Even though the original Red Paper on Scotland was written half a century ago, we can look back at many of the chapters and see the foundations of the economy we have today. John Firn, writing in 1975, pointed out that Scotland was dominated by local plants which were owned by companies with headquarters elsewhere, often in another country. This meant that major decisions on investments, sales, purchasing and research and development took place beyond Scotland.

​On Saturday Chelley Ryan wrote in the Star supporting Jeremy Corbyn as the leader of a new party of the left: “I’m warning Corbyn not to listen to that voice in his head that tells him he’s not special and someone else would be better placed to lead a new party.” I could not help thinking of the scene in Monty Python’s Life of Brian when one fervent follower insists that Brian is the messiah: “BRIAN: I'm not the Messiah! ARTHUR: I say you are, Lord, and I should know. I've followed a few.”