“It’s not an English problem any more than it’s a Scottish one, it’s a problem for us all.” Alan Milburn’s research report The Elite of Scotland revealed some uncomfortable facts of life in a nation that prides itself on fairness.
Off the EU cliff: the Brexit view from Brussels
No deal. That’s not just the spin from Theresa May’s cabinet, it’s the bleakly realistic view of Fabian Zuleeg, chief executive of the European Policy Centre.
When will the next general election be?
“If you can tell me if and when the government would lose a vote of no confidence, either because of defections, bye-election losses, falling out with the DUP, ministerial planes stuck in the fog in Brussels airport, or all the rest of it, I’ll tell you when the next election is”: John Curtice
FOI and the SG’s dubious claims to openness
‘We believe there are now grounds for a review of the Scottish government’s treatment of and policies for dealing with freedom of information requests, and would urge the Scottish government to address these concerns by immediately acting within the spirit and letter of Scotland’s freedom of information legislation’.
The first Sceptical Scot public debate
This would have beenl the first of a Sceptical Scot series exploring what kind of Scotland we are and want to become…What kind of Scotland we become tomorrow requires a clear and honest look in the mirror today. Come and help us shine a light by taking part in an open, generous and non-partisan conversation.
Unanswered questions of Scotland’s economy
Derek Mackay’s first budget as finance secretary is assailed from all sides – even his own. Scottish Conservatives label Scotland the highest-taxed part of the UK; Labour’s Kezia Dugdale endorses higher Scottish taxes as part of a federal-style devolution of revenue-raising powers. Leading economist David Eiser pondered deeper economic issues.
Open Letter to Theresa May on xenophobia
An open letter drafted by Christopher Silver and Peter Geoghegan, signed by many hundreds, condemning the encouragement of xenophobic actions and sentiments in the wake of the EU referendum on June 23 – not least by the Conservative party and government.
Brexit: no easy way out
“Scotland voted decisively to Remain, England to Leave. Their interests do not coincide.” In the second of our podcasts three leading experts from the David Hume Institute discuss the implications – and examine what Scotland’s options are.
Has Scottish politics really changed?
The results are in and, in the second part of our podcast (recorded beforehand), our experts look forward to the next five years with suitably sceptical views on the prospects for radical change.
Holyrood 2016: clearing the campaign fog
The first of our series of podcasts explores issues at the forefront and behind the scenes of the 2016 election to the Scottish Parliament – and looks forward to the next five years of the Scottish Government with Nicola Sturgeon as first minister.