Readers' Best Comments

Former city council leader Ewan Aitken is to be Labour's candidate against justice secretary Kenny MacAskill at next year's Holyrood elections.

New Labour's record in Edinburgh: They left the council reserves at practically zero (370,000) – leaving the council on the verge of bankruptcy. 500 million tram line – the worst idea ever, now way over-budget, bringing gridlock to existing city transport, and causing businesses to go bankrupt as a result. They squandered millions on a central traffic management scheme that was so badly thought out it caused gridlock and had to be aborted after a few days in operation. They squandered millions on an abortive campaign to persuade housing tenants to agree to the transfer of the whole of the housing stock to a Housing Department Mark II. They squandered millions on propping up loss-making DLOs and DSOs. They squandered millions on a vanity project to acquire and run a little used climbing centre. They failed to properly maintain schools and public leisure facilities with the result that many are now having to be demolished and replaced. They sold off playing fields for housing.

Marian

To be honest, Marian, MacAskill's done nothing either and the SNP crew in the council are a nightmare.

Mik Wilso

I think the best advice to voters in eastern Edinburgh would be vote Lib Dem or even Tory. They surely must have a better candidate than these two jokers. I cringe every time I see or hear Mr Aitken with his huge wooden cross and I have rarely been more ashamed to be Scottish than when I was listening to MacAskill burbling on about a "higher power" to the world's press. When did Scotland lose the ability to produce inspirational political figures?

tog

The Portobello branch of the Royal British Legion is to close and others look set to move to smaller premises as the number of members dwindles.

This will be a very sad day for the Porty British Legion. It used to be a great club and will be sadly missed.

The Real Alfonsa Pedrosa

Would it not be possible just to have one "central" legion where all the clubs could pool their resources? It would still give them a presence in Edinburgh without the multiple overheads. Good luck.

joescoredfour

The new 41.5 million Portobello High School is set to become Edinburgh's first "golf academy".

Give the kids a good education and leave golf to the golfers, and the extra money can go to help the British Legion Club.

The Real Alfonsa Pedrosa

Golf is a pastime, not a sport. Why are we going to waste educational budgets on that?

tumshie heid

Hopefully the whole of Portobello will now get behind the plans for the new school and those involved in the campaign against the new school will also support it and help to make it the best it can be. I believe that the majority of families in the area with children at, or eventually going to, the high school will welcome a new school. In fact, I find it hard to believe that any parents would prefer their children to remain in the current school. Encouraging more youngsters to take up golf, even though it's not actually a sport, will be a bonus.

Tommy Blue