5§ • Pertinent News for the Discerning Wizard • Sunday . 4 February 1980
THE CONTENDERS: SIX LIKELY CHOICES FOR THE SCOTTISH OFFICE
By: Margaret Urquhart
In the weeks since the success of the Referendum for a Scottish Office, a number of names have been circulated in the press and internally in the Ministry as likely contenders for the office. Some are openly campaigning for the office while others are expected to be on Minister Shacklebolt's short list for other reasons. These wizards (and one witch) are those most often named as likely candidates for the office. While Minister Shacklebolt has not announced a date for naming a Head of Office, a choice is expected by the end of February.
Duncan Buchanan
Age: 59 Current Position: Head, Office of Referee Testing, DOMGAS. History: Beater for Portree and Scotland before retiring to the Ministry. Family: Wife, Mary McEwen, sons Alasdair and Gregor. Reputation: Known for being hard but fair on and off the pitch. A stickler for rules but not afraid to change them when they're unfair. Supporter of the Pink movement. Kept on by Minister Shacklebolt after serving through the Thicknesse Ministry. What He's Said: "The new Office must learn from the successes and difficulties of devolution in the non magical world, notably ensuring that the voices of all of Scotland and her residents are heard, regardless of the way they voted." Watchwords: Accountability and transparency. Pros: Covers all the hoops for the position, well-liked, strong public profile. Cons: Possibly not political enough to make the job work.
Kirsten McBride
Age: 57 Current Position: Retired from DOMGAS at the beginning of the Thicknesse adminsitration. History: Long-time Chaser for Portree, retired to DOMGAS as an international liaison. Famiy: Husband, Bart Roberts, children Hamish and Fiona. Reputation: Tough and smart, but strong in the underestimated people skills often attributed to witches. Retired rather than serve under Thicknesse. What She's Said: "Reorganising the Ministry to accommodate regional needs is the first step in integrating a broader range of British traditions and considering how to build a post-War Ministry that brings justice to all citizens." Watchwords: Cooperation and reform. Pros: Aligned with Shacklebolt's policies, considered a compromise candidate. Cons: Spent the last year in retirement so has no post-war record.
Desmond Parkin
Age: 58 Current Position: Deputy Head of DOMGAS. History: Played for various teams, ending his career at Falmouth and retired to the BIL, and later DOMGAS. Family: Wife, Janine Miracle, son Charlie and daughter Gwen. Reputation: Known for saying less than he thinks, but honesty when he does speak. Considered one of the smartest and savviest of the candidates. Solid self-promoter and political survivor. What He's Said: "I wish to increase industry and tourism to Scotland's cities through focus on each city's unique culture, heritage and strengths. ... I will also work to ... ensure that Scottish Quidditch, like all of Scotland, overcomes past prejudices that it may thrive in this new millennium." Watchwords: Culture and heritage looking forward. Pros: Experience in private business and the Ministry. Cons: Silence during the war, possibly too political for the head of office (though considered the leading contender for Deputy Head).
Fergus Quintin
Age: 64 Current Position: Managing Director, Quintin Distillery. History: Inherited the distillery and increased its success both in Britain and with international consumers. Family: Wife, Finella Ross, son Brice and daughters Deoridh and Seonaid. Reputation: Outspoken leader of the AYE campaign outside the Minsitry. Jovial, canny businessman and pitchman in politics, business, and for social causes. Interest in conservation, both for magizoology and magiherbology. What He's Said: "Having won the referendum, let us both be heard and listen in the halls of the Ministry so we can build a better Britain." Watchwords: Let's learn from Scottish voices. Pros: Invested in the success of the office, strong sense of and leadership of public opinion in Scotland. Cons: Lack of Ministry experience.
Graham Urquhart
Age: 79 Current Position: Managing Director, Whizz Hard Books; Managing Director, Pride of Portree. History: War service during the Grindelwald years. Inherited Whizz Hard and purchased a controlling interest in the Pride of Portree in the 1960s. Family: Wife, Agnes Fraser, sons Alec and David, daughters Peggy and Rhiannon. Reputation: Successful in managing a business empire in two completely separate industries. Supports a variety of charities including education and assistance to marginalised groups. What He's Said: "I have known and promoted the writings of many of Scotland's best thinkers and doers. ... I have experience bringing many disparate voices and minority opinions together to make one team that gets things done."" Watchwords: Scottish Challenges and Scottish Solutions. Pros: Variety of experience across private enterprise, Grindelwald-era war hero. Cons: Age, lack of Ministry experience.
William Wallace Wood
Age: 57 Current Position: Representative of the British Ministry of Magic to the International Confederation of Wizards. History: Worked his way up to his current position in International Magical Cooperation. Involved in the war effort through the Order of the Phoenix and kept on by Minister Shacklebolt after serving through the Thicknesse Ministry. Heavily involved with extradition of war criminals who have fled abroad. Family: Wife, Moira McPhail, son Oliver. Reputation: Outspoken leader of the NAY campaign. Just and honest. Works with charities supporting early education and marginalised persons. What He's Said: "Let us be united in striving for a better Scotland, a better Britain, and a better world." Watchwords: Responsible, action-oriented, and productive. Pros: Strong supporter of Shacklebolt, war hero. Cons: Doesn't want the office to exist in the first place.