It’s times like these I’m so relieved I don’t follow Scottish football, because British politics gives me more than enough disappointment.It’s been an incredible election, hasn’t it? I’ve never been so devastated. What’s even more depressing is how the Labour vote had barely crumbled before party mandarins came flying in with their hot takes against whoever was to blame. … [Read more...] about The only lesson worth learning: FPTP must go
Social democracy
Limits of the nationalist left
The left remains in the doldrums across Europe.There is the odd spark of light, as in Portugal, and the occasional flicker of hope, with the temporary rebuff to Matteo Salvini in Italy or the electoral gains last time out for the PSOE in Spain. But overall the European left remains on the back foot.Moreover, it is confronted by an unprecedented challenge from … [Read more...] about Limits of the nationalist left
‘Children of the Devolution’: really?
It was twenty years ago today that the Scottish Parliament officially opened. Donald Dewar spoke eloquently, the Queen attended, and there was a small amount of pomp and circumstance in Edinburgh Old Town.Time for reflection and an assessment – cue Allan Little’s ‘Children of the Devolution’ shown on the new BBC Scotland channel, and subsequently BBC Scotland in early July. … [Read more...] about ‘Children of the Devolution’: really?
Disaster for UK – and Labour
Brexit is the anarchic force that threatens to destroy Labour altogether, wrecking everything constructive in its path.For several generations, Labour has been the 'broad church' party that holds together a range of progressive political forces in a coalition to defeat regressive political forces. But Brexit is an issue which cuts through that coalition.In Scotland the … [Read more...] about Disaster for UK – and Labour
Labour’s Brexit abyss
Brexit is/will be a catastrophe for Scotland and the UK as a whole.Europe has been an existential question for the 200-year-old Conservative Party for at least half a century and could still tear the world's oldest political party irrevocably apart. But it is increasingly likely that if Brexit goes ahead on March 29 it is the century-old Labour Party that will suffer an … [Read more...] about Labour’s Brexit abyss