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Sceptical Scot

Asking Questions. Seeking Answers.

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Politics

Strategy for going everywhere and nowhere

March 5, 2022 by John McLaren 3 Comments

“The report, the launch, the minutes of the Advisory Council meetings – all point to a ‘just get it done and get it out’ approach. And as with previous, failed, economic strategies it will go through various hoops of progress reports and ‘accountability’ that are underplayed and soon forgotten. But without anyone taking real ownership, without a genuine attempt to identify and plan a way forward, little will change.”

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.’

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.”

An empty Promise

February 6, 2022 by Maggie Mellon 1 Comment

solarpic

Failure to deliver on the Promise was inevitable – families were outside the tent, no status quo was upturned, no institutional power challenged, no radical, practical plan emerged.  Just a Promise to do better.

From Big Oil to Big Wind

January 30, 2022 by Jackie Kemp 1 Comment

“Challenges lie ahead. But one major difference between Big Oil and Big Wind is that the latter has the potential to help rescue the planet from the climate emergency.”

Scotland must lead in confronting its imperial past

January 24, 2022 by Fraser Cameron 2 Comments

‘A speech by the First Minister acknowledging Scotland’s role would be useful; a fund to promote research on Scotland and the empire, including a virtual museum, would be even better….As Scotland struggles with new questions about identity, it is important to confront the reality of what happened in the empire.

A brief note on wind and hot air

January 20, 2022 by Magnus Jamieson Leave a Comment

“So while the first steps towards mass exploitation of the North Sea offshore wind power at industrial scale have been taken, the socioeconomic wrangling as to who will actually benefit from this mass infrastructure is likely only just beginning.”

Scottish devolution and the new democratic deficit

January 17, 2022 by George Thorley 4 Comments

The Mercat Cross in Edinburgh's Royal Mile, picture by the Mercat Group

After over 20 years existence, instead of extending the principle of devolution within Scotland, the Scottish Government has not only retained all the transfers from Westminster but also taken away functions from Local Government: writes George Thorley

A crisis made in the USA: why Russia will likely invade Ukraine

January 17, 2022 by Thomas Palley 3 Comments

“The current crisis is made in the USA, but the US can still defuse it by stepping back and agreeing to a demilitarized zone in Eastern Europe. However, that is unlikely to happen as it would contradict Neocon doctrine and go against the character and history of the country. President Biden would also be further politically damaged. In effect, he too has been boxed in by the Neocon operatives in the State Department, the Pentagon, and his own National Security Council.”

Time to shake up Scotland

January 8, 2022 by John McLaren 8 Comments

“…now would be a good time to shake things up even further. Who will make that happen? I expect little from the Government or the Parliament, it’ll be for others to push for change..”

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What’s new on Sceptical Scot

  • Sceptical Scot shuts up shop March 15, 2022
  • For future generations from our here and now March 9, 2022
  • A letter on Ukraine from Berlin Hbf March 6, 2022
  • Strategy for going everywhere and nowhere March 5, 2022
  • Postscript: Infants in care – out of sight out of mind? March 4, 2022
  • Why ejecting Russia from Swift is largely symbolic March 1, 2022
  • What are Scotland’s real choices? February 27, 2022
  • Keeping the Promise (and the faith) February 17, 2022
  • What have local councils ever done for us? February 13, 2022
  • One snort for hello? February 12, 2022

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