The Flag in the Wind
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CAMPAIGNING FOR SCOTLAND
(Owned, Edited and Printed in Scotland since November 1926)
"Promoting all that is best in Scottish Nationalism and all that is best in Scotland."
Compiled by Peter D. Wright
[Issue 67 - 14th September 2001]

A WORLD TRAGEDY

There are times when an event occurs which is so heinous that no words are adequate to describe the shock felt.  Tuesday’s terrorist attack on America is one such event.  Words are inadequate to express either the horror of the cowardly attack or sympathy for the victims and the families of the deceased.  This was not only an attack on America but on the democratic, civilised world.  For this is indeed a world tragedy. 

Scotland’s National Bard, Robert Burns, wrote that:–

            “Man’s inhumanity to man

             Makes countless thousands mourn.”

This vile attack proves the truth of the Bard’s words. 

Some sixty percent of visitors to The Flag come from the United States of America and we would extend to them, indeed to the whole American Nation, our sincere and deep felt condolences on their sad loss.  We join with you in your mourning.

The Flag concurs with the statement by the National Convenor of the Scottish National Party, John Swinney MSP, in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday.  SNP leader John Swinney expressed the party's deepest sympathies to the people of America over the "truly awful tragedy".  He said yesterday's human loss in the terrorist attacks would have been felt globally. "Yesterday's atrocity in the United States could only be watched on television with horror, with shock and with bewilderment," he told the Parliament. The SNP leader acknowledged that an uncertain period undoubtedly lay ahead in international affairs. He added: "But in that uncertain time, I am confident that the interests of humanity and democracy will prevail over the forces of terror. We owe it to our human and democratic values to make that the case." Yesterday's atrocity was a brutal reminder of just how fragile human life was, he said. Mr Swinney added: "We have been reminded just how fragile human life can be at the mercy of terrorists. We have been reminded how fragile is the peace and the security people of my age have taken for granted for all of our lives but which my parents' generation have not always enjoyed. We have been reminded that however much we cherish democracy, it is fragile when attacked by those who neither respect nor value human life or our human democracy." He went on: "Only time, patience and exhibiting the best of human values will unravel the full consequences of yesterday's attacks." Mr Swinney stressed that human and democratic values must triumph and said: "Our democratic Scottish Parliament pays tribute to our friends across the water and join hands with them in sympathy across the seas."

Wednesday’s session of the Scottish Parliament adjourned following speeches by the four Party Leaders and a motion of condemnation of the terrorist atrocities.  The rest of this week’s Flag update consists only of work already prepared before the barbaric attack on the United States of America. 

THE ROAD AND THE MILES TO DUNDEE

In the words of the popular folk song SNP delegates and the media will be taking ‘the road and the miles to Dundee’ next week for the 67^th Annual National Conference of the Scottish National Party.  The Caird Hall will be the setting for this important conference which will lay down the groundwork for the SNP campaign in the 2003 Scottish Parliamentary Elections.  A key figure in the preparation for the SNP Conference is the National Secretary, Stewart Hosie, and he was in upbeat mood when he told The Flag that he was looking forward to the Conference – “ Having got the Westminster Elections out of the way, the real work starts in earnest to prepare a mature and appealing policy base to carry us into the 2003 Scottish Parliamentary Elections. A huge amount of interest will inevitably be generated by the debates on nuclear weapons and NATO. Given the massive, world-wide concerns surrounding globalisation and the increased awareness of the environmental damage humanity is causing our debates on the reduction of fossil fuel use and globalisation should certainly flag up our understanding of those issues. They should also allow the SNP to position itself as the Party best able to reflect the concerns of the electorate about the issues.”

Stewart Hosie pointed out that motions accepted for debate were submitted from all sections of the Party and covered the widest possible range of topics – “ as ever at Conference, while some motions offer specific solutions to specific problems, other s lay out principles that would direct the Party in given policy areas. But all have one thing in common; they seek to make the Scottish National Party credible and radical at the same time and will prepare the way ahead for an SNP win in 2003”.

So the medias political eyes will be focused on the SNP in Dundee – it will be interesting to see how they report the Conference of the only Political Party which can seriously challenge New Labour for control of the Holyrood- bound Parliament.

MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL CONVENER

The Flag is happy to give wider circulation to the Conference from John Swinney MSP, National Convener of the SNP, to the delegates assembling in Dundee –

John Swinney MSP, National Convener

OIL STILL IMPORTANT

One of the finest campaigns run by the SNP was “It’s Scotland’s Oil” in the early 70s. This led to the a record number of SNP MPs being returned to Westminster – 7 in the February 1974 General Election which rose to 11 in the October re-run. Unfortunately the foot was taken off the pedal and the oil message was toned down, much to the relief of our Unionist opponents. Well oil is still important, and in spite of Unionist’s claims in the 70s that the North Sea oil flow wouldn’t last long, the SNP have been proved correct. Imagine if Scotland, like Norway, had been independent in 1970 how well we could have used the oil bounty, not only for our immediate benefit but also for generations to come. Like Norway we could have established an oil fund towards that aim. As Alex Salmond MP, SNP Westminster Parliamentary Leader, pointed out at the Offshore Europe Conference last week in Aberdeen in making a plea for such an oil fund – “Instead of subsidising London we should be securing the benefits of the North Sea windfall for generations to come. He said that if the surplus Scottish Government finances (including revenue from oil and gas which presently goes to Westminster) were invested in such a fund for the next four years, it would yield an annual income of up to £1 bn a year.

The Banff and Buchan MP pointed out that Treasury revenues from the North Sea had totalled £160 bn since production began in the early 1970s and had been frittered away by Westminster

There is still plenty mileage to be gained from the SNP position on oil, and the oil fund idea is an important and far-seeing proposal which will only come about with real Independence. However the proposal can play its part in getting over the message of fiscal independence launched during the recent Westminster Elections.

  GM CROP FIELD TRIALS

 GOVERNMENT CONDEMNED FOR ARROGANCE AND SECRECY

The recently published report from the Government’s Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission condemns the Government for its arrogance and secrecy over the issue of GM crop trials.  SNP Shadow Rural Development Minister Fergus Ewing MSP told The Flag that this report blows the Government’s support for GM crop trials out of the water and that the only way forward was for an immediate moratorium on trials.  Fergus Ewing said:

“This report from the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission totally blows the Government’s support for GM crop trials out of the water.  The report condemns the Government for its culture of secrecy, for its arrogance and for the complete failure to consult with the public – especially the local people.

“The SNP have repeatedly called for a moratorium over trials and it now time for Ross Finnie to accept that this is the only way forward.  I will be watching very closely to see if the Minster takes notice of the recommendations or whether he flies in the face of public opinion - yet again - and carries on with his discredited policy.”

  1820 MARTYRS REMEMBERED

The annual commemoration of three Scottish martyrs executed for demanding workers' rights and an independent Scottish Parliament took place in Glasgow on Sunday.  SNP shadow education minister Michael Russell MSP addressed the commemoration at Sighthill Cemetery. He was the main speaker at the event, which commemorated the sacrifice made by James Wilson, John Baird and Andrew Hardie, who were hanged in 1820. Earlier this week Gil Paterson proposed that the role of three men in the so-called 1820 Rising should be included in the national curriculum. According to the 1820 Society, which campaigns to raise awareness of the rebellion, working people chose armed insurrection against the British state because of poverty. Wilson, Baird and Hardie, three of  the main leaders, were hanged while 19 others were transported to Australia. In his address at the commemoration, Mr Russell said: "We should remember the 1820 martyrs simply because Wilson, Baird and Hardie were prepared to die the most horrible of deaths in the cause of human rights." He added: "We should also reflect on where we now meet - Sighthill.

The people of Sighthill - both those who have lived here for some time and those who have come here recently to escape persecution in their own country - all need the same thing - a life free from poverty and injustice. A life free from the failures of Government, whether those be oppressive Government in their own country, or uninspired, unambitious and ultimately failing Government in their new home. We need a Scotland that is based upon vision and principle, and a Scotland not afraid to argue for those things. A Scotland indeed that would measure up to the courage and inspiration of Baird, Hardie and Wilson."  

Read the full story of 1820 martyrs, "The 1820 Rising: The Radical War" by James Halliday.

NEIL SLAMS NEW CRONY APPOINTMENT TO HEALTH QUANGO

One of the first promises made by Henry McLeish on being elected First Minister was a “bonfire of the quangos”.  We still await the promised bonfire and New Labour continue to pack quangos with their supporters.  On Monday SNP MSP Alex Neil lodged a Parliamentary Motion attacking the Health Minister’s decision to appoint a Labour Party Councillor as the chairperson of the Health Education Board for Scotland. Branding the appointment blatant cronyism, Alex Neil said it was time to end the old pals’ network in Scotland and start hiring people by merit, not membership.

Alex Neil’s motion also asks MSPs to support his Public Appointments (Approval) Bill.  The Bill, published last week, seeks to ensure that all major appointments to quangos would have to come before Parliament for approval, thus ending the current politicisation of the process.  He told The Flag:

“Lesley Hinds’s appointment as the chairperson of HEBS smacks of political cronyism.  Not only has Ms Hinds been a member of the Labour Party for over 20 years but she is a Labour Councillor in Edinburgh too.  The only way to satisfy the public that this was not a politically motivated appointment is for the Health Minister to justify her decision to Parliament.

“Is it any wonder that people view quangos with such scorn when appointments are being made on the basis of Labour Party membership rather than merit?  The motion I have put down in Parliament today asks that we put an end to the old pals’ act.  It calls for MSPs to back the Public Appointments (Approval) Bill because it will guarantee an end to the abuse.

“If the Bill is passed, all major appointments to quangos, like HEBS, would have to come before the Scottish Parliament.  If MSPs were not satisfied that the Minister had made the right choice or followed the right procedures then they would have the power to veto the appointment.  This Bill puts the power back where it belongs, out of the quango boardrooms, out of internal Labour Party politics, and into the hands of the elected representatives of the Scottish Parliament.

THEY SAID IT FOR US

A country implies politics, economics and culture.  Political space gives authority.  Economic space gives autonomy.  Cultural space gives aura.

-Kenneth White, poet, from his Consignia Lecture

The Skye Bridge was the first PFI scheme and embodies all the worst aspects of an increasingly discredited method of financing public works.  The toll is set at its punitive level to allow sufficient profits for private finance.

-Arnold Kemp, former Glasgow Herald editor

Privatised markets in public services cost us more, deliver less, create huge debts for later generations and make off with the public assets.

-Allyson Pollock, University College, London

We watch our financial and business class being paid stratospheric sums for superintending what remains a low wage, low productivity, low investment economy.

-Will Hutton

The gradual impoverishment of the country makes Scotland a cheaper tourist destination, like the rest of the Third World.

-Douglas McWilliams, European business expert on our rising taxes

New Labour is a novel social democratic movement: it’s redistributing wealth from the dirt poor to Sainsbury’s board of directors.

-Nick Cohen, in an ‘Observer’ article on vouchers for refugees

Blair is regarded by most people in Britain as a smarmy git.  And I said that to him.

-Paddy Ashdown, former LibDem leader

SYNOPSIS

HAMILTON LEAVES TO ASSIST IN KOSOVAN ELECTIONS

Shadow Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Duncan Hamilton MSP has today flown to Kosovo to take part in a programme of political training for the Kosovan political parties who are contesting the Kosovan elections at the end of the month.  Mr Hamilton was invited by the National Democratic Institute, a Washington-based NGO who have a programme based in Kosovo to encourage and foster the growth of democracy.  Mr Hamilton said:

"I was very pleased to accept the invitation to travel to Kosovo to add whatever I can to the efforts of the NDI.  They are an organisation devoted to the expansion of democratic freedom and the goals of tolerance and inclusion.

“In particular, they are looking to elected representatives from the West to take responsibility for extending the hand of friendship to the Kosovan region and to pass on what experience of political campaigning and leadership we have.  The Scottish Parliament is one of the newest Parliaments anywhere in the world and it is obvious that the transition we have made in this country has not gone unnoticed on the world stage.

“From an SNP perspective, this is an excellent chance to take our message of civic and inclusive nationalism to an area which has been torn apart by ethnic strife.  The example of a nationalist movement advancing its cause through the democratic process is precisely the kind of message that needs to be promoted around the world.

“Often we are down on our new Scottish Parliament but occasionally external verification of the success we have had in Scotland is valuable.  I am going there to advise, to train and to learn first hand about what more we can do to ease the transition of Kosovo into a new era of democracy, cohesion and prosperity.  I sincerely hope this can be the start of a close relationship between the Scottish Parliament and the Kosovan Assembly.”

MSP TO PROPOSE BAN ON TOBACCO ADVERTISING
A private member's bill to ban tobacco advertising north of the Border will be published this week. Shadow health minister Nicola Sturgeon will publish proposals on Tuesday to outlaw tobacco adverts in shops, on billboards, and in newspapers and magazines published in Scotland. It is estimated that a ban would save 300 lives a year. Although the bill has won the support of doctors, nurses and cancer charities, Ms Sturgeon said today she feared the Scottish Executive would attempt to kill it off by having it thrown out before MSPs had a chance to consider it. The SNP MSP said: "I am in little doubt that Labour MSPs have been told not to support this bill solely because it has been sponsored by a SNP MSP." To head off suggestions that the bill's publication will exacerbate tensions between the Scottish Executive and Westminster over the issue, the Glasgow MSP has pledged to withdraw the bill if Westminster comes forward with a cast-iron commitment to legislate in this area. "But until we reach that point the Scottish Parliament has an obligation to use its own powers," she added.

MARGO PLAYS SAFE WITH MOBILE PHONE MASTS

What are your thoughts when you see schoolchildren chattering away merrily on their mobile phones? Margo MacDonald admits to an unconscious stream of silent questions about where the money comes from to pay for the sort of conversations she used to have with her pals in the playground. But she admits, writing in her weekly column in the Sunday Post, that a meeting she attended last week has made me think more about how we should handle this brave new world of instant communication. "There are 3.5 million mobile phones in Scotland," she writes. "We should still play safe over the location of masts until all of us have enough proven facts on which to decide whether to add another health risk to our lives."

 

THREAT LIFTED FROM MORAY FARMER
A crisis meeting between an MP and bank officials over the case of a Moray farmer facing £300,000 of debts was last night hailed a victory after the use of sheriff officers to evict the struggling businessman and his family was cancelled. The meeting led to an agreement between Moray MP Angus Robertson and Clydesdale Bank, which should secure a future in the industry for Davie McLeod, who, with his family, was due to be thrown out of the farm on Wednesday morning. The McLeods' case has been held up as an example of the serious financial problems facing Scottish farmers. The SNP MP said:

"This whole case highlights the need for farmers and farming families to approach the NFU and their elected representatives before it's too late. It's in nobody's interest for things to go as far as they did in this case."

NEW ROW OVER McLEISH's CARE PLAN, MPs CRITICISED FOR INTERFERING
Henry McLeish's plans to provide free personal care for the elderly became embroiled in fresh controversy yesterday after it emerged that Scots moving to a nursing home in England will have their full care costs paid for by the executive. Some Westminster Labour MPs have protested at the  consequences of the free personal care plan. The concerns include Mr McLeish's request that Westminster should transfer to Scotland £20 million in benefits paid by the Department of Works and Pensions to elderly people who already qualify for free personal care. Nicola Sturgeon, shadow health minister, has called on the Westminster Government and Scottish Labour MPs to keep their nose out of the personal care debate in Scotland and has condemned the continuing squabbles between Westminster and the Scottish Government.  She said: "The Government at Westminster and Scottish Labour MPs should keep their nose out of devolved Scottish affairs and stop trying to stymie the democratic decisions of the Scottish Parliament.  The Parliament voted for free personal care and the Scottish Government have been forced - by the will of the Parliament - to implement this policy."

ANGUS COUNCIL PROGRESS PRAISED IN REVIEW
Angus Council's performance over the last year was highlighted by the policy and resources committee yesterday.  The committee was considering chief executive Sandy Watson's annual report on the council's achievements. Speaking at the committee, council leader Rob Murray commended staff on the  professional approach taken in the delivery of services to the people of Angus. "Angus Council is acknowledged as providing quality cost-effective services to the citizens of the county, and the chief executive's fifth-year report reinforces this well-earned reputation," he said. He said the SNP-run council was also delivering on goals set out in its corporate plan. The achievements highlighted in the fifth-year report related to the five main themes set out in the council's corporate plan - community planning, best value, economic prosperity and lifelong learning, healthy, caring and safe communities, and improvement in the environment and quality of life in Angus. Councillor Murray highlighted the launch of the new Brechin Business Park and the creation of the Angus Digital Media Centre, which will open this month, as examples of the council's commitment to further improving the county's economy.

SALMOND DEMANDS OIL JOBS SWITCH
North-east MP Alex Salmond yesterday challenged the government to move all civil service oil and gas jobs out of London and concentrate them in Aberdeen to help reinvigorate the North Sea. Speaking at the Offshore Europe conference in Europe's oil capital, Mr Salmond said: "A decade on from the first such transfers, there are some 72 offshore-related civil service jobs in Aberdeen - but still 104 in London, hundreds of miles away from where the oil and gas is. All such jobs should be based in Aberdeen, where they would have a galvanising effect in drawing private sector decision-making posts to the north-east." The SNP's Westminster Group Leader painted a bullish outlook for the North Sea if all parties involved got their act together. Speaking at the show's "20-20 Vision" session on the future, the MP said Britain's offshore oil and gas industry should last another 50 years, if remaining resources are properly managed and exploited. "By investing the surpluses generated in the next four years alone, we would be able to secure an income of up to £1 billion a year," he said.

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SCOTTISH FOOD, TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS
(if you have any suggestions on what you'd like us to include email peter@scotsindependent.org)

As SNP delegates make their way towards the City of Dundee, this column heads further north to the Granite City of Aberdeen. The cauf-kintra of SI Chairman Peter D Wright lies between the Rivers Dee and Don and Ptolemy identified it as "Devana". That gave rise to a popular local brewery - Devanah - sadly long gone. The city prospered from its wholehearted support of Robert I and his family. Tradition has it that the citizens attacked the English garrison in Aberdeen Castle and put them all to the sword after The Bruce's victory over his local enemies, The Comyns, at the Battle of Inverurie ( 1308 ). The password used on that occasion by Aberdonians, "Bon Accord", was then supposedly conferred on the city as its motto. The city was to benefit tangiably from its support of Robert I, as in 1319, he gifted to the citizens his hunting forest of Stocket. Renamed the Freedom Lands, the revenue from the forest was paid into a Common Good Fund - which at present stands in excess of £20 million. Because of the city's geographical position, for many centuries, Aberdeen was relatively isolated from the rest of Scotland but through its sea trade enjoyed visitors from the Continent. Trade was carried out with the Danes, Norwegians, Swedes, Germans, Dutch and French. The French connection could have given rise to the local delicacy, the famed butterie rowies of Aberdeen. As the well known food writer Theodora Fitzgibbon pointed out butteries are practically the same, apart from the shape, as the ordinary French breakfast croissant. Eat a butterie and dream that you are in France!

 

Butterie Rowies

 

Ingredients : 1 lb flour; 1 oz yeast or 1/2 tablesp dried yeast; 1 tablesp sugar; 8 oz butter; 4 oz lard; 3/4 pt tepid water; a pinch of salt.

All utensils should be warm before starting. Makes about 15.

 

Mix the sifted flour and salt into a basin, then cream the yeast with the sugar. When it has bubbled up add it to the flour with the water, which must be blood heat only. Mix well, cover and set in a warm place until double the bulk, about thirty minutes. Cream the butter and lard together and divide into three. Put the dough on to a floured board and roll out into a long strip. Put the first third of fats in dots on to the top third of the pastry strip and fold over like an envelope, as if making flaky pastry. Roll out, and do this twice more until all the butter mixture is used up. Then roll out and cut into small oval shapes ( or small rounds ). Put on to a floured baking sheet with at least 2 in. between each one to allow for spreading. Cover, as above, and leave to rise for three-quarters of a hour, then bake in a moderate to hot oven ( 375 degrees - 400 degrees/ Gas mark 5 - 6 ) for 20 minutes.

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

DATES IN HISTORY

15 September 1436
Battle of Piperden where Scots under William, 2nd Earl of Angus, defeated English forces led by Percy and Sir Robert Ogle, near Berwick.

 

18 September 1959
Forty-seven miners at Auchengeich Colliery, Chryston, Lanarkshire, were trapped and died when the bogies carrying them to work ran into smoke 300 yards from the pit bottom, 1,000 ft below ground. Only one of the squad escaped in Scotland's worst pit disaster of the century. Later the same evening the decision was taken to flood the burning pit.

 

20 September 1746
To escape capture in Scotland, Prince Charles Edward Stewart sailed from Loch nan Uamh to safety in France aboard the French ship L'Heureux. It eluded Government ships under the cover of fog.

See Dates in History in our Features Section

SING A SANG AT LEAST
(compiled by Peter D Wright)

"That I for poor auld Scotland's sake
Some useful plan or book could make
Or sing a sang at least ........"

- Robert Burns

SI Prize Crossword No. 21 SEPTEMBER  2001
[Click here to bring up the crosswords]