The Referendum Question, ‘the Scottish Dimension’ and the Future of Britain
The Referendum Question, ‘the Scottish Dimension’ and the Future of Britain Gerry Hassan The Scotsman, October 22nd 2009 Talk of independence referendums are in the air; the question, the number of questions, who calls it and most recently the number of referendums. In the last few days, Jo Eric Murkens, a former Researcher at the academic Constitution Unit has revisited the argument of their book, ‘Scottish Independence’ of a few years ago which made the case that Scotland needed to have not just one, but two votes on independence. This argument states that the first vote would be ‘in principle’
Continue Reading The Referendum Question, ‘the Scottish Dimension’ and the Future of Britain
The Changing Faces of the Scottish Nationalists
The Changing Faces of the Scottish Nationalists Gerry Hassan The Scotsman, October 14th 2009 The SNP Annual Conference opens in Inverness on Thursday with the party in good mood: two and a half years into the first SNP administration, seen by most as competent and successful. The party has a sense of purpose. Alex Salmond is a popular First Minister, leading a talented ministerial team - Nicola Sturgeon, John Swinney, Fiona Hyslop, Kenny MacAskill, Mike Russell and others. Underneath this sense of success and progress what has the SNP achieved, what has it not achieved, and what future challenges await
Continue Reading The Changing Faces of the Scottish Nationalists
Why it is a Real Time for Change!
Why it is a Real Time for Change! Gerry Hassan The Scotsman, October 10th 2009 The three UK party conferences have now passed and the parties laid out their stalls. The countdown to the election has begun with only seven months to the start of the formal campaign next spring. Cameron, Brown and Clegg all stressed their character, vision and engaged in the sort of political cross-dressing that has become the fashion following on from Tony Blair. What was more revealing than what they said was what they didn’t say. We know Gordon Brown can’t say ‘sorry’, but Tony Blair
Labour Deep Crisis and Brown’s Road to Brighton Pier
Labour's Deep Crisis and Brown’s Road to Brighton Pier Gerry Hassan The Scotsman, September 28th 2009 The Labour Party meet this week in a strange mood, partly nervous of what is to come, but realising they have closed off nearly every possible escape route. It is some ways like the gathering of a collective death cult, amazed that despite everything they are still alive! Gordon Brown, touring the TV studios undertaking his latest ‘fight-back’, was interviewed by Andrew Marr - live on Sunday morning. Two great Scots locking horns. In between them, on Brighton seafront, could be seen the shimmering
Continue Reading Labour Deep Crisis and Brown’s Road to Brighton Pier
The Tale of Two Leaders: George Burley and Gordon Brown
The Tale of Two Leaders: George Burley and Gordon Brown Gerry Hassan The Scotsman, September 15th 2009 Two embattled leaders, both bedevilled by crisis and calls for their heads, with talk of mutiny and rebellion all around. One of these leaders is George Burley, ill-fated manager of the Scotland national team who last week failed to qualify for their sixth international tournament in a row. The other is Gordon Brown, leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister, who has survived several coups and assassination plots, and struggles on despite his inability to inspire people or set a positive direction.
Continue Reading The Tale of Two Leaders: George Burley and Gordon Brown
Where have all the Radicals Gone (with apologies to Joan Baez)?
Where have all the Scottish Radicals Gone (with apologies to Joan Baez)? Gerry Hassan The Scotsman, September 9th 2009 At a time when the eyes of the world have been upon Scotland, its government and Parliament due to the al-Megrahi case, it is an appropriate moment to ask what happened to the Scots tradition of radicalism? Scotland once had, and still has to an extent, a reputation as a left-wing land, a place of radical politics and possibilities, and is still talked about by some as being a ‘socialist country’. Yet if this were the case where are the current
Continue Reading Where have all the Radicals Gone (with apologies to Joan Baez)?
Whatever Happened to the Giants of Scotland? Life after Archie, Arthur and Bob Crampsey
What Happened to the Giants of Scotland? Life after Archie, Arthur and Bob Crampsey The Scotsman, August 13th 2009 Gerry Hassan The big boys football season starts this weekend. All across Scotland, football fans will be tuning in their radios, watching TV results, and turning to newspaper back pages and special supplements. Another year, another season, and yet something has gone wrong with the way football is presented and reported in this country. It has come to represent a very unflattering, unattractive aspect of ourselves which should give us pause for thought. It wasn’t always like this. Once football
Blowing the Whistle on the ‘McLad Phenomenon’
Blowing the Whistle on the 'McLad Phenomenon' Gerry Hassan The Scotsman, August 6th 2009 Scottish men don’t have good health, life expectancy or know how to open up about their emotions. They drink too much, are easily prone to violence, and are more likely to be the victims of violence. Negative images abound about men in modern society and Scottish men in particular. From Rab C. Nesbitt to the male characters in ‘Taggart’ and the ‘Walking Wounded’ lost men in McIlvanney’s and Kelman’s novels, it all seems a bit grim. Is it really this bad and why do these portrayals
Continue Reading Blowing the Whistle on the ‘McLad Phenomenon’
Britain is Not Broken: Can We Tell The Complex Story of Modern Life?
Britain is Not Broken: Can We Tell The Complex Story of Modern LIfe? Gerry Hassan The Scotsman, July 27th 2009 A spectre is haunting Britain. Fear stalks the land. Older people are scared to go out at night. Younger people are demonised. There is a general sense of malaise about the decline of good manners, respect and trust. ‘Is it Just Me or Is Everything Shit?’, ‘Grumpy Old Men’ and other such titles fill bookshops. These tap into a wider belief that something has gone wrong in society and illustrate the strength of a culture and mentality of pessimism. Continue Reading Britain is Not Broken: Can We Tell The Complex Story of Modern Life?
Why Gordon Brown is Still Standing!
Why Gordon Brown is Still Standing! Gerry Hassan The Scotsman, July 21st 2009 Gordon Brown has been Prime Minister and Labour leader for two years. During this time, he has been battered, patronised, ridiculed and written off as useless, and not the telegenic type of politician required in the modern age – such as Tony Blair and David Cameron. (more…)
