When Kathleen Jamie was appointed Scotland’s Makar by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at a special ceremony at the Scottish Poetry Library in August, Jamie read from her poem The Wishing Tree, which begins: I stand neither in the wilderness nor fairyland but in the fold of a green hill the tilt from one parish into another. The Makar’s appointment process involved a … [Read more...] about Kathleen Jamie: the poetry of natural resistance
COP26
Scotland’s Left must move beyond slogans
“ARISE ye starvelings from your slumbers,Arise ye criminals of want,For Reason in revolt now thundersAnd at last ends the age of cant.”– The Internationale The problem is that Scotland is still in its slumbers. The diminution of debate to the primal level of Yes v No has a debilitating effect, but suits the protagonists on either side as it does not raise questions of power — … [Read more...] about Scotland’s Left must move beyond slogans
Climate change and farming
The 2021 United Nations (UN) 26th Climate Change Conference (COP26) is scheduled to take place in Glasgow between 31 October – 12 November 2021. The Fraser of Allander Institute will be discussing key economic issues surrounding climate change and climate change policies. It will also be highlighting a range of research related to COP26, from academic papers to pieces of … [Read more...] about Climate change and farming
A very Scottish foreign policy
If Scotland were to go independent in the next few years what kind of foreign policy might it pursue and how might it best establish a new diplomatic service? Given the rapidity of change in global affairs (the rise of China, a more assertive Russia, the impact of Trump, the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change,migration...), flexibility should be a key principle. Larger countries … [Read more...] about A very Scottish foreign policy
COP26: Scotland’s green innovation showcase
Every year since 1994, the UN has gathered together the world’s governments at its Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference of the parties (COP), held in a different country each time. The convention’s ultimate aim is to prevent “dangerous” human interference with the climate system. The onus is on developed countries to lead the way and the convention directs … [Read more...] about COP26: Scotland’s green innovation showcase