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Wednesday, January 15, 2025

 

UNBC appoints two Research Chairs in partnership with Rio Tinto


Rio Tinto Research Chair in Climate Change and Water Security

15 January 2025

PRINCE GEORGE, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The University of Northern British Columbia and Rio Tinto have expanded a partnership to advance vital research into the impacts of climate change on water security and freshwater fishes in the Nechako Watershed.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250115183770/en/

The $1.75 million in research funding from Rio Tinto will support two Research Chairs at UNBC for the next five years, generating regional knowledge critical to the long-term sustainability of the watershed while informing global water management and climate resilience efforts.

Environmental Science Professor Dr. Stephen Déry has been named Rio Tinto Research Chair in Climate Change and Water Security. The position is a renewal of an initial Industrial Research Chair (IRC) appointment jointly supported by Rio Tinto and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada in 2019. The next phase of Déry’s research will include expanding the hydrometeorological monitoring and numerical modeling efforts developed through the IRC, as well as the development of forecasting systems to predict river water temperatures along the main stem Nechako River.

“Through the IRC program of research that began in 2019, our team has worked in collaboration with multiple partners including Rio Tinto to greatly expand our monitoring and understanding of climate change and meteorological phenomena such as atmospheric rivers. This led us to assess their impacts on water security across the Nechako Watershed in the context of past and potential future climate change,” says Déry. “Over the next five years we will continue to closely monitor and investigate climate, atmospheric and hydrological conditions, processes and phenomena across the Nechako Watershed as the climate crisis continues to unfold. This will assist communities, stewardship societies and industries to better prepare, adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change to ensure future water security across the Nechako Watershed and beyond.”

Ecosystem Science and Management Associate Professor Dr. Eduardo Martins has been appointed Rio Tinto Research Chair in Climate Change and Freshwater Fish Ecology. His research will address knowledge gaps in how water temperature variability caused by both natural processes and river regulation influence fish behaviour and survival.

“The Nechako Watershed is home to numerous fish species – sockeye salmon, Chinook salmon, rainbow trout, burbot and Nechako white sturgeon – that are important to the ecosystems as well as the First Nations and diverse cultures across the region,” says Martins. “Given their vulnerability to warmer water temperatures, the observed warming trends and recent extreme temperature events raise concerns about the long-term sustainability of many species.”

Working in collaboration with Déry, Martins will develop models exploring how changes in water temperature and future extreme events will impact freshwater fish populations in the watershed, informing critical fisheries management on keystone (salmon) and endangered (Nechako white sturgeon) aquatic species, as well as conservation policies and practices in the region.

Findings from these research projects will help to support Rio Tinto’s operations in the watershed while providing guidance on the release of ecological flows at the Skins Lake Spillway.

“Climate change is having a significant impact on the Nechako Watershed, which plays a vital role in our hydroelectric operations, First Nations cultural practices and the quality of life of local communities,” says Andrew Czornohalan, Director – Energy & Watershed Partnerships at Rio Tinto BC Works. “The research work conducted by Dr. Déry and his local team enhances our collective understanding of meteorological phenomena and their consequences on the environment. The expanded scope of our partnership with UNBC will provide additional scientific data to inform our collaborative approach to reservoir management and improving the river.”

This renewed partnership will sustain active outreach and engagement across the region as the UNBC Research Chairs and members of their teams work with local First Nations and a range of partners and community groups.

“This partnership illustrates the transformative power of collaboration as we work together to find local solutions for global issues,” says UNBC Vice-President, Research and Innovation Dr. Paula Wood-Adams. “Grand challenges such as climate change cannot be addressed in isolation. Diverse teams and partnerships are essential, including community members who live and work in the region and private enterprise along with our academic researchers.”

In addition to the funding from Rio Tinto, UNBC will provide cash and in-kind contributions totalling approximately $1.3 million over the course of the five-year program, helping to support a team of 11 researchers, including master’s students, PhD candidates and post-doctoral fellows.

Backgrounder

Rio Tinto Research Chair in Climate Change and Water Security

The overarching objective of this research program is to better understand and quantify the roles of climate change and hydrometeorological extremes on long term water security of the Nechako Watershed.

Three main themes:

  • Hydrometeorological extremes including droughts and atmospheric rivers
  • Microclimates and climate change in the Vanderhoof agricultural belt
  • Variability and predictability of water temperatures

Research on these themes will span from the headwaters of the Nechako Watershed to the Nechako River’s confluence with the Fraser River in Prince George.

Rio Tinto Research Chair in Climate Change and Freshwater Fish Ecology

The overarching objective of this research program is to focus on how spatial and temporal variability in water temperature – caused by natural processes, land use, wildfires and river regulation – influence fish behaviour and survival.

Two main themes:

  • Thermal preference and behavioural thermoregulation
  • Thermal tolerance

The research program will be developed by collecting data using telemetry, data logging, thermal imagery and lab-based experiments on thermal preference and tolerance.

An overview of Dr. Stephen Déry’s IRC research is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D__otHvfeg

About Rio Tinto in British Columbia

Rio Tinto celebrated the 70th anniversary of its operations in British Columbia in June 2024. With industry leading technology and four generations of employee expertise, as well as a clean hydropower facility at Kemano and the Nechako Reservoir, the Kitimat smelter produces aluminium with one of the lowest carbon footprints worldwide.

Thursday, January 02, 2025

 

WII Sub Needs $1.5M For Overhaul at Bay Shipbuilding

USS Cobia at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, 2023 (Michael Barera / CC BY SA 4.0)
USS Cobia at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, 2023 (Michael Barera / CC BY SA 4.0)

Published Jan 1, 2025 10:00 PM by The Maritime Executive

 

 

A U.S Navy submarine that played a central role in World War II is scheduled for dry docking for preservation works in order to continue attracting visitors as a historic museum boat. The Wisconsin Maritime Museum (WMM), the custodian of USS Cobia, is seeking to raise $1.5 million for comprehensive inspection and essential preventative maintenance at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Wisconsin. 

A National Historic Landmark vessel, Cobia has been a museum ship in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, since 1970. The boat is set to be towed to Fincantieri in September for extensive preservation works, which are expected to last up to six weeks. It will be the second time in her post-service career that the ship enters drydock. 

The Gato-class submarine has historic value from its role in WWII. Launched in November 1943, the 312-foot boat completed six war patrols and sank 13 Japanese vessels. One of her notable achievements was attacking an enemy convoy bound for Japanese-held Iwo Jima. Cobia sank two vessels, including a troop transport carrying a Japanese tank battalion of 28 tanks. The sinking was critical to the U.S. Marines' success in capturing Iwo Jima six months later.

Cobia was one of 70 diesel-powered Gato-class submarines that the U.S Navy built en masse. They represented cutting-edge technology at the outset of the war, but they were quickly superseded by upgraded designs with deeper diving capability and longer range. The majority of the surviving Gato-class boats were placed in reserve or scrapped after the war's end. 

Cobia was decommissioned a year after the end of WWII, then recommissioned eight years later to train reservists and Submarine School students at New London, Connecticut. In 1959, the Navy considered Cobia obsolete as a deployable warship and transferred her to the Milwaukee, Wisconsin Naval Reserve Center. In 1986, the boat was incorporated as a part of the Manitowoc Maritime Museum, declared a National Historic Landmark, and placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

WMM wants to ensure that Cobia continues to be a living memory attracting visitors. The museum reckons that while it takes more than $150,000 annually to keep Cobia “ship-shape," it needs donations from well-wishers to raise the $1.5 million required for the upcoming dry docking.

The funds will go towards preparing the boat for the trip to Sturgeon Bay, towage, and time in dry dock. The scheduled works will include inspection of the underwater hull and cleaning and repairing free-flood areas, including spaces around the torpedo tubes. Other works include tank inspections to ensure watertight integrity.

“Part of our obligation to our veterans is to preserve national treasures like USS Cobia so that future generations can acknowledge the debt we owe to the fallen,” stated WMM.

Top image: USS Cobia at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, 2023 (Michael Barera / CC BY SA 4.0)

Monday, December 30, 2024

'Green' ferry emits more CO2 than old diesel ship

Calum Watson
BBC News Scotland
30/12/2024
PA Media
Glen Sannox brings greater car capacity to the Arran route but a bigger carbon footprint


The carbon footprint of a long-delayed new "green" ferry will be far larger than the 31-year-old diesel ship that usually serves the route between the Scottish mainland and the island of Arran.

An emissions analysis by CalMac has calculated MV Glen Sannox will emit 10,391 equivalent tonnes of CO2 a year compared with 7,732 for MV Caledonian Isles.

The dual-fuel ferry has more car capacity but requires larger engines which also emit methane, a greenhouse gas with a far greater global warming effect than CO2.

Ferries procurement agency CMAL, which owns the ship, said the comparison was "inaccurate" as Glen Sannox is a larger vessel.

The size of Glen Sannox is a factor in its carbon footprint, but so too is the liquified natural gas (LNG) fuel which is less climate-friendly than previously claimed.

One expert on transport emissions told BBC News that if the "upstream" carbon cost of importing LNG from Qatar is included in the emissions calculation, it might be better to run the new ship on diesel.

Prof Tristan Smith, from University College London's Energy Institute, said: "In a best case scenario there's a negligible benefit of using LNG, and at worst there would be a deterioration."

Why was Glen Sannox so hard to build?


Were Scotland's new gas-powered ferries a bad choice?


Glen Sannox is the first ferry ever built in the UK capable of running on both LNG and marine gas oil (MGO), a low-sulphur type of diesel.

At its launch in 2017, then first minister Nicola Sturgeon said it would contribute to "Scotland's world-leading climate change goals".

But the LNG technology also added complexity. The Ferguson shipyard had to overcome many engineering and regulatory challenges before the ship was delivered last month, years late and over budget.

The size of the ship also means it cannot berth at the usual mainland harbour at Ardrossan until a major redevelopment takes place.

When it enters service next month, Glen Sannox will bring a significant increase in car capacity. It can carry 127 cars compared to about 90 for Caledonian Isles.

Air pollutants, known as NOx and SOx, will be also reduced, while its power and manoeuvrability should mean fewer weather-related cancellations.

But in terms of greenhouse emissions, the CalMac analysis - seen by BBC News - reveals the benefits of the LNG technology are quite small.




Once methane emissions are factored in, the benefit of running the ship on LNG rather than MGO-only is less than 9%.

And the increased fuel consumption of the heavier ship means its overall carbon footprint is about 35% larger than Caledonian Isles, which is due to return to the Arran route in March following repairs.

Why is the ship's carbon footprint so big?


The carbon emissions have nothing to do with the design and construction of Glen Sannox by the Ferguson shipyard - the yard simply built the ship it was asked for.

Instead they are due to decisions taken by ferries procurement agency CMAL, ferry operator CalMac and Transport Scotland before the contract was put out to tender.

The old ferry, Caledonian Isles, was designed to carry 110 cars, but modern cars are so much wider, it can now only fit about 90.

Christopher Brindle

The former main Arran vessel Caledonian Isles will operate alongside Glen Sannox until the second LNG vessel Glen Rosa comes into service

Glen Sannox was specified to carry 127 modern cars, or 16 HGVs, and to have a higher top speed (although this is not necessary for Arran sailings) resulting in a far heavier ship which requires bigger engines.

When running on LNG, CO2 emissions are up to 25% lower - but this is almost entirely offset by the larger engine size and higher fuel consumption.

A second reason is methane.

The LNG fuel mostly consists of methane, a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential (GWP) 28 times more potent than CO2 over a 100-year time span.

A small proportion of methane always passes through the engines unburnt, and is released up the funnels - something known as "methane slip".

CalMac has calculated that methane slip adds the equivalent of more than 1,800 tonnes of CO2 per year.
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Glen Sannox has a huge cryogenic fuel tank in the centre of the ship which stores the LNG at minus 162C


There is also no local supply of LNG in Scotland, so the gas has to be brought up from a terminal in Kent using diesel road tankers.

This 445-mile road journey adds the equivalent of 140 tonnes of CO2 per year, compared to 19 tonnes for transporting MGO.

Ferries procurement agency CMAL, which owns Glen Sannox and its sister ship Glen Rosa, began proposing LNG as a lower emissions ferry fuel as long ago as 2012.

In a statement it said LNG was considered "the best option" at the time, and was always intended as a "transition fuel".

A CMAL spokesperson added: "Due to the difference in vessel size, propulsion power and expected sailing time, it is inaccurate to draw direct comparisons between the emissions of older vessels and MV Glen Sannox.

"The latter is a much newer vessel which is bigger and more powerful than the former, reflecting increased demand on ferry services."

Ferry operator CalMac said passenger and vehicle numbers on the Arran route had increased significantly over the past 30 years.

"More power is needed for the size of the vessel that can meet that demand, particularly carrying cars, and it should offer greater resilience against adverse weather," a spokesperson said.

"As a first in class vessel, we will learn more and more about MV Glen Sannox and her fuel consumption as we sail her."

Would it be better to run the ship on diesel?


CalMac's emissions analysis, carried out at the start of the year at the request of Scottish ministers, almost certainly underestimates the ship's carbon footprint.

The figures are based on ideal engine running conditions which minimise methane slip - and CalMac acknowledges that in real-life operations, emissions are likely to be higher.

The analysis also does not factor in so-called "blowdown" emissions of methane which occur every time the ship switches from LNG to running on MGO.

Any methane left in the engine crankcase and fuel lines is automatically flushed into the atmosphere - and CalMac has yet to establish how much will be released.

The report also only considers the carbon cost of transporting fuel from the LNG terminal in Kent - no allowance is made for "upstream emissions" involved in extracting the gas in Qatar and transporting it to the UK.


CalMac argues this is reasonable as it has no control over where the fuel is sourced.

But environmentalists and some academics argue that a fuller "well to wake" comparison of fuels would give a more realistic picture of the climate impacts.

"Upstream emissions are really important - especially if you are importing gas from Qatar or the US," said Prof Smith.

"The point of whether the upstream should or shouldn't be included is irrelevant – it's rearranging deck chairs on the deck of the Titanic at a point when we should be going to zero emissions."

How can Scotland's ferries become greener?



It is possible to run Glen Sannox on biogas, which is produced from organic waste such as manure or by-products from the whisky industry.

Since the carbon dioxide released when burning bio-methane originates in the atmosphere rather than underground, it is considered carbon neutral.

However, building such a plant in Scotland would require major capital investment and would also involve facilities for supercooling the gas to turn it into a liquid.

If a biogas facility were to be developed, one option would be to repurpose the Grangemouth oil refinery where hundreds of jobs are currently under threat.

Four more large CalMac ferries under construction in Turkey will have conventional MGO engines with some limited battery power for manoeuvring in harbour.

But they have a deeper draught (the amount of hull below the waterline) and lower cargo requirements - meaning a more fuel-efficient hull shape has been possible.

CMAL says they have also been designed with the possibility of retrofitting them for potential future fuels such as ammonia.

An alternative option would be to consider catamarans, which are far more fuel-efficient than single-hulled ships.

The chartered catamaran Alfred, which can carry 98 cars and cost only £14.5m to build, has been operating successfully on the Arran route for the past 20 months.
Christopher Brindle
Catamarans such as MV Alfred as generally more fuel-efficient than single-hulled ships

Its owner describes it as the most environmentally-friendly large ferry in Scotland because of its low fuel consumption.

CalMac believes advances in battery technology mean about 90% of its routes could potentially be serviced by all-electric ferries, rising to 100% if fast charging were available.

Prof Smith says this is the most climate-friendly option at the present time - although it would require significant upgrades to electricity infrastructure.

"Many other countries are putting battery electric vessels into routes similar to those serviced by these vessels," he said.

"And that's a solution which if charged with renewable electricity would be zero emissions at the point of operation.

"So it's a far more sustainable and viable investment in the long-run, and hopefully we will see more of those in the future."

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

 Opinion

Answering one of the biggest questions for an independent Wales

17 Sep 2024 
Wales flag unfurled by Welsh football fans the Red Wall at the Cardiff City Stadium (Credit: Nation Cymru)

Llew Gruffudd

A widely held conception is that Wales independence will lead to higher taxes and service cuts.

It is inevitable, they say, due to Wales not being able to pay its way.

It is understandable that many of the public will fear this, given that this view is expounded by people who ought to know better.

The Commission on the Constitution says it.

In their ‘evidence’ led conclusions on independence, they say ‘whatever the size of Wales budget deficit, it will mean tax rises or service cuts.’

We are not allowed insight into this ‘evidence’ however.

Such a conclusion is a very large assumption and a very naive economic assertion.

A contributor to Nation Cymru and Senedd member, Mike Hedges argues similarly, I think I quote him correctly he says ‘I have no strong objection to independence except that it will lead to higher taxes and service cuts’. This again without offering any evidence in support.

This view is presented, ignoring the fact that belonging to ‘the Union’ leads to tax rises and public service cuts by the Westminster government, tax rises that don’t particularly benefit Wales and public service cuts that impact on the Wales public, imposed without Wales consent on a regular basis.

In any case this view is mistaken.

It is a view of independence, viewed through the prism of the present constitutional arrangements. The economics of an independent Wales is quite different.

An independent Wales will have economic and financial tools not available to the present Welsh government.
It will be a sovereign state, with a sovereign currency and a Central Bank.

There will be those, I know, who would wish to keep the pound sterling, however to make the necessary and urgent improvements to the Wales economy, will take significant investment. Investment that can only be raised by a sovereign currency.

An example. Wales has abundant green, renewable energy resources. So says the new Welsh Secretary, but more convincingly by a leading UK engineering publication, who states that ‘Wales has the greatest concentration of renewable energy resources, than perhaps anywhere on the planet’.

Three recent surveys by Carbon Trust, Marine Energy Wales and Crown Estates have identified, through offshore wind turbines, marine and tidal and floating turbines, 14 GigaWatts of installed capacity.

Wales in the ‘Union’

Under the present system the way it works is that The Crown Estates, only now with the new GB Energy tagging along, carries out surveys to provide data to private developers. It issues licenses and takes the license fees.

Then along comes the private developer, develops the sites, sells the energy and spirits the profits away, mostly to foreign lands.

The UK government gets the tax revenues from profits, with GB Energy looking to have a little stake, so they can have a little share of the profits.

And what does Wales get?. It gets some jobs. Amount unknown for Welsh workers, permanency unknown.

The Welsh Secretary describes the proposed scheme based in Port Talbot, as permanent jobs in manufacture and installation.

So permanent, temporary then.

There is no wealth creation in this exercise to significantly benefit Wales and whereas the effect of wealth creation can be shared throughout Wales, the creation of jobs cannot.

The alternative

An independent Wales would own the resources, can raise the finance through its Central Bank or its own bonds, could generate the energy (Through a publicly owned energy company, just like Norway) and sell it on the wholesale market, with 14 Gigawatts of capacity worth almost £10 billion a year at present wholesale prices.(The Crown Estates alone calculating a further 20 GigaWatt of potential for floating turbines off the Welsh coast)

It could alternatively sell the electricity internally at a discounted price, giving cheaper electricity to consumers, businesses and public services (it would still a have a tidy sum left over to sell)

Such a policy would still be wealth creating, with lower energy costs meaning more disposable income for the individual [ consumer spending being the biggest driver of economic growth ]

Lower costs for business, higher profits, a more attractive business environment and increased government corporate tax revenues for the Welsh treasury.

Lower costs for public services, hospitals, care homes, schools etc, meaning more money diverted to frontline services.

Just one example of the income an independent Wales would generate.

In addition

Plus there is the tax revenues and fees from existing energy generation that would now come to the Welsh exchequer.

The ability to deal with tax losses through avoidance, evasion and mismanagement, inherent in the present UK tax system, with Wales’ population share being £2 billion p.a.

In the medium term, there are gains from the new Wales ability to invest.

The Wales Governance Centre calculated that if Wales wage levels and therefore its tax revenues of income tax and NI, were at the levels of the UK average, it would add £5.4 billion per year to Wales government income.

This can be achieved by reversing the generations of lack of proper investment in skills and technology.

Studies by Nat West Bank and Deloittes found that if Wales productivity levels were at the UK level it would add £1.7 billion per year to Wales economy and if it reached the productivity of the best in Europe it would add £7.4 billion per year to Wales economy.

This would be done by reversing the historic underinvestment in innovation, research and development in Wales.

Just a sample of the benefits of investment, bringing large scale wealth gains to the nation.

A sovereign Wales with a sovereign currency and a Central Bank, would have the means of raising that investment.

So why on earth would an independent Wales need to raise taxes or cut services.


Sturgeon predicts Scottish independence and united Ireland in UK 'shake-up'


BBC 



Nicola Sturgeon has predicted Scotland will become independent as part of a "wider shake-up" of UK governance, including Irish reunification.

The former first minister also suggested further devolution for Wales in the coming years as part of a "very healthy realignment of how the nations of the British Isles are governed and co-operate together”.

Speaking to BBC Scotland News to mark the 10-year anniversary of the 2014 independence referendum, the ex-SNP leader said she believed a Yes victory was "within grasp" on the eve of the vote.

Former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson also claimed Sturgeon lost her opportunity to secure a second referendum by making her call "so fast, so hard and so early" after the 2016 Brexit vote.

Although the Yes side lost the referendum, the SNP enjoyed unprecedented electoral success in the decade since.

But it has also been rocked by the loss of 39 seats in July's general election, a public fallout between Sturgeon and Salmond and an ongoing police investigation into party finances.

Asked about her future hopes for independence, Sturgeon said: “I believe that, perhaps as part of a wider shake-up of UK governance, the reunification of Ireland, perhaps, more autonomy in Wales, that I think we will see Scotland become an independent country.

"I'll certainly campaign and advocate for that for as long as I've got breath in my body.”

She declined to predict whether she thought Irish reunification or Scottish independence would come first, adding: “It's not a matter for me, obviously, just as Scottish independence is not a matter for people in Ireland. But I do think that will happen."

In May 2022, 10 months before she stepped down as first minister, Sturgeon met Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O'Neill at her official Bute House residence in Edinburgh to discuss Brexit.

PA Media
Nicola Sturgeon met Michelle O'Neill at Bute House House in 2022


Sturgeon said at the time that the departure from the EU had "brought to the fore some very fundamental questions" over governance in the UK.

O'Neill became Northern Ireland's first nationalist first minister in February, fuelling debate about the possibility of a border poll.

The 1998 Good Friday Agreement says that "the people on the island" should be able to exercise "their right of self-determination on the basis of consent, freely and concurrently given, North and South, to bring about a united Ireland", subject to the principle of consent in Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland Act 1998 states that “if at any time it appears likely" that a majority of those voting in a border poll would "express a wish that Northern Ireland should cease to be part of the United Kingdom and form part of a united Ireland”, the secretary of state will consent to a border poll.

It is not clear exactly how this process would come about.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said last year that an Irish unity referendum was "not even on the horizon".
Getty Images
Nicola Sturgeon says she was "unusually" optimistic about the result of the referendum

Speaking to BBC Scotland News, Sturgeon described herself as a natural pessimist but said that was not the case come polling day, 18 September 2014.

"Unusually for me, in the final days, I was really optimistic," she told BBC Scotland News.

"I definitely felt that victory was within grasp.”

The then deputy first minister had a leading role in the Yes campaign and spent the summer touring around Scotland.

She returned to her home constituency of Glasgow Southside in the days before the referendum.

“The mood on the streets of Glasgow gave me perhaps a bit of an overly optimistic view of how the campaign was going right across the country," Ms Sturgeon said.

The No side ultimately won by 55.3% to 44.7%.

Sturgeon described the campaign as the "best of times and the worst of times".

“What I remember most about the campaign was just the energy, the sense of political awakening and in engagement that seemed to grip Scotland," she said.

Debate 'disaster'


Asked about any regrets, Sturgeon said she questioned whether the Yes campaign could have done some things differently.

She cited a united front from Westminster parties in opposition to proposals for a currency union, and described as a "disaster" the first TV debate between her predecessor Alex Salmond and Better Together chairman Alistair Darling

Darling was thought to have got the better of that exchange in early August 2014 after pressing Salmond on a plan B on currency plans.

Ms Sturgeon added: "Because these things didn't lead to a haemorrhaging of Yes support, I think we comforted ourselves that they hadn’t done any real harm.

"Looking back, I think these were moments that probably slowed down what was quite a steady shift of opinion from soft No undecided voters to the Yes side.”

Later in August, Salmond was widely considered to have outperformed his opponent in the second televised debate.

PA Media
Alistair Darling and Alex Salmond faced off at the BBC debate in Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum


Two years after the independence referendum, the UK voted to leave the EU - despite Scotland voting in favour of Remain by 62% to 38%.

The SNP's subsequent demands for a second referendum were thwarted by Westminster, leading to criticism from within the Yes movement of Sturgeon's leadership.

The ex-SNP leader admitted she “didn't get everything right, far from it".

She said she "fervently" wished the SNP had made further progress on independence in the past decade.


'Westminster democracy denial'

Sturgeon insisted while it may not feel like the Yes campaign was “motoring forward”, levels of support were stable, and especially high among young people.

The former first minister added: “I came up against a brick wall of Westminster democracy denial in refusing the right of the Scottish people to choose their own future.

"Do I wish I had found a way around that? Yes, but that was the situation I faced.”

“Had that right to choose been secured, I believe Scotland would have voted Yes.”

Prof Sir John Curtice, president of the British Polling Council, told BBC Scotland News that support for independence had stabilised at just under 50%, and had been unaffected by the SNP's recent issues.

According to YouGov polling published on Tuesday, almost one in four (39%) of 16 to 24-year-old respondents said they would back Yes, with three in 10 (31%) in favour of No.

Yes was also more popular than No among 25 to 49-year-olds, although there was a majority for the union in older age groups.
Getty Images
Ruth Davidson, left, campaigned alongside Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont and Scottish LibDem leader Willie Rennie during the referendum

In the immediate aftermath, Sturgeon declared a fresh ballot on independence was “highly likely” - prompting her then deputy, John Swinney, to raise concerns about that strategy.

Former Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, who campaigned for Better Together a decade ago, said Sturgeon "probably" had an opportunity to secure a second independence referendum following the Brexit vote.

“Her appetite to go so fast, so hard and so early took that opportunity away from her," she told BBC Scotland News.

She suggested Sturgeon should have “put party politics aside” and tried to work with the UK government to “salvage” what it could from Brexit.

“And then maybe six months down the line said, you know what I can’t work with these people, Scotland has another opportunity, it has another choice, I think things could have been materially different," Davidson said.

'Overwhelmingly positive legacy'


The former Tory leader said that while she would have argued against a second referendum, it would have been "incredibly hard" if Sturgeon adopted a different approach.

Davidson claimed people who may have supported Sturgeon's call for another vote were "turned off by the idea that she wanted to use Brexit to immediately jump to this other thing".

Swinney, who succeeded Humza Yousaf as first minister in May, will address independence campaigners in Edinburgh to mark the anniversary of the referendum.

He is expected to say that while he was "devastated" by the result, he is "in no doubt" the referendum left "an overwhelmingly positive legacy" on Scotland.

Saturday, September 14, 2024

SCOTLAND

Exclusive:
SNP told to rethink nuclear opposition after Grangemouth energy jobs losses

By David Bol
Deputy Political Editor
THE SCOTSMAN
Published 14th Sep 2024, 06:00 BST

Tarde unions are calling for the Scottish Government to allow nuclear power to contribute to the country’s net zero energy mix - amid fears over highly-skilled jobs.


SNP ministers have been urged to rethink their opposition to nuclear power and “exploit its potential” amid fears highly-skilled energy jobs are leaving Scotland for the rest of the UK.

The renewed fears have ramped up after Petroineos confirmed Scotland’s only oil refinery, at Grangemouth, will close next year, with the loss of 400 direct jobs and impacting almost 3,000 jobs in total.


Torness could be considered as the site for a new nuclear reactor in Scotland. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

SNP ministers have been warned by trade unions “the jobs promised through the just transition have not materialised”, amid concerns the Scottish Government’s tunnel vision on wind power is shutting the door on wider job opportunities in the energy sector.



The refinery closure at Grangemouth came before the Scottish Government’s just transition plan for the site had been published, despite being first promised by Nicola Sturgeon back in 2022. The decision has raised concerns about the prospects of energy workers moving from fossil fuels jobs into cleaner technologies.

Yesterday, First Minister John Swinney met with trade unions at Grangemouth and said “intense dialogue” would continue amid an ambition “to secure sustainable, skilled jobs in Grangemouth for many years to come”.

First Minister John Swinney visited Forth Valley College to meet representatives from the Grangemouth oil refinery and local government representatives (Pic: Michael Boyd/Getty Images)

Energy, including nuclear power, is reserved to Westminster, but SNP ministers can block new developments north of the Border by vetoing planning applications, which is a devolved matter. The SNP has a long-standing opposition to nuclear power, but union bosses are demanding a change of heart.

Nuclear power can contribute to a net-zero energy mix as it has a relatively small carbon footprint. The Labour UK government is supportive of expanding Britain’s use of nuclear power, including in Scotland.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has previously suggested that “nuclear, and the highly paid and skilled jobs it brings, must be part of Scotland’s energy mix”.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar | Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images.

In Labour’s manifesto ahead of the general election, the party said new nuclear power stations “will play an important role in helping the UK achieve energy security and clean power while securing thousands of good, skilled jobs”.

The GMB has penned a letter to Deputy First Minister and Economy Secretary Kate Forbes and Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin, seen by The Scotsman, calling on the Government to ensure Scotland does not lose out on the economic benefits of nuclear power.

The letter from GMB Scotland policy and external relations officer Rory Steel said: “Scotland is missing the opportunities that come with nuclear expansion.

“The Scottish Government’s continued block on new nuclear energy is forcing the sector into decline despite the benefits it brings to meeting net zero targets, energy security and high skilled, high-paid employment to thousands. The jobs promised through the just transition have not materialised.”

The Scottish Government’s green industrial strategy, published this week, claims as many as 54,000 jobs could be created in the offshore wind sector.

Mr Steel insisted “nuclear in Scotland means jobs in Scotland”. He said: “If new nuclear sites are being built in Scotland, then the work has to be done here.

“According to the ONS [Office for National Statistics], each nuclear job supports a further 2.3 jobs in the wider economy. This ‘multiplier effect’ is the greatest of any part of the low carbon and renewable energy economy (LCREE), and it is significantly higher than investment in wind power can deliver due to the strong nuclear supply chain.”

Louise Gilmour, GMB Scotland secretary, said: “This is no quick fix and will take decades, but that means there is an even greater imperative to begin work as quickly as possible.

GMB Scotland secretary Louise Gilmour. Picture: Andrew Cawley

“We must make the plans and investments now to meet tomorrow’s targets and if Scotland is at all serious about net zero, then ministers must reconsider nuclear and exploit its potential to reduce emissions and deliver stable and secure energy.

“Hunterston and Torness offer us the opportunity to expand and create low carbon energy and highly-paid jobs. Those jobs are already being created and the economic benefits seized elsewhere on these islands and Scotland must no longer drag our feet.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “New nuclear power is expensive, will take years to become operational and involves significant environmental concerns – not least the long-term disposal and management of radioactive waste.

“Rather than waste further money on nuclear, the Scottish Government has been consistently clear that it makes far greater economic and environmental sense to make greater use of renewable electricity generation.

“We are embracing renewables, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage to drive economic growth, support green jobs and deliver secure, affordable and clean energy for Scotland.

“Our upcoming energy strategy and just transition plan will set out how we will support workers to take advantage of the enormous opportunities offered by becoming a net zero economy.”

Wednesday, September 11, 2024


Scottish government faces defeat in free school meals vote



The government previously pledged to expand the provision of free school meals

The Scottish government is expected to be defeated in a vote to expand free school meals to all primary school pupils.


First Minister John Swinney has said he would not be able to fulfil the pledge for a "universal" rollout of the benefit, and instead would expand it only to P6 and 7 pupils in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment.

The position will be challenged in a debate led by the Scottish Conservatives on Wednesday, though the government is not obliged to take action on the results.

The Scottish government said it remained "resolutely committed" to the universal expansion of free school meals in primary schools but the funding was not available due to significant financial pressures.

Free school meals are provided for all pupils in P1 to P5, but former First Minister Humza Yousaf said he wanted every primary pupil to receive the benefit last year.

The Scottish government said it would not be able to keep this commitment in its latest programme for government due to "prolonged Westminster austerity and record high inflation".

School meals per child can cost families £400 a year.

On Monday, Scottish Conservative MSP Liam Kerr submitted a motion for debate, calling on the government to give free school meals to all primary pupils this parliamentary session "as promised".

Opposition parties are expected to echo this, meaning a likely defeat for the government.
PA Media
John Swinney confirmed his programme for government last week

The Scottish Conservatives have also put forward a motion to vote on the government's decision to end a scheme that scrapped peak-time rail fares.

The pilot, which saw ticket prices subsidised by the Scottish government and standardised across the day, ended in September following "limited success".

Last month Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said there had been an increase in passenger levels of about 6.8% during the pilot but it would need to be 10% in order for the policy to be self-financing.

PA Media
Holyrood will also face a vote on the peak rail fares pilot scheme

Children’s Commissioner Nicola Killean said the rollback on universal free school meals was a "broken promise to children" and warned that the move would only exacerbate stigma and shame around them.

Ms Killean said that going to school hungry could "severely impact development in childhood and into adulthood".

She said: "Providing access to universal school meals is vital: it helps reduce stigma and reinforces the understanding of food as a human right.

"We know that children who experience food insecurity are more likely to experience poor health, obesity and malnutrition, as well as other challenges to their physical and mental development.

“One of the greatest barriers to the take up of school meals are feelings of shame and stigma, and only providing meals to Primary 6 and 7 in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment just exacerbates that stigma."


Ms Killean went on to say she had heard stories of some children buying extra food to share with their poorer classmates, while teachers were also stepping in to help those who could not eat.

Scottish Greens education spokesman Ross Greer called the government's decision on the policy a "shameful U-turn".

He said: "The Scottish Greens fought hard to secure expansion of universal free school meals because we know how important they are for tackling child poverty and inequality.

"We were proud to secure the inclusion of all Primary 4 and 5 pupils and the commitment to include Primary 6 and 7, so we are deeply disappointed to see the SNP drop that commitment at the first opportunity."


Financial challenges


Scottish Liberal Democrat communities spokesman Willie Rennie said ministers should not make promises they cannot keep on efforts to improve child poverty.

He added: “Nicola Sturgeon, Humza Yousaf and John Swinney all committed to universal free school meals for primary pupils, but they have all failed to deliver."

A Scottish government spokesman said it had warned of financial challenges due to "prolonged Westminster austerity, the cost of living crisis and record high inflation".

He added: “That means that, whilst we remain resolutely committed to the universal expansion of free school meals in primary schools, the funding is not available for this to be completed by 2026.

“We continue to provide free school meals for nearly 278,000 pupils in primaries 1 to 5, special schools and to those eligible to S6 saving families around £400 per child per year.

"Our immediate focus is now to expand provision further to those in Primary 6 and 7 in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment, which we will deliver in this parliamentary term."

Friday, August 23, 2024

Harris would be the first female US leader. Europe has had many. What gives?

Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters
Democratic presidential candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris waves from the stage during Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Aug. 19, 2024.


By Lenora Chu 
Special correspondent
@LenoraChu
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR
Aug. 22, 2024

No woman has ever been president of the United States. And Kamala Harris is only the second in history to be a major political party’s nominee for the post.

However, Germany has already been led by Angela Merkel and the United Kingdom by Margaret Thatcher, Theresa May, and Liz Truss. Giorgia Meloni, Mette Frederiksen, Ingrida Šimonytė, and Evika Siliņa are the current heads of government for Italy, Denmark, Lithuania, and Latvia, respectively. And Ursula von der Leyen was just tapped for another term in one of the European Union’s most powerful positions, president of the European Commission.

So why has female political leadership become so normalized in Europe, when it remains so rare, particularly at the highest levels, in the U.S.?

The United States achieved democracy before most European nations. But it still lags behind Europe in terms of female representation in leadership. Why the gap?

The answer, experts say, comes from a mix of factors embedded in both European and American media and culture. Partly it lies in Europe’s focus on work-life balance, gender quotas in government, and proportional representation – which allows parties to choose female leaders rather than the public needing to directly elect them.

Media treatment of women is also a significant factor. Around the globe, female candidates generally get fewer mentions than men, and when U.S. media do focus on female candidates, they are more likely to highlight personal traits rather than professional achievements. That can reinforce gender stereotypes and complicate how women politicians navigate the political environment.

“The difficulties that American female candidates face – it is a laundry list. It is so incredibly pervasive, the many ways in which they are challenged,” says Laurie Nsiah-Jefferson, director of the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy at the University of Massachusetts Boston. “The focus is on physical appearance, tone, background. And voters are perfectly willing to vote for a man for a high office that they think is qualified, that they don’t necessarily like. But they’re not as willing to vote for women they think are qualified, that they don’t like.”

Liesa Johannssen/AP
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel attends an event in Berlin, May 23, 2024.
A supportive environment in Europe

European countries generally have strong welfare states, which emphasize economic safety nets, work-life balance, social equality, and other policies that help ease the path for women to run for office.

“The important difference is the structure of the welfare state, such as high-quality child care, high-quality public education, high-quality eldercare, and the kinds of things that are especially important for women in order to be able to have a working life and a family life,” says Lena Wängnerud, a political scientist at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden. The Scandinavian countries have particularly strong welfare states, she says, and women have also had the most success in achieving high political positions there.

Proportional representation – in which parties must gain only a plurality, rather than a majority of votes, to win the seat – also helps boost female politicians in Europe, she says. Under this system, parties can deploy strategies to run more than one candidate per district, or reserve “every second seat for a woman,” or some such gender quota to achieve higher levels of female representation, says Dr. Wängnerud.

Majoritarian systems like those in the U.S. and the U.K. “tend to have fewer women elected, because then women need to be not only the winning candidate for the party, but the winning candidate in the district,” she says.

Additionally, the first-past-the-post voting model used by the U.K. and the U.S. raises a financial barrier that particularly affects women, says Kristina Wilfore, an elections specialist and co-founder of the advocacy group #ShePersisted. “It takes $8.9 million to run for a congressional seat” in the U.S., and men are more easily able to tap sufficient fundraising networks, she says.


Vincent Thian/Reuters
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni attends a meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing, July 29, 2024.

Media representations of female candidates also matter. In the U.S., media are more often privately owned enterprises with profit directives – and hence an incentive to be more sensational. This is in contrast with European countries like Germany, where many media houses receive state funding.

And while negativity and stereotyping is rampant everywhere, U.S. media might be more prone to repeating these kinds of messages about female candidates, argues Dr. Nsiah-Jefferson.


“There are huge levels of racism in Europe, you know, France, India, Germany, and everywhere else. My sense of the difference is, How much attention is this getting in the news? It doesn’t get as much of a media flurry as it does [in the U.S.].”

Overall, women everywhere also get fewer mentions in the media than their male counterparts. This “underreporting” leads to perceptions that make them seem less likely to win, writes Amanda Haraldsson, a social sciences researcher based in Vienna, in an email.

And in the U.S., when women do get media coverage, they are usually billed as new and unusual candidates who are made to seem very exceptional, “putting pressure on these female candidates to be perfect,” says Dr. Haraldsson.

“Think of [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez] – any small misstep she takes will be given a lot more attention than a male counterpart, including clothing or makeup choices, or the type of emotion she displays.”

John Locher/AP/File
Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton speak during the second presidential debate of 2016 at Washington University in St. Louis, Oct. 9, 2016.
Sexism and media scrutiny

Despite Europe’s wide representation on the list of countries that have had women leaders, European female politicians still face a far-from-perfect landscape.

There’s a large variation across the Continent, with women in Scandinavian countries faring best. And when women in Europe do run for office, their treatment by the media and by society hasn’t always been positive. 

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When Annalena Baerbock was announced as the German Green party’s candidate to replace Chancellor Merkel in 2021, the gendered attacks began immediately. She was frequently targeted with sexist tropes and misinformation campaigns that claimed she would ban household pets and eliminate widows’ pensions.

The British tabloids have been notoriously sexist as well. In 2017, the Daily Mail published a picture of Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister of Scotland, and Ms. May, the British prime minister, sitting in knee-length skirts next to the headline “Never Mind Brexit, who won Legs-it!”

“Many European countries have seen women elected to the highest level of office, [but] sadly this does not mean that female candidates in Europe are much better off,” writes Dr. Haraldsson.

In terms of identity, Ms. Harris has more factors working against her than did 2016 presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, says Dr. Nsiah-Jefferson. “Women of color are twice as likely as white candidates to be singled out in terms of misinformation, disinformation, and also sort of these violent threats online. And on top of that, you’ve got the internet and social media at another level than when Hillary was running. You’ve got [right-wing social media platforms] Truth Social, Rumble – these particular sites are influential and somehow pipeline to mainstream media.”

On a positive note, sexist treatment of Mrs. Clinton actually had the effect of encouraging more political engagement among young women, says Dr. Haraldsson.

“So there is some hope that, both in America and Europe, young women can be politically activated when they see female role models treated in a sexist way,” she says, “and perhaps lead them to take the plunge into politics themselves in the future.”

Monday, August 19, 2024

Why August 19, 2024's Super Blue Moon Is So Rare And When To See The Next One

August 2024's full moon is a special event, combining a Supermoon, a Blue Moon, and the Sturgeon Moon.

Outlook International Desk
Updated on: 19 August 2024 



Representative image Photo: Pinterest

Tonight’s full moon is not just a regular celestial event—it’s a rare combination of three fascinating phenomena: the Supermoon, the Blue Moon, and the Sturgeon Moon. Let’s break down what makes this August 19th full moon so special.


What Is A Supermoon?

A Supermoon happens when the moon is at its closest point to Earth, known as perigee, during its full moon phase. This means it looks bigger and brighter than usual. The term "Supermoon" was introduced by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979. NASA explains that because the moon’s orbit around Earth is not a perfect circle, its distance from Earth varies. Supermoons occur three to four times a year, but they only make up about 25% of all full moons.


What About The Blue Moon?

The term "Blue Moon" has two meanings: monthly and seasonal. August's full moon is a seasonal Blue Moon, which is rare. Typically, there are three full moons in each astronomical season (from solstice to equinox or vice versa). When there are four, the third one is called a Blue Moon. The next seasonal Blue Moon won’t appear until May 2027.


Monthly Blue Moons, which happen roughly every 2-3 years, refer to the second full moon in a single calendar month. While Blue Moons are uncommon, a Supermoon that is also a Blue Moon is even rarer, with occurrences ranging from every 10 to 20 years. The next pairing of a Supermoon and Blue Moon will occur in January and March 2037.


The Sturgeon Moon

The name "Sturgeon Moon" comes from Native American tribes who used lunar names to track seasonal changes. August’s full moon was named after the large sturgeon fish found in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain, which were most easily caught during this time of year. Other names for August’s full moon include the Black Cherries Moon, Corn Moon, and Mountain Shadows Moon. Unfortunately, sturgeon populations have declined due to overfishing and habitat loss.

Will The Moon Actually Appear Blue?

Despite the name, the moon won’t turn blue tonight. When you see images of a blue moon, the blue color is usually added through filters or photo editing. Real blue moons are incredibly rare and usually result from specific atmospheric conditions, such as volcanic ash. The term "Blue Moon" has been in use since at least 1528, but naturally occurring blue moons are few and far between.

What’s Happening In The Night Sky?

If you’re keen on stargazing this month, here are some highlights:



August 19: Watch the full moon.


August 20: The moon will move past Saturn, rising in the east and traveling west throughout the night.


August 27: A crescent moon will join Mars and Jupiter before sunrise for a spectacular trio in the eastern sky.


All Month: The Lagoon Nebula is visible with binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Sagittarius, near "The Teapot" star pattern.


Enjoy tonight's full moon—whether you’re a seasoned stargazer or just curious about the cosmos, this August full moon is a celestial event not to be missed!

Sunday, August 18, 2024

 The Purpose of Scottish Independence

The purpose of Scottish Independence is not to replicate the UK state on a smaller scale with a prettier flag. The purpose is to eschew the imperialist past, stop invading other countries, and build a fairer and more equal society both domestically and internationally.

I thank God I was alive and campaigning in 2014 when for a joyous few months a better world seemed within our grasp; genuine transformational change to a better society was almost tangible, we only had to reach for it.

In all the speeches I gave in that campaign, I concentrated on international relations, because others were covering domestic policy comprehensively and brilliantly, and because Independence at essence is a factor of international relations: it is the standing of a state in relation to other states.

The more radical vision I proposed was well received everywhere. I spoke of a Scotland without enemies, without nuclear weapons or aircraft carriers, with genuinely defensive defence forces, not part of the organised aggression that is NATO.

I remember Glasgow Green erupting in cheers when I quoted James Connolly to a huge crowd:

When it is said that we ought to unite to protect our shores against the ‘foreign enemy’, I confess to be unable to follow that line of reasoning, as I know of no foreign enemy of this country except the British Government

I should add that having then addressed grassroots meetings of every conceivable size over months, on pavements, in meeting rooms and church halls or on stages in parks, not a single person ever turned round and said to me “Oh no, I think we should stay in Nato” or “I think Trident is essential”.

Well, we lost the Independence referendum, though it was far closer than anybody had imagined a year previously. The energies of the Independence movement were all diverted into the institutional structure of the SNP, which became temporarily dominant in Scotland.

But there all the energy and enthusiasm, all of that idealism, was dissipated by the leadership of a political class who turned out to be just the same as the political class at Westminster. Corrupt, greedy, self-serving and desperate for “respectability” and their role within the UK Establishment.

This has been brutally hammered home this week by Angus Robertson, the Scottish Government’s external affairs and culture minister, meeting the Israeli Deputy Ambassador to the UK in the midst of the current accelerated phase of Israel’s genocide of the Palestinians.

A Scottish Government spokesman confirmed that areas of mutual cooperation had been discussed before John Swinney, alarmed at the criticism from the membership, dribbled out a statement to say it was “essential” to meet the Israeli diplomat to “call for a ceasefire”.

The Scottish government spokesperson’s account aligned with Israel’s account:

The spokesperson said: “They discussed areas of mutual interest, including culture, renewable energy and engaging the country’s respective diasporas.

In 1985 my first big job in the FCO was running the South Africa (political) desk during apartheid there and while Thatcher was Prime Minister. As the US and UK stood alone against international calls to sanction and boycott Israel, the Thatcher line was that contact was essential to promote reform.

The contact was of course in fact pretty well devoid of any advocacy of reform, other than a hurried mention so civil servants could say it had been raised. Instead, it was all about making money from apartheid.

Forty years on the SNP is pulling the same stunt as the Tories did over apartheid South Africa . As the ever brilliant Robin McAlpine put it:

Let me be really, really blunt; if calling for an end to genocide is only one item on your agenda for a meeting, you’re an appalling human. ‘Please stop killing Palestinian babies, oh, and would you like a Scotwind contract and an invitation to the Edinburgh Festival’? Fuck right off.

Swinney and Robertson are of course long term Zionists, as is almost the entire UK political class (and mark my words, there are few members of the British political class with their feet more firmly under the UK political structures table than Swinney and Robertson). Indeed, as I have previously explained, Zionism is a necessary badge of entry to the UK political class.

Here is Robertson with former Israeli government spokesman and Israeli Ambassador to the UK Mark Regev:

And here Robertson is with Israeli President Herzog, who was quoted directly by the International Court of Justice as giving an example of genocidal speech which was among the markers that justified their finding of a case to answer on genocide. Herzog also has signed bombs ready to drop on Gaza.

Note Kirsten Oswald front left, Nicola Sturgeon’s close political ally. These last photos were taken before last year, but Israel’s illegal and genocidal actions have been in train for 76 years, not just 10 months.

First Minister John Swinney has a terrible record of collaboration with Israel.

Eden Springs was an Israeli settler owned water company, bottling water from the illegally occupied Syrian Golan Heights. They opened a subsidiary company in Scotland which was the subject of much controversy a decade ago, with a huge and successful boycott movement, especially among students.

As Scottish Minister for Trade and Industry, Swinney actually gave Eden Springs £200,000 of Scottish government money to help them overcome the effects of the boycott.

Before that, as SPSC reported in 2012, John Swinney made a rare foray into the BDS arena: A subsidiary of Eden Springs, an Israeli water bottling company operating in Britain “turned successfully for help from the Scottish Government to deal with what the Israeli company called ‘a wave of protests…that is threatening the future of Eden Springs UK’”.

On January 5th 2010, a meeting took place between Eden Springs’ UK Managing Director Jean-Marc Bolinger and Scottish Minister John Swinney. The Scottish Government the following year gave £200,000 of Scottish taxpayers’ money to Eden Springs, some of which will end up as profits in Israel, taxed there and freeing up state funds for military aggression and further dispossession of the Palestinian people.

So, to use the modern phrase, Swinney and Robertson’s Zionism is a feature not a glitch. The SNP is just like the other parties in being led by career politicians for whom Zionism is an essential belief for admission to the UK Establishment.

This episode has served to highlight the difference between the continued aspiration of the Scottish people for a better state, in which foreign relations are conducted on ethical grounds, and the actual SNP political class who have precisely the same cynical and transactional approach to politics as their UK peers – they see it essentially as a tool to make a fat living.

The key point is of course that everybody cares about Gaza because of the immediacy with which we can see the devastating genocide on our mobile devices. The political and media classes cannot gaslight us that it is not happening.

Ordinary people look at creatures like Robertson with horror. Swinney is counting on the summer holidays and the traditional extreme deference of the SNP membership to enable him to ride out this storm.

Despite the best effort of the traitors to Independence who run the SNP, the extraordinary thing is that the dream has not died. Support for Independence has not fallen even as the SNP itself has dwindled to a despised rump of its former representation.

A huge well of support remains for anyone who can invoke again the spirit of 2014.

We are not far off that day. As come it will for a’ that.

 

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