The Sunday Herald: a vision for the future

Last week, Andrew Jaspan wrote his last leader for the Sunday Herald, in which he looked back at his six years in the editor's chair. This week it falls to me to pick up where he left off and I hope readers will indulge me with the opportunity to explain briefly the principles which will guide my hand.

There will certainly be no dilution of the Sunday Herald's commitment to the highest standards and to promoting journalism which is independent, rigorous and outward looking. We remain determined to report, explain and analyse the major events, both in our own country and on the world stage. A truly international outlook is vital if we are to understand the events that shape our lives.

We remain committed not just to the process of devolution but to encouraging our political leaders to live up to the ideals that fired the long struggle to restore our parliament, and to revealing when they fail to do so. It remains true that there are other newspapers which seek to use these failures to undermine the whole devolution project, but pointing out the mistakes of politicians is not necessarily the same thing as attacking the principles of self- governance.

Our journalism has won many awards but, far more importantly, has built a bond of trust with our readers which we will not jeopardise.

So much for continuity. There will, of course, be changes; without them any newspaper would die. We hope that you agree with us that these changes - and the first will be unveiled next week - are an improvement. As ever, we will be delighted to hear your views.

But more important than all this is the vision of Scotland which the Sunday Herald embraces and supports; a vision of a country where excellence is celebrated and ambition prized, yet those whose lives are blighted by poverty and struggle are supported and helped; a multiracial country where people of many different ethnic backgrounds can live in an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding. And talking of tolerance, a country where homophobia has no place.

Scotland is not yet that country, but it can be. If the Sunday Herald has any role, it is to work to bring those ambitions closer to reality.

Copyright 2004 SMG Sunday Newspapers Ltd.
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