Brian Taylor

We gaze with pity upon Gaza. We contemplate the emergence of wider conflict between Israel and Iran. We calculate the impact – humanitarian, global. Prospects drear indeed. And, like the poet, we conclude that our only response is to guess and fear. True, our influence is decidedly limited. But it is not set at zero. Democracy, Churchill counselled, is the worst form of government – apart, that is, from all the others. Slowly, steadily, it can translate public views into political action by impinging upon those taking decisions. More swiftly, democracy can play a role if incumbent leaders fear a potential verdict at the ballot box in a pending election. Such is the case, at least in fragmentary part, with the current situation in the Middle East. I will not pretend that the impact is other than tangential, even confused. But it is possible to identify pressure points.

Perhaps it is endemic. More probably, it is election fever. Either way, our political tribunes seem more energised and anxious than ever.

Consider with me the public provision of health care in Scotland. Not simply the Scottish version of the National Health Service, established in 1948. Glance back instead to the Highlands and Islands Medical Service, initially formed in 1913, just prior to the outbreak of World War One. Under that pioneering system, doctors had a basic income – but could continue with private patients. Lack of funds did not prevent people from getting care. In short, medical treatment free at the point of need. The core, to this day, of the NHS. Down the intervening decades, it has become totemic, particularly in politics, to praise the NHS. Is it not wonderful? Is it not glorious? Faith in the health service is the closest we have to a shared religion. We still, rightly, laud the remarkable endeavours of medical, nursing and support staff. Many strive well beyond the allocated call of duty. And yet. We still, rightly, rely upon the NHS to cosset us if our health is failing, to address our medical and surgical needs. And yet. The system established in 1948 – or 1913 – is no longer fit for its much expanded purpose. It is not solely or even primarily a question of money. Demand has utterly outstripped supply and the provision of care is inefficient. The NHS is, perhaps, not completely broken. But it is certainly badly bruised. It requires careful, considered attention. Significantly, that opinion is shared by Audit Scotland who warned recently that the NHS, as presently constituted, was unable to cope. Further, public satisfaction has declined. In the British Social Attitudes Survey, covering 2023, just 24 per cent of respondents said they were satisfied with the health service. The figure in 2010 was 70 per cent. For all that we thank and praise individual staff for their care and attention, for all that we are grateful and relieved, we are far from content, overall. It will not do. Things must change.

The Tories say the year gone by is a “tale of independence obsession, abject failures and broken promises.” Labour characterises Mr Yousaf as a “weak leader” in command of a “chaotic and divided” government. Mr Yousaf’s response? A news release wishing everyone a Happy Easter.

Rishi Sunak does not lack such enemies, for all that his fellow Tory MPs banged their desks in approbation at this week’s meeting of the backbench 1922 Committee. One or two have called upon him to quit. Others back him but seem unable to shake off the gloom which shrouds their party’s electoral prospects.

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?

Politics and protest go hand in hand. Therefore, I understand why demonstrators disrupted First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood this week.

So how was it for you? St David’s Day? You know, the annual commemoration of the patron saint of Wales? And all things Welsh?

The Leader of the House of Commons, Penny Mordaunt, castigated Labour. And I have seldom seen the SNP’s Stephen Flynn more angry than when he declared his party had no confidence in the Speaker.

Contemplate Sir Keir Starmer’s perpetual caution. Even after two by-election triumphs. It was described to me as “the Ming Vase strategy”. Step lightly and carefully to avoid damage.