Politics
Scotland can lead debate on UK’s post-EU future
The UK has voted to leave the UK, a decision unlikely to be reversed any time soon. Nicola Sturgeon, however, wants to keep Scotland in that union at least; her position is clear but her…
Brexit: how the other half lives
The Leave campaign was an exercise in mendacity. But, as the post-EUref fall-out continues to unravel the UK, it’s important too to understand why millions of people, mainly poor, who feel disenfranchised voted for it.
Brexit makes independence inevitable…
Post-EUref and the vote fo0r Brexit the case for a No vote in a second Scottish referendum has, ironically, got stronger but it’s more than likely that Scots will now vote Yes. Here’s why!
Holyrood can’t veto Brexit
There is a strong sense in Scotland that the EU referendum result can be challenged here if Holyrood refuses to give its consent to repealing laws binding the country and UK to Europe. But that…
The Lady in Red
Scotland has spoken. We don’t want to leave the EU and why should we? Go on yersel, England, into your cod Shakespearean tragedy. I’m with Nicola.
Brexit puts Scottish indy back in play
#Brexit changes everything. No voters from 2014 are switching to Yes. Independence is back on the cards. Or is it? Is the First Minister’s caution right and proper? Quebec 1995 looms over Holyrood as much…
Toxic Tories kept in the attic
Ruth Davidson and her 30 MSPs are smiling. But the Tories are not yet secure as the main opposition party. Having fought off the LibDems for third place in the early years of devolution, they…
Forget identity politics but #Indyref2 is coming
The “Ulsterisation” of Scottish politics is overblown. Identity politics may matter but leadership and competence matter a lot more. That’s why the SNP and Tories are Holyrood’s big beasts – and Labour lost its way…
Why did farmers swing back to the Tories?
Six out of eight of the SNP’s losses at the May 5 Holyrood election came from Scotland’s rural regions. Stuart MacLennan digs into fertile ground and explains why Scotland’s farming communities sought to – and…
Scientists at the top – but not on tap
Five Scottish-based scientists have just been elected Fellow of the Royal Society. But, in Scotland, the Scottish Government appears to have downgraded the post of chief scientific officer – vacant for almost 18 months. In…
Holyrood 2016: class and constitutional politics
The 2016 Scottish election was meant to be a foregone conclusion. Nicola Sturgeon’s SNP was expected to achieve another majority in a repeat of 2011, but it hasn’t happened.
Five more years: dull it won’t be
Lots of commentators – we too – have dismissed the next term in the Scottish Parliament as heralding at best managerial competence, at worst policy timorousness. But there’s plenty to look forward to: not least…