Holding government to account depends on the “attitude” of the ruling party in what is “one of the most executive-dominated parliaments in the world”

(Director, Institute for Government, 18 June 2024) – Scotland’s 21st century democracy, UK-style! By stewartb A comment piece by the Director of the Institute for Government (IfG) – the London-based, centrist think tank close to the Westminster and Whitehall establishment – got me thinking about the democracy and associated agency we in Scotland experience within the Union. We are only too well aware that Scotland’s electorate is in a small minority in this Union; that Scotland now has a diminished number of elected members in the Union parliament; that we have a modern history of prolonged periods of rule by … Continue reading Holding government to account depends on the “attitude” of the ruling party in what is “one of the most executive-dominated parliaments in the world”

Ayrshire MP’s team helps local people nearly TEN THOUSAND times in only four and a half years

Allan Dorans was MP for Ayr Carrick and Cumnock until 30th May 2024 and will be standing for re-election on July 4th Since my election in December 2019, with my team, I have responded to requests for help and advice nearly 10 000 times. We have helped, many times with constituents in real difficulty, struggling to survive, by making sure they get the benefits they are entitled to, better housing or disability support. Many write to demand fairer treatment for animals, an end to the abuse of human rights in numerous countries where the UK has influence, or improvements in … Continue reading Ayrshire MP’s team helps local people nearly TEN THOUSAND times in only four and a half years

Will Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock Reform candidate condemn his deputy leader’s liking and sharing of holocaust denial, Hitler admiration and the Royal Family are lizards theory?

Andrew Russell, Reform candidate for the Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock constituency. Today, the Ferret factchecker has revealed: This is not a spoof. Continue reading Will Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock Reform candidate condemn his deputy leader’s liking and sharing of holocaust denial, Hitler admiration and the Royal Family are lizards theory?

Survation and YouGov stuck in 2014 to bias their polling

In their most recent poll, in January 2024, Ipsos Scotland got: Last week and being trumpeted as more bad news for John Swinney, Survation got: YouGov had identical results the week before. Survation had this sample ratio weighted according to the 2014 referendum, 10 years ago: YouGov had the same ratio. Ipsos had this sample ratio weighted according to trends since the 2014 referendum, 10 years ago: Ipsos is a multinational market research company based in France with no ‘horse in the race’ when it comes to Scottish independence. YouGov is a UK-based pollster set up by former Chancellor Nadhim … Continue reading Survation and YouGov stuck in 2014 to bias their polling