Brexit Climate & Environment Conspiracy Theories Coronavirus Corruption Democracy Economy & Finance Fascism Health Human Rights Media Scotland Scottish Independence

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 […]

Campaigns Coronavirus Corruption Democracy Equality & Inclusion Industry Left Politics Privilege Scotland Scottish Independence Trade Unions

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 […]

Campaigns Climate & Environment Democracy Scotland Scottish Greens Scottish Independence

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 […]

Black Lives Matter Coronavirus Left Politics LGBTQIAP+ Racism Scotland

‘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 […]

Democracy Education Equality & Inclusion Human Rights Scotland

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 […]

Campaigns Corruption Democracy Feminism Left Politics Liberal Democrats Media Scotland Scottish Independence Westminster

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 […]

Campaigns Democracy Economy & Finance Scotland Scottish Independence

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 […]

Campaigns Democracy Left Politics Scotland Scottish Independence Ungagged Writing

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 […]

Campaigns Coronavirus Democracy Education Equality & Inclusion International Left Politics Scotland Scottish Independence

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 […]