We’ve got a book to read today, folks, so we’ll be with you later.
We expect it to be in the top three funniest things we read today, but to be honest with you we wouldn’t like to commit to anything more specific than that.
Kezia Dugdale talking to Gordon Brewer on BBC Scotland today:
“I’m astonished that you’ve spent 10 minutes in this interview talking about independence and Trident when almost 50% of the poorest kids in the country can’t read […] I’m sure you’d be shocked to know that 50% of the poorest kids leave our schools unable to read.”
We suspect he would too. Because it’s total cobblers.
Alert readers of The National will have noticed an article by me in it today. It reads slightly weirdly, jumping from subject to subject, because it was originally done as an interview but they then decided to cut the questions out to get more text in.
That’s all absolutely fine – they okayed it with me first – but some readers may be interested in seeing the full original piece, which is about twice as long. If you are, you can read it below. If you’re not, um, do what you like. I’m not your mum.
There’s a remarkable story on the BBC News website today about the latest findings of the British Election Study, last seen destroying the myth that fear of the SNP damaged Labour in England. The piece focuses on the discovery that being seen as “too left-wing” does NOT, in fact, cost Labour votes, despite the hysterical warnings of supposedly leftist pundits.
But there’s a more startling fact buried right at the end.
I’m writing on behalf of hundreds of thousands of Labour Party members; some new, and some, like me, who have been loyal party members throughout our adult lives. I’m not writing to any one of you in particular.
diabloandco on The Gulf War: “Seconded!” Jan 1, 19:30
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