'The long-held belief that Scottish politics is relatively immune to these forces now looks dangerously complacent, especially in the context of Reform UK's strong polling ahead of the Holyrood elections.' Charlie Ellis explores how the populist right exploits local grievances, and warns that some progressive voices risk adopting the same binary logic. The Complacency … [Read more...] about Beyond the Binary: how progressives risk aping the radical right in Scotland
How will next SNP government tackle fiscal mess left by this one? #ScottishBudget
Eradicating child poverty? Growing the economy? Tackling climate crisis? Ensuring quality public services? Reviewing the Scottish Budget and Spending Review 2026, John McLaren finds a weary government’s major ‘achievement’ has been to hide the cuts coming down the line – after the election. The whole Budget debacle showed a government truly out of ideas and one that has … [Read more...] about How will next SNP government tackle fiscal mess left by this one? #ScottishBudget
Trump’s tariffs: who pays the cost?
'Rural voters supported Trump for his anti-elite rhetoric, expecting protection for their livelihoods. Instead, the administration’s actions have hollowed out local workforces without viable alternatives.' In a week when all eyes were on Trump (as he intended), Sceptical Scot publishes this view from The Conversation where Inderjeet Parmar outlines how Trump's policies are … [Read more...] about Trump’s tariffs: who pays the cost?
The rise of fascism and why the churches must speak out
Then they came for meAnd there was no one leftTo speak out for meAs an elder in the Church of Scotland, Tim Bell calls on churches of all denominations to 'become part of the resistance' against the rise of the far right.Alarm bells are ringing all over western democracies.Neo-fascism is gaining ground and is becoming normalised. Little doubt remains that there … [Read more...] about The rise of fascism and why the churches must speak out
A new year message from ancient times
David Gow’s legacy of friendship
AI, Creativity and Humanity (3): Responsibility
In the third and final part of his series, Dougal Perman argues the case for combining creativity and culture with being fluent in AI - and staying human. When it comes to creativity, AI may be a great enabler but it can’t read your mind (yet) and definitely won’t do everything for you. And nor should it. Like everything, you get out what you put in. Some people disregard AI … [Read more...] about AI, Creativity and Humanity (3): Responsibility
Build, baby, build
Ross Greer MSP, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, thinks I'm "super-rich" as the owner of a small (50m2) second home (lodge) overlooking Loch Earn. “All over Scotland people are being priced out of the communities they’ve grown up in, all while tens of thousands of homes sit empty for most of the year. They are being hoarded by a small number of wealthy people who clearly do … [Read more...] about Build, baby, build
Does Starmer have a vision?
Keir Starmer’s conference speech has rescued him from leadership challenges, for now; such appears to be the consensus opinion. Starmer certainly managed a stronger, more personable delivery than his more typical rabbit-in-the-headlights stance. But one minister told Channel 4 News that the mood amongst MPs was still sulphurous. And former shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, … [Read more...] about Does Starmer have a vision?
Scottish education: genuine partnership or pre-election fix?
It is safe to predict that education will remain high on the political agenda in the run-up to the 2026 Holyrood elections. In recent years, many aspects of educational provision have attracted criticism and all parties will be anxious to claim that their policy proposals will lead to improvements. Among the topics that have featured in hostile press reports are these:the … [Read more...] about Scottish education: genuine partnership or pre-election fix?
In this Scottish Budget the silences were loudest
It’s hard to see how the Scottish Government can claim – as it does in its Budget document – to be running a “sustainable pay policy.” It’s also hard to square these pay deals with the allocation of just 0.7% growth in real terms for the Health portfolio... Fraser of Allander budget report, authors João Sousa, Ciara Crummey, Spencer Thompson The devil was very much … [Read more...] about In this Scottish Budget the silences were loudest