Scottish Labour MSP James Kelly launched a bizarre attack on the Scottish Green Party in an open letter following the launch of the Green campaign for the upcoming Scottish Parliamentary Elections. Mr Kelly claimed to be “puzzled” that the Greens are concentrating on the regional list and fielding only a few candidates in constituencies. As […]
Left Politics
The Media Bullshit Mountain
“Each decade we declare that we buried class- each decade the coffin stays empty.” Richard Hoggart, 1989 introduction to George Orwell’s Road to Wigan Pier. Lately, rather than sitting down to BBC Breakfast or Sky, I’ve been watching the previous nights American chat shows; Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel or Seth Myers, or news from CNN or […]
Not My Grassroots by Val Waldron
Things have changed so radically between 2014 and now, that the independence movement is barely recognisable as the same animal. It has been impeded, infiltrated, interrupted, call it what you will, by a plague of misogynistic wreckers. A corner of the Yes movement is a stinking cesspit of bigotry, destruction, hate and treachery. A contaminated […]
Is Scotland as progressive or inclusive as we like to believe?
Photo by: Marcus Spiske 14th of this month Robin McAlpine wrote an article in which he seems to wade into the quagmire of a perceived conspiracy plot against Alex Salmond – the same quagmire which the regressive faction of Scottish Political Twitter wade into daily – he then proceeded to go a rant about how […]
The One With the Nazis
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 […]
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 […]