Politics
Economic justice requires a democratic revolution
‘If a future UK – or its consciously uncoupled constituent countries – is to transform itself into a democracy, then it’s imperative that the rules of that state are written not by the politicians of…
Conclusion? RBS Shredded Part Four
If the right moves are made, RBS could become a great bank again. If not, Ian Fraser doubts the bank will exist in ten years’ time. An ethical revolution is required
Scottish grassroots resistance gives reasons to be cheerful
Carol Craig finds reasons for hope in an upsurge of Scottish grassroots activism and cross-party collaboration. It offers a chance of rebuilding local democracy – as long as it remains free to challenge central government.
The Guilty Men: RBS Shredded Part Three
As RBS crashed there was only one man in the driving seat – but his fellow passengers could have helped to steer a safer course. Edited and abridged extracts from Ian Fraser’s best selling Shredded…
Time to get real – or press the panic button?
‘… it’s time to stop feebly blaming an unacceptable status quo for Scotland’s poor economic and social progress. And, instead of excusing that under-performance via the stock promise that independence will remedy current woes, the…
Will Brexit destroy the UK?
‘There is a saying among global trade negotiators that the world is divided between cannibals and lunch. The UK may be finding painfully that leaving the protection of the cannibals has condemned it to become lunch.…
How RBS was shredded: Part One
‘We don’t care if customers are made to suffer, as long as we save our skins,’ continuing our tenth anniversary series, Ian Fraser translates ‘banker-speak’ as Royal Bank of Scotland desperately struggled to survive a…
Taking Stock: Scotland and Brexit
‘…the devolution settlement is in flux and it will remain to be seen whether Westminster will firmly establish itself in the driving seat or whether Scotland and the other devolved nations will gain true additional…
How Lloyds swallowed HBOS hook, line and sinker
‘I think the deal stinks’ said one Lloyds shareholder. ‘A lot of people will lose their jobs’, said the former Bank of Scotland CEO. No-one foresaw the full and lasting cost of Lloyds rushed takeover…
Life savings lost in HBOS crash – Apocalypse Now: Part 2
Who has paid the cost in the HBOS crash? Inside HBOS, staff earning £15,000 -£18,000, who were also shareholders, were watching their savings evaporate. Ray Perman continues the story of a banking disaster unresolved to…
Corbyn, antisemitism and nothingness
‘From bursting onto the political stage and leading the Labour party to a glorious defeat in 2017, Jeremy Corbyn seems to have spent 2018 as the “Where’s Wally?” of Westminster. The general sense of absence…
Sturgeon’s strategic passivity
‘Certainly, the tawdry displays of English chauvinism, the ugly racist sentiments behind it, the Dad’s Army nostalgia for empire, quite apart from the liars and cheats that delivered Leave, are reason enough to stay in…