…or why I need to check my tweets before hitting send. I do a thing every night Sunday – Thursday. I carry out “NatOnal #HandWatch”. It’s not mean-spirited, I don’t think. It’s a bit off fun. It’s an establishing meme of Scottish Politics along with Soleros being the lolly of choice and things being in Alex Salmond’s pocket, the the front cover of ‘The National’ … Continue reading Sketchy Round the Edges…
…or why no-one can be completely happy. At any other time, Labour wouldn’t have to worry. A by-election in Kirkcaldy East (deepest Brown territory) cause by the resignation of an SNP councillor because of interesting business dealings in Austria. In 2012, the result was clear: Labour Candidates got just shy of 50% of the vote compared to the SNP’s 36.4%. Labour had half the electorate behind … Continue reading Lessons from Kirkcaldy…
This is the first of two posts looking at Al Murray’s ‘Pub Landlord’ standing in South Thanet constituency in the 2015 General Election. This post looks at his reasons for standing; while the other (slightly longer) post looks at what effect he could have on the election itself. I don’t buy many printed magazines on a regular basis. To be honest, I can only think of two. One … Continue reading This Election took a Funny Turn
This is the second of two posts looking at Al Murray’s ‘Pub Landlord’ standing in Thanet South constituency in the 2015 General Election. This post looks at what effect he could have on the election itself; while the other post looks at why he’s standing in the first place. So, the question must be asked – how will the Pub Landlord’s candidacy effect the election in South Thanet? … Continue reading The Electoral P(o)ints
…or why I’ve accepted I need to get a hair cut. Remember 1999 (I don’t I was 6 at the time, but bear with me)? The Scottish Parliament was just about to come into being and it was the dawn of a ‘New Politics’. MSPs wouldn’t face-off against each other, but would sit in a semi-circle. We wouldn’t have the confrontation of the old ways, … Continue reading The Reality of Politics
…or why I feel kinda sorry for Nicola Sturgeon. It has become generally accepted that while Yes lost the #IndyRef, in the end the SNP won. They’ve had a Massive boost in membership, a new leader to replace an increasingly divisive one and a promise of a stronger Scottish Parliament. On top of that, Labour are in turmoil and in the middle of a long drawn-out Leadership … Continue reading If You Play With Fire…
…or why I want the Scottish Government to burden me with Student Debt. As Nicola Sturgeon took over the reins of the SNP at the weekend, she declared that now they, and not the Labour Party, were the party of social justice in Scotland. In support of this, the abolition of tuition fees for Scottish Students in Scotland. The Labour Party opposed this, and so showed … Continue reading Free is not Cheaper…
…and a ‘Thank You’ to our continental and international neighbours. Last Thursday I e-mailed my submission to the Smith Commission a whole day before the deadline. I’m sure my teachers and professors would be proud. You can click that link to read it if you are interested. Compared to most, it is quite reserved and limited, and I’m sure my views will change in the coming weeks and months as … Continue reading The Smith Commission
…or why Scottish Labour must be both ‘Scottish’ and ‘Labour’. This weekend, Johann Lamont announced she will be standing down as leader of the Labour Party in Scotland. Before I say anything else, as a member I want the thank Johann for everything she did while leading the party. She held the party together after what was a (well-deserved) routing in 2011 and then led the party through … Continue reading Goodbye and Thank You Johann…
Who and should appear in the Prime Ministerial Debates and how many times…who knows? Continue reading Debating the Point…
Paul Cruikshank 