The Scottish political focus has been on Holyrood in recent days, with the Programme For Government announced and Westminster returning from recess. But parliaments can only do so much. Extra-parliamentary action is required for many reasons, not least because activists are increasingly frustrated at delays and uncertainty.
Giving direction and something constructive to do is therefore important; and that will have to come from within the grassroots movement.
Read the rest of this entry →
Tags: Kenny MacAskill
Category
comment, scottish politics
Symbolism matters in politics. What ostensibly can appear minor actions can have significant effect. Simply changing the names of things, whether from Londonderry to Derry or from the Scottish Executive to the Scottish Government (and swapping a UK-focused logo for a Scotland-focused one), were hugely important, signalling a new era and enthusing supporters.
Similarly, it’s been the case that as well as public actions of political leaders there requires to be mobilisation of grassroots supporters.
Read the rest of this entry →
Tags: Kenny MacAskill
Category
comment, scottish politics
The closure of the UK Parliament for the summer holidays this week marked the end of my first political “year” with the SNP Group at Westminster, albeit a truncated one under unusual circumstances. Having served in Holyrood much is similar and familiar, even if anachronistic in style and reeking of snobbery. Staff are remarkably helpful and individual members can be exceedingly pleasant.
But this isn’t our Parliament and we’re most certainly not amongst friends.
Read the rest of this entry →
Tags: Kenny MacAskillperspectives
Category
comment, scottish politics, uk politics
