William Duguid
@williamduguid1.bsky.social
Also on the X hellsite, but maybe not for long.
Used to write To September & Beyond, a political blog on Scottish independence that was hilarious, sometimes intentionally.
Used to write To September & Beyond, a political blog on Scottish independence that was hilarious, sometimes intentionally.
'There is a temptation to see all of this as heavy-handed policing or bureaucratic overreach. But that understates the cohesion of what is happening. This is not an accident; this is architecture.'
Megan Davidson, via Common Weal
Megan Davidson, via Common Weal
The criminalisation of conscience — Common Weal
A new wave of criminalisation is sweeping the UK, targeting activists, communities, and anyone who refuses the official narrative. Here’s why the terror label is no longer about terror.
www.commonweal.scot
November 30, 2025 at 1:00 PM
'There is a temptation to see all of this as heavy-handed policing or bureaucratic overreach. But that understates the cohesion of what is happening. This is not an accident; this is architecture.'
Megan Davidson, via Common Weal
Megan Davidson, via Common Weal
'How tightly Scotland retains old structures of land and power depends on whether its democracy has the courage to break the bond. We are still waiting.'
Grouse Beater
Grouse Beater
Scotland’s Land Ownership
Watch where you walk, you might meet a gamekeeper with a shotgun and dog No other European country has such a narrow base of land proprietorship as Scotland. The Scottish government has passed a Bi…
grousebeater.wordpress.com
November 30, 2025 at 11:00 AM
'How tightly Scotland retains old structures of land and power depends on whether its democracy has the courage to break the bond. We are still waiting.'
Grouse Beater
Grouse Beater
'Reeves's inability to define "a generation" is telling. They have nothing to say but to cling to power and deny Scotland a democratic say in our future. But these are the end days for Scottish Labour, and end tactics to suit.'
Mike Small, via @bellacaledonia.bsky.social
Mike Small, via @bellacaledonia.bsky.social
Opportunism, Hypocrisy and Imperial Disdain
Democracy denial and pork barrel Politics are the hallmarks of Labour’s botched Budget. The choreographed messaging around the government’s budget ended in a predictable farce, with the…
bellacaledonia.org.uk
November 30, 2025 at 9:00 AM
'Reeves's inability to define "a generation" is telling. They have nothing to say but to cling to power and deny Scotland a democratic say in our future. But these are the end days for Scottish Labour, and end tactics to suit.'
Mike Small, via @bellacaledonia.bsky.social
Mike Small, via @bellacaledonia.bsky.social
'From the Borders to Benbecula, city estates to island crofts, one message cut through with striking clarity: Scotland continues to need, and to want, land reform.'
Michael Russell, via The National
archive.is/a8dyE
Michael Russell, via The National
archive.is/a8dyE
November 29, 2025 at 1:00 PM
'From the Borders to Benbecula, city estates to island crofts, one message cut through with striking clarity: Scotland continues to need, and to want, land reform.'
Michael Russell, via The National
archive.is/a8dyE
Michael Russell, via The National
archive.is/a8dyE
‘Can you imagine how a government that actually knew what day St Andrew’s Day was could do to promote Scottish trade and culture around the world?’
Mike Small, via @bellac
Mike Small, via @bellac
Back at the Beating Heart
During the 2014 independence referendum, one of the key talking points from the Better Together campaign was to emphasize how poor Scotland wouldn’t be able to cope without consular support f…
bellacaledonia.org.uk
November 29, 2025 at 11:00 AM
‘Can you imagine how a government that actually knew what day St Andrew’s Day was could do to promote Scottish trade and culture around the world?’
Mike Small, via @bellac
Mike Small, via @bellac
'Critics will say we can’t afford to transition away from fossil fuels. When you come face to face with the impacts, it’s reasonable to argue that we can’t afford not to. But something interesting is starting to happen...'
Halla Moheiddeen, via The National
archive.is/vth26
Halla Moheiddeen, via The National
archive.is/vth26
November 29, 2025 at 9:00 AM
'Critics will say we can’t afford to transition away from fossil fuels. When you come face to face with the impacts, it’s reasonable to argue that we can’t afford not to. But something interesting is starting to happen...'
Halla Moheiddeen, via The National
archive.is/vth26
Halla Moheiddeen, via The National
archive.is/vth26
'This isn’t about freeing up budget, it’s about punching down on the disabled – a group that has repeatedly paid the price for this weak Government and its lack of vision.'
Kelly Given, via The National
archive.is/GWwKV
Kelly Given, via The National
archive.is/GWwKV
November 28, 2025 at 1:00 PM
'This isn’t about freeing up budget, it’s about punching down on the disabled – a group that has repeatedly paid the price for this weak Government and its lack of vision.'
Kelly Given, via The National
archive.is/GWwKV
Kelly Given, via The National
archive.is/GWwKV
'For too long, the left has absorbed neoliberal framing without noticing, and it still does. It has accepted the idea that the government is a household, meaning that it agrees with the household analogy and all the mythology that goes with it.'
@richardjmurphy.bsky.social
@richardjmurphy.bsky.social
The left is always playing on the opposition’s turf. No wonder it’s not winning.
I wondered if I was being unfair in LabourList and most commentators on the Left when posting about its commentary on bonds and their power over governments this morning, and then this nonsense, published by the supposed left-wing media publisher, Novara Media, this week, was drawn to my attention:
Many MPs...
www.taxresearch.org.uk
November 28, 2025 at 11:00 AM
'For too long, the left has absorbed neoliberal framing without noticing, and it still does. It has accepted the idea that the government is a household, meaning that it agrees with the household analogy and all the mythology that goes with it.'
@richardjmurphy.bsky.social
@richardjmurphy.bsky.social
'How far are Trump and supporters like Bannon prepared to go in ensuring another term, in defiance of the constitution? An even more worrying question.. is whether Trump’s ongoing militarisation of America is part of it.'
@foreigncorr1.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/1577r
@foreigncorr1.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/1577r
November 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM
'How far are Trump and supporters like Bannon prepared to go in ensuring another term, in defiance of the constitution? An even more worrying question.. is whether Trump’s ongoing militarisation of America is part of it.'
@foreigncorr1.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/1577r
@foreigncorr1.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/1577r
'Reeves’s couldn’t-care-less Budget timing has invited months of unnecessary speculation, and saddled the devolved governments with a frantic festive catch-up as guesswork finally turns into actual numbers.'
@lesleyriddoch.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/K40i6
@lesleyriddoch.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/K40i6
November 27, 2025 at 1:00 PM
'Reeves’s couldn’t-care-less Budget timing has invited months of unnecessary speculation, and saddled the devolved governments with a frantic festive catch-up as guesswork finally turns into actual numbers.'
@lesleyriddoch.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/K40i6
@lesleyriddoch.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/K40i6
'The Citizens Participation and Pulic Petitions Committee voted unanimously to close the petition down.
PE2135 has 7,506 signatures, which dwarfs other petitions under consideration.
But the number of signatures clearly doesn’t matter.'
Leah Gunn Barrett, via Dear Scotland.
PE2135 has 7,506 signatures, which dwarfs other petitions under consideration.
But the number of signatures clearly doesn’t matter.'
Leah Gunn Barrett, via Dear Scotland.
Public petitions committee shuts down a legal route to Scottish Self-Determination
And shows contempt for the Scottish People's right to self-determination
dearscotland.substack.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:00 AM
'The Citizens Participation and Pulic Petitions Committee voted unanimously to close the petition down.
PE2135 has 7,506 signatures, which dwarfs other petitions under consideration.
But the number of signatures clearly doesn’t matter.'
Leah Gunn Barrett, via Dear Scotland.
PE2135 has 7,506 signatures, which dwarfs other petitions under consideration.
But the number of signatures clearly doesn’t matter.'
Leah Gunn Barrett, via Dear Scotland.
'The trail from Florida to Westminster exposes more than a shared ideology – it reveals a trans-Atlantic lobbying operation connecting Project 2025 to senior figures on Britain’s populist right.'
Nafeez Ahmed, via @bylinetimes.bsky.social
Nafeez Ahmed, via @bylinetimes.bsky.social
Nigel Farage's 'Project 2029': The Pro-Trump Lobbyist Pushing His Agenda Into the UK
A Trump-aligned anti-abortion lobbyist who hosted Nigel Farage's meeting with a 6 January rioter in Florida has been funding and advising the Reform leader while pushing Project 2025’s hard-right agenda into Britain
bylinetimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 9:00 AM
'The trail from Florida to Westminster exposes more than a shared ideology – it reveals a trans-Atlantic lobbying operation connecting Project 2025 to senior figures on Britain’s populist right.'
Nafeez Ahmed, via @bylinetimes.bsky.social
Nafeez Ahmed, via @bylinetimes.bsky.social
'Human health was never a design criterion in creating these toxic products.
Real food - ingredients from which you can construct a meal - has been priced out of the market or made inaccessible in far too many places.'
@richardjmurphy.bsky.social
Real food - ingredients from which you can construct a meal - has been priced out of the market or made inaccessible in far too many places.'
@richardjmurphy.bsky.social
The ultra-processed food crisis
Ultra-processed foods now make up at least half of all food sold in UK supermarkets. The Lancet has described them as a “corporate-engineered public health crisis.” That is exactly what they are: industrial products designed for profit, not nutrition. They override appetite control, promote over-consumption, and push out real food...
www.taxresearch.org.uk
November 26, 2025 at 1:00 PM
'Human health was never a design criterion in creating these toxic products.
Real food - ingredients from which you can construct a meal - has been priced out of the market or made inaccessible in far too many places.'
@richardjmurphy.bsky.social
Real food - ingredients from which you can construct a meal - has been priced out of the market or made inaccessible in far too many places.'
@richardjmurphy.bsky.social
'What has been a constant unresolved responsibility is our collective responsibility to keep our planet stable. This has been a blame game for too long, causing the effects of climate change to worsen.'
Temoka Melindo, via Common Weal
Temoka Melindo, via Common Weal
How can you wash your hands when this happens to us? — Common Weal
Temoka Melindo (Moka) is a student at Glasgow Caledonian University and now
lives in Scotland as a climate refugee. She tells her story and asks how we
can sit around and watch this happen to families like hers and still do
nothing.
www.commonweal.scot
November 26, 2025 at 11:00 AM
'What has been a constant unresolved responsibility is our collective responsibility to keep our planet stable. This has been a blame game for too long, causing the effects of climate change to worsen.'
Temoka Melindo, via Common Weal
Temoka Melindo, via Common Weal
'This story undermines the whole "black hole" fiscal space “learned helplessness” that will be central to the coming UK budget. It is a smokescreen to reduce public spending and usher in another round of austerity.'
Malcolm Reavell of Modern Money Scotland, via The National
archive.is/7Hu4m
Malcolm Reavell of Modern Money Scotland, via The National
archive.is/7Hu4m
November 26, 2025 at 9:00 AM
'This story undermines the whole "black hole" fiscal space “learned helplessness” that will be central to the coming UK budget. It is a smokescreen to reduce public spending and usher in another round of austerity.'
Malcolm Reavell of Modern Money Scotland, via The National
archive.is/7Hu4m
Malcolm Reavell of Modern Money Scotland, via The National
archive.is/7Hu4m
'Rachel Reeves has no interest in Scottish democracy. In fact, it is the very last thing she wants to hear about.'
@richardjmurphy.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/LEeLH
@richardjmurphy.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/LEeLH
November 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM
'Rachel Reeves has no interest in Scottish democracy. In fact, it is the very last thing she wants to hear about.'
@richardjmurphy.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/LEeLH
@richardjmurphy.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/LEeLH
Reposted by William Duguid
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
A wee shout-out for @broadcastscot.bsky.social, which is currently in the middle of a studio move.
They need volunteers to help over the next week with packing up. If you're in the Glasgow area and think you might be able to assist, please get in touch with them directly via DM, or let me know.
They need volunteers to help over the next week with packing up. If you're in the Glasgow area and think you might be able to assist, please get in touch with them directly via DM, or let me know.
November 25, 2025 at 11:27 AM
A wee shout-out for @broadcastscot.bsky.social, which is currently in the middle of a studio move.
They need volunteers to help over the next week with packing up. If you're in the Glasgow area and think you might be able to assist, please get in touch with them directly via DM, or let me know.
They need volunteers to help over the next week with packing up. If you're in the Glasgow area and think you might be able to assist, please get in touch with them directly via DM, or let me know.
New @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social podcast with Fraser Thompson.
World Cup qualification - a lasting bounce?
Covid Inquiry - should Nicola Sturgeon have closed the border?
Danish Labour losses to the left/greens; should UK Labour rethink its hardline migration stance?
And more...
World Cup qualification - a lasting bounce?
Covid Inquiry - should Nicola Sturgeon have closed the border?
Danish Labour losses to the left/greens; should UK Labour rethink its hardline migration stance?
And more...
Goal For Scotland
The Lesley Riddoch Podcast · Episode
open.spotify.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:00 AM
New @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social podcast with Fraser Thompson.
World Cup qualification - a lasting bounce?
Covid Inquiry - should Nicola Sturgeon have closed the border?
Danish Labour losses to the left/greens; should UK Labour rethink its hardline migration stance?
And more...
World Cup qualification - a lasting bounce?
Covid Inquiry - should Nicola Sturgeon have closed the border?
Danish Labour losses to the left/greens; should UK Labour rethink its hardline migration stance?
And more...
'Dr Ball identifies three supposed obstacles to Scotland introducing its own currency – deposit flight, transaction costs, and uncertainty. When examined closely, all of them stem from misunderstandings or outdated assumptions.'
Dr Thibault Laurentjoye, via The National
archive.is/Qdk3r
Dr Thibault Laurentjoye, via The National
archive.is/Qdk3r
November 25, 2025 at 9:00 AM
'Dr Ball identifies three supposed obstacles to Scotland introducing its own currency – deposit flight, transaction costs, and uncertainty. When examined closely, all of them stem from misunderstandings or outdated assumptions.'
Dr Thibault Laurentjoye, via The National
archive.is/Qdk3r
Dr Thibault Laurentjoye, via The National
archive.is/Qdk3r
'Who needs a Reform government when we have Shabana Mahmood?'
@ruthwishart.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/NRy1J
@ruthwishart.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/NRy1J
November 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM
'Who needs a Reform government when we have Shabana Mahmood?'
@ruthwishart.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/NRy1J
@ruthwishart.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/NRy1J
'This world of 2025 is really, really shit, and I don't know anyone who is happy with it.
I want a new modernity, one that I choose, one that we choose. And I sincerely believe it is possible.'
Robin McAlpine, via Common Weal
I want a new modernity, one that I choose, one that we choose. And I sincerely believe it is possible.'
Robin McAlpine, via Common Weal
I want to choose a different modernity — Common Weal
Modern life truly is rubbish, and it is a state of affairs none of us
chose. It is time to believe that we can chose a different modernity, one
that works for us.
www.commonweal.scot
November 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM
'This world of 2025 is really, really shit, and I don't know anyone who is happy with it.
I want a new modernity, one that I choose, one that we choose. And I sincerely believe it is possible.'
Robin McAlpine, via Common Weal
I want a new modernity, one that I choose, one that we choose. And I sincerely believe it is possible.'
Robin McAlpine, via Common Weal
'Scotland is suffering a renewed wave of deindustrialisation, and Mossmorran is only the latest major employer to close its doors.'
Coll McCail, via The National
archive.is/2LIGJ
Coll McCail, via The National
archive.is/2LIGJ
November 24, 2025 at 9:00 AM
'Scotland is suffering a renewed wave of deindustrialisation, and Mossmorran is only the latest major employer to close its doors.'
Coll McCail, via The National
archive.is/2LIGJ
Coll McCail, via The National
archive.is/2LIGJ
'The campaign for Scottish independence is now as much about keeping out racism and intolerance, and providing an alternative to bigotry, as taking the best decisions about Scotland’s economy and governance.
@richardwalker5.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/I88LG
@richardwalker5.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/I88LG
November 23, 2025 at 1:00 PM
'The campaign for Scottish independence is now as much about keeping out racism and intolerance, and providing an alternative to bigotry, as taking the best decisions about Scotland’s economy and governance.
@richardwalker5.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/I88LG
@richardwalker5.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/I88LG
'Genocide is against intentional law. Arresting people for peacefully assembling to oppose genocide is against international law.'
Justin Kenrick, via @bellacaledonia.bsky.social
Justin Kenrick, via @bellacaledonia.bsky.social
Why is peace so threatening to the UK government?
The ‘Defend our Juries’ campaign write that: “Local police forces have made arrests at all nine Lift The Ban actions in England and Wales today (Tuesday 18 November), whereas Police Scotland did no…
bellacaledonia.org.uk
November 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM
'Genocide is against intentional law. Arresting people for peacefully assembling to oppose genocide is against international law.'
Justin Kenrick, via @bellacaledonia.bsky.social
Justin Kenrick, via @bellacaledonia.bsky.social