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In: Uncategorized

International Women’s Day falls on the 8th of March, and with it further consideration of women’s role in the independence referendum. By the time this is published, you will find a video on the Women for Independence  website encouraging women to get involved in the debate. It’s definitely going to be worth watching and sharing! Women’s involvement hasn’t shifted a great deal from Lesley Riddoch’s column in the Scotsman two years ago – there has been more information on childcare, more women on panels, lots of wonderful women putting their case on twitter, but women are still not as prominent in the debate as theyRead More →

On:
In: Jim Lynch, Uncategorized

Big hoohah at one of the committees last week:  Rupert Soames, CEO of Aggreko was giving evidence on behalf of Better Together saying that “No”  was in the best interests of Aggreko, a Scottish company and its employees.  He got quite vehement about this.  A day or two later the back page of the Herald was full of Mr Soames’ move to Serco – a company involved in outsourcing.  Must have seen the writing on the wall.   Aberdeen Council have narrowly been defeated on a proposal by Finance Convener Willie Young (defeated in the Donside by election) to bar all Scottish Government Ministers fromRead More →

On:
In: Grant Thoms

So George, Danny and Ed have collectively decided that in the event of Scotland saying YES on 18 September, the rest of the UK will refuse a currency union with iScotland. Hear no evil, see no evil, do no evil. That is their mantra. As expected, the unbiased media hit the headlines with doom and gloom, willing messengers of the UK’s Treasury troika. Even though a wealth of opinion is building up in favour of a currency union: traders, academics,commentators and even the Governor of the Bank of England believes that it is do-able if there is political will: “Despite any differences, the close integrationRead More →

On:
In: Clare Adamson

I love the beginning of a Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us…” Dickens’ contradictions capture our imagination and, because he doesn’t mention the characters involved, the reader is left to determine to whom the tale of goodRead More →

On:
In: Jim Lynch

This is not a heart and flowers appeal from the Flag – this is about Tory Prime Minister David Cameron urging the peoples of England, Northern Ireland and Wales to get on the phone, or the Internet  or even Interflora to tell the Scots they are universally loved and cherished, at their own expense of course. Reminds me of the American millionaire who had a Chinese cook.  One night after a dinner with some friends he wished to impress, he summoned his cook and told him he would double his wages .  The cook was somewhat surprised so asked his employer why he was doingRead More →

On:
In: Margaret Hamilton

Millionaires………………. I have nothing against them, so long as they acquired it legally. There are certainly more of them these days, but they are still in the minority. So why do they think they are best placed to tell the people how they should be living their lives. Certainly we are all guilty (millionaires as well) of wasting money. Some of us are actually tricked into wasting money by people who con us in order to try and become millionaires. Why though is it the right of the better off to assume that the less well off are better at wasting money? I first becameRead More →

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In: Uncategorized

The prospect of Yes should inspire first time voters – but how do we reach them and what to say? I should start with a disclaimer – I’m not as young as I used to be, and really hope none of what you’re about to read comes across as patronising! It certainly isn’t intended that way. I was recently speaking to two young male voters on the doorsteps at the Cowdenbeath by election. Both young guys were first time voters, and weren’t sure which candidate they’d be voting for, if at all. I decided to take the opportunity to speak to them about the independenceRead More →

On:
In: Grant Thoms

The NO campaign has taken to scaring university staff and students alike this week with scare stories about tuition fees and Research Council funding. If we take university tuition fees for starters. The Scottish Government has said that the current arrangements of charging students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland a tuition fee for university education would continue in an independent Scotland. Scottish students and those from the rest of the EU will continue to access tuition-free education (at undergraduate level at least). The Scottish Government and the higher education lobbying body, Universities Scotland, both agree that there is a European Union concept termed ‘objectiveRead More →

On:
In: Clare Adamson

For some time now the Better Together partners have been suggesting that the SNP have put Scotland on Pause.  Yesterday Alex Salmond showed a Scotland far from “on pause”, rather a Scotland of the Possible.  Possible- tackling of inequality and injustice in our society. Possible –  tackling poverty. Possible – a better future for Scotland’s children.  And with the full powers of Independence, possible –  a Scotland that truly is the best country in the world in which to grow up. I was delighted to be able to speak in the Parliamentary debate on Tuesday 7th January on Scotland’s Future where Alex Salmond announced, asRead More →

On:
In: Jim Lynch

Commemoration  Day This publication date is the first anniversary of the death of Jimmy Halliday.     Aspiration and Inspiration I am about one third of the way through reading the White Paper, and I am in no hurry to finish it, but finish reading it I will.  One friend who read the introduction commented “It says it all”, but I like the detail.  So far I find nothing to disagree with, and I do not anticipate any fault finding. To put this into context for readers; I joined the SNP in 1966, when I was living in Peterhead.  Up to then I had noRead More →