The Irn Lady

By Mike Small As Jimmy Reid famously said, he didn’t leave the Labour Party – the Labour Party left him. This is a week where that statement echoed down the Continue reading →

Ed in Inverness

This is the actual speech given by Ed Milband, leader of the Labour Party. It’s worth reading, if only to pay witness to the continuity with Blair-language styles and structures. Continue reading →

One Nation Under Review

by Pat Kane Think of how the Scottish Labour Party is conducting itself in the independence debate, and so far it’s not a life-enhancing experience. Voices like Johann Lamont and Continue reading →

Korea Suicide

A Letter from Pyongyang …

Boss Class Miserabilism

By Mike Small “Scotland cannot be the only ‘something for nothing’ country in the world.” – Johann  Lamont The likelihood is that tomorrow or the next day a major announcement Continue reading →

Once Again We Will Be Left

By Robin McAlpine “All fixed, fast frozen relations, with their train of ancient and venerable prejudices and opinions, are swept away, all new-formed ones become antiquated before they can ossify. Continue reading →

From the Province of the Cat 5: The Darling of Fear by George Gunn

by George Gunn The idea of the man who as Chancellor of the Exchequer oversaw the financial collapse of 2008 trying to scare the people of Scotland into voting “No” Continue reading →

Candy Floss Unionism

Isobel Lindsay on behalf of the Scottish Independence Convention comments on UK Labour leader Ed Milliband’s speech today (Thursday) defending the union: “Ed Milliband’s candy floss message managed to avoid Continue reading →

Bambi Saves the Union

By Mike Small Tony Blair’s considerable political skills have been put to great use since he resigned as Prime Minister. Since then he’s been busy bringing peace to the Middle Continue reading →

A Dysfunctional Union

By Andrew Anderson Gordon Brown was the last Scottish Prime Minister of the UK. Ever. Even if we do not win independence in 2014 there will never be another Scottish Continue reading →

Green Day

By Mike Small” Where do you stand on dog turds?” The question was asked in all seriousness at a local hustings. The candidate shuffled, composed himself and answered. It summarises Continue reading →

Back to the Future

By Mike Small Scotland on Sunday’s story about the loss to Scotland of the protective arm of M15 around our shoulder (Independent Scotland a ‘terror risk’) was revealing. This is, Continue reading →

Max Headroom

Scottish Independence poses the greatest existential threat to British imperialism since decolonisation…

The Bain Principle

This image is brought to you by Scotland Says Yes. This week saw the leak of a document that showed the depths of Labour tribalism. A gift to oppose the Continue reading →

For the Record

By Mike Small The extraordinary outburst against Joan McAlpine’s first column for the Daily Record has exposed a fault-line in Scottish politics. Read it here. It is an unremarkable commentary Continue reading →

Jammy Smears

By Doug Daniel Before May 2011, no unionist (other than Wendy Alexander perhaps) had any inclination for Scotland to hold a referendum on independence. Since then, however, they have been Continue reading →

Devo Shsh

After months of demanding a referendum that is simple, clear and transparent. David Cameron has suggested a process that is top secret. You’ve heard of Devo Max and Devo Plus, Continue reading →

Let Glasgow Flourish

By Jonathan Mackie It’s a common – and often justified – complaint that Scotland’s mainstream media outlets focus disproportionately on Glasgow when deeming what’s worthy of ‘news’ status.  This time, Continue reading →

Labour for Independence

By Pat Kane Under what conditions – say, the next 24 months leading up to the most important political event in 300 years for Scotland – could a “Labour for Continue reading →

The Case for English Independence

By Dan Hind, author of The Return of the Public The British are meant to be content with the spectacles and dramas laid on for them. In the New Year, Continue reading →

You’re History

Let’s stop living in a past that only half-existed.

May You Live In Interesting Times

What exactly did David cameron think he was doing?

The Union: A Journey into the Unknown

By Dorothy Bruce Politicians, commentators and posters have in recent months urged Unionists to make their positive case for the Union. Although some of us are rapidly coming to the Continue reading →

Letter to Johann

By Patrick Small Dear Johann Congratulations on your victory. If you’re to dispel the notion that Scottish Labour leaders have steadily diminished since Donald Dewar, each one seeming progressively less Continue reading →

Loves Labour Lost

By Mike Small Last night was the night for Labour hustings (which Bella sadly missed), and it’s a subject which we’ve been all but silent on. Many of you might Continue reading →

Independence and the Left

By Clancy McMahon A recent Guardian editorial (23/10/11) claimed that the United Kingdom was ‘sleepwalking’ towards a break up of the union. However, anyone who witnessed Alex Salmond’s keynote speech to Continue reading →

Blairusconi

By Michael Greenwell The political situation in Italy has for a long time been something of a running joke in Britain and people have enjoyed poking fun at it for Continue reading →

Wherefore art thou, Scottish Labour?

By Kate Higgins There is no denying that whoever wins the Scottish Labour leadership contest is taking on a big job. In no particular order, the leader has to get Continue reading →

Ian Davidson, the Labour-SNP Divide and the Language of Violence

By Gerry Hassan Does the recent Ian Davidson-Eilidh Whiteford controversy matter? Is it a storm in a political teacup? Or does it reflect something wider and more sinister in our Continue reading →

We Are Not Men, We Are Devo

On the Difference between Legitimacy and Democracy: We are Men, We Are Not Devo.