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Sceptical Scot

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Longer reads

Scotland’s centres of power need reform: Part 2 (Holyrood)

May 15, 2023 by James Mitchell 2 Comments

James Mitchell’s survey of Scotland and its centres of power ends with reflections on the glaring need for reforming Holyrood after two decades of devolution. “The Scottish Parliament is not a delicate flower that needs protection but a robust institution that required robust critiques, especially from those who support it.”

Rewilding the Highlands: Glen Affric and Dundreggan point the way

May 13, 2023 by Kirsty Hughes Leave a Comment

Kirsty Hughes illustrates in text and images the challenges and hopes associated with rewilding the Highlands: “The rewilding journey is a long and vital one. With places like Dundreggan and Glen Affric showing the way, it can – and must – be a successful one.”

Are Europe’s independence movements dead?

March 5, 2023 by Ben Wray 2 Comments

“With neo-autonomism becoming increasingly exhausted, the most likely trajectory is that the ERC and the SNP drift towards becoming parties that are more or less satisfied with seeking to accrue more devolved powers within the hegemonic state. Nationalism without independence.”

A monetary straitjacket: Scottish Government economic plan for independence

November 3, 2022 by Ben Wray Leave a Comment

“A Scottish currency is no guarantee that independence would see the country’s deeply embedded economic problems tackled. A monetarily sovereign independent government would still be perfectly capable of chronic mismanagement. But to have an independent country with a fighting chance of making even partial economic and social progress, monetary sovereignty is a pre-requisite. Another Scotland is still possible.”

The left must abandon high tax policies

October 25, 2022 by Guy Standing Leave a Comment

“The left should opt for an eco-fiscal policy, designed to dismantle rentier capitalism. It should accept that high progressive income tax is out of date. It should make clear that income and consumption taxes are mainly for public services and infrastructure, including transport, defence, housing, schools and other social needs. Beyond that, the aim should be to restructure fiscal policy as a means of common justice.”

Going for growth – or broke?

September 26, 2022 by Fraser of Allander Institute Leave a Comment

The new UK Chancellor has set out his radical fiscal plans – and prompted a sterling crisis. The situation is so grave, not least for Scotland, it merits a return from us in the interests of a wider public policy debate. Here we republish commentary from the FAI – and expect to run further contributions this autumn.

What are Scotland’s real choices?

February 27, 2022 by Andrew Cumbers Sheila Dow and Robert McMaster Leave a Comment

‘Clearly the political and institutional landscape has changed dramatically since 2014. One inescapable fact about any future debate on the economic case for Scottish independence is that the terrain – by which we mean the political, economic, social and cultural context – has shifted significantly.’

An unsustainable paradox

June 13, 2021 by Ciaran Martin 1 Comment

‘So, whilst the rhetoric may have softened, the constitutional paradox remains. Scotland can leave if it has a lawful vote to do so, but there is no way of having a lawful vote. For now, anyway. And there is no plan to have a plan.’

Letter to indy Scotland’s first finance minister

April 11, 2021 by David Bell 2 Comments

“And even though, with Scotland as an independent country, your policy options would be much greater, you have to be constantly aware of the trade-offs involved and the limitations on your power to influence the choices made by workers and by companies. You can at least take comfort from the fact that less prosperous nations with less well-developed institutions than Scotland manage these issues without the roof falling in.”

Is the BBC helping British democracy?

December 6, 2020 by Tony O'Donnell 5 Comments

The BBC was once among the UK’s most respected institutions but no more – and it faces fresh competition from new upstarts like Andrew Neil’s GB News and Murdoch’s UK News. Break-up or renewal ahead?

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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

  • Sunshine on Rachel House June 4, 2023
  • Glasgow’s LEZ kills off Sylvia June 3, 2023
  • A fresh start: time to make devo really work May 28, 2023
  • UK-wide constitutional reform is an unavoidable must May 25, 2023
  • Scotland’s centres of power need reform: Part 2 (Holyrood) May 15, 2023
  • Scotland’s centres of power need reform: Part 1 (Westminster) May 14, 2023
  • Rewilding the Highlands: Glen Affric and Dundreggan point the way May 13, 2023
  • Plotting Scotland’s unsettled future May 11, 2023
  • Forget the tough talk and flag waving, Labour May 11, 2023
  • Will Scotland switch to Labour in a big way? May 9, 2023

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