Inequality is the most pressing issue of our time

First published in the Morning Star on 21 May 2019. I am of an age when younger comrades (and indeed offspring) feel free to berate me about the mess my generation is leaving them in. While it makes for lively conversation, I have to quietly, and often silently, admit they might be right.

They have a case when it comes to “levels of inequality that disfigure our society” cited by the Institute of Employment Rights at the launch of a consultation on a Charter of Workers’ Rights for Scotland at the Scottish Trades Union Congress in April.

Austerity and Social Work

Presentation to Edinburgh Local Practitioner Forum 26 November 2015.
I want to focus on three main challenges that austerity brings to social work and social workers.
1. Poverty and demonisation of the poor.
2. The role and effect of social work, especially in local government
3. Resources - facing the reality. How do we do the best with what we've got?

1. Poverty /demonisation of the poor

There is a deliberate strategy to portray those in need as less deserving so services are not needed - or they become punitive rather than enabling.
Austerity - who is really affected?

Surrendering to neo-liberal ‘fiscal discipline’

Keith Ewing suggests that Scottish independence may come sooner than the high-speed rail link, partly because of ‘Labour’s extraordinary proposal to give quasi-constitutional status to Austerity.’ Unfortunately, Labour is not alone in this as the SNP manifesto betrays. (UK Constitutional Law Association) - first published in UNISONActive on 27/4/15

He is right that the proposed ‘Budget Responsibility Lock’ – at least without a miraculous and spontaneous economic recovery – would effectively make some level of austerity legally compulsory, if it could be made to work at all.

The shifting politics of Scotland

First published in the Morning Star on 30 December 2014:
It’s been a quiet time in Scotland recently, apart from the Smith Commission on devolution powers, a new first minister, her programme for government, SNP mass rallies, a Labour leadership election, a shadow cabinet reshuffle, the Rangers manager handing in his notice, and the first fall of snow.

I mention the football story because there are parallels with Labour’s situation.

Giving Scotland a reason to back Labour for social justice

First blogged on UNISONActive on 1/12/14 As the dust still swirls after the referendum, the challenge is to bring the focus back to the Scotland we want to see now. Of course the ‘neverendum’ campaign will continue but at some point we will have to address what we do with the powers we have now and will gain soon.

People's Assembly Scotland Launch

Speech at launch of the People's Assembly Scotland 25 January 2014
Ricky Tomlinson did a great job in rousing the anger in this hall against austerity. But is anybody like me in wondering why people we represent and organise out there are not more angry?

Why so many don’t think there is an alternative to austerity?

Austerity and cuts: Why isn't everybody furious?

Speech to UNISON Edinburgh AGM 2013
Since this government came to power, this union and this branch have been banging out the message that there is a better way, there is an alternative to the cuts, to their privatisation, to their demonising of the unemployed and working poor, their demonising of young people, their labelling the elderly and disabled as scroungers, their pitiful argument that we can’t afford care for our most vulnerable.