Edinburgh's Education

Marilyne has met Fiona (two girls together, cosy kind of ring to that, don't you think) and what do you know? 'There's just nothing we can do...no money to upgrade the schools. Oh dearie me!' (wringing of hands and worried looks...)

What is Edinburgh's Education boss thinking? She should be demanding the Minister finds the money. That's her job...to stick up for Edinburgh's Education not play her bit part in some immature, naive labour bashing charade...just as it's the Minister's job to wrench money from the cabinet for her service. They're not a pair of wee lassies: they're powerful politicians who should be punching their weight.

And Cllr Maclaren had an open goal to kick at: wasn't it the SNP partners in the Coalition who pulled the rug from beneath her feet on her school rationalisation programme? A bit of political blackmail and rubbing noses in it might have embarassed the Minister just enough to keep the door ajar for more talks. Meanwhile we have all our biggest, most prestigious schools in an unholy mess and no obvious way to sort it. Cllr Maclaren is not daft, not by a long shot, but she has consistently misplayed her hand.

She owes no loyalty to the local SNP...she should have used their treachery to embarass their Holyrood masters...at least she might have won something for Edinburgh. She needs to remember her pact isn't with Salmond inc. Her pact is with the people of Edinburgh. So far, she's let us all down badly.