Displays last 10 posts.

16/07/2011 11:52:56

Summer time Reflections

Many colleagues are on holiday at this time, and others about to go. So apart from the feeding frenzy that is the media turning on itself, and the rare opportunity for politicians to take the moral high ground, all is relatively quiet. A perfect time to reflect on some of the failings of all Governments around the world, and to consider how once refreshed all of us might take a humbler view   of what is required to improve the quality of life for our ourselves, imediate family and friends, and the wider community. The fundamental challenges are not going way, indeed they will intensify. However a measured, calm response is needed. One that is inclusive and devoid of the very unimpressive tribal politics of old which seem only to impress the diminishing band of political junkies. Indeed the state of the world is simply too much for any overt political solution, and society at large has to act collectively in ways it has not done since the advent of the modern political party.

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19/06/2011 10:55:46

The Phoney War ends?

A few months after UK Government elections, then the more recent Welsh , Northern Ireland and Scottish devolved Government elections, alongside major changes in local Government in England, we are now beginning to see the real challenges ahead. Forget any smokescreens  around greater longer term political or ecomic autonomy, or debates around social market economics. The real challenge for the next few months is  surely how we manage the implementation of a very challenging phase in public finances without causing genuine social division. We are going to see many protests , growing support for many individual and worthy causes, and continued hardship across the "working" and "middle" classes if such definitions exist. And "Government" in the broadest sense of all Governments in the UK including coaltions partners is not united so is hardly likely to provide consistent, clear direction. We live in interesting times.

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10/06/2011 18:17:45

The Big Ask

Many of our readers will be following with interest the growing list of demands from Scotland's First Minister. Showing my heritage, how long before Home Rule for Yorkshire?? I return to my theme though, that whilst  recent polls indicate a little more support for "independence" in Scotland (however so defined)  there seems to be a growing list of demands for inclusion in the Scotland Act that seem to sit outside of any measured perspective of what greater autonomy to all parts of the United Kingdoms might mean. I for one am neither for or against greater devolution of authority and economic powers in any part of the United Kingdom in that I neither hold a political grudge nor look at the Union thtough rose tinted spectacles. Rather I want to seet the case made by both sidesfor the contribution to economic growth and social progress that either retaining the status quo or taking a progressive journey towards greater devolution will bring. In the meantime I would urge all those giving political leadership to focus only on how we can nurture economic recovery, job creation, and  maintain an acceptable level  of social justice in the short term whilst we reduce the deficit. In that way the sins of our current leaders are not visited upon those who shall inherit the leadership of Scotland or the UK in some twenty years time or so. We owe it to the next generation to focus first and foremost on recovery, and to stop squaring up across artificial boundaries like schoolboys in the playground. 

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30/05/2011 09:30:09

Time for a full UK Constitutional Review??

Reading the recent speech of Scotland's First Minister and his vision of a Fair Society, I was then struck by the immediate and ingenous dive into judicial matters reserved to the Supreme Court. The case is being made, albeit badly, that Scottish criminal cases must be determined, including appeals, only in Scotland. Indeed that it is outrageous that appeals such as Cadder should be determined in England.  It's good bar room politics  but rather misses the point as Lord Hope, an eminent Scottish Judge pointed out. The Supreme Court  is a UK final court of appeal, replacing the House of Lords. Rightly or wrongly, it is. It is broadly agreed too that it operates effectively and fairly, and without the inordinate delays that typify the European Court of Human Rights. Whatever we think of the law, the biggest threat to a  Fair Society is when politicians can change Judicial structures at will. It is but a short step to seeking to influence judicial appointments and what price a fair society then??    

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25/05/2011 13:19:57

CSPP engaging with Scottish Citizens on Independence agenda

Many of you know that I am a director of the Centre for Scottish Public Policy, an independent think tank in Scotland. We have become very aware  after the recent elections that there is going to be lot of political activity around the independence agenda ahead of a referendum. We are giving serious thought as to how one engages citizens in that debate. Perhaps through a series of apolitical town hall debates and online fora??  Do let me know if you have any ideas on driving greater civic engagement especially amongst the young.  Those that are 15 now will be voting in the  the referendum on Independence in 2014 or beyond. 

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20/05/2011 16:42:37

Scottish Cabinet announced

A refreshed SNP Cabinet prepares to lead the country for the next five years. Slightly enlarged its good to see a very real focus on driving economic growth, job creation and infrastructure spending. There are many challenges ahead and after the excitement of the next few days dies down especially for those newly elevated to Cabinet Secretary the hard work really begins. I and my colleagues at MJI look forward to working with everyone committed to driving sustainable economic growth for Scotland,

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14/05/2011 15:15:11

Master Tactician or cynical politics??

Professor James Mtchell has just completed a detailed review of Scottish National Party  views on "Independence." To no one's surprise a political party that has enjoyed its first four years in Government, and is looking forward to five more years with an unprecedented majority in the Scottish Parliament is seeking to redefine "Independence." What is surprising is that no other party in the elections chose to seek to understand the previous definition, either from voters or as defined by the SNP.  We now aree being prepared for a refereredum which will  not be about Independence as defined and understood previously but about a federal relationship within the United Kingdom, where Scotland choses to outsource some responsibilities to the United Kingdom such as defence or foreign affairs, paying its contribution. However it retains the right to opt out as required  whilst retaining full membership of the EC in its own right.  I think we all look forward to seeing the definition of Independence on the ballot paper in a few years and how each party chooses to create a viable middle ground between Union and Independence. A successful conclusion would redefine geo politics for decades in Europe and beyond. How could Spain resist creating a separate Basque territory for example?? 

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07/05/2011 18:06:54

Congratulations to Campaign Winners

Congratulations to  First Minister Alex Salmond and his Scottish National Party on a stunning and historic victory in the recent elections. Commiserations to all those who fought to be elected but were unsuccessful. The sign of any healthy democracy is that of  of a true choice at the ballot box.  No one will deny that the pace of Scottish Government activity will quicken, and the opportunity to develop legislative programmes will be taken. However all the manifestos offered largesse on a number of fronts including the winning party's manifesto. The honeymooon is likely to be over very quickly as we move to deal with the economic realities. So staying positive and being a contributor to Team Scotland is vital for all of us.

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01/05/2011 16:14:36

AV or not AV , is that the question??

The Scottish Parliamentary elections  lurch onwards towards polling day with barely a flicker of interest from the general public. I attended a Street Party on Friday and fell into conversation with a number of very reasonable, successful individuals. Only one couple expressed interest in politics, others admitted that their interest had diminished year on year as the Scottish Parliament failed to make any impact to the point now where a number saw little point in voting. So AV or not AV is surely not the question, we need a much more fundamental look at how how and why elected members of all parties can engage with the people of Scotland. Perhaps use technology more and social media tools to build some engagement??

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15/04/2011 18:34:47

No spark yet for Scottish Parliament Campaign

All the party manifestos are now out, and a nunber of comprehensive wish lists hace been produced by all the parties. The media has selected a few key policies to focus on in the hope of engaging a dimimishing offline readership in debate, though with some chance of online debate. Sadly for the parties  there is little spark of interest outside the diminishing party faithful. How does one engage a community that has ceased to believe in the political process?? And what mechansisms are there to hold party leaders to account after the election as they make increasingly wild spending committments?

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