A recent poll for Holyrood magazine quizzed around a third of MSPs on their religious affiliation, and thoughts about faith within the political sphere. This snapshot of politicians’ views is fascinating. Just over half of the parliamentarians who responded cited a religious affiliation – 25 identified as Catholic, Protestant, Episcopalian, or simply as Christian. OneContinue reading “Christianity remains highly relevant in our politics”
Category Archives: Politics
God is not indifferent to the Middle East conflict
People across the world are in shock after witnessing a devastating escalation in violence in Israel and Palestine. On Saturday, reports emerged describing a large scale incursion into Israel by Hamas terrorists – catching Israeli security forces off guard. Videos on social media showed bloodied bodies, Israeli civilians pursued in the streets by gunmen, andContinue reading “God is not indifferent to the Middle East conflict”
Continuity won’t aid the SNP
Forbes’ loss this week could turn out to be a big loss for the SNP
Sturgeon is right on the need for civility
Nicola Sturgeon was right to call for a better political discourse in Scotland
Small boats bill threatens the most marginalised
Earlier this week, the UK Government announced new legislation designed to address the perilous situation on the English Channel, where thousands of people are entering the UK on small boats. The Illegal Migration Bill would place a legal duty on the Home Secretary to remove people who have entered Britain illegally. Legislation of this kind has longContinue reading “Small boats bill threatens the most marginalised”
Forbes is best for Scotland and the SNP
The race to succeed Scotland’s longest-serving First Minister was always going to be interesting, but who would have predicted the roller coaster ride we’ve witnessed in its first few days? Twists and turns; personal animosity; a debate on the intersection of religion and politics; and barely anything about independence or major issues that have populatedContinue reading “Forbes is best for Scotland and the SNP”
Farewell to a First Minister
This morning, in a public reception room at Bute House, Scotland’s longest-serving First Minister announced that she is stepping down. In a characteristically polished speech, bereft of the high emotion that sometimes accompanies such occasions, Nicola Sturgeon explained that after fifteen years in ministerial office, she simply doesn’t have enough left in the tank: “GivingContinue reading “Farewell to a First Minister”
End-of-life doctors won’t end lives
Data published this week deals a blow to campaigners vying for legal assisted suicide in Scotland. Survey results from the Association for Palliative Medicine (APM) suggest that most Scottish palliative doctors would refuse to participate in assisted deaths. Close to half of those surveyed also said they’d resign if their employer chose to offer assistedContinue reading “End-of-life doctors won’t end lives”
Scotland’s democratic deficit
Somebody once said that democracy is a slow process of stumbling to the right decision instead of going straight forward to the wrong one. There’s truth in that. When democracy is working well, governments, held to account by elected legislatures, take sufficient time to get decisions right. Decision-making follows robust and constructive debate, consultation withContinue reading “Scotland’s democratic deficit”
Trans policies spell trouble for the Scottish Government
Over the last decade, Scotland’s SNP administration has seemed almost untouchable. A combination of factors including a majority at the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood, a fractured and toothless opposition, and public disengagement from the political process has seen the party pursue whatever legislative programme it wants, without proper scrutiny. Failings have frequently been glossed over despiteContinue reading “Trans policies spell trouble for the Scottish Government”