes in Europe. A policy which adversely affects many of my constituents for which the car is a necessity to get around. Considering the constituency is six times the size of Greater London - which has 74 constituencies - perhaps that will give Mr McElroy an indication of distances that have to be travelled.
Politics can be dry and sometimes needs an injection of humour but next time I am on the road in my constituency I will make sure to miss out the sense-of-humour by-pass that some people are obviously taking.
Fergus Ewing, MSP,
The Scottish Parliament. July 7.
Query and answer
TWO items in today's paper caught my eye, in one case raising a question and in the other providing an answer.
In the air rage case the judge complained about the maximum term he could impose. He then went on to sentence the accused for an associated offence giving him a concurrent term in prison. Why was this sentence not consecutive, thus increasing the overall term? I am sure a lawyer will be able to tell us but it does seem crazy that you can commit several offences but serve only one term. Where is the deterrent?
I am delighted that at least one MSP in the shape of Fergus Ewing is applying sound business principles to his position. With respect to all drivers and chauffeurs I would have thought that an MSP's time is more valuable. Therefore Mr Ewing should be allowed to employ a driver so he can use his time more usefully during the journey. As a businessman I consider time spent just getting to a desk or in Mr Ewing's case driving around his constituency a waste of that commodity. In addition he will be providing employment to someone who might otherwise be on the dole. The sheer commonsense of the foregoing is such that I cannot understand the mentality of the critics.
Tim Purdon,
18 Howard Park Drive, Kilmarnock.
July 7.
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