Scottish Parliament

Swinney’s Government starts as damaged goods

Author / Creator: Dean M Thomson

Media type: Article

Date published:

THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT is a reputationally challenged disaster-zone, struggling beneath myriad policy-outcome failures. There is a good reason John Swinney has emerged as SNP leader and new First Minister, unopposed. The leadership crown has become something of a poisoned chalice.


Renewing democracy through independence

Author / Creator: Scottish Government

Media type: Report

Date published: 2023

people who live in Scotland have the right to choose how they should be governed


A Parliament for All - Reforms to strengthen representation and participation at Holyrood unveiled

Author / Creator: Meryl Kenny

Media type: Report

Date published: 2023

"The representation and influence of women at Holyrood" needs to be improved.


Here’s how Humza Yousaf can deliver a fairer, greener Scotland

Author / Creator: Adam Ramsay

Media type: Opinion

Date published: 2023

"After 16 years in power, the SNP is stagnating. With these 16 policies, the new first minister can change that"


The methods of Russian interference in Scottish politics

Author / Creator: George Allison

Media type: Article

Date published: 2022

One of the key methods used by Russia to interfere in Scottish politics is through cyber-attacks.


Constitutional reform: Controversy or Consensus on how the UK should be governed

Author / Creator: John Curtice

Media type: Opinion poll

Date published: 2022

A majority of people want electoral reform, and Scottish independence. Increasing support is being shown for Irish reunification and for changing the UK constitution.


Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707

Author / Creator: Parliament of Scotland

Media type: Historic records

Date published:

The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707 (RPS) is a fully searchable database containing the proceedings of the Scottish parliament from the first surviving act of 1235 to the union of 1707. 


Implications of varying mandate definitions for Indyref2 legitimacy at Westminster-level elections

Author / Creator: Mark Shephard

Media type: Discussion Paper

Date published: 2022

Mark Shephard, Senior Lecturer at the University of Strathclyde, examines the scenario of the SNP campaigning solely on the issue of independence in the next General Election 


The Scottish Parliament 1999-2009: The First Decade

Author / Creator: Charlie Jeffrey

Media type: Book

Date published: 2009

Reflections from the Hansard Society on the first 10 years of the Scottish Parliament.


The Story of the Scottish Parliament: Reflections on the First Two Decades

Author / Creator: Gerry Hassan

Media type: Book

Date published: 2019

How have Scotland’s first post-devolution decades been felt across the political landscape?

  • Features analysis of the key political institutions and parties in Scotland
  • Provides a detailed chronology of the devolution era
  • Includes perspectives from civil servants, campaigners and politicians including Jim Gallagher, Joyce McMillan, Johann Lamont, Murdo Fraser and Marco Biagi


The Political Class in Scotland

Author / Creator: Michael Keating

Date published: 2020

Scottish MSPs and MPs have become more middle class and professional politicans since Devolution


The Scottish Parliament

Author / Creator: Emily St Denny

Media type: Book

Date published: 2020

Scottish Parliament has met some, but not all, of the public and policymakers’ original expectations.


Scottish devolution at 20: some hits, some misses and that eternal maybe

Author / Creator: Christopher A Whatley

Media type: News Media

Date published:

Many hoped devolution would kill nationalism stone dead. Labour colleagues failed to grasp Scots’ powerful sense of nationhood. Although a Labour man argued that devolution could lead to independence. Alex Salmond  asserted that independence was “rendered inevitable when the Scottish parliament was established”. 


Scotland: The New State of an Old Nation

Author / Creator: Murray Stewart Leith

Media type: Book

Date published:

At a time when Scotland's future has topped the agenda in Britain and abroad, this book unpicks the complex weave of Scottish politics, society and culture, providing an essential insight into Scotland's present - and its future.


Our House is on Fire

Author / Creator: George Gunn

Media type: News Item

Date published:

The collation deal between SNP and Scottish Greens passed in the Scottish Parliament is the beginning of a quest to make clear some definitions and to lead the country away from constitutional meaninglessness, cruel political comedy and out of the deliberately constructed tragic dead end of devolution and toward full engagement with the climate emergency. 

 


A House of Citizens for the Scottish Parliament

Author / Creator: Common Weal

Media type: Policy Paper

Date published: 2020

The Citizens Assembly on the future of Scotland shows what an improved democracy in Scotland could look like. A Citizens Assembly would complement the elected Scottish Parliament. Such a House of Citizens could place Scotland at the forefront of democratic innovation. It would make it a global leader in citizen empowerment and engagement. It could increase the level of trust in our political institutions and decision-making.