SHOULD HAVE BEEN TEA AND SYMPATHY - Its not what you know but who you know, who you are pals with and who you are employed by!

Not tea and popcorn at Provan SNP's AGM where recently appointed friends of their MP tried to organise a coup.

Anne McLaughlin failed to have her fiancee Graham Campbell elected Political Education Officer. Mary McCabe got it with a resounding vote.

Joe Brady was elected Convener with Allan Casey Vice - Convener. Both are employed by the MP.

This is the ugly face of politics where foot soldiers who chapped doors and held open-air stalls to elect three MP's and three MSP's are forced to take a back seat.

The picture clearly shows the MP with her fiancee snapping their supporters.

I am reassured however the activists have not gone away, despite the problems in this branch, having resurrected Yes Provan to push for Scottish Independence.