I am a European and want to live in a country which calls itself European Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, January 13th 2021 I am a European. In the past few years of Brexit, and many of the ridiculous posturing positions of the UK Government, I have never felt more European. Of course the EU and Europe are different things. And there is in places a logical, coherent argument for Brexit – which while I disagree with I can respect and understand. But the events of the past four and a half years have brought to the fore an intemperate,

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The Attack on Democracy and Breaking Out of the Empire State in the US and UK Gerry Hassan Sunday National, January 10th 2021 Democracy is under attack. It is being challenged by the likes of Trump and his fascist supporters and by authoritarians the world over – testing its strength and legitimacy. And it is not in great shape in the UK, with academic David Runciman saying that “American democracy is stuck and British democracy is stuck.” The events of 6th January 20201 and the storming of Congress by Trump’s far right supporters has appalled most of the world. Much

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Making our own collective future in Scotland Gerry Hassan Sunday National, January 3rd 2021        Until it arrived, 2020 was seen by many as a symbol of the future. It was a benchmark and distant date with destiny – aided by phrases like ‘2020 vision’. But 2020 didn’t feel like the future that had been predicted - or like any other year. This is a salutary lesson. Much of the future is always surprising, unimagined and unpredictable - while other parts are predictable or ‘inevitable surprises’. To think, dream and conceive of the future is part of what

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More than ever we need to come together and celebrate collective joy Gerry Hassan Sunday National, December 27th 2020 These are not exactly the happiest of times the world over - with crises, worry and anxiety all around us. In such circumstances never more have we needed to find light and hope, optimism and joy. As important in an age of loneliness and isolation is reaching out to others, recognising that we are more than mere individuals and are part of something bigger than ourselves – whether it be different communities and places. Over a decade ago the American writer

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When Four Young Scots Shook the British Establishment: Ian Hamilton and the Stone of Destiny Gerry Hassan Sunday National, December 20th 2020 Scotland has always had a tradition of stories, legends and myths which have given sustenance to history and identity. One of the most evocative over the years has been that of the recovery of the Stone of Destiny on Christmas Day in 1950 – the 70^th anniversary of which is next week. The Stone of Destiny has an important role in Scottish, English and British history; it even has different names and is known in official royal

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My Favourite Music of 2020 Gerry Hassan Some Great Reward, December 17th 2020 For the past six years I have put together my sounds of the year. This year is a special one: 2020 was unique for obvious reasons and it is the first time I have undertaken this for Some Great Reward, the wonderful record shop run by Olly and Faye on Victoria Road, Govanhill on Glasgow’s Southside. For the past two and a half years we have run a monthly record club – Southside Record Club - at the shop with the support and input of Olly and

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My Favourite Books of 2020 Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, December 16th 2020 Since 2014, I have compiled an annual list of my books and publications of the year (as well as music), and for the first time this year have undertaken it for Scottish Review. My rules for inclusion are that I have read the book over the past year and think it worth commending; I have a bias towards books published in the past twelve months but include some older titles as I have read them during this year.   Section One: Scotland Scotland: General Murray Stewart Leith

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The British Royal State is in terminal decline but still holds all of us back Gerry Hassan Sunday National, December 13th 2020 The Royal Family have been in the news of late with Kate and William’s three-day, whistle-stop ‘Royal Train Tour’ making just nine stops in Scotland, Wales and England. This marks an end to a very uneasy year for the Royals, defined by personal difficulty, crisis and continued scandal. In terms of supporting their subjects, the Royals have effectively been invisible this past pandemic year. There was the Queen’s TV address in early April; she commented in May

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How not to do a break-up: Brexit and lessons for Scottish Independence Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, December 9th 2020 Today is 1,630 days since the UK narrowly voted for Brexit – and Scotland along with Northern Ireland voted Remain. ‘Taking Back Control’ was meant to be simple, smooth and straightforward, according to its adherents. It was meant to be ‘the easiest trade deal in history’ where the UK held all the cards in any negotiation. And so the Brexit denialism continues with David Davis, former Minister for Brexit, saying on Monday that ‘we must remember that Britain has nothing to

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Independence is a story about all of us – and there is serious work to do Gerry Hassan Sunday National, December 6th 2020 2020 has been the year of many striking things. It has been a year of progress for Scottish independence. A raft of polls show a consistent majority for independence and the SNP is polling strongly. Nicola Sturgeon is massively more popular than Boris Johnson; while the SNP’s trust ratings on a range of issues is impressive. All of which points towards the likelihood of a pro-independence majority in seats and votes in the 2021 elections. Some independence

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