For a list of the current Friends of the Scottish Review, click here
Answers to citizenship questions:
As a very young lawyer I had the privilege of once instructing Ian Hamilton QC. I am sure he will not recall it…my first ‘murder’ case was probably his 1,000th. His article about the need for a new society should be printed in every newspaper in the world. The last line about Jimmy Reid’s funeral made me laugh out loud. If Scotland votes for independence, he should be declared as our first ‘honorary’ president.
Jim Bauld
With wonderful polemic, Ian Hamilton describes the personal and societal frustration many of us feel as we survey the current political landscape. There is little that any humane (sic) being would disagree with. Indeed, if a great artist were to be asked to encapsulate Britain today, they could but take inspiration from Dostoyevsky’s wonderful portrait of a prison bath house, where the rich sat atop of a set of pyramidal stairs and had clean soap and water poured over their heads, while the lower classes experienced the trickle-down washings before great emulsions of dirt were swept away by those who could not afford the kopek needed for their annual wash.
I could be tempted to accuse Mr Hamilton of being part of the problem as he had influence and a small measure of power in his role as a QC. Unfortunately, his actions in political life (and no doubt his powers of debate) demonstrate that he was a man committed to social justice and so I defer.
May I cordially disagree with him on one matter though, when he implies it is only his generation that believed in a just society? This philosophy has existed from the times of Democritus and will continue to be with us into the distant future. I watch families and care workers not seeking wealth but humanity as they care for the terminally ill. I see neighbours taking on extra jobs, not for wealth but to try to maintain a roof over the heads of their family. I see humans rescuing animals to maintain, not wealth, but some form of environmental equilibrium with our fellow travellers.
The issue is not one of belief, but power. I cannot dissect fully why the world has decided to maintain inequality though I am tempted by an outcomes approach to analysis – these are the results that the few in power demand and have achieved. Be it globalisation or apathy, through accident or design, we are where we are but I do see people all around the world working, who have the belief that we can strive for something beyond rodenthood.
The issue is, however, that few of them have power and it is the powerful who seem to have lost their sense of philanthropy and equality. Perhaps Ian would be better to attack those who actually have influence rather than those who seek equality. Perhaps he will see me as a young illiterate upstart, but at 48 years old I’ll accept that barb with joy as I hope he will accept my advice. We may all be approaching our ‘end of days’ and statistically I may have a longer wait than Ian but I wish him active days beyond what he may suspect as his essay was truly wonderful.
Paul Cochrane
It very nearly brings tears to my eyes when I read Ian Hamilton. I agree with him so much. I am not a lawyer. I am an architect, trained to be positive and constructive. I am the same age as Ian Hamilton. I am extremely disappointed that we in Scotland are now failing to think about our people, all of us, and our country. Ill health, poverty, lack of work, and lack of spirit grind us down. Good piece also in the Scottish Review, ‘The story of a girl in care’ (6 December). She knows; and I applaud her spirit.
Of course we have to make our way, that’s why we need leaders; but greed and ‘me first’ will not allow us to survive. As a small country, and given our past, we have much to give to ourselves and to others, but we have to think more clearly, and about all of us.
Ian Begg
I would be grateful if you would convey my sincere thanks to Ian Hamilton for his piece in the Scottish Review. I found it both moving and inspiring.
Anne Simpson
To read Ian Hamilton’s piece Click here
