*** Follow-up article on Robert Danilczuk’s protest *** ‘I am not here to beg. I stand here to die in protest. Let the world know. Grant me my rights or give me back my health!!’ This article offers an updated account of Robert Danilczuk’s protest against the treatment he advises that he endured whilst in […]
Campaigns
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 […]
Prison, Protest, & Mutual Aid: The Robert Danilczuk Story
‘[D]o you not realise that the State is the worst enemy you have? It is a machine that crushes you in order to sustain the ruling class, your masters. Like naïve children you put your trust in your political leaders. You make it possible for them to creep into your confidence, only to have them […]
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 […]
Apologies, Accountability, & A Question of Forgiveness
‘[W]e can today celebrate the achievements of all learners. Young people have received awards that recognise their hard work and allow them to move onto the next stage in their lives.’ – John Swinney (4th August 2020) ‘[W]e did did not get it right for every young person and I want to apologise for that’ […]
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 […]
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 […]
Queer Spaces: Opportunities & Threats by Luke Campbell
We may have been in various phases of lockdown across Europe over recent months, yet queer politics remains an ever present issue for we L.Q.B.T.Q.+ folk, but seemingly also for those who police and legislate our lives. Advancing the Gender Recognition Act in Scotland to protect and safeguard the lives of trans folk has been […]
Will ‘Max The Yes’ Independence Voting Work? by Mike Moss
Will using our list vote for one of the new independence parties increase the number of independence supporting MSPs in the next Holyrood election? Spoiler alert, no. If your only concern in voting on the list is to vote for an independence supporting party, then in general we should use our list vote in the […]
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 […]