Unchanging Scotland?

Following on from Joan McAlpine’s piece (‘Purcell and the Scottish Press’) Gerry Hassan explores the political implications and backdrop to the Purcell case in the Scotsman today. He writes:

“The resignation of Steven Purcell as Glasgow council leader has been a tragic one personally, but also one with a wider political dimension which has yet to fully unfold. This touches on the unacceptable face of Labour patronage which still prevails in parts of Scotland, and rules Glasgow and much of the West of Scotland in particular.”

Read the full article here: ‘The Land of Wild West Labour’.

If this all sounds like the picture of entrenched stagnant Scottish society, on a more upbeat note ‘Changin Scotland No. 15: a weekend of politics, culture and ideas’ is coming up in Ullapool at the wonderful Ceilidh Place: Friday March 19^th to Sunday March 21st

The next Changin Scotland weekend includes the usual mix of politics, culture and ideas with film, discussion and blether in The Ceilidh Place. A whole weekend of interesting and intimate conversations in a beautiful, relaxing environment.

Speakers include two of the most radical and penetrating voices on the state of British politics and democracy, Peter Oborne and Anthony Barnett look at where politics are, the coming election, and what the future holds. Oborne has been hailed as ‘one of the most challenging writers and analysts of our politics’ (Guardian), while Barnett has been called ‘one of the leading voices for liberty’ (Observer).

More details here.