Jeremy Corbyn is not the Messiah, not in Scotland anyway

There's an old Jewish joke - usually attributed to Teddy Kollek z"l - about the parting point for Judaism and Christianity. What would you say to the Messiah if he appeared on Earth tomorrow, the former mayor of Jerusalem was asked. "Is this your first time here?" he quipped. If only supporters - devotees, reallyContinue reading "Jeremy Corbyn is not the Messiah, not in Scotland anyway"

Kezia Dugdale offers Labour a fresh start but will the voters?

My commiserations to Kezia Dugdale, who has been elected leader of the Scottish Labour Party. It's something you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy, so to see it happen to such a nice person is difficult. The Lothian MSP can't even take comfort in a near-escape; she trounced rival Ken Macintosh by 72%, a remarkableContinue reading "Kezia Dugdale offers Labour a fresh start but will the voters?"

Meet the woman who wants the toughest job in British politics

There's something I don't get about Kezia Dugdale. She's young, bright and articulate. She has a law degree and a postgrad in public policy. She could make a career for herself as a solicitor, businesswoman or think-tanker. But she doesn't want any of that. She wants the toughest, grimmest, least-rewarding job in British politics. SheContinue reading "Meet the woman who wants the toughest job in British politics"

Is the rise of Jeremy Corbyn Labour’s ‘Scotland moment’?

After its Highland hammering in May, it makes sense for Labour to listen to Scotland. It may have been attending a little too hard, though, given the course of the leadership election. The surge in support for Jeremy Corbyn is eerily reminiscent of events north of the border, where debates over jobs, education, and theContinue reading "Is the rise of Jeremy Corbyn Labour’s ‘Scotland moment’?"

An open letter to a Labour Party losing its way

Dear Labour, You don't know me. I am not part of the Labour family. I have voted for you once, from memory. So you might dismiss this letter out of hand. Keep your nose out of our business. Fair enough. But while I'm not blood, I am a friend. Not an ideological ally as suchContinue reading "An open letter to a Labour Party losing its way"

Is David Cameron incredibly smart or incredibly dumb?

David Cameron is either the savviest political strategist in the land or the most dim-witted. I haven’t decided yet. His comments to journalists ruling out a second independence referendum are a case in point. He said: “I think it is important that a referendum is legal and properly constituted and that is what we had,Continue reading "Is David Cameron incredibly smart or incredibly dumb?"

Labour needs another leader with Tony Blair’s rebel soul

His role in the Labour leadership election has been called "counterproductive","totally unacceptable", and "very silly". Not Jeremy Corbyn - unilateralist, friend of Hamas and Hezbollah, committed opponent of economic reality - but Tony Blair. The former prime minister's intervention last week into the contest to decide who will lose the 2020 election to George OsborneContinue reading "Labour needs another leader with Tony Blair’s rebel soul"

It’s not enough to be right, in politics you have to win too

Two days before the 1983 election, and resigned to the inevitable, Neil Kinnock sought the only solace available to losers. Labour was about to be buried in a Conservative landslide but at least it was in the right. It had stuck to its principles, come what may. In a speech in Bridgend, he intoned: "IfContinue reading "It’s not enough to be right, in politics you have to win too"

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone at Tim Farron

There was a time when being gay ended your career as Liberal leader. Now it's practically compulsory. At least Tim Farron might be forgiven for thinking so, given the hostile media treatment he has received in the past few days. Farron is a Liberal Democrat MP (ask your dad) and a practising Christian (ask yourContinue reading "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone at Tim Farron"