“The most well researched nonsense you will read this year” – a man on a phone. “There’s midges and then there’s midges” – a fellow bug enthusiast. “Compelling evidence that could break the internet” – A. Person.
Scotland
EckAnon
Back in 2005, politically, I, like many lefties in Scotland, felt our time was now. Scottish Socialism was the new Rock ‘n Roll. We had filled halls, built a huge reaction to the rumours and actuality of the Bush/Blair wars, and helped facilitate unprecedented street level dissent at the G8 conference, drawing the international media […]
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 […]
What happened to the YES movement?
We have come a long way since 2014, since my joining SNP as a member and going to that first conference in Glasgow after the no vote. However, it has not been forward we’ve gone, it has been down. As an ex yesser – and I feel sad that I have to call myself that, […]
This Is Not Over
There’s another layer above the real and fantasised darkness, and it’s a good one. It involves people working away at the grass roots with and for their community. BBC Radio Scotland’s Kaye Adams lives in a world where it’s fine to introduce her “Rule of 6” call-in with the comment “I know dozens of people […]
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 […]
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’ […]
‘Friends of Debora’: Solidarity, Capitalism, & Covid Recovery
Saturday 15th August 2020 – little over one week from the time of writing – will see seasoned and newly engaged social activists take to the streets of Bonnyrigg in support of and solidarity of Debora Kayembe and her family. Circa one week ago, EdinburghLive, The Daily Record, and S.T.V. News detailed the sustained racial […]
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 […]