For Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, politically and constitutionally, this is potentially important all round. Are we going to see much better, serious cooperation between the devolved governments and the UK/England’s prime minister? How will the mayors of England’s combined authorities fit in? Or is the mayors’ presence, politically, a clear downgrading of the three … [Read more...] about Seven questions on the Council of the Nations and Regions
Local government
Budgets, ideas and lethargy in the Scottish Government
It has been a grim few days for the Scottish Government. First of all, the Finance Secretary, Shona Robison (pictured), outlined how an extra £1 billion of funds had to be used to fill a fiscal hole for this financial year. Leaving us wondering what on earth she was going to do for next year. Then, in the shadow of this dismal prognosis, the First Minister, John Swinney, … [Read more...] about Budgets, ideas and lethargy in the Scottish Government
The paradox of Scotland’s ‘Gold Coast’
Some folk are calling it “the Gold Coast”, the sandy, occasionally palm-fringed shores of the northwest Highlands. It certainly lived up to the billing on a bright spring day last week when I headed over to Gairloch to meet parents from the Save Our Rural Schools campaign. It is a paradox that this area has both a problem with depopulation and soaring house prices. Surely … [Read more...] about The paradox of Scotland’s ‘Gold Coast’
Scottish devolution – time to reboot
2024 marks twenty five years of the Scottish Parliament and although the General Election is expected this year, the next election for the Scottish Parliament is two years away. Freed from the alternative truths that can be peddled during elections, Scotland has the opportunity to be more reflective and inclusive about how it should reset the governance of Scotland and create a … [Read more...] about Scottish devolution – time to reboot
What do Humza Yousaf’s new policies mean for Scotland?
Humza Yousaf addressed the Scottish National Party Conference for the first time as First Minister, in a speech that contained a few new proposals. Here are some of the main consequences of what was announced. Council tax frozen, but at what cost? The centrepiece announcement was that 2024-25 council tax rates across Scotland would remain the same as in 2023-24. This was a … [Read more...] about What do Humza Yousaf’s new policies mean for Scotland?