Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at 4:52 pm on 16 November 2006.
I will read the charge sheet first then let Jim Mather in. This is a serious charge. I suggest that Jim Mather has more faces than a town hall clock. Was he tailoring his comments to his audience? Did he not know what his group's position would be or was he incapable of influencing his group's position? We do not know because, despite the significant position he holds as an SNP front-bencher, he chose not to contribute at all to this important debate. He will not cover that up by referring to the amendment's opposition to business improvement districts.