Sturgeon’s independence roadmap is a dead end

The SNP says it has a ‘roadmap to a referendum’. Over the weekend, constitution secretary Mike Russell published an 11-point plan for a plebiscite on independence ‘that is beyond legal challenge’ and would be held after May’s Holyrood election. The wheeze is that, unless the UK Government accedes, the SNP-controlled Edinburgh parliament would simply passContinue reading “Sturgeon’s independence roadmap is a dead end”

Sturgeon objects to ‘spin’; irony in critical condition

Watching Holyrood these days requires Olympian stamina and a boundless supply of optimism. The longer the First Minister’s statements get, the more depressing they become. Nicola Sturgeon’s message to MSPs yesterday can be summed up in four words: Nothing’s changed. Any questions? Actually, that’s not quite true. The reopening of schools and nurseries is changingContinue reading “Sturgeon objects to ‘spin’; irony in critical condition”

The Hungry Hungry Hippos approach to government

We should consider doing away with podiums. Every time Nicola Sturgeon gets behind one, we lose another freedom. The First Minister pounced from her Holyrood perch again yesterday, gobbling up what remains of our liberties like Hungry Hungry Hippos with statutory powers. Before First Minister’s Questions kicked off, she previewed a ‘further tightening of theContinue reading “The Hungry Hungry Hippos approach to government”

The high stakes of Salmond vs. Sturgeon

Alex Salmond’s seven-year reign as first minister of Scotland was a regal affair. Chauffeur-driven cars ferried him to and from his preferred restaurants. Wine and champagne flowed during interviews and social meetings with journalists. Then, one morning in November 2014, it all vanished and power passed abruptly to his heir, Nicola Sturgeon. Uneasy lies theContinue reading “The high stakes of Salmond vs. Sturgeon”