SNP accused of 'transparent campaign to undermine the BBC' 22 May 2018 at 6:45pm
THE SNP has been accused of a ?transparent campaign to undermine the BBC? after it insisted the broadcaster had failed to address a loss of trust among Scots.
Speaker reported to Commons watchdog over alleged expletive outburst 22 May 2018 at 1:51pm
JOHN Bercow, the Commons Speaker, has been reported to Westminster?s standards watchdog over claims he branded Cabinet minister Andrea Leadsom a "stupid woman" and "f****** useless".
Davidson: Tories have 'moral duty' to refresh party and look beyond grey vote 22 May 2018 at 12:02am
THE Conservative Party has a "moral duty" to refresh itself and look to the ?entire nation? if it is to succeed at the next General Election, Ruth Davidson said at the launch of a new think-tank aimed at attracting younger voters to the Tory cause.
SNP attacks BBC over reporting of Scottish Government 22 May 2018 at 5:42pm
The SNP has been accused of fresh attempts to "undermine" the BBC after claiming the corporation's news service lacks "context" and has lost the trust of many Scots.
Mark Carney: Independent Scotland currency union ?economically possible? 22 May 2018 at 5:11pm
A currency union between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK is economically possible, the Governor of the Bank of England has said, but warned that it would require continued deep integration to function.
?Pockets of resistance? in Scotland against women ministers 22 May 2018 at 4:45pm
“Pockets of resistance” against appointing women ministers and elders still exists in parts of Scotland, the 2018 General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has been told.
Scottish home owners believe price boom to come over six months 22 May 2018 at 4:36pm
Home owners’ confidence in the property market has been boosted, with a new survey suggesting almost nine in ten Scots expect the price of their real estate to climb this year.
Another Scots council scraps child burial fees after pressure 22 May 2018 at 12:41pm
Perth and Kinross Council is set to abolish burial fees for children following pressure to ease the burden on bereaved families after charges were scrapped in Wales and England.
Number of households in Scotland reaches record high 22 May 2018 at 11:54am
The number of households in Scotland has reached a record high as the country’s population grows and more people choose to live alone, official statistics have revealed.
Ruth Davidson: Tories should smile more 22 May 2018 at 10:53am
Ruth Davidson has warned that many Tories are too dour and authoritarian when engaging with the public.
Low-income Scots can?t be relied on for Yes vote 22 May 2018 at 9:09am
Independence campaigners cannot rely on the votes of low income Scots to deliver a Yes vote in any future referendum, a new report shows.
Call for small-time drug users to avoid court 22 May 2018 at 6:00am
Scots caught with small amounts of drugs should not face prosecution, a leading Scottish Government adviser has said.
Church sell-offs loom to ensure future of the Kirk 22 May 2018 at 6:00am
The Church of Scotland will consider a widespread sell-off of its buildings as ministers were told “past differences, jealousies and power struggles must be left behind” if the Kirk is to survive the next ten years.
Guess who?s coming to dinner? by Rev. Stuart Campbell 22 May 2018 at 10:13am
Last week we revealed that English voters would happily see Scotland and Northern Ireland leave the UK if it was the price of securing Brexit. But one of the odder things was that those figures included a sizeable number of Remain voters, who don’t want Brexit to happen at all. We were a little perplexed, so …
Tomorrow?s man today by Rev. Stuart Campbell 21 May 2018 at 5:13pm
Michael Gove has been saying some words today, to the general astonishment of all. Which seems like a good time to bring up some more data from our latest poll. Because with rumours flying that Theresa May has absolutely spewed her marbles and plans another general election in the autumn, we had Panelbase ask the …
The news you didn?t hear about by Rev. Stuart Campbell 21 May 2018 at 11:21am
It’s been a very sluggish few months in Scottish politics news, with only the significant but rather dry matter of the Brexit power grab to talk about, so you’d imagine that the publication earlier this month of some important new statistics concerning the Scottish economy would have raised some media attention. Yet fully three weeks …
Counting with the Daily Mail by Rev. Stuart Campbell 21 May 2018 at 9:11am
After 27 unbroken pages of royal wedding “news” (following on from a full 46 in its Sunday edition), the Scottish Daily Mail finally gets down to reporting other stuff today. “Union support rising”, eh? Do we have any numbers on that? And it turns out that we do. Um, lads? If you’ve got 100 bananas, then someone gives …
The debut by Rev. Stuart Campbell 20 May 2018 at 3:27pm
To the best of our recollection, today’s Sunday Politics Scotland was the first time a representative from this site has ever been invited onto a BBC Scotland TV show to discuss the affairs of the day since Wings was founded back in 2011. So we thought we better capture it for posterity in case it’s …
Dreaming the unpopular dream by Rev. Stuart Campbell 20 May 2018 at 11:34am
A couple of weeks ago Scottish Labour announced, to the traditional merriment, its commitment to greater federalism for the UK, as it has done every year since 2011 or indeed since 1910. (Sometimes under the equally-meaningless term “Home Rule”.) In today’s Sunday Times, the much-missed former SNP spin doctor Kevin Pringle also pondered the idea, concluding that …
The island within an island by Rev. Stuart Campbell 18 May 2018 at 1:39pm
Our poll of English voters has already revealed that, on balance, the people of England would be happy to ditch Scotland, Northern Ireland and (very narrowly) Gibraltar as the price of Brexit. But what about if we approached the idea of England’s independence the other way round? We thought of that too. If England was already …
The Ballad Of The Chief Reporter by Rev. Stuart Campbell 18 May 2018 at 9:57am
Well, the timing of this is rather unfortunate. If only someone had said something, eh? Of course, someone did. Wings Over Scotland challenged the story within hours of its appearance in January this year, and covered it at length and in detail. Surprisingly the Chief Reporter of the Herald, David Leask, wasn’t very grateful for our …
Nations overboard by Rev. Stuart Campbell 17 May 2018 at 10:40am
As alert readers will recall, this week we commissioned Panelbase to poll the good people of England, and we got some answers that we think will blow your minds. But we’re going to start with one we suspect people will find sad, but all too predictable. Many will remember bitterly the short-lived “lovebombing” campaign from …
Judge halts Labour selection contest 22 May 2018 at 7:23pm
Asim Khan took the party to court after claiming dozens of his supporters were denied the chance to vote for him.
Minor drug users 'should not be charged' 21 May 2018 at 12:01am
A Scottish government adviser says people caught with small amounts of drugs should no longer be prosecuted.
Kirk moves closer to gay marriage services 19 May 2018 at 4:26pm
The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland agrees to draw up plans to allow ministers to conduct same-sex weddings.
Scot Goes Pop
SCOT goes POP!
A pro-independence blog by James Kelly - voted one of Scotland's top 10 political websites.
The case for Chris McEleny by James Kelly 18 May 2018 at 5:19pm
As you probably know, voting is now open in the SNP depute leadership election, and if you're part of the 2%+ of the entire population of Scotland that are members of the SNP, you have until 8th Ju...
Is Sarah Smith auditioning (again) to become Scottish Tory press officer? by James Kelly 15 May 2018 at 6:31pm
As you probably know by now, the Scottish Parliament voted at 5pm today to deny legislative consent for Westminster's EU Withdrawal Bill, and did so by a thumping 93 to 30 margin. It would be an u...
Have the Sunday Herald built bridges after last week's misjudgements? (Spoil... by James Kelly 13 May 2018 at 6:10am
You might remember a while back that CommonSpace took a brief financial hit after running an attack piece about Wings Over Scotland that had a particularly ill-judged and highly provocative headlin...
Eurovision 2018: Prediction for Saturday's grand final by James Kelly 12 May 2018 at 5:43pm
So I got a slightly patchier 7 out of 10 qualifiers right on Thursday. The three I didn't pick out were the Netherlands, Serbia and Slovenia. Country music isn't really my thing (as I discovered ...
Eurovision 2018: Prediction for Thursday's second semi-final by James Kelly 10 May 2018 at 5:57pm
So I correctly picked eight out of the ten qualifiers in the first semi. The two I overlooked were Austria and Ireland, which is really odd, because those are genuinely two of my personal favourit...
Looking to relocate to Scotland. Nice areas suggestions? by /u/jdonovan36 22 May 2018 at 9:43pm
Hi, I'm looking to move to Scotland at the beginning of next month in an attempt to give myself and my kids a fresh start. I'm looking for: - Close to Edinburgh - Cheap Rent - Low crime rate (I ha...
Why is the river forth so shallow right now? by /u/xboxg4mer 22 May 2018 at 3:35pm
Hey, I was just wondering basically what the title says. I was passing through Stirling earlier and noticed its considerably more shallow than usual and was wondering why. Cheers. submitted by ...
So long as men worship the Caesars and Napoleons, Caesars and Napoleons will duly arise and make them miserable. - Aldous Huxley
Scottish Independence Podcast 165 ? BBC 1943 or 2030? by michaelgreenwell 21 May 2018 at 11:34pm
We’re back. Just a little reminder of why… Hope you enjoy. You can download here if you click THIS LINK. You can listen online at the show?s spreaker webpage, or you can subscribe with itunes. We can also be found on youtube and on facebook. These podcasts are independently minded and independently funded, you can … Listen
Not Going Here by michaelgreenwell 21 May 2018 at 10:44am
Here’s somewhere I won’t be going today, not that I think they would have me. All the same, it is interesting to see that the Tories and Labour have decided to get together again…
The Department For Exiting The European Union? by michaelgreenwell 18 May 2018 at 11:02pm
Here is Herbert Asquith talking about The War Office from World War One. Seems strikingly similar to something at the moment. For the record, World War One was an essentially pointless exercise in sabre-rattling that led to the death and impoverishment of millions of people.
Wound Up in the Weeds of Westminster by Bella Caledonia Editor 20 May 2018 at 11:56am
There?s a century long tradition of MP?s with radical intentions taking the train to Westminster and getting caught up in Westminster?s cultural and political weeds. Recently Scotland on Sunday ran an article on the SNP Westminster defence team?s submission to the Ministry of Defence consultation on the Modernising Defence Programme (MDP). Based upon the SOS …
Singed Milk by Bella Caledonia Editor 19 May 2018 at 11:06am
On the Ulva buy-out and memories from Eigg twenty years ago. Maxwell MacLeod raises a glass to Scotland’s greatest treasures. As a no hoper freelance journalist with a knowledge of the Hebrides I have been asked by a major newspaper to give them some background on the Ulva buy-out, and as my head is now …
The Unelected are Our New Saviours by Bella Caledonia Editor 18 May 2018 at 8:44am
Scotland had previously been understood as a ‘Liminal Land’ – stuck halfway, mid-process – between the states of devolution and independence – between something and sovereignty. Democracy as a ‘form of becoming’ was understood by Donald Dewar who was this week referenced by Michael Russell as he spoke in the debate which rejected the EU …
Talking over a wall. A letter from Muck by Bella Caledonia Editor 16 May 2018 at 5:35pm
Max MacLeod is praying for peace in Jerusalem, again. I am sitting typing this in a small cottage on the tiny island of Muck, my task today being to try and get two Palestinian nurses out of the current horror of the Middle East. The stark contrast between the two situations here on Muck and over …
How to Launch a Rocket by Bella Caledonia Editor 16 May 2018 at 4:58pm
This is just a very quick article to explain in simple terms what the national Gathering of the groups is for, and why every dedicated Yesser and local group member should be attending as a top priority. The Gathering is designed to be the start of a collective process that has local groups, their members, …
Ivanka Praying for Peace by Bella Caledonia Editor 14 May 2018 at 2:17pm
As the Palestinian death toll in border protest has risen to thirty-seven, Ivanka is on Instagram selling jewellery and opening the new US Embassy in Jerusalem. This is the profane and the obscene wrapped delicately in a casual racism and projected expertly across social media. She writes: “We will pray for the boundless potential of …
Hostile Environment by Bella Caledonia Editor 12 May 2018 at 9:52am
This spring saturday what do the newspapers tell us about the state we live in? The Daily Express wails at accountability for past military action – like the death rattle of a failed state now operating 95% on the ether of imperial nostalgia. In a surprise move the Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley confirmed she was …
Scotland?s Blockchain Democracy? by Bella Caledonia Editor 10 May 2018 at 10:14pm
Scotland now has the potential to become the world’s leading direct democracy country argues Nicholas Russell. Reflecting on the 2014 referendum process, Scots were 21st century citizens, interacting with biased 19th century institutions, using 15th century voting systems. And Scots voted in 2014, mostly, without taking reference to the official White Paper, upon which the …
Legal fight to abandon Brexit has no constitutional basis, court told by Severin Carrell Scotland editor 22 May 2018 at 3:22pm
MPs breaking ?parliamentary privilege? by bringing case on UK unilaterally stopping BrexitThe government has warned a group of MPs they are breaching parliamentary privilege by asking a court to rule on whether Brexit can be halted unilaterally by the UK.Three MPs are involved in a legal case bro...
'The right thing to do': Jeremy Corbyn reacts to Livingstone's resignation ? ... by Andrew Sparrow and Kevin Rawlinson 21 May 2018 at 10:10pm
Rolling coverage of the day?s political developments as they happenYuval Noah Harari: Brexit will not halt drive to ?human unification?Support for Brexit falls sharply in Northern IrelandNo 10 lobby briefing ? SummaryMay?s science and industrial strategy speech ? Summary and analysisEvening summa...
My fellow Tories, I?m afraid the crash generation just doesn?t trust us | Rut... by Ruth Davidson 18 May 2018 at 5:02pm
Polls showing many young people won?t vote Conservative can be reversed ? but the party must work harder to achieve thatExamine the headline figures of the political views of under-40s in the UK today ? and weep, fellow Conservatives. New polling conducted by YouGov for the Centre for Policy Stud...
May says she working on new Brexit 'fallback option' but UK will runs its own... by Andrew Sparrow 17 May 2018 at 6:09pm
Rolling coverage of the day?s political developments as they happenMay?s press conference in Macedonia - Summary and analysisAfternoon summary 6.09pm BST 5.29pm BST Damian Green, the former first secretary of state, was on the Today programme this morning promoting a plan he has drawn up for a n...
Grenfell inquiry to begin taking evidence ? Politics Weekly podcast by Presented by Pippa Crerar with Dawn Foster, Robert Booth, Deborah Coles, Dambisa Moyo and Libby Brooks; produced by Phil Maynard and Simon Barnard 16 May 2018 at 4:30pm
Pippa Crerar is joined by Robert Booth, Dawn Foster and Deborah Coles to discuss the Grenfell Tower fire inquiry which begins taking evidence next week. Plus economist Dambisa Moyo on how to fix the crises in global democracy and Libby Brooks on the SNP?s deputy leadership electionSir Martin Moor...
#Readytogo? Rift over timing of indyref2 marks a turning point for yes movement by Libby Brooks Scotland correspondent 16 May 2018 at 1:01pm
While some Scottish independence activists warn against an early poll, others say a lengthy delay could pose an even bigger threatVoters are fizzing with adrenalin and have nowhere to put it Continue reading...
Scotland had to reject the EU withdrawal bill. It was a power grab | Ruth Wis... by Ruth Wishart 16 May 2018 at 12:47pm
Holyrood?s vote was not another independence bid, but a move to ensure Brexit does not undermine Scotland?s existing devolved powersTwenty years ago the often lugubrious face of the late Donald Dewar broke into a satisfied grin as he read out the first line of the Scotland Act at the Commons disp...
Scottish government urged to cast aside Brexit 'bickering' by Severin Carrell Scotland editor 16 May 2018 at 10:28am
Holyrood?s vote against EU bill has sparked unnecessary row, says Scottish secretaryThe Scottish secretary has accused the Scottish government of manufacturing an ?unnecessary row? over Brexit after Holyrood voted to reject the EU withdrawal bill.David Mundell said he was frustrated and disappoin...
The self-delusions of a British nationalist
There’s a test that scientists use to discover whether a species possesses self-awareness. They anaesthetise an animal and paint a dot on its forehead using an odourless and chemically inert paint. When the animal wakens, it is presented with a mirror, it it reacts to the image in the mirror by attempting to examine the …
When they?re not kissing babies they?re stealing their sweeties
Ruth Davidson and Michael Gove have announced the launch of a new think tank, because what the world really needs is yet another right wing think tank. The think tank is to be called Onward, as in onward and off a cliff with Brexit. Michael Gove is one of the most reactionary hard line Brexiteers …
What we can?t avoid
It’s like a version of that annoying audio version of thon wedding dress. Do you hear Laurel or Yanny? The BBC is pumping out non stop nausea about the bloody royal wedding, only instead of hearing “Isn’t it MARVELLOUS!” most people hereabouts are hearing “Oh furfuxake gaunie shuttit.” At least that’s all you can hear …
A Gaelic map of Scotland
Well, I promised you merchandising this year because I have a wedding to pay for and need to make some money. First up is a Gaelic map of all of Scotland. I’ve been doing regional maps of parts of Scotland, but people always want a map of their own area, so thought it best to …
The guarantee of lies
Scotland and the British government are heading for your actual constitutional crisis, but according to certain sections of the media in Scotland it’s all very arcane, and people aren’t going to get very upset about it. Apparently it’s all about highly technical stuff to do with obscure agricultural standards, nothing that those of us who …
A singular dishonesty
Here we go again. It’s always groundhog day with British nationalism in Scotland. I blogged some months ago about the important distinction between the unitary market of the British state, and the single market of the EU. British nationalists in Scotland are however determined to conflate those two very different political and economic beasts under …
Losing trust and building bridges
The first rule of digging yourself into a hole, is that when you’re in one, you should stop digging. The Sunday Herald had dug itself into a hole with its front page the day after the biggest pro-independence rally in Scottish history. Newspapers know the power of a front page, and the Sunday Herald’s front …
Scottish Unionism?s new Irish problem
There are those amongst the British nationalist apologists in Scotland who accuse independence supporters of romanticism, of dealing in distortions of fact, but it’s a fact that there is no proponent of Scottish independence who would ever come out with something as ludicrously batshit as an article which was published this week in a site …
Ireland has a chance to end shame of its abortion laws
CULTURALLY speaking, I am Catholic and I have never been ashamed of saying it. I belong to a community in Scotland that suffered anti-immigrant discrimination, a national legacy that many people still refuse to own or accept. That?s why I?m occasionally reluctant to criticise the Church. I don?t want to reinforce the middle-class myth of Scottish secularism, the idea that we?re all happy being ...
Ten issues the Growth Commission report should address
AS I speculated in this column last week, it now looks likely the SNP will publish the results of its long-awaited Growth Commission this Friday, just in time both for the party?s spring conference and the gathering of non-party Yes groups in Stirling on Sunday.
Tory Placeman Tomkins Asks the Scottish Parliament to Trust the Westminster G...
The Application of Laws in England and Scotland before 1707 The principles of Roman Law, a system of ‘rights’ and ‘obligations’ prevalent in European countries was used to develop Scots law over many hundreds of years before 1707. Whilst, in England, lawmaking evolved by writing “Common Law” into statute, using … Continue reading "Tory Placeman Tomkins Asks the Scottish Parliament to ...
1820 Scottish Rising ? Scots Betrayed Yet Again By Unionist Spies Acting for ...
The 1820 Scottish Uprising James Wilson, Andrew Hardie & John Baird (all weavers) were accused by the Crown of being leaders of the ?1820 Rising?, a group of Scots campaigning for universal male suffrage, better working conditions and a Scottish parliament. They, together with 19 others, mostly weavers: Thomas M?Culloch, Benjamin … Continue reading "1820 Scottish Rising – Scots Betrayed...
The BBC is the Most Powerful Government Mouthpiece in the World and Its Biase...
1 May 2018: BBC Bias is Well Capable of Swinging an Election or Referendum The BBC is an immensely powerful organisation and the way it presents news could potentially have significant effects on election/referendum results. In 2017, Patrick Kennedy and Andrea Prat, economists from the Columbia Business School, analysed 18 countries? … Continue reading "The BBC is the Most Powerful Gove...
Tory Luddite Tomkins Mocks the SNP Government Attacking Proposals For Safe Dr...
Drug-Control Policies in Britain The late Prof Geoffrey Pearson was an eminent and highly respected Criminologist noted for his research into violence among the young. In his journal, The New Heroin Users (1987) he gave a voice to users and addicts, confounding many stereotypes concerning this demonised group, who were … Continue reading "Tory Luddite Tomkins Mocks the SNP Government ...
Scotland ? Englands First Colony ? Ravished ? Pillaged ? Blockaded ? Betrayed...
The Alien Act – Bully Boy Nation England Forces a Treaty of Union On Scotland The 1701 Alien Act was the culmination of the England’s efforts to subjucate Scotland, and the negative impact was huge. An embargo on Scottish goods to both England and its colonies, enforced by a naval … Continue reading "Scotland – Englands First Colony – Ravished – Pillaged – Blockaded – Betrayed – Casti...
Syria ? The US, UK and French Have Given Up On Regime Change in Syria ? New S...
6 May 2018: Tensions Rising Between Syrian Army, Kurds Amid Creation of US Bases The probability of all-out war between the Syrian army and Kurdish militias in northern Syria has intensified amid reports of the creation of more new US bases, along with reports of a possible … Continue reading "Syria – The US, UK and French Have Given Up On Regime Change in Syria – New Strategy i...
Attempted Murder of Former Russian Spy Sergie Skripal ? The Facts Without the...
MI6 handler:Pablo Miller & Sergie Skripal 15 Aug 2017: This Will Blow Your Mind – Required Reading Before Taking in the Rest of the Article We think we are more connected to the world, when in reality it?s the opposite. We no longer trust the world we live in precisely … Continue reading "Attempted Murder of Former Russian Spy Sergie Skripal – The Facts Without the Waffle – Who did it...
Dirty Tricks ? Trumpgate and Skripal ? All Roads Lead to London and MI6
Note: This article is a follow up to the undernoted link. (https://caltonjock.com/2017/11/17/trump-putin-congressional-investigation-moving-finger-of-fate-pointing-at-the-tory-party-and-stirling-university-on-the-hook-as-well/) Boris Johnson – Trump – The Tory party Three senior past and present Foreign Office ministers, including the foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, were targ...
Sewel: no "constitutional safeguard", just a "self-denying ordinance..."
By any reckoning, Richard Keen QC is an uncommonly political lawyer. Former Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, and now the UK government's chief adviser on Scots law, Ruth Davidson appointed him chairman of the Scottish Tories in 2013. While in office, he reportedly summoned the party's MSPs to his "small castle", and subjected them all to a dres...
"A quintessential matter of political judgment for Westminster..."
Last Friday, the Lord Advocate published the Scottish Government's intervention in the ongoing Brexit litigation before the UK Supreme Court. James Wolffe QC weighed in behind the Divisional Court's judgment, arguing that the royal prerogative cannot lawfully be used to trigger Article 50. But Scotland's senior law officer also ranged beyond tha...
"Ane absolute power to Cass, Annull & Dissable -- Contrair to Law..."
Last night, the Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC published the Scottish Government's written intervention in the Article 50 litigation. The case is scheduled to be heard by all eleven of the UK Supreme Court's Justices between the 5th and 8th of December. It is, as you'd expect, a weighty legal document which you may not find instantly digestible....
Lord Carloway's right to silence
Earlier this year, the Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee launched an inquiry into "the role and purpose of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service," to focus on:"... its core role and examine the effectiveness and efficiency of the COPFS, how well it works with its stakeholders, and the support it provides to witnesses and victims o...
Escaping the Mire
Longstanding readers of this blog know what I think about the Offensive Behaviour at Football Act, and the events which led to its introduction. Alex Salmond seized on an Old Firm fracas in 2011, arguing that this so-called "shame game" required special legal measures.Elected with a majority in the Holyrood election of that year, there was no re...
Legally, can Holyrood "block" Brexit?
"100 days on from the referendum and with up to six months until the triggering of Article 50 it is time the government got serious and put our economic interests and membership of the single market at the front of their negotiating plans. With a clear majority in the Scottish Parliament for retaining membership of the single market - expressed ...
19th September, 2014
On the 19th of September 2014, I wrote a piece entitled ?under the low sky.? It is an evocative line ? stolen ? from a book I read years ago about the experience of living in the Netherlands, where the horizon presses down on you, without the thrown elbows of mountains to keep it at bay. But the phrase seemed apt to the slate-grey Glasgow aftern...
A Bill for Criminal Letters
"Criminal Letters" sounds like a pot-boiler crime novel, written by one of Agatha Christie's less talented impersonators. But in Scots law, this evocative phrase has a more precise meaning. The overwhelming majority of criminal cases in this country are pursued by the Procurator Fiscal, prosecuting individuals in the public interest, under the ...
The coming rebellion against the world of the Sunday Times ?Rich List?
The coming rebellion against the world of the Sunday Times ?Rich List? Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, May 16th 2018 Starting in 1988, The Sunday Times ?Rich List? is now in its 30th year. It has survived and prospered through all sorts of political seasons and economic social periods, from the high point of Thatcherism and …
Independence has to be about more than an indyref. It is a state of mind
Independence has to be about more than an indyref. It is a state of mind Gerry Hassan Sunday Herald, May 13th 2018 Scotland and the UK feel in hiatus and stasis – awaiting the unfurling and unraveling of Brexit. Some people are marching. Last Saturday?s gathering was significant given the lack of SNP and Scottish …
The Future has been Postponed: Making Sense of the Age of Nostalgia
The Future has been Postponed: Making Sense of the Age of Nostalgia Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, May 9th 2018 Nostalgia is everywhere. The past seems all around us ? alive, noisy, ever-present, and more relevant and dynamic than the voices of today and the concerns of tomorrow. Take a couple of examples. The British Labour …
Ideals for Living: The need for guides on how to live a better life
Ideals for Living: The need for guides on how to live a better life Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, May 2nd 2018 How many times do you hear people say that these are ?grim times?? It has become commonplace ? but a bit of perspective and history is needed. These aren?t after all as grim times …
Loss is too important to be left to the hate mongers
Loss is too important to be left to the hate mongers Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, April 25th 2018 The bewildering nature of modern society ? its incessant, demanding change, shifts in employment, remuneration and technologies, and a sense that big decisions are taken elsewhere ? means that a feeling of loss is commonplace today in …
Living in the Shadow of Empire State Britain and the Problem of Cultural Deme...
Living in the Shadow of Empire State Britain and the Problem of Cultural Dementia Gerry Hassan Bella Caledonia, April 19th 2018 The UK has been an uncomfortable place in the last few days. There has been the controversy over the Windrush deportations, Tory Cabinet minister Esther McVey defending the rape clause at the Scottish Parliament …
Enoch Powell?s Ghost and Bigotry still haunts modern Britain
Enoch Powell?s Ghost and Bigotry still haunts modern Britain Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, April 17th 2018 This week sees the 50th anniversary of Enoch Powell?s infamous ?Rivers of Blood? speech which occurred on April 20th 1968, with the BBC deciding to recreate it and broadcast on ?Archive on 4? – read by actor Ian McDiarmid. …
Breaking the Taboos and Silences of Belting Scotland?s Children
Breaking the Taboos and Silences of Belting Scotland?s Children Gerry Hassan Scottish Review, April 11th 2018 Scottish education has always had an important, even disproportionate place in society – emphasising its distinctiveness, traditions, and of course, multiple individual stories and experiences. Yet our education system has had for all the good and positive stories, too …
This Argument On Scottish Independence Got VERY Heated
This Argument On Scottish Independence Got VERY Heated LBCNicola Sturgeon vows to 'restart' Scottish independence debate Sky NewsFarage SHUTS DOWN caller who claims Scottish independence has NOTHING to do with England Express.co.ukMark Smith: New independence blueprint needs to fix the mess on tax - Here's a few ideas to get started HeraldScotlandFull coverage
Jim Murphy says hard Brexit will kill off demand for new Scottish independenc...
Jim Murphy says hard Brexit will kill off demand for new Scottish independence vote Scottish Daily RecordSNP to launch fresh drive for independence this summer iNewsNicola Sturgeon says new independence report will not be 'sugar-coated' Press and JournalFull coverage
Scottish independence is never off the table, Sturgeon says
Scottish independence is never off the table, Sturgeon says ReutersNicola Sturgeon: 'Scottish independence is not off the table' The NationalNicola Sturgeon insists Brexit process has strengthened case for Scottish independence HeraldScotlandFull coverage
SNP accused of 'transparent campaign to undermine the BBC'
SNP accused of 'transparent campaign to undermine the BBC' HeraldScotlandSNP to launch fresh drive for independence this summer iNewsWomen in the justice system, CEO pay, Gaza and party reform: SNP conference agenda unveiled CommonSpaceFull coverage
Ruth Davidson claims SNP are 'weaponising' Brexit to push for IndyRef2
Ruth Davidson claims SNP are 'weaponising' Brexit to push for IndyRef2 Scottish Daily RecordSNP's delayed report on economic case for independence criticised by opposition The TimesSNP to unveil new independence blueprint HeraldScotlandFull coverage
The SNP has caused its own baby box blues
The SNP has caused its own baby box blues The GuardianRuth Davidson: If the SNP wants to win, it needs to talk about potholes and teachers rather than banging on about Brexit iNewsALEX BELL: SNP policy has proven to be a complete waste of energy The CourierFull coverage
Scotland will Consider a New Referendum on Independence
Scotland will Consider a New Referendum on Independence Novinite.comScotland will consider independence vote after Brexit clarity, says Sturgeon POLITICO.euSturgeon to 'restart debate' on Scottish independence RTE.ieGoing for Growth BBC NewsFull coverage
'BBC has not rebuilt the trust it lost in Scotland during the indyref'
'BBC has not rebuilt the trust it lost in Scotland during the indyref' The NationalSNP accused of 'transparent campaign to undermine the BBC' HeraldScotlandSNP to launch fresh drive for independence this summer iNewsFull coverage
When will indyref2 happen?
Not when you would like it to happen, but when do you believe indyref2 will happen?
General Politics Thread
Firstly, what happened to capybara's thread? I've went back about four pages and can't find it. Am i going blind/dottled?
Anyway, until it is found.
I know it's purely an English/Welsh issue, but the junior doctors' dispute is not improving. Looks like the government is going to try to impose ...
Minimum Alcohol Pricing
The policy comes in to effect today. And this is just the beginning - Prohibition for the Poor.
Watching BBC Reporting Scotland last night was the most biased reporting I think I have ever seen. They had an A&E doctor, an activist who campaigned for it, a recovering alcoholic all saying that ...
Brexit slowly becoming a Farce.
Let's face it, this Tory Govt has no intent on pulling out of EU. It will go on and on and on until lie of land changes!
Political Debates: What's On Near You?
Our group is hosting speaker Bill Dale on 23rd May in Airdrie.
Might be of interest to (some of) you.
https://airdrieforindependence.wordpress.com/
Votes for prisoners
Surely not. If they try and force this through then it is a BIG mistake.
Scottish Politics Podcasts
With spending more time in my car, due to a change in job late last year, I?m now in the interesting world of listening to podcasts. I?m on the look out for any good (and balanced if one exists) Scottish Politics podcasts. Does anyone know of any? You don?t have to look far to see what my politic...
Tartan Army Message Board (often
features political threads)
This Board Needs Tunes
Been off the board for a few weeks and have no idea what's going on. /emoticons/default_shocked.gif" alt=":shocked:">Couldn't resurrect the original thread so here's a timely new beginning. /emoticons/default_smile.png" alt=":)"> Come on back folks!Our beautiful Scotland. /emoticons/default_cheer...
Indy Ref 2
Since no-one's started the thread...
A lot of former No voters including some pretty prominant activists, politicians and commentators either coming out for Yes or softening their position - even Chris Deerin saying today that he's not saying that he would vote Yes but that he couldn't say th...
Camping
Anyone ever do this? We?ve found a tent that we bought a couple of years ago and never used, thinking of taking the kids for a night or 2 somewhere.
Initial thoughts have been up to Loch Ness of Aviemore.
Any recommendations at all?
Preferably with somewhere that a 14 & 10 year old...
Skipinnish,gaelic And West Coast Bands
I have always loved run rigs music and lately i have started listening to skipinnish, they have a few cracking tunes and have the potential to take run rigs place if they call it a day, i have also started listening to julie fowlis and again she has some brilliant songs, are there any other bands...
Dentists
Any dentists out there? Unlikely I know.
A couple of months ago a could feel a something had chipped off one of my back teeth. I left it for a while then decided I had better get it checked out even though it wasnt giving me any pain. I hadnt been to the dentist for a few years as I had no pr...
FFS Let?s have a referendum!
The Scottish Parliament is under attack and its power being undermined. Brick by brick the foundations of the little devolved power we have is being eroded and undermined by the very people who promised we would lead the UK if we remained part of it. As a nation we do not have to accept this.…
e-Voting in Scotland
In Scotland electronic voting may soon replace traditional paper ballots and polling stations as the Scottish Government plans to roll-out a pilot scheme to test this new digital approach to the electoral system. In response to a letter organised by Webroots Democracy and co-signed by 30 leading academics and charity bosses, Minister for Parliamentary Business Joe Fitzpatrick MSP has reaffirmed the…
The Scottish Government Are Being Filibustered
Just over 1 year ago, March 28th 2017 to be exact The Scottish Parliament voted for a second referendum on independence by 69 to 59 in favour of seeking permission for a referendum before the UK leaves the EU. About 1 week earlier in advance of this Theresa May first uttered her ?Now is not…
The Indy Pledge Launches Today
Please use the following link to sign up to the Indy Pledge. IndyPledge.Online Read the background to the Indy Pledge here. This pledge was, in principle, agreed at the Local Groups Conference, in Dunblane. It was agreed that this would be done with Yes Kelty taking the lead with the support of YES Dunfermline and…
Judge Jails Catalan Deputies
Supreme Court judge Pablo Llarena has decided to send Jordi Turull, Josep Rull, Raül Romeva, Carme Forcadell and Dolors Bassa into pretrial detention without bail. Both the public prosecutors and the acusación popular1, right-wing party VOX, asked for the measure. Whilst the public prosecution yesterday seemed to be uncertain whether to ask for prison or not, evaluating…
West Lothian Labour/Tory councillors attack the vulnerable then piss off to T...
The Labour Tory de facto coalition in West Lothian have voted through a series of eye watering cuts in West Lothian that target the most vulnerable in the county. Meanwhile the coalition of chaos decided they could afford to treat themselves to an all expenses paid jolly to Taiwan. I kid you not. More on…
Qualitat Policia
In line with the absolute obsession of Spanish society to arrest, jail and silence anyone who even murmurs a hint that the place is a shit hole and that the reason for that is that the blind obedience to authorities who have stolen the wealth of the people and the futures of their children has…
Valtonyc Jailed for 42 months for ?Insulting the Crown?
The Spanish Supreme Court has delivered a sentence of three and a half years in prison to Majorcan rapper Valtònyc. A year ago, the Spanish Court declared the artist guilty of supporting terrorism and insulting the Spanish crown. The sentence also included a compensation payment of 3,000 euros to the president of the Cercle Balear…
