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 »
History was always going to be harsh on Nicola Sturgeon but the pace at which the reassessment’s happening is as surprising as the speed of her Bute House exit. The House of Sturgeon’s burning down and the resignation of Peter Murrell won’t provide a firewall. Not only were they joined in holy matrimony, but they were joined at a hip in… Read more »
The Budget was the focus in Westminster last week. As ever aspects were welcome but it’s the totality of it upon which its judged. Ending higher charges for Pre-Payment Meters is to be welcomed. But why the delay? All that was required was the stroke of a Ministerial pen and yet many have been left to suffer a cruel winter… Read more »
I recall when we reappeared from lockdown like animals coming out of hibernation thinking how run down some areas looked. The absence of a lick of paint given both restrictions and lack of funds were understandable but obvious for all to see. These were locations which had previously been if not prosperous, certainly not poor. Areas began to resemble those… Read more »
The SNP establishment have hoisted the white flag on independence. Humza Yousaf may say everything’s still on the table and repudiated his colleague Ben MacPherson’s “stepping down a gear” but there’s no direction and just no oomph. It’s the natural progression for an administration which other than in 2017, when a call to arms was no sooner made than activists… Read more »
Debate in Westminster last week was dominated by proposed legislation to deal with the so called “small boat crisis”. Some of the rhetoric used by Government Ministers was reprehensible and my sympathies lie with Gary Lineker. I admired him as a player and respect his speaking out. There is a major issue but fuelling hate and demonising desperate people for… Read more »