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Analysis: Social media, censorship, and why the far right can't defend free speech – Source
08/08/2018 SeanBell Massive corporations now dominate social media platforms, with troubling implications for free speech ALEX JONES, a US conspiracy theorist and rightwing activist this week had his ‘Infowars’ media operation effectively shut down by major social media companies. Youtube, Facebook, and Apple’s iTunes have all unpublished channels and materials with audiences in the millions on the basis that they violate newly enforced codes of conduct.
Shona Robison: Social Justice Commission will not ‘throw out’ Growth Commission policy – Source
Social Justice and Fairness Commission to draw together expertise for recommendations on how an independent Scotland could tackle inequality Shona Robison dismisses notion new commission could overturn recommendations of controversial Growth Commission Disagreement between some Social Justice Commission members on its scope and relationship to Growth Commission Social Justice Commission held first meeting ahead of the SNP’s ongoing autumn conference THE chair of the SNP’s new Social Justice...
Analysis: Pompeo has threatened to undermine UK democracy if Corbyn becomes Prime Minister - where's the outrage? – Source
There has been radio silence from the BBC and the UK Government on Pompeo’s leaked threats to undermine UK democracy – but it’s as serious as it can get AS UK POLITICS becomes engrossed in the theatre of a Tory leadership contest, an altogether more serious development came to light on Sunday [9 June].
Beyond the Noise: 'Socially determined stupidity' - the ruling class Brexit collapse – Source
Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. THIS week Jamieson speaks to Glasgow University Sociology lecturer and historian Neil Davidson, about the class politics of Brexit, the profound nature of the crisis and its history in the development of British capitalism.
Isla Aitken: The waters are rising – and so are the children – Source
Isla Aitken (@IslaAitken) looks at government and media reaction to the global school strikes for climate, after attending the 3000 strong protest at the Scottish Parliament today [15 March] “WHAT about the kids studying for Highers?” the adults said.
'Two paychecks away from a crisis': Is Ayr losing its Victorian splendour? – Source
04/03/2019 Ben Wray With its high street in decline and austerity biting hard, Scotland’s seaside jewel has faced lean years – can it be turned around? THE massive white cladding covering the Ayr Station Hotel has transformed the onetime symbol of the town’s vitality into the representation of its lean times.
Val Waldron: The Shamima Begum case is just the latest example of adults refusing to take responsibility – Source
Common Weal campaigner Val Waldron says the response she has seen to the Shamima Begum case and to the Climate Strikes leaves her feeling adults are not taking seriously their duty of care to future generations IN SEPTEMBER 2015 there was a wave of hope as widespread public sympathy emerged for toddler Aylan Kurdi, who drowned in the Med as his family attempted to flee war and destitution.
'Ransacked': Expert slams UK Treasury involvement in asset-stripping RBS customers – Source
Evidence emerges UK Government Asset Protection Agency pushed RBS outfit to take aggressive measures against small and medium businesses The Royal Bank of Scotland’s Global Restructuring Group was supposed to help businesses struggling to manage RBS debts, but instead it helped thousands into liquidation. Evidence has emerged that a UK Government agency played a more involved role in this behaviour than previously understood.
Raphael Tsavkko Garcia: Why Theresa May’s Porn law is way more dangerous than you might think – Source
Raphael ‘Tsavkko’ Garcia (@Tsavkko_intl), journalist and PhD candidate in Human Rights at University of Deusto, Basque Country, argues that the UK Government’s Porn Law is an attack on our rights to privacy, and a huge data-grab that will give the government more knowledge over our personal lives than could ever be necessary BY APRIL 2018 the age verification control of the Digital Economy Act should have been implemented in the whole of the UK after receiving royal assent on April 2017.
Craig Berry: The potential of Scotland's space industry is enormous - but only if public investment takes off – Source
Craig Berry, engineer and author of a Common Weal report on Scotland’s Space Industry, explores the potential openings for the space sector north of the border after Sutherland was selected for the first UK spaceport – to stay ahead of US and emerging market competition will require a level of public investment and European co-ordination not currently forthcoming under the Tories NOW that Scotland has been selected as home to the UK’s first spaceport, we are in the process of developing an...
Thousands take to Glasgow streets in Sikh Vaisakhi celebration – Source
Writer and human rights advocate Rob McDowall went along to the Nagar Kirtan procession in Glasgow as the city’s Sikh community took to the streets to celebrate the Vaisakhi festival SUNDAY saw thousands of people take to the streets and walk and dance across Glasgow as part of Sikh celebrations for Vaisakhi, which is celebrated on 13 or 14 of April each year.
Revealed: Scottish Conservatives council candidate is prominent member of Orange Lodge – Source
Scottish Tories branded “Scotland’s UKIP” after spate of candidates with reactionary views A SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVE candidate for the forthcoming local elections is a prominent member in his local Orange Lodge, CommonSpace can reveal.
BBC reprimands Question Time producer over far right social media posts – Source
Audience producer a centre of controversy over Britain First media posts THE AUDIENCE PRODUCER for the BBC news debate show Question Time has been “reminded” by the BBC of the corporation’s guidelines regarding social media use, after she shared Facebook posts by the far-right group Britain First.
Isla Aitken: Don’t try to save the world by yourself - let’s do it together – Source
Writer and campaigner Isla Aitken reviews Josh Fox’s new documentary and says it’s time to work as a team and take collective political action on environmental issues WATCHING filmmaker Josh Fox’s latest documentary – the snappily titled How To Let Go Of The World And Love The Things Climate Can’t Change – leaves the viewer with an equal sense of desolation and inspiration. It’s a disconcerting balance, but one that Josh I think has orchestrated.
Report: Towards a Defence & Security strategy for an independent Scotland – Source
19/12/2017 Ben Wray Paper looks at the new defence & security institutions an independent Scotland would need and how much they would cost to establish AN independent Scotland should have a ‘triple-lock’ on going to war, a new paper on defence and security after independence has argued. ‘Towards a Defence & Security Strategy for an independent Scotland’ can be read in full here.
Revealed: Swinney shuts down Israel-Palestine school resources after lobbying pressure – Source
18/10/2018 Ben Wray The Israel-Palestine educational resources had already been ‘quality approved’ by Education Scotland before being removed as a learning and teaching resource THE deputy First Minister removed Education Scotland approved educational resources on Israel-Palestine after pressure from Jewish and pro-Israeli lobby groups, CommonSpace can reveal.
Save our steel: Threatened Tata workers take their case to the Scottish Parliament – Source
04/11/2015 david Workers to attend parliamentary debate on the future of the Scottish steel industry WORKERS from Scotland’s only two remaining significant steel plants in Motherwell and Cambuslang are to attend a Scottish Parliament debate on the future of the Scottish steel industry. The debate in parliament today (4 November) from 5pm will follow a short protest by steel workers at the Motherwell plant where 225 jobs are currently scheduled to be cut.
James McEnaney: Australia's dark history and why it matters today – Source
26/01/2016 CommonWeal On ‘Australia Day’, CommonSpace columnist James McEnaney takes a look at the dark side of the country’s history JUST 12 miles off the coast from Perth, the largest city on Australia’s western coast, lies beautiful Rottnest Island. With up to half a million visitors a year it is one of the country’s most popular holiday resorts; a quick search on Google reveals images of a beautiful island paradise, all white sands and turquoise seas nestling under perfect azure skies.
Police Scotland break up peaceful protest with dogs to enable deportation of mother and son – Source
22/03/2016 JenStout Superglued protestors pulled apart and pregnant woman says she was pushed repeatedly at Brand Street blockade POLICE DOGS and around 30 officers were used to break up a blockade in Glasgow last night, to enable the removal from Scotland of an LGBT asylum seeker and her young son.
Robin McAlpine: Can Scottish Labour be led by a man whose heart isn't in Holyrood? – Source
27/09/2018 Ben Wray Common Weal director Robin McAlpine argues that Richard Leonard shows all the morbid signs of being the latest Scottish Labour leader for whom the job of First Minister is never going to come MOST OF Richard Leonard’s performance as Scottish Labour leader has been exactly what I predicted. But not everything – and it’s the surprises which should worry his party. He was never going to be a charismatic leader, a household name who inspired.
Exclusive: Scottish pro-Israel group distances itself from former convener over racist Facebook page – Source
15/03/2019 Ben Wray Controversy as organisation is set to join Stand-Up to Racism march through Glasgow tomorrow [16 March] Former convenor of Cofis, Nigel Goodrich, is active participant in Facebook group which has as rule one: “This group is about ‘Palestine and Palestinians which doesn’t [sic] exist” Cofis activist Sammy Stein said they “have dissociated themselves from anything to do” with Goodrich, who stepped down as convenor last October However Cofis refused to offer their view on the...
J.J. Patrick: A 15-step portrait of the Brexit fallout Leave voters didn't see coming – Source
15/02/2017 angela In the second instalment of a three-part series on Brexit, author J.J. Patrick imagines how Brexit could go very wrong for those living in England YOU may call this a dystopian vision if you like, but it’s a logical step progression based on probability risk. The interactions at each stage will feed the next and so on.
Analysis: ‘We are not an island’ - the problem with HSBC’s very British internationalism – Source
08/01/2019 Ben Wray CommonSpace editor Ben Wray looks at the history of HSBC, the bank that is promoting an internationalist interpretation of Britain – but which misses out its own, dark role in that story. THE HSBC ‘We are not an island’ advert – promoted online, on TV and a poster campaign plastered across UK cities – has caused a stir, seen by many to be an anti-Brexit statement in the current frenzied atmosphere of British politics.
The Scottish economy lost £9.2 billion from financial outflows in 2017, think-tank finds – Source
Fraser of Allander and Common Weal raise questions about the benefits of foreign direct investment, which the Scottish Government has said is a “key priority” THE Fraser of Allander Institute has found that £9.2 billion of economic value created in Scotland, equivalent to 5.5 per cent of Scottish GDP, left the country in 2017, leading to questions being asked about whether Scotland really benefits from extensive foreign ownership of its economy.
Remembering Srebrenica: Scottish delegation uncover the scars from gender violence and rape in genocide – Source
24/04/2018 Alasdair Clark Scot women share the stories of the Bosniak women scarred by the gendered violence used against them AS THE world looked on in July 1995, the worst mass killing in Europe since WWII took place in Bosnia, with over 8,000 Bosnian Muslims massacred. A recent delegation to the country focused on uncovering the scars left behind from gender violence and rape in a genocide.
'Completely unacceptable': Historian Michael Fry slammed by fellow plaque panellist for slavery comments in Henry Dundas statue debate – Source
14/08/2018 Caitlin Logan Sir Geoff Palmer brands Michael Fry’s mindset on slavery as “unacceptable” and “completely out of this time” HISTORIAN, AUTHOR and The National columnist Michael Fry has come under fire for defending controversial 18-19th century Scottish politician Henry Dundas’ role in securing a delay in the abolition of slavery in Britain as a “tiny, minor incident”.
Caitlin Logan: It is because I am a feminist that I support trans rights – Source
21/11/2018 Ben Wray Writer Caitlin Logan explains her own journey to a feminism which supports the inclusion and acceptance of trans people, in response to criticism of her recent article on trans young people It HAS become an inevitability that any mention of trans people or their rights will be followed by attempts to challenge the entire concept of being ‘transgender’ and of accusations that accepting this is to forward an ideology harmful to our children and our society as a whole.
TIE announces Board as it prepares for role in delivery of LGBT-inclusive education – Source
21/11/2018 Ben Wray Liam Stevenson, TIE co-founder: “To date, we have reached over 25,000 school pupils – but this is only the tip of the iceberg, and we are inundated with requests as we move forward. THE TIE Campaign has announced a Board of Trustees as it prepares to evolve to meet its new challenge of helping to deliver LGBT-inclusive education, after the Scottish Government officially adopted the recommendations of the Implementation Group earlier this month.
Exclusive: Edward Snowden leaks reveal secret Scottish spy system – Source
11/06/2016 michael CommonSpace and The National newspaper team up to reveal what we know about Scotland’s place in the UK spy network SECRET REPORTS leaked by U.S. whistleblower Edward Snowden have revealed how UK mass surveillance of phone and internet activity was accessed by Scottish police forces.
Nicola Sturgeon's full European Referendum result speech – Source
24/06/2016 michael FIRST MINISTER Nicola Sturgeon’s full speech after Scotland votes to stay in the European Union Thank you for joining me this morning after a long night – and a long few months – for all of us. Yesterday, Scotland – like London and Northern Ireland – voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU. We voted to protect our place in the world's biggest single market – and the jobs and investment that depend on it.
Revealed: Aberdeen University accused of ‘racial bias’ in staff restructuring process – Source
29/06/2018 Caitlin Logan Former senior lecturer set for employment tribunal speaks out on ‘indifference’ to concerns of ethnic minority staff THE UNIVERSITY of Aberdeen has come under fire from senior staff over alleged ‘racial bias’ in its handling of a “restructuring procedure” designed to save money by cutting or shifting around staff.
James McEnaney: An open letter to Iain Duncan Smith - meet Michael, my brother – Source
08/10/2015 CommonWeal CommonSpace columnist James McEnaney pens a message to Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith HELLO IAIN, You don’t know me, but I’ve taken a keen interest in your work over the years. I didn’t manage to catch your speech on Tuesday but the reaction on social media suggested that you made some characteristically callous comments about disabled people (presumably to rapturous applause).
General Election: Plans to address child poverty put front and centre – Source
12/11/2019 Caitlin Logan Tory child poverty record condemned by opposition parties on the campaign trail SNP pledges to pressure the UK Government to introduce new benefit to address child poverty, create a Poverty and Inequality Commission, and re-introduce legal child poverty targets Scottish Labour launches 10-point plan to end child poverty, including replacing Universal Credit, introducing a £10 Living Wage, a £5 child benefit increase and building 12,000 social homes per year Scottish...
Robin McAlpine: Why joining EFTA instead of the EU could be the answer for Scotland – Source
02/02/2017 angela CommonSpace columnist and Common Weal director Robin McAlpine says the Scottish independence movement should seriously consider the merits of joining the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) SINCE the Brexit vote, my view on where we were going to go next has been consistent and unwavering. At the same time, our White Paper Project work on some of the more difficult policy issues around Scottish independence started to suggest quite a specific direction.
Analysis: Is EU membership and Sterlingisation compatible for an independent Scotland? – Source
31/05/2018 SeanBell The currency scenario outlined by the Growth Commission could conflict with EU membership requirements WHEN discussing an independent Scotland’s potential entry into the European Union, it must first be noted that we are exploring new terrain, in which nothing is certain.
Edward Snowden addresses @GlasgowUni students: 'Defy the cynics and change the world' – Source
14/09/2015 michael Rector of university also raises concerns over the Higher Education Governance Bill AMERICAN whistleblower Edward Snowden, who revealed illegal digital surveillance by Western intelligence services, called on Glasgow university students to pursue human rights, civil liberties and democratic accountability during a speech delivered at the university’s Freshers Week.
Isobel Lindsay: Holyrood's voting system - forget the myth – Source
19/01/2016 CommonWeal Scottish independence campaigner Isobel Lindsay seeks to set the record straight on the origins of the Scottish Parliament’s AMS voting system ‘THE voting system for the Scottish Parliament was designed to stop any party (but principally the SNP) from getting an overall majority.’ This has become oft-repeated – see David Carr in CommonSpace on 15 January . It is now taken for granted as a true account, but it isn’t true.
State-backed Integrity Initiative confirms meeting with Herald journalist for Scotland briefing – Source
19/12/2018 Ben Wray CommonSpace among Scottish media and political actors listed in leaks from British state-backed ‘infowar’ outfit THE shadowy charity accused of running a British state-backed campaign against Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has confirmed it held a meeting with a leading Scottish journalist during which they were briefed on how “vulnerable” Scots were to Russian influence.
Pressure mounts on Anas Sarwar over low wages at family firm – Source
11/09/2017 SeanBell As Anas Sarwar makes his candidacy for Scottish Labour leader official, his family firm responds to controversy by claiming to support “the principle” of a living wage UNITED WHOLESALE (SCOTLAND) LTD (UWS), the family firm in which Scottish Labour leadership candidate and living wage advocate Anas Sarwar reportedly has a multi-million pound stake, has defended itself against criticism over the low wages paid to its employees.
David Jamieson: The Harry and Meghan show is a circus, but it matters to the British state – Source
13/01/2020 Ben Wray Harry and Meghan are on an epic grift, and it speaks to the unwinding of traditional authority WHAT a product Harry and Meghan are. He, a prince in the world’s most famous royal family; she, the beautiful actress from Los Angeles, bringing a bit of new-world ‘attitude’ to the foostie auld scene. It’s the stuff of Holywood films. – quite literally. It’s Notting Hill but with at least one non-white character. It’s A Christmas Prince, but with existential dread.
WATCH: MPs and campaigners share stories from Calais 'jungle camp' – Source
26/07/2016 Independence Live Politicians and campaigners share stories of spending time in Calais IN April 2016, a witness bearing delegation from Scotland visited the infamous 'jungle' camp, filled with refugees, in Calais. The delegation formed part of a sustained series of high profile visits which has enabled the situation in Calais to become a matter of public concern after years of obscurity.
Isla Aitken: Why fracking and UGE is a pointless exercise ultimately harming our planet – Source
Environmental campaigner Isla Aitken lays out some of the detail around unconventional gas extraction and fracking WHEN it comes to unconventional gas extraction, there is the inevitable spin from the frackers and their buddies. And there is perhaps an element of scaremongering from those who are vehemently opposed to the process. But in between the two extremes, there are some incontestable truths from academics and scientists about the polluting aspects of unconventional gas extraction (UGE).
"Lambert is no role model": Campaign builds to sack ex-'sex spy' from St Andrews University – Source
Campaigner George Monbiot adds voice to call to remove Bob Lambert from university post AN OPEN letter has urged the University of St Andrews to sack a lecturer who was revealed in 2011 to be a former police spy who fathered a child with his activist targets.
Daily Record pulls Nicola Sturgeon coffee machine story after social media ridicule
The Record confirms that it was an editorial decision to retract the story from website Scottish tabloid The Daily Record has pulled a story about Nicola Sturgeon’s coffee machine from its website after a social media backlash. On Tuesday, the Daily Record published a story comparing the cost of the first minister’s coffee machine to the wages of a chef or hospital porter.
Concerns raised over new Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy's links with controversial Henry Jackson Society – Source
Human rights laywer and think-tank director question Murphy’s links to the group SCOTTISH Labour’s new leader, Jim Murphy, has been criticised for his links to a controversial neoconservative think-tank. The East Renfrewshire MP sits on the political advisory board of the Henry Jackson Society (HJS) and has delivered speeches for the group on several occasions.
Ian Dunn: Why English football is rubbish – Source
13/08/2015 CommonWeal The vast riches and endless controversies of the English Premier league have become deeply boring, argues CommonSpace columnist Ian Dunn I’LL admit I was seduced. Like many Scots I looked south and saw glamour, excitement, thrills. I compared that to what I had at home and found it dowdy, almost embarrassing. I let myself get swept away in the tattooed arms of ‘best league in the world’ and for a while I even liked it.
Tyler Edwards: What Hillary Clinton can learn from Nicola Sturgeon – Source
29/05/2015 CommonWeal Tyler Edwards, an American postgrad student living in Glasgow, examines what US presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton can learn from Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon A WOMAN with a degree in law, one of the most important figures in the country, a left-wing politician, and who is succeeding a divisive predecessor.
The independence girls who stood up to the unionist riot – Source
26/01/2015 michael The unlikely heroes of September the 19th explain their political journey from education to jail and back again. Their photograph came to represent the resilience of the independence movement. Sisters Sarah and Sophie Johnson, ages 20 and 16, stood proudly holding a saltire while George Square was overwhelmed with disorder and arrests.
The UK is now looking towards Scotland for lessons in alternative media, says Newsnet's Derek Bateman – Source
22/06/2015 CommonWeal Hundreds gather to celebrate Scotland’s alternative media at the Commonspace launch party ALTERNATIVE news sources in England and the UK are now looking to Scotland for lessons in creating a significant challenge to the mainstream following the rapid growth of new digital media sites in recent years, according to Newsnet Scotland’s Derek Bateman.
Craig Berry: We don't have to fear the AI revolution - we have to democratise it – Source
Craig Berry, engineer and author of Common Weal reports on energy and space policy, says the report published by the Scottish Government and STUC last week on automation misses the mark – only by democratising artificial intelligence can the gains of technological change be accrued to the many IN the 1960s, it was debated whether tankers would be replaced by robots.
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