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CAMPAIGNING FOR SCOTLAND
(Owned, Edited and Printed in Scotland since November 1926)
Compiled by Jim Lynch
[Issue 42 - 23 March 2001]

ANGLOSAXOPHONE

We have noted in previous issues how the late Oliver Brown referred to the BBC as the Anglosaxophone; this trend has not only continued, but has been exacerbated with the advent of ITV. 

At a news conference in Edinburgh on Wednesday 21 March 2001, the Scottish National Party published an analysis of main news programmes broadcast on BBC Network and BBC Scotland, and ITV and Scottish Television during the month of February. The main conclusion is that the the London-based Network news programmes broadcast into Scotland, which is the vast majority of news coverage, fail to provide coverage to Scotland and the SNP.

Scottish politicians and parties were all but completely excluded from BBC and ITN Network coverage; the Scottish National Party secured only 0.83 per cent of seconds of interviews on BBC and 1.04 per cent on ITV. The figures were 64% for Labour, 21% for the Tories and 13% for the Liberals. Mention of political parties also showed a complete lack of Scottish coverage; while Labour was name checked 143 times by Network BBC, the SNP was not mentioned once. ITV managed three mentions out of 267 (1.12%).

BBC and ITV failed to broadcast one single report about any subject or development devolved to Scotland; that corresponded with 54 reports by BBC and 31 by ITN on domestic English /Welsh matters.

In 63% of cases BBC did not mention that the reports only applied to England and Wales; ITN failed in 87% of similar cases. 

In some ways, we can hardly blame the TV Networks; after all, Tony Blair came to Glasgow for the Labour Party Conference and did not mention Scotland once. On that occasion, as on BBC and ITV, we were treated to Alan Millburn, English and Welsh Health Secretary, preaching about health, and his writ does not run in Scotland; we also heard David Blunkett on education, and he has nothing to do with Scotland .. They were ably assisted by Mrs Helen Liddell (the late Robert Maxwell’s little helper), attacking the Tories, whose writ does not run in Scotland either!

The broadcasting analysis was presented by Michael Russell, MSP, Shadow Minister with responsibility for Broadcasting, who said "These findings provide powerful evidence of the need for devolution of broadcasting policy to Scotland, and the development of Scottish based news and current affairs output, so that we can have a balanced mix of Scottish, UK and international coverage".

IT IS A FAR BETTER THING THAT I DO.....

Well, that is a matter of opinion, as we hear of the resignation and retiral from public life of Sam Galbraith, the Environment Minister. We do not rejoice that Mr Galbraith is in poor health, indeed he has our sympathy, but as we have said before, politics is a rough old game, and Mr Galbraith was rougher at it than most.

It might have been that his health would not have been so badly affected if he had resigned at the height of the SQA crisis, when his arrogance and refusal to accept responsibility won him no friends; the fall out from that debacle will persist for some time, and it is pupils and teachers who will suffer. It is passing strange that Mr Galbraith claimed to have no responsibility for, or authority over, the SQA, and the first thing his successor, Jack McConnell did was to sack the Board!

The news of his resignation was greeted in the manner of "Damned by faint praise", and Nicola Sturgeon of the SNP probably summed it up quite well by saying Parliament would be a quieter and more polite place; Mr Galbraith most often confused directness with rudeness.

His position will not be filled; it was created by taking away the Environment from Sarah Boyack, who was making a mess of it, thus leaving her free to make a more complete mess of Transport. The Environment bit will be transferred to Ross Finnie, Minister for Rural Affairs.

Fergus Ewing, Shadow Rural Affairs Minister, said "Merging the important Environment brief with the Rural Affairs portfolio is an extremely surprising move at a time when Ross Finnie’s attention is almost entirely devoted to the Foot and Mouth crisis" Perhaps Henry McLeish has been watching Scottish TV and thinks that Nick Brown is doing a great job! Mr McLeish will take on the Sport and Culture portfolio, as he used to play football.

In conclusion, Sam Galbraith gave up a career as a neurosurgeon to enter politics; as my wife said "What a waste".

CORDON SANITAIRE ET BLEU

Well the devastation created in the countryside by the Foot and Mouth epidemic is making a lot of people blue; all agricultural workers and their families for a start, and now the knock on effect on tourism. It is estimated that about 90% of small businesses in Dumfries and Galloway will not survive the crisis, and we are heading for a disaster of epic proportions. While it is awful to see the destruction of livelihoods, and of herds built up over years, it should also be remembered that all the animals would have been slaughtered anyway, even milk cows and sheared sheep at the end of their useful life.

The SNP has not advanced criticism of the slaughter policy, as it seems that this is the only effective way to stop the virus, and the Government has no choice; it looks as if the cross party consensus in the House of Commons has broken, with William Hague now being critical of the speed and effectiveness of the Government action, but this may just be politics. Mr Hague is calling for the General Election to be postponed, but this is more to do with stopping the slaughter of the Tories rather than the animals.

As far as the General Election is concerned, apparently Labour have booked billboards at a cost of around £2 million during the month of April; we have to keep reminding Mr Blair that his term of office is for FIVE years, not four, and that he does not have to go until May 2002. A week or two back, we used the headline in our Stop Press, "Events, Dear Boy, Events"; to political groupies, this was self explanatory, but our transatlantic cousins may not be instantly familiar with it. It was when the late Harold MacMillan (Supermac), Conservative Prime Minister in the Sixties, was asked what catastrophe he feared most in politics, he replied "Events, Dear Boy, Events"; Mr Tony Blair will now know exactly what MacMillan meant, as his carefully crafted General Election plans crumble into dust.

VOTE EARLY AND OFTEN

The above was reputably the slogan during Irish elections, when personation was the order of the day, and voting records were fluid, but has now been adopted by the Laborious Alliance in the Scottish Parliament. All right, they didn’t vote early, but they did vote on the fishing tie up proposals often enough to get it to their satisfaction, which was at the FOURTH attempt. I like Jimmy Reid’s comment that the coalition was founded on expediency, not principle, and that the issue was about who was boss, not what was right. In another article, Michael Kelly, one time Labour Lord Provost of Glasgow thought it was time for the Labour Party to ditch the Liberals, and he bemoaned the fact that the voting system was designed so that it would be very difficult for any party to gain an overall majority. The voting system was designed to stop the SNP, as was devolution itself, and Mr Kelly, as a leading member of the Glasgow Labour hegemony, is agin democracy. The correct phrase to apply to the Labour Party is "Hoist with their own petard".

We commented above that the Environment portfolio is being offloaded onto Ross Finnie, who also has responsibility for fishing, yes, Rhona Brankin is Deputy Minister for Rural Affairs. In this respect, Mr Finnie must be annoyed at Mr Galbraith’s last sneaky little move; Mr Galbraith gave Scottish Opera £5 million of taxpayer’s money last Friday but kept it very quiet, and then demitted office. Mr Galbraith had Sport and Culture tacked on to the Environment, so maybe he could not have passed it on for the fishermen, but it was the manner of so doing that has seemed questionnable.

In any event, the last vote in Parliament stands, and the fishermen have gone back to sea; no one pretends that our fishermen are all paragons of virtue, and it is true that the overfishing is due to bigger and more efficient boats, and human greed. Nevertheless, they have a difficult, dangerous job, and there are quotas imposed, by the European Community, which limit the amount of fish they can land anyway. In a country which is aghast at the slaughter of thousands of farm animals, which is unavoidable, it is tragic to see on our TV screens the slaughter of millions of immature fish, which is avoidable.

COMMON FISHERIES GREEN PAPER

This week the European Commission published its Green Paper on the Common Fisheries Policy; it included several ideas that have been called for by Scotland’s fishing industry and by the SNP in the Scottish, Westminster and European Parliaments.

The Green Paper recognises the failing of the current Fishery Policy and shows a willingness to move forward to the benefit of Scotland, although as Richard Lochhead, Shadow Fisheries Minister pointed out "There is a lot of vagueness to be ironed out". Ian Hudghton, SNP MEP, said "A number of ideas included in the paper are vital for the Scottish industry, including the retention of the 6-12 mile inshore limits, the continuation of relative stability, and acceptance of the need for special protection of the Shetland Box".

The paper includes the suggestion that Regional Advisory Committees be established, involving the various stakeholders such as industry and scientists with expertise in specific fishing areas such as the North Sea.

We can only hope that by the time that the new Commons Fishery Policy comes into

being in 2002, that there will still be a fishing industry.

ALEXANDER III MEMORIAL

As previewed by Peter D Wright last week, the Alexander III memorial meeting was held at Kinghorn on Sunday 18th March; despite it being a bitterly cold day, with flurries of snow, the meeting, which was held outdoors, was attended by some forty people, and we marched from the Kingswood Hotel car park to the memorial behind a piper.

The proceeding were chaired by Peter himself, in his usual genial fashion, and there speeches from Neil MacCallum, former National Secretary, Dr Gordon Wilson, former National Chairman, and we also had a rendering of "The Ballad of Sir Patrick Spens " by David Brown, ably assisted by his son, Murray.

The wreath was laid by Shirley Anne Somerville, SNP Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Kirkcaldy. She said " It is important that we remember Alexander III not only because of the role he played in shaping Scotland, but also as an example for us to follow today.

" The reign of Alexander and his father before him brought about a golden age in Scotland. They were proud of their country as a small independent nation in Europe and worked to ensure that Scotland recognised that potential.

" Alexander firmly believed that Scotland should have equal status with its European neighbours. With major decisions on issues such as workers’ rights now being taken at a European level, that measure of equality is more relevant than it has ever been".

It was just my luck that at this, my first visit to the Memorial, it was decided to have a financial appeal; standard SNP operating procedure, I would have thought.

GOOD COUNSEL

I know that is not the way to spell Council, but I like to think that the SNP gives good counsel anyway; the Sunday Herald also thinks so, as their latest survey shows.

Local government performance was analysed by the Sunday Herald over 22 different indicators, and this showed that the three SNP run councils in top place and fourth equal. Labour controlled councils are in 11 of the bottom 13 places.

The analysis also shows that when Perth and Kinross was SNP controlled it was the third best in Scotland; now it is run by a Labour Tory Liberal alliance, it has dropped to 10th place. The last I remember hearing of them was that they were closing children’s playgrounds!

One of the conditions of the Labour Liberal coalition at Holyrood was, I think, that they would bring in proportional representation for local government elections, but this is very unpopular with Labour who like to keep control even though they get a minority of the votes. When the SNP keep running councils better than they can, nae wonder they’re feart.

Shadow Local Government Minister Kenneth Gibson MSP said "Once again, there is clear evidence that SNP run councils, and areas where the SNP are extremely strong , provide the best quality services and value for money." 

PREMIER PRICE PRISON

Kilmarnock Prison, which is a privatised gaol, is run by a company called Premier Prison Service; the same company also runs Doncaster. The company is a subsidiary of Wackenhut, an American security firm which. to my recollection, is losing business in the States because its standards are too low. 

Kilmarnock has the most violent disturbances, and Doncaster has the highest incidence of prisoner self injury. The Chief Inspector of Prisons, Clive Fairweather, says that Kilmarnock is an expensive failure; when last asked about costs, ministers refused to give the costs at Kilmarnock, due to "commercial confidentiality". Well, it is commercially confidential taxpayers’ money, public money, our money, and it is suspected that the reason we cannot be officially told is because they do not like admitting that they’ve made a cod of it.

The staff turnover at Kilmarnock is 32%; this compares with 9% for Barlinnie, and 11% for both Greenock and Edinburgh. A leaked report from the Scottish Prison Service shows that the cost per prisoner is £26000 at Kilmarnock, £21000 at Barlinnie and £23000 at Edinburgh. (Well Edinburgh is in a boom situation!)

Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Shadow Justice Minister has called for a public inquiry into the running of Scottish prisons after a weekend of rioting. She said "I have no doubt that cut backs and rock-bottom staff morale are affecting the balance of power within our prisons". She has written to Justice Minister , Jim Wallace, expressing her concerns.

FOOT IN THE MOUTH NOTES

Statistics have been published listing the healthiest to the unhealthiest constituencies in Scotland; the same has also been done for crime, education and wealth. Under health, based on cancer, heart disease and low birth weight, Glasgow comes bottom of the list with five constituencies; from the bottom up they are Anniesland. Maryhill, Springburn, Shettleston and Govan.

All of these are in a city controlled by a Labour hegemeony for the last 25 years, and the Member of Parliament for Anniesland from 1978 until last year was the late Donald Dewar.

Still on the subject of Glasgow, the sickness rate among social workers in the city is running at 17 days for each one; this is money from the public purse.

While one can understand that social problems in Glasgow will cause a lot of stress among social workers, it is axiomatic that the failure to address this is one of management, and ultimately the responsibility of the employers, Glasgow Council Labour Party, using other people’s money.

Mrs Helen Liddell, now Secretary of State for Scotland has said "I have been in the job seven weeks now, and I would confess to having been run ragged because there is so much to do."

Dover House, the London HQ for the Scottish Secretary, is being transferred to the Government Chief Whip’s Office, because it is no longer required. Somebody’s telling porkies!

Scots are more likely to throw a sickie at work, according to a poll carried out for the Observer; according to this we admit to taking twice as many days as people in the south.

We are not given absenteeism rates, just the bald statement; as it is a response poll, it could also be that the Scots are more honest in their answers.

Princess Anne was fined £400 for driving at 93 mph on a motorway; she thought the blue flashing lights were her escort.

She should have taken advice from the Home Secretary (English version) Jack Straw; his police driver got away with 103 mph. Ah the diminishing power of the Crown, despite the Act of Settlement.

Tony Blair, as part of his reason for not cancelling the General Election, says he cannot defer the English local elections without an Act of Parliament.

Funny how the Scottish local elections were deferred for a year without either a vote or even a discussion in the Scottish Parliament.

SCOTTISH FOOD, TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS

In by-gone days before the turnip was introduced as winter food for animals, Martinmas, 11 November, was the time of year for killing the animals which Scots could not afford to keep during the winter. It was a busy time of year as families strove to ensure that nothing was wasted. Meat was salted down and the innards made into black and white mealie puddings.

Most people now-a-days buy puddings at the butcher but Skirlie is still made at home. Skirl-i-the-pan is made with the same ingredients as mealie puddings but is fried in a pan rather than boiled in a skin.Also known as Poor Man's Haggis, Skirlie is splendid with neeps an tatties and also be used as stuffing for any kind of poultry or game. Here is the Aberdeenshire and North-East Scotland method of cooking:-

Skirlie
Take oatmeal, suet, onion, salt and pepper. Chop two ounces of suet finely. Heat a pan very hot and put in the suet. When it is melted add one or two finely chopped onions and brown them well. Now add enough oatmeal ( about four ounces ) to absorb the fat - a fairly thick mixture. Season to taste. Stir well till thoroughly cooked ( a few minutes ). Serve with potatoes.

See our Scottish Food, Traditions and Customs in our Features section

DATES IN HISTORY

25 March 1306
Robert de Brus, Earl of Annandale, crowned King of Scots at Scone in the presence of four bishops, five earls and the people of the land by the Countess of Buchan.

29 March 1822
Death of Ewan MacLachlan, Gaelic poet born in Lochaber in 1775, librarian at King's College, Aberdeen, translator of Homer into Gaelic.

THE REBELS CEILIDH SONG BOOK

NICKY TAMS
(As sung by John McEvoy)

Fan I wis barely twal year auld I left the parish squeel,
Ma faither fee'd me to the Mains to chaw his milk and meal.
First I put on ma nairra breeks ti hap ma spinnel trams,
An' happit roun ma knappin knees a pair o' Nicky Tams.

It's first I gaed on for baillie's loon an' syne I gaed on for third.
An' syne of course I had to get the horseman's grip and word.
A loaf o' breid to be ma piece, a bottle for drinking drams.
- Ye canna win throw the cauf-hoose door athout yuir Nicky Tams.

The fermer I am wi' the noo, he's wealthy but he's mean,
Tho' corn's cheap his horse's thin, his harnesss nearly deen.
He gars us load oor cairts owre fu', his conscience has nae qualms,
Fan breist-straps brek, there's naething like a pair o' Nicky Tams.

I'm coortin' bonnie Annie noo, Rab Tamson's kitchie deem,
She is five-an'-forty and I'm but seventeen.
She clorts a muckle piece to me wi' different kinds o' jams,
An' tells me ilka nicht that she admires ma Nicky Tams.

Ae mornin' I pit on ma claes the kirkie for to gang,
My collar it wis unco ticht, ma breeks were nane owre lang;
I had ma Bible in ma haund, likewise ma buik o' Psalms,
Fan Annie roars, "Ye muckle gyte, tak aff yuir Nicky Tams!"

Tho' unco sweir, I took them aff, the lassie for to please,
But aye ma breeks they lurkit up aroon aboot ma knees.
A wasp gaed crawlin' up ma leg in the middle o' the Psalms,
- Never again will I rig the kirk without ma Nicky Tams.

I've often thocht I'd like to be a bobbie on the Force,
Or maybe just a tramwayman an' drive a pair o' horse,
Fatever it's ma fate to be, a bobbie or on the trams,
I'll never forget the happy days I wore ma Nicky Tams.

See the Songbook in our features section

A KIST O FERLIES
A Keek at the Guid Scots Tung
By Peter D Wright
(Note: All words underlined in this section are RealAudio links)

See Scots Language in our Features Section
for other poems, stories, sayings and words in the Scots language

THE MONTHLY PRIZE CROSSWORD

Each month the Scots Independent Newspaper offers a prize crossword and we're now offering this online in the Flag in the Wind as well.   Should you complete the crossword by the deadline you can fax it over to the SI and the first correct one opened on the closing date will win a £10.00 book token.

SI Prize Crossword No. 15
[Clicking on the picture will bring up a life size version which you can copy to your desktop or print out]