WITH Labour recording a ten point lead over the Tories in the national polls, the prospect of Gordon Brown calling an autumn general election seemed feasible, if not a nailed on certainty.

SCOTTISH First Minister Jack McConnell has revealed plans for a long-awaited Co-operative Development Agency for Scotland. In a speech to the first Annual Forum and Annual General Meeting of Co-operation and Mutuality Scotland Mr McConnell launched a consultation paper on a Scottish CDA. He said: "Our aim with this new agency is to provide tailored support and assistance to people wishing to start-up a co-operative. And it is our intention that the Agency must also be able to provide ...