Scotland

  • Westminster Week: All change

    Tuesday

    Lara Bird MP (Arbroath and Broughty Ferry/SNP) makes her maiden speech to the Commons today, and comes in the as the new, firebrand SNP representative for a Scottish constituency. Devolution has never had a better advocate. Every year of her nation’s history is inked in her head. She’s said to be more likely at a Highland games than anywhere else, but the call of politics has been heard. Her words also speak of different alleigances. If a second referendum doesn’t come soon, no doubt she’d fight for it anyway.

    Wednesday

    Prime Minister’s Questions.

    It’s an energetic session for the outgoing Prime Minister, but there’s a sense of nervousness on the Government benches. They have to watch a landslide Prime Minister leave, to be replaced – potentially – by a former Mayor of Greater Manchester. It’s a totally different prospect, and the gap between the two needs navigating. They can be forgiven for being worried, since many others are, too.

    Thursday

    Access To Further Education.

    Hannah Spencer MP (Gorton and Denton/Green Party), the former plumber, says apprenticeships still need a boost from central Government. After years of promise, this is an issue that still needs to come up, and there’s no better to do it. But like voting for the Green Party, it’s a cut-price value too far for many interested parties.

  • Reform UK have work to do in the nations

    This is the breakthrough year for Reform UK in the nations, who now sit as the second largest party in Wales and Scotland. It’s a win for those who feel pride in self has been damaged by international litigation over historic issues and repeated aggressive tactics against Parliamentary institutions and structures by left-leaning fanatics. In short, it’s peacemaking over warmongering by factions.

    Not even the UN could have achieved this, a feat designed to rebuild the UK from the ground up. To respect UK populations and to quickly restore hope to young generations before they lose it too.

    But if Reform UK hope to do more, they need to realise the problems that stubbornly persist in these nations and that plenty of people have studied for a long time. They’re servants of the people for a crisis at such a time like this. Their performance must match the expectations of those that sorely need a change in their living standards. It also means showing upmost respect for all people everywhere.

  • Predictably, Scottish nationalism is falling apart

    The way it works isn’t the way it’s working. This is true of Scottish politics right now. The shortcuts, bends, and u-turns that nationalists take to make their own sense of things has not become the norm and is now breaking down.

    The return of 17 Reform UK MSPs is a staggering rebuke to the staging of a false nationalist notion north of the border, in a nation that prides itself on local things but isn’t known for ruining itself on the altar of this at the same time.

    Far be it from Farage & Co. being a menace, the hype and exaggeration of the SNP has slowly eroded trust in Holyrood’s politics. The bare reality of SNP infighting is being exposed and it’s only scratching the surface of a superficial drive for promises that aren’t deliverable.

  • Reform UK want strong gains in Wales and Scotland

    Reform UK is becoming a professional party with ambitions in mind. With Wales and Scotland voting for their national representatives tomorrow, they’re at a breakthrough moment for a renewed structure.

    The challenge is serious, because to win over voters who doubt their integrity due to accusations against their leader and possibly a local candidate, they need to have made an impact in person.

    Since real power is at stake, Farage’s party may have a big boost coming tomorrow at the highest level because of devolved voters. Its entry into UK politics may be assured by key wins that surprise those who covet the status quo.

  • Reform UK aim for Scotland

    Reform UK has taken its fight to Holyrood after its biggest defection yet from the Conservatives turned out to be Lord Offord of Garvel.

    It means Reform UK Scotland will contest a seat in Scotland’s Parliament with the former Peer as its potential breadwinner.

  • Westminster Week: Straight-ahead

    Wednesday

    It’s Spring Statement day, but there wasn’t much freshness in the air. The mood in the Chamber was the same. The Prime Minister had little patience for the Opposition’s questioning of education. The Chancellor was defiant in her message.

    Thursday

    Lord Hunt of Kings Heath backed Project Willow over Unite’s proposal for Grangemouth’s future.

    “It evaluated over 300 technologies and identified nine potential technologies. We have £200 million available from the National Wealth Fund to invest.”

    It’s busy up north.

  • Glasgow: Profile of a city

    The city has a bulky look and feel.

    It bulges out from its sides as full of life, normal business, and hurried activity. It moves quickly and feels packed at peak times.

    An entertainment shop
    A Wetherspoon’s pub

    A brief walk around its centre and a look at its shopping areas demonstrates it’s a place to enjoy different things in life.

    There’s a diversity in age, gender, and appearance. There are shops large and small to cater for niche and mainstream interests of shoppers.

    A charity shop
    A cosmetics brand

    There are hints of a Scottish way of life but also a modern feel exists in its business as well as its attractions for locals and tourists alike.

    It’s a place to spot a corner and to enjoy it. There’s ample opportunity for it due to its transport links, history, and places for recreation.