The Scots Independent Newspaper Online

GETTING MY APOLOGIES IN FIRST

When I first started working for the Flag I stated my intention to write short articles, well broken up to make them easy to read, especially from a computer screen

So my apologies this time round - I feel that the French referendum result was so important that I have written a longer article than usual, albeit broken up into small sections.

If you are bored by all this European stuff, then just skip it and go to the next section.

SO THE FRENCH SAY NO

There is no question that Europe has been rocked by the vote against the new EU Constitution which the French people passed last Sunday.

Why did it happen? Well, there are innumerable reasons, some good, some bad, some relevant, some irrelevant.

POLITICAL REASONS AT HOME

Of course, it is always difficult for an unpopular government to win a referendum. French president Jacques Chirac himself is not particularly liked - when he won the last presidential election against Jean-Marie le Pen, some of those who were going to vote for him used the slogan: Vote for the crook, not the fascist.

Chirac himself has not been very successful in containing French unemployment to a reasonable level, and there are considerable tensions arising from immigration, and especially Muslim immigration.

The French education authorities, for example, have taken a hard line on religious dress and symbols in schools, which has tended to exacerbate an already delicate situation.

ANGLO-SAXON ECONOMICS

Rightly or wrongly, the French saw the new Constitution - ironically, drawn up by former French president Valéry Giscard d'Estaing - as incorporating what they think of as harsh anglo-saxon and American attitudes of the free market.

While the French do not go as far as the Scandinavians in state provision for their people, they are nevertheless proud in general terms of their social system, and they saw this as under threat.

FRENCH INFLUENCE IN THE COMMUNITY

Some French people probably also thought that with expansion France's influence as a key player would wane. That of course is true, and inevitable.

There was also probably the feeling that Europe's elite was pushing expansion too quickly and that this was not to the advantage of the common people. There is a strong element of truth in this.

Originally, ie about 2001, it was thought that only about five or six of the states who joined the EU in 2004 would be ready by that date. In the event, ten new members were allowed in - almost certainly a short-term political decision which is having and will continue to have serious consequences for EU harmony. With the advent of Romania and Bulgaria in 2007, the strains will be considerable - and unnecessary.

THE TURKISH THREAT

Looming over all this, in French eyes, is the possible accession of Turkey. I personally am strongly in favour of Turkish accession - Turkey is partly a European power, although also a Muslim - but not an Arab - power. It is also very positive about joining the EU, and could well act as a bridge between a Christian or post-Christian rationalist Europe and the Muslim world.

But in French eyes, Turkey threatens yet more foreign immigration to France, more cheap labour on the market and consequently more unemployment for French workers. Turkey also threatens more religious friction.

These threats are real and should not be dismissed. They must be addressed and sensible, sensitive solutions found. Politics often is not easy!

THE PEOPLE VERSUS THE ELITE

It is interesting that France is the first nation to vote No. It seems very likely that the Dutch will do the same. Partly it is also because the EU has begun to seem to some elitist, arrogant and undemocratic.

When the Irish and then the Danes voted No in previous referendums, they were simply told to go away and vote again. The views of the the electorate of small countries, it seemed, just did not count.

Again, with the Stability and Growth Pact, some small countries such as Portugal had to make considerable sacrifices to stay within the EU-imposed limits. Yet when France and Germany discovered that they too were - unexpectedly going to have to make sacrifices, the Stability and Growth Pact was ignored.

I was in the Brussels parliament at the time, and the anger of some of the small states was almost palpable. It seemed to be one law for the big states, and another for the small.

MANIPULATION BY THE ELITE

When Euro-elections are held every five years, Britain is one of the first to vote, on the Thursday preceding the Sunday when most other member states vote. Quite correctly, our vote is held back and only counted and the result declared after the other countries have voted, so as not to influence their results. That is as it should be.

Yet when the referendums for accession were put to Austria and the various Scandinavian countries, the political elites seemed to agree that the elections should be held and the results declared, not on the same day, but in a way that would create a snowball effect for membership. Thus is the vote manipulated by the political elites for their own ends.

ELITES AFRAID OF THE PEOPLE

You would have expected the Constitution to be voted on and the result declared on the same day throughout Europe. Not so.

Nine states have already ratified the Constitution. Yet of these nine, only one - Spain - has dared to put the question to its own people. You have to ask why - were the others afraid of what the answer might have been?

While some, notably the new eastern European states and the poorer southern states - who have done or hope to do well out of the EU - would probably have voted Yes, it may well be that the German electorate, like the French, would have voted No.

Of those states still to decide, seven, including Britain, will (or would have) put the vote to the people, while seven would have ratified by their parliaments. The Czech Republic has still decide on its method.

I cannot speak for other countries, but I do know that in Sweden there is considerable unhappiness that the people are not to be consulted

SO WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

There should be no rush to judgment. The Dutch plans for a referendum will go ahead - it is too late to do otherwise. Alex Salmond has declared that it would be a nonsense to vote on what is a dead Constitution - but would it be? Should we not have our say as well?

And is the Constitution dead? If by any chance all the other countries went ahead and held referendums and if they all voted Yes - two very big Ifs - then there would be tremendous pressure to go ahead with the Constitution anyway. It should be inconceivable - but is it? - that we should not have a vote in such circumstances.

Let us not rush headlong into decisions we may regret. Now is the time to stop and think for a few months at least. Europe, and its nations, will be the better for it.

STOP BEING BEASTLY TO THE LIBDEMS

I must say that I am getting a wee bit fed up with some SNP writers going over the top about the LibDems.

Over the past few years we have been going on and on about how the LibDems are only in power because they want to drive around in ministerial limousines, and how they are nothing but Labour's little helpers.

Is it not about time that we gave up this kind of childish abuse? Is it not about time that we realised that this sort of carping criticism is just the thing that turns off the voters? And is it not about time that the SNP took on board that the Scottish parliament gives us all a chance to get away from personalised abuse and yah-boo politics?

We really must get it into our heads that we are now in the era of proportional representation, that coalitions are almost inevitable and that sensible politicians of all parties are going to have to work together for the general good.

And if they do work together, we may not like what we see, but at least let us stop indulging in old-style Westminster politics.

STATISTICS CORNER

The recently-published World Competitiveness Index makes fascinating reading.

Here are the top 20 places based on number 1 (the USA) representing 100.

1	100	USA	11	78.32	Taiwan
2	93.07	Hong Kong	12	77.85	Ireland
3	89.68	Singapore	13	77.40	Netherlands
4	85.35	Iceland	14	76.26	Sweden
5	82.65	Canada	15	76.16	Norway
6	82.63	Finland	16	75.46	New Zealand
7	82.55	Denmark	17	74.33	Austria
8	82.53	Switzerland	18	74.10	Bavaria
9	81.98	Australia	19	72.18	Chile
10	80.31	Luxembourg	20	69.72	Zhejiang (Chinese province)

Is it not fascinating that the small countries of northern Europe do so well? Especially as many of them are noted for their high-class social systems and high tax regimes. So where does that leave our British Tories who claim we cannot afford high wages or a decent minimum wage, or high taxes to promote good social systems?

Much of our problem stems from historically incompetent management and unions which have left us with abysmal productivity compared with our European neighbours.

Britain, incidentally, came 22nd, and Scotland 35th.

And is it not fascinating that Scotland does so badly? Ah, the benefits of Union!

ANSWERS TO LAST WEEK'S QUIZ

1. Resign. 2. Bernard Ponsonby. 3. Inverness. 4 Alan McCoombes. 5. Albert McQuarrie 6. Shona Baird. 7. John Buchan. 8. Oona King. 9. Winston Churchill. 10. Willie Ross, Gordon Campbell, Bruce Millan, George Younger, Malcolm Rifkind, Ian Lang, Michael Forsyth, Donald Dewar, John Reid, Helen Liddle.

The Working Life of Linda Fabiani MSP

Click here to read SNP MSP Linda Fabiani's working diary.

SYNOPSIS

Friday 27th May

ROBISON WELCOMES DOCTOR'S CHECK UP

SNP Shadow Health Minister Shona Robison has welcomed the new guide introduced by the Executive to measure the performance of GP's.

The new guide will allow patients to check how well their local GP surgery is performing.

Shona Robison said:

The SNP has always believed the public should have maximum access to information on the health service and so we welcome this initiative.

The performance of professionals in the health service should be there for all to see.

This will provide a useful tool to measuring the performance of GP's and seeing how they are delivering services in response to their new contract.

Friday 27th May

SNP WELCOMES CHANGE TO BBC WEATHER MAP

SNP MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Angus MacNeil, who has taken a lead role in the campaign to change the BBC's weather map, has welcomed confirmation from the BBC that they are to change the map.

The BBC has indicated to the SNP that the new map will be tilted to accurately present Scotland's size on screen.

Commenting, Mr MacNeil said:

The BBC has changed its mind almost as quickly as the weather changes in the Western Isles.

This is a great victory for people from across Scotland who raised their concerns with the BBC. It goes to show that Scotland's voice can be heard and we can make London think again. We have made Scotland matter in the boardrooms of the BBC.

But of course this is only the first stage. People are equally concerned about the loss of wind speeds and isobars - two pieces of information that are crucial to my constituents and others who make a living outdoors.

I will be keeping up the pressure on the BBC on these points, and look forward to further changes and improvements to their weather map.

Sunday 29th May 2005

SNP WELCOME LIB DEM AND TORY SUPPORT FOR FISCAL INDEPENDENCE

ACT NOW TO STOP SCOTTISH ECONOMY SLUMPING FURTHER

SNP Shadow Spokesperson for Enterprise & the Economy, Jim Mather MSP has commented on reports that Lib Dem leadership candidates, Nicol Stephen and Mike Rumbles as well as leading Tories are now publicly stating their support for Scottish Fiscal Autonomy.

Mr. Mather said:

We welcome support for Fiscal Independence in Scotland. However, what we must see now is a practical plan that will formalise the majority political consensus in Scotland and make Fiscal Independence happen.

Any further delay in the Scottish Parliament acquiring the necessary powers is morally and economically unjustifiable and will only damage Scotland further.

Otherwise, Scotland will suffer even further with a government that has no economic growth target, no powers to save, borrow or tax and a destructive tendency to invent, inflate and celebrate a deficit.

The IMD of Switzerland are reporting that Scotland has a score for Public Finance which is 55th out of the 60 developed and developing nations and regions it reviews.

This puts us in the ranks of the most mismanaged economies and reduces Scotland¹s ability to attract and retain people and investment.

This is simply unacceptable. Now that others now accept that Scotland could be much better off with fiscal autonomy there can be no excuse for further delay.

We must act now to prevent Scotland¹s economy slumping even further.

Monday 30th May 2005

SALMOND ON EU CONSTITUTION

Speaking in the aftermath of the French people¹s decision to reject the proposed EU Constitution, SNP Leader Alex Salmond today asserted that any decision to proceed with a referendum in the UK would be absurd.

Mr Salmond said:

It would be absurd to believe that the proposed referendum can be proceeded with in these circumstances.

With Blair even less popular at home than Chirac has proved to be, he would suffer an even greater humiliation in the polls here if he allowed this matter to progress any further. He would be a lame duck Prime Minister - unable to convince the people at home and unable to lead Europe when the UK takes over the Presidency of the EU in July.

Progressing with plans for a referendum now would be a sign of immense arrogance to the views of the people, an even greater arrogance than that which brought us this failed and discredited document in the first place. It was arrogance by Ministers who failed to make vital Scots¹ issues such as fishing, access to European Courts and subsidiarity of the Scottish Parliament red line issues.

This same arrogant attitude was to the detriment of the French government, and why the constitution as it stands is dead in the water.

Tuesday, 31st May

MAXWELL HITS OUT AT EXTRAORDINARY McTEAR JUDGEMENT

SNP Shadow Depute Health Minister Stewart Maxwell has hit out at the extraordinary ruling by Lord Nimmo Smith on the death of lung cancer sufferer Alfred McTear.

Mr McTear's widow, Margaret, sued Imperial Tobacco after her husband's death in 1993, claiming he became addicted to cigarettes before health warnings appeared on cigarette packets.

Imperial Tobacco denied its products were to blame for Mr McTear's death and Lord Smith today ruled in favour of the company.

Mr Maxwell said:

While I am disappointed by this result, I am astonished by some of the reasons given by the judge for his decision. To state that in 1964 the public were well aware of the health risks associated with smoking is unbelievable.

At that time, tobacco companies were claiming that there was no evidence that smoking was harmful and there were no health messages on cigarettes.

Lord Smith states in his ruling that Mrs McTear has failed to prove a conclusive link between smoking and lung cancer. This flies in the face of the scientific and medical evidence that has proven the link between smoking and cancer, particularly lung cancer.

This is an extraordinary judgement and the only people celebrating it will be the tobacco companies whose products are responsible for the deaths of millions of people around the world.

5 June 2003
It was announced that the revised price of the Holyrood Parliament building had risen by £37 million to £ 375 million. The Scottish National Party demanded a cap on the escalating cost.

7 June 1546
Peace of Ardres ended England's war with France and Scotland.

7 June 1753
Execution, by hanging, of leading Jacobite Dr Archie Cameron, brother to Lochiel the exiled Chief of Clan Cameron, at Tyburn, London. He was denied a trial as the Hanoverian authorities feared that the identity of their spies might be revealed.

8 June 1723
The Honourable Society of Improvers in the Knowledge of Agriculture in Scotland was formed in Edinburgh by over 300 landowners. The Society lapsed after the 1745 Jacobite rising.

"Considering in how low a state the Manufactures in Scotland are and how much the right Husbandry and Improvement of Ground is neglected, partly through want of skill in those who make Possession thereof, and partly through want of Encouragement for making proper Experiments of the several Improvements that the different Soils in this county are capable of."

From the first Resolution of the Society

See Dates in History in our Features Section

SCOTTISH FOOD, TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS

Today (3 June 2005) is the first day of the horticultural show which has quickly been established as the most colourful and exciting event in the Scottish gardening calendar - Gardening Scotland 2005 - at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh. Back for a 6th year the three day event features some 400 exhibitors and something of interest for all gardeners. Some 35,000 visitors are expected to attend the show by closing time on Sunday. Don't miss the display of some 10,000 blooms in the Floral Hall, the display of show gardens and patio gardens, and if in need of gardening advice , experts are on hand throughout the three days as BBC Scotland's Beechgrove Garden and BBC Radio Scotland's Beechgrove Potting Shed host a series of programmes of interviews, demonstrations and question and answer sessions. Visit www.gardeningscotland.com for full details.

Food also plays a major part in the Show and the Food Pantry at Ingliston is where you will find inspirational cookery demonstrations and be able to sample delicacies to delight all palates. Many people, regardless of the size of their garden, like to have a herb section which will be very useful for this week's recipe - Aromatic Lamb.

Aromatic Lamb (serves 8)

Ingredients: 1 leg of lamb (about 4 lbs); 3 lb potatoes (about 5 oz each); 1 lemon (may be doubled); honey; olive oil; butter; rosemary, thyme and oregano

Method: Put the leg of lamb into a large roasting pan. Bruise the leaves of two or three sprigs of rosemary and sprinkle them over the meat. Add plenty of pepper and one tablespoon of honey. Rub the mixture into the meat with your hands. Then rub half a lemon over the joint, squeezing the juice on to the meat as you do so. Do not add any salt. Leave to marinate for four to 24 hours.

Peel and quarter the potatoes, then arrange them in a single layer round the lamb. Squeeze lemon juice over the potatoes, use at least half a lemon, or up to one and a half lemons for a strong citrus flavour. Carefully pour ¼ pint water into a corner of the roasting pan, then sprinkle over the potatoes and lamb, about two tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary, at least one teaspoon each fresh chopped thyme and oregano and some salt and pepper.

Drizzle on 1½ teaspoons honey and one tablespoon olive oil, then dot with 1 oz butter. Bake at 425F (220C) gas mark 6 for 1 to 1¼ hours. The ingredients will become gilded and will burnish to a rich brown in places. Lift the meat and turn the potatoes occasionally and, if necessary, add a little boiling water to the pan to prevent drying out.

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

COMPLETE POEMS

The Amatuer Barber
By Joe Corrie
Read by Marilyn Wright

You can listen to a Real Audio file of this story here (1.5Mb)

Joe Corrie’s mither wes a Gallowa wumman, an he myndit at whan he wes a laddie e’en gin the war a want o siller in the houss at the skuil holidays, his train fare frae Fife ti Newton Stewart coud aye be fund. Monie year later in the nineteen forties an fifties he skreived an ouklie sketch for The Galloway Gazette an a walin o thaim wes furthset frae Newton Stewart as a buikie cried The Flittin and other Galloway Sketches. We ir vogie ti reprent ane o thir tales here.

Corrie thocht that at its hert the Gallovidian speik wes "the sweetest in the whole of Scotland."

When Walter Wamphrey, the undertaker, knocked on my door the ither nicht and asked me if I’d gie his hair a trim I wasna ower keen to do the job, no that I havena got the necessary skill for I was born wi the natural gift o barberin, but Walter is a dapper wee dandy and fancies himsel a lot; and havin to tak his hat off sae aften in the course o his professional duties - weel, it was a job for a barber withoot specs, the steady hand o youth, and the help o electricity.

But it was the monthly holiday in the toon, and he was due that nicht to deliver a sang-lecture in Kirkinner, to the Rural. I tried to hide my astonishment when he tellt me that, for Walter has a pipe like a tinwhistle. Hooever, that was nane o my business; if Rurals must be entertained by all and sundry that’s their am look-oot.

"Just a wee groom up, Mr Lowrie," says he, "to freshen me up a bit, and keep the e’en o the ladies on me. He! He! He!" I made the excuse that my een werena what they were; that we only had the paraffin lamp, and that I hadna had much practice o late, but he said he had absolute faith in my reputation. So I asked him in, and put him in the kitchen til I got my shearin appliances.

Maggie turned as white as a sheet when I tellt her. She has the superstition that when an undertaker enters a hoose it’s the sign o some tragic disaster to follow. And although I’m no a superstitious man I had a wee feelin that Walter had broucht a breath o impendin trouble wi him.

When I got into the kitchen Walter was in front o the lookin-gless admirin himsel and twirlin his waxed moustache which, I noticed, had been gettin a course o intensive cultivation since the last time I’d seen him. He had gotten it into classical form, aboot three inches on each side, and perfectly balanced.

But Walter thoucht it was a wee bit ragged, and a fraction o an inch ower lang, which was inclined to cause a wee blemish on his guid looks, and he asked me if I’d reduce it by a fraction on baith sides. I just tellt him to sit doon, put twa towels roond him, then shut the kitchen door, for Maggie kens far better hoo to cut hair than I dae. I polished my specs, then worked the shears a bit to exercise my fingers and let the patient see that I had the professional touch, and decided to dae the moustache first. So I got in front o him, planted my feet firmly on the flair, decided to dae the richt hand side first, took a lang breath, bent doon, and clipped. Then I did the same again and performed the operation on the ither side. But when I wiped the steam o the ordeal frae my specs I discovered that I had taen mair off the left than I had done off the richt, so I had anither snip at the richt, but when I looked again I saw that I had taen mair off there than I should, so ower I went to the ither side. And, hang me, if the same thing didna happen.

But I couldna spend the hale nicht on a moustache so I just said, "Weel, that’s that, Walter, and noo I’ll get doon to your held." He thanked me very graciously. And when I started to run the comb through his hair he started to sing - havin a wee bit practice, he said, before the lecture. Noo, there’s nae man in a barber’s chair should tra-la-lee! especially when he canna; it’s no just annoyin, it’s painfully distractin, and if there’s onything that caas for silent concentration it’s barberin. But the customer is always richt, and I couldna complain. So I got haud o the clippers and ran them three inches up the back o his held. It was only then I noticed that I hadna put on the guard which gie ye the guarantee that you’ll no tak ower much off, and there I was lookin at three inches by twa o bare skin.

"Your clippers are gaun fine and easy, Mr Lowrie," says he. "A man canna dae an artistic job wi bad tools," says I. ‘That’s what I aye think when I’m makin a coffin," says he, "even although it’s only seen for a brief period on this earth." His mention o coffins reminded me o Maggie’s superstition aboot undertakers, and I was beginnin to realise there was something in it. It was wi a tremblin hand that I put the guard on the clippers, makin the excuse that my specs were steamin, but, tra-la-lee! he was quite comfortable. I had a closer scrutiny o the damage I had done and I saw that it was gaun to caa for aa my ingenuity to rectify it, for yince hair has been cut off there’s nae method known to science - yet - that can put it back on again. There’s aye the boot-blackin method, of coorse, but it’s no permanent, and quite unsuitable in the case o a dandy undertaker. But I thoucht I’d be safer to dispense wi the clippers, and work carefully wi the shears. I did a lot o extra clip-clip-clippin withoot cuttin ony hair to convey the impression that I kent my job, but it was to gie me time to think, but the damage I had done was gaun to be very difficult o solution.

But Walter thoucht I was gettin on fine and asked me if I minded him havin a wee rehearsal o his comm lecture. I said it would be a pleasure to me. So while I manoeuvred up and doon, and roon aboot the bald patch, he talked aboot the beauties o Scottish sang, when they were properly sung, as he would sing them in the coorse o his lecture, tra-la-lee!

But my confidence had gone completely, and the mair I clipped the mair I realised that the damage I had done was beyond repair. So while he went through his lecture I manipulated on the top o his heid. Walter has a heid like an egg, and naturally the shears are inclined to cut mair off the top, and that means that you’ve got to cut mair than ye intended off the sides. So there I was again wi anither problem. By this time he was lookin mair like a piebald than an undertaker, but he was busy wi "Corn Rigs are Bonnie, 0," and seem himsel much admired by the ladies o the Rural.

I was in twa minds whether to finish and call it a day, as the young yins say, or start aa ower again, when Maggie came ben wi Walter’s wife. Noo, Walter’s wife is a tremendous wumman, six feet if she’s an inch, and built in proportion - she plays golf to keep herself fit, and she speaks very polite. "Walter, darling," she says, "it’s time we were going to the bus." Then she said to me, "Is the operation nearly over, Mr Lowrie?" I said it was, and divested him o the towels. But when Walter got to his feet his wife cam oot wi a scream that dirled the dish covers on the dresser. "My goodness!" she yelled, "he has ruined your heid for life."

Walter jumped to his feet and ran his hand doon the back o his heid. Then he looked at me and said, "Deliberate sabotage," whatever that means. Then his wife saw his moustache and screamed again. Walter went to the lookin-gless and staggered. "Sir," he shouted at me, "I will sue you for damages!"

Then Maggie asked me if I was gettin paid for the job. "No," says I, anither labour o love." So Maggie just tellt Walter that it was a proper hair-cut for the kind o face he had. Then ye should hae heard Walter’s wife; roarin at Maggie in washin-hoose Scotch, caa-in her for this and that, and shakin her kneive in her face. And when she stopped to tak a breath Maggie set aboot her, shakin twa kneives. Then they baith yelled at each ither gaun back for generations and talkin aboot sheep-stealin, and Wigtown jile, and folk lucky no to be hanged. Oh, a terrible rakin up on baith sides. While Walter stood lookin at his face in the lookin-gless, and the tears runnin doon baith cheeks and splashin on his spats.

The last I saw o Walter was him bein pu’d frae the room and trailin on the taes o his fancy shoon. Maggie followed them to get the last words. Ye see, Mrs Wamphrey’s faither used to gaun roon the toon wi a cuddy and cairt sellin herrin. And Maggie couldna let her off wi that. And as I put the clippers back in their box I could hear Maggie shoutin, "Caller herrin, three a penny!"