Douglas Ross’s election Marred

I WAS interested in Brian Taylor’s local election analysis (“Labour up, Tories down but Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP remains firmly in first place”, The Herald, May 7) and the reference to Claverhouse’s comments. Running up to the 1715 rising there was a character, the Earl of Mar, who was nicknamed Bobbin John. The reason was that he had a propensity to change his mind, politically, and was sacked by the King for his pains. He was named in the folk song Cam Ye Ower Frae France.

It would appear that he has been reincarnated in the person of Douglas Ross, but whether he will enjoy the notoriety of a folk song remains to be seen.

Ronald H Oliver, Elie.