Author Archives: stephenjdaisley

Nicola Sturgeon’s septem horribilis

The Nationalists have never had a week like last week. Not when they freed Megrahi. Not when the voters ditched a third of their MPs. Not even when they lost the referendum. Nicola Sturgeon’s septem horribilis was the lowest point thus far in the SNP’s 11-year reign. It began last Tuesday when the Scottish Government […]

Nicola Sturgeon drops a hand grenade at her own feet

There it was. Ten minutes into the first question time of 2019, peppered with queries on her role in the Alex Salmond investigation, Nicola Sturgeon dropped the hand grenade at her own feet. She was busy insisting her meetings with the former First Minister were not Government business when Jackson Carlaw asked who else was […]

Why would we want the people who can’t deliver Brexit running the railways?

During the Blair Terror, true socialists would gather at conference fringes to lament a Labour government the way only Labour members can. They would grieve the party’s triangulations and console themselves that the voters were more radical than the government. Why, just look at the polls showing most wanted to renationalise the railways. Most do […]

This Hogmanay, raise a glass to the Union and Scotland’s special place within it

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 the […]

Christmas reminds us that love still has a place in politics

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 the […]

Don’t let the Muggles get you down, First Minister

‘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, Nicola […]

Mackay was like a renegade elf… pinching back the gifts left by Santa

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. By […]

The end of the world and Brexit’s not even in sight

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. […]