GOOD year, bad year? With 2014 drawing to a close, we ask Kieran Andrews, political editor at The Courier: ‘How has it been for you?’.
Briefly, what is it that you do?
I cover politics for The Courier, predominantly what’s going on in Holyrood but also including Westminster. Being a team of one means there’s rarely a dull moment!
Choose three words that sum up 2014 (so far), from a professional point of view.
Write. Sleep. Repeat.
In 2013, what was your biggest ambition for 2014, and to what extent did you achieve it?
I wanted to help make sure The Courier was at the forefront of the independence referendum and subsequent fall-out, be it by breaking stories, providing analysis or, most importantly, doing things which were unique and engaging.
I’m mighty pleased with how that turned out. I think we were fair and balanced in our coverage while I think we also did some great work connecting with our readers when it came to the big issues through our referendum roadshow, the brainchild of deputy editor, Steve Bargeton, and referendum debates, which culminated in more than 800 people attending the final event.
How has 2014 (so far) been for you, personally?
It’s been somewhat of a whirlwind. As well as the madness which was the referendum campaign, I got married (six months earlier than planned, after the original date of September 20 was somewhat kiboshed) and released an album with my band, Robot Doctors (it can be downloaded from http://robotdoctors.bandcamp.com/, he said shamelessly).
Safe to say, I’m looking forward to taking a bit of time to relax over Christmas.
Any changes this year in technology, legislation, the economy, etc that have had a relatively significant impact on the business?
Everything seems to be evolving at an incredible rate, which means changes are happening all the time. I’ve not noticed anything in particular but that could be because I was too busy scribbling, or Tweeting, or reading, or asking questions, or… you get the idea.
What are you looking forward to, in 2015 – personally and professionally?
Personally, finally getting a bit of time off to plan a nice holiday. Professionally, covering my first General Election in the politics role and hopefully getting my teeth sunk into a good campaign.
