Since the SNP’s rout at the general election, some are calling for the baton to be passed to a broad civic movement. It seems a good moment to look back at a time when that did happen. The Scottish, or National Covenant, is 75 years old this year. Essentially, a petition demanding a Scottish Parliament, it was signed by two million people, significantly more than half the adult … [Read more...] about The Scottish Covenant at 75 should be revived
Scottish independence
Humza Yousaf’s cakeism on indy
Boris Johnson has gone but cakeism is alive and well as was all too obvious in the Caird Hall, Dundee. Humza Yousaf’s speech at the SNP rally was an artless effort to have his cake and eat it. He needed to satisfy impatient activists hungry for evidence of a clear strategy to win independence while showing that any such strategy was rooted in a process that would be … [Read more...] about Humza Yousaf’s cakeism on indy
It’s time to talk to the neighbours
The challenge of our time is not so much that exploration of constitutional futures is not being had, but that it is progressed separately within each nation rather than collectively as neighbours. What about the neighbours? We're a fractious lot, the four nations of the United Kingdom. We're all facing the same daunting outlook yet progressive thinking is … [Read more...] about It’s time to talk to the neighbours
Can Johnson stop #indyref2?
With the May 2021 Scottish Parliament elections approaching, and the recent attention on the continuing political conflict between First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her predecessor Alex Salmond, eyes are very much on Scotland and the prospect of a second independence referendum (‘Indyref2’). Boris Johnson has said he would refuse a referendum, but is this possible, and what … [Read more...] about Can Johnson stop #indyref2?
Changing attitudes to #indyref2
Policies matter in politics and parties need to get them right. But equally important are issues beyond their control, whether occurring by accident or design. Scotland’s no different and on independence there have certainly been significant events which might make all the difference. For this Tory administration's actions are unprecedented in modern times. Many who had doubts … [Read more...] about Changing attitudes to #indyref2