Author: Speymouth

Remembering Working Class Scottish Voices and Histories

Speymouth January 30, 2023

Mobbings, Struggles and Strikes: Episodes in the history of the organised working class of Dumfries, 1771-1914, by Ian Gasse, Scottish Labour History Society, £22.00. Review by Katharine McCrossan. As the number of those participating in or impacted by strikes continues to increase amidst the ongoing cost of living crisis, it is unlikely that the issue […] Source

A Hurl on a Neugle

Speymouth January 30, 2023

A HURL ON A NEUGLE: From The Province Of The Cat. George Gunn on sleazeports, democracy and industrial strategy. There are many fine things the SNP have done since coming into power in 2007. Keeping the light shining for independence, however flickering the flame has been from time to time, has been one of them. […] Source

Holyrood’s death by a thousand Tory cuts

Speymouth January 30, 2023

In a recent interview with the News Agents podcast, the First Minister said that she is no longer 100% certain that the Conservatives would not attempt to abolish the Scottish Parliament. Even a few months ago this would have been an unthinkable possibility, but given the blatantly anti-democratic behaviour of the…

Talking Poetry and Politics in Downing Street

Speymouth January 29, 2023

Hugh McMillan was asked to Downing Street to read poetry to Rishi Sunak. My recent visit to Downing Street has resulted in some (mostly good natured) stick and I thought it might be interesting to give my reflections on my invitation to the centre of the failing British state. I accepted the invite – to […] Source

Coronation sicken

Speymouth January 26, 2023

The beginning of May would be a very good time to escape the country, if you can afford to seeing as how the energy price cap comes to an end in April and millions of households will be struggling to afford their gas and electricity bills, a Westminster created utter disgrace…

Scotland’s energy future – Damaged by five UK government failures

Speymouth January 25, 2023

  Scotland currently produces the most renewable energy per capita among the UK nations and is a potential global leader in this field.  Hydrogen in particular could represent Scotland’s greatest industrial opportunity since the discovery of oil and gas in the North Sea. The technology has the power to unleash huge economic benefits while supporting […] Source

Winning a de facto referendum is within our grasp

Speymouth January 25, 2023

A major new poll for The National has found that a clear majority of voters would back pro-independence parties if the next UK General Election were to be used as a de facto independence referendum. In such a scenario total of 54.4% of voters would give their votes to either the…

The Twilight Zone

Speymouth January 24, 2023

Alister Jack has spent the past week or so refusing to explain his reasons for blowing up the devolution settlement by making unprecedented use of a section 35 order to veto the Gender Recognition Reform Bill passed by the Scottish Parliament after extensive debate and consultation and with cross-party support. As…