Latest news with #Gillespie
The National
a day ago
- Politics
- The National
Whether 1988 or 2025, we want politicians with something real to say
Labour currently hold 50 of Scotland's 72 seats in the House of Commons and are growing to dislike the moniker the 'feeble fifty'. Devolution is still 10 years off, Neil Kinnock is still failing rightwards in the forlorn search for the centre ground, the poll tax is poised to roll out across Scotland and Mrs Thatcher has no notion she is entering her final years in Downing Street. At this confluence of events in 1988, Labour found themselves defending the seat of Glasgow Govan after the incumbent MP Bruce Millan made an unparliamentary bid for freedom, escaping the House of Commons for the comfort of a European Commission job in Brussels. Just over a year earlier, Millan won Govan with a majority of just over 19,500, with Labour taking 65% of the vote. The SNP attracted just 3851. All of which must have given Labour a significant degree of earned confidence about their chances of holding on to the constituency. But in November 1988, the political weather was changing. Labour nominated trade unionist Bob Gillespie. The SNP selected Jim Sillars. READ MORE: Scottish independence support at 58 per cent if Nigel Farage becomes PM – poll In contrast with Sillars's native wit and quick repartee, it became obvious Gillespie was not a polished media performer. When the gabs were given out, Gillespie missed out on the gift. Notwithstanding these obvious vulnerabilities, STV was still able to coax all eight of the Govan by-election candidates to submit themselves to the cameras to answer questions in front of a live studio audience. The raft of candidates included Gillespie, Sillars, a fresh-faced Bernard Ponsonby, my old university colleague Douglas Chalmers for the Communists, and Screaming Lord Sutch for the Monster Raving Loonies. During the programme, the candidates were given the opportunity to cross-examine one another on a topic of their choice. What happened remains a cautionary tale for contemporary media handlers, which may go a long way to explaining the many absences of the Invisible Man currently in the running to represent Labour in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse in Holyrood. With a Cheshire cat's grin and a feline look in either eye, Sillars took the opportunity to ask Gillespie a technical question on what he thought about 'additionality' in European funding programmes. Visibly stumped, but unwilling to admit that he hadn't the foggiest what Sillars was talking about, Gillespie rambled. A polished deflection, it wasn't. As Sillars recalls, Gillespie was so flummoxed, he managed to knock over his microphone during his answer. The debate performance was widely perceived as a disaster, and the SNP went on to beat Gillespie in Govan by more than 3500 votes. Gillespie, to some extent unfairly, got a lot of the blame from his party colleagues, who insulated themselves from more troubling questions about why they lost by concluding they'd selected a duff candidate who squandered their natural advantages. But in 1988 as in 2025, you can only be eloquent if you actually have something to say. Labour's havers about how to resist the poll tax – if resist it they would at all – arguably had much more to do with the party's fate in Govan than one ashen-faced performance by the candidate facing a technical ambush by a wily opponent. But the Govan debate has always struck me as an interesting political moment – and a risky strategy for Sillars to have adopted. One bad answer on an obscure issue of European policy seems unlikely to sink a political campaign – though a bad turn can certainly confirm existing perceptions and prejudices about a candidate, fixing their reputations, feeding doubts, giving their opponents reasons to feel encouraged. But gotcha moments like this can easily rebound on the clever politicians who spring these kinds of traps on their goodhearted but hapless opponents. There's a very fine line – which has perhaps grown even finer since 1988 – between exposing your opponents' ignorance of big policy issues of the day, and coming off as an intellectual bully and a snob. Characteristically, Sillars got away with it. I found myself wondering if painful memories of Govan may have something to do with Labour's decision not to give reporters meaningful opportunities to ask their candidate in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election impertinent questions. You can understand the calculation. If the risks of your candidate participating in a political debate significantly outweigh the benefits to your campaign of exposing your boy to searching questions – from the media or anyone else – the safer thing to do is to pretend you're out pestering constituents at the crack of dawn or the end of the day, rather than offering up yet another viral clip to the internet, confirming all the unflattering perceptions your opponents have seeded about the numpty you might have nominated. (Image: Gordon Terris) STV were the first to be dinghied, Davy Russell declining the opportunity to participate in a panel debate. The reasons given for declining this friendly invitation are farcical. As STV's Colin Mackay put it last week: 'Davy Russell has told newspaper journalists that he would 'rather be chapping doors and talking and listening to ordinary voters' – but given that Scotland Tonight hustings is not on until 10.40 at night, if he is chapping doors, he's likely to get chased.' It turns out Davy isn't a morning person either, or he is so much of a morning person, the good people of Hamilton should brace themselves to find him hanging off their doorbells at sparrow fart. Given the evolving excuses, it's difficult to say for sure. What we do know, however, is that Russell sadly 'wasn't able' to join BBC Good Morning Scotland's programme last week either. The programme was profiling all the candidates putting themselves forward to represent the Holyrood constituency – except for Mr Russell, who was inexplicably contemplating the universe or engaging in some wholesome homespun local activism instead. Social media hits involving the candidate have also been significantly cut and edited, resulting in ungenerous questions about whether Russell can 'string a sentence together' and suggestions he's become the 'invisible man' of the campaign, at least in terms of national coverage. Curiously, Anas Sarwar's reaction to suggestions that perhaps we should hear a bit more from his candidate and that his absence from the airwaves might suggest a lack of confidence under scrutiny was to claim these criticisms amounted to class snobbery against the whole constituency. 'That's a completely disparaging comment that is below the belt,' the Scottish Labour leader said, claiming it 'demonstrates a classist approach to someone who is from this community and speaks like someone from this community'. I don't know about you, but I haven't had to use Adobe Premiere Pro to get a coherent line or two of conversation out of folk from this particular corner of South Lanarkshire. If anything is classist, isn't it the suggestion that criticising an individual in hiding from the mildest kinds of democratic scrutiny must, somehow, represent a condescending commentary on the community itself? If your candidate refuses to talk to the media except in the most stage-managed fashion, if his minders maintain a constant cordon sanitaire around him to prevent awkward questions being asked and answered on the record – the questions aren't about your candidate's accent or his eloquence, but whether he can produce a voice at all, and what he might use that voice to say. People, generally, don't want to be embarrassed by their politicians. I may not be across every issue in public policy – but if you don't know where to start, we have a problem. Most folk don't like public speaking – but the shyest people in the room can be the most savage critics of other people's attempts and failures to force the words from their lips in a roughly coherent sequence. Being an MSP is a public-facing job. Would-be politicians dodging scrutiny deserve no sympathy. If you choose to step into the circus ring, you must expect to meet lions. If you've no idea how to fend them off, and no idea how to find the gumption to even try, you're applying to join the wrong job. If you want a quiet life, become a librarian.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Wichita County District Attorney responds to Anthony Kienlen's sentence
WICHITA COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL) — Wichita County's District Attorney issued a statement following the sentencing of a U.S. Army veteran convicted of 16 first-degree felonies after opening fire on law enforcement officers outside his home on October 13, 2021. Anthony Michael Kienlen, 38, of Wichita Falls, was found guilty by a Wichita County jury of attempted capital murder of a peace officer on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. Kienlen also pleaded guilty to 15 counts of aggravated assault on a public servant pending against him. PREVIOUS STORY: Jury returns punishment for Anthony Kienlen On Thursday, May 29, 2025, the jury sentenced Kienlen to 30 years for attempted capital murder of a peace officer and 10 years for each of the 15 counts of aggravated assault on a public servant. John Gillespie, Wichita County District Attorney, who represented the prosecution during Kienlen's trial, issued a statement on Thursday evening following the jury's verdict on punishment. 'There are no winners in this case,' Gillespie said. 'I deeply appreciate the jurors for their verdict. Their sentence was significant and appropriate for attempting to murder a police officer in our community.' During closing arguments on Thursday morning, Gillespie said that a person shouldn't be given a minimum sentence for committing 16 first-degree felonies, arguing that Kienlen's actions didn't warrant a minimum sentence or a probation sentence. 'Opening fire on first responders in a Wichita County neighborhood with an AK-47 assault weapon can never be justified,' Gillespie said., 'His actions required consequences.' PREVIOUS STORY: Jury reaches verdict in Anthony Kienlen's trial Gillespie's full statement can be found below: 'There are no winners in this case. I deeply appreciate the jurors for their verdict. Their sentence was significant and appropriate for attempting to murder a police officer in our community. The defendant, as part of his homicidal rampage, fired a bullet that went a long way down the road and passed into a little girl's bedroom. She thankfully was not there, but could have been killed. Opening fire on first responders in a Wichita County neighborhood with an AK-47 assault weapon can never be justified. 'His actions required consequences. Also, the defense psychologist admitted the defendant was sane, not suffering from diminished capacity, and legally responsible for his lethal actions that day. 'I respect the work the jurors did in protecting the lives of first responders in our community. Their verdict was thoughtful and appropriate.' — John Gillespie, Wichita County District Attorney Gillespie said during closing arguments that the sentences will run concurrently by law, meaning all 16 will be served 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jonny Evans was a Rolls Royce player who Manchester United should never have let go says former teammate
Jonny Evans said his goodbyes to Old Trafford on Sunday as his second spell with Manchester United drew to a close. After eight years away from the club Evans made a surprise return in 2023 going on to lift the FA Cup a year later. The 37-year-old clocked up 241 appearances for United following his debut in 2006, but one of his former Northern Ireland teammates says Evans should never have been allowed to leave the club the first time around. READ MORE: Keith Gillespie says Bangor should have one main objective on top flight return READ MORE: Watch Trai Hume celebrate Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League by sinking a pint of Guinness Keith Gillespie, who also played for the Red Devils, called Evans "a Rolls Royce type of player" as he paid tribute to the big defender. "He's been an incredible player, one of the greats for Northern Ireland without a shadow of a doubt," said Gillespie. "He's had a great career and for me Manchester United should never have got rid of him when they did. "It was great for him to come back in the latter stages of his career and come back to the club he loves and served so well. "For Northern Ireland he barely put a foot wrong, he was a Rolls Royce type of player. "Careers come to an end at some stage, but he can certainly go out on a high given the career he's had and the way he's conducted himself and the way he's performed for club and country." Meanwhile, Gillespie added it is no surprise to him that Rangers are contemplating bringing Steven Davis back to the club as part of a new coaching set-up. Former boss Steven Gerrard is believed to be a front runner for the vacant managerial position at Ibrox and reports suggest Davis could form part of his backroom team. Gillespie though feels Michael O'Neill will not want to lose the former international captain from his own coaching panel. "The knowledge Steven has and the career that he's had I could certainly see him in management but it's not as easy as that as you have to do that number 2 role first and learn the job," said Gillespie. "I know he had a spell as caretaker at Rangers and I'm sure he enjoyed that, he's certainly young and hungry and he'll certainly want to do that. "There is a difference if he just wants to be a coach or a number 2 or a manager, that's up to him. Certainly with his knowledge it's no surprise that Rangers are potentially looking at him. "I know Michael wants to keep him in the Northern Ireland set-up and that's because of the experience he has and the way the younger player coming through will look up to someone like Steven Davis."
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Two Ayrshire families celebrate rare feat as baby girl's arrival gives them five living generations
The Gillespie and Affleck families welcomed little Emmi into the world on Monday, May 12. Two Ayrshire families are celebrating the birth of a bouncing baby girl that means they have five living generations on both sides. The Gillespie and Affleck families welcomed little Emmi into the world on Monday, May 12 and Emmi's arrival has given both families the opportunity to celebrate. Not only do they have a beautiful new addition to their families, they also boast a rare feat that involves a great-great-grandparent, great-grandparent, grandparent, parent, and child all being alive at the same time. While families with four living generations are more common, having two families connected in a living five-generation heritage is much rarer. A spokesperson for both families said: 'On the 12th of May, a beautiful new chapter began for two proud families in East Ayrshire as little Emmi made her entrance into the world, weighing a perfect 7lbs 4oz. 'With her arrival, she didn't just bring joy and love — she brought history to life, completing five generations on both sides of her family. Download the Ayrshire Live app today 'A moment like this is incredibly rare and deeply special — few families are lucky enough to witness five generations alive at the same time, let alone on both maternal and paternal lines.' Emmi is the cherished daughter of Danni Heather and Dinos, a couple who themselves are deeply rooted in family tradition and community. At just 26, Danni steps into motherhood with the strength and warmth passed down from her mum, Heather, aged 44, and grandmother — another Heather — who is 67. At the top of this strong maternal line stands Betty Affleck, Danni's great-grandmother and Emmi's great-great-grandmother, a remarkable woman of 92 years who carries decades of wisdom and love. On Emmi's paternal side, the Gillespie family proudly mirrors this generational legacy. Her dad, Dinos, aged 42, is the loving son of Billy Gillespie, a spirited 70 year-old, and grandson to Cathy Gillespie, a graceful 91-year-old matriarch. Together, they now welcome the newest Gillespie with open hearts and joyful tears, seeing in Emmi the continuation of a family line rich in heritage. The spokesperson continued: 'It's rare and precious to witness five generations all standing together, bound by love, history, and the shared pride of a new life. 'Both the Gillespies and the Afflecks, all residing in East Ayrshire, are overjoyed — not just at Emmi's arrival, but at what she represents: continuity, connection, and the enduring strength of family. 'Welcome to the world, Emmi. You are the light of five generations, and your story is just beginning.'
Tatler Asia
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
Where to go and what to do on the final day of Melbourne Design Week
Exhibition: 'The Kinetics of Thought: Tactile Sculpture and Contemporary Wood Design' As part of Melbourne Design Week, artist Wanda Gillespie unveils her two-day exhibition, 'The Kinetics of Thought', set within the atmospheric Mural Hall at Abbotsford Convent. A contemplative woodcarver, Gillespie's practice lies at the intersection of the tangible and the metaphysical. Her work invites quiet introspection, reflecting on the systems through which we define, measure and seek meaning. See more: The first Art Basel Awards recognise 6 Asian talents This exhibition features intricately carved abacus sculptures and a reimagined Newton's Cradle—no longer a tool of physics but a ceremonial object, infused with spiritual weight. Developed during her residency with the Victorian Woodworkers' Association, Gillespie's pieces challenge the ways we assign value, and the ecological toll of choices we scarcely notice. Prayer beads appear throughout, not merely for counting, but as conduits for inner contemplation. These are poetic artefacts—meditative, symbolic, and attuned to the unseen forces that quietly shape our world. Event information Time: 13:00 – 17:00 (UTC+10) Location: Mural Hall, Abbotsford Convent, Saint Heliers Street, Abbotsford VIC, Australia Exhibition: 'Made By Robots' Above The 'Made By Robots' exhibition was conceptualised by students from the Melbourne School of Design, and brought to life by Michael Park in collaboration with the Robotics Lab at MSD The Made By Robots exhibition unveils a striking prototype—an off-centre habitat conceived especially for native bees and insects. Assembled on-site using salvaged wood and robotic assistance, the structure opens up fresh possibilities for architecture and urban design, moving away from conventions that serve only human needs. This project imagines a more generous future, one where biodiversity is not an afterthought but part of the blueprint. Set within the evolving Fishermans Bend precinct, a post-industrial landscape undergoing redevelopment, Made By Robots proposes a web of small-scale living environments for other species, linking into 'bio-corridors' that meander through the city. The exhibition is the result of the Digital Fabrication Elective at the Melbourne School of Design (MSD), University of Melbourne. Designed by students and realised by Michael Park in collaboration with MSD's Robotics Lab, the project was supported by FB IDEAs, the Creative Futures Fund (MSD), and Vaughan Constructions. Event informationTime: 12:00 – 00:00 (UTC+10) Location: 884 Lorimer Street, Port Melbourne VIC, Australia Exhibition: 'Threads of Connection (To Self)' Threads of Connection (To Self) is an immersive fibre art installation exploring the quiet complexities of growth, resilience and selfhood. Inspired by artist Kasia Dudkiewicz's personal journey, and presented under her label, Knotted By Hand, the exhibition transforms fibre into more than just medium. It becomes a path to healing, reflection and inner strength. Delicate yet deeply expressive, the handwoven works trace an emotional arc from fragmentation to coherence, from uncertainty to clarity. Through textured landscapes of yarn and knotted forms, the pieces evoke movement and metamorphosis. Here, the process of growing up is not linear but layered, filled with imperfect beauty. Alongside the exhibition, visitors can observe a live demonstration by Dudkiewicz, whose work is both intuitive and technically assured. A large-scale community tapestry, created collaboratively throughout the design week, invites the public to take part—each knot marking a shared moment, a quiet act of connection. The work concludes today. Event information Time: 10:00 – 16:00 (UTC+10) Location: M+Co Living Showroom, 13 Roper Street, Moorabbin VIC, Australia Exhibition: 'Offcuts' Making its debut at Melbourne Design Week, Offcuts by Made Studio reimagines the overlooked. Here, fragments of discarded oak become sculptural statements, works that challenge the idea of waste and celebrate the beauty of what remains. Created by artist brothers Garrett and Alex Lark, the pieces stem from the surplus of the studio's production process. Each offcut, once dismissed, is given a new life, transformed into objects that blur the line between furniture and art. Offcuts is not just a design showcase; it is a meditation on impermanence, regeneration, and our relationship with the material world. Event informationTime: 11:00 – 16:00 (UTC+10) Location: Made Studio, 175 Rose Street, Fitzroy VIC, Australia Read more: When interior design turns private jets into flying galleries Exhibition: 'Carrying Loud' Carrying is no longer merely a gesture or a function, it becomes a design statement in Carrying Loud. In this inventive exhibition, bags are just the beginning. From cranes to shelves, hands to unseen forces, the idea of 'carrying' expands into unexpected forms. Playful yet thoughtful, the project poses a question: if we reframe the act of carrying through a design lens, what might it become? With support from the Alpaka brand, the exhibition bridges concept and commerce, offering insight into production methods, access to international networks and a space where ideas might take tangible form. Event information Time: 10:00 – 16:00 (UTC+10) Location: Alpaka Labs, 28 Wharf Street, Docklands VIC, Australia Credits Images: Melbourne Design Week
