Honest, competent, transparent, safe… these are just some of the words I would never use to describe John Swinney. Although first minister by default, he is a failure. The loyal consigliere – his role now seems to be a reprise his last stint as SNP leader and take the fall for the next electoral defeat.Continue reading “Honest John?”
Tag Archives: Misinformation
Creative Writing
The debate surrounding the economic future of an independent Scotland is complex and fraught with uncertainty. Nationalists propose a path that is both difficult and unprecedented, suggesting that Scotland could either use Sterling unofficially or separate its integrated modern economy from mechanisms such as quantitative easing and control of monetary policy. Critics, such as JohnContinue reading “Creative Writing”
Bold Claims
A 2021 article from ‘Briefings for Britain’ is still being shared, where it makes several claims about the impact of Brexit on the UK concerning the economy and trade. Their claims were over-optimistic at the time and, in the context of the past two years, are not a fair commentary on the impact of Brexit.Continue reading “Bold Claims”
Putting the Con in Constitution
A Constitution for an Independent Scotland: A Populist’s Dream or a Misuse of Public Funds? While the idea of a written constitution for an independent Scotland may seem appealing, the Scottish National Party’s (SNP) proposal is fraught with potential pitfalls, oversimplifications, and a lack of detail that raises serious questions about its feasibility and theContinue reading “Putting the Con in Constitution”
Pushing the Envelope
When people of influence are caught with envelopes of cash, it rarely ends well for them It’s about as grubby and corrupt a scene as you can find in popular culture; the trope of “envelopes of cash” is often used in films and television shows to depict bribery and corruption. It has become a cliché,Continue reading “Pushing the Envelope”
Empire State
Scotland: Colony or Coloniser? “The primary aim of propaganda is, of course, to influence contemporary opinion, but those who rewrite history do probably believe with part of their minds that they are actually thrusting facts into the past.” Notes on Nationalism – George Orwell It’s sadly become a nationalist trope to claim Scotland is aContinue reading “Empire State”
The Wrong Good Friday
The Good Friday Agreement is not Justification for the SNP’s Unilateral De Facto Referendum demands The pub in the film the long good Friday is called “The ‘Lion and Unicorn’ – representing the standards of England and Scotland as united on the banner of James VI of Scotland when he became James I of EnglandContinue reading “The Wrong Good Friday”
Size Matters
What’s the best size for a country? The Scottish National Party make much of Scotland’s population of around 5 million as conveniently the best size for a country – as though simply by being around 5 million nations are predestined to be “wealthier, happier and fairer” but does their claim stand up to investigation? InContinue reading “Size Matters”
The Populist's Playbook 