The Scottish Government has published the latest policy paper in its Building a New Scotland series, An Independent Scotland’s Place in the World. This paper sets out its vision for an independent Scotland’s foreign, defence, and security policy. If yo…Read more…
Tough political decisions
It could be a long political year if today’s election pitches are anything to go by. Anas Sarwar was making a pitch to Yes voters in Rutherglen. It is a smart move given that despite the SNP’s woes, the dial has barely moved on support for i…Read more…
Nicola Sturgeon departs – opportunity, or more of the same?
Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation and subsequent leadership contest are likely to dominate the airwaves for a while at least. Personally, I wish her well – eight years as First Minister is a tough shift for anyone. I have had my disagreements with her over…Read more…
Rebalancing the UK
Big-picture reform may not be on everyone’s list of priorities, but governments should be able to tackle big long-term projects while also addressing the immediate issues. Unfortunately, the short-termism of so many politicians has undermined the…Read more…
New thinking on constitutional options for Scotland
With immaculate timing, Boris Johnson blunders into the devolution debate on the eve of the Scottish Conservative conference describing devolution as a “disaster north of the border”. Fortunately, we…Read more…
The Scottish Parliament – 20 years on
On this day (1stJuly) in 1999, Westminster transferred powers to the new Scottish Parliament in the most significant act of devolution the UK has ever seen. 20 years on it is worth considering if the…Read more…
Defending devolution in the Brexit Bill
The Tories and SNP may well be playing with the EU Withdrawal Bill for political reasons, but there are important reasons why those who support devolution should be concerned.
The EU Withdrawal Bill…Read more…
Batten down the hatches – it’s Indyref2
There is a certain irony in the Tories arguing that demands for another independence referendum will create ‘uncertainty and division’ – when to resolve internal party squabbling they started this…Read more…
Scotland needs economic as well as political power
While political structures are important, what really matters is the distribution of wealth and power.
The Scottish Labour Party conference tomorrow will debate a motion on federalism that takes…Read more…
Taking the case for federalism forward
A few months ago I wrote that federalism, a bit like my wardrobe, was coming back into fashion. Well, my wardrobe is still struggling, but yesterday Kez Dugdale took the journey towards federalism a…Read more…
Federalism, bit like my wardrobe, coming back into fashion
I always thought my interest in federalism was a quirky minority sport. However, it is now beginning to look dangerously mainstream, given recent initiatives.
Some of this has been driven by Brexit…Read more…
‘Cool Your Wellies’ – What next after Brexit vote?
My old Gran used say, when I was overreacting to some childhood event, ‘cool your wellies’. This sounds like good advice post-Brexit, when some calm thinking is required in what is an interesting,…Read more…
Why we shouldn’t lose sight of the Barnett Formula
While the political temperature is rising over the fiscal framework negotiations, let’s not forget the Barnett Formula.
The fiscal framework is a key element in the devolution of income tax to…Read more…
Ruth Davidson should focus her fire on Cameron if she really wants to save the UK
If Ruth Davidson was really concerned about maintaining the UK, she would be better advised having a conversation with David Cameron, rather than moan at Kez Dugdale. He has done more to undermine…Read more…
Scotland after socialism?
Beneath the EU’s affront to democracy in Greece there is still the debate about whether Syriza reflects a shift to the left or whether it is just a singular reaction to a single issue…Read more…
Gers report shows Devo-Max is a gamble too far
The annual publication Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (Gers) has brought the debate over the merits of Full Fiscal Autonomy (FFA) or Devo-Max into sharp focus.
The report shows that in…Read more…
The case for fully devolving Housing Benefit
UNISON’s case for the full devolution of Housing Benefit has been supported by the respected think tank IPPR. Scotland needs all the policy levers to effectively address our housing crisis.
The…Read more…
LGPS Pension Boards: Model UNISON Magna Carta
Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE There are about 4.6 million people in the UK who are members (active, deferred or retired) of the Local Government …Read more…
Two cheers for the Smith Commission
The Smith Commission report is an important step forward on the devolution journey, even if many of us who support further devolution will be disappointed over its omissions.
First of all let’s…Read more…