Day: 18 May 2026

The parliament of make-believe

The parliament of make-believe

ON SATURDAY The Times ran an interview with the Scottish Parliament’s new Presiding Officer, Kenny Gibson, under the headline: “I won’t stand for any misgendering”. Gibson said: “You have to respect what that person wants to be called. And if someone doesn’t do that, then you have to call that out in the chamber and […]

On leaving Scottish Labour, and what comes next

On leaving Scottish Labour, and what comes next Ian Davidson

I WAS IN PRIMARY SIX when my uncle Ian Davidson made me fall in love with politics. “You’re not messing me about. You’re actually interested in this?” It felt like an initiation. I still recall being excited by the Green Paper – a preliminary consultative document. He meant it as a compliment. Ian was a […]