Theoretically, there should be an element of shock in Richard Leonard’s resignation as Scottish Labour leader, so close to a Holyrood election. But nobody seems even remotely surprised.
Scottish politics
“The classless euphoria of ‘Clap for Carers’ is rapidly giving way to class tension. Some of it is starting to rise to the level of real conflict.”
Analysis: What happens when front-line ‘heroes’ start demanding their rights?
“The disappearance of the gradualists is also their final triumph. Aided by a frenzied media and political opposition, they have come to symbolise independence without the need to manifest any concrete support for the cause, or demonstrate any viable strategy.”
David Jamieson: The twilight and triumph of the SNP gradualists
“Contrary to received wisdom, in many ways Sturgeon needs independence more than the independence movement needs her.”
The meaning of Freeman’s gaffe
Ahead of SNP annual conference tomorrow, Living Rent tenants’ union are delivering their Tenant Manifesto to the SNP’s party HQ in Edinburgh. They’re calling for proper rent controls, after the Scottish Parliament introduced Rent Pressure Zones in 2016 that councils have been unable to use, due to the cost of data collection requirements placed on them to […]
A strange conference in a strange moment for the SNP
“These calls for unity are easily tested for verity and unmask themselves in their refusal to engage in earnest with the substance of those issues causing the perceived disunity.”
Ellen Höfer: Calls for unity will not convince the independence movement unless they are accompanied by integrity
“The fear may be that the incorporation of an enfeebled version of SNIB will lead to waning interest in the policy, as part of a general cynicism surrounding official political life.”
Analysis: Can the Scottish National Investment Bank deliver on its promises?
“We have huge hopes for the future, but also great fear. Can Scotland develop the confidence and leadership skills to seize these opportunities? We think so, but it needs a huge change in outlook.”
Hillary Sillitto: How we got to work imagining Scotland’s future
What unites Thatcher’s man in Scotland Sir Malcolm Rifkind and left-wing, anti-Tory firebrand Labour MSP Neil Findlay? They’re both agreed – it’s time for a federal solution to the Scottish question. In an interview yesterday, Rifkind, who was Scottish Secretary from 1986 to 1990 and was in charge of the notorious introduction of the Poll […]
Federalism is a trap we should not be lured in to
With the US Presidential election all over except for the lawsuits, the hot-takes and the tantrums, let’s look ahead to Scotland’s big election in six months time. What can we expect from Holyrood 2021? A new poll gives us a sense of the emerging political contours. Almost half of Scots (49 per cent) believe that […]