Once again, we’re dismayed to report that we called it right. Because last night SNP MSP Mairi McAllan, officially representing the party on Question Time, told a weary audience in Fort William that that was precisely the case.
And readers, if ever a policy has been tested in battle and found wanting, it’s that one.
Just over a year ago, Shona Robison – then the Cabinet Secretary For Social Justice, now the Deputy First Minister – told the Scottish Parliament this:
There now follow some quotes from the media regarding the case of Andrew Miller, aka Amy George, who yesterday admitted the kidnap and repeated sexual abuse of an 11-year-old girl at his home in Galashiels earlier this year.
When Humza Yousaf was campaigning to be elected leader of the SNP, he pledged that he would be not only the First Minister, but also the “First Activist”. It transpired that this in fact meant chapping a few doors in Dundee, just down the road from his home in Broughty Ferry (and on the way to his Glasgow constituency).
But what might a real “First Activist” have done with the position and power?
Oily SNP MP John Nicolson – a man who was pompous and condescending even as a teenager presenting Open To Question in the 1980s – this week posted an extended and theatrical Twitter rant at the fine Herald and National columnist Kevin McKenna.
Goodness knows we could all do with some cheering up at the moment, so let’s have a momentary change of tone and kick today off with a chuckle or two.
We’ve been working a bit too hard lately, and yesterday’s Wings post went to press with an unprecedented FOUR errors in it, including an “is is” instead of “it is”, a “more far” in place of a “far more” and a “strata” where there should have been a “stratum”. We’re deeply ashamed, and thanks to the alert Wings readers – including our mum – who swiftly drew our attention to them.
The most embarrassing clanger was this one, which we fixed promptly:
So imagine our surprise when we were reading this morning’s Scottish press.
twathater on The Fear Of The Briar: “Alf reform have been back pedaling on their policies e.g. their opposition to the gender woo woo , the immigration…” Jan 1, 18:18
twathater on The Gulf War: “@ James Cheyne as our infested deluded yoonionists keep telling US the ONLY one who has the authority or right…” Jan 1, 18:05
James Cheyne on The Gulf War: “Are you upset… didums. Trying to control the narrative, as far as I am aware it still relates to Scots…” Jan 1, 16:46
Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh on The Gulf War: “KID-ON SCOTLAND Cardboard box with two holes cut for eyes. Wee boy in there pretending he wants out. In reality…” Jan 1, 16:41
Alf Baird on The Gulf War: “The Rev has rightly again pointed out the ever widening gulf between votes for SNP and votes for independence. By…” Jan 1, 16:27
sam on The Gulf War: “Guid New Year, James. I used AI to get this information. The sources quoted include “thebarristergroup.co.uk”. “Search Assist Yes, there…” Jan 1, 16:26
Insider on The Gulf War: “James Cheyne says: 1 January, 2026 at 3:49 pm “Scotland is a independent Country,” Well, so glad to hear that’s…” Jan 1, 16:08
sam on The Gulf War: “The decision is written by the Tribunal judge and his panel.I doubt they were stupid enough to believe this would…” Jan 1, 16:00
James Cheyne on The Gulf War: “Should Scotland be an independent Country, Scotland is a independent Country, just that England and media controls the narrative not…” Jan 1, 15:49
James Cheyne on The Gulf War: “AI is a computer, A computers output is only as good or sound as the creators imput. That why you…” Jan 1, 15:37
David Holden on The Gulf War: “Honest John one of the first successful charisma bypass operations in our wee country. As for James Kelly and his…” Jan 1, 15:33
Robert McAllan on The Fear Of The Briar: “Andy Wightman ‘the keynote speaker’??? FFS the ba’s burst afore it even touches the slates!!!” Jan 1, 15:25
100%Yes on The Gulf War: “What I find totally unbelievable is how people actually do believe Liberate Scotland or the Alba party is going to…” Jan 1, 15:24
James Cheyne on The Gulf War: “Voters decisions. One nation has spent over three Centuries trying to rid themselves of the indigenous Scots vermin from Scotland,…” Jan 1, 15:23
geoff on The Gulf War: “You don’t seem well.” Jan 1, 15:10
100%Yes on The Gulf War: “Alf, I’m afraid a lonely fart will have more effect than liberate Scotland will. We need to stop fucking around…” Jan 1, 15:10
Alf Baird on The Gulf War: “Yes, national identity and therefore national consciousness (based on culture and indigenous languages) is a central feature in colonial societies…” Jan 1, 14:53
Lorna Campbell on The Gulf War: “Happy New Year, ane an a. Great piece, Rev. If the Sandie Peggie appeal is successful on the grounds that…” Jan 1, 14:41
Northcode on The Gulf War: ““Westminster will never allow Scotland’s money to escape no matter what.” It isn’t up to Westminster… it’s in the gift…” Jan 1, 14:34
Lorna Campbell on The Fear Of The Briar: “Do you know of any party that disbanded itself after independence, David? Even if the SNP lose eventually, they will…” Jan 1, 14:33
James Barr Gardner on The Fear Of The Briar: “The BBC publishing the Scottish Newspapers front pages does not have the Nationals, strange every time the National has strong…” Jan 1, 14:31
Effijy on The Gulf War: “Westminster will never allow Scotland’s money to escape no matter what. We know that Westminster initiated the murderous Highland Clearances…” Jan 1, 14:16
Northcode on The Gulf War: ““…the continued ‘strategic drift’ of the once dominant national party onto the jaggy rocks of colonialism.” An apposite metaphor, one…” Jan 1, 14:14
sarah on Off-topic: “No steak pie but the remnant of carbonnade des marinieres – steak casserole – that my better half made the…” Jan 1, 14:10
sam on The Gulf War: “https://theconversation.com/twenty-five-years-of-data-shows-how-link-between-identity-and-views-on-scottish-independence-has-grown-stronger-266963 “People’s views on how Scotland should be governed have always reflected to some degree whether they feel Scottish or…” Jan 1, 14:09
sarah on The Gulf War: ““…just stay drunk.” No. Just keep watching the Scotland World Cup-qualifying goal replays. I do! It does wonders for my…” Jan 1, 14:05
Alf Baird on The Gulf War: “The now ever widening gulf between votes for SNP and votes for independence may be likened to the established business…” Jan 1, 13:59
Derick fae Yell on The Gulf War: “Question Are those who support independence but not the SNP going to vote for someone else, or not vote at…” Jan 1, 13:31
Northcode on The Gulf War: “P.P.S.If I have made any typos the day, and fowk hiv noticed, just ignore them… recovering from the effects of…” Jan 1, 13:02
willie on The Gulf War: “A Good New Year and a good article. The bond between independence and the SNP has indeed been broken. Where…” Jan 1, 13:00
