Angus Hardie

If this doesn’t happen, someone really has to come out and explain why.

Defending Environmental Justice Join us for a panel discussion hosted by Planning Democracy and the Environmental Rights Centre for Scotland How did newts and bats become Public Enemy Number One under the UK’s self professe…

When planning decisions are clearly not in the best interests of the environment, why should we just accept them? A feisty panel has been put together to consider why we shouldn’t. Well worth a listen.
www.planningdemocracy.org.uk/2025/defendi...

Ministers have 'moral' duty to cut benefits spending, Labour MPs say Labour is anxious to reduce the rising welfare bill as it plans boosting defence spending at a time when the Chancellor is perilously short of extra cash

inews.co.uk/news/politic...

Local groups in bid for largest community-owned wind farm in Scotland Several communities have joined together to bid for a wind farm that would become the largest community-controlled in Scotland ...

This could be a game changer. Many wind farms will be coming up for renegotiation of their land leases. Especially where land is publicly owned, this should become the default position. www.thenational.scot/news/2499344...

‘If you fall into the dialogue of the far right, the far right wins’: Spain’s deputy PM on the need for workers’ rights Yolanda Díaz Pérez’s leftwing government has championed employment reform similar to Labour’s proposals – and she tells British business there is nothing to fear

Spain’s success should strengthen Labour’s resolve on the Employment Rights Bill.

“Boosting workers’ rights and living standards has been +ve for growth and productivity… and is key to combating the threat from the far right”
“We must give hope to working people”
www.theguardian.com/business/202...

Save Riverside Park! We are raising £5,000 to take legal action against Dundee City Council's decision to grant planning permission to a 10,000 sq ft training facility on our beloved greenspace by the river Tay.

If a developer chooses to challenge a planning decision, they are free to do so. If a community wishes to do so, they will incur cripplingly expensive legal costs. Who thinks that is fair and reasonable? This Dundee community could use your support. www.crowdjustice.com/case/save-ri...

🌍 It would be great to see more Climate Cafes in Edinburgh and the Lothians. If you know of a group that could be supported by @climate.cafe do get in touch with Jess and the team www.climate.cafe/what-is-a-cl...

Brilliant to see so many Climate Cafes popping up everywhere. Probably the fastest growing community led movement in the country!

Burned: Grangemouth workers are falling through the gap between rhetoric and action In this first test of the just transition, both governments are failing

My long-read on the Grangemouth closure from the autumn 👇🏻

There is real local anger about the gaps between just transition rhetoric and action. www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...

Window to stop decline of England’s nature closing fast, watchdog says Office for Environmental Protection calls for urgent action after finding government is falling short on most targets

England's Office for Environmental Protection has reviewed the meeting of environmental legal targets

Oceans likely to miss targets due to overfishing & pollution

There are Marine protected areas but damaging actions like bottom trawling have not been stopped

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Why it's time for the Ulsterisation of Scottish politics Unionists shouldn’t have to be forced to listen to the likes of me demanding a referendum every five minutes, and Yes voters shouldn’t be denied…

Why it’s time for the Ulsterisation of Scottish politics

And I don’t mean importing tribal hatred. Quite the reverse. Rather we should copy the mechanism in the Good Friday Agreement that triggers a referendum. That will calm, not inflame, politics in Scotland www.heraldscotland.com/politics/vie...

Tackling the housing crisis in the Highlands & Islands: In the afternoon of 24 Jan, we will explore how the Scottish construction industry might be cajoled into building more sustainable and affordable homes, taking account of models such as SSEN and Mowi.

RADICAL HOUSING CONFERENCE SCOTLAND 2025

🔴 NEW: The Scottish Government’s nature agency is to axe a free service for people needing advice on bats in a move critics fear could result in “desperate householders” illegally destroying bat roosts.

Find out more: https://theferret.scot/bats-service-scotland-axed/

Land Reform for a Democratic, Sustainable and Just Scotland Ahead of the Land Reform Bill, this report sets out a bold agenda for land reform.

In its current form, the Land Reform Bill does not do enough to modernise Scotland’s archaic and dysfunctional land market.

In this report, we outline an ambitious agenda to diversify land ownership, tackle the housing crisis and deliver a just transition.

Job Opportunity: An ESRC-funded research project with Sheffield University that asks 'are new planning policies to protect biodiversity improving outcomes for biodiversity on the ground?'
jobsite.sheffield.ac.uk/job/Research...
jobsite.sheffield.ac.uk/job/Research...

Why Scotland needs a grassroots revolution in its towns and villages to defend democracy All across Scotland, there are fine municipal buildings that were once home to small, local councils

www.scotsman.com/news/opinion... Excellent piece from @joycemcm.bsky.social Making the case for the restoration of genuine local democracy

Important call from @localpeoplelead.bsky.social, reporting on the recent Revive Coalition conference, to "build a movement on such a scale that the momentum for change becomes unstoppable" on Land Reform in Scotland us2.campaign-archive.com?e=ef81948bc4...

Why are Icelanders so calm about their constantly erupting volcanic home? Well public o'ship of geothermal energy means £60-100pcm for heat, hot water, electricity & some islanders even improved their harbour by diverting lava.
New podcast; Iceland, Fire Island. nordichorizons.org/podcast-icel...

DUNVEGAN DIARY: Orbost crofts progress as housing survey deadline looms Local development officer Mali MacLennan, with Dunvegan Community Trust chairman Jason Bold With moves to create new crofts in north Skye progressing to the next stage, residents in the Dunvegan ar…

www.whfp.com/2024/12/04/o...