On:
In: Margaret Hamilton, Uncategorized

As from the 9th of August most restrictions are to be lifted. We are being asked to continue with masks indoors and crowded places, as well as distancing when appropriate and good hygiene practices. It would seem that Douglas Ross, Conservative leader, cannot understand why we can’t just dismiss all precautions. He wants to Follow Mr Johnson’s lead. Well Douglas, I will tell you precisely why. Last week an online friend in Wales had to go into the office in an English city. She had been working from home for more than 18 months. She survived the office and a meal out with her colleagues. TheRead More →

On:
In: Maureen MacGregor

As England begins its divergence from the rest of the UK in relation to Covid rules and regulations and relies on the public to do the right thing according to their conscience, the gap between England and the other nations grows wider.  With all restrictions lifted south of the border and a statement that we need to learn to live with the  virus, there was some backtracking at the last minute when the advice on masks changed from don’t wear them to wear them in crowded spaces if you wish.  Since then, things have continued to develop unsurprisingly with the Health Minister catching and recovering from covidRead More →

On:
In: Margaret Hamilton

On Tuesday we have an interview televised with the sacked Mr Cummings. Everything he says about Mr Johnston is actually believable but is it anywhere near true? We have another previous cabinet minister say he sacked Mr Cummings and there are more ‘revelations’ to come. What we have learned during covid, with more time to pay attention, is that the current Conservative cabinet are a different kind of Conservative to those we are used to. I grew up knowing Conservatives as pretty decent people who held different views on certain subjects. In those days we knew only what they let us know. What a differenceRead More →

On:
In: Grant Thoms

For many, the end of the football tournament that was the Euros 2020 is a blessing. Yes, it was exciting to watch Scotland take part in its first international finals in decades but bittersweet to not make it through the group stages. Why anyone should expect a team with no or little experience of international competition to suddenly become winners is beyond someone like me with little to no experience of football punditry.  The face-saving element from the last month or so was to the goal-less draw with England. Never before has a scoreless draw been heralded as an emphatic win. Having said that, theRead More →

On:
In: Stephen Bird, Uncategorized

I wonder how you felt when the email from the National Secretary dropped into your inbox around the end of June? I had a mixture of emotions when I saw the three main topics were Independence, Council Elections 2022 and COP26.  All are no doubt worthy and indeed in the case of Independence a discussion which the Party needs to have on a number of levels. Strategic timeframes, improving the 2014 offering and involvement with the wider YES movement being just three examples. I also felt that familiar feeling of who has Branch or CA meetings in July and especially just after a General Election?Read More →

On:
In: Uncategorized

This week we learned that one of our bloggers, a board member and an ex editor of the newspaper, has died. Our thoughts are with the family of Jim Lynch. There will be an appreciation of Jim in due courseRead More →

On:
In: Margaret Hamilton

It would seem that big money, and those seeking to make big money, are forgetting about us as individuals and what we are battling with. The biggest offense, not just to Scotland, has been the European Football Championship. Because of all the money invested in this competition countries were forced into going ahead with what UEFA wanted. For fans able to participate this has been seen as a good thing. For those of us still complying with the guidelines of the health advisors and government it has been a concerning time. The coming weeks will confirm what was the right path to follow. Already, withinRead More →

On:
In: Maureen MacGregor

I wrote before about changes the Electoral Commission was proposing to implement in the Highlands and how there was a consultation ongoing into it.  The initial proposals were insulting, reinforcing the belief that we carry up here that we dont matter and many objected including those not remotely interested in politics as it was seen as yet another attempt to erode services from the far north and into Inverness. It was only a few years ago that the electoral commission altered the boundaries within Caithness moving it from 3 wards with 9 councillors to two wards with 8.  Previously there had been representation for theRead More →

On:
In: Grant Thoms

Controversial though this may sound, the Tories actually want to have another independence referendum. The Tories in question tend to be those in Westminster rather than Holyrood but then when has London ever taken cognisance of a Scottish Tory leader when it comes to the UK’s interests?  That’s perhaps rather unfair in current context but nonetheless, there is planning taking place within Whitehall for the next referendum and it’s time we woke up to that reality. A senior Scottish Tory strategist was very candid within a closed meeting for professional PR people. In this meeting, he set out three scenarios: 1. Say No (the statusRead More →

On:
In: Stephen Bird

Shambles, served three ways! When it comes time for the history of how Independence was won to be written, one name will probably be missing and I think that’s a shame. One man has taken a Party from being both a stalwart of the case for Home Rule, a partner in Government and a considerable election winning machine and almost single handed reduced it to the most unthinking of Unionist parties, not even recognised as a Party at Holyrood and a deposit losing shambles.  Truly we have much to be grateful for that Willie Rennie ever stood for election! For those of us of aRead More →