‘And wouldn’t it be a really effective way for the government to show its gratitude to migrant health workers to do more than just ‘clap for the NHS’ but to waive that immigration health surcharge at least for those migrant workers who are playing such a vital role in the NHS and other public services, risking their lives, at this time of crisis?’
Brexit
An insecure Germany
‘Since the referendum and the subsequent Brexit takeover of the party, they (Conservatives) have moved further into the shadows. What are their values? Where are they headed? What are the implications for all of our futures?’
Your country needs EU – a journey led by poets
Morning. Mourning? Brexit done? ‘It’s more like getting breakfast done, it starts again the very next day.’ We take a Sceptical journey led by poets.
EU academics: no thanks
‘The procedures are daunting and of Kafkaesque complexity – one form runs to 85 pages and requires examples of proof that make acquiring Catholic sainthood look simple.’
Would you hand proroguing power to Labour’s hard left?
The recent procedural manoeuvres against Tom Watson should cause those who applauded the abnormal proroguing of parliament to pause for thought, argues: Rob Sharp
Scottish Parliament at 20
‘The Parliament has been curiously conservative with little appetite across the political parties for bold reform, especially in addressing many of the wicked problems that continue to scar Scotland.’
UK finally disunited?
‘Where Scottish politics and independence goes in the face of no Brexit is one more open question. Independence, after all, would be much more straightforward to manage if the UK remains in the EU.’
What now for Holyrood?
‘…whereas a Scottish Parliament within the UK can and has responded to Scottish priorities by forging its own path in many policy areas, from tuition fees to public health to land reform, there is little it can do to resist Brexit.’
Can Scottish Citizens’ Assembly break the constitutional deadlock?
A Scottish Citizens Assembly could breathe fresh air into the political debate. But it poses risks for all the parties, argues Michael Keating.
Scots pound has a past… but a future?
An independent Scotland could find a new dynamism which would improve its economic performance. But not overnight. A new currency would almost certainly start at a discount to sterling.