My United Kingdom
In the final post in a trilogy on Scottish politics, I imagine what the UK would have to look like for me to vote to remain in it.
I’m keenly interested in political goings-on here in Scotland, not least given the 2014 independence referendum. I frequently post on the subject, and while I’m unashamedly “Yes” I hope I aim for a refreshingly balanced analysis and I welcome thoughtful debate in the comments.
In the final post in a trilogy on Scottish politics, I imagine what the UK would have to look like for me to vote to remain in it.
In the second of a three-part blog post series, I imagine a “blue skies thinking” political game called “Make The Best of It”. Fancy trying it out?
In the first in a trio of posts on Scottish politics, I imagine playing a game called The Awful-Brilliant Game with Richard Leonard, the Scottish Labour leader. You can play too.
A reflection on nationalism, and the dangers for Scottish politics of lumping all types of nationalism under the one definition.
A look at some of the myths around Scotland and the EU, in the light of the forthcoming second independence referendum.
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?
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).
My final blog post on the 2014 independence referendum, in which I’m reduced to quoting science fiction.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In which I might just have turned a random No voter in an Edinburgh pub into a don’t know…
In which I take on a couple of anti-independence articles, aimed at international audiences, that effectively insult all independent countries around the world.
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.
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…
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.
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…
In which I try (in vain) to think of a single aspect of British identity besides the passport that would die upon Scottish independence.