Category Archives: Community

Chocolate Steam Train

Posted on March 6, 2016 by davidsberry

Ever since 2007 when the affable, ineffectual John Home Robertson (as unlikely a Labour MSP as you’ll ever meet) drifted into retirement, East Lothian has been represented at the Scottish Parliament by Iain Gray. Now Iain—like John—is not a bad … Continue reading →

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Council Crunch

Posted on January 31, 2016 by davidsberry

Any regular reader will be know I have been a inveterate supporter of Scottish independence since I first became aware of politics as a teenager. For most of that time (38 years to be exact), I was a member of … Continue reading →

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America’s Higher Education Brought Low

Posted on December 2, 2015 by davidsberry

Rarely accused of being conservative (big or small ‘c’), reading George Will is not my natural territory. Being in agreement with him is even more of a stretch. But being in the Land of the FGree just now, I found … Continue reading →

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La Marseillaise

Posted on November 17, 2015 by davidsberry

As the crowds streamed out of the Stade de France after the bloodthirsty events of Friday, they began singing the French national anthem; the crowds gathered to hear Hollande’s speech from Versailles did the same. Anyone who has witnessed even … Continue reading →

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You Know You’ve Been Quangoed

Posted on November 13, 2015 by davidsberry

Last week, we outlined the largely unaccountable role of quangos in running Scotland and the unconscoinable salaries that their senior managers pull down. This week, we give the details. If they all took a 10% cut in salary, they would all … Continue reading →

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In Remembrance

Posted on November 11, 2015 by davidsberry

There has been a flood of commentary on social media about Remembrance Day and poppies being worn to honour it. Not all are favourable and some, indeed, highly critical. These latter appear to come from a number of positions, including: … Continue reading →

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Millionaires Only

Posted on October 28, 2015 by davidsberry

Anyone who has visited this blog more than cursorily will have twigged that I love where I live. North Berwick is not the perfect place. But having been round the world and lived abroad for a quarter-century in six different … Continue reading →

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Misogyny? It Costs Us All

Posted on October 7, 2015 by davidsberry

Gender equality has been a hot topic for a long time, especially in business. And, despite laws designed to ensure equal pay for equal work between men and women, the pay gap persists and hiring practices continue to discriminate, especially … Continue reading →

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Blame the Wrinklies

Posted on September 21, 2015 by davidsberry

Before we wade into this blog, disclosure is required: 1) I am a wrinkly, being two years past retirement age and so admit a personal interest in their welfare and; 2) this blog is full of charts and figures. Numerically … Continue reading →

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Pole Danzig

Posted on September 18, 2015 by davidsberry

Since joining the Union and building the British Empire, Scots have rather forgotten the close ties they once enjoyed with Europe. The ‘Auld Alliance’ with France (forgotten by most French) was the least of it. From the Middle Ages onward, … Continue reading →

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