Latest news with #DonaldDewar
Times
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Times
Tom Clarke: Donald Dewar was a miserable sociopath and a bigot
One of Labour's longest-serving MPs has claimed that Donald Dewar was a'miserable sociopath' whose vindictive behaviour appeared to have been motivated by snobbery, jealousy and 'deep-rooted anti-Catholic bigotry'. Sir Tom Clarke, who served as a minister in the Blair government, claims his political career was derailed by an 'unfathomable hate campaign', aimed at thwarting his progress, which was orchestrated by the architect of Scottish devolution. The former MP for Coatbridge and Chryston, who holds both a knighthood and a papal knighthood, has used his forthcoming autobiography to make a series of scathing allegations against the country's inaugural first minister. Dewar, who died in office suddenly in 2000, is commemorated with a statue in the heart of Glasgow and was hailed posthumously — by allies and opponents alike — as the 'father of the nation'. Clarke has broken decades of silence to highlight in his memoir what he describes as his erstwhile Labour comrade's 'mendacious, petty and back-biting' nature. • Twenty years on from his death, where would Scotland be with Donald Dewar at the helm? He alleges that Dewar and his supporters attempted to destroy his career and reputation by circulating an official party press release which stated he had contradicted 'a virus', prompting speculation that he had developed Aids — then regarded as an incurable death sentence. 'I have since been told that the release had been signed-off at the 'highest level' within the Labour Party in Scotland,' he told The Sunday Times. 'It is difficult not to draw the conclusion that this, undoubtedly the nastiest piece in a very protracted campaign against me, was entirely the work of one Donald Dewar.' Clarke was actually suffering from ME, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, from which he quickly made a complete recovery. 'Donald Dewar's inexplicable loathing for me carried on right up to his death,' he alleged. 'May God rest his soul.' Clarke, who served as minister of state for film and tourism in the late 1990s, alleges that Dewar pursued a decades-long 'vendetta' against him, which intensified significantly after he replaced him as shadow secretary of state for Scotland. • We have failed to become Dewar's ideal of a 'successful Scotland' He claimed his rival used media contacts to ensure damaging and negative stories about his leadership dominated the news agenda. Clarke said their relationship had deteriorated significantly when John Smith, the then Labour leader, chose him to replace Dewar as the party's leader in Scotland in 1992. 'He told firmly that I should not expect anyone from his former team to work with me or assist in any way,' he said. Clarke speculated that the root of their rancorous relationship could stem from Dewar's past failure to be selected to represent his Coatbridge constituency. 'He was ever the man to bear a grudge,' he claimed. 'Perhaps with Donald I was the victim of the perfect storm of snobbery, elitism and irrational personal jealousy.' • John MacKay: Scotland is a different country to when I began presenting the news Other party colleagues and prominent figures have suggested a more malign explanation. 'I don't imagine I will ever know all the reasons for this inexplicable hostility,' he said. 'However reluctantly, I cannot ignore the number of times my religious beliefs were mentioned. 'My closest friend in the Commons, the Welsh Labour MP Gareth Wardell, highlighted Dewar's constant and insidious attempts to undermine me.' 'He ascribes Dewar's hate campaign to something much nastier which many others have commented on; his deep-rooted anti-Catholic bigotry.' There is no evidence to suggest Donald Dewar harboured sectarian views. Clarke, who lost the seat he represented for 33 years to the SNP in 2015, added: 'That was also the view of the late Cardinal Winning. Winning, the former Archbishop of Glasgow, accused Dewar, an atheist, of harbouring prejudice against Catholicism. 'Donald Dewar and all these [Labour] fellows were bigots,' he alleged, in comments which were made public after his death in 2001. This was categorically denied, at that time, by Lord Elder, Dewar's friend and former special adviser, who suggested that Winning's ire was fuelled by the first minister's steadfast support for gay rights. 'There were disagreements.' he said. 'That is hardly the same thing as being anti-Catholic. 'One of the people Donald had most time and most respect for was the Catholic priest in Anniesland [in his Glasgow constituency].' David Whitton, the former Labour MSP who served as Dewar's official spokesman and special advisor, was perplexed by Clarke's claims. 'I just don't recognise Tom's description of Donald Dewar at all,' he said. 'I find it pretty sad that he had decided to describe him in that way when he's in no position to defend himself or his record.' One senior Labour figure said: 'This kind of undignified score-settling and mud-slinging would be unseemly coming from a teenager, never mind an 84-year-old knight of the realm.' 'Given that Donald's team was filled with people from Catholic backgrounds he must have been a pretty ineffectual bigot.' 'In his heart of hearts, Tom must know that the only thing that held him back was his lack of ability and complete absence of charisma and likeability.' Clarke, now retired, acknowledged his claims would spark an angry backlash from those close to Dewar, but stood by his version of events. 'I have recorded what I think is the story of my life and it wouldn't make sense if I wasn't completely honest,' he said. 'If people come out worse then they would have wanted that's unfortunate, but I must tell it exactly as I recall it.' To Be Honest…The Story of My Life by Sir Tom Clarke will be published this week by Baxter Jardine, with all proceeds going to charity.
The National
24-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Rob Roy's missing blade feels like an apt metaphor for our situation
The hilt would be the Scottish Parliament, the missing blade the powers and resources needed to make the sword whole and let Rob get about his business. Since its inception in 1999 the Scottish Parliament has been a political trap, well designed by Donald Dewar, and built to ensure the rebellious Scots could go politically no further forward for the foreseeable future – let alone a generation or even a lifetime. READ MORE: Fergus Ewing's solo Holyrood bid 'unnecessary', John Swinney says From the massive cost overrun on the parliament building itself to today's similar cost overruns on the Port Glasgow ferries, the parliament has provided fuel for the Unionists to say 'we told you so'. It has provided gainful employment for more than 100 politicians and special advisors, many of whom seem to have become very settled into the parliament's day-to-day routine. In the 1990s the SNP debated, at length, what would be its attitude to the parliament. The majority thought that half a loaf was better than no loaf. The parliament has attract the blame for all that is wrong in Scotland, and will continue to do so, while receiving little credit for what works well. The SNP have spent the past 18 years managing devolution. READ MORE: Scotland 'should not be treated as afterthought' of HS2 project They have tried to make the best of a sometimes difficult political and financial situation but at times appear to have lost the drive to finish the job and press on to independence. According to the small army of accountants employed by the parliament, much bigger financial challenges lie ahead. The pocket money from Westminster will very soon not stretch to cover the demands of Scotland's ageing population and its more generous welfare policies. In response, the SNP are now looking to 'reform' public services to bridge the financial gap. If (and it's a big if) the SNP form the Scottish Government from May 2026 onwards, 'reform' could be a very painful process and will only serve to further distract the SNP from its allegedly core purpose – independence. Brian Lawson Paisley IN The National on Saturday Kate Forbes was yet again writing about Scotland's successful record in attracting foreign investment (FDI). (The numbers prove it – the world is ignoring those who talk Scotland down, Jun 21). She obviously sees this as a great success story for the SNP-led Scottish Government, and provides a narrative to contrast with the litany of their failures to deliver on a range of targets, including reductions in poverty, the educational attainment gap, drug deaths, homelessness, NHS waiting lists; it's a long list. To be fair, increasing FDI has a pragmatic element to it given the economic constraints that remaining in the Union creates. The Scottish Government has limited capacity to grow the economy by increasing public spending because it has to 'balance the books' – spending must be matched by taxation, meaning as much money is taken out of the economy as has been added. The only part of Scottish Government spending which adds to the economy is the funds allocated under the Barnett Formula, which is derived from UK Government public spending decisions. FDI brings additional capital into Scotland and helps generate more income tax revenue through the employment it creates. READ MORE: Ex-Unionist party leader backs Scottish independence referendum The problem, however, is that the profits don't stay here – 6% of Scotland's GDP leaves our shores, much of it headed for tax havens. Foreign investors can also withdraw, as exemplified by a foreign investor (Ineos) closing Grangemouth. Much of our essential industries such as food supply and energy are dominated by foreign companies. Our whisky and salmon export industries are also owned mostly by foreign investors. This is not a viable scenario for an independent Scottish economy but it is clear that Kate and her fellow ministers think that managing the economy after independence will be very much the same as now. The difference will be greater borrowing powers, which essentially means swapping the Barnett Formula for dependence on the bond markets. Is it any wonder, then, that Kate and her colleagues don't think the currency question is at all important? Perhaps, since they think running the post-independence economy will be similar to managing the current one under devolution, they consider themselves the ones best equipped to do that. Their refusal to join a convention along with other elements of the independence movement might reasonably be explained by a reluctance to engage with 'a bunch of amateurs'. It looks like the rest of the independence movement will need to develop a way forward without them, and there is no shortage of ideas, knowledge and talent in Scotland which can do this. Jim Osborne Glasgow
The National
16-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Labour MSP Sarah Boyack to stand down at Holyrood 2026
The MSP for Lothian was first elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999 and was a member of Donald Dewar's first cabinet. Boyack left parliament in 2016 after failing to get re-elected, but returned in 2019 as she took former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale's seat after she quit Holyrood. READ MORE: Gillian Martin clashes with BBC Scotland host over Scottish independence 'It has been the honour of my life to serve as an MSP in the Scottish Parliament,' Boyack told Holyrood. She added: 'I am proud of what I have achieved, both in my time in government and in my local campaigns for issues that matter to my constituents. 'I will also continue to support causes close to my heart, from Edinburgh's housing crisis to the battle to ensure we remain one of the cultural capitals of the world.' More than 30 MSPs have so far signalled their intention not to contest next year's election. Boyack joins her fellow Labour colleagues Alex Rowley and former leader Richard Leonard, who have announced they are not seeking reelection next year.
Scotsman
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Scotsman
Scottish Parliament is full of serious flaws and does not live up to hopes of Donald Dewar
Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... After more than a quarter of a century of existence, I fear the Scottish Parliament is not living up to the hopes and expectations of Donald Dewar and John Smith, its principal architects, or John P Mackintosh and Jim Boyack, who were the inspiration behind it. In Westminster, select committees regularly challenge governments of both main parties. However, north of the Border, Parliament and its committees have largely failed to act as an effective check on the executive. This situation is compounded by the absence of a second chamber in Scotland, which could revise, improve and very occasionally throw out defective legislation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A general view of the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh | PA The electoral system at Holyrood was a compromise experiment that was supposed to be reviewed after a couple of elections but, in spite of manifest anomalies, it has continued. My own surprise election in 2007, with no campaign nor expenditure, is an excellent illustration of one of the many problems which plague the current system. The inability to stick to devolved competences, which greatly increased under the SNP, has also exposed a number of serious flaws with the Holyrood set-up. Successive leaders have had a penchant for sidelining domestic issues, which should be their primary responsibility, in favour of pontificating on global crises, which Scotland has no chance of resolving. Humza Yousaf encapsulated this misalignment of priorities throughout his tenure, as he consistently weighed in on issues in Gaza, while Scottish services declined, rapidly. Former first minister Humza Yousaf and Finance Secretary Shona Robison are among the MSPs stepping down at the next Holyrood elections (Picture: Jeff) The SNP has a Cabinet bigger than many countries of comparable size, with more responsibilities, and a £1.5 million regiment of Spads to support them. However, they have failed to implement any meaningful change, and are not held properly to account, either by MSPs or a cowed media. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The SNP's unwillingness to seriously engage with the current devolution framework means that, should they triumph next year, we will face another five years of uncertainty and decline while they hum and haw over when/if to 'press the independence button'. Hopefully, the recent by-election result can be the turning point we need. If Scottish Labour risks being even bolder and more visionary, there is an excellent chance we could seize an overall majority, and finally begin to realise the full benefits of devolution. This means seriously engaging with some of the devolved areas that have been most neglected, such as transport. The Faeroe Islands, a devolved part of Denmark, has successfully built tunnels between a dozen or so of their Islands with more on the way. Their Sandoy tunnel, which will last for hundreds if not thousands of years, cost £150 million - about the same as the Glen Sannox, which is already regularly breaking down. We should be more than capable of building tunnels to and between our own islands. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Beyond tunnels, there is a long list of failed or overlooked transport opportunities, which a Labour government could bring to fruition: the lack of a rail link to Glasgow Airport; failure to bring bus services in Glasgow under one public owner; lack of progress on the plan for interchangeable tickets; failure to dual the A9 - the list goes on. On education, once the jewel in the crown of Scotland's public services, we have witnessed a similar, if not greater, level of incompetence. The Pisa report, which measures international education standards, shows Scotland has endured a long-term decline, in reading, maths AND science. And on the NHS, we seem incapable of the kind of transformative thinking Wes Streeting has demonstrated south of the Border. Although health is devolved, there is no shame in copying successes elsewhere in the United Kingdom – even in England. Centralisation within Scotland is another major issue, as more and more powers have been devolved to Edinburgh. The single services for police and fire have been a failure; we need to look at greater devolution across Scotland - possibly creating new democratic institutions, such as mayors - to bring power closer to the people. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad And finally, we come to Holyrood itself. A major review is long overdue and should be prioritised by whichever government comes next. Some key questions which need answered, include - would another electoral system be better? Is there a case for a second chamber? Should there be a limit on the size of the executive? And do MSPs privileges and the role of the Presiding Officer need to be reviewed? I am sure that there are many more issues that others would want to look at, but I doubt if there are many now who disagree with the need for change. Indeed, sadly, an Abolish Holyrood movement is growing, with the threat to stand candidates for list seats next year. To rescue Holyrood, people need to see that their money is being spent wisely and effectively, especially since we have decided to impose higher tax rates than in other parts of the country. It is clear that this electorate is hungry for something different, and while the SNP continue to view Holyrood primarily as a space for protest, Scottish Labour are the only party which can bring about real change.
Glasgow Times
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Line dancing flash mob takes over Glasgow's Buchanan Street
Maggie's Line Dance Class brought people together for a line-dancing flash mob on Saturday, May 3, at noon on Buchanan Street, near the Donald Dewar statue. The dance was in aid of International Line Dance Flash Mob Day, which takes place on the first Saturday in May every year. Maggie Stevenson, who runs her classes from Maggie's Rock n' Rodeo in the Trongate, put a call out to the public last month. It said: 'The event will include beginner dances - A Bar Song and House of Bamboo - as well as the more advanced Do It All Again. READ MORE: 'Am no fae here': New mural for Glasgow comedian Limmy appears in Yoker READ NEXT: Aye Write to make comeback in run-up to festive season In recognition of Scottish traditional dancing, the group will also be dancing The Slosh to Kevin McGuire's Have You Ever Seen the Rain. The event is open to everyone, regardless of line-dancing experience.' Taking to social media to applaud those who turned up, Maggie said: "You were all fabulous - thank you so much for joining us and help make it a fantastic day for everyone. "Next year we will make it even bigger and even better!!!" Those who attended were quick to praise the event (Image: Facebook/LinedancingatJaxons) Those who joined in were quick to share how much they enjoyed the event. One said: "What a brilliant day, everyone you seen had a glow, loved beings part of it." Another joked: "Well done, everyone. Loads of sore feet and heads this morning." And a third gushed: "The most enjoyable day ever, am still buzzing." You can find out more about Maggie's line dance class on her Facebook page here.
