Beyond Tribal Politics
Independent journalism and commentary on politics, society, culture, climate and Scotland’s future.
GERS and what it tells us about the de-prioritisation of health spending in Scotland
“At face value, this does seem like another area where the Scottish Government is not being adequately held to account for its…
Independence, GERS and how not to have a debate
“If the fiscal shortfall were only a few billion then fair enough, it’s not that important and we can deal with it…
GERS 25: making Scotland pay for Starmer’s wars
The latest Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland report, GERS, came out this week. Within it lies a fiscal trap that will hit…
Make it happen: Fred the Shred goes head to head with Adam Smith
Two Scottish financial journalists go to the Festival Theatre to review James Graham’s Make it happen and emerge three hours later deeply…
Labour and ending poverty
“When governments are remembered after they lose office, their achievements are unforgivingly distilled into a few pithy bullet points. Does Keir Starmer…
Reclaim the Enlightenment
“History is never a sure guide to the future but one thing that we can be certain of is that empires rise…
Forget Trump: ‘Everybody loves the sunshine’
A wee tribute to American musician Roy Ayers who blows the dark Trumpian clouds away with one song…
Give the next heatwave a name?
One hot summer day might be a treat in Scotland but prolonged heat is a different story. “To prevent extreme heat events…
Starmer Y1: what now for Scotland and a fractured union?
“Labour’s hopes, when it won the general election, to be in government in England, Wales and Scotland by 2026 currently look off…
Why Israel won’t stick to any ceasefire in Gaza/Iran brokered by Trump
“..a core issue for Netanyahu is that his three war aims simply have not been achieved; the theocratic Iranian regime has not…
