Category Archives: Politics

On many occasions, I have found myself enlightened and stimulated by Burdzeyeview and would recommend the blog to all on both sides of the debate regarding where Scotland is going and why. I had intended giving the soapbox a rest … Continue reading →

In its time, Scotland has produced its share of groundbreaking politicians and, given the imprecision of and the human flaws intrinsic in politics (unlike with physicists or surgeons) there is less unanimity about who belongs at the top. Jim Sillars … Continue reading →

Had to laugh last night when unsuccessful Labour Leader candidate’s Twitter alter ego Tam Horris commented that he was off to drown his sorrows but wasn’t the demented engineering officer down in the bowels of Das Boot also called Johann? … Continue reading →

As regular readers should know, while this blog maintains a pro-community, pro-independence and internationalist outlook, we hold no monopoly on the truth and are happy to give credit elsewhere for ideas that would advance Scotland and its myriad of communities. … Continue reading →

It seems only yesterday that Margaret Curran was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland and announced a fitba’ team of fellow Labour MPs with a common mission: Cathy Jamieson, Russell Brown, Gemma Doyle, Tom Greatrex, Ian Murray, Anne McGuire, Gregg … Continue reading →

Just in from this year’s John P. Macintosh memorial lecture in the University of Edinburgh’s magnificent Playfair Library. After Rhodri Morgan’s typically barnstorming lecture last year on Wales as a Celtic Bermuda Triangle again kept the bar high, this year’s … Continue reading →

This season of remembering the sacrifices of previous generations in the defence of their country is no bad time to consider the state of forces currently defending these islands. We are constantly told how Scotland benefits on the world stage from … Continue reading →

Right in the middle of Guy Fawkes season, I have just been rummaging in the further reaches of Westminster procedures and so appalled by what I keep coming up with that I increasingly believe Guy’s had a bum deal down … Continue reading →

…are doomed to repeat it.” (Burke) It can be hard to discern key turning points in history as they happen, especially when centuries of tradition and inertia colour viewpoints. But we are coming up to the 70th anniversary of what … Continue reading →

As I was about to say yesterday when Nick Clegg’s transatlantic ego pushed me off course, there are a number of people in Scotland to whom the motives—let alone the aims—of the SNP are suspect. There has been (as Mr … Continue reading →