Monthly Archives: June 2017

Margaret Smith, former Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh West. Much was expected of the Lib Dems going into this year’s elections. In Scotland, Willie Rennie confidently told his party’s Spring Conference that they spoke for the majority in Scotland who … Continue reading →

Professor Simon Clark, Head of School of Economics, Edinburgh University During the general election campaign remarkably little was said about Brexit, despite Theresa May calling the election in order to strengthen her negotiating hand. So it might be thought that … Continue reading →

Nasar Meer, Professor of Race, Identity and Citizenship, School of Social and Political Science, Edinburgh University “If you’re black, you’re treated more harshly by the criminal justice system than if you’re white”, so Theresa May told us on the steps … Continue reading →

Stephen Tierney This post asks: what, if any, impact is a hung Parliament likely to have upon the relatively new House of Commons procedure known as ‘English Votes for English laws (EVEL)’? Will a minority Conservative Government, propped up by … Continue reading →

Juliet Swann, authority on electoral systems; gender, politics and public policy; with wide experience in campaign, rights and reform organisations @muteswann The June 2017 election results show that a few voters are deciding for the many, and political party discussions … Continue reading →

Margaret Curran, former Labour MSP, MP and Scottish Government Minister Where were you when David Dimbleby read out the result of the exit poll? It was the biggest thrill many in Scottish Labour have had in some time. While the … Continue reading →

Professor Nicola McEwen, Edinburgh University Brexit poses profound challenges for relations between the UK and devolved governments. But, can the lack of understanding and trust that characterised intergovernmental relations in the months before the election give way to more positive … Continue reading →

Sarah Childs, Meryl Kenny and Jessica Smith Sarah Childs is Professor of Politics and Gender at the University of Bristol.  She tweets @profsarahchilds. Meryl Kenny is Lecturer in Gender and Politics at the University of Edinburgh.  She tweets @merylkenny.  Jessica … Continue reading →

ALVIN JACKSON Alvin Jackson is Sir Richard Lodge Professor of History at the University of Edinburgh, and the author of numerous books on modern Irish and British history, including The Two Unions:  Ireland, Scotland and the Survival of the United … Continue reading →

Marco Biagi This is the third blog in the series ‘What next for…’ following the UK General Election 2017.  The author was SNP MSP for Edinburgh Central, 2011-16 and served as Minister for Local Government and Communities, 2014-16.  He is … Continue reading →