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Into our own hands 188

Posted on September 06, 2020 by

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.

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Category comment, scottish politics

On the march 212

Posted on August 03, 2020 by

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.

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Category comment, scottish politics

View from the green benches 108

Posted on July 24, 2020 by

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.

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Category comment, scottish politics, uk politics

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    • Captain Caveman on The Shortest Day: “@YL Fair points. 🙂 However, I think for me, one of the most impressive aspects here is sheer longevity; a…” Aug 31, 07:42
    • twathater on The Shortest Day: “This post on substack might be informative and relevant to people who want to be kept informed and up to…” Aug 31, 02:49
    • Young Lochinvar on The Shortest Day: “HMcH Some fair points. However Taiwan was part of China till the Japanese took it over then obviously lost it…” Aug 31, 00:51
    • Young Lochinvar on The Shortest Day: “Well hold on there Bald Eagle! Engineering and span without curtailing the building footprint below? Nah! Santa Sophia in old…” Aug 30, 23:57
    • Young Lochinvar on The Shortest Day: “HMcH @ 10.53 Is that it?! Seriously? A bit pathetic eh? Below par – not that it’s a very high…” Aug 30, 23:26
    • Hatey McHateface on The Shortest Day: “From the MSM: “Earlier this week, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration was “in advanced talks with…” Aug 30, 23:08
    • Young Lochinvar on The Shortest Day: “Meant to add: Maggie Thatcher! The King! Winston Churchill! Graham Botham! Jimmy Hill! Danny La Rue! Longshanks! Fat Hal 8!…” Aug 30, 22:58
    • Hatey McHateface on The Shortest Day: “So you’re the founder and sole member of a one-man debating club, Auld Lochnagar? Oh to be a fly on…” Aug 30, 22:53
    • Aidan on The Shortest Day: “@Sam – the paper YOU posted concludes: “And that’s how David Cameron’s entire calamitous economic policy – and all of…” Aug 30, 22:44
    • Hatey McHateface on The Shortest Day: ““you forgot to answer the question” I learned that at the feet of a master, Alf, YOU. Haha, just my…” Aug 30, 22:43
    • Young Lochinvar on The Shortest Day: “HMcH You are guilty again it appears of sliding off the subject in hand and jumping instead to a subject…” Aug 30, 22:27
    • gm on The Shortest Day: “Nicely put. The Scottish democratic elites seem quite happy within themselves nonetheless. They are maybe just a shower of self…” Aug 30, 22:25
    • Hatey McHateface on The Shortest Day: “Cheers, James! Actually … it’s not up. Although I don’t like to boast, I can well understand why one of…” Aug 30, 21:48
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    • Alf Baird on The Shortest Day: “What do you folks think independence is, if not decolonization? Because decolonization is what the UN says it is: “Since…” Aug 30, 19:55
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    • DaveL on The Shortest Day: “How about settling down and stop your moaning and creeping?” Aug 30, 19:22
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    • Hatey McHateface on The Shortest Day: “What’s that you say, Sooty? Why does Auld Lochnagar want to airbrush the Norman Conquest out of history? I guess…” Aug 30, 19:12
    • Hatey McHateface on The Shortest Day: “Commentators already saying that the thought of being forced to share their wealth as the first net contributor to the…” Aug 30, 19:07
    • Hatey McHateface on The Shortest Day: ““With stronger coordination, dedicated support and sustained ambition, the potential exists” Wow! After decades of Independence and quite a long…” Aug 30, 19:01
    • Spartan 117 on The Shortest Day: “Quite pleasing to see a small independent nation reject the EU’s advances. Democratically, as well, rather than bring railroaded by…” Aug 30, 18:57

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