menu_open Columnists
Andrew Tickell

Andrew Tickell

Herald Scotland

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Anas Sarwar can't run a personality-driven campaign - because he hasn't got one

Anas Sarwar's political identity is all over the place. He’s a Brownite. He’s soft left. He’s centre left. He’s a moderniser. Does he know who...

19.01.2026 7

Herald Scotland

Andrew Tickell

Oh dear, is there even less to Sir Keir than meets the eye? I think so

I’VE never been able to work out whether being “all things to all men” is a compliment or not. It can be both, I suppose. You might use the...

30.06.2025 7

Herald Scotland

Andrew Tickell

Labour’s sickening cuts to disability benefits are just plain nasty ‘WE’RE the Labour Party. The clue is in the title.” From time to time, elected representatives of the People’s Party will dip into their party playbook searching for a witty slogan to justify their latest round of benefit cuts...

‘WE’RE the Labour Party. The clue is in the title.'  From time to time, elected representatives of the People’s Party will dip into their...

10.03.2025 7

Herald Scotland

Andrew Tickell

Politicians with crocodile tears for lives lost in prison must do some reflecting

IN August 2017, Katie Allan drove her car while under the influence of alcohol, lost control, mounted a pavement and struck a pedestrian. She pled...

20.01.2025 10

Herald Scotland

Andrew Tickell

Let’s not stop at hereditary lords in House reform THERE are, somewhat remarkably, 92 hereditary peers in the House of Lords. Since 1999, 90 of these choice gentlemen have been farcically elected to sit on the burgundy benches from out of the greater body of hundreds of barons, earls, viscounts, and marquesses whose ancestors were given magic names by the monarch for engaging in the valuable kind of bastardry on which monarchies in bloody times depend ...

THERE are, somewhat remarkably, 92 hereditary peers in the House of Lords. Since 1999, 90 of these choice gentlemen have been farcically elected to...

06.01.2025 8

Herald Scotland

Andrew Tickell

Don’t let media leaks on SNP police probe tempt you into making rash judgements Eight months on, has John Swinney managed to turn the SNP’s fortunes around? When he first took over in the spring of this year, the task he faced seemed beyond formidable.

EIGHT months on, has John Swinney managed to turn the SNP’s fortunes around? When he first took over in the spring of this year, the task he faced...

30.12.2024 4

Herald Scotland

Andrew Tickell

Labour's lengthy list of broken promises and pledges is utterly baffling IT comes back, in the end, to a problem of under-definition. Some political strategists promote the benefits of creative ambiguity...

IT comes back, in the end, to a problem of under-definition. Some political strategists promote the benefits of creative ambiguity. Avoid defining...

23.12.2024 5

Herald Scotland

Andrew Tickell