The Myth of ‘Glasgow Man’
The Myth of ‘Glasgow Man’ Gerry Hassan Sunday Mail, February 1st 2015 ‘Glasgow man’ is expected to be a critical factor in the forthcoming general election contest in Scotland. He, or it, is central to Jim Murphy’s attempt to save Scottish Labour and win back 200,000 Labour supporters who voted Yes in the referendum. It is also pivotal to the SNP’s attempt to breakthrough in traditional Labour seats. Glasgow man is shorthand for a certain political demographic - the equivalent of ‘Basildon man’ who supposedly won it for Thatcher, and of ‘Mondeo man’ who contributed to Blair’s three election
How do we have a Genuine People’s Democracy?
How do we have a Genuine People’s Democracy? Gerry Hassan Sunday Mail, January 25th 2015 It was UK Democracy Day last week - 800 years since Magna Carta. And on the same day of the announcement that the Chilcot inquiry on the Iraq war would not be published until after the May general election - hardly an advert for British democracy. Then it was the debate about the on-off TV election debates. Was Cameron or Miliband more chicken? Will the SNP, Plaid Cymru and the Greens finally get their place on the UK platform? There was also the publication
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Scotland and the UK after the Oil Bubble
Scotland and the UK after the Oil Bubble Gerry Hassan Sunday Mail, January 18th 2015 Ever since its discovery, North Sea oil has played an important part in Scottish and British political and economic calculations. In recent months, the falling oil price has challenged many assumptions. These include the SNP’s version of independence and the lack of long termism in the UK Government, while producing shockwaves to the Scottish economy and wider UK and global consequences. Most immediately, there is the threat to jobs and livelihoods. The North Sea oil and gas sector directly employs 450,000 people and makes a
Jim Murphy’s ‘Clause Four’ Moment and ‘Putting Scotland First’
Jim Murphy’s ‘Clause Four’ Moment and ‘Putting Scotland First’ Gerry Hassan Sunday Mail, January 11th 2015 Jim Murphy has to do some simple things right now - as well as some difficult ones. He has to get noticed, cause a noise and get up certain people’s noses. Murphy faces some significant challenges. He has a short time span in which to make an impact on, and make a difference to, Labour’s electoral prospects for the May 7th UK general election - and how it is seen by the electorate. Both are tough asks. Who was the last Scottish Labour leader
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A Great Moment for Scotland and Equality: Now Let’s Get Serious About It
A Great Moment for Scotland and Equality: Now Let’s Get Serious About It Gerry Hassan Sunday Mail, January 4th 2015 As the clocks this week marked Hogmanay, Scotland’s first ever same sex marriage ceremonies took place. Each of the couples had their own unique and personal histories and backstories. Many had lived through times less enlightened and more repressive where people often had to hide their love, feelings and identities from family, friends and work colleagues. On that momentous night, at the Bell and Felix bistro in Glasgow’s Southside I had the honour of being amongst those who saw Gerrie
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The Battle for Britain 2015
The Battle for Britain 2015 Gerry Hassan Sunday Mail, December 28th 2014 Britain has had a tumultuous year. And 2015 will be as dramatic and difficult to predict. The UK general election will take place on Thursday May 7th. None of the three established Westminster parties are popular and nor are their leaders. Cameron’s poll ratings at least run ahead of Tory support, whereas Miliband and Clegg are massively unpopular with 22% and 13% satisfaction ratings respectively; and Miliband is more unpopular in Scotland than the Tory Prime Minister. At the last UK election in 2010, the Conservatives finished 20
What happened to the Spirit of 2014?
What happens to the Spirit of 2014? Gerry Hassan Sunday Mail, December 21st 2014 It has been an action packed 2014. Scotland’s year has witnessed drama, theatre and spectacle: the Commonwealth Games, First World War anniversaries, the Ryder Cup, and of course, the Big Day in September - the independence referendum. Scotland voted to stay in the union for now, but changed in the process, became more self-confident and more sure in its capacity to self-govern itself. The UK political classes seemed less sure-footed by the day. The spirit of 2014 witnessed the greatest democratic expression of Scots ever seen
Message to the Messengers Part Two: Where next after the indy referendum?
Message to the Messengers Part Two: Where next after the indy referendum? Gerry Hassan Scottish Left Project, December 12th 2014 The winds of change are without doubt blowing through Scotland. There is the decline of traditional power and institutions, the hollowing out and, in places, implosion of some of the key anchor points of public life and a fundamental shift in authority in many areas. This is Scotland’s ‘long revolution’ – which the indyref was a product of and which then was a catalyst of further change. It is partly understandable that in the immediate aftermath of the referendum,
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The Arrival of Jim Murphy and Scottish Labour’s Challenge
The Arrival of Jim Murphy and Scottish Labour’s Challenge Gerry Hassan Sunday Mail, December 14th 2014 A once impregnable organisation is in trouble and lost its way. It yearns for a now distant golden age and has continual problems of leadership and falling ratings. The above is about Glasgow Rangers FC, but it could be equally true of Scottish Labour. Two pillars of the Scottish establishment now on hard times. Scottish Labour yesterday elected Jim Murphy as its seventh leader in fifteen years, and Kezia Dugdale as deputy leader. That degree of change is the mark of an institution where
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Message to the Messengers: What do we do after Yes?
Message to the Messengers: What do we do after Yes? Gerry Hassan Scottish Left Project, December 5th 2014 It is a frenetic, dynamic time to be living in Scotland – politically, culturally and in many other aspects of public life. Nearly three months since the momentous indyref Scotland is still gripped by a sense of movement, possibilities and new openings – up to and beyond the 2015 and 2016 elections. Yet at the same time in parts of the independence movement there are unrealistic expectations of political change, of belief that the union is finished, and that Scotland can embark
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