Foreign secretary Malcolm Rifkind has gained something of a reputation for changing his mind, viz. Scottish devolution, and Europe. He has no doubt been thrilled by last week's news that Scotland's only adult residential college, Newbattle Abbey College, has reopened its doors. Seven years ago, Mr Rikfind, then Secretary of State for Scotland and patron of the Friends of Newbattle Abbey College, marked its 50th anniversary by announcing that he was axing its Government grant.