Not even at the races Eddie boy...

Douglas Alexander MP

Perhaps in a bid to make some  political capital out of his geek-persona, Labour's UK leader Ed Miliband has said that as a kid he was a bit of a nerd and therefore a dab hand at doing the Rubik's Cube thing.


As you know dear reader, I'm firmly of the view that ALL politicians of ALL parties spent their younger years getting into practice for being politicians when they got big. They all sat down the front of the class without being told and dreamt of being head prefect.


Rummaging about the wardrobe that is the JT archive, the following fell off the top of the wardrobe and hit me on the head. I think  we can all agree that when it comes to political geeks, Scotland still leads the rest of the UK. And yes, Tavish Scott, I am looking at you.


Incidentally, in a weird synchronic twist, the story below relies on Abertay University for its plot device, where just this  week the principal and his deputy have both been suspended. Perhaps the institution will now be looking out for a new level and end boss.


If you don't get that gag, ask your kids.


Anyway, this from The JT, September 2001.


 Free inside! Normality patch for Douglas Alexander v.1


Minister for e-commerce Douglas Alexander was at the University of Abertay this week to offer government support to the PC games industry.
The University already offers degree courses in "Playing Counterstrike With Your Pals For Three Years Studies" with an honours option in "Explaining The Size Of The Phone Bill to Your Dad."


Fresh faced ex-lawyer Douglas, not previously known for his love of computer gaming, told assembled geeks: "The introduction of computer games provided the plinky-plonky soundtrack for my generation. I well remember kids at my primary school avidly playing Space Invaders as I read 'The Ladybird Book of controlling caucus meetings'.


And later, let's not forget the impact of games like PacMan that the other children wouldn't let me have a shot of because they thought I was weird. Looking back I often wonder about my fellow schoolmates and ask 'Are any of them now also ministers of state?'  I don't fuckin' think so…"


The government boost for Scotland's games industry is welcome, with £25m allocated. Not at all geeky Professor Beaker of Abertay disclosed the break down of the development support to the JT. Struggling to control the pitch in his breaking voice, he quavered :"A couple of quid will be allocated to developing new coding for the next generation of multi-platform devices but the remainder of the budget will go on the artwork for the game packs - bitchin' paintings of scantily clad babes with enormous tits. Believe me we know our market."


Inside: Wendy and Douglas to form accordion and piano based singing duo- …ladeez an'genlemen give it up for "The Alexander Siblings" (Thanks to Eileen)