The SNP has got us where we are, but the SNP on its own isn’t enough in the future Gerry Hassan Bella Caledonia, October 12th 2016 The SNP have played a huge role in getting us to where we are today. They are central to where Scotland goes in the future - but they on their own are not enough. Without the SNP there is significant doubt that we would ever have got a Scottish Parliament. It is true that Labour legislated for it, but they were first brought back to devolution in the 1970s by the electoral threat of

Continue Reading The SNP has got us where we are, but the SNP on its own isn’t enough in the future

Theresa May, the End of Empire State Britain and the Death of Unionism Gerry Hassan Open Democracy, October 7th 2016 The Tory conference tried to sail on as if the sea wasn’t turbulent and choppy, with the ship heading for the rocks. Tory statecraft, élan, even class confidence, have all contributed to this along with the vindication of the long held faith and religious zeal of those of a Brexit disposition. Many have come late to the latter, while Theresa May has embraced this dogma with the zeal of the new found convert. You don’t have to look very far

Continue Reading Theresa May, the End of Empire State Britain and the Death of Unionism

Where is the Jeremy Corbyn Labour Party revolution going to end? Gerry Hassan Scotttish Review, September 29th 2016 Jeremy Corbyn and Labour have some major positives going for them. He has been re-elected Labour leader with a huge majority in an election in which over half a million people voted. On the wave of a surge of excitement and engagement, Labour’s membership has risen to 650,000 - over four times that of the Tories, and representing the largest political party in all Europe. On top of that Jeremy Corbyn is clearly a different kind of politician. He is untainted by

Continue Reading Where is the Jeremy Corbyn Labour Party revolution going to end?

Whatever happened to the idealism of Space: The Final Frontier? Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, September 21st 2016 All life cannot be about politics. That is a definition of tyranny and dictatorship. In the last couple of months whilst working on some big projects I have chosen to relax late at night by watching the 1960s original TV series ‘Star Trek’. I haven’t watched it since I was a kid in Dundee. It has proven to be a real piece of time travel taking me back to when I viewed the world in more simplistic and naïve colours. Viewing ‘Star

Continue Reading Whatever happened to the idealism of Space: The Final Frontier?

We need a Spirit of Independence to shape the Scotland of the Future Gerry Hassan Bella Caledonia, September 19th 2016 No one needs reminding that Sunday represented the second anniversary of the indyref. It was a significant watershed: a passing of time from being in the shadow of the 2014 vote to looking to the future. If that’s true, then an awful lot of attitudes are fairly entrenched. While that’s true of both pro-union and independence opinion, it belies the forces of change to more ruthlessly assess, be honest about failings and foibles, and change and adapt to be successful.

Continue Reading We need a Spirit of Independence to shape the Scotland of the Future

It’s Time for Dangerous Talk: Jaytalking Scotland Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, September 15th 2016 These are strange times. We are told everyday in every way by numerous experts and talking heads that this is an age of unprecedented change, uncertainty and flux. That nothing can be taken for granted. Yet this is also an age of great conformity and conservatism; not only in mainstream politics but in large acres of what passes for popular culture – from music to novels, theatre, comedy, TV and visual arts. Scotland fits into this pattern rather well. It has shaken the UK to near

Continue Reading It’s Time for Dangerous Talk: Jaytalking Scotland

The Rise of an English Ideology and the Joys of Reading ‘The Spectator’ Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, September 8th 2016 I have long been an admirer of ‘The Spectator’. Well, why would I restrict myself to reading only that which confirms my world-view? It is good to be challenged, provoked - as well as entertained - plus the magazine gives an insight into another world (that of right-wing England) – which is influential and plays a role shaping ideas around the Tory Government. In the last few months I have been reading ‘Spectator’ back issues for a forthcoming book

Continue Reading The Rise of an English Ideology and the Joys of Reading ‘The Spectator’

Does Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP have the courage to challenge Scotland and her own side? Gerry Hassan Sunday Mail, September 4th 2016 This week First Minister Nicola Sturgeon launched a major new initiative on independence. At the moment she is playing for time – waiting to see the developing post-Brexit landscape, Theresa May’s hand with Article 50 and the broad outline of the deal the UK is proposing with the EU. There are numerous factors at work. Sturgeon has to be seen doing something. She has to appear in charge and doing something on independence. Plus there is the

Continue Reading Does Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP have the courage to challenge and her own side?

The Myth of the Great Leader: Gordon Brown, Jimmy Reid and Alex Salmond Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, September 1st 2016 The times they-are-a-changing. There is a tangible feeling in the air of discontent, anger and bewilderment. People feel let down and cheated by the multiple powers that be. It isn’t surprising then that there is a palpable sense of national nostalgia depicted on TV – remakes fill the screens (Are You Being Served?, Porridge), while period dramas (Downton Abbey) or endless documentaries on World War Two and the Nazis are hugely popular. The left aren’t immune to this either –

Continue Reading The Myth of the Great Leader: Gordon Brown, Jimmy Reid and Alex Salmond

Every Year When the World Comes to Scotland Gerry Hassan Sunday Mail, August 28th 2016 At the end of every summer Edinburgh becomes a global village - walking down any street or lane entails coming across numerous nationalities, languages and different cultures. Streets are packed with tourists, sightseers, and cultural backpackers; there are performances in every nook and cranny of the city centre, and all sorts of impromptu and free shows going on all around. All of this puts Edinburgh and Scotland on the cultural map unlike anything else. It generates large amounts of revenue for the city and wider

Continue Reading Every Year When the World Comes to Scotland