News of another bank closing’s a blow. This time it’s RBS in Tranent but it follows in a long list across every town and by all the major banks in East Lothian. It’s an issue for business as cash must be acquired and deposited. Hassle, as well as security issues arise for them. It’s also leaving another big gap on… Read more »
Every picture tells a story and not only is there genius behind some iconic shots, there’s also hard work and endurance. I was put in mind of that when catching up with my old friend the photographer Harry Benson. One of his most famous shots is the Beatles pillow fight at the Ritz in Paris. It’s arguably what set him… Read more »
It’s only been a few weeks since I wrote that the House of Sturgeon was burning down. But it’s the Polis and not the Fire Brigade who turned up. Suggestions that it had nothing to do with her resignation are risible. Many knew and only the timing was unknown. Irrespective of what happens with Peter Murrell, her reputation will not… Read more »
At the 1992 general election count in Bathgate, Labour celebrated early, ahead of almost sweeping the board in Scotland and in anticipation of similar success across the UK. Following Neil Kinnock’s infamous Sheffield pre-election celebration, the Labour agent, later a Labour MP, was buoyant entering the hall and similarly boasted not only about their success in Scotland but of the Labour government to come. But, as exit polls and… Read more »
Spring’s arrived and the light nights and better weather are welcome, but the energy crisis still remains. Many will have received intimation from their supplier about new tariffs and the cost of standing charges are eyewatering. They offer no respite to those seeking to economise, as they’re lumbered whether they use it or not. The impact’s harshest on the poorest… Read more »
I hosted an event in Westminster last week on behalf of campaign group Keep Prisons Single Sex. Billed as the bicentenary of the Gaols Act 1823, which saw prison reform driven by the likes of Elizabeth Fry, the event dealt with the modern-day issue of men self-identifying as female and seeking access to the women’s prison estate. Those speaking laid down the historical basis… Read more »
This weekend sees the tenth anniversary of the establishment of Police Scotland when the former regional constabularies were amalgamated into a single service. Most folk are probably unaware of that and just assume it’s been here forever. A few might recall the larger constabularies such as Strathclyde but was it Lothian or Lothian and Borders and what of the others… Read more »
Whilst household budgets are tightening that of the military’s increasing. £2.4 billion in military aid to Ukraine already and the percentage of GDP to be spent on defence increasing. It’s a worrying trend as not only are the poor and vulnerable going without but the risk of escalation to war is growing. Standards of living are plummeting but war fever… Read more »
Congratulations and good luck to Humza Yousaf, he’s going to need it. 52-48 against Kate Forbes was probably the worst result for New SNP. It won’t bother him as a win’s a win and he’s in power. But from the public and wider party perspective it’s the machine “what won it”. Kate Forbes came within a hairsbreadth of winning despite… Read more »
The 20th anniversary of the start of the Iraq war recently passed but the ramifications of it continue to rumble on. I was minded of it by a friend who had placed flowers at Robin Cooks grave. The former Foreign Secretary was courageous to both resign and speak out so vocally. That so many others in New Labour stayed silent, yet… Read more »