Tag: democracy

John Swinney: A Fresh Start with Independence

FM: Scots should make choices that best serve Scotland’s interests

Independence would give the people of Scotland new opportunities to improve their standards of living, according to a new paper published by First Minister John Swinney.

‘A Fresh Start with Independence’ examines how an independent Scotland would be able to improve the economy and the NHS, and tackle issues such as household finances, pensions, social security, migration, energy and defence.

The paper states that the Scottish Government has worked hard to improve the lives of people living in Scotland using devolved powers but it would only be able to fully capitalise on the nation’s potential with independence.

The First Minister said: “I firmly believe that the people who live in Scotland are best placed to make decisions about Scotland. That is the fundamental democratic and practical argument underpinning the case that we make.

“Too many people in Scotland today do not have a decent standard of living and are finding it difficult to make ends meet. That is because standards of living in the UK have improved little in over 10 years, due to a failing economic system and Westminster decisions such as austerity and the disastrous decision to leave the European Union. Scotland did not support austerity and it did not support Brexit. The reality is Westminster is not working for Scotland.

“The Scottish Government works tirelessly to use the powers of devolution to deliver the very best for Scotland. Much good has been achieved through the expansion of early learning and childcare, the introduction of free university tuition, the expansion of the rail network, the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing of alcohol, the creation of the Scottish Child Payment and many other measures.

“But Scotland needs to be able to improve the opportunities available to our people, our communities and our businesses. Scotland needs to build a stronger, more inclusive economy that works for all. Those possibilities would only be available to Scotland with the fresh start of independence.

“We have shown that when we have the power to decide for ourselves, we find solutions and make choices that best serve Scotland’s interests. I believe Scotland can and will become a successful independent country, with a more dynamic economy and a fairer society.”

The Scottish Conservatives don’t agree, oddly enough:

A Fresh Start with Independence – gov.scot

Respecting Scotland’s right to decide

New paper sets out proposals for constitutional change

A paper setting out how the people of Scotland have the right to decide their constitutional future has been published by the Scottish Government.

‘Your Right to Decide’ sets out how, following a clear decision being made by the people of Scotland to hold a referendum, it is for both the Scottish Government and the UK Government to acknowledge and respect that decision.

The paper calls on the UK Government to make a clear commitment to respect the people’s right to choose their future.

Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson said: “Figures and institutions with very different political outlooks have long supported the idea that it is for people who live in Scotland to decide our country’s future.

“The United Kingdom is a democracy, so there must be a way by which the people of Scotland can exercise their right to decide if there should be a change to its constitutional status.

“Scotland is a proud nation and a lively democracy. As such, there is always healthy debate about the best way forward for our country.

“But we can only have that debate – we can only make a decision about our future – if we get a choice. I urge everyone, whatever their views, to ensure that the people of Scotland’s right to decide is respected.”

Your Right to Decide

Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer pays tribute to the late Rt Hon Sir George Reid

The Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, has paid tribute to former Presiding Officer and MSP, Rt Hon Sir George Reid, following his death in the early hours of Tuesday 12 August.

The Rt Hon Sir George Reid served as Deputy Presiding Officer from 1999 to 2003, and then as Presiding Officer from 2003 to 2007. He was elected as MSP for the Mid Scotland and Fife region from 1999 to 2003 and then for the Ochil constituency from 2003 to 2007.

During his time as Presiding Officer, he oversaw the completion of the new Scottish Parliament building, opening in 2004. He was also MP for Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire from 1974 to 1979.

A Book of Condolence has been opened and flags at the Scottish Parliament lowered as a mark of respect.

On his passing, the Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, said: “On behalf of all at the Scottish Parliament, I express our deepest sadness at the death of our second Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Sir George Reid.

“He’ll be remembered not only for bringing the Holyrood construction project to completion, but for building confidence and ambition in our young Parliament.

“A proud son of Clackmannanshire and an internationalist by outlook, he was determined to put Holyrood on the map at home and abroad, and very much succeeded.  By the time he left office, Holyrood was established at the centre of public life in Scotland and over a million people had visited to see for themselves the new Parliament in action.

“The story of devolution and the early years of our Parliament will remember George fondly and with gratitude. My deepest condolences to Daphne, his daughter and grandchildren and his many friends and colleagues. Sir George was welcoming and supportive to me, in Holyrood and outwith. He will be very much missed.

“Flags at Holyrood have been lowered as a mark of respect.”

Scotland DEMANDS Better events

Change for the better happens when people stand together and demand it. Scotland Demands Better is the march and rally for all of us.

On Saturday 25 October thousands will come together in Edinburgh to demand that politicians make the changes we need for a society where every household can thrive and prosper.

We’re holding a series of public meetings across the country, and we’ve just got dates for the first three – in Glasgow on 4 Sep, Edinburgh on 9 Sep, and Dundee on 11 Sep. We’ll be sharing further details on the Scotland Demands Better website in the coming days.

On the updated Scotland Demands Better website, you can also download our new toolkit, with lots of inspiration and ideas about how you can get involved and mobilise people in your communites. You can also order a Promo Pack, with posters, leaflets, badges, and stickers.

On Thursday 14 August at 1pm and then again at 7pm we’re hosting free online events where activists can join to talk about how the campaign is going so far, and how we can best organise transport to get people to Edinburgh on the day.

And there’s a fantastic guest blog from Andrea Bradley, General Secretary of the EIS teaching union, outlining why teachers and lecturers are standing up to say Scotland Demands Better.

Electoral Commission seeking views on support for disabled people at polling stations

The Electoral Commission is seeking views on the support available to disabled people at polling stations.

Changes were introduced in 2022 to improve flexibility and choice in how disabled people are supported to vote at polling stations. The changes mean councils are now required to provide equipment in polling stations to help people vote independently and in secret, and to allow anyone who is over the age of 18 to act as a companion to assist a disabled voter.

The Commission’s role is to provide guidance for electoral administrators on how to provide this support at polling stations.

The Commission has looked at how the changes have worked to date and engaged with a range of organisations representing disabled people. Ahead of elections in May 2026, it has reviewed and updated its guidance, and is now seeking feedback on these changes through a consultation, which opens today and runs until 26 October.

Jackie Killeen, Director of Electoral Administration and Regulation, said: “Everyone should be able to vote in secret and without barriers. The Commission’s guidance is intended to support electoral staff in making accessibility arrangements at polling stations that can have a real and positive impact for disabled voters.

“To ensure we are getting the right feedback and information, we will be listening to the advice of the electoral community, electoral administrators, and civil society, charity and third-sector organisations representing disabled people.

“We are keen to hear from voters, so if you have views on the accessibility guidance, please share them with us.”

More information about the consultation and how to respond is available on the Commission website, including in easy read and BSL formats.

The Commission expects to publish its updated guidance ahead of the Scottish Parliament and Senedd elections and English local elections taking place in May 2006

Drylaw Telford CC meets tomorrow

DRYLAW NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE – MONDAY 30 JUNE at 6.30pm

Drylaw & Telford. Don’t forget!

@everyone

The Drylaw Telford Community Council meets on the last Monday of every month (except July & December) at 6:30 PM at the Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre.

Pop the next date in your diary and come along! We’d love to see new faces. 🗓️

Lib-Dems win council by-election

Liberal Democrat Kein Joseph McKay have won the Fountainbridge /Craiglockhart by-election – but fewer than ONE in THREE people chose to cast their vote..

The result declaration was made in the early hours of this morning (Friday 27 June) by Returning Officer for Edinburgh, Paul Lawrence.

Returning Officer for Edinburgh Paul Lawrence, said: “Thanks to everyone who took part in this by-election. I would like to welcome Kevin as a new councillor, and I look forward to working with him. Kevin will now have a key role in representing his constituents on matters affecting the ward and the wider city.

“My thanks also go to our elections team and other council colleagues who have been working hard to deliver this by-election smoothly and securely.”

The current electorate is 18,945. The turnout for the by-election was 33.1% (6,264).

The by-election was initiated by the sudden death of Labour councillor Val Walker in April. Labour actually came first in the first preference vote, beating the Lib-Dem candidate by just 14 votes, but lost out in subsequent rounds of the transferable vote PR system.

Labour continues to lead the city council, however, despite now having just ten of the city’s 62 councillors.

For further details of the result and the Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart by-election, please see the Elections section of the Council website.

Sustainable Development consultation

Holyrood committee seeks views on proposals aimed at protecting future generations

A proposed new law that aims to ensure public bodies consider the long-term impact of their decisions on sustainable development and the wellbeing of future generations is the subject of a new call for views from a Scottish Parliament committee.

The Wellbeing and Sustainable Development (Scotland) Bill, introduced earlier this year by Sarah Boyack MSP, would place a legal duty on public bodies to promote sustainable development and wellbeing in the work they undertake. It also proposes the creation of a Future Generations Commissioner to support and oversee this work.

The Social Justice and Social Security Committee has launched its call for views to inform its Stage 1 scrutiny of the Bill during which it will also take account of the findings of a recent parliamentary committee report that recommended against the creation of more commissioners.

Sarah Boyack MSP has set out her hopes that the Bill will encourage more joined-up thinking across public services. She also believes that her proposals will help Scotland tackle long-term challenges such as climate change, inequality, and environmental degradation.

The Bill also sets out definitions of “sustainable development” and “wellbeing” and aims to embed these principles into public decision-making in Scotland.

The Committee’s call for views will be open until Sunday 24 August 2025, with the Committee due to start taking formal evidence in the Autumn.

Collette Stevenson MSP, Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee, said: “This Bill could have a significant impact on how decisions are made across Scotland’s public sector.

“We’re keen to hear what the public sector and local authorities make of the proposals, and we’d also like to hear from professionals, academics, children and young people, as well as anyone else with an interest in wellbeing and sustainable development.

“By sharing your views with us, you’ll help us explore how the proposals could work in practice and what the changes could mean for Scotland’s future generations.”

MSPs want views on proposals that would give pupils a stronger voice in religious education decisions

Pic- Andrew Cowan/Scottish Parliament

Changes to the law which would give children a greater say in decisions around being withdrawn from religious instruction or observance in schools will be considered by a Scottish Parliament Committee, which has today launched a call for views on the proposals.

The Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill would require schools to inform pupils if their parent has requested that they be withdrawn from religious education or observance.

It would also give pupils the opportunity to express their views and object to the withdrawal. Under the proposals, where a pupil objects, and is considered capable of forming a view, the school would be required to follow the pupil’s wishes.

In addition, the Bill, which was brought forward by the Scottish Government, seeks to clarify how public authorities should act when duties under the UNCRC conflict with other legal obligations.

The Parliament’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee wants to hear the views of children and young people, parents and carers, teachers, local authorities, human rights organisations and any stakeholders with an interest in the proposals.

Karen Adam MSP, Convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, said: “This proposed change to the law would give children and young people more say in whether they want to take part in religious education or observance at school.

“It also aims to update how public bodies, like councils and schools, make sure they are respecting children’s rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

“We want to hear what people across Scotland think about these changes. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, pupil, or just interested in children’s rights, we want to understand how these proposals might work in practice and what impact they could have.”

The Committee’s call for views opened on Friday (20 June 2025), and will be open until Monday 1 September 2025.

Nominations for your leading councillors close on Wednesday

Your local councillors could be in line for a national award at the 2025 Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) and CCLA Cllr Awards – the only national ceremony that celebrates the outstanding contributions of councillors across England, Wales, and Scotland.

For the 16th year, the Cllr Awards will once again shine a light on the achievements of local elected representatives who have made a tangible impact in their communities.

Nominations can be made by anyone – whether you’re a member of the public, a fellow councillor, or a council officer – who wishes to acknowledge a councillor’s exceptional commitment to improving their community and achieving remarkable results over the past year. But the deadline for all nominations closes at midnight on Wednesday 11 June next week.

Submitting a nomination is free and takes just eight minutes. Applicants must provide details about the nominated councillor, outlining why they deserve recognition and how their initiatives have positively impacted the community. 

The 2025 Cllr Awards has five categories: Community Champion, Leader of the Year, Young Councillor of the Year, Innovator of the Year and Lifetime Legend. The shortlisted candidates will be announced in the autumn. 

Winners will be revealed at the Cllr Awards ceremonies taking place at Glasgow City Chambers hosted by Glasgow City Council, on the evening of Wednesday 5th November at 7pm and at the Guildhall, London hosted by the City of London Corporation, on Tuesday 18th November 2025 at 7pm. All shortlisted councillors will be invited to attend.

For more information and to submit your nomination, please visit the official website.

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, LGIU, said: “LGIU is delighted to once again present the annual Cllr Awards, a celebration of the outstanding commitment and creativity shown by our locally elected officials.

“Councillors play a crucial role in the wellbeing of our communities — from improving public spaces to championing local initiatives — and their efforts touch our everyday lives in countless ways.

“Though much of their work happens quietly behind the scenes and without fanfare, their contributions are vital. That’s why the Cllr Awards are so important — they shine a spotlight on the dedication and impact of those who often go unrecognised and we’re excited and humbled to see the inspiring nominations that are already coming in.

“These awards would not be possible without the continued support of our founding partners, CCLA.”