Author: Speymouth
Who Are Our Cities For?
In which Simon Constable and Fiona Campbell come to the rescue of Edinburgh’s housing crisis, and save the Edinburgh Festival … Too late for my 2023 Wrapped, Spotify’s algorithm recently suggested that I might want to listen to the Constable Confidential podcast, episode title “Housing Crisis in Scotland and How the Edinburgh Festival Will Never […] Source
Flying High, to Dubai
As the bombing of Gaza recommences and eulogies for Henry Kissinger rain down, something called COP 28 kicks-off in Dubai, the capital of the United Arab Emirates and one of the world’s top ten oil producers. Three unelected leaders from Britain flew out for the event, Rishi Sunak, our unelected Prime Minister. David Cameron, our […] Source
Scots family-run business to close after 142 years
Reports of the demise of the SNP are British nationalist wishful thinking
The anti-independence media, including certain commentators who claim to support independence and describe themselves as “critical friends of the SNP” but spend all their time and energy attacking the Scottish Government and resolutely refusing to make any positive arguments for independence, have recently taken to crowing that it’s all over for…
Fun-Washing Fascism
The standout neologism* from this year is Fun-Washing (after Nigel Farage joined I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here). But ‘Fun-Washing’ – the idea of cleansing toxic or repellent individuals or ideas by re-locating them into the heart of light entertainment – is not as recent as we might think. Cultural historians will debate […] Source
Three reasons the new UK immigration package is bad news for Scotland
The two main UK parties are both committed to slashing immigration numbers. They don’t care if that means bad news for Scottish public services, Scottish universities, the Scottish economy – and the comfort and security of many New Scots. Both Labour and the Conservatives are tailoring their message to what will bring them votes down […] Source
Knockando Primary praised by school inspectors
Scotch Whisky Investments toasts opening of new facility in Fife
Moray & Banffshire Heroes 2024: Nominate the carer of the year
New report shows the continued decline of pupil’s behaviour in primary and secondary schools
easyJet: Airline announces expansion at Scottish airport
The Banality of Scottish Politics
Much of the political debate and coverage of Scottish politics remains utterly banal. We are caught in the stagnant pond of constitutional impasse. The reasons for this are clear. Around 50% of people don’t want to be part of the British state yet there seems no way to alter this reality. Those that champion our […] Source
Family matters
I’m afraid I’m currently dealing with some family issues so won’t be blogging for a little while. My mother’s health has taken a turn for the worse and she is currently in hospital. I will be back when things settle down a bit. _______________________________________________ My Gaelic maps of Scotland are…
Scottish Tory urged to correct ‘inaccurate’ claim about First Minister
Shut It Down for Palestine
Three weeks is a long time in politics – or certainly it is for Glasgow City Council. * As part of an international call out to ‘Shut it down for Palestine’, five Glasgow residents disrupted a Glasgow City Council ‘State of the City Economy’ conference. The event featured a panel with two weapons companies based […] Source