Scotland’s Election, the Future of the Union and Ed Miliband’s Labour
Scotland’s Election, the Future of the Union and Ed Miliband’s Labour Gerry Hassan Open Democracy, April 26th 2011 Three opinion polls in a row have now given Alex Salmond’s SNP double digit opinion poll leads (1). Bookmakers William Hill offer odds for the SNP of 2/9 on and Labour of 3/1 to be the biggest party in the Scottish Parliament after May 5th: a huge turnaround from barely a week ago (2). It is now fashionable and commonplace to dismiss modern elections as ‘boring’ and the Scottish elections are no exception. The normally thoughtful Alf Young in ‘Scottish Review’
Continue Reading Scotland’s Election, the Future of the Union and Ed Miliband’s Labour
What comes after Unionism and Nationalism?
What comes after Unionism and Nationalism? Gerry Hassan The Scotsman, April 23rd 2011 The Scottish Parliament elections seem to be being determined on competence, trust and leadership. The record of the SNP administration, Alex Salmond’s leadership, and who we most trust to stand up and speak for Scotland. Behind this there are competing visions of Scotland. There is Labour’s rather conservative vision of an ordered, deferential, respectful society which might not have much dynamism, but would prioritise law and order. Then there is the SNP prospectus of a more confident, outgoing and generous nation, defined by inclusiveness, but which
The Scottish Election Comes to Life
The Scottish Election Comes to Life Gerry Hassan Open Democracy, April 21st 2011 Suddenly Scotland is everywhere on the British airwaves and media. Two very different sides of the nation. Alex Salmond’s cheeky sunlit Nationalists, the scheming separatists in Labour parlance on one side, and on the other, the dark side of football, ‘the Old Firm’ and sectarianism. To some English listeners and viewers, this fantasy/nightmare Scotland portrayed by these accounts must seem like a strange land. A place where the population lives the life of reilly on English subsidies while complaining all the time that their culture of
What is happening to Scottish Politics, its Future and Why It Matters?
What is Happening to Scottish Politics, its Future and Why It Matters? Gerry Hassan Open Democracy, April 19th 2011 Something interesting is happening in Scottish politics. The forthcoming elections were meant to see the return of Scottish Labour and normal service resumed. Instead, the SNP is pulling ahead, Labour is slipping back, confused and fighting an inept campaign, while in a sign of the times Murdoch’s ‘Scottish Sun’ has – unlike last time – just come out for the SNP, with a front page endorsement of Alex Salmond, ‘Play It Again, Salm’ (1). This later story has got the
Continue Reading What is happening to Scottish Politics, its Future and Why It Matters?
The New Market Man of History and the McCliche View of Scotland
The New Market Man of History and the McCliche View of Scotland Gerry Hassan Open Democracy, April 7th 2011 The Scottish Parliament elections are if not in full swing, then reaching a certain tempo. This week has seen the launch of the Tory, Lib Dem and Labour manifestos, next week the SNP, and even the notorious Londoncentric media and political classes have twigged that there something is going in Scotland which they don’t like or understand. Andrew Neil is a talented broadcaster and ‘The Daily Politics’ and ‘This Week’ both good TV and must watches for the Westminster classes.
Continue Reading The New Market Man of History and the McCliche View of Scotland
How the London Political Classes See Scotland and the Future of Scottish Politics
How the London Political Classes See Scotland and the Future of Scottish Politics Gerry Hassan Open Democracy, March 30th 2011 There is now a discernable political trend of London based centre-left policy wonks and commentators attempting to demystify or understand the dynamics of Scottish politics and falling flat on their faces. Recent examples have ranged from Matthew Taylor’s offensive ramblings comparing Scotland and Japan after the earthquake and nuclear crisis, to the more thoughtful contributions of Nick Pearce, head of IPPR, and now Sunder Katwala, head of the Fabians. From a different direction, Neal Lawson, chair
Continue Reading How the London Political Classes See Scotland and the Future of Scottish Politics
What is Scotland’s Big Story?
What is Scotland’s Big Story? Gerry Hassan The Scotsman, March 26th 2011 What is the Big Story of Scotland: as a nation, society, and politically? Like William Hague’s mojo, we know we once had one and that we have now lost it. Scotland has had a number of big stories over the years: Empire Scotland, kirk Scotland, Red Clydeside, and the nationalist dream of independence. Now we mostly have muddle and confusion. The next few weeks are going to see an awful lot of sound and fury. Politicians will make jabbing points not listening to each other; men will make
Devolution, Unionism and Independence: Nick Pearce Replies
Devolution, Unionism and Independence: Nick Pearce Replies Nick Pearce Open Democracy, February 16th 2011 Dear Gerry, Once again, thanks for your reply. I found it very stimulating. Here are some points by way of response: 1. A small clarification: by “unionist project” I simply meant that, in fact and law, Scotland’s Parliament remains within the United Kingdom, and was designed as devolution of power within the union. The devolution project is unionist, therefore, even if its parents had a range of perspectives, including nationalist ones. 2. I think if you want to claim that the “primary account of devolution” was
Continue Reading Devolution, Unionism and Independence: Nick Pearce Replies
A Scottish and British Conversation: A Reply to Nick Pearce
A Scottish and British Conversation: A Reply to Nick Pearce Gerry Hassan Open Democracy. February 16th 2011 Dear Nick, Many thanks for your thoughtful response. 1. Devolution was not just a ‘unionist project’. That is much too simple – just as it was never a Labour project on its own. The midwives of the Scottish Parliament are many: a Labour story, a nationalist (or accurately a Nationalist and nationalist) story, and the account of what for better words we can call ‘civic Scotland’. Its parentage and its point is a pluralist, contested one. 2. The primary account of devolution became
Continue Reading A Scottish and British Conversation: A Reply to Nick Pearce
Nick Pearce Responds on Scotland, Labour and Devolution
Nick Pearce Responds on Scotland, Labour and Devolution Nick Pearce Open Democracy, February 15th 2011 Gerry Hassan has written an insightful critique of a blog I posted last week following a trip to Edinburgh. He generously credits the IPPR with being unique amongst think-tanks in taking an interest in the world beyond Westminster through our series of publications, Devolution in Practice, and the creation of IPPR North. But he takes me to task for some of my observations and conclusions on Scottish politics. I defer to Gerry’s greater knowledge and experience of these issues; mine is a view informed
Continue Reading Nick Pearce Responds on Scotland, Labour and Devolution
