Brian Taylor

Columnist

You may have seen me on the telly. Or perhaps heard me on the wireless. Maybe you followed my political punditry and random musings online. For many years I was the Political Editor of BBC Scotland, covering and analysing Scottish, UK and global events. During that prolonged period, I also lost no opportunity to display my fanatical support for the mighty Dundee United.

You may have seen me on the telly. Or perhaps heard me on the wireless. Maybe you followed my political punditry and random musings online. For many years I was the Political Editor of BBC Scotland, covering and analysing Scottish, UK and global events. During that prolonged period, I also lost no opportunity to display my fanatical support for the mighty Dundee United.

Latest articles from Brian Taylor

Brian Taylor: Are the SNP and independence finished – or just getting started?

The National Council of the Scottish National Party is meeting in Perth this weekend. Are members enthused and enthralled? Other than conference, it is the party’s policy-making body, its discursive forum. Enthused? In order to heighten its appeal, this weekend’s event is being billed as a Campaign Council with an eye to the forthcoming UK General Election. Enthralled?

Brian Taylor: Forget Matheson – Humza Yousaf’s real problems lie ahead

As of today, Humza Yousaf faces two fundamental and related challenges: how to placate the voters over the Matheson clanjamfrie; and how to convince those same voters that his new Cabinet team will work effectively. Of the two, the challenge raised by Cabinet effectiveness is by far the more significant. Politics can be brutal and folk will swiftly forget Michael Matheson.

Brian Taylor: Yousaf sets himself apart from Sturgeon over Covid

Let me open by saying that I am somewhat sceptical as to whether we will learn any substantive and new lessons from the two Covid inquiries. For one thing, I would argue that the pathways of enduring concern, such as the transfer of patients to care homes, are already decidedly well-trodden.