Home » Aye Write 2023 » Aye Write 2023: Lesley Riddoch and Neil Findlay, The Future(s) of Scotland

Aye Write 2023: Lesley Riddoch and Neil Findlay, The Future(s) of Scotland

Friday, 26 May, 2023 7.45 p.m. – 8.45 p.m.

Lesley Riddoch’s new book Thrive explores why Scots won’t simmer down and why they continue to talk about independence when there was a no vote a decade ago.

Scotland is not as populated as Yorkshire, nor as wealthy as London. But it’s also not as Conservative, nor as suspicious of Europeans, as keen on Brexit or as willing to flog off public assets to the ruling party’s pals.

Scotland is a former state with its own laws, education, universities, languages, welfare system, history and hang-ups. A progressive North Atlantic nation steered by a Westminster government that’s totally preoccupied with regaining lost imperial status. Put simply is another country. A social democracy stuck in a Conservative state.

In Hope & Despair Neil Findlay does not shy away from the impact he has felt both in his work in politics and in his personal life. From the domination of the SNP to observing decisions Tories made in Westminster, Neil speaks out about these last 5 years, reflecting on the ever-changing world of Scottish politics. Since 2016, former Labour MSP Neil Findlay has kept a log of the ongoings of Scottish Parliament, which he describes to be one of crisis.

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3NY

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