Labour have finally seen sense
It was great last week to see the Labour party finally realise the inevitable – a mandate from the people for a fresh referendum on independence must be respected.
John McDonnell, Shadow Chancellor and right-hand man to Jeremy Corbyn, pulled the rug from under his comrades at Holyrood who’ve railed against the sovereignty of their own parliament and announced Labour won’t stand in the way of our democratic right to determine our own future.
It was the first sensible policy we’ve seen from Labour in a long time.
Incredibly, he chose the Edinburgh Fringe to make his announcement.
The Declaration of Salt and Sauce? But his MSPs – or at least most of them – didn’t agree, and now their party is once again focusing on stabbing each other in the back rather than turn their attention to the wreckage Boris Johnson and his cronies are intent on creating.
The now annual civil war in Scottish Labour is just the main public outing of their continual bickering and infighting.
I hold no candle for Labour in Scotland – but the voters who have stuck by them at election after election, good times and bad, must be sick to the back teeth with the way their party is behaving.
Instead of recognising the different views the people of Scotland have on independence, they’ve battled with Ruth Davidson over who can wave the biggest flag.
It’s no way to try and persuade those who have deserted Labour that they have policies fit for the 21st century, and at times it feels like they’re struggling to deal with the 19th century.
Labour activists – the ones that remain – have been left carrying the can yet again, while senior members of their party bicker like weans in a sandbox, arguing over who gets to play with the toys, while the rest of the country wonders where the grown-ups are.
Maybe now the more astute among them are realising what it’s like to have your political future determined for you by Westminster, and how damaging that can be for a political party – or an entire country. Gardens are beautiful
As the traditional Scottish summer comes to an end, I’m out with my SNP team delivering copies of my regular update newsletter through the doors.
If you haven’t had my face through your letterbox yet, you will soon.
Although I’ve been an SNP activist for more than 25 years, chapping thousands of doors and walking up tens of thousands of driveways, I’m still constantly amazed by the beauty of some people’s gardens and homes.
Mowing the jungle – I mean, lawn - and trimming the overgrown hedge are about as close to the Beechgrove Garden as I get, and it’s truly inspiring to be able to briefly see a back garden overflowing with flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables.
It’s hard work, needing patience and a sturdy back, and with a climate like ours, I doubt it’s quite as easy as the glossy adverts like to pretend.
Of course there are always areas that aren’t as well looked after as they should be.
It has been a pleasure to enjoy the closes, gardens, and paths of Renfrewshire and appreciate the hard work that so many of us put in to making our homes and neighbourhood pleasant to live in.
Piping on a world stage
This weekend sees the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, with Renfrewshire Schools flying the flag again.
Last month the students swept the board at the Scottish championships, finishing first in every category and beating bands from more traditional piping areas.
It’s big step from the Scottish championships to the World event, but I know all around the county will be cheering them on – in person or in spirit.