Issue 54
Sep - Oct 2009
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Scottish politics can be remarkable - and not in a good way. The Megrahi affair has not cast Scottish politics in a good light, but not for the usually trumpeted reason. Rather, it just shows that sometimes we just can’t see past ourselves to anything bigger.
Robin McAlpine looks at the political purpose of the redemption of bankers and demonisation of the public sector
Joe Cox analyses the role that the super-rich have played in the economic crisis and argues for a High Pay Commission
Mike Danson argues that we need to remember who failed to warn us of approaching financial meltdown and challenge the assumptions of conventional economics
Despite the rhetoric about the private sector being the only ‘wealth creators’ there is no evidential base for ‘crowding out’ argues Andy Cumbers
Why must the public sector pick up the private sector’s mess asks Dave Watson?
Henry McCubbin looks back at the expenses scandal and at the more important issue of Ministers for sale
Gregor Gall examines the effectiveness of different tactics used by workers to resist redundancy
The Scots need to take a critical look at the high cost of staying in the Union argues Donald Adamson
Lou Howson attacks attempts by New Labour to control pensioners’organisations
Stephen Bowman criticises the continuing divisive role of religion in Scotland
Robin McAlpine looks at the redemption of bankers and demonisation of the public sector; Joe Cox analyses the role of the super-rich in the economic crisis; Mike Danson on who failed to warn us of approaching financial meltdown; Andy Cumbers on private sector ‘wealth creators’; Dave Watson questioning Why the public sector should pick up the private sector’s mess; Henry McCubbin on the expenses scandal and whether Ministers are for sale; Gregor Gall examines tactics used to resist redundancy; Donald Adamson on the high cost to Scots of the Union; Lou Howson on pensioner's organisations; Stephen Bowman on organised religion.
Clear Red Water: Welsh Devolution and Socialist Politics Nick Davis and Darren Williams, Housemans, 2009, £7.99 The maverick Labour MP Paul Flynn has been around Welsh politics since being elected as a councillor in the early 1970’s. In his foreword, he describes “Clear Red Water” as a “delight”, yet admits to being shamed by the […]
The Odd Job Parliamentarians If you want to find more from the sources for the article on MP’s pursuing outside employment on their constituents time the following should help. On the doors opening for Libian opportunities try the factbox at http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUKL570922620080905 here you will find a comprehensive list. Background on Adam Ingram is best at […]
JOHN SMEATON IN AL-MEGRAHI ‘NEAR MISS’ Before the onset of winter, with its depressing short days and long nights, before the depressing realisation set in that 2010 would see yet another Worls Cup without Scotland, we all let our hair down with a festival or two. Edinburgh, in particular, welcomed visitors from throughout the Globe […]