On:
In: Stephen Bird
With: 0 Comments

As Sir Keir Starmer bores us all to death in ascending the leaden throne which is the leadership of the Labour Party, one constant criticism is that not one of the eight remaining candidates for Leader or Deputy have offered a valid critique of why Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership was such a disaster. This, we are assured, is the time to look back and consider what went well and what didn’t. My regular reader will not be shocked, stunned nor amazed to learn that I have some views but why should I intrude on private grief. But it occurs to me that if the aftermath ofRead More →

On:
In: Grant Thoms
With: 0 Comments

There is endless commentary which questions ‘where are we going next?’ in the independence campaign. Invariably it involves second-guessing the First Minister’s strategy or pre-empting the UK Government’s response to further demands for an independence referendum, especially in light of the Prime Minister’s firm refusal to the First Minister’s request for a Section 30 Order. For some, that refusal was a litmus test for more one-sided actions such as a consultative referendum, civil disobedience, unilateral declaration of independence or even more extreme measures. Whilst all of these suggestions strike a chord with the majority of independence supporters, they are the sort of measures which willRead More →

On:
In: Margaret Hamilton

This week saw the embarrassing scene in Brussels of the Brexit party taking their leave of the European Parliament. Brash, noisy, insulting and oh so imperialist. Broke the rules and had to be spoken to from the chair. Totally turning their backs on Europe but expecting that same Europe to co-operate with them in future deals. In comparison the SNP MEPs became part of a Friends of Scotland group. Europeans willing to support Scotland in our efforts to regain entry to Europe in our own right. Aileen’s speech asking the parliament to welcome us back when the time comes was warmly received and the MEPsRead More →

On:
In: Stephen Bird

There have been numerous theories advanced in the month since December’s general election to explain why Labour did quite so badly. Mostly they revolve around the idea that Jeremy Corbyn was unelectable as an individual, that he was viewed as sympathetic to terrorists, unpatriotic or that Labour’s manifesto was simplyunbelievable. There is however a far simpler explanation and I tend to the general principle that the simplest explanations are often closest to the truth.It has little to do with Corbyn, good or bad. It has little to do with Labour’s manifesto. It is simply this; England is simply becoming a more right-wing country! As theRead More →

On:
In: Maureen Forbes

Back in the months leading up to 2014 there was no doubting the alliance between the SNP, the SSP and the Greens as they came together to ensure that there would be a positive outcome in the referendum.  Working together within the Yes campaign along with other smaller groupings, in public at least, the idea was out there that the SNP were not the only political party seeking to embrace the changes that would arise with the rebirth of a once again,independent Scotland.  No matter where you travelled in the country, the signs were there that people were coming around to the idea that notRead More →

On:
In: Margaret Hamilton

What did you think of President Trump’s New Year gift to the world? Don’t know about you but I am holding my breath. Meanwhile, despite quotes from our Prime Minister, has he been seen?  Seems to be a pattern here of world leaders who think they can ignore what is happening to their people so long as they are leading the life they want. Imagine the Australian Prime Minister even thinking he could go off on an exotic holiday while his Country burns? The true heroes of the Australian situation are those who are helping each other. I simply cannot watch the carnage that isRead More →

On:
In: Jim Lynch, Uncategorized

I wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year;  who knows what this year will bring forth, but we start with 48 seats in Westminster, something we must learn to live with.  The Unionist camp, whose name is legion, mutters and grumbles at us only getting 45% of the votes cast as we did get 80% of the seats.  However these are their rules, not ours, or to phrase it correctly a win is a win is a win. I had an odd experience this morning; I was renewing my car insurance.  I did this at the weekend but had to telephone the currentRead More →

On:
In: Stephen Bird, Uncategorized

Pretty much all General Elections are described as “historic” and “the most important of our lives” etc at various points in their individual campaigns. Every once in a while, it’s actually true! December 12 2019 will undoubtedly be one of them for a number of reasons. Firstly, it will undoubtedly lead to the UK leaving the European Union for a number of years. There is no doubt in my mind that Johnson and his tories will pass the Withdrawal Act within weeks and we will “get Brexit done” by January 31. Whatever that most vacuous of phrases actually means. The hard work of trade dealsRead More →

On:
In: Margaret Hamilton

As I approach 60 I now understand what I did not 20 years ago. I used to wonder at conversations where people talked about living in isolated places, no tv and staying away from people they felt uncomfortable with. Digital technology was a no no to them. Like I said, I now have an understanding of their position. I do a search on the internet to find information, all of a sudden my social media is flooded with associated adverts and suggestions. Unsolicited email and phone calls are now a daily occurrence. On checking the numbers calling they are either totally made up or areRead More →

On:
In: Margaret Hamilton, Uncategorized

I remember my father being involved in an earlier renovation of the doocot. He drew up plans (being an architect) that were presumably required for planning permission. My father in law was a supporter of this charity as are my husband and I. This has all been made possible for us by the volunteers who had the vision for the initial project and the stamina to keep it all going over the years. I would therefore like to share with you the press release details released last week for the latest refurbishment of the site. If you have never visited the site you should tryRead More →