“Labour’s fiscal caution and policy U-turns, not least with Starmer dumping his £28bn green investment plan, have left the door wide open for a strong, broadly social-democratic challenge from the SNP to Labour’s policies at the general election…so why is the SNP being so cautious and over-focusing on the Tories?”
Brexit
Gaza and the Westminster debacle
The debacle over the Gaza vote last week was shameful. But it also tells us a lot about the state of UK politics, the differences across the Tories, Labour and SNP, and the simplistic views of many London-based commentators both on foreign policy, on Gaza, and on the SNP. What it hasn’t done is help Gaza in any way or add to pressures for a ceasefire and for the UK government to change its position.
Shared links with Europe suit Scotland’s purpose
Forget David Cameron’s muscular unionism and Humza Yousaf’s sense of grievance: Scottish and UK foreign policy must go through Europe
What Poland’s new government will mean for Europe
“the very fact that Poland has shown that the drift towards right-wing populism, and the undermining of democratic institutions and the rule of law, can be stopped will be a great encouragement and morale-booster for those in other European countries facing similar threats…
The ‘markets’ ease the return to economic reality
“But there may be a silver lining here. This may be a wake-up call that populist policies need to pass the credibility test when it comes to foreign exchange and bond markets,” writes economist and university principal Anton Muscatelli on how the markets reined back an imploding UK government.
From poor house to empty hotel
“Most people in the sector I speak to agree – this system wasn’t broken before Brexit. Now it is. But who will answer the pleas of Highland hospitality business owners? They are desperate for the mitigation of seasonal visas. But the Scottish Government has no control over immigration, just as it had no say over Brexit itself.”
A new Germany?
Germany’s Social Democrats are emerging as the surprising potential winners in the general election of September 26 under Olaf Scholz. Is the EU’s most important member about to opt for seismic change?
Why are we waiting?
‘There is no win for Johnson in going for a hard Brexit. How he u-turns remains to be seen. But he is the artist of the political pirouette and has never been faithful to a policy, or belief other than his own advancement in three decades of political activism. The majority of Tory (and other MPs) plus public and press opinion would welcome a compromise deal..’
Brexit, independence and transitions
‘Across all its various dimensions, independence is about a whole range of transitions – economic, political, democratic, social and cultural. Considering how those transitions could and should be managed, and what their implications, timings and costs and benefits are, needs to become a more central part of the debate.’
We must do more than clap for our migrant carers
‘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?’