Politics
Is Scotland ready for a closer EU relationship?#BrusselsPostcard
Ten years on from the Brexit decision, do we actually know the EU we might now be open to having closer relations with? Sarah English poses pertinent questions in her first postcard from Brussels
Is the SNP ready to govern?
After almost two decades in power, says James Mitchell, the SNP has still to complete the ‘painful transition’ from party of protest to a professional party of government.
Unleashing Scotland’s creativity: a realistic reform for productive place-based democracy
Keith Yates offers Scottish Government the building blocks of realistic reform, achievable within the life of this Scottish parliament
Scottish council reorganisation? ‘Get it right next time’
Scottish Government ‘reform’ plans won’t work, says Keith Yates, so try again, get it right next time.
When you’re in a fiscal hole – stop digging
Taking the easy way out is the rapid route to oblivion, says John McLaren, except perhaps in Scotland?
How to devolve powers in Scotland? Put principles first
If the Scottish Parliament is serious about local government reform then devolution must mean devolution beyond Holyrood.
Reform in haste, repent at leisure
Scottish Government rushed ‘reforms’ will weaken local democracy, accountability and delivery, warns George Thorley
Can Scottish government learn from English successes?
‘Not everything needs to have a Saltire added to it’ is a refreshing and healthy message.
When IndyRef2 is a question of law
A constitutional right that depends upon the changing language of individual prime ministers is not a dependable constitutional right, writes David McWilliam
Elected mayors in Scotland – benefit or distraction?
Andy Burnham’s commitment to devolve powers based on “a new set of principles and rules for running the British state” promises more transfer of public services to local democratically accountable bodies. In Scotland the reverse…
Farage versus Binface: what that tells us about Britain’s mood
“when voters are shouting at you, it’s bad. When they’re laughing at you, it’s over”. Count Binface received 9,455 votes – one in four of those cast. Farage refused to attend the declaration after his…
A new government of bold reform. Or more psychodrama?
“He has an ambitious agenda and vastly more tools of government but he will need support from across the UK” James Mitchell