Scotland’s Land, Energy, Independence and what we get from the Ferry contract (not a ferry): 09/04/2022 – 16/04/2022 IndyRef2 Despite the First Minister claiming it is ‘unsustainable’ for the UK to stand in the way of indyref2, a House of Commons briefing of 71 pages has outlined the grounds for a legal challenge if Boris… Read More »Week 15 9th April – 15th April 2022
A mixed few weeks for women’s rights: Victories The Equality and Human Rights Commission has ruled that toilets, changing rooms and so on can be single sex and exclude trans people. However, the following day, NHS diversity officers decided to band together to just ignore that advice. Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, waded into the… Read More »You win some, you lose some
Week 14 : 2nd -8th April All Under One Banner (AUOB) The latest rally for independence in Arbroath at the weekend saw SNP President Mike Russell challenged by AUOB Organiser Bob Fotheringham on how many more mandates the SNP needs to pursue independence. Russell claimed he will spend every waking hour of his life… Read More »Week 14 : 2nd April – 8th April 2022
26/03/2022 – 01/04/2022 Incinerator plans binned Plans for a new waste incinerator in South Lanarkshire have been abandoned following an outcry from the local population and campaign group Dovesdale Action Group (DAG) working with MSPs Christina McKelvie and Mairi McAllan and local MP Angela Crawley. Sir David Attenborough supported opposition to the plant. The Scottish… Read More »Week 13 26th March – 1st April 2022
The Independence for Scotland Party held its Spring Conference last weekend in beautiful, sunny Dundee. Delegates met to consider a number of new resolutions, as well as Emergency Resolutions arising from the ongoing war in Ukraine. Robin McAlpine of Common Weal and Dr Mark McNaughton of the Scottish Sovereignty Research Group presented their ideas on where… Read More »ISP Spring Conference 19th March 2022
12/03/2022 – 18/03/2022 And the winner is ……Turkey A row has broken out over the award of the Islay and Jura ferry contract to Turkey. Unsurprisingly, no Scottish yard was in the final bidding process which involved Romania, Poland and Turkey. Scottish government-owned Ferguson Marine in Port Glasgow is currently building two ferries, hugely late… Read More »Week 11 12th March – 18th March 2022
05/03/2022 – 11/03/2022 Second Homes The Welsh government is planning to tax second-home owners at four times the current level, a 300% increase on the current second-home premium. Rules to allow second homes as businesses and pay business rates will only apply to properties available for rent at least 252… Read More »Week 10 5th March – 11th March 2022
26/02/2022 – 05/03/2022 Ukraine Crisis: Priti Patel has put her foot in it again, saying Ukrainian refugees can pick fruit here. The UK’s initial response was limited to Ukrainians with immediate family here. Now, adult parents, grandparents, children over 18 and siblings of those living in the UK can join them, and a new… Read More »Week 9 26th February – 5th March 2022
The recent headlines claiming a Savanta ComRes poll of 2038 people showing a clear majority of Scots backing gender reform proposals need some clarification. Responses to Question 1 showed people do not all understand transgender as meaning the same thing. 51% thought it was gender expression, 22% thought it was hormones plus full gender… Read More »Devil is in the detail of responses to survey on gender reforms
19/02/2022 – 25/02/2022 Visibility Scotland find Glasgow dangerous The new road layout under the Avenues Project has made roads including Sauchiehall Street confusing and dangerous for the visually impaired. Guide dogs detect pavement edges by dips, but the dips designating new cycle lanes are much smaller than the usual kerbs, making it hard to… Read More »Week 8 19th February – 25th February 2022
