Contributors
Recent Comments
Davidson: all spin a… on The future of the Scottish Tor… Alastair Naughton on The future of the Scottish Tor… The UK’s comin… on The UK’s coming EU refer… The UK’s comin… on The UK’s coming EU refer…
Category Archives: Scottish Politics
Nicola Sturgeon’s lonely decision
by James Mitchell One issue will dominate discussion at the SNP conference in Glasgow this week, though not on the floor of the conference. The decision on when a second independence referendum is held is in the hands of Nicola … Continue reading
The future of the Scottish Tories: more than theatricals…
by James Mitchell For three decades, senior Tories in London were perplexed by political developments in Scotland. As they saw it, the party’s support receded as Scots embraced their policies. Scots bought their council houses but showed little gratitude … Continue reading
SNP Depute Leadership contest
by James Mitchell The public could be excused for being unaware that the SNP is currently electing a new depute leader. Past SNP leadership contests have been significant events when the party has confronted major choices in strategy and … Continue reading
What will Nicola Sturgeon be hoping for on June 23rd?
There has been much speculation on the implications of the EU referendum for the unity of the UK. A list of EU supporters have suggested that a vote for BREXIT will lead to the break-up of Britain. But what logic … Continue reading
Tories smiling but challenges ahead
The Scottish Conservatives are smiling and with good reason. The party’s share of the vote rose by 8.1% to 22% across Scotland’s 73 constituencies and by 10.6% to 22.9% across its regions. Over half a million voters turned out to … Continue reading
Posted in Local Government, Parliament, Scottish Politics
Tagged Scottish Government
Leave a comment
Local Government and the May 2016 Holyrood Election
By Professor James Mitchell Summary This briefing assesses the likely role of local government in the May elections for the Scottish Parliament. There are few areas of public policy under Holyrood’s remit that do not have local government implications, but … Continue reading
Politics is an expectations game
By Professor James Mitchell Politics is an expectations game. As Mary Matalin and James Carville noted success is ‘not measured by actual results, but preconceived expectations’. As we approach May’s Holyrood elections, the SNP is expected to extend its lead … Continue reading
The EU Referendum: Unpredictable in Scotland and the UK
by Professor James Mitchell In Scotland, despite differences in views and parties, the 1975 EC referendum shares some similarities with the EU referendum today, writes James Mitchell. He suggests that the referendum will be an unpredictable contest with the prospect … Continue reading
Posted in EU referendum, Scottish Politics
Tagged EU referendum, Scotland and Europe
Leave a comment
Doers and Hearers
James Mitchell, Jonathan Sher, Dr Sue Northrop, Dr Katherine Trebek, John Carnochan. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is … Continue reading
Posted in Prevention, Scottish Politics
Tagged Christie Commission, Scottish Politics
Leave a comment
Ahead of 2016 elections, the SNP has more pressing issues than IndyRef 2
By Professor James Mitchell With the weakest opposition in Holyrood since devolution and riding high in the polls, the SNP can probably look forward to another period in office next year. The focus of most attention, especially amongst its opponents, … Continue reading
Edinburgh_AoG
Academy of Government @ Edinburgh University 