70 year old veteran Scottish independence supporter Winnie Ewing, European Scottish MP wants to be speaker of the new Scottish parliament.

Although this scares some of the more moderate nationalists as she is perceived as being TOO direct in her goal of independence, but unlike Labours sleaze bag Tony Balir, Alex Salmond SNP leader says anyone can stand, he said : "It's a free vote. We won't be whipping it;I certainly don't agree that the post of presiding officer should be bartered as part of coalition negotiations. That would fly in the face of what that post is all about. All the candidates mentioned are strong contenders."

A pity Blair doesn't believe in this fundamental freedom isn't it?