Customs expert with over 30 years experience in the UK and worldwide, Bill Austin argues that Brexit is an attempt to undermine revenue and customs collection to serve unbridled corporate power, but that there is a chance for an independent Scotland to have a tax system among the world’s best

WE NEED to explain to Scotland’s electorate, but particularly No voters, the consequences to their day-to-day lives of the catastrophic Brexit fraud concurrent with demonstrable evidence of how to protect our society through Independence in the EU. No problem, right?

Ashley Graczyk, independent councillor for the Sighthill/Gorgie ward in Edinburgh who left the Scottish Conservatives a few months ago, has revealed on Twitter her journey from No to Yes, saying the UK Government’s treatment of disabled people and her growing belief in self-governance had led to her changing view. CommonSpace re-publishes her statement in full below

May and Sturgeon duel over the economic and constitutional consequences of 'blind Brexit'

PRIME MINISTER Theresa May and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon met in Edinburgh yesterday (8 August), ostensibly to discuss a new city deal for Edinburgh and the South East of Scotland.

Inevitably, that business quickly gave way to the latest iteration of the ongoing standoff over Brexit and its potential economic and constitutional impact. Amidst a chaotic and uncertain Brexit negotiation process, both leaders are trying to maneuver for advantage.

Common Weal director Robin McAlpine argues that Scottish independence offers the only escape from a system in which bankers win every time

IT IS a little known that the first draft of Franz Kafka's seminal novel The Trial opened with a small businessman called Joseph K becoming a client of the Royal Bank of Scotland and ended with a statement by the Financial Conduct Authority expressing regret they didn't have the power to stop him getting his head chopped off by the bankers.

Articles published by George Kerevan, Jim Cuthbert, Tommy Sheppard MP, Chris Stephens MP, Carolyn Leckie, Maggie Chapman, Colin Fox, Cat Boyd and Jim Sillars on the Growth Commission

TWO pro-independence economists have published articles criticising the central tenets of the SNP’s Growth Commission report, saying its policy prescriptions would not deliver increased growth or productivity for an independent Scotland.

Leigh Wilson, SNP councillor for the Mearns ward in Aberdeenshire, says that he has changed his mind on the question of EU membership for an independent Scotland, and is now convinced joining the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) is the best compromise position for the Scottish Government to pursue

Common Weal director Robin McAlpine says Scotland should take some inspiration from the Croatian football team, and remember that no underdog has ever won with a fearful mindset

THERE’S no doubt that Croatia has some very good footballers. But they nearly won a world cup in which they were behind in every single knock-out game and had to fight it into extra time on each occasion to win.

That's not good football alone; that's attitude, determination, strength.

Alyn Smith MEP says independence referendum will be Scotland’s vote on Brexit deal 

SNP MEP Alyn Smith has cautioned that a second EU referendum could drive “resentment” amongst Leave voters in England and boost support for the far-right.

Speaking to CommonSpace, the staunchly pro-EU MEP said he wasn’t convinced that calls for another EU referendum would resolve the issue and warned that there could be “dangerous” side effects.