Tag Archives: history

From Moral Ambition to Moral Yearning

Posted on January 14, 2026 by Stephen Shellard

A Reflection on the Dangers of Moral Certainty Name the four US presidents who have been assassinated!   That’s a challenge which one might expect in a pub quiz.  Team members, such as myself, who have been roped in at the … Continue reading →

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Brexit Revisited

Posted on November 14, 2025 by Stephen Shellard

The Democratic Case for Pooling Sovereignty Although I voted to remain in the European Union in the 2016 referendum, this did not reflect an entirely uncritical view of the European project and, in particular, its democratic structures. I was interested … Continue reading →

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Questioning Identity

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Stephen Shellard

Two Tales from Wigtown In his book,  Against Identity, Alexander Douglas quotes Upton Sinclair: “It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.”  Douglas goes on to say: “Well, try … Continue reading →

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Beatle Blethers

Posted on August 24, 2025 by Stephen Shellard

I really enjoyed the first episode of  the Beatle Blethers podcast with Alan McClure and Gerry Hassan. It was a lively conversation, yet Alan and Gerry managed to avoid that excess of bonhomie, weak jokes, and loud laughter which can … Continue reading →

Posted in Comment, Podcasts etc. | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

The Monarchy is Dead …

Posted on December 30, 2024 by Stephen Shellard

But We’re Not Quite Sure What to Do About it So far as I am aware the only significant political party which openly opposes the monarchy in current UK politics is Alba and their ambitions are stated in orderly and … Continue reading →

Posted in Comment, Other Constitutional discussion | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A National Park for Galloway…

Posted on December 7, 2024 by Stephen Shellard

A Chance for Revival or a Risky Gamble? A proposal is afoot to make some part of Galloway – as yet undefined — a national park also to include, perhaps, South Ayrshire. This proposal has sparked increasing debate, with strong … Continue reading →

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