Why I support independence
Governments should be closer to people. I wish politicians would stop deciding to send teenagers to kill and die in foreign adventures. But if ministers are going to launch a…
The Never-Ending Campaign Against Privatisation
When I said that an Edinburgh campaign had won the fight against the privatisation of some of our local council's services, I may have spoken too soon. It turns out…
Cameron's wee trip to Edinburgh
Cameron ended his trip to a porridge factory with a wee speech from Edinburgh's Grassmarket. Shrouded by a carefully chosen view of the castle, he launched, American tourist style, into…
Scottish Independence: the no campaign and how to deal with it
It is becoming clear what the strategy of the 'no' to independence campaign will be: confusion. So far, we've had a few opening shots: lines which the UK nationalists presumably…
The Scottish Independence Debate and England
I’ve just finished listening to a particularly unenlightening discussion of the UK’s constitutional future on BBC Radio 4 and, once again, I’m left despairing at the shallowness of the analysis.…
Ministerial Optimism sees Fracking Stumble Ahead onto Uncharted Paths
In a letter regarding the controversial drilling process Sarah Boyack MSP says regarding the Scottish Government’s position “I am sure that you share my hope that the Minister’s optimism is…
Sometimes We Win
After the heartbreaking defeats of several popular anti-cuts campaigns in the last few months, we can sometimes forget that campaigning isn't always a futile activity. But yesterday, after a six-month-long…
Three more thoughts on the Scottish independence shenanigans
On Tuesday I wrote up three thoughts on the scrap over Scottish independence. Here are three more. First: PMQs this week saw Cameron and Miliband attempt their opening gambits on…
Three things about the independence referendum scrap
First: let's get one thing straight. Nations have a right to self determination in international law. David Cameron may quibble about the devolved powers of the Holyrood Parliament under the…
Cuts and Privatisation: Still on Edinburgh's Agenda in 2012
In November 2011, the City of Edinburgh Council took the decision not privatise environmental services (that's waste and recycling, street cleaning, and parks maintenance), following pressure from a local grassroots…