The first hundred days sets the tone as to how you’ll be viewed. But for Humza Yousaf it’s not even been that, just a fortnight or so. To be fair it’s been baptism of fire with his predecessor having placed land mines whichever way he stepped. But this is how he’s going to be seen and judged. It’s continuity despite… Read more »
Another classic Harry Benson photograph is the Beatles with Muhammad Ali. Early in 1964 Harry was on location in Miami with the band and it coincided with the heavyweight championship bout between Sonny Liston and Ali then in his original incarnation Cassius Clay. Wanting a picture of the band with the world champion he phoned Liston who was disparaging. Whether… Read more »
Scotland is energy rich but many of our folk are fuel poor I’ve written on many an occasion. But it’s so huge and so vital that it’s necessary to keep saying so. Also some people are making money though from our renewable resource and it’s not just the big energy companies where there are dividends and bonuses aplenty. Most of… Read more »
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 »