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democracy

November 27, 2014

Submission to the Smith Commission on devolution to Scotland
October 15, 2014

Reflecting on 'A Manifesto for Secularism'

A Manifesto for Secularism was recently launched at a conference in London. While the aim, to counter the religious right, is positive, I have reservations about some aspects.
October 3, 2014

Hong Kong students resist violent assault peacefully

Students protesting for democracy in Hong Kong raised their hands and refused to fight when attacked by pro-China activists today.
October 2, 2014

CAAT calls on UK government to end tear gas sales to Hong Kong

Campaign Against Arms Trade has called on the UK government to end the sale of tear-gas to the government in Hong Kong, following its use against pro-democracy protestors.
September 23, 2014

Democracy: let's take a leaf out of Scotland's book

It’s a fact that the people who suffer most harm from government policies are the people least likely to vote. A common reason for not voting is that ‘it doesn’t make any difference’.
August 25, 2014

Boris Johnson calls for limit on presumption of innocence

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has called for an end to the presumption of innocence for those visiting war zones and powers to remove UK citizenship for those supporting a “terrorist state”.
August 16, 2014

Church of Scotland backs calls for revolution of democratic centralisation

The Church of Scotland has backed calls from a Convention of Scottish Local Authorities report which states a radical overhaul of the democratic system is required to overturn 50 years of centralisation.
August 9, 2014

Nearly £7 million donated by new Lords appointees

The 22 new peers appointed yesterday (8 August) have donated nearly £7 million to political parties, says the Electoral
Reform Society (ERS)
August 7, 2014

The Commonwealth Games, principles and protest

The 2014 Commonwealth Games brought moments of sporting glory, and a grand finale with Lulu, Kylie Minogue and Deacon Blue, to Glasgow. It also brought protests exposing the gap between Commonwealth ideals and reality in many member countries.
May 13, 2014

We have no time for this, Sir

“They showed themselves weak in trying to frighten us.” My grandfather's words about the Blackshirts, born out of his experience of the conflict of Cable Street, have stayed in my mind. As a young child, I sensed their import, even though I had little understanding of the context or the meaning. I revisited his words with an adult understanding in the light of two occasions of weak and ugly behaviours from UKIP supporters over the last few days.