Black Lives Matter Brexit Climate & Environment Conspiracy Theories Coronavirus Democracy European Union Left Politics Scotland Scottish Independence Ungagged Writing Westminster

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 […]

Campaigns Coronavirus Corruption Democracy Equality & Inclusion Industry Left Politics Privilege Scotland Scottish Independence Trade Unions

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 […]

Campaigns Climate & Environment Democracy Scotland Scottish Greens Scottish Independence

Within Our Grasp – a response…

Common Weal has published a lengthy document called “Within Our Grasp”, about Independence for Scotland. Although published by them, this document states it isn’t necessarily the policy of Common Weal – but it’s written by the Director of Common Weal, Robin McAlpine!  I once had a bit of a debate with both his faither, Tom […]

Democracy Education Equality & Inclusion Human Rights Scotland

How to Perpetuate Social Inequalities – An SQA and Scottish Government Guide

Today, learners who studied S.Q.A. National 5, Higher, and Advanced Higher courses during the 2019/2020 academic session received their grades. Yet, for the first time, these results are not down to how students performed in a final one-off exam (itself already a problematic approach), rather gradings are the result of predictions by teachers in high […]

Campaigns Corruption Democracy Feminism Left Politics Liberal Democrats Media Scotland Scottish Independence Westminster

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 […]

Black Lives Matter Brexit Campaigns Democracy Education Fascism Feminism Poverty Privilege Scottish Independence Ungagged Writing

What is Happening to the The 45G%?

I think it is a dangerous sign of our times that conspiracy theory is becoming increasingly prevalent on our Scottish social media, than actual, solid material fact. Ungagged asked me for my opinion on the state of Scottish politics. I am really not that qualified to do so. I am old, I suppose and I […]

Campaigns Democracy Left Politics Scotland Scottish Independence Ungagged Writing

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 […]