MAKING THE HARD CHOICES
WE CAN ALL REMEMBER WHAT WE were doing on 9/11. It was such a profound moment that no year is required. It was, in the words of the historian Tony Judt, the beginning of the twenty-first century. For those of us in politics, the change was immediate. All of us are still living with the changed world.
When I was walking from the First Minister’s office in St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh to Bute House in Charlotte Square, I thought I was going to a meeting of the Scottish Cabinet. Instead, I spent a hectic afternoon drafting the motion of condolence that was passed by the Scottish Parliament.
Down south, things were even more frantic. Tony Blair was in Brighton for his annual speech to the Trades Union Congress. The Prime Minister ripped up his prepared script — which had already been issued to the press — and said a few words that presaged the rest
You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.
Start your free 30 days