Drumlanrig: 6th March 2011

SPEECHLESS OVER MILIBAND VENUE

WORD reaches us that the politician formerly known as David Miliband is about to make his long-awaited return to the political arena with a speech on the theme of why the left has lost Europe. Early sights of the speech note that the former foreign secretary will argue that the left has been "caught in a vortex of voter discontent" over "a lack of protection, power and belonging" since the financial crunch - a fact which has now led to right-of-centre parties in charge in the UK, France, Italy and Germany.

All interesting stuff but it appears the curse which has followed Miliband over the past few years - from banana pictures to fratricidal warfare - continues to haunt him. The venue for the speech is the London School of Economics, currently in the doghouse for its cosy relationship with Colonel Gaddafi. Life just ain't fair.

RUSSELL INSISTS HE HAS THE WRITE STUFF

AN EAGLE-EYED observer notes something odd with Mike Russell's profile on the business networking site Linkedin. The education secretary describes himself first and foremost as a "writing and editing consultant and professional". Russell is preparing to defend the SNP's slender lead against the Lib Dems in the Argyll and Bute constituency. Is he already preparing for life after politics?

LEADERS MUST FACE FACTS ON TUITION FEES

AMONG the Nick Clegg "jokes" doing the rounds, some are actually funny. Take this one. "There are two things I don't like about Nick Clegg. His face." One for Messrs Salmond, Gray and Scott to ponder this week after they promised not to introduce tuition fees in Scotland if they win May's election - just as old Two Face himself did this time last year.

DOES DAILLY HAVE POLITICAL PLANS?

GLASGOW lawyer Mike Dailly, below, has enjoyed a fun week stirring up Scotland's legal fraternity. First he quit from a Law Society committee, citing the cosy relationship between the Society and the Scottish Legal Aid Board. Then a tape of a phone call between him and Slab's boss Lindsay Montgomery "emerged" in which the latter is heard noting the "complete bollocks" solicitors make of legal aid claims. Dailly is well-kent to Labour on the west coast. A possible candidate for Wendy Alexander's vacant Paisley North seat, we wonder?