It feels like something is rotten in the state of Scotland
We are in danger of being viewed globally as a one-party state where power may corrupt, writes Jim Duffy
There’s no punch without Judy. And as a Scot who has lived in Europe and travelled extensively across the globe, I am looking on at the pantomime involving not one First Minister, but a previous one too, and the optics are awful.
One of these First Minister types is being economical with the truth, it could be argued. Reputations are at stake. Jobs and careers are at stake. And perhaps even liberty is at stake for some of those involved.
And while there may be an ending in sight, there is a bigger question at hand for anyone who lives, works and cares for the country called Scotland. Put simply, what kind of country do we want to live in, regardless of independence or not?
The argy-bargy, bad blood, accusations and recriminations from this crop of Scottish politicians should not be taken out of a wider context.
Politics is a dirty business. Politicians across history and across countries have been mired in infighting, power struggles and ‘he said, she said’ playground spats for centuries.
What makes this one so poignant is that the SNP have, until now, been very well-versed in keeping their dirty laundry out of view in the Steamie.
Unfortunately for them and us this time, their smalls are on full view.
In short, we have all been on the yellow brick road, arrived at Oz and now we get to see what is really behind the curtain that controls the show.
This episode, no matter how it turns out, will not be the first or last as Scotland has a parliament and some would argue that we should expect a “shake out” every now and then.
But, for me, it is how the cards all land each time that determines whether Scotland moves towards being a banana republic or a proper self-governing nation that has all its people at its heart.
As I read political headlines across the UK this week, it saddens me. It also make me think.
Is this just the opportunity that some journalists have been waiting for to detail how splendid politics are in Westminster compared to Nicola’s “Cabal” in Holyrood or do they in fact see major frailties in the direction that Scotland is going?
I’m no fan of Andrew Neil, formally of the Scotsman, BBC, bigshot editor, chairman of the Spectator and this week writing in the Mail Online. Forgive me if I say “he does my heid in”.
However, I do think he has made some valid points on the state of Scotland and Scottish politics at present.
Referring to “dark, even dangerous days in Scotland”, Mr Neil creates a Shakespearean Hamlet feel to the whole Salmond-sturgeon squabble. I cannot help but agree with him.
Of course journalists will use hyperbole and colourful language – that’s their trade, their profession. But, on this occasion, Mr Neil expresses in words how I feel about the machinations and direction of Scotland at present.
Our oil industry is on its knees. Let’s be honest. We might squeeze a few million barrels more out the seabeds off our coast. But, the real juice is in decommissioning. What that actually means is shutting down.
Our shipping industry is declining. Essentially we build warships
for England right? And let’s not get into the ferries fiasco. Another SNP debacle that the Holyrood mandarins have screwed up – big style.
Our justice system is now coming under the microscope. Just look at the “malicious prosecution” of former administrators of Glasgow Rangers football club. It has already cost you and me more than £20 million in compensation and legal fees. Ooft!
We don’t have a car industry. Our fishing industry is average. Can you tell me why it is cheaper to buy a slice of salmon in Alicante than it is is Airdrie? And right now, we are lacking depth in quality start-ups that can change the world.
So, while we are scoring poorly in our annual report card in terms of “stuff ’ going on that will set
Scotland up for the next 25 years as a leader, we have to suffer the less than adequate calibre of politicians who are now duking it out very publicly.
Mr Neil makes some powerful points in his article on how we, the Scottish people, are being treated by those with the levers of power.
And I am certain he is not doing it simply to create a headline or have a go.
No, using a wider lens, he makes a reasonable argument that we are in danger of being viewed globally as small-minded, petty and of becoming a "one-party state”, where power may corrupt.
I don’t want a Scotland that eats itself up this way.
Do we really want to go back to the days of clans, where scrapping, feuding and suspicion held back progress? The only winners here are the leaders and those with power.
I want a Scotland where open debate is encouraged, giving offence is productive and we learn from it and move on.
I don’t want my opinion stymied or my views classified as "usurping the state”.
When all this blows over, we, the people, have to decide how we want Scotland shaped for our children.
We need a proactive press, more accountability from public servants, police and politicians and a more open society. And why the hell are those in power using Whatsapp – an App that is designed for secrecy and encryption?
C’mon Scotland! We can do better…
As a small boy I remember my parents playing cards at our kitchen table. My head barely poked up beyond the edge of the well worn table. However, I could easily see the hands that my parents and their friends had been dealt.
All the hands were, as life itself, unequal. It reminded me of the famous Kenny Rogers song The Gambler when he crooned in his lush baritone voice, “You’ve got to know when to hold ’em and know when to fold ’em.”
I assume many of my friends in the Scottish hospitality industry are having similar debates as the pandemic, day by day, reduces the chances of a rapid recovery for this important sector in our economy.
Unlike other major business interruptions such as the global financial crisis of 2008 or the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001, this challenge is indeed a different kettle of fish.
Last March, when we went into the first major lockdown, I and many other Jewish persons in our country began to be concerned about having sufficient provisions to celebrate Passover, which celebrates the exodus of the Jews from Egypt.
Therefore, I telephoned Glasgow and asked for help from Scotland’s sole kosher delicatessen and grocery. They immediately told me they could not help me due to staff shortages.
I then began calling London, where there is a much larger Jewish population, and every call resulted in the same response: “Due to the virus we have staff shortages and cannot fulfil your order.”
After failing in both Scotland and England I decided to go global. My first Google search hit the jackpot.
However, I had no idea how far my goods would need to travel to reach our Passover table.
I soon realised that I was still somewhat enslaved and this time it was to the business disruption caused by the pandemic. A box of matzo, the unleavened bread that Jews eat during passover, that would locally cost £2.00 was £9.00
due to shipping and handling costs.
I am certain that many others like me are also beginning to ask, what will be the new normal in the Scottish hospitality and service economy sector? Many Scottish hospitality businesses, to their credit, have quickly adapted their service to include takeaway and click-and-collect.
However, I wonder if simultaneously they have also reinforced and reminded staff of the core values of hosptiality itself?
I experienced these core values when I arrived in Atlantic City, New Jersey at 10am one morning to deliver a speech at noon. I had travelled from Boston all night on a cold train whilst sitting upright in my seat.
As I wearily crossed the large hotel foyer, I noticed that a woman with greying hair was standing behind the high desk. This woman lifted her arm and waved at me.
When she waved, I looked over my shoulder to see who she was greeting. I quickly learned from the wink in her eye, that I was her target.
When I reached the desk, she said: “Good morning sir. What would you like to do first?” I was startled by her question because it had been my experience to usually be asked: “How do you prefer to pay?”
I immediately wondered why she asked this question and then glanced to my left to see a casino, to my right were shops and behind me a cafe. I instantly realised that she was not offering me a room, she was inviting me to experience true hospitality.
When I explained my need for a shower before my speech she quickly opened my computer record and then looked up and smiled at me and said: “Sir, I wonder if you would be my guest for breakfast in our cafe whilst we
prepare a beautiful room for you?”
Of course, she was actually admitting that my room was not ready. However, she used the hospitality language of love to soothe my disappointment.
With hope in my heart, again this year I rang a kosher grocery store in London and asked for them to send me some Passover supplies. I was once again disappointed when the so-called customer service worker abruptly said: “I cannot promise anything.”
I remembered last year’s online journey that took me all the way to Israel and wondered if I was about to embark on a similar adventure.
Now is not the time to fold ’em or hold ’em. Rather, it is the time to restore the age-old values of hospitality.
The Ritz Carlton hotel brand is one of the top luxury hospitality organisations in the world. They have earned this respect by adhering to their motto of “Ladies and gentlemen taking care of ladies and gentlemen". This phrase is displayed above the door of every service entrance to remind the staff that when they step through that door they are also, similar to Walt Disney World cast members, stepping on stage.
It is my fervent hope that when we emerge from this horrible period of disruption to business that Scottish hospitality will be stronger, more focused and more successful than ever before because we will have learned that we must adapt and adhere to our core values to be prepared to triumph over future challenges. Then, and only then, will we be consistently dealt a winning hand.
Joe Goldblatt is emeritus professor of planned events at Queen Margaret University and is the author, co-author and editor of 39 books in the field of events and hospitality management