…the blog and website of Andy Wightman
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 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 readingWe 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 readingFollowing 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 readingInteresting 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 readingIn 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 readingA 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.
Continue readingThe Crown Estate Commission plays a strange role in the administration of parts of Scotland. I recently submitted evidence to the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee on the topic and today, had a letter published in the Herald newspaper
Continue readingAn excellent series of reports on the water crisis in Kenya reminds me how valuable the BBC is as a media institution in the UK. Environmental stories, especially involving Africa, are too frequently ignored in the media but James Morgan
Continue readingDonald Trump won planning permission earlier this week for developments on land adjacent to his Menie Estate. He does not own any of this land but is trying to acquire it. His plans include asking Aberdeenshire Council to use their
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