Who’s pulling Tories’ strings?

AFTER two stints as interim leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Jackson Carlaw finally got the top job full-time last week. Fortunately, the new puppet-master has plenty of experience pulling the strings. The ever-theatrical MSP once told how he used to put on a Christmas puppet show ‘with 68 stringed marionettes’ for primary schools and playgroups. Sounds like more Punch and Judy politics is on the way.

ON the topic of theatrics, Mr Carlaw insists all politicians are ‘frustrated actors’ – and in the case of rising SNP star Ellie Bird, he may have a point. The Edinburgh councillor was not always destined for politics and had first hoped to be an actor after starring, aged five, as a ‘mad monkey’ in a primary school show about a circus. She must be destined for Holyrood – it’s always a circus.

GIVEN Edinburgh councillor Derek Howie named his guide dog Gucci, one would be forgiven for expecting only high-class behaviour from his helpful companion. Not so, it seems. Asked about the worst thing the animal had ever done, he replied: ‘Made a poop in the City Chambers.’ Still, it’s not the first stink to come out of City of Edinburgh Council. Let’s hope he does not start a trend.