LABOUR HOLD EDINBURGH NORTH AND LEITH
Labour have retained the Edinburgh North and Leith constituency with an increased share of the vote but a smaller majority over their nearest rivals.
The Liberal-Democrats pushed them extremely close, recording the largest percentage surge of any party.
The Conservatives came third with a smaller share of the vote than in 2005. With an overall reduction in support compared to the last election, their vote also showed the largest percentage decrease of any party.
ASSISTED SUICIDE BILL – TIME TO COMMENT
Independent Lothians MSP Margo Macdonald is campaigning for assisted suicide to be made legal in Scotland.
She advocates the Netherlands system, where registered doctors with a long-standing connection to a terminally ill patient can hasten that patient's painless end.
Whilst popular in principle with many ordinary people across Scotland, Macdonald's End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill is not without critics, some even among those ethicists and medical professionals one might expect to be in favour.
We all have until 12 May to comment.
HELP FIND COCO
Coco is a a 4-year-old Maine Coon cat who went missing from Drummond Place on 28 April 2010.
She is neutered and microchipped, and was wearing a red collar.
Please check your sheds and garages as she may have become trapped; and contact 0131 557 1704 if you have any news.
A reward will be paid for information leading to her recovery.
ELECTION BREATHER ADVISORY
It's all very important, of course, but you can overdo it.
Spurtle recommends those who've voted to take a break from the election coverage and a walk in Pilrig or St Mark's Park.
A cold and protracted winter is apparently responsible for the exceptional display of ornamental cherry blossom this year. Enjoy it while it lasts!
NEIGHBOURS OF PRIVATELY RENTED ACCOMMODATION – GUIDANCE
Seventeen per cent of private accommodation in Scotland is let out, so when there's a problem the neighbours need to know whom to contact and how to proceed.
Judith Dunn of the Scottish Association of Landlords spoke to the New Town and Broughton Community Council on 3 May. The Association's sheet giving brief guidance and resources is now on our 'Extras' page (5.5.10).
These and other useful contacts are collated under 'Neighbours/Landlords/Tenants' in Spurte's online 'Directory'.
POINTLESS ENIGMA
In March 2008 (Issue 156) we reported on removal of the Mansfield Place pole-tergeist which had been troubling Audrey Mussett on Mansfield Place.
Now, it appears to have remanifested – menacing and inexplicable as ever – on Broughton Point.
Spurtle has contacted Road Services asking for help.
CEC'S RUBBISH PLAN IS 'COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE'
City of Edinburgh Council has withdrawn the one, free special-uplift per household per year. Since April, this service has cost at least £19.99.
While understanding the budgetary pressures faced by CEC, Blandfield resident Mark Sheffield thinks the latest saving will prove 'counter-productive', and is writing to councillors to voice his objections.
MACINTYRE EMERGES FROM THE SHADOWS
With one day to go until the General Election, information is finally emerging about the background and beliefs of Cameron MacIntyre, the low-profile Independent candidate for Edinburgh North and Leith.
An email link [www.cameronmacintyre2010.org] sent anonymously to Spurtle yesterday confirms some of what we'd already unearthed, but without verifiable confirmation from Mr MacIntyre himself we are reluctant to vouch for its authenticity.
IN FOR THE LONG HAUL
These devoted fans – photographed approaching the top of Leith Street – caught our fancy. Scorning warm clothes, they were on their way to Murrayfield Stadium, and Rugby League's climactic 'super-weekend'.
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SIC TRANSIT GLORIA
This ramshackle structure at the end of Bellevue Rd is facing its final curtain.
Work began today on taking down the roof and upper storey of the B-listed Victorian building, which has sat empty, overgrown, and increasingly derelict in recent years.