Talk of the Town: It’s got to be, well, anyone would do

IN his Festival of Politics lecture at the Scottish Parliament, former prime minister Gordon Brown recalled how he had been urged to stand for election to the city council in Edinburgh while still a student.

He told the senior trade unionist who approached him that he didn’t know much about the rate support grant and council affairs and he was not sure he was the right person to be on the council at the moment.

But the trade unionist responded: “Look, son, if we were going to win the seat you wouldn’t be the candidate.”

Video set to make stars of City Chambers wannabes

THE cameras were rolling for the first time at last week’s full council meeting as part of the plan to let the public tune in via the internet to the excitment of proceedings at the City Chambers.

But as Lord Provost Donald Wilson reminded colleagues at the beginning, this time it was only a trial recording.

Now councillors are hoping for private viewings of the footage so they can perfect their poise and speaking style for the cameras ahead of live transmission next month.

Footie match just ticket

CELTIC v Rangers, Barcelona v Real Madrid, Hearts v Hibs . . . stand aside, the bus workers are doing battle.

An eagerly contested derby has been lined up for Sunday at the home of Stoneyburn Juniors, where drivers from First Scotland East will take on their bosses.

Billed at the depot as the “stand-off at Stoneyburn”, the drivers are confident of a victory. “Our training is going well,” said Kenny Redmond, a driver at Livingston. “We’ve got a good squad, with quality players. There is no way we’ll be taking it easy on the management – I’m expecting some crunching tackles!”

Money raised at the encounter, which kicks off at 1pm with entry £2 for adults and free for children, will be donated to the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland.

At least for the winners it’ll be no bother sorting out an open-top bus . . . but if it’s the bosses, they might have trouble finding a driver.

It’s Bruwatch for the Hoff

DAVID Hasselhoff shows no sign of running out of gas as he continues to take the Capital by storm.

But just in case, Irn Bru were on hand to keep him topped up.

The fizz firm tweeted: “Welcome @DavidHasselhoff. We sent you some BRU to get you through your show at @ThePleasance.”