Donnie Macleod takes the Gurn to task

The Gurn has been critical of the local Green Party. Donnie was fair scunnert with that but held off his response until after the election:

'Now that the poor election is over, I would like to respond to some of your interesting comments about the Greens on your website. I have held off from replying before now as I too, like some of your campaigners, believe that there is nothing more annoying than politicians pontificating when there is a major election lomming. How they all agree about the issues that they never deal with afterwards!It would be much better if they pontificated when their isn't an election on. In response to my previous post you stated that 'It simply isn't enough to put out press releases and hope that the media take them up'. You obviously missed the point that I was trying to make. The references were to things that the Highland greens had been actually doing over a long period of time about the A96 proposals. It is not our expectation or fault that the media don't pick them up. The actions were carried out to keep the pressure on the Council and themedia are not necessary. If you rely on the media then you are relying on vested interests. My post was countering your assertion that we were only putting out a press release because of the impending election.Your assertion was like a red rag to a bull but I have waited because of it. My election result may have been pathetic but at least I have 796 people who put their trust in me to represent their views without there being a cat's chance in hell of me winning a first past the postelection. And give the Christians their due they also have over 800 people who had the courage to stand up for their convictions. I accept and agree with you about our failure to build up a grassroots base when we had a paid MSP. Maybe the next time will be different! However, we do need to be careful that public resources are not used to further the interests of a political party such as has happened all too often in the past.The election has really illustrated what a rubbish system we have forelecting our representatives to Westminster. The Scottish result was exactly identical to the result in 2005. The same numbers for all thefailed parties, same seats, same patter, how boring. Middle England does it again!!! What a lot if wasted votes in this constituency!! Danny Alexander was always going to win and the extra 8,000 votes he got weren't needed (8,000 wasted). The Tories, Labour and SNP had no chance anyway and they had other seats to hold. (another 32,000 voteswasted).The voters for the small parties actually didn't waste their votes as they were able to make a statement worthy of comment. This is exemplified by yourself when you congratulated the christians for beating the Greens.

By the way, the Gurn is Great.

Donnie Macleod (Not at Westminster, thankfully)'

Thanks for that Donnie, we'll put the other information you sent up soon plus we'll go back and put that comment from Isla in the headlines too. Gurn advice is to start a blog and just go for it. We could put it in the sidebar with the rest of the local blogs (Ardersier is almost Nairnshire lol and the local paper does claim you). You can see from the facebook groups linked in the sidebar too how this community is willing to engage in politics, by looking out for each other and speaking out. I'm sure your input would be welcome by most.

I remember the days when we got a Green candidate elected to the HC in Nairn, his performance was mirrored by a good performance by I think it was eight other candidates in the Highlands. The apple-cart was upset that time round for sure. It was a shame Eleanor didn't kick over a couple of tables but well there you go. Que sera, sera.

Hope you do better than the Christians next time.

We note also that another consituency candidate has responded on his blog to comments concerning Nairn. Here's what Mike Robb has to say about Liz's dismissal and the Pool issue.

Donnie MacLeod (Green Candidate) writes to the Gurn on A96 corridor issues and Nairn Swimming Pool

Hi Gurn from Nurn,

I have just found your website after someone told me about it and I think it is great. However, I have to take issue with you about your comment that it is good to see the Highland Greens eventually coming out objecting to the proposed developments. It is not my fault that the media often choose to ignore the vast amount of work that we, as simply volunteers rather than the paid representatives, carry out on behalf of the Highland people. With regard to the A96, the Greens have been at the forefront of the battle and if you look at the archive section of the Highland and Islands branch of the Scottish Greens you will find details of a meeting for Community councils arranged by us to 'consider the fundamental case against developing the A96 corridor. The date is 7th May 2009 and the heading is 'HOLD YOUR COUNCILLORS TO ACCOUNT - URGE THE GREENS'.
Then you can also find on the 17th November 2009 the article entitled
---- ' HIGHLAND GREENS CHALLENGE THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL'S FUNDAMENTAL
CASE FOR DEVELOPING THE A96 CORRIDOR BETWEEN INVERNESS AND NAIRN'.
It is easy for the supposed paid representatives with time on their hands to swan around for photocalls where someone else is doing the work but rest assured the green movement is alive and kicking. I notice that there has been some comment about my position on the
proposed cutting of the local swimming pool. I will do all in my power to resist the closure of any swimming pool across the Highlands whether elected or not. We always do a lot of work on establishment consultations and you can see on our website our response to this proposals from the Lib-dem led council dated 28th March denouncing the Council's budget cuts consultation as a 'charade'. We condemn the 'proposal to axe soft services including facilities the community relies on like schools, libraries, and SWIMMING POOLS ------ whilst the budget for new roads is virtually untouched. Sorry for the gurn from urdersur but as you can see the ongoing activity is not simply because an election is pending as has been suggested on your site. Now I better go back to the lambing. The sheep need me!

Donnie Macleod