I'm told a number of Labour MSPs were out campaigning in Glasgow North East at 5pm when colleagues were pressing their vote buttons at Holyrood.
They included Andy Kerr and Hugh Henry, who raised serious concerns about the SNP plans when he spoke during the debate earlier in the day.
It suggests to me that Labour are a long way from reaching a united position on this.
For those of you who have been following the booze price debate here's a report of Thursday's goings-on which did not make some editions of today's paper...
]]>CONTROVERSIAL SNP plans to fix a minimum price for alcohol were thrown a lifeline last night - by Labour MSPs.]]>Labour refused to back or reject the plans as MSPs voted at Holyrood.
The move spared the SNP government a defeat which, while not binding on ministers, would have fatally undermined their flagship health policy.
It followed a Tory bid to kill off minimum booze pricing before the government have even published their Alcohol Bill.
They were joined by the Lib Dems in calling for the plans to be scrapped.
But with Labour sitting on the fence, the Holyrood vote ended in stalemate.
And the chances of minimum pricing becoming law remained uncertain, with ministers still needing to win Labour's support if they are to push the plans through the parliament.
Last night the Lib Dems warned speculation about plans would now continue and "distract" from more effective ways of tackling Scotland's heavy drinking culture.
Justice spokesman Robert Brown added: "Labour need to make up their minds about minimum pricing.
"Today's vote could have sent a decisive message to the Scottish government that minimum pricing was dead in the water, but Labour bottled it."
But the Scots Tories insisted the plan was "all but dead".
Deputy leader Murdo Fraser said: "The Labour leadership needs to come off the fence and tell us where it stands but it is clear now more than ever that the SNP are very unlikely to get parliamentary support for their proposals.
"The SNP's preferred approach of blanket minimum pricing is all but dead.
"Now is the time for the SNP to drop their policy of minimum pricing which is probably illegal, penalises responsible drinkers and will cause immense damage to the Scotch whisky industry."
During the debate Labour's new health spokeswoman, Jackie Baillie, said the party had not "closed down" any options.
She told MSPs: "I want to listen to the views of those with expertise on the matter. This is a serious issue that deserves thoughtful consideration and I intend to do it justice."
However, some Labour MSPs voiced concern.
Former minister Hugh Henry said dearer prices in Scotland would "create the opportunity for booze runs to Carlisle".
And he warned it might lead to gangsters selling drink from the back of a van along with drugs and bootleg tobacco.
The government will publish detailed plans for a legal minimum booze price - expected to be 40p per unit - in a Bill later this month.
At that price it would raise the cost of cheap cider and some supermarket own-brand spirits but not alcopops or drinks such as Buckfast which already sell for more than 40p per unit.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon admitted there were "challenges to be overcome" for a minimum price for alcohol to be introduced.
But she said the plan would save £1billion over 10 years in costs to the health service, police, courts and businesses.
She told MSPs: "Our proposals are backed by a powerful coalition of opinion in Scotland - backed by doctors, backed by nurses, backed by the the police, the Chief Medical Officer, and backed by the licensed trade association."
SNP Glasgow North East candidate David Kerr obviously thinks so, as viewers of STV's lively Politics Now hustings show will know.
I was at STV studios last night to watch the programme being recorded with a gaggle of spin doctors and fellow hacks and we choked on our biscuits and juice when Kerr sent his £2 coin flying in the direction of Labour's Willie Bain.
So much so that none of us had a clue what question he had just asked.
No-one was more surprised than SNP press officer Liz Lloyd.
She'd suggested he hold up the coin (to make a point about spending on schools, as it turned out) but was taken aback to see it spinning across the studio.
All ended happily for Kerr, though, when the credits rolled.
As the candidates unclipped their microphones and Bernard Ponsonby mopped thick layers of foundation from his brow, the SNP man sidled across the studio to retrieve his £2.
At least the stunt got the show off to good start.
And producer Stephen Townsend's highly effective format - in which candidates cross-examine each other - ensured the sparring continued.
No killer blows - but Labour were aggrieved by one low blow from the SNP.
Kerr again claimed that Labour-run Glasgow City Council are cutting the education budget by £7million.
It's not true, as I've blogged before.
The figure does appear in an out-of-date set of Scottish government statistics.
But the government accept it is out of date and they do not dispute the accurate figure, which shows a £1.2million increase in the city's education budget. The SNP know all this but pretend they don't, which is startlingly dishonest.
]]>Well, it's not actually a debate on the plan - minister's will unveil details of their Bill later this month - but the principle, at least, will be discussed.
It's a Tory-called debate and, on the face of it, looks like a bid to put Nicola Sturgeon on the spot by a party firmly opposed to the idea.
However, Annabel Goldie is just as keen to make life uncomfortable for Labour.
Labour, remember, are split on the issue. Some Labour MSPs believe minimum pricing would make an effective contribution towards tackling binge drinking and the violence and health problems that go with it.
Others say it won't work. They cite evidence that heavy drinkers will not change their habits and point out that alcopops and drinks such as Buckfast, linked with anti-social behaviour, would not go up in price as they already sell for more than the suggested 40p per unit minimum price.
Former health spokeswoman Cathy Jamieson maintained that Labour would consider 'sensible suggestions' to tackle alcohol abuse and refused to rule out her party's support for minimum pricing.
But there is speculation at Holyrood that Labour's new health spokeswoman, Jackie Baillie, will be keener to oppose the SNP government, especially after the European Court ruled against minimum pricing for tobacco, arguing it was anti-competitive.
Sturgeon, keen to build consensus on the policy, wants an early meeting with her new shadow (after 'quite a number of good discussions' with Cathy Jamieson, the FM's chief spin doctor said today, rather pointedly) but none has been arranged.
A sign of Labour finally cooling on minimum pricing? Too soon to say.
Labour are not about to declare their hand. They will stick to their line that the SNP government need to produce more evidence and reveal their legal advice.
In terms of the Bill, they have plenty of time to decide. But sitting on the fence might cause them some temporary embarrassment on Thursday.
]]>Holocaust denier, chum of the Ku Klux Klan, rabid Islamophobe - it all came out to angry jeers from the studio audience.
And Griffin's response? "Outrageous lies," he bleated. "I've been misquoted. I'm demonised."
He even said - and this bit of wriggling raised the biggest laugh - "I do not have a conviction for holocaust denial."
Before the show Griffin boasted his appearance would catapult the BNP into the political "big time".
But as the debate wore on and Griffin's vile views were greeted with louder jeers, his bravura melted. He began to twitch.
There were fears he'd get an easy ride. But Jack Straw couldn't hide his anger. And David Dimbley proved an understated assassin.
"I don't want this whole programme to be about the BNP," the presenter said, suppressing a smile, before asking an innocent sounding question about Boyzone star Stephen Gateley.
It served only to stir Griffin's hatred of "militant" gays.
With his prejudices exposed to public view he tried one last time to be reasonable by offering a "truce" with Islam. But by then he had well and truly wrecked any hopes he had of political respectability.
Griffin left Television Centre to crawl back under his stone.
Polished but not a barnstormer. Biggest cheers came when he opposed Trident replacement, naturally, and praised Kenny MacAskill. Salmond compared MacAskill to Ghandi over his decision to release the Lockerbie bomber - putting 'mercy before retribution'. Richard Baker's press release is already out.
Salmond aimed repeated attacks on 'comedy routine' Labour, comparing SNP action in government with eight wasted years under previous 'peely wally Executive' and warning that Labour cuts would be 'just the same' as Tory cuts.
Again said the SNP's jobs is to protect Scotland from cuts. Still no explanation, of course, as to why Scotland should immune from cuts which are the result of efforts to save the economy - efforts which were supported at Westminster by the SNP.
Salmond suggests axing Trident to save cash. But the £100billion saving he claims would follow is higher than usually quoted and sidesteps the fact the savings would take decades to be realised.
He had an early dig at Labour, Tory and Lib Dem referendum-deniers, saying they would 'not survive as a political force in Scotland' if Scots were refused a say on independence.
Defended his government's record on knife crime in a bid to counter growing 'soft on crime' claims from the Tories and Labour.
Claimed the government have achieved 63 out of 94 headline commitments. It's a laughably meaningless boast as the SNP still refuse to say what their '94 headline commitments' actually are.
Spoke of the moral importance of sharing wealth, then talked up the small business bonus scheme and council tax freeze, two polices have been criticised for helping the better off.
No mention of class sizes (or Fiona Hyslop, though cabinet colleagues MacAskill, Nicola Sturgeon and Richard Lochead were name-checked). Claims though that more kids are being taught in upgraded classrooms.
As for announcements, not much. £7.5million to put defibrillators in ambulances. Followed by a dismissive reference to GARL - 'Let Labour campaign for an airlink, we choose Scotland's NHS'.
'Scotland has got what it takes for independence,' was the pay-off. Cue standing ovation.
Actually, the hall was so packed - 1000 plus - that some folk were standing throughout.
And that says it all really. The Nats have announced little this week but avoided errors, while supporters remain massively upbeat. Salmond will feel his 'great project' is very much on track.
]]>He strongly defended his decision to release the Lockerbie bomber, claiming 'many' Labour MPs and MSPs privately agreed with him.
Also announced £90,000 for new police metal detectors to cut knife crime - but was unapologetic (and even joked) about his controversial trip to Canada earlier this year when many felt he should have attended a knife crime summit.
John Swinney was 17 pages into a dry conference speech before he raised a cheer, over Trident, naturally.
Elsewhere, Labour had a field day with the 'arc of recovery', Stuart Hosie's recession-busting version of the 'arc of prosperity'. 'Arc of delusion' was how one Scotland Office staffer put it.
And this well-attended, upbeat and super-disciplined conference threatened to get interesting briefly when SNP policy on euro membership (it would be put to the people in a referendum following independence) was challenged by MEP Alyn Smith, who wants automatic entry into the single currency. His motion was rejected, though.
Most important news of the conference so far: blogging MSP Anne McLaughlin won 'Nat Factor', the X-Factor-style karaoke contest at the Ramada hotel last night.
Salmond's big speech coming up at 3pm.
]]>Quick catch-up from yesterday...
Salmond again spoke of his hopes of hung parliament after the next general election with a bloc of at least 20 SNP MPs holding the balance of power.
]]> It's a simple and superficially attractive message but how credible is it? There are problems:First, 20 seats is a big ask, up from seven now.
Second, polls suggest Cameron is on course for a healthy majority.
Third, a poll earlier this week showed just 17 per cent of people believe there will be a hung parliament, so who's buying Salmond's scenario?
Fourth, it opens the SNP to accusations that they are ready to prop up a Tory government.
Any other business?
Fiona Hyslop sounded an apologetic note on the SNP's broken promise to cut class sizes to 18 in the first three years of primary school, while blaming the recession for the first time.
'We all expected - and believed - that faster progress would be possible,' she told delegates.
Jargon-watchers loved this: science, technology, engineering and maths are now called 'STEM' subjects, apparently.
And how about this bit of education gobbledegook? The SNP government will teach kids 'to harness knowledge yet to be discovered'. Mmm.
Finally, we can expect a rush to the school curriculum website once the history teaching material is posted at the end of the month. If free school trips to Bannockburn present a 'biased' view of Scotland's past, as the Tories claimed, we can probably expect similar criticism.
As for today, delegates have keynote speeches from John Swinney and Kenny MacAskill to look forward to, a webcast from Alex Salmond, and a debate on whether an independent Scotland should join the euro.
Meanhwile, David Cameron hits the Glasgow North East by-election campaign with a visit to a bakery at the mouth-wateringly titled M8 Food Park.
No doubt someone will hand him a Scotch pie. Or 'mutton en croute' as he'd call it.
]]>He predicted victory in Fife last year only for the SNP to lose to Labour.
His tone today was very different: "We can win" - but we are the underdogs and no predictions, thanks.
He'll also be making fewer personal campaign visits than he did in the Glasgow East and Glenrothes by-elections.
More humility? Or a safeguard against associating himself with another lost campaign?
In fact the SNP look well placed (though Labour remain favourites to take the seat).
They are not short of funds (they are paying a private courier firm to deliver leaflets) and candidate David Kerr, the former BBC Scotland reporter, was impressive at today's launch.
Labour's Willie Bain is not predicting anything either, by the way, apart from a "close" fight.
]]>He predicted victory in Fife last year only for the SNP to lose to Labour.
His tone today was very different: "We can win" - but we are the underdogs and no predictions, thanks.
He'll also be making fewer personal campaign visits than he did in the Glasgow East and Glenrothes by-elections.
More humility? Or a safeguard against associating himself with another lost campaign?
In fact the SNP look well placed (though Labour remain favourites to take the seat).
They are not short of funds (they are paying a private courier firm to deliver leaflets) and candidate David Kerr, the former BBC Scotland reporter, was impressive at today's launch.
Labour's Willie Bain is not predicting anything either, by the way, apart from a "close" fight.
]]>His press conference was at the Petershill leisure centre in the constituency.
It boasts great football facilities - plus a pint of Best for £2.20 and lasagne and chips for £2.50.
Sheridan opted for the football.
On his way out he was asked by a gang of lads to make up the numbers in a game of fives, as they were a player short.
So Sheridan rushed to his car to get his kit.
That's nine votes in the bag...
Earlier Sheridan urged voters to give him "short term contract" as their MP.
It was a reference to the next general election and not his looming perjury trial, about which he says he's very confident.
]]>"A huge asset to this administration," is how communities minister Alex Neil described the signing.
Maj Gen McDowall, the former head of the Army in Scotland, has stressed he will be a government adviser but is not joining the SNP.
Perhaps that's because he contacted a senior Labour politician a few weeks ago to enquire about a possible future in Scottish politics.
Sources believe he may even have been interested in standing for Labour in an election at some point.
The advice he received was not to rush into politics immediately after leaving the Army.
For now, though, it is not clear whether Labour missed a trick.
]]>In Scotland, Dave merits a couple of paragraphs on P1, under the headline: "Cam: I'll save UK."
Coverage continues on P8/P9, with the headline: "Power to the People."
The Scottish Sun's leader column repeats the paper's fence-sitting editorial line north of the border - "We're yet to be convinced about his commitment to Scotland..."
No doubts about Dave south of the border, though.
]]> The Sun splashes: "Cam can have a go 'cos we think he's hard enough."Their story praises the "tough talking Tory leader," and says "he has the strength to get battered Britain back on his feet as he makes a power-packed speech..."
Their coverage is spread over P4/P5/P6.
The main headline is the far more positive: "Primed Minister".
And the full-length leader column is glowing.
It says Cameron "swept aside any last doubts about his capacity to lead this nation" and concludes the conference speech "fully justified The Sun's decision last week to back David Cameron as Britain's next Prime Minister."
Not sentiments that would find much sympathy in Scotland.
In the Glasgow North East by-election next month The Sun are backing Glasgow airport hero (and Sun columnist) John Smeaton, whose campaign is being funded by former Tory bigwig Sir Paul Judge's oddball Jury Team group.
Maybe they are hoping to clone Smeato in time for the next general election so he can stand in every Scottish seat.
But even that would not hide where The Sun's true support lies.
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