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 →