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.
'Would Scottish independence improve healthcare in England? It’s an interesting question.
We often look at the benefits of independence for Scotland, but there might well be some for England too. Health could be one of them.'
Dr Dan Goyal, via The National
archive.is/l6pcC
We often look at the benefits of independence for Scotland, but there might well be some for England too. Health could be one of them.'
Dr Dan Goyal, via The National
archive.is/l6pcC
January 5, 2026 at 1:00 PM
'Would Scottish independence improve healthcare in England? It’s an interesting question.
We often look at the benefits of independence for Scotland, but there might well be some for England too. Health could be one of them.'
Dr Dan Goyal, via The National
archive.is/l6pcC
We often look at the benefits of independence for Scotland, but there might well be some for England too. Health could be one of them.'
Dr Dan Goyal, via The National
archive.is/l6pcC
'Maduro’s ousting is yet another reminder of a world in which riding roughshod over the international rules-based order has become commonplace.'
@foreigncorr1.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/ELeWs
@foreigncorr1.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/ELeWs
January 5, 2026 at 11:00 AM
'Maduro’s ousting is yet another reminder of a world in which riding roughshod over the international rules-based order has become commonplace.'
@foreigncorr1.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/ELeWs
@foreigncorr1.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/ELeWs
'Now Scotland must choose – keep letting services quietly crumble, or invest properly in people and places. That requires an open debate on our willingness to pay for the country we want.'
Dave Watson of the Jimmy Reid Foundation, via The National
archive.is/8osJk
Dave Watson of the Jimmy Reid Foundation, via The National
archive.is/8osJk
January 5, 2026 at 9:00 AM
'Now Scotland must choose – keep letting services quietly crumble, or invest properly in people and places. That requires an open debate on our willingness to pay for the country we want.'
Dave Watson of the Jimmy Reid Foundation, via The National
archive.is/8osJk
Dave Watson of the Jimmy Reid Foundation, via The National
archive.is/8osJk
'The ability to retreat into private life, a vain attempt at shutting the reality of the world out, is ever more tenuous. At some level, everyone can feel this intuitively. Things are changing, and there is no going back.'
Jonathon Shafi, via The National
archive.ph/sBZoy
Jonathon Shafi, via The National
archive.ph/sBZoy
January 4, 2026 at 10:00 AM
'The ability to retreat into private life, a vain attempt at shutting the reality of the world out, is ever more tenuous. At some level, everyone can feel this intuitively. Things are changing, and there is no going back.'
Jonathon Shafi, via The National
archive.ph/sBZoy
Jonathon Shafi, via The National
archive.ph/sBZoy
Reposted by William Duguid
If Xi Jinping invaded Taiwan right now, and toppled the president there, on what grounds would the United States object? Or have any credibility to say anything?
January 3, 2026 at 1:13 PM
If Xi Jinping invaded Taiwan right now, and toppled the president there, on what grounds would the United States object? Or have any credibility to say anything?
'Migration and asylum are not modern anomalies. They are as old as humanity itself. Yet we have allowed our politics to strip them of their humanity, turning people into numbers, threats, slogans.'
@rachelmillward.bsky.social, via @bylinetimes.bsky.social
@rachelmillward.bsky.social, via @bylinetimes.bsky.social
I Met Migrant Women in Calais Hoping to Reach the UK and This Is What I Learnt
It is time to move away from a politics in which cruelty is always portrayed as “toughness” and moral abdication as “realism”, argues Green Party Deputy Leader Rachel Millward
bylinetimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:00 AM
'Migration and asylum are not modern anomalies. They are as old as humanity itself. Yet we have allowed our politics to strip them of their humanity, turning people into numbers, threats, slogans.'
@rachelmillward.bsky.social, via @bylinetimes.bsky.social
@rachelmillward.bsky.social, via @bylinetimes.bsky.social
'Suffice to say, Project 2025-inspired wars on immigration, the left and equality laws in the military are well underway. There’s little doubt Farage would try to emulate these in the UK.'
Joe Glenton, via @thecanaryuk.bsky.social
Joe Glenton, via @thecanaryuk.bsky.social
'Project 2029': Farage's Trumpian vision for a Reform-ruled Britain revealed
A shadowy US-linked donor and Nigel Farage’s plan for Britain — ‘Project 2029’ reveals a chilling Trump-style vision for the UK
www.thecanary.co
January 2, 2026 at 10:00 AM
'Suffice to say, Project 2025-inspired wars on immigration, the left and equality laws in the military are well underway. There’s little doubt Farage would try to emulate these in the UK.'
Joe Glenton, via @thecanaryuk.bsky.social
Joe Glenton, via @thecanaryuk.bsky.social
Happy New Year, everyone.
Let's make sure it's a good one...
Let's make sure it's a good one...
January 1, 2026 at 12:01 AM
Happy New Year, everyone.
Let's make sure it's a good one...
Let's make sure it's a good one...
'Next year will be one that starts off running. The Scottish elections are scheduled for May and that means for think tanks like us, a lot has to get done – thought perhaps not quite in the way that you might think.'
@thecommongreen, via Common Weal
@thecommongreen, via Common Weal
Approaching 2026 with hope — Common Weal
This year has been a dark one, but I approach next year with hope because
we’re now seeing how powerful we really are.
www.commonweal.scot
December 31, 2025 at 10:00 AM
'Next year will be one that starts off running. The Scottish elections are scheduled for May and that means for think tanks like us, a lot has to get done – thought perhaps not quite in the way that you might think.'
@thecommongreen, via Common Weal
@thecommongreen, via Common Weal
'Despite the fact that no one has found a genuinely profitable use for AI as yet, your pension is probably linked to its success, which is not what I would choose...
Are you comfortable with that?'
@richardjmurphy.bsky.social
Are you comfortable with that?'
@richardjmurphy.bsky.social
The risk of a crash is far from over
This has been reported by the FT this morning:
US companies have sold $1.7tn of investment-grade bonds in 2025, a near-record sum stoked by a rush of borrowing to fund AI infrastructure that has spurred concerns over a debt glut.
This year’s issuance has come as companies took advantage of relatively low...
www.taxresearch.org.uk
December 30, 2025 at 10:00 AM
'Despite the fact that no one has found a genuinely profitable use for AI as yet, your pension is probably linked to its success, which is not what I would choose...
Are you comfortable with that?'
@richardjmurphy.bsky.social
Are you comfortable with that?'
@richardjmurphy.bsky.social
'Scotland is a junior partner within a state in its final stages of imperial decline, a state that is broke and broken. Scotland can only save itself by departing from the Union.'
Jim Sillars, quoted by Colin Fox in The National.
archive.is/1siNT
Jim Sillars, quoted by Colin Fox in The National.
archive.is/1siNT
December 29, 2025 at 10:00 AM
'Scotland is a junior partner within a state in its final stages of imperial decline, a state that is broke and broken. Scotland can only save itself by departing from the Union.'
Jim Sillars, quoted by Colin Fox in The National.
archive.is/1siNT
Jim Sillars, quoted by Colin Fox in The National.
archive.is/1siNT
'These traps awaiting us in 2026 must be carefully avoided.'
Tommy Sheppard, via The National
archive.is/wmAQb
Tommy Sheppard, via The National
archive.is/wmAQb
December 28, 2025 at 10:00 AM
'These traps awaiting us in 2026 must be carefully avoided.'
Tommy Sheppard, via The National
archive.is/wmAQb
Tommy Sheppard, via The National
archive.is/wmAQb
'This coming year, July 4 will mark 250 years since the founding of the United States. It’s a fair bet that the mood surrounding such a significant anniversary will be more tense than celebratory.'
@foreigncorr1.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/4eUH2
@foreigncorr1.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/4eUH2
December 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM
'This coming year, July 4 will mark 250 years since the founding of the United States. It’s a fair bet that the mood surrounding such a significant anniversary will be more tense than celebratory.'
@foreigncorr1.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/4eUH2
@foreigncorr1.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/4eUH2
'There’s a reason why we keep talking about a Scottish currency.'
Ian Stewart, chair of Scottish Currency Group banking and finance committee.
archive.is/qV7r2
Ian Stewart, chair of Scottish Currency Group banking and finance committee.
archive.is/qV7r2
December 26, 2025 at 10:00 AM
'There’s a reason why we keep talking about a Scottish currency.'
Ian Stewart, chair of Scottish Currency Group banking and finance committee.
archive.is/qV7r2
Ian Stewart, chair of Scottish Currency Group banking and finance committee.
archive.is/qV7r2
Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you have a good day today - and a chance to recharge your batteries for the comning year.
Here's a picture of a jauntily-clad snowman for you to enjoy. What's not to like?
Here's a picture of a jauntily-clad snowman for you to enjoy. What's not to like?
December 25, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you have a good day today - and a chance to recharge your batteries for the comning year.
Here's a picture of a jauntily-clad snowman for you to enjoy. What's not to like?
Here's a picture of a jauntily-clad snowman for you to enjoy. What's not to like?
'The concern is that whatever new or additional BBC spend is earmarked for Scottish productions, will continue to leave Scotland in large part, hoovered up in the main by London indies, failing to be a genuine investment.'
Peter Strachan, via The National
archive.is/RfWKZ
Peter Strachan, via The National
archive.is/RfWKZ
December 24, 2025 at 1:00 PM
'The concern is that whatever new or additional BBC spend is earmarked for Scottish productions, will continue to leave Scotland in large part, hoovered up in the main by London indies, failing to be a genuine investment.'
Peter Strachan, via The National
archive.is/RfWKZ
Peter Strachan, via The National
archive.is/RfWKZ
'Modern Monetary Theory is about using the right tools for the right problem, not ignoring inflation or hardship.'
@richardjmurphy.bsky.social
@richardjmurphy.bsky.social
MMT questions
I was asked this question in an email this morning:
I came across your MMT videos and really enjoyed them and have become really intrigued by MMT.
I had a couple of questions if you were able to help as I must admit some of the complexities have let me a little...
www.taxresearch.org.uk
December 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM
'Modern Monetary Theory is about using the right tools for the right problem, not ignoring inflation or hardship.'
@richardjmurphy.bsky.social
@richardjmurphy.bsky.social
'I understand that our politicians must be thinking: people like dogs. People don’t like dog thieves. The Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill won’t cost us anything. What’s the harm? But equally we might ask – what’s the good here?'
@peatworrier.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/hZs7e
@peatworrier.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/hZs7e
December 24, 2025 at 9:00 AM
'I understand that our politicians must be thinking: people like dogs. People don’t like dog thieves. The Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill won’t cost us anything. What’s the harm? But equally we might ask – what’s the good here?'
@peatworrier.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/hZs7e
@peatworrier.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/hZs7e
'“Guns don’t kill people, people do” is a facile mantra that fails to prevent America killing comprehensively more of its own than any other country on the planet. Yet somehow upholding the second amendment seems to matter more.'
@ruthwishart.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/ozVIQ
@ruthwishart.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/ozVIQ
December 23, 2025 at 1:00 PM
'“Guns don’t kill people, people do” is a facile mantra that fails to prevent America killing comprehensively more of its own than any other country on the planet. Yet somehow upholding the second amendment seems to matter more.'
@ruthwishart.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/ozVIQ
@ruthwishart.bsky.social, via The National
archive.is/ozVIQ
'Farage is first and foremost a creature of the BBC’s making. The BBC has created a monster, and will let us all be eaten by it as it tries to save its own skin.'
@weegingerdug.bsky.social
@weegingerdug.bsky.social
BBC Scotland, cheerleaders for Farage
On Wednesday evening BBC Scotland’s flagship evening news programme Och Aye the News, AKA Reporting Scotlandshire carried its second puff piece about Reform UK’s recent narrow council b…
weegingerdug.wordpress.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM
'Farage is first and foremost a creature of the BBC’s making. The BBC has created a monster, and will let us all be eaten by it as it tries to save its own skin.'
@weegingerdug.bsky.social
@weegingerdug.bsky.social
'An independent Scotland will have its own choices to make. But Estonia’s experience offers a powerful reminder that with focus, openness and a willingness to adapt, a small country can not only survive but thrive.'
@believeinscotland.bsky.social
www.believeinscotlan...
@believeinscotland.bsky.social
www.believeinscotlan...
December 23, 2025 at 9:00 AM
'An independent Scotland will have its own choices to make. But Estonia’s experience offers a powerful reminder that with focus, openness and a willingness to adapt, a small country can not only survive but thrive.'
@believeinscotland.bsky.social
www.believeinscotlan...
@believeinscotland.bsky.social
www.believeinscotlan...
'Removing the two-child cap doesn't suddenly make UK welfare generous. The overall benefits cap remains. Housing support is detached from real rents. Conditionality, sanctions and suspicion remain the organising logic of Universal Credit.'
@assasr.bsky.social via The National
archive.is/gyBqf
@assasr.bsky.social via The National
archive.is/gyBqf
December 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM
'Removing the two-child cap doesn't suddenly make UK welfare generous. The overall benefits cap remains. Housing support is detached from real rents. Conditionality, sanctions and suspicion remain the organising logic of Universal Credit.'
@assasr.bsky.social via The National
archive.is/gyBqf
@assasr.bsky.social via The National
archive.is/gyBqf
'Brexit has exposed Anglo-British nationalism for what it really is, resentful, fearful, intolerant, and constantly painting itself as the victim.'
@weegingerdug.bsky.social
@weegingerdug.bsky.social
What’s in a name? The SNP and nationalism
There’s nationalism and there’s nationalism. On the Rest is Politics podcast hosted by Tony Blair’s erstwhile Director of Communications Alastair Campbell, First Minister John Swi…
weegingerdug.wordpress.com
December 22, 2025 at 11:00 AM
'Brexit has exposed Anglo-British nationalism for what it really is, resentful, fearful, intolerant, and constantly painting itself as the victim.'
@weegingerdug.bsky.social
@weegingerdug.bsky.social
'Without owning the ground beneath your feet you have no purchase on land use, the economy, housing, social services, planning the future or democracy.'
George Gunn, via @bellacaledonia.bsky.social
George Gunn, via @bellacaledonia.bsky.social
To Touch the Impossible
TO TOUCH THE IMPOSSIBLE: From The Province Of The Cat by George Gunn All Highland sporting estates are the creations of surplus wealth accrued during and after the Industrial Revolution of the 18h …
bellacaledonia.org.uk
December 22, 2025 at 9:00 AM
'Without owning the ground beneath your feet you have no purchase on land use, the economy, housing, social services, planning the future or democracy.'
George Gunn, via @bellacaledonia.bsky.social
George Gunn, via @bellacaledonia.bsky.social
Reposted by William Duguid
The White House has been caught.
The administration inserted a photo of Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross into the Epstein files and falsely implied it showed them with victims.
In reality, it’s a publicly available fundraiser photo featuring Jackson and Ross’s own children.
The administration inserted a photo of Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross into the Epstein files and falsely implied it showed them with victims.
In reality, it’s a publicly available fundraiser photo featuring Jackson and Ross’s own children.
December 20, 2025 at 12:33 PM
The White House has been caught.
The administration inserted a photo of Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross into the Epstein files and falsely implied it showed them with victims.
In reality, it’s a publicly available fundraiser photo featuring Jackson and Ross’s own children.
The administration inserted a photo of Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross into the Epstein files and falsely implied it showed them with victims.
In reality, it’s a publicly available fundraiser photo featuring Jackson and Ross’s own children.