I thought feudalism was dead?
I know two of the men pictured above and have nothing but respect for them as legal scholars. They have even been invited to the launch of my new book, The Poor had No Lawyers. But I do question the
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A cautionary tale
I liked this by Drumlanrig in Scotland on Sunday on 29 August 2010. THE DAY JACK WENT TO TEE WITH THE DUKE Jack McConnell’s imminent retirement reminds Drumlanrig of an epic golf match that was played by the former Labour
Continue readingCrown Land – who is going to deliver?
Photo by tom jervis Interesting couple of stories in the Shetland Marine News this week. First of all, Michael Moore, Secretary of State for Scotland, visits Lerwick and announces that the Port Authority can buy the seabed that the harbour
Continue readingClosing down the debate
I’ve always though of Scotland as a pretty conservative country. Its institutions and its culture do not seem receptive or open to radical ideas. Individuals of course are a different matter and there are hundreds of them with wonderful ideas
Continue readingThe 55% Question
The Issue of the Moment Much gnashing of teeth over the coalition’s proposals to introduce the 55% rule. This is the proposal whereby it would require a vote of 55% of MPs to dissolve Parliament. Parliament is currently dissolved either
Continue readingElection Aftermath
We live in interesting times. Here’s my take which reflects a post at the new Scottish politics site, Scotland Quo Vadis! {site no longer exists – Nov 2023] I rather despair of the sentiments being hurled across the floor of
Continue readingScotland’s seabed – how much is it worth?
Following the confirmation by the Treasury Committee that the Crown Estate Commissioners (CEC) do not own the seabed around Scotland (Scotland has always owned the seabed though it is “administered” and “managed” by the CEC), a key question arises –
Continue readingAffordable Rural Housing
Interesting announcement today [broken link – Nov 2023] by the English Housing and Planning Minister, John Healey. He proposes that Parish Councils be given powers to build affordable housing by extending the scope of permitted development rights. Individual planning applications
Continue readingMore inaccuracies over the Crown Estate
In an article about marine energey in the Sunday Times business section titled “Alex Salmond’s bid to rule the waves”, Jane Bradley writes the following. According to Alex Salmond, Scotland’s first minister, this is the first step in a plan
Continue readingThe Crown – reserved or not
A comment on Joan McAlpine’s blog (1) about the Crown Estate asks a good question – are crown estate matters not reserved? This is the source of much confusion. The Crown Estate Commission is reserved as are most Crown revenues.
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