Leadership in a Cold Climate: COVID-19 and the Emerging New World Gerry Hassan Sunday National, January 24th 2021 The inauguration of Joe Biden as US President is part ritual, part celebration. At its heart is a reaffirmation of the power of democracy and the belief that even in divided, difficult times leadership can make a difference. This raises questions about the role and expectations of political leadership – not just in the US, but in the UK and here in Scotland. We live in an age where traditional models of leadership and the attitudes around them are discredited, but

Continue Reading Leadership in a Cold Climate: COVID-19 and the Emerging New World

Trump and the Problem with Sexist Men and Masculinity Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, January 20th 2020 Today is the end of the Trump Presidency - four years of chaos, incompetence, hatred and prejudice, fuelled by his constant craving and need for attention and approval. But this is not just a story about one repulsive man in America; it is a global moment and warning. One of the underlying factors in the personality of Trump is his expression of masculinity – boorish, abusive, intolerant, lacking any empathy of others, irresponsible and unreconstructed. He has believed all his adult life that he

Continue Reading Trump and the Problem with Sexist Men and Masculinity

Scottish Labour is the problem, not the leader. And the solution is a genuine Scottish Labour Party Gerry Hassan Sunday National, January 17th 2020 The Scottish Labour Party has contributed so much over the past 20 years; not in terms of substantive politics in government or opposition but in the realm of scandal, drama and soap opera. Richard Leonard’s resignation is the latest episode in this long running saga which has increasingly been playing to diminishing audiences and reviews. He has been the ninth Labour leader in two decades; the sixth leader in opposition, and the fifth since the 2014

Continue Reading Scottish Labour is the problem, not the leader. And the solution is a genuine Scottish Labour Party

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,

Continue Reading I am a European and want to live in a country which calls itself European

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

Continue Reading The Attack on Democracy and Breaking Out of the Empire State in the US and UK

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

Continue Reading Making our own collective future in Scotland

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

Continue Reading More than ever we need to come together and celebrate collective joy

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

Continue Reading When Four Young Scots Shook the British Establishment: Ian Hamilton and the Stone of Destiny

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

Continue Reading My Favourite Music of 2020

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

Continue Reading My Favourite Books of 2020