Government's loss.

My favourite Minister, Linda Fabiani (left, on the left), was today consigned to the backbenches as part of the SNP's first mini-reshuffle. I've known Linda for almost ten years, from the first months of the Parliament when I worked to support the CPG on refugees and asylum seekers, and she has a real passion for human rights, international development, and a range of related issues including East Timor. Not my first choice for a Minister to remove..

Her departure is being attributed to the SNP's loss of the Creative Scotland Bill, for which she was blamed. Personally I think the decision on the day to press ahead with the Bill itself, despite MSPs' concerns about the financial memorandum, can fairly be attributed elsewhere. Whatever. Government's loss is our gain: she's to be our new neighbour at the end of the fourth floor.