Why is Labour’s Election Strategy Not Working?

17th April 2016 Comment Elections, parties & leaders Policy issues

Labour’s strategy in the Scottish Parliament election is clear. It is trying to win back those for the most part relatively left-wing former supporters who voted for independence eighteen months ago and subsequently switched to the SNP. To that end it has put forward plans for markedly higher taxation and spending than those being espoused […]





What Difference did the Referendum make to Scotland’s Constitutional Debate?

23rd March 2016 Comment How Scotland should be governed The Scottish independence referendum

Today MSPs pack their bags and prepare to campaign (or retire). Tomorrow will mark the day that if a majority had voted Yes in the independence referendum, Scotland would, according to the SNP’s proposed timetable, have become an independent country. It is thus an opportune moment to take a look at the state of Scotland’s […]


Have Scots Tories Set Their Sights Too High?

3rd March 2016 Comment Elections, parties & leaders

Scottish Tories, who gather together this Friday in Edinburgh have probably not come together in such an optimistic mood for a long time. In recent weeks they have felt able to aim high, suggesting they could overtake Labour in May’s Scottish Parliament election (something the party has not managed to do north of the border […]