I couldn't help but laugh at the news last night, not that it's a laughing matter really, but you can't help but appreciate how naive our Ex-First Minister really is. Yes, Scotland's Labour Party Leader Jack McConnell has resigned. He was First Minister for more than 5 years. He used to be a teacher too, but unfortunately what he possesses in good intentions, he completely lacks in foresight. Not only that, he just won't take good advice when given.
What am I getting at? Well, the word is, that McConnell is going to undertake some voluntary work for a charity, before taking up the post of British High Commissioner to Malawi. So, what's so funny you ask? If indeed you don't know, I'll spell it out for you. McConnell visited Malawi for 5 days back in 2005 and was so deeply moved by his visit that he decided to set up a fundraising drive, despite a warning from Scots based charities that the public would view it as no longer necessary for them to give money to organisations raising money for Malawi.
Jack was determined though, he would give £3 million a year to Malawi, it was his personal crusade. And, hadn't he promised those kids in Malawi that he would help them? So, the money was sent off to Malawi, although Jack was warned that it was highly likely that government officials in Malawi would steal the cash, because Malawi was on the UN blacklist for aid. The people who needed the help wouldn't get it. "Oh no", said Jack, "that won't happen, I can assure you!" But, of course that's exactly what happened, the money was sent and those who were waiting for it are still waiting. Did Jack apologise? No, he's not sorry, far from it, it seems to have made him even more determined to do something. So, just like Tony becoming the UK's peace envoy to the Middle East, Jack is also set to make some money from the scene of his biggest crime. It seems that there are no punishments for political misdemeanours, just a sliding reward scale.
On a lighter note, the Mother-in-law is 60 today, so we're taking her out for a meal tonight, with a big party on Saturday. Should be interesting, I'll keep you posted on my disgusting drunken behaviour to follow.
