The trials for the 2003/04 season were very well attended. As I recall, Ralph Covino and Eloise Govier ran them. I also have a vague recollection of helping to organise trails for the following year, and quite a few people turned up.
Dawkins has spoken before (back in 2001-02, I think), so he's not implausible. I wasn't impressed. Massively arrogant and self-satisfied. Clearly thought that anyone who disagreed with him was simply to stupid to understand the argument.
Before we all get very excited and (perhaps) confused, let me offer the definition of Parliamentary privilege, so that people know whereof they speak: "Parliamentary privilege is the sum of the peculiar rights enjoyed by each House collectively as a constituent part of the High Court of Parliam...
Someone who spent eight years in St Andrews, is still very fond of and committed to the University, sits on the Business Committee of the General Council and is fully entitled to the opinion that the current students reached a conclusion that I might have not, but were forced to choose from an unins...
Yes, random slebs are bad. Someone with a serious, heavyweight public profile (Donald Findlay and Andrew Neil fell into this category) would be a different kettle of fish. As for campaigning for Dr Joss, I would have campaigned for him anyway, since he was my flatmate, but I also honestly think he w...
I'm sceptical of the notion of a Rector who must be able to work "with the Court, not against them", but who is also not a yes-man. I also think that this is a deeply unimpressive field for a university of the standing of St Andrews. A minor bureaucrat, a fringe-party MSP and an ageing yac...
It's terrible, isn't it? I blame the current incumbent for making such a song and dance when he had to don white tie for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace, saying he'd rather wear a dinner jacket and his cowboy boots with the presidential seal on them.
Eliot, I think it is actually a lot harder to get someone worthy to agree to actually run for the role. I know an awful lot of people have been contacted and they have pretty much all responded with their regret that they cannot donate the time or effort required. Maybe we are paying the price of h...
Two weeks after I first asked, still no word from anyone who has actually nominated anyone. Is this because: a) those who are closely and actively involved in putative rectorial campaigns aren't posting on the Sinner, or b) because, in a shock development, St Andrews students are full of good ideas ...