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Sceptical Scot

Asking Questions. Seeking Answers.

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Elections

The SNP’s new fundamentalism

December 6, 2022 by James Mitchell 4 Comments

“The SNP has dug itself into a fundamentalist hole and will need a dramatic pragmatic turn to hope to take advantage of the changing political context.  Its best hope under its current fundamentalist leadership remains that the Tories win the next general election, opinion remains polarised and might finally shift decisively in favour of independence.”

A voluntary union with no exit?

November 25, 2022 by Dr Kirsty Hughes 11 Comments

“Scotland, the Supreme Court says, cannot have a referendum without Westminster’s approval. But what the SNP, and others, put in their election manifestos is up to them. We’re on a path to a quasi-referendum. And Scotland will have its say.” Kirsty Hughes on the political aftermath of THAT ruling. Where do we go from here?

Can muscular unionism save the Union?

November 3, 2022 by Iain McLean Leave a Comment

“Muscular unionism didn’t work in Ireland in 1921 and there is no reason to expect it to work now. Ignoring the votes, and the people elected, in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, is not unionism. It’s imperialism.”

Scotland deserves better than two bad choices

October 22, 2022 by Eddie Barnes 5 Comments

The latest Building a New Scotland paper on the economy is being roasted – including by informed nationalists. Here a prominent unionist dissects a weak case. “Doubtless the SNP will argue all this is “Project Fear”. It really isn’t. It is the reality that flows from our underlying economic position.”

Labour’s revival puts SNP on the defensive

October 11, 2022 by James Mitchell 5 Comments

“The process of recovery has begun for Scottish Labour.  It can now focus on winning back what Anas Sarwar describes as ‘soft SNP’ voters.  This will not be plain sailing.  The SNP remains a formidable campaign organisation…” Prof James Mitchell on how Labour’s revival has put the SNP on the defensive.

Sceptical Scot shuts up shop

March 15, 2022 by Sceptical Scot Editors 25 Comments

The co-editors announce the closure of Sceptical Scot on its seventh anniversary….

What have local councils ever done for us?

February 13, 2022 by George Thorley 3 Comments

“A start to redressing this imbalance would be for the UK Government and the devolved governments to sign the European Charter of Local Self Government – then we could at last begin to have serious conversations, based on a joint understanding of and respect for each other’s roles, on how we are to successfully tackle the substantial and increasingly complex issues of the future.”

Kate’s budget blues

December 7, 2021 by David Eiser Leave a Comment

“A core resource block grant in 2022/23 that is 8% higher than pre-pandemic might sound generous, but to deal with the pandemic’s legacy and underlying public services pressures it is anything but. In this context, Kate Forbes’ third budget may well be her most challenging.”

Democratic backsliding under Johnson

November 10, 2021 by Meg Russell and Alan Renwick Leave a Comment

“Cross-party calls for a culture of ‘kindness’ deserved to develop into a movement to rebuild civility and public trust. Amidst the Paterson controversy, such hopes looked very distant again – but perhaps the furore will in time spur recognition of the need for deeper cultural change.”

A Welsh rethink

September 16, 2021 by Anwen Elias and Matt Wall 1 Comment

A conversation about a future which has already been decided from the top won’t encourage people to talk. Genuine consensus must emerge from the bottom up.

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About Sceptical Scot

Welcome to Sceptical Scot, Scotland’s premier non-tribal forum for passionate, informed debate. Sceptical Scot is for all who care about Scotland’s future, regardless of how they vote: for party, independence or union, EU or Brexit. We aim to provide an arena that is both broader and deeper than current online/print offers with a rich diet of well-researched, polemical, thought-provoking writing. Read more » about About Sceptical Scot

What’s new on Sceptical Scot

  • Can Scotland enjoy a ‘velvet divorce’ from UK? January 11, 2023
  • Should Wales leave the UK? December 16, 2022
  • Swinney should use his fiscal powers to the full: Update December 12, 2022
  • The SNP’s new fundamentalism December 6, 2022
  • A voluntary union with no exit? November 25, 2022
  • Unhelpful clarifications on #indyref2 November 24, 2022
  • It’s time to talk to the neighbours November 21, 2022
  • A monetary straitjacket: Scottish Government economic plan for independence November 3, 2022
  • Can muscular unionism save the Union? November 3, 2022
  • The left must abandon high tax policies October 25, 2022

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