Alan Cochrane

1 week ago | telegraph.co.uk | Alan Cochrane

That battle back then between Labour and the SNP was dogged by angry sectarian overtones in a constituency which was split between Catholic and Protestant voters, with the latter accusing Catholic councillors of favouring their co-religionists in council spending. Relations between the candidates got so bad that Labour and the SNP traded sectarian insults in a campaign that culminated in Labour's victory with a 1,640 majority - compared to John Smith's winning lead of 15,712.

1 week ago | telegraph.co.uk | Alan Cochrane

Labour colleagues of Mr Sarwar, as well as John Swinney, Scotland's First Minister and SNP leader, claimed Reform had introduced a sectarian element into the contest, one in which both Reform UK and Scottish Labour hope to win. But in what his supporters may well describe as a competent and professionally delivered press conference the overall image was damaged by what looked like a stupid error by Reform - especially one so close to a crucial by-election that it has high hopes of winning.

2 weeks ago | telegraph.co.uk | Alan Cochrane

3 weeks ago | telegraph.co.uk | Alan Cochrane

There is also a nightmare scenario, which Labour stalwarts fear to discuss, of Reform winning the seat - that party's biggest and most significant victory in Scotland. It may seem like a long shot, but pollsters are pointing out that Reform is taking votes off both the Tories and Labour - 42 per cent from the Scottish Tories and about 18 per cent from Labour.

3 weeks ago | telegraph.co.uk | Alan Cochrane

There have been any number of tallies of the amount thrown away with the latest being only a pound or so short of one billion pounds. Half of that comes from the £500 million spent on the repair bill in keeping the CalMac ferry fleet at sea while the other £500 million is the new estimate for the latest ferry's completion - eight years late, from its Clyde shipyard. Well actually it's only £460 million, but what's £40 million amongst friends?