Politics
Fear and anger: rational responses to extinction
Children, angry and scared about climate change, might be more rational than adults criticising them: Quan Nguyen, a member of Extinction Rebellion Scotland, makes the case for emotional engagement.
BBC Scotland: is it any good?
Such people (pro-indy supporters) are deeply unsympathetic to the new channel. For many others however, it is a worthwhile development, if only stage one of what may be a long but necessary journey.
‘Turbo-charged austerity’ devolved from centre to local councils
‘The Labour councillor’s passion resonates all the more because it is non party political. Voting for cuts to vital services, which will hurt those who most need them, ‘should give none of us any joy…
Brexit masks a multitude of national identities
Brexit is not necessarily best viewed as an English project. Daniel Wincott says it’s time for politicians and commentators to face up to complex multi-national realities of the UK.
Sex, gender and due diligence in public policy
‘If national and local government and umbrella bodies do not feel that is their role, then they should not be recommending or providing support for particular practical advice to those on the front line, and…
Popular sovereignty and written constitution
‘Perhaps, therefore, Brexit might prove a constitutional moment for the UK, leading to the creation and adoption of a codified constitution so aligning Britain with almost every other democracy.’
So sorry, England
‘Even if Scotland cannot now save the UK from Brexit, it could still enable the UK Government to proceed with its existing EU deal but at a price.’
Sex and gender identity in the 2021 Census
“Given where we are, we think the most appropriate and pragmatic response would be to recognise that both sex and gender or lived identity may be relevant to people‘s lived experiences.”
Labour’s new narrative on Europe
The Labour leadership should not delay in setting out a full and convincing narrative for the future relationship with the EU …This new narrative should set out clearly the reforms required both in the EU…
Labour’s Brexit trilemma: the least bad outcome?
‘with the political calculus in parliament balanced on a knife-edge, the decisions taken by the Labour Party leadership over the coming weeks could have huge repercussions for the party, and for the country.’ Pt 1…
Why politicians need to take a bus ride to reality
In his short story, The Nummer 14 Bus, James Robertson evokes the daily struggle played out on a bus ride through Scotland’s affluent capital. It could be a bus ride in any UK city.
The Withdrawal Agreement and devolution
‘The continued lack of shared understanding about the status and role of the devolved governments does not bode well for the ongoing efforts to reform the UK’s system of territorial governance in preparation for life…