Category Archives: Politics

Beware the Greeks When Baring Teeth

Posted on January 25, 2015 by davidsberry

All results are not yet in but it’s pretty clear that the Greek people have thrown a wobbly after five years of austerity and voted en masse for Συριζα and its leader Tsipras who said: “Today the Greek people has … Continue reading →

Posted in Commerce, Politics | Tagged | 2 Comments

Canute’s Kingdom

Posted on January 23, 2015 by davidsberry

Most people agree that whatever Gordon Brown’s virtues or failings, his memorable contribution to political debate since 2010 was his impassioned plea for the union just before September’s referendum. The Huffington Post described the result as “a personal triumph for … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Leave a comment

Ailment or Oil Mint?

Posted on January 19, 2015 by davidsberry

Fate has not been kind to Scottish Labour over the last few years. Under first Iain Gray and then Johann Lamont, they seemed to get stuck in a dreich cycle of politics-as-moanfest. That led to a drubbing in 2011 that … Continue reading →

Posted in Commerce, Politics | Tagged | Leave a comment

Changin Scotland

Posted on November 30, 2014 by davidsberry

It’s the end of a packed weekend in and around the ever-quirky Ceilidh Place in Ullapool. Therehave been over a dozen previous Changin Scotland get-togethers but this was my first—and, unfortunately, reputed to be the last. There were so many … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Leave a comment

Politics in a New Dimension

Posted on November 29, 2014 by davidsberry

For as long anyone could remember, politics in Scotland was an extension of Westminster and British politics; same parties, same policies, same debates. ‘Putting a kilt’ on a story simply meant having a Scottish slant on a miners’ strike or … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Leave a comment

Raining on Nicola’s Parade

Posted on November 17, 2014 by davidsberry

There is no question that the SNP Conference just finished in Perth was upbeat, professional, impressive and—because of the slew of new members present—one of the most open and exciting. Salmond didn’t disappoint in the choice of demeanour for his … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Wrong Plane We Can’t Afford

Posted on November 7, 2014 by davidsberry

An event that passed with very little comment this summer was the naming of the first of the Royal Navy’s two 65,000-ton aircraft carriers—HMS Queen Elizabeth—at it launching ceremony in Rosyth. It is the second warship so named in RN … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged | Leave a comment

A Prefect to Sort Out the Primary Playground

Posted on October 30, 2014 by davidsberry

So the other shoe in the shape of Jim Murphy has dropped. Along with Neil Findlay and Sarah Boyack, the lineup looks a lot more credible than the dithering silence at the start of the week but this game is … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged | Leave a comment

Sauce for the Gander

Posted on October 27, 2014 by davidsberry

Since the referendum, the NO campaign have exuded “well, that’s settled”, based on their 10%-margin win. But actually, they have been keeping their heads down because debate around any agreed devolution settlement—such as the Smith Commission is expected to come … Continue reading →

Posted in Commerce, Community, Politics | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

John Maclean’s Body Is A-Spinning in his Grave

Posted on October 16, 2014 by davidsberry

These blogs have at times been scathing when referring to the Scottish Labour Party and for that no apology is offered. And yet, those who read them objectively will have realised that the positions taken were as much from sorrow … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Tagged | Leave a comment