Andy
@andypatetc.bsky.social
SES Policy Officer
Harm reductionist
Scottish politics and Hibs fan - whose to say what's worse?
He/him
Harm reductionist
Scottish politics and Hibs fan - whose to say what's worse?
He/him
Reposted by Andy
Today marks just six months to go until the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election! As is now usual, I'll be looking to commission a pre-election poll. If you can, please chip in to the crowdfunder here - all donations gratefully received, and even if you can't donate, please share!
gofund.me/cf862de1a
gofund.me/cf862de1a
Donate to Ballot Box Scotland SP26 Fundraiser, organized by Allan Faulds
This funding will support Ballot Box Scotland's reporting ahead of the 2026 Scottish … Allan Faulds needs your support for Ballot Box Scotland SP26 Fundraiser
gofund.me
November 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Today marks just six months to go until the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election! As is now usual, I'll be looking to commission a pre-election poll. If you can, please chip in to the crowdfunder here - all donations gratefully received, and even if you can't donate, please share!
gofund.me/cf862de1a
gofund.me/cf862de1a
Reposted by Andy
Inside Scotland’s march against poverty
Thousands of protesters from Scottish churches, charities and trade unions will take to the streets next week demanding a fair deal for the poor. It’s the first demo of its kind
I talk to the man behind the rally in my @heraldscotland.bsky.social long read
Thousands of protesters from Scottish churches, charities and trade unions will take to the streets next week demanding a fair deal for the poor. It’s the first demo of its kind
I talk to the man behind the rally in my @heraldscotland.bsky.social long read
Scots churches, charities and unions unite in plea to SNP over 'intolerable' poverty
The Poverty Alliance is organising a major demonstration demanding the SNP acts to protect the country’s poor. Our Writer at Large talks to the…
www.heraldscotland.com
October 19, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Inside Scotland’s march against poverty
Thousands of protesters from Scottish churches, charities and trade unions will take to the streets next week demanding a fair deal for the poor. It’s the first demo of its kind
I talk to the man behind the rally in my @heraldscotland.bsky.social long read
Thousands of protesters from Scottish churches, charities and trade unions will take to the streets next week demanding a fair deal for the poor. It’s the first demo of its kind
I talk to the man behind the rally in my @heraldscotland.bsky.social long read
Very good news that this is finally hapening. Better late than never but there must be strong efforts to have pilots set up locally and rurally as well.
Postcode shouldn't be the reason you can not access healthcare.
www.thenational.scot/news/2555170...
Postcode shouldn't be the reason you can not access healthcare.
www.thenational.scot/news/2555170...
Glasgow to host Scotland's first drug-checking service as licence approved
GLASGOW is set to launch Scotland's first drug checking service, backed by increased Scottish Government funding of more than £1.5 million
www.thenational.scot
October 19, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Very good news that this is finally hapening. Better late than never but there must be strong efforts to have pilots set up locally and rurally as well.
Postcode shouldn't be the reason you can not access healthcare.
www.thenational.scot/news/2555170...
Postcode shouldn't be the reason you can not access healthcare.
www.thenational.scot/news/2555170...
Will be interesting to see the actions coming from the Labour party after today. The budget should cement what they actually believe in and whether or not they can actually 'renew'
I'm still rather doubtful
I'm still rather doubtful
September 30, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Will be interesting to see the actions coming from the Labour party after today. The budget should cement what they actually believe in and whether or not they can actually 'renew'
I'm still rather doubtful
I'm still rather doubtful
Reposted by Andy
Today in Glasgow a man is arrested for holding a sign reading "Genocide in Palestine. Time to take action"
Meanwhile the head of the Israeli air force who has overseen the killing of thousands of Palestinians is welcomed to an RAF conference
www.thenational.scot/news/2532523...
Meanwhile the head of the Israeli air force who has overseen the killing of thousands of Palestinians is welcomed to an RAF conference
www.thenational.scot/news/2532523...
UK welcome for Israeli military chief responsible for Gaza slaughter
AN Israeli military chief who has overseen the slaughter of thousands of Palestinians is visiting the UK.
www.thenational.scot
July 18, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Today in Glasgow a man is arrested for holding a sign reading "Genocide in Palestine. Time to take action"
Meanwhile the head of the Israeli air force who has overseen the killing of thousands of Palestinians is welcomed to an RAF conference
www.thenational.scot/news/2532523...
Meanwhile the head of the Israeli air force who has overseen the killing of thousands of Palestinians is welcomed to an RAF conference
www.thenational.scot/news/2532523...
I'd like to give Outlook as much grief as possible during the work day but will admit the remind to attach files you've said are in an email, is quite useful
June 18, 2025 at 2:55 PM
I'd like to give Outlook as much grief as possible during the work day but will admit the remind to attach files you've said are in an email, is quite useful
Working with Peter on his campaign for the 2021 election was delight. Every day he was optimistic and hopeful. His work showed what the ability of one person has to impact and change lives.
Always one to look out for those who are most often left behind.
Rest in peace Peter
Always one to look out for those who are most often left behind.
Rest in peace Peter
Peter Krykant kept the lives being lost to drugs in the public eye & shamed the Scottish gov into action. His van prevented overdoses & and continues to so as, without it, The Thistle wouldn’t exist. It was a privilege to know him. I hope he’s at peace. www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/peter-k...
Peter Krykant dies suddenly as tributes paid to pioneering Scots drugs reformer
Krykant, who battled addiction issues, was found dead at home in Falkirk. He inspired many to regard addiction as a health issue and paved the way for state-backed safe drug consumption areas
www.dailyrecord.co.uk
June 11, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Working with Peter on his campaign for the 2021 election was delight. Every day he was optimistic and hopeful. His work showed what the ability of one person has to impact and change lives.
Always one to look out for those who are most often left behind.
Rest in peace Peter
Always one to look out for those who are most often left behind.
Rest in peace Peter
Reposted by Andy
As part of our member funded Who Runs Scotland series, we've looked at what critics have called the "groupthink and game-playing" of PR and lobbying. First is Arden Strategies, set up by former MP and Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy. Clients include defence contractor Northrop Grumman.
April 14, 2025 at 2:01 PM
As part of our member funded Who Runs Scotland series, we've looked at what critics have called the "groupthink and game-playing" of PR and lobbying. First is Arden Strategies, set up by former MP and Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy. Clients include defence contractor Northrop Grumman.
Quite a turnover around from Britain pushing for green growth to now growth by making bombs and missiles.
Sad state of affairs to believe that selling more weapons you'll make anyone better off, except from weapons manufacturers of course
Sad state of affairs to believe that selling more weapons you'll make anyone better off, except from weapons manufacturers of course
March 26, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Quite a turnover around from Britain pushing for green growth to now growth by making bombs and missiles.
Sad state of affairs to believe that selling more weapons you'll make anyone better off, except from weapons manufacturers of course
Sad state of affairs to believe that selling more weapons you'll make anyone better off, except from weapons manufacturers of course
The cutting of PIP that is being proposed makes no sense. They actively allow people to live independently and work.
Why would you want to stop that and why would you continue to attack some of the most vulnerable in our society?
I have no words for those who'd support these measures.
Why would you want to stop that and why would you continue to attack some of the most vulnerable in our society?
I have no words for those who'd support these measures.
March 18, 2025 at 10:46 PM
The cutting of PIP that is being proposed makes no sense. They actively allow people to live independently and work.
Why would you want to stop that and why would you continue to attack some of the most vulnerable in our society?
I have no words for those who'd support these measures.
Why would you want to stop that and why would you continue to attack some of the most vulnerable in our society?
I have no words for those who'd support these measures.
It is v dissapointing to see the UK government support efforts to rebuild Jim Ratcliffe's Old Trafford, whilst letting Grangemouth refinery, also owned by Ratcliffe, close.
When it could become a prime example of what a Just Transistion is with retraining schemes and green jobs.
When it could become a prime example of what a Just Transistion is with retraining schemes and green jobs.
January 29, 2025 at 10:56 AM
It is v dissapointing to see the UK government support efforts to rebuild Jim Ratcliffe's Old Trafford, whilst letting Grangemouth refinery, also owned by Ratcliffe, close.
When it could become a prime example of what a Just Transistion is with retraining schemes and green jobs.
When it could become a prime example of what a Just Transistion is with retraining schemes and green jobs.
I could never stand the use of '🤣' just always made my skin crawl
But the rise of it's use to say some of the most abhorrent things and pass it off as a joke is so apparent with the rise of further right-wing attitudes across social media
But the rise of it's use to say some of the most abhorrent things and pass it off as a joke is so apparent with the rise of further right-wing attitudes across social media
January 22, 2025 at 9:54 AM
I could never stand the use of '🤣' just always made my skin crawl
But the rise of it's use to say some of the most abhorrent things and pass it off as a joke is so apparent with the rise of further right-wing attitudes across social media
But the rise of it's use to say some of the most abhorrent things and pass it off as a joke is so apparent with the rise of further right-wing attitudes across social media
Really do think there needs to be changes made in the policies of elected officials, if someone defects from the political party they stood for at election. There should be a by-election to replace that individual.
January 16, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Really do think there needs to be changes made in the policies of elected officials, if someone defects from the political party they stood for at election. There should be a by-election to replace that individual.
Reposted by Andy
A piece I've wrote on the possible future of energy in Scotland, how it involves the community and crucially who owns the energy created.
A Just Transistion is absolutely vital when it comes to developing our renewables, but that must include areas of Scotland that are suffering depopulation.
A Just Transistion is absolutely vital when it comes to developing our renewables, but that must include areas of Scotland that are suffering depopulation.
Growing a greener, fairer Scotland: community energy and social enterprise - TFN
Andy Paterson: initiatives led by local businesses and social enterprises could be the future of energy across Scotland
tfn.scot
November 28, 2024 at 10:16 AM
A piece I've wrote on the possible future of energy in Scotland, how it involves the community and crucially who owns the energy created.
A Just Transistion is absolutely vital when it comes to developing our renewables, but that must include areas of Scotland that are suffering depopulation.
A Just Transistion is absolutely vital when it comes to developing our renewables, but that must include areas of Scotland that are suffering depopulation.
Reposted by Andy
I did on FOI request on this but never published a story on it. There's probably one now :)
I make it that HIE spent £15.42m since June 2018 on costs directly associated with the Sutherland Space Port project.
In addition, it spent £15k buying land from Orbex, and it gave the firm £1.5m directly
I make it that HIE spent £15.42m since June 2018 on costs directly associated with the Sutherland Space Port project.
In addition, it spent £15k buying land from Orbex, and it gave the firm £1.5m directly
December 4, 2024 at 7:15 PM
I did on FOI request on this but never published a story on it. There's probably one now :)
I make it that HIE spent £15.42m since June 2018 on costs directly associated with the Sutherland Space Port project.
In addition, it spent £15k buying land from Orbex, and it gave the firm £1.5m directly
I make it that HIE spent £15.42m since June 2018 on costs directly associated with the Sutherland Space Port project.
In addition, it spent £15k buying land from Orbex, and it gave the firm £1.5m directly
Reposted by Andy
By-Election Result analysis: North East (Glasgow)
An expected Labour victory with a strong (and not entirely unexpected) showing for Reform UK in an area all too often forgotten and let down by governments of all stripes. ballotbox.scot/result-north...
An expected Labour victory with a strong (and not entirely unexpected) showing for Reform UK in an area all too often forgotten and let down by governments of all stripes. ballotbox.scot/result-north...
By-Election Result: North East (Glasgow)
Background Scotland’s exhaustingly busy season of by-elections continued last week with four-in-one, three of which were in Glasgow. The imaginatively named North East ward (which covers an area no…
ballotbox.scot
November 27, 2024 at 6:11 PM
By-Election Result analysis: North East (Glasgow)
An expected Labour victory with a strong (and not entirely unexpected) showing for Reform UK in an area all too often forgotten and let down by governments of all stripes. ballotbox.scot/result-north...
An expected Labour victory with a strong (and not entirely unexpected) showing for Reform UK in an area all too often forgotten and let down by governments of all stripes. ballotbox.scot/result-north...
A piece I've wrote on the possible future of energy in Scotland, how it involves the community and crucially who owns the energy created.
A Just Transistion is absolutely vital when it comes to developing our renewables, but that must include areas of Scotland that are suffering depopulation.
A Just Transistion is absolutely vital when it comes to developing our renewables, but that must include areas of Scotland that are suffering depopulation.
Growing a greener, fairer Scotland: community energy and social enterprise - TFN
Andy Paterson: initiatives led by local businesses and social enterprises could be the future of energy across Scotland
tfn.scot
November 28, 2024 at 10:16 AM
A piece I've wrote on the possible future of energy in Scotland, how it involves the community and crucially who owns the energy created.
A Just Transistion is absolutely vital when it comes to developing our renewables, but that must include areas of Scotland that are suffering depopulation.
A Just Transistion is absolutely vital when it comes to developing our renewables, but that must include areas of Scotland that are suffering depopulation.
The reporting over the farmer inheritance tax is so interesting. On one hand I think there are big Qs over the future of farming in the UK and there should be a plan for it
On the other hand some farmers interviewed have said they're prepared to starve the UK so a tough choice to see who to support
On the other hand some farmers interviewed have said they're prepared to starve the UK so a tough choice to see who to support
November 19, 2024 at 10:40 AM
The reporting over the farmer inheritance tax is so interesting. On one hand I think there are big Qs over the future of farming in the UK and there should be a plan for it
On the other hand some farmers interviewed have said they're prepared to starve the UK so a tough choice to see who to support
On the other hand some farmers interviewed have said they're prepared to starve the UK so a tough choice to see who to support
Clarke has truly studied under Mourinho, absolutely love to see it
Such a bizarre feeling looking forward to Scotland games
Such a bizarre feeling looking forward to Scotland games
November 18, 2024 at 9:45 PM
Clarke has truly studied under Mourinho, absolutely love to see it
Such a bizarre feeling looking forward to Scotland games
Such a bizarre feeling looking forward to Scotland games
Reposted by Andy
If you want to avoid an echo chamber organise a workplace or a tenants' union around a common cause or campaign for more investment or against spending cuts or mobilise against fascists in your community. Talking to hostile horrible people online won't cut it.
November 18, 2024 at 4:58 PM
If you want to avoid an echo chamber organise a workplace or a tenants' union around a common cause or campaign for more investment or against spending cuts or mobilise against fascists in your community. Talking to hostile horrible people online won't cut it.
A win for Scotland and Ireland tonight, a good night for this flat
November 15, 2024 at 10:11 PM
A win for Scotland and Ireland tonight, a good night for this flat
Looking forward to seeing Soak and Conway starting tonight
think this is very much about them getting used to being starters rather than creating magic tonight but it would be v welcome
think this is very much about them getting used to being starters rather than creating magic tonight but it would be v welcome
November 15, 2024 at 7:46 PM
Looking forward to seeing Soak and Conway starting tonight
think this is very much about them getting used to being starters rather than creating magic tonight but it would be v welcome
think this is very much about them getting used to being starters rather than creating magic tonight but it would be v welcome
Obviously way more pressure now to be funny AND give good political takes
November 13, 2024 at 1:50 PM
Obviously way more pressure now to be funny AND give good political takes
With the Guardian leaving twitter I hope more media outlets and people leave that hellscape
November 13, 2024 at 1:48 PM
With the Guardian leaving twitter I hope more media outlets and people leave that hellscape
Interesting analysis by the Labour party there of things are bad because of austerity and that encouraged the far right to act
How do we fix that?
More Austerity!
How do we fix that?
More Austerity!
August 27, 2024 at 9:29 AM
Interesting analysis by the Labour party there of things are bad because of austerity and that encouraged the far right to act
How do we fix that?
More Austerity!
How do we fix that?
More Austerity!