Yesterday's prize went, nevertheless, to Colin Fox of the Scottish Socialists. There, we've said it: the hopeless Utopians were on the money. Fox knew, as the world knows, that Jack has a problem with nuclear power so tricky you could use it in a magic act. The Socialist also knew any possible straight answer Jack might give would land the executive in super-heated water.
Nukes or not? The London government is increasingly keen on the building of new stations. Jack's Liberal Democrat partners are not. The first minister's line is that nothing will be decided until the issue of radioactive waste is "resolved". That defence is close to meltdown.
As Fox pointed out, Tony Blair is ready to go nuclear. Others believe boffins cannot "resolve" the waste issue. So where does that leave the first minister? "Will he today take the opportunity," asked Fox, "to come out categorically against more nuclear power stations in Scotland?"
No fear. Jack wanted us to understand there were two sides to this tricky argument, energy needs versus waste. Perhaps so, but Fox was more interested in political nuclear reactions.
"What assurances can the first minister give this parliament that his view and not that of the British prime minister will hold sway in this parliament?"
Jack's answer, in full: "The decision on whether or not a new nuclear power station would (sic) be built in Scotland will be made by this devolved government. We have the responsibilities. We will take them seriously. But we will make the decision and no-one else".
Problem solved? Don't be daft.
The Herald
