"Since 1999 of the roughly 4 million people registered to vote, those actually voting averaged out at around 2.2million. That’s a difference of 1.8 million – meet the Absent Voters." George Thorley makes the case for an active, participating democracy (on behalf of of The Mercat Group* of former Council CEOs/Parliamentary Returning Officers)* Register to vote by 20 April. … [Read more...] about And the winner is…The Absent Voters Party
Politics
What’s ‘good for Scotland’ in 2026 election?
Why is John Swinney talking about a second referendum? Professor James Mitchell takes a long view of the incumbent party's election campaign.The Scottish Sun’s Chris Musson suggested that this election could see a ‘loveless landslide’ for the SNP. This lovelessness might have been explained by the mounting challenges that will face the incoming Scottish Government except … [Read more...] about What’s ‘good for Scotland’ in 2026 election?
Public pay settlements: a crisis waiting for the next Scottish government
The Scottish government has long practised the exercise of kicking problematic cans down the road. Perhaps wider world crises will keep eyes off Scotland's immediate pay problems but in yet another hard hitting assessment, Fraser of Allander's deputy director Dr João Sousa predicts "...whoever is in power after May will have to seriously grapple with implausible settlements in … [Read more...] about Public pay settlements: a crisis waiting for the next Scottish government
Beyond the Binary: how progressives risk aping the radical right in Scotland
'The long-held belief that Scottish politics is relatively immune to these forces now looks dangerously complacent, especially in the context of Reform UK's strong polling ahead of the Holyrood elections.' Charlie Ellis explores how the populist right exploits local grievances, and warns that some progressive voices risk adopting the same binary logic. The Complacency … [Read more...] about Beyond the Binary: how progressives risk aping the radical right in Scotland
How will next SNP government tackle fiscal mess left by this one? #ScottishBudget
Eradicating child poverty? Growing the economy? Tackling climate crisis? Ensuring quality public services? Reviewing the Scottish Budget and Spending Review 2026, John McLaren finds a weary government’s major ‘achievement’ has been to hide the cuts coming down the line – after the election. The whole Budget debacle showed a government truly out of ideas and one that has … [Read more...] about How will next SNP government tackle fiscal mess left by this one? #ScottishBudget