George Fergusson

Recovering former civil servant and diplomat. Born Scotland, much of working life involved with N Ireland, now live in England - and feel as much at home in NZ

[George Fergusson @GDRFergusson]

A land swap idea as an underpinning for peace in Ukraine sounds great - for the nanosecond before you realise that there is no Russian land that Ukraine wants or is likely to be offered. If the deal is swapping Ukrainian land for Ukrainian land, the suggestion looks emptier.

[George Fergusson @GDRFergusson]

As a former student newspaper editor,I agree with most of this article (& welcome its distinction between suffragettes,who called themselves terrorists,& suffragists).But disagree that proscription rather than prosecution is the answer.
https://t.co/JLoOEEK2ue

[The Herald @heraldscotland]

@heraldscotland 👉 https://t.co/rV3bjuLmZZ

[George Fergusson @GDRFergusson]

Don’t proscribe organisations: prosecute criminal actions. Why proscribing is often an unnecessary mistake. Article in @HeraldScotland. https://t.co/JLoOEEJuEG

[George Fergusson @GDRFergusson]

Save us from lottery elections: we must change the system https://t.co/IpxqdepwC1

[The Herald @heraldscotland]

'His way ahead looks hazardous'

George Fergusson: Keir Starmer has some difficult choices ahead

https://t.co/Cbzt0ctyv0

[George Fergusson @GDRFergusson]

@BBCr4today Accept that US news mightily important. But collapse of German coalition not making the news headlines at all so far this morning?

[George Fergusson @GDRFergusson]

200 years ago this month @JamesBraidwood started the world's 1st municipal fire service, in Edinburgh. He then founded London's fire brigade, & died in the @LondonFire in Tooley St in 1861. An elder of @CrownCourtChurch in Covent Garden,a plaque there commemorates him. @Scot_fire

[George Fergusson @GDRFergusson]

@Scotrail - On a stormy day, why is the well-maintaoned and attractive waiting room at Prestwick Town locked?

[George Fergusson @GDRFergusson]

Good @Scotrail story.I bought tickets from Maybole online, but no option for e-tickets: machine collection only.But no machine at Maybole.Stranraer-based Lynn told us to wait for her @Glasgow,saw us past the barrier, & checked us through the machine.Friendly,helpful,professional.

[George Fergusson @GDRFergusson]

#Auroraborealis in spectacular shape over South Ayrshire last night. #northernlights

[George Fergusson @GDRFergusson]

With Pat Lorimer on Tiree, 80 years to the day after his father John's midget sub mission against the Tirpitz, Op Source: 2 VCs,3 DSOs @AlastairBruce_ #WW2

[George Fergusson @GDRFergusson]

Interesting review of the Northern Ireland Executive's work since it resumed business earlier this year: much more to be done.

[Pivotal @pivotalpolicy]

🚨 New Pivotal report published this morning

The report looks back at the first seven months of the restored Northern Ireland Executive and suggests priorities ahead

Read it here
https://t.co/caARc4PG8p

[George Fergusson @GDRFergusson]

@tigwallace1 A slug would have shown real commitment.

[George Fergusson @GDRFergusson]

@LordRickettsP Very much agree. It's hard to see the objection - I thought this was something the UK might have asked for, in our own interest, and might have had difficulty negotiating. Our position seems self-harming. Herald article last month: https://t.co/PscoAQdS5V

[George Fergusson @GDRFergusson]

For once I hope a politician - Tom Tugendhat - doesn't mean what he says. Getting rid of ECHR needs thought on how to replace it. This article suggests much more thought needed. @ProfTimBale @conorgearty @constit

[The Herald @heraldscotland]

George Fergusson: There's danger behind these Tory bids to dump European Court of Human Rights

https://t.co/JMX41siLDM

[George Fergusson @GDRFergusson]

@jduncanUKF @TheLocalFrance Thanks, John. V interesting stuff.

[The Herald @heraldscotland]

George Fergusson: A cost-free option to make things better

https://t.co/rNJ4IpMYSP

[George Fergusson @GDRFergusson]

I hope this is a temporary blip.But it's hard to see why the Gov't seems to be rejecting the benefits of an EU youth travel scheme. It's nothing to do with the single market - and even if it was,B Johnson campaigned for Brexit on the basis of keeping that https://t.co/PscoAQdS5V

[George Fergusson @GDRFergusson]

@DavidHenigUK Why would we reject a youth mobility proposal? It would help problems on agricultural seasonal work,not creating 2nd class workers without rights,help hospitality sector -& bands, musicians etc. And give young people experiences now only available to those who can get to NZ/Oz.

[George Fergusson @GDRFergusson]

@FloEshalomi I wish you well but was startled at S'day Times report that Labour wld reject EU's offer of a youth mobility scheme.Hope this is wrong & can be denied. Would give great opportunities for young,who can't all afford to go to NZ/Oz; &help hospitality sector, bands etc