JOHANN LAMONT CAGE FIGHT HORROR So cabinets are re-shuffled on both sides of the border and the Scottish Government announces it is to proceed with the legislation for the Referendum. Is the phoney war finally over ? The “Yes” campaign, of course, launched earlier this year, with movie star supporters and showbiz razzamatazz. Proud Scottish […]
Lobbyists, civil servants, big finance, media - who really runs Scotland?
The ensnaring of Scottish politics by vested interests did not happen overnight and an alternative was possible. But we are left with oligarchy nevertheless.
Did you assume that public policy is a democratic thing? Well how do you explain these?
As the networks of corporate influence have incessantly increased in Scotland, the blurring and merger of commercial and political interests have followed. A network of civil servants, lobbyists, think tanks, political groups and the media are now taking the lead in setting the public agenda. In private.
The role of accountancy firms has changed from protecting the public from businesses to protecting businesses from the public. Danny McGreggor explains how they get rich at our expense by distorting policy.
Public policy in Scotland is heavily influenced by an informal network of powerful people - but unless you are one of them you will know almost nothing about it, argues Robin McAlpine
In every SLR between now and the referendum we’ll pick a policy issue and ask four writers from across the spectrum of constitutional opinion to argue the pros and cons of independence. In this issue we look at whether an independent Sotland would be more or less succeptible to vested interests.
In May in Edinburgh the Just Banking conference brought together a wide range of expertise to ask what is wrong with our banking system and what should be done to put it right. Matthew Chrighton reports.
If merging the Scotland’s police forces makes so much sense, why is breaking up the railways such a good idea? Instead Scotland’s railways should be kept in one piece urges Mick Whelan.