The long fore shadow of the yet to be announced General Election is cast over the Merse. The
Berwickshire has two adjacent small articles on the Scottish Nationalist and Conservative Parties Manifestos-for want of a better word. They may have been cribbing off each other as both SNP and the Tories are chasing the Grey Vote-good news for the occupants of the Old Manse-it is nice to be courted, if only every four years. Our local SNP candidate is focusing on a non -means tested Citizen's Pension of at least £110 which is about £40 more than the pittance doled out to Hutton and double that paid to the Wife. The Tories or the 'anti Scottish' Tories as the SNP candidate describes them are promising a big tax in Council Tax for OAPs -ideal solution would be for them both to come to power and we oldies will be very well off. I doubt however if either will take this seat from the incumbent SDP Member. The Nats do not seem to do well in the Borders and the Scottish Tories are a small rump-never forgiven for the Poll Tax of years gone by! The Scots have very long memories on matters which effect their pockets.
