Lack of Scottish talk radio - the REAL democratic deficit

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Let's increase the variety of voices heard on the radio and faces
seen on television. Excite the listener or viewer and don't
switch them off!

Talk radio is proving to be a popular phenomenon in many different geographical areas. In the Republic of Ireland, Newstalk is their most well known independent talk radio broadcaster. The BBC focuses on talk based programming through it's own output on stations such as Radio 4. And in London, who can forget the popular LBC?

Scotland is about to face the biggest decision in it's entire history in just under three weeks from now. Much debate has been had on television screens, in town halls and on the streets of every city and town across this country. Yet, despite all this, the country can sadly not boast that it has it's own independent national talk radio station. Frankly, this is a national obscenity as well as a tragedy.

A good friend of mine and I had a deep conversation about this whole issue on the phone last weekend. Like me, and I say this with modesty, he has a constructive and analytical outlook on the referendum. Personally, I'm getting more and more fed up of seeing the same faces and hearing the same voices on my television and radio every day, particularly with regard to coverage of the Scottish independence referendum. I'm getting fed up of listening to the same soundbites from politicians on both sides time after time. And I'm also getting fed up of the petty point scoring that overshadows many broadcasts on the issue of the referendum (and on other issues within politics in general). Why can't the broadcasters and other media outlets start looking further afield to other people and commentators to seek their constructive opinions? Are people like me just not interesting enough?

To be fair, I have to feel grateful to the BBC at Pacific Quay for allowing me on numerous occasions to come onto Morning Call on BBC Radio Scotland and speak about the issues featured on their show (of which not every issue that I've discussed on that show has been specifically related to the referendum on independence). But BBC Scotland can only do so much and has to cater for all of it's listeners as Radio Scotland is not specifically a talk radio station. The advantage with having an independent national talk radio station is that it'll enable a platform for a variety of different people to come on air and put their opinion in the public domain. It's wrong to suggest that people don't care about politics. They do - for goodness sake, look at the number of people who have registered to vote for this forthcoming referendum. I know some of you will point me to Talk 107, which was a talk radio station serving Edinburgh, Fife and the Lothians in the 2000's. Sadly it's no longer around, because, in my opinion, it did not reach out to the whole nation and only broadcast to a selected part of the country - that was a fundamental mistake from the start.

If I'm being really honest, the need for Scotland to catch up with the likes of London and the Republic of Ireland in having, exclusively, a talk radio station of it's own is overwhelming. We should be ashamed of ourselves as a country that such a service does not exist in it's own entity. I hope somebody with experience, expertise and passion for such an idea can bring about whatever is required for Scottish talk radio to thrive again and contribute a fundamentally important element to the nation's media.

Pound Sterling, Scottish Pound or the Euro?

What currency will us Scots be using if our
country becomes independent?

Tomorrow the UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, is expected to rule out any currency union between an independent Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom. He hasn't made his expected speech yet in the Scottish capital, yet the political reaction towards this expected move has gone into overdrive.

It leads anyone to ask the question as to what kind of money we'll all be having in our pockets north of the border if Scotland approves of independence. What amazes me especially is as to why Yes Scotland have never committed to any plans to form a brand new and distinctive Scottish currency. Let's not forget that the Republic of Ireland had the Irish Pound for a long time up until 2002.

I don't see an independent Scotland joining the Euro anytime soon. In all honesty, the whole issue over prospective membership of the European Union is another ball game of it's own. And I cannot see any move towards the Euro being a popular one amongst fellow Scots either. If George Osborne goes ahead and confirms any ruling out of a currency union, then he cannot really be blamed by supporters of the union for taking such a position as Scotland would no longer form part of the United Kingdom. In fact, he is brave to declare such a position just a few months before the vote in September. Because, potentially, he could end up scoring a spectacular own goal.

Scots value Sterling a lot. Anyone who dismisses the idea of an independent Scotland will not be swayed one way or another. But those who do support a vote towards independence will, without doubt, be totally infuriated. And I suspect that those who aren't sure of what way to vote may view the Chancellor's position as antagonistic and one that could give a negative impression of how Scotland might be dealt with in future. It is worth noting though that Sam Bowman from the Adam Smith Institute has stated today that Scotland may not even need the approval of a Westminster Government to use Sterling.

Time will tell and, without doubt, both sides of the independence debate will be having a war of words over this particularly important issue. It must also be remembered that business will most definitely and generally take a strong position on the currency as they will be affected by any potential change. In fact, we will all be affected.

What does Saint Patrick's characteristics mean for Ireland today?

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The last few years for one of the most celebrated nations of the world have been painful. Unemployment remains stubbornly high, remaining at 14.1% (Central Statistics Office; February 2013), leaving many concerned about the future direction of the country's economic prospects, leading to many Irish emigrating. And, to many people's astonishment, the party who were primarily accused of bringing shame and humiliation on the country in early 2011, Fianna Fáil, have bounced back in some form in recent opinion polls, just only approximately two years after current Taoiseach Enda Kenny led his Fine Gael party to their first election victory since late 1982.

But Ireland is bouncing back. It may not feel like the good old days of unconstrained prosperity just yet, but figures published by the Quarterly National Household Survey show that employment increased for the first time since 2008. But there is a long way to go and the figures from the survey have shown not so encouraging figures for sectors including construction, defence and transportation and storage. The unemployment crisis, which has led to a dramatic rise in emigration, has seen families say goodbye to their loved ones, many Irish people forced to leave their country in order to earn a living elsewhere in the world and broken so many people's hearts. The economic crisis has hurt many people.

But what does Saint Patrick have to do with all this? Well, let's look at his character. If there's any attribute you can credit him with it was how courageous he was as a man. The Irish people are naturally courageous and that is reflected in how far they have gone in this world. They have faced crisis' of a similar nature in the 1950's and 1980's and are facing major issues such as a high rate of emigration, in combination with the current ongoing economic crisis, right now. They faced those problems before and won. And with their naturally positive and upbeat spirit, they will do so again.

To quote current Uachtarán na hÉireann (Irish President), Michael D Higgins:

"...our economic condtion does not, on its own, define who we are."

The Irish, at home and abroad, will never allow economics to compromise their identity as a people. And that's admirable. For as long as they stick to this, despite all the setbacks they have faced and may continue to face for some time to come, they will continue to prosper.

Lá Fhéile Pádraig Shona.

Why won't you promise us an EU referendum of our own, Alex and Nicola?

Source: Scottish Government (Flickr)

Lets be hypothetical for a second. Fast forward to eighteen months time and imagine that the Yes Scotland camp have won the independence referendum. 

David Cameron has, despite much criticism yet at the same time credit, offered the United Kingdom a referendum on the European Union after no doubt much pressure from his own backbenchers. The only thing is it isn't until 2017 which will undoubtedly create an aroma of uncertainty. And what if the Conservatives do not win the next election? There are still many ambiguities that are yet to resolve themselves.

But lets rewind back to this weekend. Ireland's Europe Minister, Lucinda Creighton TD, reportedly stated on Friday that an independent Scotland would have to apply for membership of the European Union and that the process of doing so would be "lengthy".

Fiona Hyslop MSP confirmed Lucinda Creighton TD wrote an e-mail to the Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, which emerged on the Scottish Government's Scottish Referendum website and in the press, with Andrew Kerr on Sunday Politics Scotland, accusing the BBC of "misconstruing" the Irish Minister's position before the programme replayed the interview with Dublin South East's Teachta Dàla.

I think rather than the SNP continuously assert that an independent Scotland would continue to play a role in the European Union, why don't they take a leaf out of David Cameron's book? After all, Scotland's view of the European Union isn't that different compared to the rest of the United Kingdom, as figures from a recent poll featured in a Guardian article late last year suggests.

Why can't Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon surrender their will to the people of Scotland and come out and propose a Scottish referendum on the European Union straight after the independence referendum, if Scotland votes for independence?

Switzerland have a direct democracy model which has really put democracy into the heart of society and the role of the citizen. Republic of Ireland have referendums on a regular basis. An independent Scotland shouldn't shy from such a model of democracy. The citizen should have the final say, not the politician.

The First Minister continuously speaks about the 'community of the realm' and its about time he continued to be a full time defender of this philosophy on every issue, including on our future in the European Union.

IRELAND 2012: Cliffs of Moher

Myself at the Cliffs of Moher

The Cliffs of Moher is one of the natural highlights of the Irish Republic and somewhere that I very strongly recommend visiting if you ever fly across the Irish Sea. With an extraordinary view of the Atlantic Ocean and some of the world's most incredible natural landscapes, no human being who visits here could ever feel an atom's worth of disappointment.

And once again on this occasion I toured with Paddywagon Tours. We drove from Dublin to County Clare in Connacht where the cliffs are located. Over 200m high, the cliffs are home to many species of birds, for example like the Atlantic Puffin, Chough birds and the common gull. Views of the Aran Islands can be made too.

I think on this occasion words are not going to capture the mood and imagination of what the cliffs are really like. So rather than continue on, I'm going to cut my own input short and show you some amazing pictures of the place. I hope you enjoy them (and I'm sure you will too!).

IRELAND 2012: Cork City and Blarney Castle

Myself at University College Cork

In Scotland, we have our national capital Edinburgh. And then we have Glasgow, our other main significant city on the central belt.

In the Irish Republic, there's Dublin which is the capital. And then there's Cork - regarded as the second biggest city in the Republic of Ireland.

But why do you think I tried to draw a comparison between Scotland and the Irish Republic's main cities? You may have already guessed but, like in Scotland between Edinburgh and Glasgow, there's a little rivalry between the Irish Republic's two main cities.

Since the Irish liberated themselves from British rule, Cork has been popularly referred to as "the real capital" because it was the central point where opponents of the Anglo-Irish treaty were based during the Irish Civil War nearly a century ago.

But despite being smaller in terms of population of the current capital, Dublin, it remains as a major city in the country attracting investment from all over the world and housing a substantial proportion of the Irish population in the south of the country at approximately over 100,000 people.

Flowing through the middle of the city is the River Lee, dividing the city yet a super help if you're looking for a artistic view of the city centre. Particularly when the sun is out.

Sadly, again, this was another day of my trip when the sun just wasn't prepared to pop through the skies. But that didn't stop me from walking around the city centre, University College Cork and even making a trip to Blarney Castle in County Cork.

There's quite a fair bit to do in the city centre. You could treat yourself to some home made produce in the English Market. It is very popular not just amongst local people but tourists as well. Whether you want some fresh organic produce, fresh items from the bakery or even something delicious from the fishmonger then look no further.

Blarney Castle, County Cork

If you love spending your money then Cork is blessed with a centre full of shops. But the highlight of the city, in my humble opinion, is walking to one of its most famous institutions - University College Cork. Its been around for over 150 years and is a highly regarded educational institution across these islands. It is the educational heart of the province of Munster. The quad area on campus is blessed with some extraordinary architecture. It even reminds me a little of St Andrews in Fife.

And finally, Blarney Castle. The home of the world famous Blarney Stone. Sadly I didn't get to kiss it, because I'm such a coward. I was frozen with fear when I reached the top of the castle only to find that I was exposed to a major height down below if I had to kiss the stone. Even though the lovely gentlemen at the top tried to encourage me to do it, I just couldn't. But I still got to see it. Does that still count?

IRELAND 2012: Wexford

Near Wexford Harbour

The south east of Ireland is blessed with a town that has been visited by people like former US President John F. Kennedy. Located near the major seaport of Rosslare Europort and approximately two hours south of Dublin, Wexford is well regarded as a peaceful and tranquil part of the Irish nation.

It was founded by the vikings over a thousand years ago. There are pretty views of Wexford Harbour where I observed the variety of different boats. I also had a walk on the Wexford Bridge where you are rewarded with picturesque views of the town.

Heading towards Ballybrack on the train - stunning
view of the Irish Sea!

Like much of the full week I spent across the Irish Sea, it was overcast and disappointing not to have the rays of the sunshine beaming down on the earth. But, as you can see from the photos, I still managed to capture one or two good shots of Wexford.

Main Street is full of variety when it comes to dining. And shopping also - there is nearly a mile's worth of retail therapy. Pretty impressive I would say for a town with just a population of approximately 20,000. I know of many towns with populations far higher but with little difference when it comes to the distance of their main shopping street.

What I loved especially about the day I went to Wexford was the train journey from Dublin Connolly. The views you get rewarded with during the journey are unbelievable. Some of the best in the world frankly. And despite the weather, I was lucky enough to see the sun peek through the clouds on occasions as I moved south.

Don't underestimate the journey. You get your money's worth frankly. The journey is no ordinary train journey.

Wexford

Why the pharmacy student cap will not really be fully effective until...the end of the decade.

Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The Conservative Universities and Science Minister, David Willetts, and the Conservative peer, Lord Howe, announced earlier this month that there will be a cap on pharmacy student numbers in England, according to the Pharmacy Life website. The aim of the cap is to bring about a re-balance between the number of pharmacy graduates and NHS-funded pre-registration placements.

As welcome as this cap may be, it frankly is too little, too late. This is a measure that should have been implemented years ago. Pharmacy has, thankfully, finally caught up with dentistry and medicine in ensuring a balance is maintained between supply and demand. If I predict correctly that the cap will be effective from the next academic year, 2013/2014, then next year's graduates have a much better chance of securing a pre-registration placement in approximately a year to eighteen months time. 

But what about when they go on to qualify as newly qualified pharmacists, when they need to find secure work? This is where the main problem really exists. Right now, many pharmacists are, if they are really lucky, only able to secure occasional shifts often finding themselves heavily underemployed.

And many more are having to make serious decisions about their future. Does pharmacy even have a role in their future career and life? Its a tragedy that graduates across these islands are even asking themselves the previous question. How did it really all come to this? 

This is the reality that has shocked many newly qualified pharmacists everywhere. And we are not talking about people who, in footballing terms, would only find any hope playing in the reserves side of a football team. They are not write offs. They are talented people who have been unfortunate enough to find themselves in the middle of a volatile storm. 

I am no advocate of negativity. Nor do I scaremonger. But if we are really putting the worst scenario forward then it may not be until the end of this decade when real stability will resume in terms of ensuring a healthy balance is struck between the number of pharmacists available and pharmacist jobs and work. And that's if the economic crisis begins to finally properly ease for the first time since 2008.

How many people are going to really quit pharmacy as a profession after working for years to secure their degrees? How many people are going to stay in pharmacy no matter what stage they are currently at in their careers? These are not known and nobody knows how many qualified pharmacists exactly will be registered to practice in Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in the next few years. The job market is simply saturated. And deeply. Unless the amount of work available increases then there will be more unemployed pharmacists who will have to potentially make some life changing decisions.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are yet to implement similar measures. And as far as I am aware a similar measure does not exist in the Republic of Ireland. The other nations mentioned should implement such measures if they are to avoid worsening this employment crisis as what has unfolded in England. No country is immune from what has happened.

Just because we now have a cap on pharmacy student numbers, it doesn't mean that those who secure pre-registration placements from 2014 onwards will be guaranteed a job. Instead, they will simply have to slow down and join the long tailback on the pharmacy employment motorway.

IRELAND: The Wicklow Way and Kilkenny

At the Upper Lake near Glendalough

One of the first trips I made on the Emerald Isle was along the Wicklow Way. Blessed with amazing geographical scenery and history, this is a popular route taken by tourists and a very easy yet fulfilling trip to take at the beginning of any holiday on the Emerald Isle.

Rather than take the walking route, I travelled with a well known award winning tour company called Paddywagon Tours. Leaving Dublin early in the morning, our charismatic driver took us along round the M50, Dublin's orbital motorway before we headed down the route towards County Wicklow.

Our first stop was in a village called Glendalough. Located near the Glenealo Valley, this is an area blessed with some extraordinary scenery. Sadly the sun wasn't out but that wasn't enough to hinder my ability to appreciate the amazing green beauty of the Irish countryside. And this was the place where I had the first of many scones during my holiday. As I write more of these articles later on this week, you will not stop hearing me talk about scones. Don't be surprised if I start talking life a food critic soon!

Amazing Irish countryside with flocks of sheep everywhere
(can you spot them?)

And this trip was the first opportunity for me to properly understand Irish history. When you read Irish history, you will be captivated by how heartbreaking it is at certain points in time. County Wicklow saw. During the 1798 rebellion, it was the centre point of some of the clashes that took place between those who wanted to liberate Ireland from British rule at the time and the British army (see the BBC history article for more details). Over 200 years later tourists from everywhere, including myself, come to this part of the world unaware of what happened all those years ago until they are enlightened about it.

Brownshill Portal Tomb

Continuing on towards Brownshill Dolmen, in County Carlow, we stopped there to take a look at this fascinating monument which was said to have been built approximately around 5,000 years ago (see Discover Ireland article for more details). According to Discover Ireland, The Portal Tomb was said to have been used as a location for religious rites.

Finally, we headed to the capital of hurling. Kilkenny. Their hurling team, Kilkenny GAA, has clinched the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship 34 times in their history, including every year form 2006, apart from 2010. A stunning record if you ask me or anyone else. And walking around the town, you cannot escape the famous yellow and black colours of their team wherever you go. The people of Kilkenny take a sensational pride in their team. So much so that I found it infectious and nearly ended up purchasing a full size hurling stick. But I settled for a small sized one instead for decoration back home.

The other highlight of the town is Kilkenny Castle. It was built in 1195 and was once symbolic of Norman occupation. Today visitors flock to the castle and admire its amazing architectural beauty. And then there's a walk across the River Nore where you receive another stunning view of the castle Again the sun wasn't quite out on the day I was there but nevertheless it didn't hamper the trip.

And finally, a trip to Kilkenny isn't complete without visiting Ireland's most famous sweet shop - Kitty's Cabin. Full of amazing Irish confectionary and a wide variety of other choices, visitors to the shop are spoilt for choice.

I don't think I've ever spent so much money in a sweet shop in my entire life. As well as buying some gifts for my family back home, I bought myself a heavy yet diverse bag of pick and mix of sweets. Yum yum!

Kilkenny Castle

IRELAND 2012: The Dingle Way

Taken on the bus to Anascaul, the stunning Dingle Way

I'm not officially Irish. But I want to make a contribution throughout the whole of this week to the popular promotion of Positive Ireland. And for me there is no better way to do this than look back at my colourful time on the whole Emerald Isle last October.

Today, I start in County Kerry. My newly adopted home county. Why? Well my first name can be found in the name of a small and sweet village called Anascaul (or Annascaul), approximately 30km west of Tralee. And rather than be unfairly dubbed as vain, I'd rather revel in delight because this part of the world is absolutely fascinating.

My newly adopted Irish hometown

Sadly, I couldn't reach Dingle because I just had to get off at my newly adopted Irish home, hence taking up my time. But the journey along The Dingle Way provides nothing but extraordinary views of the country and the Irish coastline. And of course the chance to see Blennerville Windmill, the Republic of Ireland's biggest windmill. On the day I was there last year, I was very lucky. After a full week with overcast conditions, the sun decided to break its way through those clouds and shine on the south west of Ireland.

I want to head there again the next time I head to the Emerald Isle. The geography there is stunning. And it was one of the real reasons I decided to spend my money on the Emerald Isle. Ireland is full of breathtaking scenery and the Dingle Way doesn't disappoint.

Tralee is also a very lovely town. Known in Irish as Trá Lí, meaning the strand of the Lee (which is a river), it is home to one of the country's biggest festivals, attracting participants from every corner of the globe - The Rose of Tralee International Festival. Broadcast live on RTÉ One, participants take part in a contest based on their personalities and are seen as role models by others. They are seen as ambassadors for the nation wherever they are in the world. And this is especially important because the Irish family spreads from well beyond this fascinating island and beyond into millions and millions of people.

So what more do you want? Its a fabulous part of the world and especially when the weather is right, County Kerry is a fabulous part of the island. And its Gaelic football and hurling team rocks. And will win the All Ireland final in 2013.

Thought I'd just sneak that in before I end tonight.

My Irish name at the back of my own County Kerry GAA shirt

Pharmacy student? Pre-reg? Maybe even newly qualified?

Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Pharmacy student? A pre-registration pharmacist? Or maybe even just newly qualified?

I would like to hear from you as I plan to carry out a personal investigation into the growing crisis facing the pharmacy profession with regards to pharmacist unemployment and particularly our young people in the profession who's futures matter for the future evolution of pharmacy.

And this is where your important role comes into play. I want to hear from you with regards to your hopes, aspirations, concerns and even fears about where your future is going.

I would also welcome any input from the General Pharmaceutical Council, Royal Pharmaceutical Society, academics, community, hospital and industrial pharmacists, pharmacy leaders and entrepreneurs, managers, journalists within pharmacy/healthcare or any other person directly or indirectly related to the pharmacy profession.

Your time and input will be hugely valuable to me as I hope to seek solutions and answers with regards to this growing crisis and also instil hope for everybody so that a bright, positive and prosperous future exists for the pharmacy profession.

If you are interested in helping me then please e-mail me: anas@officialanashassan.com

I look forward to hearing from you.