| | | Neil McIntosh | | Editor of The Scotsman |
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Dear Voornaam
Fans of political intrigue will have had a ball these last few days, but at Scotsman Towers it has also been a long week. The team has been working some long hours to bring you news of events in Westminster and the fallout further afield, as well as keep up with the important events happening closer to home, and (even) away from politics. Regular readers will know The Scotsman's view on Boris Johnson - we thought he should have gone in January, when his lies around PartyGate were first exposed. Scotland soon felt the same way, according to polls. Our view, and I suspect many of our readers', wasn't based on his party, or his political values - such as they can be determined. It was a view based on his honesty, as expressed through his words and deeds. Many Conservatives have expressed their unhappiness, both in our columns and in private, at how the Prime Minister's behaviour has sat uneasily with their values. When will Boris Johnson go, and who will replace him? We proceed, now, into a complex period: at the time of writing, it is by no means clear how long Johnson has in office. With Keir Starmer being found not to have broken any lockdown rules by Durham police - you'll remember he'd promised to resign if he was fined - the contrast between the Leader of the Opposition and outgoing Prime Minister could not be more stark. Why would the Conservatives want Johnson hanging around any longer than he must? The second running strand of this story will be the various contenders for leadership of the Conservatives, and thus the role of Prime Minister. It's often been observed that it's an extraordinary way to choose a PM, but ours is a parliamentary - not presidential - democracy. It's inevitable that a relatively small number of party members will have the final say. The odds are high that we will end up having a new PM who was, until very recently indeed, a relative unknown. That is why we are starting a series of "Who is..." pieces, to keep the curious informed, such as this one on Attorney General Suella Braverman. (Her profile is the most-read of the series, so far - that could be a good sign of interest in her candidacy, or a sign nobody has heard of her. We leave it to you to interpret). Who knows what events, or speeches, stunts and scandals, will propel a hopeful to Number 10? Airport chaos and a look ahead to the weekend Away from Westminster, there has been plenty going on. Airport disruption left people stranded on the first day of school holidays, to enormous frustration. And that's even assuming your flight was running - there were vast numbers of cancellations by BA and Flybe - and that you'd managed to secure a new passport in time despite huge queues at Scotland's only passport centre in Glasgow. Perhaps the best bet is to settle down with your Saturday Scotsman, tomorrow? We've a few treats: our Scotsman Magazine cover star is jazz legend Herbie Hancock, who's talking to Janet Christie ahead of his appearance at the Edinburgh International Festival next month. And, if you don't end up peckish and thinking of something indulgent for brunch after reading about Felicity Cloake's Red Sauce, Brown Sauce - a culinary tour of the great British breakfast - you're a far more disciplined person than me. We'll also have all the sport rounded-up - including coverage of an exciting day at Wimbledon - and all the angles covered from Westminster, once more. Whether or not you decide to go for a vast fry up tomorrow morning, I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Thanks, as ever, for your support - and here's hoping to a less chaotic week next week? Best wishes, Neil McIntosh Editor, The Scotsman | 