Labour Day

Despite trying, it was too late for the carnations - but Gilleasbuig MacMillan, minister of the High Kirk, reminded us in opening prayers, today was Labour Day...as ever, his contribution was measured...which was the last measured thing I heard ...the rest was excruciating.

The Liberal front bench spokespeople begin to show the assurance of well briefed politicians but it is clear tensions exist between the Management Team and political executive. Today there are at least 2 small minded... spiteful even... amendments where the Coalition choose to delete positive commentary on officers' performance from the record and then speak disparagingly - knowing their words will not make the official minutes - about the officers.

It seems there is a lingering mistrust about the officers' agenda...a year on, you would imagine this should be resolved already; that it isn't means the Coalition trusts nobody, not even themselves. And if there is an Iago at work, accomplished at playing two ends against the middle with well judged gossip designed to foster suspicion while strengthening his own position, then this mistrust will simply grow.

I knew only one other politican who was so insecure he was suspicious of everybody to the point he saw enemies everywhere. It, along with his willingness to listen and believe malicious gossip, did for him in the end.