The age of the narcissism of small differences
The attitude to councils from all governments is that they are merely arms-length opportunities to offload cuts, writes MATT KERR
The welcome news that Cuba has finally been removed from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list is tempered by the fact that Donald Trump, the man who put it there, is returning to the White House, warns NATASHA HICKMAN
Thanks to impressive progress in Britain with wind and solar generation, clean electricity now costs a fraction of the price of gas — yet the current system keeps bills artificially high to protect fossil fuels, writes TOM HARDY
By spreading race-based conspiracy theories, the billionaire tycoon turned right-wing provocateur has been seriously undermining the case against those who really did let victims of the grooming gangs down, writes SOLOMON HUGHES
Many Western countries are grappling with deep political instability. What are the causes of this, and what could be a possible way forward? asks MARC VANDEPITTE
KEITH BENNETT explains why, despite its present meagre economic outcomes, an honest and fruitful partnership with China is worth pursuing
Nick Wright talks to photographer and author JANINA STRUK
GLASGOW City Council has once again led the way this week. On Thursday it stood firm in its unswerving commitment to destroying itself and the services it delivers to its citizens because “tough choices.”
The factions on the council battled it out in a bizarre game of whose choices were the toughest, but they all voted to cut over £100 million from services over the next three years.
The process for forming these budgets is instructive. Political groupings are furnished with lists of “budget options” from the various departments showing how they can do their bit to close the “budget gap.”
More from this author
Mismanagement, privatisation and EU rules have strangled vital ferry services, leaving Scotland’s island communities stranded and the once-bustling ports of my youth in what feels like terminal decline, laments MATT KERR
Through hospital windows and news bulletins, personal loss opens a window onto the world’s wider suffering as the season, and the year itself, reminds us all why class solidarity matters now more than ever, writes MATT KERR
While farmers win support against inheritance tax changes, refinery workers seeking to save their jobs and community face deafening silence from Holyrood, writes MATT KERR
MATT KERR argues that endless constitutional squabbles and feigned outrage over symbolic slights distract from real issues, as both SNP and opposition parties shirk responsibility for using the powers they already have
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Genuine public control of essential services and a democratic renewal are worth fighting for, argues MATT KERR
As college workers return to picket lines across the country they’re fighting for more than just a decent wage, or even their jobs, writes MATT KERR
