Eric Clive
@ericclive.bsky.social
Retired law professor and law reformer. Pro EU. Anti Brexit. Pro UN, pro international law and civilised international relations. Supporter of Scottish independence in Europe for pro European, internationalist, democratic, progressive and other reasons.
Rachel Reeves says there will be no referendum on Scottish independence.
"When there was a referendum just a few years ago, it said that this was a once in a generation referendum."
This is a poor argument. The ref was 11 years ago. A lot has changed. "It" said nothing about once in a generation.
"When there was a referendum just a few years ago, it said that this was a once in a generation referendum."
This is a poor argument. The ref was 11 years ago. A lot has changed. "It" said nothing about once in a generation.
November 29, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Rachel Reeves says there will be no referendum on Scottish independence.
"When there was a referendum just a few years ago, it said that this was a once in a generation referendum."
This is a poor argument. The ref was 11 years ago. A lot has changed. "It" said nothing about once in a generation.
"When there was a referendum just a few years ago, it said that this was a once in a generation referendum."
This is a poor argument. The ref was 11 years ago. A lot has changed. "It" said nothing about once in a generation.
Reposted by Eric Clive
Reeves tells Scotland that it does not have the right to exist as a separate state if its people so desire. Imagine someone said this about Israel Canada or Ukraine there would rightly be outrage & condemnation. Nothing from Sarwar or Scottish Labour. Do they agree with Reeves?
x.com/bjcruickshan...
x.com/bjcruickshan...
Bill Cruickshank on X: "No Labour politician can now claim that Scotland is in an equal, fair & democratic union: https://t.co/jS8g9wT6F9 @RachelReeves has blown Scottish democracy to smithereens. No unionist politician has ever gone this far, not even Thatcher. Scary times Scotland!" / X
No Labour politician can now claim that Scotland is in an equal, fair & democratic union: https://t.co/jS8g9wT6F9 @RachelReeves has blown Scottish democracy to smithereens. No unionist politician has ever gone this far, not even Thatcher. Scary times Scotland!
x.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Reeves tells Scotland that it does not have the right to exist as a separate state if its people so desire. Imagine someone said this about Israel Canada or Ukraine there would rightly be outrage & condemnation. Nothing from Sarwar or Scottish Labour. Do they agree with Reeves?
x.com/bjcruickshan...
x.com/bjcruickshan...
Reposted by Eric Clive
staggered to see the stories about David Coburn. If only there had been some sort of sign that he was an utterly inept and incompetent politician
November 28, 2025 at 12:25 PM
staggered to see the stories about David Coburn. If only there had been some sort of sign that he was an utterly inept and incompetent politician
One of the less discussed aspects of the UK budget is that it reveals the ramshackle state of the UK constitution. It is difficult for the ordinary citizen to work out what measures are UK measures and what are England-only measures.
November 27, 2025 at 8:57 AM
One of the less discussed aspects of the UK budget is that it reveals the ramshackle state of the UK constitution. It is difficult for the ordinary citizen to work out what measures are UK measures and what are England-only measures.
The Laura Kuenssberg show left me depressed. Nobody has the answers. Maybe we should be asking what we can and should avoid, starting with greater inequality; higher borrowing costs.
November 23, 2025 at 12:05 PM
The Laura Kuenssberg show left me depressed. Nobody has the answers. Maybe we should be asking what we can and should avoid, starting with greater inequality; higher borrowing costs.
In the Scottish Parliament elections in May I won't be voting for a pro Customs Union party when I can vote for a pro EU membership party. But if the UK prefers the less satisfactory solution then so be it - fewer problems at border if/when an independent Scotland becomes an EU member state.
Oh, Customs Union again? Based on recent conversations I am pretty sure that any form of greater UK market access to the single market including this will require substantial financial contribution, alignment, and close to freedom of movement. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Lib Dems to force vote on creating new customs union with EU
Ed Davey’s party believes the move is the best way to ‘turbocharge’ economy, rather than tax rises
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:14 AM
In the Scottish Parliament elections in May I won't be voting for a pro Customs Union party when I can vote for a pro EU membership party. But if the UK prefers the less satisfactory solution then so be it - fewer problems at border if/when an independent Scotland becomes an EU member state.
"if a trans person is admitted to a service which is for the opposite sex, it would no longer be a separate or single-sex service, which could amount to unlawful sex discrimination."
"Would"? Really? Always?
"Could"? Please explain why and when.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
"Would"? Really? Always?
"Could"? Please explain why and when.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
What is the new gender guidance on single-sex spaces and sport?
We look at several elements of the equality watchdog’s code, which advises organisations on how to interpret the Supreme Court ruling on the Equality Act
www.thetimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:13 AM
"if a trans person is admitted to a service which is for the opposite sex, it would no longer be a separate or single-sex service, which could amount to unlawful sex discrimination."
"Would"? Really? Always?
"Could"? Please explain why and when.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
"Would"? Really? Always?
"Could"? Please explain why and when.
www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/...
"Talk to me with respect, I'm the Chancellor,' says Rachel Reeves."
This, if true, is pathetic. It shows a certain lack of respect for the person addressed.
This, if true, is pathetic. It shows a certain lack of respect for the person addressed.
November 20, 2025 at 7:45 PM
"Talk to me with respect, I'm the Chancellor,' says Rachel Reeves."
This, if true, is pathetic. It shows a certain lack of respect for the person addressed.
This, if true, is pathetic. It shows a certain lack of respect for the person addressed.
Reposted by Eric Clive
Strange that this isn't bigger news.
EXCLUSIVE: Michael Prescott himself doctored Trump quote in his anti-BBC report
A report alleging Panorama broadcast misleading Trump quotes contains misleading quotes itself
www.thenewworld.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Strange that this isn't bigger news.
Meanwhile Kemi Badenoch really sticks her head in the sand and reportedly calls on Rachel Reeves to “abandon all plans to raise taxes”. Hard as it is to believe right now, it is actually possible to be worse than Labour.
November 15, 2025 at 9:18 AM
Meanwhile Kemi Badenoch really sticks her head in the sand and reportedly calls on Rachel Reeves to “abandon all plans to raise taxes”. Hard as it is to believe right now, it is actually possible to be worse than Labour.
Another curiosity in the press coverage of the pre-budget shambles - a suggestion that money might be raised by increasing council tax on higher-band houses in England. Is devolution going to be respected or attacked? Either way is one step nearer the breakup of the UK.
November 15, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Another curiosity in the press coverage of the pre-budget shambles - a suggestion that money might be raised by increasing council tax on higher-band houses in England. Is devolution going to be respected or attacked? Either way is one step nearer the breakup of the UK.
Rachel Reeves is now expected to freeze income tax thresholds rather than put the rate up. This is less progressive and relies on moderate to high inflation. It's tough on middle earners and small savers. What cowardice. What folly. What a mess.
November 15, 2025 at 7:24 AM
Rachel Reeves is now expected to freeze income tax thresholds rather than put the rate up. This is less progressive and relies on moderate to high inflation. It's tough on middle earners and small savers. What cowardice. What folly. What a mess.
Rachel Reeves now puts political expediency above the national interest. It probably won't even work politically. The alternatives will probably be worse and the impression given is of weakness and division at the heart of government. Who is forcing her into this embarrassing and stupid U turn?
November 14, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Rachel Reeves now puts political expediency above the national interest. It probably won't even work politically. The alternatives will probably be worse and the impression given is of weakness and division at the heart of government. Who is forcing her into this embarrassing and stupid U turn?
Reposted by Eric Clive
Anas Sarwar,& Scottish branch office of UK Labour, are entirely opposed to devolution. When they respond to ScotGov complaints about Westminster policies not working for Scotland, their automatic ingrained response is not how to help Scotland but how to blame Holyrood for Westminster's failings.
November 11, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Anas Sarwar,& Scottish branch office of UK Labour, are entirely opposed to devolution. When they respond to ScotGov complaints about Westminster policies not working for Scotland, their automatic ingrained response is not how to help Scotland but how to blame Holyrood for Westminster's failings.
Reposted by Eric Clive
This is actually scarier than you think, Because it will appeal to unionists in Scotland. They are quite happy at this moment now that we do things on a shoestring, So Farage & his bad of Reform nutters in government will be delighted to cut our money in favour of England getting more.
#AreYouYesYet
#AreYouYesYet
November 11, 2025 at 7:59 AM
This is actually scarier than you think, Because it will appeal to unionists in Scotland. They are quite happy at this moment now that we do things on a shoestring, So Farage & his bad of Reform nutters in government will be delighted to cut our money in favour of England getting more.
#AreYouYesYet
#AreYouYesYet
Odd to find the BBC in trouble for left-wing bias and anti-Israel bias. I was thinking for a while that it should be in trouble for right-wing bias and for pro-Israel bias.
November 10, 2025 at 9:54 AM
Odd to find the BBC in trouble for left-wing bias and anti-Israel bias. I was thinking for a while that it should be in trouble for right-wing bias and for pro-Israel bias.
She's wrong. The government needs money. Raising income tax, but preferably not on lower incomes, is the best way of getting it. If this is a problem for the Labour party because of foolish past promises, then tough. They have only themselves to blame.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Lucy Powell says Labour must stand by promise not to raise key taxes
New deputy leader also calls on government to lift two-child benefit cap urgently and in full
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:20 AM
She's wrong. The government needs money. Raising income tax, but preferably not on lower incomes, is the best way of getting it. If this is a problem for the Labour party because of foolish past promises, then tough. They have only themselves to blame.
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
When Scotland introduced a slightly more progressive income tax system some high earners threatened to move to England. If any did they must now be wondering if they were a bit hasty.
November 5, 2025 at 1:04 PM
When Scotland introduced a slightly more progressive income tax system some high earners threatened to move to England. If any did they must now be wondering if they were a bit hasty.
Reposted by Eric Clive
10/10
November 5, 2025 at 4:58 AM
10/10
Reposted by Eric Clive
I'll say one thing for the Supreme Court judgment in FWS. It must have caused a lot of conscientious legal advisers to go back to the Equality Act 2010 and ask when it is even lawful, let alone sensible, to provide sex-segregated facilities when good gender neutral ones could easily be provided.
November 4, 2025 at 12:57 PM
I'll say one thing for the Supreme Court judgment in FWS. It must have caused a lot of conscientious legal advisers to go back to the Equality Act 2010 and ask when it is even lawful, let alone sensible, to provide sex-segregated facilities when good gender neutral ones could easily be provided.
Better late than never. She should raise income tax - not a perfect tax but the fairest and most productive we have and it could easily be made even fairer. It was a terrible mistake to ever rule this out.
November 4, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Better late than never. She should raise income tax - not a perfect tax but the fairest and most productive we have and it could easily be made even fairer. It was a terrible mistake to ever rule this out.