There are strong hints from the events that we’ve just witnessed, that those among us who are loose lipped about Unilateral Declaration of Independence, and rigged referendums should sit back and consider democracy for a bit, or if not, have a look at the ultimate might of the state. For the Yes movement, the conclusion […]
Left Politics
Starmer’s Austerity Brexit
The new Labourite spin is that their own spectacular failure to oppose the inevitable Tory Hard Brexit deal is that the SNP is supporting a ‘no deal Brexit’. This is an absurdity that ought not to require comment, but given the witting and unwitting stupidity that abounds, here’s what’s really happening: Labour are now supporting […]
Reinstate Richie Venton
I just woke up this morning to this article. My friend Richie Venton, a superb union representative for the union USDAW, and IKEA worker, has been sacked. During lockdown, I phoned Richie about an issue a family member was going through in her work. He didn’t have to give me advice – Richie was representing […]
‘Friends of Debora’: Solidarity, Capitalism, & Covid Recovery
Saturday 15th August 2020 – little over one week from the time of writing – will see seasoned and newly engaged social activists take to the streets of Bonnyrigg in support of and solidarity of Debora Kayembe and her family. Circa one week ago, EdinburghLive, The Daily Record, and S.T.V. News detailed the sustained racial […]
John Hume – Man of Peace.
Rest in peace, as your life was for, and gifted us peace, John Hume. Ungagged are reproducing this extraordinary speech by John Hume as a lesson in how to appeal to politics, and to how to adhere to the principle of non-violence in the face of hate and vicious division. Hume made this speech after […]
Strange Rumblings in Scotland: Blade Runner Strikes Again
Everyone is becoming edgy and kind of toe curlingly, stupidly nervous. The Tory Party sent their colonial fixer to the house of Carlaw sometime between the Covid-19 Prime Minister’s visit to Scotland and last night, and Unionism in Scotland, seems to have surrendered. Adam “Up the Republic… oops… no, up the Union…” Tompkins has waved […]
To Plan B or not to Plan B
That is the question some are asking, as the SNP contemplates the May 2021 Scottish Parliament election. The discussion takes place in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic – and the huge public health effort to manage and suppress the virus rightly takes precedence over all political matters at present. As we move forward, voters […]
Just Another Cog In The Wheel by Hilary Long
“It is poverty that robs children of life chances be they health, education, unsafe communities, food insecurity and poor housing.” Schools have now been closed for the vast majority of children since 20th March. They won’t be re opening until August at the earliest. Coronavirus has dominated the headlines from a health point of view […]
Covid-19, Toilet Paper and American Hegemony
These days it feels like every app on my phone has some Covid-19 related content. One of them has a list of all the rich and famous who’ve fallen victim to the virus – movie stars, sports people, politicians. I’ve seen the related conversations on social media, where people debate who the most famous victim […]
It is not feminism as we know or understand it. Yet it is obviously something, it exists.
During the Scottish Government Coronavirus press conference on Tuesday 31st March, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced an additional £1.5 million in funding to Women’s Aid and Rape Crisis Scotland to enable them to deal with the reported increase in domestic abuse and sexual violence that is an additional concern during the Covid 19 social distancing […]