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Alex won't let the train take strain



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Published Date: 28 August 2008
ALEX SALMOND has made just two journeys by train since becoming First Minister – and one of them was in America.
A parliamentary answer from Finance Secretary John Swinney revealed Mr Salmond travelled by rail from Washington to New York on April 3.

But his only other train trip was from Edinburgh to Inverurie on April 25.

Lothians Labour MSP George Foulkes, who has been pursuing Mr Salmond over his travel habits, said he was "astonished" at the information.

He said: "Having gone by taxi when he was an ordinary MSP and by car and plane after he became First Minister, it now turns out one of his only two train journeys was in the United States."

In June the Evening News revealed Mr Salmond took both a chauffeur-driven car and a plane to Manchester when he went to watch Rangers in the UEFA Cup Final. He flew down after business in the parliament, but had already sent a limo ahead to pick up the tickets and drive him back.

Mr Foulkes said: "We are constantly being urged to use public transport, but the First Minister is not setting a good example. He probably has one of the biggest carbon footprints in Scotland."





The full article contains 210 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 28 August 2008 10:46 AM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Scottish National Party
 
1

St pauli,

28/08/2008 12:44:35
"He probably has one of the biggest carbon footprints in Scotland."

…especially with all the curry he eats!
2

JT,

28/08/2008 13:23:45
Why the fuss, we know politcians dont live in the real world!
3

Allan(handofgod137),

28/08/2008 13:29:54
Would that be becaus he wishes to remain divorced from reality, and not run the risk of meeting real people?
4

subrosa,

28/08/2008 13:35:11
Auch Scotsman, stop the recycling of non stories. Isn't it time you investigated how often Lord (make it a double) Fookes uses public transport. Might be worth it if you checked out the cost of travel by rail and using a car too while you're at it.

Alex Salmon lives in the country and nowhere near a rail station. He'd have to use a car to get from Inverurie station to his home.

Let's face it, Alex Salmond's one of the most 'user friendly' politicians around and I think that sticks in the craw of Lord Fookes and the Scotsman.
5

cuckoo's nest,

Fife 28/08/2008 13:37:07
A few years ago I saw Alex Salmond on the regular train I got home from Edinburgh to Fife.

He was not sitting in first class, he was not even sitting! He was standing in the space by the doors!

He could not have got any closer to the people!

This is just the sort of comment you would expect from George (hic) Foulkes!
6

Tynietiger,

28/08/2008 14:02:51
Foulkes is a complete waste of taxpayers money with these stupid questions particularly as he flies up and down to London on a weekly basis.

And FROM SUNDAY HERALD 27 April 2008-04-27

A SENIOR Labour peer has been criticised after he claimed nearly £45,000 in overnight expenses to stay in a property he inherited from his late mother.
George Foulkes, who is also an MSP, billed the public to stay in a London flat registered as his company's address.
His claims were made over a two-year period in which he bought almost £600,000 of property without a mortgage and made £400,000 on another home. His London abode also appears to be the business address for his work as a director and political consultant with Carrick Court Associates, which makes £50,000 per year.
7

,

28/08/2008 14:19:19
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
8

John Knox furr First Meenister,

High St, Embra 28/08/2008 14:42:02
True story. I was at Uni with Alex and used to drive him about in my van! It was a Morris Minivan 998 cc and it was 1974-76. He was a skinny wee whippet then. Never calculated the carbon footprint mind. He might not jump in so easily now, but at least he'd get his belt fastened unlike Foulkes, the fat old porker.
9

Arrow,

edinburgh 28/08/2008 14:54:04
i wonder how often J McConnell and hte rest of the crew used public transport. you could count on the fingers of a badly mutilated hand the number of times the great and the good at Holyrood are on the bus.

it is so clear that when teeth grew in the mouth of Lord Foulkes it ruined a perfecty good and functioning a**ehole. at least that is what the late Wallace M used to say
10

,

28/08/2008 16:09:19
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
11

archie12,

28/08/2008 18:51:22
When Holyrood first opened there was a (free) bus provided to get them from Waverley Station to Holyrood (as if they couldn't have walked!) but it was dropped quickly because none of them used the bus ........ because none of them took the train! Now if I'd only bought that taxi plate when I had the chance.....
Stiil, no doubt Alec will use the tram since he has so much faith and so much of our money to put into it rather than investing in the rail system and co-ordinated transportsnorth of Edinburgh. Says it all really.
12

Team Scotland,

FC UK No! 28/08/2008 21:04:15
It is all very well to have a go at George Foulkes but he has insight gained from many years experience. I was reminded of this this morning as I was boarding a train for work. The blue livery had been vandalised by graffiti ‘artists’. As I entered I noticed by the door that the white spray paint had formed an accidental saltire. I was instantly overtaken by an urge to invade England.
13

Ian down under,

Kawerau 28/08/2008 21:34:40
Considering he supposedly represents a constituency in the North East and the trains are run by First Group from Aberdeen you'd think he'd be a bit more loyal to a Scottish business. Perhaps we could see if they could install a lexus cabin for him.
14

danbob,

28/08/2008 21:43:26
George Foulkes should go and seek the views of Tom Harris, the dishonrable member for Glasgow south with regard to train travel. He has a very strange view of it considering he is a transport minister. Mr Harris told a representative group from the RMT who were on a invited tour of Westminster to stop complaining when questioned about worst great westerns plan to chop the buffet car from their trains between Cornwall and London. Mr Harris thinks that if passengers want a cup of tea on a 300 mile seven hour journey then they should bring a thermos flask. He also said we should all be pleased about overcrowding because it proves the railways are sucessfull according to Mr Harris. Of course this didn't stop him using the train at the time he made these remarks to go canvassing in the Crewe by-election. He liked the first class travel at a cool £200 pound plus fare, paid for by us mugs of course. The reason he went by train? He likes the breakfasts.
15

Brian S,

Edinburgh 29/08/2008 00:26:46
So how many times had Gordon taken the train since becoming Prime Minister?
16

Alan Reid,

NZ 29/08/2008 03:44:27
George Foulkes is a waste of a skin!

 

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