Alex Salmond
Scottish independence: it’s still (almost) all about oil.
The Scottish government published a paper on the national economy today that, according to Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon, makes the case for independence. You can read the pamphlet here… Continue reading
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Defending the Right Union
The Scottish Tories look like supporting more devolution. Cue predictable apoplexy from some. Devolution was a terrible mistake, slopes are slippery, beaches should be fought on and ditches died in.… Continue reading
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Margaret Thatcher and Scotland: A Story of Mutual Incomprehension
There is a poignant passage in Margaret Thatcher’s memoirs during which she contemplates her failure in Scotland. She seemed puzzled by this, noting that, in her view, many of her… Continue reading
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David Cameron and the Union
Alex Massie asks why I didn’t mention the Union in my piece in this week’s magazine on what David Cameron’s legacy will be. It is a good question. Indeed, one… Continue reading
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David Cameron’s Legacy? Preserving the Union or presiding over the Break-Up of Britain
Politics is at least partially a matter of perspective. The same object can look very different depending upon the angle from which it is viewed. Which brings me to Brother… Continue reading
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Independent Scotland: neoliberal nirvana or Scandinavian paradise?
So, an independent Scotland. Neoliberal nirvana or Scandinavian paradise? True, these are not the only choices available but as a useful shorthand for the size of the state and its… Continue reading
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Should the United Kingdom become an independent country?
Last week, Alex Salmond announced the date for the referendum in Scotland, 18 September 2014. The question is phrased to his advantage. ‘Should Scotland become an independent country?’ it asks.… Continue reading
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Salmond goes for the surprise referendum date
Always the showman, Alex Salmond did the unexpected today when he announced that the referendum on Scottish independence would be held on Thursday September 18 2014. He knew everyone was… Continue reading
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After Leveson and McCluskey, does Alex Salmond believe in the freedom of the press?
So, it seems some kind of torturous “deal” has been reached in London on how best to regulate the press in the future. If David Cameron’s proposals for a Royal… Continue reading
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David Cameron won't debate Alex Salmond because televised debates are for losers.
The standard assumption about political debates is that the campaign with most to gain in all in favour of them while the candidate presumed to be the front-runner wants nothing… Continue reading
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Brave, the Oscars and the Scottish Cringe.
Hurrah for Brave, the little movie that could! And did! All Scotland salutes her Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Another triumph for the plucky underdogs at Disney-Pixar. That, at any rate,… Continue reading
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Scottish Independence: Can't We do Better Than This Dismal Campaign?
Mario Cuomo, former governor of New York state (and father of the present governor) is perhaps these days most famous for his quip that politicians campaign in poetry but govern… Continue reading
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Is the press biased against the SNP? Probably. But we are all nationalists now. - Spectator Blogs
So we have a question and it is a simple one. Should Scotland be an independent country? There, that wasn’t so difficult was it? It is, after all, the nub of the… Continue reading
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2013: Can the SNP move beyond preaching to the already converted? - Spectator Blogs
Alex Salmond is back in Bute House, refreshed and chippered by a much-needed holiday. If 2012 was a year in which the Referendum Guns were first deployed it was still,… Continue reading
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Scottish Independence and Europe: Who does this Barroso guy think he is? - Spectator Blogs
Today’s Think Scotland column takes a gander at the rumpus over an independent Scotland’s accession to the EU. Until recently the SNP promised that said accession would be automatic. Now… Continue reading
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Salmond caught on the rock of Europe
Europe, so often the rock on which Conservative hopes foundered, is now causing considerable trouble for Alex Salmond. The Scottish First Minister has long campaigned for Scottish separation under the… Continue reading
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Nicola Sturgeon is ready for her close-up - Spectator Blogs
In the rabid hamster-eating-hamster world of Scottish politics Nicola Sturgeon is a rarity: a politician of obvious competence who’s respected by her peers regardless of their own political allegiances. There… Continue reading
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Free Catalonia!
OMG to Catalonia! (Geddit?; I’m quite proud of that. Pathetic, I know). A congenial centre-right and far left alliance in Catalonia should see Spain cease to exist as an entity… Continue reading
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Britain, Scotland, Norway and Europe: lands of magical Sovereignty-Unicorns - Spectator Blogs
Even the cheapest, Poundland crystal ball will tell even a blind observer that Europe is pretty soon going to be a pretty hefty problem for almost all of Britain’s political… Continue reading
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Alex Salmond, Scotland’s longest serving First Minister
So Alex Salmond has achieved the feat of becoming Scotland’s longest serving First Minister. This is a notable achievement. After all, he has avoided the fate of one of his predecessors… Continue reading
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