Monthly Archives: December 2018

Hogmanay holds a special place in Scottish hearts and minds. The very word can summon a tide of memories, some ringing with joy, others tinged with sadness. It is a time to celebrate, yes, but also to recall those who were but no longer are. For all the industrial drinking and kisses stolen on theContinueContinue reading “This Hogmanay, raise a glass to the Union and Scotland’s special place within it”

I won’t keep you long this Christmas Eve. You still have gifts to wrap — or, the men among you, to buy — and that turkey isn’t going to defrost itself. Christmas is that time of year when we’re called on to reflect while going 90mph, as if there’s much opportunity to ruminate on theContinueContinue reading “Christmas reminds us that love still has a place in politics”

‘Will Jackson Carlaw explain to me, right now, where in the Budget he wants us to take the money from? Is it from health? Is it from education? Is it from local government? I am waiting with bated breath for the answer.’ Yes, it was another lively session of Questions from the First Minister, NicolaContinueContinue reading “Don’t let the Muggles get you down, First Minister”

A buzz of excitement crackled through Holyrood as the Budget was handed down. Not for Derek Mackay’s speech – God love him – but because the proceedings were scored to the whirr-growl-thrum of an orchestra of mobile phones. Updates from Westminster whooshed in and MSPs jabbed their screens in anticipation of some fresh calamity. ByContinueContinue reading “Mackay was like a renegade elf… pinching back the gifts left by Santa”

I want Derek Mackay to read this so I’m going to start by saying something nice about him. This column has been known to have a dig or two at the Finance Secretary but make no mistake: he is a skilled politician with legitimate ambitions to lead his party. When he replaced John Swinney inContinueContinue reading “How Derek Mackay can help the Tartan Tiger roar”

Fidel Castro used to deliver nine-hour speeches and have his political opponents shot. Patrick Harvie tries to combine the two: during his 301-word question at Holyrood yesterday, some Tory MSPs took on the glazed register of people longing for a bottle of brandy and a revolver. Mr Harvie does not mean to torture his opponents.ContinueContinue reading “The end of the world and Brexit’s not even in sight”

The First Minister is ready for her close-up. As soon as she got wind of a live Brexit debate, up went Nicola Sturgeon’s peremptory demand that she be included. It is an invariable law of Scottish physics that the shortest distance at any given time is between the First Minister and a TV camera. AContinueContinue reading “Sturgeon in the Brexit TV debate? Pass the remote.”