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Wards 11 and 12 – spoilt for choice?

Dear Spurtle,

I note that the two areas with the most candidates for the upcoming Local Government Election are Wards 11 (City Centre, 13) and 12 (Leith Walk, 12). What does this say about these two polities?

It has been suggested that the number of candidates reflects the politically sensitising effect of active and well-run community councils, the number and seriousness of issues facing constituents, and a hyperlocal press alerting voters to where these problems are being discussed.

As a local resident, I sincerely hope that this will also translate into a record turnout, electing high-quality, active, independent-minded, locally focused and constructive councillors. And that the political parties have done a better job than they did in 2017 in weeding out unproductive, aggressive, sinecure-seeking candidates before they get onto the ballot paper.

Harald Tobermann

Pilrig Street

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EXPERT PROBES LEGAL ANOMALY

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COULD FAG END OF FEUDALISM BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO AULD ALLIANCES?

When the United Kingdom exited the European Union on 31 January 2020, many Scots who had voted in the Referendum to remain thought the advantages of EU membership had gone forever.

Now, however, new scholarship suggests the truth for a very few Edinburgh residents may be more nuanced.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS – FULL LIST OF LOCAL CANDIDATES

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Edinburgh Council has published the final list of candidates standing in the Local Government Elections on 5 May.

For Spurtleshire, they are as follows.

 

Ward 5 - Inverleith

Scottish Green Party - BANDEL, Jule

Scottish Conservative and Unionist - HERRING, Stuart

Scottish Family Party: Pro-Family, Pro-Marriage, Pro-Life - HOLDEN, Phil

Scottish Libertarian Party - LAIRD, Tam

Independent - MCNAMARA, Stephen

Scottish Conservative and Unionist - MITCHELL, Max

ISSUE 316 — OUT TOMORROW!

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As you read this, advance copies of the April Spurtle are already drifting across Broughton like spring snowflakes on a northerly wind. Brace yourself.

Issue 316 begins with an icy editorial blast. It continues with news of a 6-month freeze, a much loved unlovely structure left out in the cold, and a frosty response to calls for consultation. Politicians beware – the hustings are coming.

TRAM RETURNS TO BROUGHTON

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On Thursday last week, a tram reached York Place for the first time since 10 February – but just to test the newly reconfigured track.

Accompanied by dozens of tram contractors, the tram took the better part of an hour to inch its way from halfway along York Place to the current end of the tram line: a large planter at the top of Broughton Street. At points along the way, contractors measured the distances from the overhead line poles and the central reservation to crucial parts of the tram.

ODD BLOTCHES GIVE CONCERN

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Spot of bother for the St James Quarter

Is the St James Quarter starting to rust?

Rather surprisingly, the answer may be yes. At least parts of it, if one local’s misgivings prove correct.

Antony Jack lives close to the Quarter’s St James Square, and has been a long-suffering observer of its progress over the years.

In recent weeks, since colder weather has set in, Jack has noticed the appearance of these reddish-brown spots on the steps of the Grand Stair.

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