The following two articles were written in response to Sir Keir Starmer’s handling of the situation in Gaza over the SNP motion at Westminster. The first, written by George Gunn was posted in bella caledonia. The second was written by Adam Ramsay and was first posted by openDemocracy. A) MEETING THE GAZE OF THE GHOST…
The Scottish Languages Bill
Wilson Macleod looks at the new Scottish Languages Bill in the changed political circumstances since the Scottish government consultation was first opened up in June 2023. This article was first posted by bella caledonia. He raises some particular points, but omits the changed political background. Whilst cultural issues have always been a lower priority for…
Memories of Alan Boylan
MEMORIES OF ALAN BOYLAN (1957 – 2024) In 1996, when socialists and communists across Scotland formed the Scottish Socialist Alliance, a larger-than-life figure came into our lives. Alan Boylan was at that time a member of the SNP Trade Union Group. A loud, brash, working class Dundonian, Alan was looking for answers and was being…
The John Maclean Centenary Concert
The following article was written by Jim Aitken and was first posted by Culture Matters. It spotlights the exceptional concert held as part of Celtic Connections in Glasgow’s Concert Hall. THE JOHN MACLEAN CENTENARY CONCERT Celtic Connections put on a wonderful concert recently, in memory of Scotland’s great Marxist revolutionary, John Maclean (1879 -1923). Glasgow’s magnificent…
Homoforbes, the Highlands, and Homophobia
The following article by Eilidh Cameron-Sykes was first posted by bella caledonia. It shows how Kate Forbes holds deeply reactionary views extending way beyond transphobia to homophobia. She covers this up by articulating concerns for other issues which concern people living in the Highland and Islands, although more often in words than meaningful action. HOMOFORBES,…
UK’s chief rabbi gives his blessing to war crimes in Gaza
The following article was written and first posted on Jonathan Cook’s blog. The title says it all. UK’s CHIEF RABBI GIVES HIS BLESSING TO WAR CRIMES IN GAZA In referring to Israeli soldiers as ‘our heroes’, Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis not only has Palestinian blood on his hands but potentially Jewish blood too Britain’s chief rabbi,…
The CWU has called for snivelling Paula Vennells to face a potential criminal investigation
The following article written and first posted by The Canary Editorial Board highlights the connection between many of the elements of the British establishment highlighted by the Paula Vennells scandal in the running of the Post Office. THE CWU HAS CALLED FOR SNIVELLING PAULA VENNELLS TO FACE A POTENTIAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION The Communication Workers…
To breathe the air of peace – review of Gerda Stevenson’s ‘Tomorrow’s Feast’
Jim Aitken has written this review of Tomorrow’s Feast by Gerda Stevenson which was first posted by Culture Matters. Tomorrow’s Feast is Gerda’s most recent book of poetry, written in English, Lallans and a short item in Gaelic. TO BREATHE THE AIR OF PEACE Tomorrow’s Feast by Gerda Stevenson is her third poetry collection. It is…
King Charles and the Counting House
The following article by George Gunn was first posted by bella caledonia. It is another in George’s series ‘From the Province of the Cat’, which use humour, rooted in local common sense to challenge key features of Ukania, the UK state, in this case the role and reality behind the British monarchy. KING CHARLES AND…
Land for the People (Scotland) Bill
Andy Wightman has begun to develop proposals for a comprehensive Land Reform Bill – “one that goes far further than existing proposals in reforming Scotland’s land governance”. This piece was posted by bella caledonia. This was published with Andy’s permission but you can read the original on Andy’s blog here. LAND FOR THR PEOPLE (SCOTLAND) BILL…