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.
'The loss of Wales would be a dagger in the heart of Labour in a way the humiliation of Anas Sarwar never could be, and Keir Starmer will get the blame for it.'
weegingerdug
weegingerdug
What happens in the Welsh election could be key to Scotland too
The well known traditional curse, “May you live in interesting times” is often ascribed to an ancient Chinese text, although there is no evidence for this. Be that as it may, it cannot …
weegingerdug.wordpress.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:00 PM
'The loss of Wales would be a dagger in the heart of Labour in a way the humiliation of Anas Sarwar never could be, and Keir Starmer will get the blame for it.'
weegingerdug
weegingerdug
'When required, Alex Salmond was a hard-headed, pragmatic political operator.
The independence movement today has a surfeit of dreamers. But pitifully few hard-headed political operators.'
Peter A Bell
The independence movement today has a surfeit of dreamers. But pitifully few hard-headed political operators.'
Peter A Bell
Beautiful dreamer
Addressing workers at Nigg Bay on the Cromarty Firth in July 2013, First Minister Alex Salmond spoke of the six unions that “govern our lives today in Scotland”.
peterabell.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 11:00 AM
'When required, Alex Salmond was a hard-headed, pragmatic political operator.
The independence movement today has a surfeit of dreamers. But pitifully few hard-headed political operators.'
Peter A Bell
The independence movement today has a surfeit of dreamers. But pitifully few hard-headed political operators.'
Peter A Bell
'What is the argument for ending a health service that has supported the country for 75 years? And what does Reform propose to replace it with?'
Dr Dan Goyal, via The National
archive.is/qUIEs
Dr Dan Goyal, via The National
archive.is/qUIEs
February 5, 2026 at 9:00 AM
'What is the argument for ending a health service that has supported the country for 75 years? And what does Reform propose to replace it with?'
Dr Dan Goyal, via The National
archive.is/qUIEs
Dr Dan Goyal, via The National
archive.is/qUIEs
Reposted by William Duguid
Is there anyone in the Stirling area who has the time to volunteer to help us with fitting out our studio? DIY or trade skills would be helpful, but not essential.
January 27, 2026 at 9:25 AM
Is there anyone in the Stirling area who has the time to volunteer to help us with fitting out our studio? DIY or trade skills would be helpful, but not essential.
'The real social security of our people, their welfare, is what an independent Scotland has to proclaim as our fundamental goal.'
George Gunn, via Bella Caledonia
bellacaledonia.org.u...
George Gunn, via Bella Caledonia
bellacaledonia.org.u...
February 4, 2026 at 1:00 PM
'The real social security of our people, their welfare, is what an independent Scotland has to proclaim as our fundamental goal.'
George Gunn, via Bella Caledonia
bellacaledonia.org.u...
George Gunn, via Bella Caledonia
bellacaledonia.org.u...
'That one in five people in Scotland might consider voting for a party from the English far right, which has no coherent policy to offer to England and nothing at all to give to Scotland, is worrying, to say the least.'
Richard Murphy, via The National
archive.is/ZNaOz
Richard Murphy, via The National
archive.is/ZNaOz
February 4, 2026 at 11:00 AM
'That one in five people in Scotland might consider voting for a party from the English far right, which has no coherent policy to offer to England and nothing at all to give to Scotland, is worrying, to say the least.'
Richard Murphy, via The National
archive.is/ZNaOz
Richard Murphy, via The National
archive.is/ZNaOz
'Palantir has helped build a military-grade domestic surveillance architecture that can be used to target both undocumented migrants and those who protest against the President’s policies.'
Nafeez Ahmed, via Byline Times
Nafeez Ahmed, via Byline Times
‘Domestic Terrorism’: ICE Contractor Palantir’s Tools for Tracking Dissent
Peter Thiel’s controversial data firm – which holds contracts with the UK’s NHS and Ministry of Defence – researched protest prediction for the US Army before agreeing to build ICE’s data platform to conduct mass deportation. Are its tools now targeting democratic dissent as well as illegal immigration?
bylinetimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:00 AM
'Palantir has helped build a military-grade domestic surveillance architecture that can be used to target both undocumented migrants and those who protest against the President’s policies.'
Nafeez Ahmed, via Byline Times
Nafeez Ahmed, via Byline Times
Reposted by William Duguid
A great day out in prospect at Oran Mor, Glasgow on Saturday 14 March!
Conference event from 10-4, with Lesley Riddoch and Phil Boswell speaking, and a spectacular music event with Eddi Reader and friends in the evening.
Read all about it and buy tickets here:
independenceforum.scot/wp-content/u...
Conference event from 10-4, with Lesley Riddoch and Phil Boswell speaking, and a spectacular music event with Eddi Reader and friends in the evening.
Read all about it and buy tickets here:
independenceforum.scot/wp-content/u...
February 2, 2026 at 4:53 PM
A great day out in prospect at Oran Mor, Glasgow on Saturday 14 March!
Conference event from 10-4, with Lesley Riddoch and Phil Boswell speaking, and a spectacular music event with Eddi Reader and friends in the evening.
Read all about it and buy tickets here:
independenceforum.scot/wp-content/u...
Conference event from 10-4, with Lesley Riddoch and Phil Boswell speaking, and a spectacular music event with Eddi Reader and friends in the evening.
Read all about it and buy tickets here:
independenceforum.scot/wp-content/u...
'That one in 20 of Gaza’s pre-genocide population could be violently murdered in the space of two years has no parallel in another 21st-century conflict.'
Owen Jones, via The National
archive.is/qVp2i
Owen Jones, via The National
archive.is/qVp2i
February 3, 2026 at 1:00 PM
'That one in 20 of Gaza’s pre-genocide population could be violently murdered in the space of two years has no parallel in another 21st-century conflict.'
Owen Jones, via The National
archive.is/qVp2i
Owen Jones, via The National
archive.is/qVp2i
'Sarwar’s team, attempting to copy the campaign tactics and style of Zohran Mamdani – without the charm, policy programme or groundforce of supporters – has been painful to watch.'
Mike Small, via Bella Caledonia
bellacaledonia.org.u...
Mike Small, via Bella Caledonia
bellacaledonia.org.u...
February 3, 2026 at 11:00 AM
'Sarwar’s team, attempting to copy the campaign tactics and style of Zohran Mamdani – without the charm, policy programme or groundforce of supporters – has been painful to watch.'
Mike Small, via Bella Caledonia
bellacaledonia.org.u...
Mike Small, via Bella Caledonia
bellacaledonia.org.u...
'People across Scotland know about Culloden. It’s etched into our popular consciousness, through school history lessons and pop-culture references.
However, how many folk on your average main street would have heard of the Battle of the Braes?'
Eilidh Munro, via The National
archive.is/I4saP
However, how many folk on your average main street would have heard of the Battle of the Braes?'
Eilidh Munro, via The National
archive.is/I4saP
February 3, 2026 at 9:00 AM
'People across Scotland know about Culloden. It’s etched into our popular consciousness, through school history lessons and pop-culture references.
However, how many folk on your average main street would have heard of the Battle of the Braes?'
Eilidh Munro, via The National
archive.is/I4saP
However, how many folk on your average main street would have heard of the Battle of the Braes?'
Eilidh Munro, via The National
archive.is/I4saP
The linked article is probably the most egregious example of propagandistic shite I've seen in my puff.
The first three words of the headline would be closer to the truth.
The first three words of the headline would be closer to the truth.
“Melania” beat projections, but still finished behind two other big theatrical premiers this weekend.
‘Melania’ Movie Blows Past Projections, Grossing $7 Million
“Melania” beat projections, but still finished behind two other big theatrical premiers this weekend.
www.forbes.com
February 2, 2026 at 7:45 PM
The linked article is probably the most egregious example of propagandistic shite I've seen in my puff.
The first three words of the headline would be closer to the truth.
The first three words of the headline would be closer to the truth.
Still some tickets left for the screening of Lesley Riddoch and Gavin Hanigan's new film on Finland at the Soutar Theatre, A K Bell Library, Perth, on Thursday 5 February at 7 pm (doors open 6:45 pm).
You can purchase on Eventbrite (£5 plus fees) via the link.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lesley-rid...
You can purchase on Eventbrite (£5 plus fees) via the link.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lesley-rid...
Lesley Riddoch: Finland - The Happiest Country That Almost Never Existed
Screening of the new film by Lesley Riddoch and Gavin Hanigan, followed by a Q + A.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Still some tickets left for the screening of Lesley Riddoch and Gavin Hanigan's new film on Finland at the Soutar Theatre, A K Bell Library, Perth, on Thursday 5 February at 7 pm (doors open 6:45 pm).
You can purchase on Eventbrite (£5 plus fees) via the link.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lesley-rid...
You can purchase on Eventbrite (£5 plus fees) via the link.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lesley-rid...
Reposted by William Duguid
Can't post this often enough
February 1, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Can't post this often enough
IFS/YES UNITED SPRING CONFERENCE Saturday 14 March at Òran Mòr, Glasgow.
Join us for a very special day: conference event from 10-4, with Lesley Riddoch and Phil Boswell speaking, and a spectacular music event in the evening.
Tickets for either or both here:
www.ticketsource.co.uk/independence...
Join us for a very special day: conference event from 10-4, with Lesley Riddoch and Phil Boswell speaking, and a spectacular music event in the evening.
Tickets for either or both here:
www.ticketsource.co.uk/independence...
www.ticketsource.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 3:23 PM
IFS/YES UNITED SPRING CONFERENCE Saturday 14 March at Òran Mòr, Glasgow.
Join us for a very special day: conference event from 10-4, with Lesley Riddoch and Phil Boswell speaking, and a spectacular music event in the evening.
Tickets for either or both here:
www.ticketsource.co.uk/independence...
Join us for a very special day: conference event from 10-4, with Lesley Riddoch and Phil Boswell speaking, and a spectacular music event in the evening.
Tickets for either or both here:
www.ticketsource.co.uk/independence...
'Left-wing politicians like Zack Polanski need to look further than just taxing the rich.'
Assa Samaké-Roman , via The National
archive.is/1iiLO
Assa Samaké-Roman , via The National
archive.is/1iiLO
February 2, 2026 at 1:00 PM
'Left-wing politicians like Zack Polanski need to look further than just taxing the rich.'
Assa Samaké-Roman , via The National
archive.is/1iiLO
Assa Samaké-Roman , via The National
archive.is/1iiLO
'Where does the Telegraph think jobs are going to come from in an economy where all the goals, whether of profit maximisation, productivity gains, AI adoption, and market appeasement, make it clear that none are going to be forthcoming?'
Richard Murphy
Richard Murphy
Where are jobs going to come from when every current economic goal is to get rid of them?
The Telegraph has reported this morning that:
Labour is struggling to get people off benefits and back into work after the number of welfare claimants securing employment fell to a seven-year low.
Just one in 14 people (6.9pc) on benefits moved from welfare into the workforce each month on average from January to September...
www.taxresearch.org.uk
February 2, 2026 at 11:00 AM
'Where does the Telegraph think jobs are going to come from in an economy where all the goals, whether of profit maximisation, productivity gains, AI adoption, and market appeasement, make it clear that none are going to be forthcoming?'
Richard Murphy
Richard Murphy
'If people live in a world where bumps are fixed, roofs are mended and broken chairs are replaced, they see their democracy delivering for them. They feel their tax to be worth paying. They get that this is a system that is working for them.'
Robin McAlpine, via Common Weal
Robin McAlpine, via Common Weal
Politicians need to stop being 'mid' — Common Weal
There is a perceived political orthodoxy about the role of government -
don’t waste time in small things, don’t bite off more than you can chew.
Except life is mostly small things and very big things…
www.commonweal.scot
February 2, 2026 at 11:00 AM
'If people live in a world where bumps are fixed, roofs are mended and broken chairs are replaced, they see their democracy delivering for them. They feel their tax to be worth paying. They get that this is a system that is working for them.'
Robin McAlpine, via Common Weal
Robin McAlpine, via Common Weal
'If you don’t want an unequal, bitter, fractious Scotland, don’t fall for Reform’s tartan Trumpery.'
Lesley Riddoch, via The National
archive.is/JmJ50
Lesley Riddoch, via The National
archive.is/JmJ50
February 1, 2026 at 1:00 PM
'If you don’t want an unequal, bitter, fractious Scotland, don’t fall for Reform’s tartan Trumpery.'
Lesley Riddoch, via The National
archive.is/JmJ50
Lesley Riddoch, via The National
archive.is/JmJ50
'When it becomes clear that a person's migrant status is not the issue, and that the reality is that the rhetoric is all about hate, and not about the reality of lives, contributions made, communities and care, then that hate can fall away.'
Richard Murphy
Richard Murphy
Trump’s actions do not sell Farage’s narratives
We have suffered the curse of racist politics in this country for too long. Racism is bad enough, and too common. Racist politics is worse. It systemically embeds discrimination in our society, giving it the appearance of acceptability and, simultaneously, over time, making prejudice appear acceptable, state-backed, and even to...
www.taxresearch.org.uk
February 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM
'When it becomes clear that a person's migrant status is not the issue, and that the reality is that the rhetoric is all about hate, and not about the reality of lives, contributions made, communities and care, then that hate can fall away.'
Richard Murphy
Richard Murphy
'I spent decades in energy. Here are the problems with the UK's nuclear plans.'
John Proctor, via The National
archive.is/cYrRM
John Proctor, via The National
archive.is/cYrRM
February 1, 2026 at 9:00 AM
'I spent decades in energy. Here are the problems with the UK's nuclear plans.'
John Proctor, via The National
archive.is/cYrRM
John Proctor, via The National
archive.is/cYrRM
'I predict that Donald Trump’s fall from grace, when it comes, will be swift and definitive, just like former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s fall after partygate.'
Alex Hall Hall, via Byline Times
Alex Hall Hall, via Byline Times
Trump's Downfall Will Come Much Quicker Than Anyone Thinks
The growing backlash against ICE's killing of Alex Pretti will be a turning point in public opinion towards the President, predicts Alexandra Hall Hall
bylinetimes.com
January 31, 2026 at 1:00 PM
'I predict that Donald Trump’s fall from grace, when it comes, will be swift and definitive, just like former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s fall after partygate.'
Alex Hall Hall, via Byline Times
Alex Hall Hall, via Byline Times
'What we are witnessing in Minnesota is the deadly use of counter-programming on a level not even seen during the first Trump administration.'
Grant Stern, via Byline Times
Grant Stern, via Byline Times
Trump's Violent Assault on Minnesota Is an Operation in 'Reflexive Control'
The President is using Soviet-style redirection to wage an information war across America, argues Grant Stern
bylinetimes.com
January 31, 2026 at 11:00 AM
'What we are witnessing in Minnesota is the deadly use of counter-programming on a level not even seen during the first Trump administration.'
Grant Stern, via Byline Times
Grant Stern, via Byline Times
...and, if you're being stymied by the National's paywall, you can read the article at archive.is/Hh2kI.
See you at Oran Mor on Saturday 14 March, I hope!
See you at Oran Mor on Saturday 14 March, I hope!
January 31, 2026 at 9:48 AM
...and, if you're being stymied by the National's paywall, you can read the article at archive.is/Hh2kI.
See you at Oran Mor on Saturday 14 March, I hope!
See you at Oran Mor on Saturday 14 March, I hope!
I know Saturday 14 March is a busy day for many, but here's an event at Oran Mor in Glasgow that I hope will catch your imagination. Convention-style meeting during the day and some excellent music and poetry in the evening - tickets available for either or both.
www.thenational.scot/news/2581251...
www.thenational.scot/news/2581251...
Eddi Reader leads line-up for Scottish independence 'revival' event
SCOTTISH music icon Eddi Reader will lead a line-up of performers at an event aiming to reignite the country’s independence movement at…
www.thenational.scot
January 31, 2026 at 9:45 AM
I know Saturday 14 March is a busy day for many, but here's an event at Oran Mor in Glasgow that I hope will catch your imagination. Convention-style meeting during the day and some excellent music and poetry in the evening - tickets available for either or both.
www.thenational.scot/news/2581251...
www.thenational.scot/news/2581251...