HOLYROOD returned from summer recess with the Programme for Government, which was intended to set the political direction for the coming year. As ever, it met with derision from opposition benches but more worryingly for the Government, was seen by many thoughtful commentators as indicating drift.
Thousands chanting his name doesn’t bring socialism, credible and coherent policies are required
GORDON Brown rightly raised escalating child poverty at the Edinburgh Book Festival. and to be fair he made efforts when he was Chancellor, even if he failed to address growing inequality in so many other ways. But it’s worse than ever now and only one manifestation of the growing divide between rich and poor.
DURING the independence referendum I had a stock campaign speech on what might come to pass with a No vote. Reminiscing about how my parents had once loathed Ted Heath, I recalled how when Margaret Thatcher arrived he was seen as an old buffer and often the real Parliamentary opposition.
I WAS in Dublin this week, which was a reminder to me that it’s when, not if, there’s going to be a united Ireland. Understandably, attention there at the moment is on Brexit chaos– security threats are as real as technological fixes for the border are illusionary. Preserving both the integrity of the Good Friday Agreement and the economy of the island of Ireland are the current priorities.
THERE has been migration since mankind evolved and humanity first began its journey out of Africa. Sometimes this caused conflict as tribes arrived, more often people assimilated peacefully. How it was viewed depended on whether or not you were the one doing the settling.
STRONG and stable is the mantra, dysfunctional and deluded the reality under a Tory Government that’s falling apart. Brexit policy changes day to day, the position differing depending on which Minister speaks and backbenchers only allow Theresa May to remain in office out of fear of something worse.
WATCHING the Cabinet after the Chequers summit declare that a deal had been agreed and a policy now existed, reminded me of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairly tale the “Emperor's New Clothes”. For those who either haven’t read it or have long since forgotten it, a vain Emperor paraded stark naked as none of his ministers or officials would declare that his new suit, provided by swindlers, wasn’t lavish and perfect in every way. Eventually, a young girl blurted out that he was wearing nothing and everyone agreed, but he processed on regardless.
THEY think it’s all over ... it is now. I felt sorry for England. Gareth Southgate and his young players were a beguiling team, hence I foreswore the Anybody But England stance. Many Scots took that position, and it wasn’t the team but the TV that irked. The reality is we’re watching the match on someone else’s channel.
