As the SNP annual conference looms large on the horizon an air of pessimism seems to be permeating even the most committed supporters of independence. Not about the movement but the performance of the Scottish government and the internal operations of the party.
The latest Holyrood opinion polls still suggest that the SNP will be the largest party post 2026 but that Labour could be in the position of cobbling together a Unionist governmental coalition of some sort.
Stephen Flynn has been talking about the essence of a team approach. Has the SNP been a team? Why have innovative ideas from both withing and outwith the closed leadership ranks fallen on deaf ears?
We explore what might lie behind this malaise and what can be done to combat it.
Part of the fightback might be to focus on Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves austerity measures particularly the means testing of the winter fuel allowance and the 10% rise in consumer electricity and gas prices.
Could "It's Scotland's Energy" be the new "It's Scotland's Oil" battle cry?
The usual suspects have been making political hay over the scrapping of the rail fares peak reduction pilot scheme, the axing of Creative Scotland's open fund, and the shifting of local authority monies allocated for improving nature and improving biodiversity to pay for council employees' pay rises.
What is the Scottish government not telling us about what seems to be a black economic cloud emanating from Westminster?
Lesley focuses on what might be behind the "failure" of the rail fares pilot and asks why no progress has been made on regional integrated transport systems.
There's a whole host of great events coming up. Starting with a showing of Lesley's Denmark movie
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stonehaven-lesley-riddoch-film-denmark-a-state-of-happiness-tickets-951493612007Special screening by the National of 'To see ourselves' film with Q&A. Tuesday, 17th Sept 6pm. The Social Hub, Candleriggs, Glasgow.
https://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/Scot Currency group Carnegie Conference Centre Dunfermline Sept 21 - 22
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scottish-currency-group-conference-tickets-965256055847Revive - the Big Land Question
Nov 10. Perth
https://www.perththeatreandconcerthall.com/whats-on/revive-national-conference-the-big-land-question-319802BiS indy rally Scottish Parliament
Sept 18th 7pm
https://www.believeinscotland.org/rally_for_independence2014 - 2024: Scottish Independence And The British State Ten Years On - September 14th, at Glasgow Caledonian University.
https://www.conter.scot/2024/7/26/2014-2024-scottish-independence-and-the-british-state-ten-years-on/All this plus Murdo Fraser playing the Rangers card, the BBC and propaganda, Tayport ceilidhs, and Freddie Flintoff.