Tag: Scottish Parliament

Constitutional Law, Human Rights, Labour Party, Law, Politics, Scots Law

On Taxes and Turmoil…

…or why reading the interpretation section is always important.

I haven’t blogged (yet) about the Scottish Labour Leadership Race. I probably won’t (until it’s over anyway) – though I did go on a short twitter rant last week about how dreadful the race had been up to that point. It ended with a call for both candidates to  improve themselves and their campaigns, and noted that Anas Sarwar had, just that day, released his tax plan, which is the substance that the campaign had long been lacking. Continue reading “On Taxes and Turmoil…”

Unknown's avatarPaul Cruikshank2 Comments
Law

Successful Sexy Succession

…or giving un-sexy law some much needed attention.

At the start of the 5th Scottish Parliament, there is an air of a new start for the 9-year-old SNP administration. Reforming the Scottish Education system (with an increase in the school age being suggested by some) and re-shaping the NHS in Scotland with mental health provision becoming a more integral part of the service. These are big, important policy areas. They graces pages and pages of the various parties’ manifestos over the Spring. They are sexy law. Continue reading “Successful Sexy Succession”

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Law

The 3rd Death of Assisted Suicide…

…or a shameless self promotion Today, at approximately 5pm, the late Margo MacDonald’s Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill, adopted by Partick Harvie, will most likely be defeated at Stage 1. it’ll mark the third time in as many Parliaments that a bill that would legalise Assisted Suicide would fail to pass. This bill in particular has come in for pretty harsh criticism, and the Committee hasn’t been … Continue reading The 3rd Death of Assisted Suicide…

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Constitutional Law, Law

‘Higher’ Law…

…or “Constitutions on ketamine”. So, The Smith Commission. Remember that? One of the recommendations in its Final Report was that: “UK legislation will state that the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government are permanent institutions. ” [para 21] This was, in turn, translated into the Draft Scotland Clauses 2015 (what would become the Scotland Bill 2015) in s.1, which would insert the following into the Scotland Act 1998: (1A) … Continue reading ‘Higher’ Law…

Unknown's avatarPaul Cruikshank1 Comment
Politics, Scottish Politics, SNP

The Reality of Politics

…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

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