Art Democracy History Ireland Neil Scott Neil Scott Northern Ireland Political Philosophy Ungagged Writing Writers Writers & Contributors

Review: Channel 4’s Trespasses – The Unspoken Language of the Troubles

By Neil Scott (Some Spoilers). Trespasses is a powerful Channel 4 series that transcends the typical Troubles drama by focusing on the secrecy, coded interactions, and cross-community experiences that defined daily life in Northern Ireland. While some plot points feel slightly contrived, the series captures the deep emotional and social truth of the era—the pervasive […]

Brexit Culture Wars Democracy Economy & Finance History Jock Mulligan Left Politics Neoliberalism Political Philosophy Ungagged Writing Writers Writers & Contributors

GRAY’S GRAND ERROR: The Prophet Who Backed Thatcher’s Wrecking Ball.

By Jock Mulligan John Gray. The man with the brain the size of a planet and the outlook of a particularly thoughtful grave-digger. He’s the anti-utopian prophet, the constant Cassandra who shouts about the failure of progress while we’re busy texting on our new smart devices. He’s brilliant at diagnosis, but when he touches prescription, […]

Antifa Campaigns Democracy Equality & Inclusion History Human Rights Ireland Jock Mulligan Left Politics Political Philosophy Racial Justice Scotland Scottish Greens Scottish Independence Scottish Socialist Party SNP Socialism Ungagged Writing Writers Writers & Contributors

Define the Socialist Taboo and we Win!

By Jock Mulligan How can the rigorous moral architecture of the ancient Celts relate to today’s politics? Well, we can learn from folk history; much of it is a blueprint for a disciplined, ethical politics of its time- and let me suggest, the Left, especially in places like Scotland and Ireland, where the ghosts of […]

Campaigns Democracy Education Equality & Inclusion Feminism Gael History Human Rights Poverty Scotland Ungagged Writing Women Writers Writers & Contributors

Scottish Hallowe’en 2026: for our Fierce, Strong Women!

By “Gael” Reclaiming October 31st a Day for the Fierce Women of Scotland ​Last night when I was out walking our firework frightened dog, I watched women (mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts) and some men,  trailing after children knocking doors for candy- doors sometimes decorated with those cheap hangings that are becoming the symbols of what […]

Antifa Democracy Disarmament Fascism History Human Rights Industry Karen Orr Left Politics Monarchy Politics of Hate Poverty Privilege Rest of UK Russia Scotland South America Ungagged Writing USA Venezuela Women Writers Writers & Contributors

Karen Orr: How Many Working Class Americans will Kill and Die for Venezuelan Oil?

​As swathes of English people are fooled into flag wars, and Americans are being groomed to hate oil rich Venezuela, Karen Orr explores the history of the working class dying for billionaires… The history of conflict is not the grand narrative of kings and causes taught in schools; it is, at its core, a sordid […]

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The Scottish Struggle against Donald Trump

The relationship between Donald J. Trump and Scotland, the birthplace of his mother, Mary MacLeod, has been anything but harmonious. Despite significant investments in two high-profile golf resorts—Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire and Trump Turnberry in Ayrshire—his presence has been a prolonged saga of deep-seated civic and political resistance. This opposition began as a […]

Education Equality & Inclusion Fascism History Ireland Jock Mulligan Left Politics Northern Ireland Political Philosophy Privilege Socialism Ungagged Writing Writers Writers & Contributors

The Poisoned Tongue versus the Collective Will

By Jock Mulligan Allow me to introduce old Bricriu Nemthenga, or Bricriu Poison-Tongue. He’s a character from the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology, particularly famous in the tale of Fled Bricrenn (Bricriu’s Feast). He was a wealthy hospitaller, a man of means who was expected to provide hospitality, but his true nature was one of […]

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Your NHS is BETTER than the rest…

By Jock Mulligan The NHS, that grand experiment, the jewel in the crown that’s been tarnished by neglect and miserly hands has featured in debates in Ireland of late and I guarantee you, Labour will make it a huge part of the debate against Scottish Independence. One of the bigger sticking points for the undecided […]

Antifa Daphne Lawless Democracy Education Equality & Inclusion Fascism History Left Politics New Zealand Political Philosophy Racism Socialism Ungagged Writing Women Writers Writers & Contributors

Left Recompostion CAN’T Include Red Brownism…

Although Daphne Lawless is in New Zealand, every word of this is familiar as the British left makes its moves to grind together again… My bottom line on Left recomposition is that I’ve found out, by experience, that there are a hell of a lot of people who call themselves Socialist who are reprehensible human […]

Antifa Education Fascism History Political Philosophy Politics of Hate Scotland Scottish Political Biographies

Scottish Political Biographies: Jane Haining

Jane Haining was a woman whose life was a true testament to loving-kindness, courage, and an unwavering refusal to be a bystander. ​Born in 1897 on a farm in Dunscore, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, Jane Mathison Haining was an exceptional student, eventually becoming the Dux of her final year at Dumfries Academy. After a decade working as […]