Ending the war on drugs is sensible. It’s the route to travel, whether within the UK or as an independent nation. Sadly, the practical benefits of radical change are being lost amid the political posturing: the Scottish Government doing it simply for show, while Tory and Labour line up under an irredentist “it’s irresponsible” banner. That latter position’s as vacuous as Nancy Reagan’s “Just… Read more »
With fairer weather and reduced bills, the energy crisis has slightly dissipated. But it’s not gone away and will return with a vengeance when winter comes. Prices may be lower than the last few bills, but they’ll still be higher than what was the norm before they rocketed. The dangers were brought home by some statistics that the campaigning organisation… Read more »
It’s over 50 years since Jimmy Reid’s rectoral address at Glasgow University, described by the New York Times, which reprinted it in full, as the most important speech since Lincoln’s at Gettysburg. Its theme was alienation and, though not lengthy, it was wide-ranging. It’s best recalled for the immortal lines: “A rat race is for rats. We’re not rats. We’re human beings.”… Read more »
Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) sounds a benign technical term. But it masks what’s a serious problem. Both the Brunton Hall and Preston Lodge HS have issues with it leading to closure of all or just parts, and that will be replicated in other public buildings across the county and country. It was a method of manufacture for concrete planks… Read more »
Putting Independence in the first line of their Party manifesto’s surely indicative of the problem faced by Humza Yousaf’s continuity SNP. Over decades many candidates stood simply to keep the eternal flame burning, with no prospect of electoral success. That the Party was for independence was blindingly obvious, it was where it stood on other issues that was too often… Read more »
The price of petrol and diesel isn’t as high as it was a while back. But it’s not cheap to fill up your car and in East Lothian it’s often essential. Many jobs, such as health visitors and care workers, require one and although there’s recompense for mileage it isn’t keeping up with costs. It also affects the self-employed where tradesmen seek to offset mileage incurred from their tax bill. It’s something I’ve raised… Read more »
The Prime Minister and the First Minister both face issues with predecessors. Neither had a seamless transition into office and the former post-holders cast a long shadow. The contexts are of course vastly different, but I cannot help feeling that Rishi Sunak has handled things far better. A raft of by-elections is the last thing a beleaguered Prime Minister wants. But… Read more »
The focus in Parliament, as with the media, was on Boris Johnson. The Privileges Committee report was more scathing than anyone imagined and no doubt the former PM himself as his response was even more petulant than usual. He really is a charlatan who has demeaned the office of Prime Minister. Exposed at last, he shows no remorse either for… Read more »
Last week in Parliament I met with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. They’re the state body who will take over the operation of Torness when EDF depart. With closure anticipated for 2028 preparations are already being made. Obviously and, in terms of employment, welcomely there’ll be no significant immediate loss of work, even if ownership and management transfer. It’ll be a… Read more »
I was recently taken out to see Floating Offshore Wind Turbines. These Leviathans standing some 190 meters tall and with turbines spanning over 160 meters are impressive from distance, and even more imposing when underneath. Coming constructions will be even bigger, 300 meters predicted, that’s the height of the Eiffel Tower. The power generated will be enormous. Scotland already produces… Read more »