Left voices, unfiltered, unedited, Ungagged.
The quote attributed to Mark Twain ‘History does not repeat itself but it often rhymes’ allows us to see the parallels between the 60’s and 70s and today but accept and analyse the differences. We can rewrite history. We have to. On the day that Glasgow Film Theatre showed the 2019 Rock against Racism documentary […]
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. At the time of writing the polls are barely open, but by the end of the Summer it’s quite likely, according to polls and pundits, that Burnham will be PM. If Successful in Makerfield today, every indication is that he will be putting his shoulder to the […]
It wasn’t quite the reaction I expected to my comment; So, Thatcher’s deid at last. The polite response that evening of 8th April 2013 could be summed up by a gently dismissive nod and patronising grimace. It told me what I already knew, that the death of this elderly person in the advanced […]
The backdrop to all of it is laid out very starkly in the first paragraphs. The Nicola Sturgeon story is essentially drenched in personal, familial and societal struggles for hitherto denied opportunities, justice and equality. The Patriarchy will never reach out to feel the truth of this from a woman with a working-class background. Nicola […]
Starmer is either in denial, or too desperate to realise that the US could be his enemy, even while Trump gladly clutches his hastily thrown State Visit voucher, as an ape would a placatory banana. At least Macron is embracing the possibility of life without the US as an ally, while Starmer’s invisible friend, the […]
Ceasefire Now! Vies with The Word of ancient scriptures. Brass bands deliver doleful praise to children of the Bleak Midwinter lining both sides of the street, in tatters, swaddled, frost deep, in limp blue quilt. Loose change lands In cups and cans, from guilt or proffered hands that can least afford it. Still […]
September 2014 we were full of hope. Last trip to a pre-referendum rally in George square, and Folk, full of enthusiasm and certainty that Yes would take the vote, hugging and shaking hands, politely ushering strangers to the stage for a good view. Then a ripple down my spine, a reminder that this is a […]
Opinion polls ask the wrong question, in an attempt to grade importance of issues, vying austerity, foreign affairs etc against independence. This approach fails to illustrate that a progressive independent Scotland, with all of our (suddenly recognised and exploited) resources could go some way towards addressing these issues. It’s hard to forego a little nostalgia […]
When will the penny drop that No-one is entitled to our votes, that we need politicians with an ear to the ground, not the right wing. When I think of the years 2013/14 I think of one of those Penny Pusher machines from amusement arcades, representative of voters and members tumbling like freed coins from […]
An apparition emerges from the wings. He strokes his chin, flexes his will to win once more and shoulders the door of democracy. He does not hide his grotesque face, nor his intention to burn down any trace of unlawful entry. Power-driven waste is his vanity. He looks the world in the eye, his […]