On:
In: Uncategorized

This week we learned that one of our bloggers, a board member and an ex editor of the newspaper, has died. Our thoughts are with the family of Jim Lynch. There will be an appreciation of Jim in due courseRead More →

On:
In: Margaret Hamilton

It would seem that big money, and those seeking to make big money, are forgetting about us as individuals and what we are battling with. The biggest offense, not just to Scotland, has been the European Football Championship. Because of all the money invested in this competition countries were forced into going ahead with what UEFA wanted. For fans able to participate this has been seen as a good thing. For those of us still complying with the guidelines of the health advisors and government it has been a concerning time. The coming weeks will confirm what was the right path to follow. Already, withinRead More →

On:
In: Maureen MacGregor

I wrote before about changes the Electoral Commission was proposing to implement in the Highlands and how there was a consultation ongoing into it.  The initial proposals were insulting, reinforcing the belief that we carry up here that we dont matter and many objected including those not remotely interested in politics as it was seen as yet another attempt to erode services from the far north and into Inverness. It was only a few years ago that the electoral commission altered the boundaries within Caithness moving it from 3 wards with 9 councillors to two wards with 8.  Previously there had been representation for theRead More →

On:
In: Grant Thoms

Controversial though this may sound, the Tories actually want to have another independence referendum. The Tories in question tend to be those in Westminster rather than Holyrood but then when has London ever taken cognisance of a Scottish Tory leader when it comes to the UK’s interests?  That’s perhaps rather unfair in current context but nonetheless, there is planning taking place within Whitehall for the next referendum and it’s time we woke up to that reality. A senior Scottish Tory strategist was very candid within a closed meeting for professional PR people. In this meeting, he set out three scenarios: 1. Say No (the statusRead More →

On:
In: Stephen Bird

Shambles, served three ways! When it comes time for the history of how Independence was won to be written, one name will probably be missing and I think that’s a shame. One man has taken a Party from being both a stalwart of the case for Home Rule, a partner in Government and a considerable election winning machine and almost single handed reduced it to the most unthinking of Unionist parties, not even recognised as a Party at Holyrood and a deposit losing shambles.  Truly we have much to be grateful for that Willie Rennie ever stood for election! For those of us of aRead More →

On:
In: Margaret Hamilton

Today the Scottish National Party published a report.  Social Justice and Fairness Commission: A route map to a fair and independent Scotland  The route map to a fairer Scotland is not a predetermined list of policy decisions for an independent Scotland. It is intended to enable discussion about how we get everybody a fairer place to live with no-one being left behind. It looks at how ways we can change policy making. That our values will be rooted in human rights and equality and that our wellbeing will be foremost on going forward. If you would like to read, or dip in and out of,Read More →

On:
In: Margaret Hamilton, Uncategorized

New Cabinet announced today and new term of government begins. Sadly, the talent contained in the list MSPs in opposition is lacking, again. I can cope with lack of talent if they could behave civilly. It would appear from the performance so far that they have no intention of being civil. I found the behaviour of unionist parliamentarians towards the end of the last parliamentary session utterly disgraceful. What a total embarrassment as they were being broadcast live to the nation and the world. This past week we have had Douglas Ross speaking to a Westminster committee chairman in a manner that you would expectRead More →

On:
In: Grant Thoms

It’s that time folks: ‘now that the dust has settled’ is the opening to post-election analysis of one sort or another. Lots of gnashing of teeth and reaching for blood pressure tablets is not the answer. Perhaps a touch of self-compassion mediation is the answer. “This is a moment of suffering: feeling stressed, dealing with something difficult but not insurmountable.” Bringing mindful awareness to the Scottish election scene is long overdue, especially for the independence movement. The frustration of not achieving independence immediately boils over as the lay of the land suggests there is no instant route map.  The SNP are in many ways stillRead More →

On:
In: Maureen MacGregor

As the polls close at the end of this election campaign, things will be very different from normal.  There is to be no overnight count and we will all have to wait a couple of days for all the results, not just the outlying areas that are historically later to declare due to the distances involved in getting boxes to the Count.  In a campaign like no other, where we have not been able to enjoy the social side in the same way as we normally do and where we have an unprecedented array of list parties to choose from, it will not be forgottenRead More →

On:
In: Stephen Bird

Because we are moving home and I’ve been making full use of the wonderful NHS, I’ve been a spectator rather than an activist but as we move into the final phase of this abnormal election campaign, 4 things stand out for me. Hypocrisy of media over breaches of Ministerial Codes I wrote in my last piece of my concerns about how this might have played out to the serious detriment of both the campaign generally and on Nicola in particular. But this has been a dog which did not bark in the night and perhaps the reason lies a few hundred miles to the south.Read More →