Politics
A day is a long time in EU politics
“His (van der Bellen’s) victory should certainly not be seen as an encouragement of those, in the UK and EU as a whole just as much as Austria, who hope that politics does not need…
This is not the end of America
Jackie Kemp takes advantage of her State-side perspective to examine why many Americans are prepared to give President-Elect Donald Trump a chance.
Trump: a silver lining for progressives?
“Trump’s triumph comes with a silver lining. It demonstrates that we are at a crossroads when change is inevitable, not just possible. But to ensure that it is not the type of change that humanity…
Indyref1 and Brexit: Lessons for America
“Or we can stand up and try, at least try to build a better world. Instead of looking for a man on a horse to save us or for walls to keep us apart, we…
Art 50 decision restores politics to Brexit
“Might there be an early general election? This looks very likely if MPs did succeed in passing a vote that either rejected Theresa May’s Brexit negotiating goals or if they passed a vote for a…
Sturgeon’s lonely decision on #indyref2
“Nicola Sturgeon’s decision on the timing of the independence referendum is likely to be the most important of her leadership. If she gets it right her place in Scottish history is assured but if she…
Toxic referendums and territorial constitutions
“People often talk about federalism as if it were a solution for the UK. In truth the UK is already moving beyond it, to a more confederal solution. But a confederation needs policies and institutions…
Davidson: all spin and theatricals?
The greatest danger facing the Scottish Tories may prove to be unrealistic expectations. The party is far from secure in its position as Scotland’s second party and has a long way to go before it…
Still time for MPs to overturn Brexit
“Had the referendum been a court case, there would surely be a re-trial scheduled already.” The public was singularly ill-informed when it went to the poills in the June 23 EU referendum. Time for MPOs…
Do SNP depute leaders matter? Nicola and John run the show
One American Vice President crudely described the office (of VEEP) as ‘not worth a bucket of warm piss’. Is the SNP depute leadership any better? Up to the winner – most likely Angus Robertson…
A brief lesson in home rule with Mr Brown
“What I did say, and had you been listening you’d have written it down as such, was that Scotland achieved effective home rule in 2020.” A frivolous musing on Gordon Brown, The Vow and Home…
A toothless Holyrood gains a molar
“The implicit argument that the Scottish Parliament would be just as crap in an independent Scotland as it is now and almost no-one cares is poor. Or, to put it in terms of the standard…