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Sceptical Scot

Asking Questions. Seeking Answers.

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Scottish Government

Strategy for going everywhere and nowhere

March 5, 2022 by John McLaren 3 Comments

“The report, the launch, the minutes of the Advisory Council meetings – all point to a ‘just get it done and get it out’ approach. And as with previous, failed, economic strategies it will go through various hoops of progress reports and ‘accountability’ that are underplayed and soon forgotten. But without anyone taking real ownership, without a genuine attempt to identify and plan a way forward, little will change.”

What are Scotland’s real choices?

February 27, 2022 by Andrew Cumbers Sheila Dow and Robert McMaster Leave a Comment

‘Clearly the political and institutional landscape has changed dramatically since 2014. One inescapable fact about any future debate on the economic case for Scottish independence is that the terrain – by which we mean the political, economic, social and cultural context – has shifted significantly.’

What have local councils ever done for us?

February 13, 2022 by George Thorley 3 Comments

“A start to redressing this imbalance would be for the UK Government and the devolved governments to sign the European Charter of Local Self Government – then we could at last begin to have serious conversations, based on a joint understanding of and respect for each other’s roles, on how we are to successfully tackle the substantial and increasingly complex issues of the future.”

From Big Oil to Big Wind

January 30, 2022 by Jackie Kemp 1 Comment

“Challenges lie ahead. But one major difference between Big Oil and Big Wind is that the latter has the potential to help rescue the planet from the climate emergency.”

Scotland must lead in confronting its imperial past

January 24, 2022 by Fraser Cameron 2 Comments

‘A speech by the First Minister acknowledging Scotland’s role would be useful; a fund to promote research on Scotland and the empire, including a virtual museum, would be even better….As Scotland struggles with new questions about identity, it is important to confront the reality of what happened in the empire.

Time for the SNP to get serious

December 11, 2021 by James Mitchell 9 Comments

“The issues are whether and how an independent Scotland would make the transition, at what cost, paid for by whom, over how long and, crucially, what policies would be needed to get to a position where people are at least no worse off.  These are not insurmountable but they are challenging.  But the SNP, as the main advocates of independence, does not appear up to the challenge.”

Scotland’s Left must move beyond slogans

November 22, 2021 by Gordon Munro 2 Comments

Substantial powers are held by Holyrood that could be used to build a strategy that would deliver on the promise made of Scotland becoming the “Saudi Arabia” of renewables. The opportunity and moment may soon be lost if not taken now.

Scotland’s road to net zero: how far, so far?

November 1, 2021 by Adam McGeoch 1 Comment

A drift of sea pinks or 'Thrift' image Jacki-Dee CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Scotland has ambitious targets to reach net zero by 2045 and, so far, we are falling behind in the cuts to emissions needed to reach these targets…More needs to be done to improve our green and blue spaces, and protect the species that depend on these habitats.

National Care Service: adequately funded?

September 18, 2021 by Emma Congreve 1 Comment

“We hope that a clear, transparent, assessment of financial requirements, that meets with consensus from those who know, work for and draw on these services, emerges. An underfunded National Care Service is unlikely to do any better than the system that it seeks to replace.”

SNP-Scottish Greens deal: key takeaways

September 1, 2021 by Lynn Bennie Leave a Comment

‘The risks are higher for the Greens than they are for the SNP. Voters are likely to see any failure of government as Green failure too. And with only two ministers, their ability to effect meaningful change is limited. They may find themselves carrying the can for any mistakes without ever having been in a position to take a different path.’

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  • What are Scotland’s real choices? February 27, 2022
  • Keeping the Promise (and the faith) February 17, 2022
  • What have local councils ever done for us? February 13, 2022
  • One snort for hello? February 12, 2022

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