Feb
07
As the United Kingdom approaches its date with destiny and the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, the debate surrounding the possible shape of a post-Union Scotland are only going to get fiercer. What Scotland might look like outside the United Kingdom, whether Scandinavian utopia or isolated backwater, is one of the key fronts on which the …
Jan
10
After my mini-rant last month on what I see as a fundamentally broken approach to UK modus operandi it seems logical to follow up on how this wrong should be righted. In fact Cameron has quite admirably sought to bring this ‘limbo’ to a decisive end with his legally binding independence vote. It’s a tactic …
Nov
24
Critics may brand The Democratic Party Unionist Party (DUP) as a ruthless amalgam of driving ambition, internecine rivalries and disposable political principle but they should also appreciate the central driving force that binds this party together and which makes it so electorally successful– the insatiable lust for power. Having spent years in the shadows of …
Oct
10
There is a widely-shared belief among many liberals in local democracy. They argue that the devolution of power away from central government towards the people can only be a good thing. The rationale goes that tax money disappearing into a central government is spent on big-banner projects to boost the self-esteem of those at the …
Oct
05
“The Young Unionists invite you to an evening of debate on the merits of formally federating political conservatism across the 4 countries of the United Kingdom. The event is in the context of the current Scottish Conservative Party leadership contest and Murdo Fraser’s proposals to reconstitute the Scottish Conservative Party as a new renamed and …
Oct
04
“This party has to stick together or it is nothing!” Murdo Fraser MSP, being ironic. To my delighted surprise, the hustings was a really good event. Candidates had to outline their vision in short speeches, then take questions, then summate at the end. The candidates drew lots on the speaking order, and Murdo Fraser went first. This …
Oct
03
It was hard enough to achieve Conservative Party organisation in Northern Ireland in the first instance, back in the 1980s. On the ground it might have seemed mad to set up Conservative branches in Northern Ireland at the end of 10 years of Thatcher Government and in the wake of the Anglo-Irish Agreement. Despite the …
Sep
18
Murdo Fraser has launched his leadership bid for the Scottish Conservatives by suggesting they disband. The idea is not, as pointed out on ConHome and elsewhere, without precedent. Before 1965 the Unionist Party represented the Conservatives north of the border and were, on national issues, essentially indistinguishable. Nor is the idea without international precedent. The …
Sep
15
I want to use this opportunity to introduce readers to a new organisation, albeit the campaign aims are anything but new, which I hope you can support. I am actively involved with the setting up of a non-profit organisation called One Dynamic Nation, which once established will campaign against Scotland leaving the United Kingdom and …
Twitter: @openunionism