What passes for political debate in this country has descended into the farcical and fractious.
It is not a new phenomenon, but has its recent roots in the divisions and friction of the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 when too much of the country, at least in political and social media, divided into their silos, donned their tin helmets and went into battle.
It was the most tribal and ill-tempered issue of modern times. One of the ugliest manifestations was the entrenched, unbending and unedifying attitude of a vociferous few: “If you for not for us, then you are against us.”
Facts were manufactured to suit circumstances; people were vilified for daring to disagree; grievances were generated and the truth buried beneath a tirade of vitriol.
It was the dawn of Fake News and the wholesale assault on the mainstream media. It was a time when voices of reason were blown away in a gale-force wind of anger and ire.
And it has not gone away. Several incidents in the last week have shown that time has not been the great healer of those festering sores. That every issue is still, for some, an opportunity to be partial and partisan.
Firstly, the appointment of the Scottish Conservative leader, Ruth Davidson as an Honorary Colonel in the Territorial Army.
This news, delayed until after the local and general elections was greeted with outrage by senior Nationalists. It was claimed it was incompatible with being a politician.
A conflict of interests. Some kind of establishment carve-up. It seems to me the reaction was not driven by a calm appraisal of the facts, but instead just simple and simmering tribal reaction. Seemingly, it is okay for politicians to be champions of charities, or be sponsored by trade unions, or have private business interests. But not hold an honorary position in the British Army. One suspects it is the British bit which rankled some.
It is faux outrage; they have chosen the wrong target and they are firing blanks. Surely we want politicians with a breadth of knowledge and expertise and need those who volunteer to serve our country in the TA to be valued and have a voice.
Then there has been the Highland Spring offensive where one of the company’s senior executives dared to comment that business in Scotland needed a period of stability free from constitutional turmoil.
This was met by demands for a boycott of the product as it was added to a list of nasty Unionist products which no self-respecting true Scot should be seen near.
There was even – I kid you not – a call for a shop to be set up where such treacherous goods would be banned. A Yesupermarket for ultra Nats. Never mind the brain-numbing, narrow mindedness of anyone who thinks like this, but just imagine the sad world they inhabit, where the jobs of their fellow countrymen and women are expendable because they work for companies who have the “wrong” political views.
As the Highland Spring news broke and the keyboard ultras awoke, it emerged the company had been contacted by the Scottish Government about its position. This brought cries of government interference and attempts to gag the business from speaking out.
Well, this is where I am also uneasy. The fact that they were spoken to was condemned by many. That is what causes me unease. Because, if a company is a critic of a government, surely it is right there is engagement and dialogue?
But such is the political climate, distrust and the track record from the 2014 Indyref, such moves were all too easily portrayed as bullying and malicious. The fact Highland Spring twice tried to clarify its original position only added to the impression any justifiable engagement by the government had crossed the line into some kind of gagging order.
I don’t know if it did. But nobody emerged with any credit. Another victim of our fractious politics.
These are only a couple of examples of where our public discourse has gone to hell in a handcart. I could go on – about the attacks on the BBC by senior figures in the both the SNP and the Conservatives. There is the condemnation of Laura Kuenssberg, the BBC’s political editor, by the Left and Right which surely only demonstrates she is getting it spot-on by upsetting everyone.
Then there’s the hounding of Labour MPs from within their party for daring to be less than slavishly loyal to their Dear Leader. And the attacks on any aspect of public services here being dismissed as “talking Scotland down”.
Enough. We can’t go on like this. Please, everyone, just go off and have a break. And give us a rest from your bigotry, banality and petty political stupidities.
A bloke can dream
This is a big week for Brexit. Again.
The Great Repeal Bill will be revealed and set out how powers and obligations currently exercised by the EU will be brought home to the UK.
Also this week, the Prime Minister will set out her vision of life after Brexit. Already, of course, that is being labelled as a relaunch of her Premiership.
But this could be a week when we get much-needed clarity of just what our primary goals should be. Will this be when, at last, we see our economy become the heart and soul of Brexit and when free trade with the EU takes centre stage and such issues as immigration become a means to that end, rather than an objective in their own right?
When we have the chance to agree what our goals should be, rather than get bogged down over arguments about process, institutions and the constitution?
Whisper it, but could this be the week when a consensus emerges and our politicians set themselves on a common course?
Don’t be daft. There’s not a snowflakes chance in hell of that happening. But a bloke can dream!
When a draw can be satisfying
In sport, as in life, we want to be winners.
But sometimes, a draw can be satisfying.
On Saturday morning, the British and Irish Lions played the decisive third Test in their tour of New Zealand. It was a compulsive, pulsating thrilling game of rugby. No quarter was asked. None was given. It was a contest on a knife edge for the whole 80 minutes.
Rugby at its rumbustious, rucking and mauling best. A raw, unabashed, take no prisoners, tackle like there’s no tomorrow, gladiatorial contest between the greatest team on earth, the All Blacks, and the finest of the British Isles.
And, in that old but apt cliche, it was rugby which won. Great sport. Great sportsmanship. A great spectacle. The picture of all the players celebrating together after the match is a defining and glorious image.
Match drawn, series drawn, honours even.
No Scots made the team, but we have our chance in the autumn when the Silver Ferns come to Murrayfield. The unofficial Fourth Test.
Now, to track down a ticket for that one….
