Editor

Update

I am now using Substack to publish articles. You can sign up here to have articles emailed directly to you. This website will remain but mostly function as an archive or a backup, and will be updated in bulk from time to time. Stephen

You Kent be serious

Nicola Sturgeon briefed the media on the Indian variant of Covid-19 on May 21, 2021. This is the text of my Scottish Daily Mail sketch of the press conference. ***** We may be slowly getting the better of coronavirus but there’s no vaccine as yet for the pandemic of political correctness sweeping the Western world. At herContinueContinue reading “You Kent be serious”

Meet the new priority, same as the old priority

Nicola Sturgeon was re-elected as First Minister on May 18, 2021. This is the text of my Scottish Daily Mail sketch of proceedings. ***** In the least shocking election result since Kim Jong-un’s name was last on a ballot paper, Nicola Sturgeon was reappointed First Minister of Scotland at Holyrood yesterday. The SNP leader faced stiff competitionContinueContinue reading “Meet the new priority, same as the old priority”

Will Sturgeon pursue recovery or referendum?

This is the text of my Scottish Daily Mail column for Monday, May 17, 2021. Tomorrow afternoon MSPs will assemble at Holyrood to elect the next First Minister. It’s safe to say the odds heavily favour one candidate in particular. So, unless things go splendidly wrong and Jackie Baillie ends up in Bute House, we can expectContinueContinue reading “Will Sturgeon pursue recovery or referendum?”

Why Boris should refuse Sturgeon a referendum

Picture by Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing Street This is the text of my Scottish Daily Mail column for Monday, May 10, 2021. After all that, they missed by one seat. The SNP’s victory in the Scottish Parliament election was handsome, yet it is undoubtedly soured by their falling short of an overall majority — andContinueContinue reading “Why Boris should refuse Sturgeon a referendum”

Nicola Sturgeon’s Disney nationalism

NO ANSWERS: Nicola Sturgeon lacks basic details about independence. This is the text of my Scottish Daily Mail column for Monday, April 26, 2021. ***** To understand the central dynamic of Scottish politics, you needed to do only two things yesterday. One was watch Nicola Sturgeon’s rambling performance on Andrew Marr, in which she admitted both thatContinueContinue reading “Nicola Sturgeon’s Disney nationalism”

New Nats on the Block

LET’S TRY AGAIN: Alex Salmond unveils his new party’s first manifesto. Alex Salmond spoke at the manifesto launch for his new Alba Party on April 21, 2021. This is the text of my Scottish Daily Mail sketch of the speech. ***** Alba, a party which has had a reception only slightly warmer than the European Super League,ContinueContinue reading “New Nats on the Block”

How to hold Nicola Sturgeon accountable

TEFLON: Criticism never seems to stick to the First Minister. This is the text of my Scottish Daily Mail column for Monday, April 19, 2021. ***** The problem with ‘lines’ taken by politicians and parties is that they are all written by political strategists. These characters live, breathe, eat and sleep politics. Their idea of relaxation isContinueContinue reading “How to hold Nicola Sturgeon accountable”

The Declaration of Eck

LAUNCH: Salmond set out his party’s stall from Aberdeenshire. Alex Salmond spoke at the campaign launch for his new Alba Party on April 6, 2021. This is the text of my Scottish Daily Mail sketch of the speech. ***** Alex Salmond is modest to a fault and so what better way to launch his Alba party’s electionContinueContinue reading “The Declaration of Eck”

Nicola Sturgeon deserves to lose

FAILURE: First Minister’s record leaves a lot to be desired. This is the text of my Scottish Daily Mail column for Monday, April 5, 2021. ***** There are no moral victories at the ballot box and no consolation prizes. The losing side sometimes tells itself otherwise to cushion the blow of another rejection. Neil Kinnock is saidContinueContinue reading “Nicola Sturgeon deserves to lose”