Category Archives: Politics

Alexander the Greet

Posted on October 13, 2011 by davidsberry

Finally, five months after May’s drubbing and several months into a leadership contest comparable to watching paint dry, there are some signs of life in Labour. Not Scottish Labour, mind you, but someone down in Victoria Street has read dispatches … Continue reading →

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That’s All, Foulkes

Posted on October 8, 2011 by davidsberry

A quirky characteristic of Labour in Scotland is that, while they field formidable and subtle politicians, such abilities traditionally, with rare exception, head South. Once there, such contributions as they do seek to make back here in Scotland are drowned … Continue reading →

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A Faraway Conference, of Which We Know Little

Posted on October 4, 2011 by davidsberry

Manchester or the Moon, the debate seems to be just how relevant the Tory Conference can be for Scotland. With ex-Tory Brian Monteith fulminating eloquent as ever about their lost opportunities in the Hootsmon and Iconoclast-in-Chief Murdo Fraser not showing up … Continue reading →

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What Is It About Tories…

Posted on October 2, 2011 by davidsberry

…that, even in Englandshire, malcontents won’t let those few members left have a quiet commiserative drink together of a Saturday night? We note that, despite David Mundell’s best efforts to scupper him, Murdo is still casting about for a new … Continue reading →

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Looking Through a Glass Union

Posted on October 1, 2011 by davidsberry

At first I was quite heartened to hear that a new website had been launched to put the case for the Union. According to the site: “Currently there is no coherent Scottish voice championing a preservation of the United Kingdom. … Continue reading →

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Another Load of Old Balls

Posted on September 27, 2011 by davidsberry

Given that oratory was never his strength, Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls’s speech to the Labour Conference faithful in Liverpool was a competent affair that achieved what most senior opposition spokespeople aspire to but seldom achieve—landing a couple of blows on … Continue reading →

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No Ferries from Westminster Pier

Posted on September 19, 2011 by davidsberry

Good for the Hootsmon. Though too often it reveals Wizards of Oz furiously pulling unionist strings behind its editorial curtains, it gave a three-part, 6,000-word platform to ex-Lib-Dem Leader Tavish Scott to harangue us soothmoothers in stereo with the Lib-Dem … Continue reading →

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The Beginning of the End

Posted on September 18, 2011 by davidsberry

Having been a longtime SNP member and activist, the rocky road I have come was made smoother by the stout hearts and selflessness of others. It is deference to those as much as to the cause of independence itself that … Continue reading →

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Changing Course or Deckchairs?

Posted on September 11, 2011 by davidsberry

It seems that my ex-opponent is as good as his word. Within 24 hours of standing tight-lipped across from me as the ERO confirmed his 151 majority and having heard the scale of the SNP victory elsewhere, he declared: “There … Continue reading →

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Calling All Unionists

Posted on September 7, 2011 by davidsberry

 “Unfortunately, it is true that only one side is even on the park playing in this match.” Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale, Scotland’s first minister from 2001 to 2007, on the proposed Independence Referendum. The Scotsman, Sep. 7th 2011. “We need … Continue reading →

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