There’s a wistfulness in the air. We’re no longer marvelling at clear skies above China and translucent blue canals in Venice. We’re watching from behind the sofa as death rates continue to rise around the globe, and fluctuations occur, leading to second, or even third wave and Lockdown periods, such as in Hong Kong and […]
Democracy
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 […]
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 […]
Fear and Loathing in Tring
We were somewhere around Watford on the edge of up North when the drugs began to take hold. I remember saying something like, “I need a shit… the bowels are at last engaging… maybe you should drive…” And suddenly there was a terrible roar all around us and the sky was full of lorry tractors […]
The Blame Train
“It’s time to stop the Tutting and the eye-rolling at our neighbours. Let’s be vigilant about where we lay our blame” There’s a muckle great steam train thundering down the track and it’s aflame with blame for all the health, environmental and economic ills, caused by the Pandemic, Lockdown and Lockdown breaches. Simmering under that, […]
Poetry – The Scum Parade
Ah whose got the short straw today lads? Which one of the scum parade have we got today? The one who ran a pyramid scheme? The one who made laws that would kick out her own dad? Another day, another lie. It’s like another 747 falling out the sky. The scum parade get up and […]