Is ambition our choice, or our chains?
“Why have we become obsessed with ‘self-fulfillment’,” asked Shiv Malik. “Why do we now feel our jobs need to be of great global significance rather than just a living?” “We…
Tartan Trechery: Radio Caledonia and Scotland’s Lord Haw Haw
by Gavin Bowd. This article first appeared in issue 26 of Democratic Left Scotland's magazine, Perspectives. The radical right has been a noisy and sometimes menacing part of the British…
On internet history and regulation
So, we learn that one of the big areas on which the US and the UK are supposed to still have a special relationship is that of 'cyberspace'. Or rather, I learned…
After the election… where next for Scottish Politics
Just days after a watershed election many observers are struggling to understand what happened. Perhaps they need to learn about Scottish politics. Well, that certainly caught the attention… Nobody who…
Scots pupils face exam in Boris comprehension
Legend has it that young hopefuls applying to be Hansard clerk in the House of Commons used to be presented with a recording of John Prescott in full flow and…
Robots Against Fairer Votes
Are you a fanatical party hack? Do you believe the party you choose to vote for is perfect beyond measure, and every other party evil beyond redemption? If you live…
Budget 2011: Retro Shock Doctrine as Thatcher’s Enterprise Zones return
In a display of loyalty to the memory of Margaret Thatcher (don't get excited; she's still alive), George Osborne today announced that now the Tories are back in power, they're…
Budget open thread
George Osborne gives his first regular-season Budget speech today at You can watch on BBC2, BBC Parliament or online at BBC Democracy Live. We'll have analysis for you once we…
Green conference – monetary reform and citizens’ income
Green Party Spring Conference is this weekend in Cardiff. This is some continued coverage from this afternoon. The first big debate of the afternoon was between Bright Green co-editor Alasdair…
Pepper spray update: the law is just for plebs
Slightly as I expected, in asking where the Met's Defence Council authorisation to carry pepper spray or CS was, I was missing something. I assumed it would be an obscure…