Published by The i paper (10th July, 2023) The state of British politics often induces despair. Westminster is hooked on playing pathetic tribal games and populated by self-centred […]
Politics
Sturgeon, Johnson and the curse of nationalism
Published by The i paper (27th March, 2023) This week sees the end of an exceptional political era. Nicola Sturgeon is standing down as Scotland’s First Minister after […]
Feature / Politics
If you thought Brexit was fraught…
Published by The i paper (10th May, 2021) One of many curiosities about last week’s elections was the unusual success of incumbents. Historically, such events have been a […]
Crime / Policy
A broken prison system – but Scotland pushes for reform
Published by The i paper (29th January, 2018) Two years ago, in those far off days before the Brexit debacle, David Cameron declared prison reform ‘a great progressive […]
Politics
The earthquake that upended British politics
Published by The Wall Street Journal (9th July, 2016) British politics and governance have been shaken during the past few weeks in ways that I have not seen […]
Politics
The false prophets of nationalism
Published by The Independent (11th May, 2015) Shortly before election day I spent an afternoon with the affable Danny Alexander as he fought to save his seat in […]
Politics
Triumph, despair and revenge at the British ballot box
Published by The Wall Street Journal (9th May, 2015) On Thursday evening, as the final voters were trudging to polling stations, David Cameron was handed his party’s predictions for the […]
Politics
Sturgeon spoke her mind – unlike the Labour leader
Published by The Daily Telegraph (3rd April, 2014) There were no real losers in last night’s leaders’ debate, which was surprisingly enjoyable despite looking at times like a […]
Immigration / Policy / Politics
Immigration as a vote-winner?
Published by The Independent (16th March, 2015) Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh grew up in a Conservative family. Her father was the first Asian councillor elected in Scotland and as a […]
Politics
A Tory-Labour unity coalition may be the only way forward
Published by The Guardian (3rd January, 2014) In the 1929 general election, Labour won 37% of the vote and became the biggest party in the House of Commons, […]
Politics
We’re heading for a crisis whoever wins the election
Published by The Independent (6th October, 2014) There is something absurd about the Liberal Democrat conference, with all those attacks on their partners in government over the past four […]