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Sceptical Scot

Asking Questions. Seeking Answers.

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James Mitchell

About James Mitchell

Professor of Public Policy at Edinburgh University. Former member of the Christie Commission and now member of the 'Enabling group' advising Scottish Government and Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on the review of local governance.

Time for the SNP to get serious

December 11, 2021 by James Mitchell 9 Comments

“The issues are whether and how an independent Scotland would make the transition, at what cost, paid for by whom, over how long and, crucially, what policies would be needed to get to a position where people are at least no worse off.  These are not insurmountable but they are challenging.  But the SNP, as the main advocates of independence, does not appear up to the challenge.”

Emerging from the shadows

September 7, 2021 by James Mitchell 3 Comments

“Opportunities for Labour arise from an SNP that excels in performative politics but fails in policy performance.  The respective and competing nationalisms of Edinburgh and London governments are shrill and limited in their understanding of self-government.  You cannot ‘take back control’ by focusing on empowering London or Edinburgh at the cost to all else.  Labour has some way to go but with an independence referendum unlikely any time soon it does have some time.”

Time to deliver

July 9, 2021 by James Mitchell 2 Comments

“The failure to reduce demand in acute services through prevention is evident in the increasing proportion of Scottish budget spend on the National Health Service.  This has had many consequences.  Money required for acute services means less for other services.” A member of the Christie Commission on delivering public services in Scotland looks back/forward in sorrow

Where’s the great transformation?

May 18, 2021 by James Mitchell 1 Comment

‘If the 2021 Holyrood election is remembered as a turning point it will be because it was the catalyst for a referendum.  The manifesto and style of politics adopted by the SNP do not suggest that Scotland is about to be transformed in any way comparable to critical elections of the past in terms of public policy.’

Battle of the mandates

May 5, 2021 by James Mitchell 2 Comments

“If the polls have been consistent on anything, it is that the next Parliament will consist of an overall majority supporting a referendum.  The absence of clear, agreed rules on what constitutes a mandate for a referendum means that the battle of the mandates will prove at least as contentious as the election itself.”

Holyrood needs a second, reforming chamber

March 27, 2021 by James Mitchell 2 Comments

Scottish Parliament designed by Enric Miralles bearing strong resemblance to Barcelona market

“Holyrood needs to revive its commitment to power sharing and subsidiarity.  At its inception, the Scottish Parliament could legitimately claim to be bold and innovative.  It can be again.”

SNP tensions: causes and effects

February 21, 2021 by James Mitchell 19 Comments

‘What we are witnessing is the kind of internal bloodletting normally associated with the aftermath of a major defeat.  Much is a function of frustration and an inability to manage internal debate.  The SNP needs a period in opposition to sort itself out.  It has no credible roadmap to anywhere other than victory at the next Holyrood elections.  It hopes that a big win will restore Nicola Sturgeon’s authority.  If that happens, it is likely to be short lived.’

Boris is the new Maggie, Brexit the new poll tax

February 7, 2021 by James Mitchell Leave a Comment

‘Devolution was grafted onto an unreformed centre, an unreformed state.  Without addressing what is literally the central problem, the prospect of constitutional stability looks remote. There are glimmers of hope. The assumption that there is no demand for reform in England ignores recent, albeit rudimentary, developments in need of leadership, elaboration and mobilisation.’

Why language matters

November 15, 2020 by James Mitchell 5 Comments

“The EU, of course, makes a mockery of sovereignty.  It might be argued that Brexit is evidence of its enduring relevance.  But what it really shows is the pernicious legacy of the myth. The UK is losing control of its affairs. The hope that a second Trump Administration would ensure a good trade deal with the US has been shattered but even had this happened it spoke of the UK as limited and accountable, more as the 51st state than having ‘taken back control’.”

Compromising unity (never)

September 6, 2020 by James Mitchell 6 Comments

‘There was a day when anyone associated with the Duke of Buccleuch would have been anathema to the SNP but in its desperation not to frighten the horses, the current SNP leadership is willing to abandon what its membership in its heart knows is required. The SNP is simply letting a good crisis go to waste.’

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