Common Weal Director Robin McAlpine argues the Yellow Vests protests in France marks the end of a 40 years political empire that said it didn’t have an ideology but always ruled for the rich – Moderatism.

IF 2018 IS REMEMBERED by history, I suspect it may be as the year the political empire of 'Moderates' finally falls apart irreparably.

Common Weal director Robin McAlpine looks at questionnaire responses from the pro-independence movement about what the challenges it faces are – and finds there is a lot of work to do

IN THE last few months I've been immersing myself in the positive case for independence; there really is a lot to be optimistic about. But let's not kid ourselves on that we don't face some problems as well, or that we can dodge them.

Common Weal director Robin McAlpine argues that while unionists don’t want any comparison to be made between Scottish independence and Africa’s decolonisation process, a recent conference on the Canary Islands has convinced him that there are real and meaningful connections and parallels

IT IS an absolute rule when debating Scottish independence that it is never compared to the decolonisation process in Africa. As with all the debating rules of Scottish independence, this rule is set by the unionists.

Robin McAlpine, Common Weal Director, says the independence cause is being let down by a chronic lack of leadership – if that doesn’t change soon the moment will be gone

“ONE small step for man – because these space-trousers are tighter than they look.”

“I have a dream – which I must remember to tell you about some day.”

“We shall fight them on the beaches – but we'll probably just give up after that.”

Common Weal director Robin McAlpine says the arguments for independence supporters to unconditionally support a People’s Vote without any guarantees on the right to a Scottish independence referendum are ill conceived 

RIGHT, the 'People's Vote' debate. Let’s start with an entirely dogmatic statement, which is true nonetheless.

In the short term, a second vote on Brexit is undoubtedly bad for those who want to see Scottish independence in the near future – irrespective of which side wins.

Common Weal director Robin McAlpine rails against the BBC’s coverage of the centenary of the end of the First World War

SO ARMISTICE is nearly upon us, and the weapons I'm looking forward to being put down largely involve the British state's propaganda tools. Disgracefully, this World War One centenary seems to have been only one more chance to promote a Patriotic British Militarism.

Common Weal director Robin Mcalpine argues our society does not place value on people with creativity and energy, instead rewarding mediocrity and bureaucracy

AT THE weekend I hunted out Karine Polwart's truly wonderful 2012 album Traces for a re-listen. I'm glad I did. It reminded me how good it is.

But it also pissed me off. Not the music I hasten to add, the fact that what prompted me to play it again was an interview with Karine in which she talked about the financial difficulty of trying to make a living making music in Scotland.

Common Weal Director Robin McAlpine analyses new data on attitudes towards Scottish independence, and finds big opportunities for the Yes movement

I'VE WRITTEN on a number of occasions recently that I believe Scotland is clearly moving towards independence. Is this just wish fulfilment?

Common Weal director Robin McAlpine argues that the Yes movement desperately needs to identify a strategy to get to independence, and then pursue it without fear

‘WAIT until the autumn – just be patient. By the end of October there will be a firm date for an independence referendum and a clear strategy will be set out. You don't need to worry your head about it.’ Or so I have been told a number of times over the last year. So can we have a serious debate about strategy now?