The world's most-read Scottish politics website

Wings Over Scotland


Author Archive


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.

Read the rest of this entry →

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.

Read the rest of this entry →

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.

Read the rest of this entry →

  • About

    Wings Over Scotland is a (mainly) Scottish political media digest and monitor, which also offers its own commentary. (More)

    Stats: 6,702 Posts, 1,211,754 Comments

  • Recent Posts

  • Archives

  • Categories

  • Tags

  • Recent Comments

    • agent X on The Joker: “Front page of The National online COMMENT Photo of Trump. Mhari Black: The powerful are taking money from the poor…Feb 8, 11:48
    • Captain Caveman on The smirking scorpion: “Being told “no one likes you” by you is beyond ironic, love. Imbecile.Feb 8, 11:45
    • gregor on Seeding the briar patch: “BBC (07/02/25): Trump says he is revoking Biden’s security clearance: “JOE, YOU’RE FIRED,” the Republican added… He said Biden “could…Feb 8, 11:40
    • Captain Caveman on The Joker: “Scotland seemed to do quite well for itself for very significant periods post-1707. I will concede, though, lately not so…Feb 8, 11:39
    • Alf Baird on The Joker: “Woke is bad news for any people, but Scotland’s ruination started with its annexation and imposed colonial rule from 1707,…Feb 8, 11:37
    • Hatey McHateface on The smirking scorpion: “MSM reporting the Baltic States have begun the 48-hour process of disconnecting from the BRELL electrical supply and distribution network.…Feb 8, 11:33
    • Geri on The smirking scorpion: “Yer like parasites. Everything has to be yours while you devour the host then have to wonder why no one…Feb 8, 11:26
    • Captain Caveman on The Joker: “I’m sure Farage is giving lefties everywhere VERY bad dreams, and rightly so. Time’s up.Feb 8, 11:24
    • gregor on Seeding the briar patch: “BBC demon is always ‘at it’ fleecing the public, regardless. The beep is not worthy, nor is it capable of…Feb 8, 11:22
    • Captain Caveman on The Joker: “Because both the SNP and Labour are a bunch of woke- obsessed, useless morons who’ve made an absolute mess of…Feb 8, 11:20
    • Sven on The Joker: “I’d guess to a large extent because they can pump out whatever views they feel are held by the majority…Feb 8, 11:20
    • gregor on Seeding the briar patch: “WikiLeaks @wikileaks: “Jeanne Bourgault at the World Economic Forum (2024) calling to develop “exclusion lists” to pressure advertisers to fund…Feb 8, 11:16
    • gregor on Seeding the briar patch: “WikiLeaks @wikileaks: “USAID has pushed nearly half a billion dollars ($472.6m) through a secretive US government financed NGO, “Internews Network”…Feb 8, 11:10
    • stonefree on The Joker: “You’re probabbly not wrongFeb 8, 11:04
    • Hatey McHateface on Seeding the briar patch: “What an extraordinary choice for a ditch to die in, Xaracen. It’s Scotland. Scotland, Scotland, Scotland, Scotland the Brave, Scotland…Feb 8, 11:02
    • stonefree on The Joker: “There are a few former SNP members signed up How many? Couldn’t guess. Small number due to a lack of…Feb 8, 11:00
    • Ted on The Joker: “And Wales and England. It’s on its way to 200000 members maybe even by Sunday night. Phenomenal movement.Feb 8, 10:58
    • Ronnie on The Joker: “That is pure genius, but so true.Feb 8, 10:58
    • gregor on Seeding the briar patch: “Daily Express (07/02/25): Transgender doctor and allies in ‘battle of the badges’ with NHS Fife tribunal nurse Sandie Peggie: “Throughout…Feb 8, 10:53
    • Geri on The smirking scorpion: “‘This isn’t rocket science. Non-recognition of the result of a democratic election is problematic for unionists. It’s immaterial whether the…Feb 8, 10:49
    • Hatey McHateface on The Joker: “Fa’s Sturgeon?Feb 8, 10:48
    • Hatey McHateface on The smirking scorpion: “Wow, Geri quoting Thatcher as a clear-sighted, pragmatic acceptor of Scotland’s right to Independence. It’s unlikely Geri’s right, but just…Feb 8, 10:47
    • Mark Beggan on The Joker: “Oof! That’s a scary image.Feb 8, 10:44
    • Hatey McHateface on The smirking scorpion: “A full and careful reading of the Declaration of Arbroath suggests to me, Andy, that our forebears would be willing…Feb 8, 10:38
    • gregor on The smirking scorpion: “You’re welcome Twathater.Feb 8, 10:34
    • Hatey McHateface on The smirking scorpion: “Well, Geri, when it comes to laughing stocks, you’re the undisputed expert. BTW, what news of the F16s?Feb 8, 10:26
    • Hatey McHateface on The smirking scorpion: ““showing the balls not to take “No” for an answer” And right there, Andy, you’ve (ahem) put your finger on…Feb 8, 10:21
    • robertkknight on The Joker: “Be interesting to see a breakdown in which party their supporters were formerly voting for, where their support in Scotland…Feb 8, 10:15
    • Athanasius on The Joker: “Why do you suppose that is?Feb 8, 10:12
    • Hatey McHateface on The smirking scorpion: “You’re one of the sound cants on here, George, so of course I believe you. My point is, though, that…Feb 8, 10:10
  • A tall tale



↑ Top