Beyond Tribal Politics
Independent journalism and commentary on politics, society, culture, climate and Scotland’s future.
How to fix the Scottish cultural funding crisis?
“Budgets across the creative industries have been decimated by the state of the economy. Micro businesses and creative industries freelancers have borne…
Let’s reverse the decline in Scottish journalism
“This not just about how we understand foreign affairs and how we tackle misinformation, but about basic democracy functioning in Scotland. Hopefully MSPs…
Eurosclerosis makes an unwelcome return
“Mario Draghi, former central banker turned technocratic premier, is warning the EU of a “slow agony” if it fails to invest in…
EU climate challenges – and politics
“European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has unveiled her new team for the next five years. But are the climate and…
Ten years on: the story behind a front-page pic
“The British government – whether Conservative or Labour – has decided to veto another independence referendum for Scotland. I think in the…
Ten years after: the enduring case for indy in Europe
“The EU and independence debate have been inevitably intertwined in the last ten years since the independence referendum. The case for independence…
How to garden in a changing climate?
How do we meet the needs of birds, bees and butterflies when storms blow the blossom off our wild fruit trees and…
The SNP must get serious on tax
“So where do things go from here? Blaming Westminster, finger-pointing at Labour and shouting “wiznae us!” will not suffice. Not now, and…
Budgets, ideas and lethargy in the Scottish Government
“Questions like – are free tuition fees a better use of money than directing it towards reducing child poverty? – remain unaddressed.…
An alarming Alternative for Germany
“There is renewed talk, too, of “Ossifikation” or reasserting a specific east German identity rather than adopting a pan-German One after 34…
The AfD can win on an extremist platform
“It’s also significant that the AfD gained considerable support among voters under 30, reflecting a wider trend in Europe for younger people,…
Saving Loch Torridon
“It should be up to the government, acting on behalf of all of us, to protect the maerl beds of Loch Torridon.…