The summer of 2026 is likely to be remembered as the time when climate change deniers finally ran out of road. Record temperatures across the UK and Europe have been accompanied by devastating wildfires, from Spain to Poland.
In Scotland, a huge wildfire in the Cairngorms last month burned thousands of acres of moorland and woodland. Over 500 firefighters were deployed over several weeks to bring it under control, but dozens of local businesses were forced to close temporarily.
Growing Threat
Global warming means such blazes will become more common. Scotland needs a fire and rescue service ready to deal with the serious challenges climate change will keep posing.
Fire brigades were originally established to handle domestic fires from coal and cigarettes. With central heating and industrial decline, they faced years of cuts and mergers, leading to today's national service. However, the Fire Brigades Union has warned the service is stretched to breaking point.
Need for Resources
Climate change is not going away, nor are major incidents like the city centre blazes in Edinburgh and Glasgow this year. A properly resourced service is essential; the alternative is catastrophe.
Party Out of Tune
Scottish Labour members may have winced at Monica Lennon's assessment that the party has been reduced to “rubble” by successive Holyrood election defeats. But blunt speaking is sometimes necessary. Keir Starmer does deserve blame for Labour's May defeat, yet he wasn't responsible for the dull, overly long manifesto lacking attention-grabbing policies.
This leadership contest should spark an overdue public debate about the party's identity and values. A two or three-way contest would allow frank discussions and give members a voice. It is in no one's interest to have a single candidate crowned unopposed.
If Scottish Labour isn't careful, it could become irrelevant at Holyrood just as it enjoys an Andy Burnham bounce in Westminster.
