Politics

John Penman looks at the first week of the SNP leadership contest and ponders whether the departure of another significant figure in the party might have longer term consequences

A new devolution deal for the North East of England was announced by Government between Christmas and New Year. Coming on the back of Labour’s publication of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the Commission on the UK’s Future’s report, Partner Fiona Stanton looks at how Labour and the Conservatives are approaching devolution, its importance to the key battlegrounds in the next General Election, and what the Brown Commission might signal for Labour’s manifesto.

As the Supreme Court hands down a decision that determines the Scottish Parliament does not have a right to hold an independence referendum, John Penman looks at what this means for the First Minister and whether the Union of nations that makes up the UK can ever again be described as voluntary.

Calling on recent experiences, Partner John Penman discusses the importance of improved rail provision and connectivity to the UK economy, in particular looking through the lenses of Levelling Up and Net Zero.

With the battle for Tory leadership now entering its final stages, one issue has become notably absent from much of the debate, despite being a key part of the Conservative narrative in recent years – Levelling Up.

The First Minister told the Scottish Parliament of her plans to bring about another referendum on whether Scotland should be independent, with a proposed date of 19 October 2023.