Beyond Tribal Politics
Independent journalism and commentary on politics, society, culture, climate and Scotland’s future.
A failure of leadership over Glasgow’s “Mack”
“A full restoration of the Mack can and must be done – and within years not decades. It will take political will.…
Still spinning plates: the 2025 Scottish Budget
“There aren’t even any mathematical reasons (if anything, Council Tax reform and a land tax would have made it easier to win…
Balgy Gap and the missing loop in the grid
The privatisation of Scotland’s power has proved a failure, argues Jackie Kemp, citing the 60-year failure to provide power to a part…
Snobbery at Edinburgh Uni: what a surprise!
“Scottish students at Scottish universities pay no tuition fees! It’s great! The Scottish Government pays them! Except of course, the Scottish Government…
A new way to govern Scotland: co-opposition
Labour and Plaid Cymru ran Wales pretty successfully for three years (2021-24) without a formal coalition. Could Swinney and Sarwar take a…
How the Scottish Government’s net fiscal position has evolved
Ahead of Shona Robison’s December 4 Scottish Budget @Strath_FAI lays bare the fiscal numbers she’s grappling with – and urges greater transparency
Being a woman writer/leader in Scotland – the imposter syndrome
“No matter the topic, in Scotland all roads lead back to the constitution and Scotland’s relationship with England. Of course, politics matters…
Welcome to a dark future under Trump 2.0
Donald Trump said in his White House meeting with Joe Biden “it’s a nice world today” but the incoming 47th US President…
The EU and UK under Trump 2.0
A week after Trump’s election victory, the EU – and wider Europe including the UK – look weak and uncertain. Muddling through…
‘Give them hope’ – four (or more) poems for the budget
Democracy shudders and trembles in the ‘red dawn’ but we can defy despair. Here’s four poems (and one more) offering a way…
Seven steps to save Scotland’s creative economy
How to stop Scotland lagging behind? Dougal Perman proposes a carefully targeted plan to invest that long-promised £100m for the creative industries.…
Strangled by the purse strings
Unless, of course, the point is to keep that firm grip on the purse strings to actively prevent too much Local Authority…