Bug fan MSPs side with invertebrates

SOME of our less able MSPs may at times resemble early pond life, but it’s odd to see so many allying themselves to rare insects and other creepy-crawlies at the behest of Buglife, the Invertebrate Conservation Trust. Stirling Nationalist Bruce Crawford is now the slow worm’s Species Champion, while Labour list MSP David Stewart is backing the great yellow bumblebee. Falkirk East Nationalist Angus MacDonald chose the bog sun jumper spider, pictured, which can jump great distances. Could he be plotting a fresh leap to independence? AN event hosted by Ipsos Mori and attended by Scotland’s blethering classes saw politicians, academics and journalists being asked if Scotland would have more influence as part of the UK or EU. By a three to one majority they felt that Scotland would have more clout in Europe – only to be reminded by pollster Mark Diffley that the Scottish population believed the opposite, by 55 per cent to 45. ‘You’re completely out of touch,’ he said.