Beyond Tribal Politics
Independent journalism and commentary on politics, society, culture, climate and Scotland’s future.
‘I don’t recognise my country’ – in crisis, but what crisis?
The immediate conclusion many draw is that the present system is not working. Yet there is no widely accepted account of what…
A quiet election for a tired and poorly Scottish parliament
Scottish party manifestos pledge extra spending without addressing huge challenges facing the next Scottish government – likely to be SNP again despite…
And the winner is…The Absent Voters Party
However in all six Scottish Parliamentary elections since 1999 of the roughly 4 million people registered to vote, those actually voting averaged…
What’s ‘good for Scotland’ in 2026 election?
The SNP is in no fit state to fight a referendum. It has not begun to address weaknesses exposed in 2014.
When a night club demolition becomes a radical right dog-whistle
Last week, the demolition of the Atik nightclub on West Tollcross attracted substantial media attention. Originally opened as The New Cavendish dance…
Global food insecurity: another dividend from Trump’s war of choice
Markets have reacted to the global impact of closing this incredibly busy shipping channel, focusing on the risk to oil and gas flows, the prospect…
Public pay settlements: a crisis waiting for the next Scottish government
The Scottish government has long practised the exercise of kicking problematic cans down the road. Perhaps wider world crises will keep eyes…
