Nationalism
A reflection on nationalism, and the dangers for Scottish politics of lumping all types of nationalism under the one definition.
Brexit, the EU and Scottish independence
A look at some of the myths around Scotland and the EU, in the light of the forthcoming second independence referendum.
Here we go again
With Scottish independence rearing its head once more, it’s time to wearily address the question that won’t go away – is the movement for independence racist?
My 2016 vote
In which I declare my hand for the Scottish Parliament elections next month (spoiler: constituency vote SNP, list vote Green. There, I’ve saved you the effort of reading the whole post).
We said No
My final blog post on the 2014 independence referendum, in which I’m reduced to quoting science fiction.
It’s not about you… but it could be
In which I write an open letter to the people of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and tell them that the independence referendum isn’t about them… but it could be.
A horrible time to be in Scotland
In which a seemingly innocuous tweet suddenly helps me understand what the No campaign in the independence referendum has been about all this time. Sorry, I’ve probably been a bit slow.
Foreigners 2
In which I go on another rant about foreigners. Well, not a rant about foreigners, but a rant about indyref No campaigners making xenophobic remarks.
A second referendum
The Scottish Government and Yes Scotland have made great efforts during the independence referendum debate to stress that this referendum is a “once in a generation” opportunity. They’re wrong: if we vote No there’ll be another within a decade. Here’s why.
Definitely, not maybe
In which I attempt to identify those reasons for independence that are not just highly likely and probable because of policy priorities, but utterly unarguable merely by virtue of independence happening. Add your own ideas.
A pub conversation
In which I might just have turned a random No voter in an Edinburgh pub into a don’t know…
An #indyref worldview
In which I take on a couple of anti-independence articles, aimed at international audiences, that effectively insult all independent countries around the world.
Scottish v British – the false choice
In an article I originally wrote for National Collective, I argue that there will be no need to choose between Scottish and British identify after independence – just as there is no need to choose just now.
Do you fear the future? Well, try the present
In which I argue that the fears being expressed about independence – from welfare to defence capacity to the national debt – are already being manifested right now within the United Kingdom. Yet nobody seems to be arguing that the UK is unsustainable as an independent country…
Scotland the enemy?
In which I suggest that UK Government pronouncements on security and defence matters in an independent Scotland demonstrates a hostility that would be shameful if shown to any other UK neighbour or ally. I instead suggest four precedents that indicate that there will in fact be excellent cooperation in this area between Scotland and the rUK.
Borgen series 2: a review
In which I briefly summarise series 2 of Danish political drama Borgen – where it’s rather astonishing what a little independent country can get up to…
The Britishness challenge
In which I try (in vain) to think of a single aspect of British identity besides the passport that would die upon Scottish independence.
The nations of the UK: from resentment to respect
In which I offer a few examples that show that Scotland’s place within the UK – and the debate around it – is actually harming the interests of the other nations of the UK and fuelling political resentment. We therefore need to move from a resentful relationship to a respectful one.
“Foreigners”
In which I reflect on some surprisingly insular and xenophobic language from supposed socialists, and wonder why some left-wing Unionists appear to have such a problem with foreigners.
Scotland’s voice in the world
In which I point out that the UK and Canada’s joint embassy plans rather undermine the argument that Scotland couldn’t sustain its own diplomatic network – and indeed rather point a way for Scotland to achieve it.