BY EFFIE DEANS I think I am beginning to see a new variant of Covid or perhaps it is just a function of the lockdown. It is causing otherwise rational people to lose all perspective and behave in ways that their Pre-Covidian selves would have considered bizarre. I’ve always found Britain to be relaxed sort of a place. If you don’t do anything wrong, you … Continue reading Pot Kettle Blackford
BY EFFIE DEANS Scotland entered lockdown at exactly the same time as the other parts of Britain. We did so because we were following the advice that had been given to the British Government by the SAGE committee of scientific experts. Boris Johnson announced a very cautious easing of this lockdown some time ago, but Nicola Sturgeon decided that nothing would change in Scotland. Why? … Continue reading Jockdown
BY EFFIE DEANS The SNP has been demanding a second referendum on Scottish independence from the moment it lost the first one. We never get a break. I began writing about Scottish politics in 2012. I was willing to be magnanimous when we won in 2014. I advised people not to gloat or rub it in. That we were all Scots together and now was … Continue reading Scotching the SNP
BY EFFIE DEANS Scottish nationalists like to think of Britain as a mini European Union made up of four members and four different peoples. But their hatred of Britain is blinding them to what is happening, and I think this is why they are beginning to make a series of misjudgements. We all have different ideas about how well or how badly the Government is … Continue reading Lady MacSturgeon
BY NIGEL BEAN & PAUL READ After five years of trying to smear hunt folk with false allegations of illegal hunting up in Scotland using highly edited videos, the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) appear to have finally thrown in the towel. If you want to read an account of what happened from a newspaper that threw its weight behind the League’s tawdry campaign then … Continue reading SNP’s Toxic LACS Relationship
BY EFFIE DEANS There are essentially three positions on the lock-down: 1. We should get out sooner (Hawks). 2. We should get out later (Doves). 3. There should not be a lock down at all (Enzas). Which is correct? We just don’t know. The correct decision depends on knowing how many people have been infected with Covid 19 around the world and what percentage have … Continue reading Enza?
BY EFFIE DEANS We all remember the bit in the Great Escape when Gordon Jackson’s character gives himself away by answering “Thank You” to someone from the Gestapo wishing him “Good Luck” in English. But a modern-day Gordon Jackson QC has recently surpassed even this example of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Alex Salmond’s lawyer has disgraced himself, but I very much … Continue reading Salmond’s Great Escape
BY EFFIE DEANS The problem with Scottish politics is that we have a devolved parliament that is uninterested in devolution. Scottish politicians of all political parties pretend to be interested in those areas of life that the Scottish Parliament actually controls, but campaign primarily on issues that we don’t control. The same goes for supporters. What areas are controlled by the Scottish Government. Well here … Continue reading The SNP Whelk Stall
BY EFFIE DEANS There is a view I like on the west coast of Scotland which takes in the islands of Raasay and Rona, behind them Skye with its Cuillins and in the far distance the Outer Hebrides. It is perhaps the best view in Europe if you can find an evening in June with the sun about to set and fine weather. Scotland is the … Continue reading An English Appreciation Society
BY EFFIE DEANS In Moscow Lavrentiy Beria, Head of the NKVD, used to cruise around in his limousine looking for cute girls. When he found what he was looking for he would point her out and have her brought to his dacha. There would be wine and food and afterwards he would sleep with her. On departure the girl would be given a bouquet – … Continue reading Scotland Becoming Russia
BY EDWARD THOMAS BLACK Every country has its shameful past. Fortunately – for most – the past is well in the past. A product of different times and difference circumstances. However one country in Europe is in the unfortunate position of simultaneously living its shameful past and its shameful present. That country is Scotland. Why should we Scots be living through shameful times? For one. … Continue reading SNP Shame
BY EFFIE DEANS The Conservative manifesto promised that there would not be a second Scottish independence referendum. The Conservatives won a large majority. That should be the end of the matter. This being Scotland it isn’t. Independence is the bone, Nicola Sturgeon is the dog. Scottish nationalists will teach their toddlers that “No means No” or else raise spoilt brats. Young independence supporting women will go … Continue reading Nae
