Policy Research Media Morhamburn

“What men or gods are these? What maidens loth?
What mad pursuit? What struggle to Escape?
What pipes and timbrel? What wild ecstasy?”

Scottish politics. As seductive, ephemeral and mesmeric as this magical scene described by Keats. It follows its own hypnotic rhythm that is often difficult to follow. Even 24 hour news, BBC Parliament and the rafts of devoted political journalists can sometimes fail to keep up with the constantly changing situation. Therefore, attending my first ever First Minister’s Questions was a daunting prospect.

How would I know who was who? How would I understand the complex matters being alluded to, and the hilarious political in-jokes? Proceedings were indeed fast-paced. Already I had gotten soaked and dishevelled rushing on my way to Parliament, as well as lost within its shiny, hyperreal corridors. Questions on bills I had never heard of were asked. There was uproarious laughter at things that left me stony-faced. Nevertheless, once in the viewing gallery I forgot my flustered complexion and dripping clothes. Being there in person meant that the whole political process seemed more real. It made it easier to follow. The tone and atmosphere that newspaper articles cannot fully convey were suddenly palpable. I am far from synaesthetic, but seeing the Parliament’s characters up close brought vivid colour to my sketchy understanding of the Scottish political scene. I regrettably did not get every detail noted down but, to me at least, this did not seem to matter too much. It was my first taste of real politics and I was hooked.

“I see and sing by my own eyes inspired…”