Herald on Sunday, Sunday National, 2nd April 2023. When Humza Yousaf emerged as the frontrunner in the SNP leadership race, the hacks began to ask around. The colour profiles – “who is Humza Yousaf? Everything we know about the new First Minister” – were being thrown together. Inevitably journalists were curious about the new SNP … Continue reading School with Humza →

Herald on Sunday, Sunday National, 12th March 2023. Let’s be frank: there’s a palpable enthusiasm gap in this leadership election. In some campaigns, you watch a runaway favourite chased by also-rans and no-hopers. Some leadership elections are ideological battles. Others are chances to ventilate grievances, dissect an electoral defeat, or for different factions to test … Continue reading Enthusiam gaps →

Sunday National, Herald on Sunday, 19th February 2023. From time to time, I'm invited along to talk to party branches and political groups in different parts of the country. When I'm in pro-independence company, there's a line I often use which goes down dependably badly with the crowd - "the 2014 independence campaign was a … Continue reading The return of the repressed →

Sunday National, Herald on Sunday, 12th February 2023. Oscar Slater didn't kill Marion Gilchrist. Stefan Kiszko didn't murder Lesley Molseed. Sally Clark and Donna Anthony and Angela Cannings weren't responsible for any of their children's deaths. On and on I could go. There was Tim Evans, hanged for John Christie's crime. Paddy Hill, ­Gerry Hunter, Johnny Walker, … Continue reading Ask them about Sally Clark →

Sunday National, Herald on Sunday, 5th February 2023. Because Nadhim Zahawi's sacking spilled out into the public domain first thing on a Sunday morning, most of the coverage was process-orientated. Why sack him now? Should he have been sacked earlier? Nobody in the TV or radio studios had much time to digest what Zahawi did … Continue reading SLAPP-d. →

Sunday National, Herald on Sunday, 29th January 2023. Many of you will have heard the story of Ellie Wilson on Scottish television and radio in recent weeks. The former University of Glasgow student is a rape survivor and justice reform campaigner. She has challenged the legal system on her experiences in the witness box and … Continue reading Anonymity “rights”? Reforming Scots law →

Sunday National, Herald on Sunday, 22nd January 2023. YOU are entitled to be perplexed by the political optics. When Rishi Sunak was parachuted into Downing Street with a mop and an apologetic expression, we were told that conciliation was now the name of the game. Muscular Unionism was out, and a new, more constructive spirit … Continue reading The “governor-general” power →

Sunday National, Herald on Sunday, 15th January 2023. I thought I detected a flicker of animosity from the outset. Calling me "Mister Tickle" was a bit of a tell. The setting? Holyrood, in 2015. The subject? The legislative ping-pong over the new Scotland Bill. The bill was introduced after the independence referendum to try to … Continue reading Under section 35 →

Sunday National, Herald on Sunday, 8th January 2023. “People are tired of politics. Tired of parties focusing more on what separates us than brings us together. I passionately believe there is more that unites us in this great country than divides us. Yes or no, Brexit-backing or Remainiac, vegan or carnivore, right or left, up … Continue reading Making a desert – and calling it politics →

Sunday National, Herald on Sunday, 18th December 2022. 147 ministers a’ sacking (or resigning), six by-elections, four chancellors of the exchequer, three prime ministers, two heads of state, and yet another confessional documentary from the renegade House of Sussex – weak festive gags about lonesome partridges and the fruit trees they occupy write themselves. 2022 … Continue reading ♫ “147 ministers a’sacking…” ♫ →