That Pink Bus Action.... Morning dawned bright over Helensburgh and Faslane. After finishing touches to the paint, the banners, etc. six Faslanians went out with a dozen carrier bags. On the train plans were drawn up, redrawn, rubbed out with pencil (and that was just the crossword).

Glasgow was dreich. We sat in George Square with the carrier bags and waited for the other people. The other people turned out to be two journalists (the Glasgow activists had left after five minutes - no stamina). So the bus was painted pink, an appreciative crowd watched and even applauded as our painters left the area, gently escorted by Strathclyde's finest.

So why was it done? Clause 28 (as it is known; in Scotland its Sunday name is Section 2a) bans education and free speech about homosexuality, about one in ten of Britain's population. The clause makes it harder to "come out" and has led to deaths. Brian Souter, the boss of Stagecoach, has put ONE MILLION POUNDS into the campaign to Keep The Clause, this despite the court ruling that put an end to Stagecoach's discrimination against gay couples in pensions and transport concessions.

Part of the million Souter gave to "Keep The Clause" was for a referendum using an out of date electoral roll and a slanted question (over two thirds of people sent one put it straight in the bin).... That million pounds would have been better spent on books and equipment for schools than a hate campaign. We didn't have a million pounds, just some pink paint.

However, the papers were full of (admittedly biased) reports of the action, front page on a lot of tabloids. Souter was trying to buy votes for bigots, and his confidence (and share prices) were dented by the pink bus action. Let's hope he learns his lesson.

Steve Allcroft