Willie Sullivan, Lynn Henderson, Linda Somerville and Ruth Lightbody show not all progressive political change comes in the form of traditional party politics. Institutional power no longer delivers for citizens. It always struggled to do so but did so much better before. The ‘golden age’ of representative democracy in Britain was probably the post-war consensus, […]
Bill Bonnar examines the background to the war in Ukraine. To be clear from the outset: The Russian invasion of Ukraine should be completely condemned as should the appalling consequences of that invasion in terms of the death and destruction which has rained down on the people of that country. Whatever justification the Kremlin offers, […]
Gilbert Achcar dissects the differences as well as their origins and their outcomes. The anti-war, anti-imperialist left worldwide has been deeply divided on the war in Ukraine along quite unusual lines, due to the novelty of the situation represented by Russia’s invasion of a weaker neighbouring country as part of Russia’s openly stated nationalistic expansionist […]
Arthur West argues that double standards have outflanked diplomacy but peace can be secured. The tragic war in Ukraine has caused considerable suffering and loss of life. It’s appropriate to positively acknowledge the support many people across the country have given to humanitarian appeals supporting people in Ukraine affected by the conflict. It has also […]
Alf Baird surveys the various energy options for greening sea transport, whether for passenger or goods As with all transport modes, the global maritime sector is required to reduce harmful emissions and rapidly move towards zero-emissions. This presents numerous challenges for shipowners, charterers and financiers in coming up with optimal solutions which are practical and […]
Mary Church and Niamh McNulty lay out what the conference needs to do and what will be done in Glasgow to push it toward that. Glasgow is to play host to COP26 – otherwise known as the 26th conference of the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – at a critical […]
Peter Henderson surveys the dangers of freeports and wonders whether the SNP’s ‘greenports’ policy can square the circle. The latest UK Government proposals to regenerate the economy are freeports while the Scottish Government’s alternative has been labelled ‘greenports’, incorporating aspects of its Fair Work and Net Zero agendas. The freeport concept is, of course, not […]
Annie Morgan takes the Scottish Government to task for not sinking the proposal to profit from environmental destruction. Scottish Enterprise, owner of the land, recently withdrew from the potential planning application by the Lomond Banks, a subsidiary of theme park operator, Flamingo Land, after Lomond Banks submitted a request for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) […]
Gordon Morgan exposes the crazy circumstances in which green energy is unnecessarily made more expensive. Far from encouraging renewable energy in Scotland, Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) and which supports the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority, actively discourages any new generation in Scotland. Moreover, it is consulting on increasing the amount of electricity […]
Assessing and explaining Labour’s new high tide in Wales, Darren Williams points out the continuing challenges. Welsh Labour won an impressive set of results in the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) elections on 6 May, securing exactly half of the institution’s 60 seats – equalling the party’s best previous performance – and ensuring a further five years […]