Skip to main content
Slouching towards Ballyskeagh
Scotland is suffering a depressing – and growing – democratic deficit, writes STEPHEN LOW
A general view of the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh

SCOTLAND’S politics now have a depressing similarity to Northern Ireland. 

What politicians do in, or out, of office is secondary to their stance on the constitution.  

It’s a situation that as well dispenses with comparative trivialities like accountability. 

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney speaking during a press conference at Grassmarket Apex Hotel, Edinburgh, following the 2026 Holyrood elections, May 9, 2026
Features / 11 May 2026
11 May 2026

The new Scottish Parliament looks set to continue a cycle of managerial tinkering while public services face the axe, writes STEPHEN LOW

Pupils in a classroom
Features / 14 April 2026
14 April 2026

Cuts are sweeping campuses as cash-strapped universities slash staff and politicians fail to act on a growing funding emergency. VINCE MILLS reports

Re your message in #nujchapel:  If we website looks like shit, no-one is going to take us seriously, or be inclined to subscribe - that's why I think we have to prioritise the way it looks, especially when the site (editorial-wise) is largely working.  When it comes to the issues you mentioned to me the other day (word count, curly quotes, bylines), there are quick and easy work arounds for them (copy and paste text into BBedit, Word, Pages, wordcount.com, etc. Leave curly quotes, bylines, etc to the web de
Democracy / 2 July 2025
2 July 2025

From Gaza complicity to welfare cuts chaos, Starmer’s baggage accumulates, and voters will indeed find ‘somewhere else’ to go — to the Greens, nationalists, Lib Dems, Reform UK or a new, working-class left party, writes NICK WRIGHT

Ash Regan on stage at Lauriston Hall in Edinburgh
Features / 27 June 2025
27 June 2025

Susan Galloway talks to ASH REGAN MSP about her “Unbuyable” Bill, seeking to tackle the commercial sexual exploitation of women in Scotland