Blogger endorses no celebrity endorsements

A second rate political blogger from Dundee has spoken out on the issue of celebrity endorsement of political parties, claiming that the issue could detract from the bitching, soundbites and lack of substance generally in the run up to May's Holyrood elections.

Stuart Winton, author of the highly unpopular blog Planet Politics, spoke out after the SNP had revealed the latest in a string of celebrity backers.

Two-star Michelin chef Andrew Fairlie described the party's food and drink policy as "refreshing", and said he trusted the SNP to "do the right thing for Scotland". But Mr Winton, newly converted to the Scots language after completing his census form, claims he's "never heard of" Mr Fairlie and said the fact that he's "only got two stars" demonstrates a "lack of credibility".

He added: "My pal works in the Michelin canteen up on Baldovie Road and naebody's ever heard o' this Fairlie person. He says it's never been the same since the windmills were pit up, and it's affected some foolk in the heid, so it could jist be somebody havering".

"I didna even ken the SNP had a food and drink policy, ken? I thocht the drink policy was tae dae wi' minimum pricing, ken?"

But an SNP spokesman welcomed Mr Fairlie's endorsement, saying his comments underlined that Labour were in disarray on food and drink, and that Alex Salmond would announce a manifesto commitment to double the amount of two-star Michelin chefs in Scotland from one to two by the end of the next parliament.

He continued: "The people of Scotland are fed up of Labour's legacy of fish suppers for the better off and baked beans from Aldi for the most vulnerable members of society. Our aim is to ensure that all families have at least one meal from the Tesco Finest microwave range every month. A healthy and nutritious diet for all would make a significant contribution towards the development of a more assured and confident Scotland, and could also contribute to a greater sense of national identity."

However, sources close to the SNP leader revealed a top-level split over the issue, with Mr Salmond keen to appoint a curry tsar under a future SNP administration. But deputy Nicola Sturgeon wants to promote fresh fish, while former health minister Shona Robison is said to favour the lentils and mineral water option.

And a spokesmannie for the online Nationalist community blamed a lack of haggis, neeps and tatties for the poor nutritional content of the Scottish diet.