Policy Research Media Morhamburn

“Bright star, would I were steadfast as thou art–
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night
And watching, with eternal lids apart,
Like nature’s patient, sleepless Eremite”

All is transient, nothing lasts forever. I’ve been visiting the National Library of Scotland after work to make some much needed progress on an imminently due university dissertation. Wandering alone through the dusky city after spending untold woozy hours amongst the accumulation of centuries’ worth of knowledge has made me somewhat reflective. Gazing up at the sky, I contemplate my place within the world. Autumn brings constant reminders of ageing. There is a nagging chill in the air, the leaves are falling, and the groups of school pupils who file into Parliament, keen to scribble down notes for their Advanced Higher Modern Studies coursework, have returned. All in all, at the age of 19, I feel an existential angst brought on by realisation of the inevitable passage of time. In that sense, maybe going into the Scottish Parliament on a daily basis is comforting. The building is a striking testimony to the eternal creative power of mankind, as well as a potent symbol of our ancient nation. Viewing politicians at work assures us of the essentially benign nature of the political system. Seasons may come and go, but every day men and women true are fighting to improve our lives. Moreover, as I track the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill through its introduction, its consideration at Stage 1 by four committees, 55 expert written submissions and months of oral testimony, Stage 2, Stage 3 and beyond, perhaps some things really do last forever…