‘So you can mount a pretty good argument that the history of football in England would have been very different without the contribution made by Scots – and the English Premier League (EPL) is but the latest stage in that history.’
Scotland
After Brexit: Scotland’s struggle to compete for migrant workers
‘Whatever programme is adopted after Brexit, the UK as a whole and Scotland will have to compete with other countries for migrant workers. For EU citizens, other countries within the EU where free movement still exists will become more attractive.’
Labour, SNP, ‘People’s Vote’ and a Brexit Deal
‘Fudging both the timing of an independence referendum and the SNP’s position on a ‘people’s vote’ looks like getting more difficult as Brexit D-day draws nearer this autumn.’
How The Beano survived war and web to reach 80
‘During World War II, The Dandy and The Beano became important propaganda tools in the fight against Nazism and Fascism. Adolf Hitler, Hermann Göering, and Benito Mussolini were lampooned in each comic, and copies of The Beano were sent to soldiers serving overseas to boost morale.’
London-Scotland progressive axis
‘Over half (51%) of Londoners and 48% of Scots are more engaged in politics than people in the regions and Wales (35-48%)…Scotland’s current high level marks a 26% jump from 2011.’
Oscar Marzaroli: Scottish snapper
‘This must surely be one of the most extraordinary collections of photos of 20th century Scotland, and Glasgow in particular.’
Devo, federalism and the UK constitution
‘The UK could, therefore, be in the process of a fundamental constitutional reconfiguration that partially reverses devolutionary patterns of development of the preceding two decades. This project is taking place in a fashion that is not wholly consensual, and involves the UK government deploying, or at least threatening to deploy, parliamentary sovereignty for purposes of legal coercion.’
Brexit and devo: a quick primer
‘Furthermore, while Nicola Sturgeon, naturally, has to go along with today’s tomfoolery, it is difficult to imagine a politician who has spent 30 years helping to mould the SNP into a credible party of government approving a stunt that is more befitting of a student union meeting.’
Is small always beautiful?
‘There is both and economic and a social case for expanded health care. As the Commission notes, inequalities of wealth and income are massive. Independent or not, Scotland will have to have a serious debate about taxation.’
Independence: growth, austerity, social justice or sheer magic?
“Pro-independence commentators on the Left are angry that (the recent Sustainable Growth Commission report) appears to reduce an “independent” Scotland to a “vassal state” (h/t JRM) of the Bank of England, Westminster/Whitehall and Brussels.” Some comments from the right as well as the left on the Big Debate…