Politics
Five damaging side-effects of EVEL
The SNP has flexed its Westminster muscles over fox-hunting in protest at plans to bring in EVEL. The UK government had already retreated on its draft bill but there are other more far-reaching consequences from…
SNP fury over Lords scrutiny of Scotland Bill is synthetic
The SNP’s “fury” about House of Lords scrutiny of the Scotland Bill ignores the role peers play in defending liberties – and sits uneasily with its own centralising modus operandi.
EVEL: final answer to the West Lothian question?
EVEL is designed to bring Westminster up to speed with shifts in the national mood of the English but may set off a new Anglo-Scottish conflict
What kind of Europe for Scotland and Sturgeon?
Nicola Sturgeon has rightly spoken out against the crushing effect of yet more austerity on Greece and its people but she and the SNP have yet to spell out a clear vision of what EU…
Charles Kennedy: a principled politician
Charles Kennedy was a conviction politician. Affability and an ability to bring commonsense warmth into the nation’s living rooms won him affection, but no one who studied his career from 23-year-old MP to sceptical (but…
Scottish Labour: Utopia… or bust?
Justin Reynolds argues Scottish Labour needs to steer a course between soaring idealism and sober pragmatism to confront the spirit of utopianism set free by last year’s referendum.
The Bavarian Christian Social Union: a model for Scottish Labour?
In light of discussion whether it’s time for Scottish Labour to sever formal links with the wider UK Labour Party David Gow considers whether the Bavarian Christian Social Union offers a possible model.
English nationalism: misreading the runes
Why Labour is wrong to blame English and Scottish nationalism for its defeat when it failed to grasp the importance of various questions of identity and democracy – and the Tories read the English mood…
Why Plaid failed to mirror the SNP triumph
Leanne Wood, Plaid Cymru leader, had a “good election” and is now “the Voice of Wales” but her party still managed only fourth place and three seats – unlike Nicola Sturgeon’s and the SNP’s victory.…
Human rights and ethical exceptionalism
Nicola Sturgeon has positioned the Scottish Government as the stoutest defender of the Human Rights Act. But the SNP’s position is not as clear-cut as that, argues penal reformer Lucy Hunter Blackburn.
Cameron should ask Salmond to join UK Brussels team
David Cameron could save two Unions if he were to include the SNP’s Alex Salmond in his Brussels (re)negotiating team alongside George Osborne, an ex-Bank of England senior official argues.
Scottish politics and the English language
A few years ago, the word Scotland meant more or less the same for most Scots. Today two Scots might use the same word but have two entirely different things in mind. An opinion piece…