The times they are a-changing...

Scottish Labour was rocked the other day when the following was revealed (from the BBC website):

Is Bob Dylan a modern day prophet? Many of his fans think so, but the Pope certainly does not.
It has emerged that Pope Benedict tried to stop the rock star playing for his predecessor John Paul the Second because he was afraid the musician's beliefs were at odds with the Catholic Church.

In view of the Catholic Church's extensive influence over Labour voters in the West of Scotland, concern was immediately expressed that Jack McConnell's known admiration for the aging folk-rocker would lead the Labour faithful to desert the polling booths. Punters in Coatbridge were reported to be queueing up to dispose of the 'Blonde on Blonde' LP. A spokesman for the Labour Party said that the outcome of the May elections was now probably blowing in the wind.

On the other hand, this report (also on the BBC) was not expected to have any discernible effect:

One of Scotland's most senior Catholics has declared he will not vote Labour in May's Holyrood elections.
The Bishop of Motherwell, Joseph Devine, said he now feels many Labour policies, such as civil partnerships, fly in the face of Christian tradition.
He said his congregation's traditional allegiance to Labour had been tested to breaking point.