James Mitchell

Professor of Public Policy, Edinburgh University

[Benjamin Harrop @benjamin_harrop]

On my break! A stand out part of the Judgement is attached. As Lady Poole points out, the SG help make the laws of this country, but in flouting the law of FOISA this was "reprehensible" . The SG have also failed to apologise to myself or the SIC, and have not set out how to stop

[James Mitchell @ProfJMitchell]

Fair point. Not him for sure.

[Lloyd Quinan @QuinanLloyd]

@ProfJMitchell The appointment of non Scots KC is folly.
Does the name James Hamilton KC ring any bells ?

[James Mitchell @ProfJMitchell]

Absolutely. We've been very fortunate having the talented impressive @mbmpolicy - not to mention ton mention their courage.

[Robert Pyper @BPyper]

@LucyHunterB @ProfJMitchell Not to forget @mbmpolicy who produce much more signicant policy analysis than the 'Centres' swimming in Scottish Government grants ...

[Lucy Hunter Blackburn @LucyHunterB]

A bloke on a double shift. A radical campaigner. A blogger in Bath and some in Scotland. A journalism student who spotted the FM in Asda. The media.

The people missing in action are Scotland's salaried middle classes, paid to be clever in various ways about how things work.

[James Mitchell @ProfJMitchell]

What a tangled web..,

[Dan Vevers @DanVevers]

Non-SNP members donated to the ring-fenced fund. They did not give that money thinking it would become “part of the resources available” to the SNP.

They gave that money expressly for a future referendum campaign. And it’s gone.

[David Hamilton 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇺🇦 @DvdHmltn]

.@scotgov found to be in contempt of court over their FOI delay. 👇🏻

[James Mitchell @ProfJMitchell]

This is a sensible proposal.

[Paul Hutcheon @paulhutcheon]

EXC: One of Nicola Sturgeon's top allies in government has backed an inquiry into the Peter Murrell corruption scandal.

Noel Dolan said the SNP should appoint a KC from outside Scotland to lead the probe.

https://t.co/WCEF1TfcrD

[James Bundy @jamesbundy]

Scotland deserves a Parliament worthy of its people. While the Presiding Officer��s reforms are a step forward, much more remains to be done.

My latest for @enlighten_scot

https://t.co/np1IDJwiB0

[Scott Wortley @Scott_Wortley]

This is hopelessly naive. Scottish students have substantial debts. They don't get much if anything in the way of maintenance grant and still have to pay to live, rent, food, utilities &c.
Additionally the effective cap on scottish places means many have to leave scotland

[James Mitchell @ProfJMitchell]

Given what we now know about Peter Murrell's past, and known to SNP senior figures, this looks like a case of a sad person who needed help being given relatively free financial rein. Peter Murrell was perpetrator of crimes but also a victim of SNP incompetence.

[Scott Wortley @Scott_Wortley]

This gives the lie to the idea he was incredibly clever. It was a set of governance failures that led to the opportunity. He could authorise his own expenses. He could make payments up to 30k with no oversight.

[James Mitchell @ProfJMitchell]

Very sad news. A lovely man. A fine journalist.

[euan mccolm @euanmccolm]

Suddenly a very bleak day for Scottish journalism with news of the death of Dave King who was THE key member of the Daily Record politics team for years, keeping a succession of Pol Eds in their places. A kind, twinkly-eyed man, Dave was liked by everyone in our grubby game.

[James Mitchell @ProfJMitchell]

Looks more like an excuse to avoid scrutiny?

[Scott Wortley @Scott_Wortley]

@DBanksy This seems to take the Scottish contempt of court practice to a ridiculous stage. Not completely sure of rationale here after the guilty plea

[Chris Birt @cdbirt]

Our legal and policy analysis of the latest child poverty plan from the SG is out today.

Warns that it fails to meet the requirements of the Child Poverty (Scotland) Act and could be subject to successful judicial review.

🔗👇

[James Mitchell @ProfJMitchell]

Yes!

[Ewan Gibbs @ewangibbs]

Should we be discussing Britain’s ‘long counter revolution’?

Raymond Williams’ ‘long revolution’ theorised Britain underwent sustained egalitarian advances through industrialisation and democratisation. We’ve arguably now been through half a century of reversals.

[James Mitchell @ProfJMitchell]

'Talking up Scotland' by talking down one of the most respected experts who really understands education policy from idea to implementation. Whoever is behind this is doing great disservice to their own cause by this.

[Kenny MacAskill @KennyMacAskill]

What utter guff. Traducing an eminent figure in Scottish education to defend Scottish government failingd

[Stephen Kerr MSP @RealStephenKerr]

My article in today’s Scotland on Sunday.

Holyrood has become too scripted, too stage-managed and too disconnected from the pace of real life.

Too often questions are rehearsed, ministers arrive with folders of prepared lines, and debate feels managed rather than alive.

Kenneth Gibson deserves real credit for making a serious start on reform. More spontaneity. Sharper scrutiny. Less choreography.

But this should only be the beginning.

Parliament works best when ministers are challenged in real time, backbenchers are empowered, and debate feels alive, relevant and slightly unpredictable - not tightly scripted by party managers and parliamentary habit.

https://t.co/axV0CoBhLJ

[James Mitchell @ProfJMitchell]

Don't know how he could have moved about in the kitchen with 600 odd items packed into it.

[James Mitchell @ProfJMitchell]

But kept them in the kitchen so she never knew.

[James Mitchell @ProfJMitchell]

Playing the victim - how predictable.

Sturgeon: ‘I feel I’m serving a sentence for a crime I did not commit’ https://t.co/vi1rgZQBns

[James Mitchell @ProfJMitchell]

But kept them in the kitchen so she never knew.

[Chris McCall @Dennynews]

Peter Murrell bought 108 toilet rolls just hours before then First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned the public against panic buying during the Covid pandemic.

https://t.co/2QwSSAKTEt