John Mclellan

The controversy surrounding Jason Arday’s death has prompted accusations that intense media coverage amounted to harassment, with campaigners and politicians calling for inquiries and tighter press controls. The column argues that these demands overlook the failures of Cambridge and other institutions that elevated Arday without adequately examining claims about his academic record and autobiography. It acknowledges the risks posed by relentless publicity to an autistic person’s mental health but warns that requiring journalists to assess subjects’ private vulnerabilities before publication would undermine legitimate investigations and produce unworkable complaints. The author concludes that scrutiny of the appointments and institutional decision-making must continue, because public reporting is necessary for lessons to be learned.

The column argues that Nicola Sturgeon is correct that the SNP lacks vision, but contends that her own record helped create that problem. It contrasts the SNP’s vague promises about independence with the 2018 Sustainable Growth Commission report, whose realistic emphasis on short-term economic pain was reportedly shelved because it challenged the party’s preferred narrative. The piece criticizes both the SNP and UK Labour for relying on higher taxes and public spending rather than wealth creation, citing GERS figures showing Scotland’s substantially higher public expenditure per person and rising tax revenues. It concludes that Scottish politics remains stagnant, with the SNP still leading in Scotland, Labour’s leadership contest lacking energy and John Swinney’s upcoming programme unlikely to deliver a significant change of direction.

Andy Burnham’s decision to appoint Anas Sarwar as a junior minister and elevate him to the House of Lords has triggered anger and uncertainty within Scottish Labour. The appointment is portrayed as cronyism and as a reward for Sarwar’s political loyalty despite Labour’s weak Scottish election performance. The resulting speculation about a leadership contest involving Monica Lennon and Michael Marra could reopen divisive issues and leave the party poorly prepared for a possible snap general election. The column argues that Labour may need an early election while Burnham retains political momentum, but that delaying it could expose the party to further decline.

Argues that Scotland’s tradition of supporting any team playing against England is outdated and rooted in insecurity, urging Scots to move past ABE sentiment. Highlights England’s strong World Cup performance and criticizes Scotland’s football underachievement, noting structural issues and pointing to Norway’s development model as an example. Rejects the idea that constitutional change is needed for football success and encourages Scots to support England’s campaign.

Scotland faces growing economic risks as political gridlock, welfare expansion, resistance to infrastructure projects and public hysteria over AI and data centres undermine investment opportunities. Tensions persist between UK and Scottish governments over devolved powers, nuclear energy and regional development, while empowered English cities threaten to outpace Edinburgh and Glasgow. Protests against data centres and calls for moratoria risk driving investment elsewhere, though ministers reject halts to planning. Improving growth is framed as requiring stronger city powers, support for energy infrastructure including nuclear, streamlined planning, and reallocation of welfare spending toward skills and productivity, but prospects for rapid change remain limited.