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| Editor's note |
 Bittersweet victory
Mandy Rhodes
As Labour and the SNP continue to vie over who won the council elections, it will be how those parties respond to that result that will inform the referendum debate rather than the result per se. And early indications are that the FM considers it job well done while Johann Lamont continues to express a gracious humility that can only be to Labours advantage given their previous gross complacency.
For regardless of what the SNP says now, there are lessons to be learned from what went wrong on 3 May. The party undoubtedly made the local government elections a battleground for the referendum; instead of talking local, they talked global, instead of listening to what they were being told on the doorsteps, they listened to each other and they batted away criticism - even from their own candidates - like a... |
| Interview |
Focus |
El Presidente
Mandy Rhodes - 14 May 2012
Pat Watters signs off from local government after clocking up 30 years as an elected councillor
As Scotlands newest intake of councillors adjust to a radically altered local government landscape, dominated by coalitions of all stripes, Pat Watters, the doyen of... |
The next chapter
Katie Mackintosh - 14 May 2012
Telehealth and telecare could be an asset to Scotlands health and economy
Scotland is moving into the next era of telehealth and telecare. In this new chapter, Professor George Crooks, director of the Scottish Centre for Telehealth and Telecare and medical director of NHS24, says telehealth is no longer regarded as a Cinderella, nice-to-do, additional service and is instead increasingly being recognised as a key way of delivering and supporting core, day-to-day health and care services.
In its recent review of telehealth... |
| Inside track: Local Government Elections |
Going local
As the dust settles after the council elections, what will the results mean for local government in Scotland?
Throughout the day of the Glasgow City Council count, the mood in the SECC underwent several changes. Things started off upbeat, with local MSPs and MPs from all parties schmoozing with candidates and activists. As the first few results were announced, some were quick to say that this did not resemble the SNP landslide which was long predicted. As the day wore on...
 Male, pale and stale
Have women benefited in the council elections?
Thirteen years after devolution heralded a new dawn in womens representation - with Nordic levels of women MSPs elected to the first Scottish Parliament - the story remains very different at local government level. Less than 1:4 councillors elected in 2012 is a woman, but overall numbers have increased. We ask: does that add up to progress? We argue that without decisive action across all political parties, Scottish local politics will remain decidedly male, pale and stale.
Overall, preliminary figures reveal that women are just over 24 per cent of Scottish councillors, up from 21.6...
 Now to work
Councillors and officials need to understand the experiences and attitudes of their local populations in detail so they can plan and deliver the most effective and efficient services. Using research data intelligently can aid that understanding
The new intake of elected members from 3 Mays local government elections may soon begin to wonder if all the campaigning and persuading was worth it. Its not the easiest time to be a councillor, with increasing pressures on services driven by demographic changes, budgets increasingly squeezed and fewer powers to raise money through, for example, increasing Council Tax.
However, if they take time to understand...
 Local Election Results
In association with LTCAS. All results correct at time of
... |
| The referendum debate |
 Inching closer to 2014
Two important milestones have now come and gone as the clock keeps ticking, bringing Scotland ever closer towards autumn 2014 and a referendum on independence
Firstly, the Scottish Governments attempt to ask the public how they best think the questions over the countrys constitutional future should be settled has now closed.
And second, with the local government election campaigns over, regardless of which party feels it emerged victorious, the road is now clear for the SNP to start its yes campaign in earnest.
Thousands of people responded to the Governments Your Scotland, Your Referendum consultation document, launched by First Minister Alex Salmond in...
Acting up
14 May 2012
By Professor Owen Dudley Edwards
Academic
On the search for someone to lead the Union charge
WANTED Politician to defend the Union The Prime Minister looked at it a little doubtfully. He read it out loud with a slightly censorious whine. He read everything out loud with a slightly censorious whine.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer sneered. The Prime Minister looked at him a little doubtfully.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer could sneer. It was his one talent on whose existence everyone agreed. What was less clear was whether he could do anything else.
It isnt what you want, really. What do I want, then?...
 Building a better nation
By David Griffiths
Chief Executive, Ecas
At the heart of the constitutional debate should be a question about what kind of society we want to create
Both the UK and the Scottish Governments have now completed their consultations on the referendum. Whether or not Scotland should be independent is, of course, a massive issue. At least it should be, but sometimes I wonder what will actually change. What would it mean to be independent? How would it change the lives of the people who live here? To me, these are the big questions that very few people are asking and virtually no one... |
| Portfolios |
| Local Government |
Interview: Conservative local government spokesperson Margaret Mitchell
14 May 2012
MSP Margaret Mitchell is the Scottish Conservative local government spokesperson
Just two days before the close of nominations for the Scottish Conservative leadership battle last autumn, Mitchell decided to throw her... |
2012 and beyond
14 May 2012
Will Scotlands councils be able to meet the fast approaching deadline to provide all unintentionally homeless households with settled accommodation?
Scotlands 2012 homelessness commitment, created under the Homelessness etc. (Scotland) Act... |
| Education |
Frown and gown
Are questions about the value of a degree fair?
With tuition fees rising, unemployment high, and employability becoming a key factor in the decision-making of prospective university students, it is hardly... |
Ready for change
From purchasing books to teaching literacy, Scottish Book Trust CEO Marc Lambert is ready for the debate
When Marc Lambert took charge of the Scottish Book Trust in 2002, it had... |
| Health |
Making it count
Katie Mackintosh
The newly established Welfare Reform Committee will listen and act, says its convener, Michael McMahon MSP
The call for the creation of a special committee to enable the Scottish Parliament to... |
Learning from experience
Katie Mackintosh
As the Patient Rights Act comes into force in Scotland, Holyrood visits the new independent Patient Advice and Support Service
I dont know how many tears I shed, Isabella says... |
| Justice |
Working together
Ross Reid 14 May 2012
What role will CJAs play in future justice system?
As the dust settles after Scotlands local authority elections and the make-up of councils and their committees are ironed out, the focus... |
Taser trial evaluated
Ross Reid 14 May 2012
Concerns remain over potential roll-out of Tasers to police
A preliminary report into a contentious sixmonth pilot that saw police officers carrying Tasers has reignited a debate on whether Scotland could... |
| Environment |
Well Grounded
14 May 2012
Lib Dem Jim Hume is one of many politicians in Scotland who wears his farming background with pride.
We may be in the era of the career politician, those who have... |
Greener homes mean cheaper bills
14 May 2012
Household fuel bills are shooting up but could it mean we may be getting the energy-efficiency message?
With the cost of heating and powering the home higher than ever and... |
| Business |
Highfield's 2020 vision
Will Peakin 14 May 2012
Will reality match a bold bet on The Scotsman owners future?
Going cap in hand to the banks, the departure of yet another editor, plunging advertising revenue; they appeared to be... |
Highlands and islands
Will Peakin 14 May 2012
An enforced period of transition for Japan offers Scotland new opportunities
Times are tough for Japan. Last month, it reported its biggest annual trade deficit; a contrast from decades of surpluses,... |
| Columnists |
Also in this issue |
Henry McLeish
 Relief beyond belief
Mood, morale and momentum matter in politics and so does the psychological boost of victory. Thats why Labour should enjoy their success in last weeks council elections and reflect positively... |
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Letter of the week - Scotland needs its own security review
Responding to media speculation that the Scottish National Party might rethink its opposition to full membership of NATO, Mandy Rhodes suggests (Editors note, 23 April) that supporting the alliance would... |
John Curtice
 Expectation management
So Scotlands voters have turned up another surprise. Last year they voted for the SNP in sufficient numbers that the Nationalists were rewarded with an overall majority despite the use... |
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Letters - Letting agents routine rip off
A website launched by Shelter Scotland to help private sector tenants reclaim fees unlawfully charged by letting agents has helped 73 people to start proceedings to reclaim over 11,400 in... |
 Dirty dancing
My old father had a maxim which Ive sometimes ignored, and usually to my cost.
Never wrestle with a chimney sweep, because you cant come out clean. Not for the first... |
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Diary - Issue 276
14 May 2012
Pure dead lazy
With the SNP Government desperately trying to ensure that Scotland becomes a fitter place, perhaps, Renfrewshire Council should think about repositioning the road sign indicating the direction of... |
Rab McNeil
 Recipe for disaster
I nearly didnt vote in yon local authority elections. When I say nearly, didnt, and indeed vote, I am pouring a vat of eggs onto a standard-sized pudding.
But if you... |
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Radioactive sites under review
14 May 2012
A dozen sites across Scotland have been marked as potential spots to investigate radioactive contamination, an environmental watchdog has confirmed.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has told Holyrood there are... |
