Scroll Down our Best Stories

Independence: Won’t get fooled again

Here’s an interesting reflection on secession, from James Taylor  at Bleeding Heart Libertarians. I’m particularly struck by his fifth and last point: “For some people—perhaps even most people—a successful secession will simply mean that they are subjected to the will of a political class that’s different from the former political class they were subject to. Meet […]

Independence: Won't get fooled again

Here’s an interesting reflection on secession, from James Taylor  at Bleeding Heart Libertarians. I’m particularly struck by his fifth and last point: “For some people—perhaps even most people—a successful secession will simply mean that they are subjected to the will of a political class that’s different from the former political class they were subject to. Meet […]

Scottish Independence: head over heart

I once believed that independence for Scotland was a head versus heart decision.  Years before this impending referendum, I told myself that the heart said yes and set about addressing the needs of the head.  I should have dug deeper. The fact is that I will be no more or less Scots five years from […]

The sharp slap of the familiar

Today’s press is full of discussion about whether, in the event of a Yes vote in the Scottish Independence referendum, the remaining UK should have a new flag.  According to a survey by the Flag Institute (the UK’s national flag charity – who knew?), the answer is yes and a new flag should include an element […]

The End of the SNP?

The Scotsman.com has a piece in which the SMP’s former deputy leader, Jim Sillars, refutes an idea floated by the Independence campaign’s chief strategist, Stephen Noon, that a “Yes vote for independence could see the end of the SNP. It’s an interesting question and one that goes a bit deeper than Mr Sillars seems to […]

Born without imagination – James Robertson on Independence

Novelist James Robertson exhorts both sides of the Scottish Independence argument to greater vision in this essay published by the Scotsman (and taken from the book, Unstated: Writers on Scottish Independence, available from Word Power Books). He’s right, of course.  Both sides of the argument have so far fought pitifully small-minded campaigns.  Unionists have taken […]

The Ruritanian Trappings of Statehood

The Economist’s leader on Catalonian independence, Umbrage in Catalonia, (published before Catalonia’s poll on Sunday) makes fascinating reading for anyone with an interest in this forthcoming referendum on Scottish Independence.  There are both parallels and points to ponder. Two richly memorable phrases stick in mind. The first, from the pen of the Economist’s leader writer, […]

Independence? Let’s Stick Together

I’m bemused that the Scottish National Party has chosen Let’s Stick Together as the theme tune for this ad supporting their campaign for separation: “You know we made a vow To leave one another never.” Bizarre. The choice seems as ill-considered as many, more major policy considerations. Anorak Note I am aware that the song […]

Independence? Let’s Stick Together

I’m bemused that the Scottish National Party has chosen Let’s Stick Together as the theme tune for this ad supporting their campaign for separation: “You know we made a vow To leave one another never.” Bizarre. The choice seems as ill-considered as many, more major policy considerations. Anorak Note I am aware that the song […]

The Economist on Scottish Independence

This week’s Economist, sadly, makes – rather than reports – the news.  Alex Salmond and his SNP colleagues have been quick to decry the paper’s “sneering condescension” announcing that it will “rue the day” it published this week’s front cover. The Economist has done itself a disservice with a somewhat tacky, tasteless cover that detracts […]

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close