Introducing Chris Creighton to Edinburgh Central

 In introducing myself; Chris Creighton, to the good voters of Edinburgh Central, as a candidate for the constituency of Edinburgh Central, for the forthcoming Scottish parliamentary elections of 2026, I should start by telling you, dear readers, where I grew up.

I grew up in Durham in the north-east of England. More specifically, I grew up on a battlefield. The battlefield of the 1346 'Battle of Neville's Cross'. Most specifically of all, I grew up on the very site that the Scottish army assembled on before the start of the battle.

The story is well known of Robert the Bruce becoming King of Scotland in 1306 following the murder of John Comyn, and of securing the independence of Scotland after the 1314 'Battle of Bannockburn'. The Declaration of Arbroath was made in 1320, and in 1324 the Pope recognized Robert the Bruce as the king of an independent Scotland. 

In 1329, Robert the Bruce died, and his son David became king aged just five years old. England took advantage at this time. The 1333 'Battle of Halidon Hill' was won by the English, causing the young king to flee abroad until his return in 1341.

In 1346, due to an alliance with France, King David invaded England with an army.

The Scots had not expected to encounter another army, but scouts encountered one, and so the Scottish army assembled on some high ground at Neville's Cross to do battle.

The battle was not the biggest battle ever staged between England and Scotland, but it was bloody enough that part of the battlefield was named as Redhills, because it is said that when the hillside was viewed, it was seen to be red because of the spilt blood soaked into the hillside from the dead, dying and wounded. Redhills is still called that to this day.

The battle was a disaster for the newly independent Scotland. The hilltop where the Scottish army assembled, was small and so restricted their movement. In attempting to advance, they became too bunched up, and thus too easy a target for the English archers who's skill was making them the most powerful military weapon of that era.

The Scottish army was defeated, even routed, and retreated back down the hill from which they had come. At the bottom of the hill, there is a small river. No doubt crossing over it to retreat would have been difficult. Probably the battle at this stage would have become an uncontrolled melee. 

There is a small bridge across the river. Here King David was spotted hiding under the bridge. The story is that his reflection was spotted in the water. A furious struggle took place to capture him. No doubt, King David was dressed for battle. He probably wore gauntlets, as it seems that he knocked out some teeth of the English soldiers as they finally managed to capture and subdue him.

King David was taken to London, and confined in the Tower of London for ten years. Finally, a huge King's ransom was agreed to be paid for his freedom. He then returned to Scotland. It may have been his imprisonment that contributed to it, but when he died, he died childless, with no legitimate heir. This was thus how the Bruce line died out and the Stewarts became the new line of Scottish kings.

I like to tell the tale of the Battle of Neville's Cross because I grew up on the site of the battle, thus making it particularly relevant to me.

This battle, and the others too, also have a wider relevance today, as we view the issue of Scottish independence.

A return to independence for Scotland, would mean England and Scotland once more having separate governments and separate foreign policies. This could even mean, different military alliances, and even, in a worst-case scenario, fighting on different sides in a war. 

Whilst English and Scottish may enjoy a slight bit of blood spilt, in old rivalries, played out for fun, on the modern battle-fields of football and rugby in home internationals, surely no sane person would want to see the renewal of wars between England and Scotland?

I grew up on my battlefield, with an English mother and a Scottish father, and therefore did not identify myself strongly with either nationality. Indeed, after growing up on my battlefield, I then moved to Scotland, living in Glasgow for four decades. Indeed, both of my parents had Irish ancestors. My mother was a pure-blooded Irish woman, despite three generations of her family living in London. They had come over because of the 'Potato Famine'. Through my Glaswegian father, I can claim to be a fourth-generation Glaswegian. Other than that, being never fully English or Scottish, I gradually came to the position of describing myself, and identifying myself, as British. Precisely when that process started or finished, I cannot remember. Nor do I remember if it was before or after the 2014 'Scottish Independence Referendum'. Before the vote took place, I decided I would accept the result, whatever it was. I believe in the concept of self-determination. The 2014 referendum was a decision and an act of self-determination. As such therefore, it cannot be overturned.

In my forty years plus living in Glasgow, I have taken an interest in politics. Not just as an observer, but also playing an active part too. I have also studied politics at university and graduated from Glasgow University with Joint Honours in Classics & Politics. 

Ten years ago, I stood as an independent candidate in the Scottish Parliamentary elections. One of the main themes I stood on, was respecting the 2014 referendum result. Another main theme I stood on was to promote 'Brexit', as the 'Brexit Referendum' was due to take place shortly after the Scottish Parliamentary elections.

Five years ago, in the aftermath of the Scottish Parliamentary elections, I formulated my 'Political Philosophy of Status Quo'. As the title suggests, this is a political position that opposes change. Five years ago, all politicians and political parties were 'change' politicians and 'change' political parties. At the last 'General Election' in 2024, again, all parties were for change. Indeed, the Labour Government was elected on a platform of 'change'. They said they were for change, and said very little apart from that. Since then, the Labour Government has introduced many changes, and many times reversed that change, to take us back to where we started from.

Change politicians need to make people believe in change, to justify their own existence. If we do not need change, then we do not need all these change politicians.

My position is a simple one. If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it, don't try to change it. Change should only occur if it is proved beyond all doubt that the change is needed and required. Until then, the position should always be status quo.

Pragmatism is an essential of politics, which itself is always the art of the possible. However, I do believe that making status quo a starting point would improve our politics. Our politics can be better, calmer and gentler. Without the animosity that is stirred up by the great changes caused by new ideas, politics can even be a little more boring. Less rancour will be stirred up. Politics can be conducted in a more peaceful way.

If 'The Political Philosophy of Status Quo' seems an attractive and valid political position to you, then I ask you to give me your support.

Please vote for me; Independent candidate Chris Creighton, in the Edinburgh Central constituency on Thursday the 7th of May 2026, in the election to the Scottish Parliament.

When I first started looking at the possibility of standing in the elections to the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh Central seemed the perfect choice. A train journey of just one hour and forty minutes gets me into the great and famous Waverley Station, the only station in the world named after a novel. The novel itself was written by Sir Walter Scott, and was one of a series that married the romance of the past to the Scotland of the future. I studied Scottish Literature at Glasgow University, and had to write an essay on 'Waverley'. A task I found hard, as in truth, I had not read the book. I will therefore make it a campaign pledge, that if elected as MSP to the Scottish Parliament, I will actually read the book. I cannot promote Waverley, if I do not read Waverley!

Edinburgh Central is also where the Scottish Parliament is itself located. Just a mere short walk from Waverley, though slightly more than just a single stone's throw away.

Originally, I had thought it would be nice to stand in Edinburgh Central, playing the part of a plucky loser.

However, looking at the results of five years ago, with SNP, Conservatives and Labour taking the first three places, it occurred to me that all three parties are now less popular. Therefore, the result for the seat of Edinburgh Central is in fact more open than first thought. 

I have thus decided to abandon my plan to run as a plucky loser, and now plan to run to win!

I want to present my 'Political Philosophy of Status Quo' to the good voters of Edinburgh Central. It is my hope, that perhaps I can get at least a handful of people to want to gather under my banner, flag and standard, and for us to then set up a status quo political movement, political organization, or even political party. Perhaps to do so, even before voting day!

For those of you who wish to follow my campaign, I have an account on Twitter/X.

I am Chris Creighton @NickyMacHiaveli

Those of you who wish to help me in my election campaign, or my status quo campaign, can message me there.

By law, as an election candidate, I must provide an address at which I can be contacted. This I have done so, and will continue to do so. My address is at the top of this status quo blogspot. It is also on my Twitter account. it will also be on any leaflets I get printed.

So if you wish to join me in my campaign for 'Status Quo', then please write to me!

I do hope to meet as many of the good voters of Edinburgh Central as possible in this election!

Prime-Minister Gladstone relaunched his political career with his 'Midlothian Campaign'. I consider this my 'Midlothian Campaign'! Indeed! being in the 'Heart of Midlothian' I cannot think otherwise! Maybe the 'West Lothian Question' will also rear it's ugly head, and many other questions too!

Please consider voting for me as your MSP for Edinburgh Central, and please consider also joining me in my election campaign and my campaign for 'Status Quo'.

'Status Quo' for today, and 'Status Quo' for tomorrow too!

Thank you for reading this dear reader,

Yours Most Sincerely,

Chris Creighton.

Independent candidate for Edinburgh Central.