This is the first Programme for Government since the referendum and the first of the Sturgeon era. In general it is overtly consensual in nature although it is questionable how many of the announcements will generate any controversy. Continue reading “Programme for Government 2014/15”
It may not be the most glamorous subject, certainly not in comparison to the recent referendum, but the provision of local services is an issue which has been building a head of steam in recent years, mostly due to the failure of the main political parties to bring forward workable reforms.
With massive cuts to local government and the knock on squeeze on services it is very likely that the 2016 Scottish Parliament election is going to be fought on the issue of funding. Continue reading “Remember the one about Local Income Tax Reform?”
Shortly before Scotland went to the polls, Messer’s Cameron, Clegg and Miliband signed a “vow” which appeared on the front page of the Daily Record on 15th September 2014. The contents and subsequent interpretations of this “vow” are now framing the discussion of Scotland’s constitutional future.
Before we go any further, let’s remind ourselves of what the “vow” actually said. Continue reading “One vow. Three very different interpretations.”
“A modest amount” or “a lot more….than we previously thought”. These are the reactions to today’s publication from the British Geological Society/DECC research assessing the potential shale gas and oil reserves in the Midland Valley of Scotland. The 105 page report estimates a central range estimate of around 80 trillion cubic feet of shale gas in central Scotland and six billion barrels of shale oil. … Continue reading Bonanza or damp squib? Scotland’s Shale reserves estimated
Last month Dr Eilidh Whiteford MP and Murdo Fraser MSP wrote about the role of women in the independence debate and about the ongoing currency debate respectively. This week, in the third of our series, guest contributor, Lord Purvis of Tweed, writes about the consensus for further devolution There will be many ‘countdowns’ to the referendum; already having seen the year to go and the … Continue reading A consensus on the alternative to independence
The Garden Lobby 