Councillors and MPs sign up to Salmond’s Alba Party
At a press conference streamed live on Youtube on Friday, Alex Salmond launched the Alba Party – the vehicle he hopes will deliver his return to front-line politics. It follows hard on the heels of allegations, counter allegations and the bitter war of words that surrounded the harassment inquiry, formalising the rift between the current […]
Scottish Government announcements – due in March
Scottish Government announcements & updates – due 12-25 March Energy Strategy Position Statement Ministerial Taskforce for Population – update Near Me video consulting service – independent evaluation of the rapid roll-out COVID-19 legislation – update Young Person’s Guarantee – details of the additional £70 million allocation for 2021-22 Strategic Policy Framework for School Age Childcare – progress update […]
GUEST BLOG: Don’t underestimate the voting public
This week’s guest post is from Alastair Ross, Assistant Director, Head of Public Policy (Scotland, Wales & NI) at the Association of British Insurers (ABI) Since 1999 the Scottish electorate has proved itself to be continually a step ahead of where perhaps polling and certainly commentators have initially estimated it was. I’d contend that […]
A Preview of the Scottish Budget
Jack Fawcett, Senior Reporter, has the latest on what we can expect to be announced and considered in Thursday’s Scottish Budget. The 2021 Budget could be one of the most consequential in recent years. The SNP, bolstered by recent polls showing majority support for Scottish independence, are hoping to capitalise on the ongoing struggles facing […]
Election 2021 – latest news
Latest lockdown raises questions about delaying Holyrood election James Mitchell, professor of public policy at the University of Edinburgh, has called for an urgent summit with the presiding officer to decide whether or not to postpone the Holyrood election. He argued that even if the election went ahead, important decisions needed to be taken soon […]
Digital Strategy for Wales opens for comments
Wales Director Valerie Livingston upvotes the Welsh Government’s latest digital strategy. “Digital in Wales will improve quality of life, sustainability and economic growth, creating user-centred public services supported by effective leadership, data and a culture of innovation and collaboration.” That is the Welsh Government’s vision and what it is attempting to achieve with its Digital […]
SNP autumn conference
SNP conference, Saturday 28 – Monday 30 November Bolstered by recent polling on next year’s elections and on support for independence, SNP delegates will gather online this weekend. Timed to coincide with St Andrew’s Day on Monday, Nicola Sturgeon will give her traditional closing address on Monday afternoon. Six composite motions will be debated alongside […]
AI and the great government document hoard
An interesting little story caught my eye in last Saturday’s Times, writes Newsdirect Wales’ director Valerie Livingston. AI Trawls 20,000 miles of state papers (I’d attach a link but – rather ironically – I came across the original story in the physical copy of the paper and it doesn’t appear to be online.) Times Policy […]
An open letter to all monitoring clients
Hi, there’s something we want to talk to you about. Paying the staff. That goes without saying, right? Anyone who puts in a shift with or for you, deserves to have their rent paid, their groceries covered and enough left over for a modest data plan. Or do they? We absolutely believe they do and […]
Scottish Liberal Democrat conference
Scottish LibDem conference, Friday 30 – Saturday 31 October Another weekend, another party conference! Scottish LibDems will gather online this Friday and Saturday to debate policy motions, unveil conference candidates and hear from party leaders. Keynote speeches are scheduled from Willie Rennie, Ed Davey and Wendy Chamberlain (Chief Whip and spokesperson for Scotland […]
