Holyrood Magazine issue 388 / 25 September 2017
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UK Party Conference Issue: including original comment from Theresa May, Jeremy Corbyn, and Vince Cable, as well as interviews with new Conservative peer Ian Duncan and Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, Lesley Laird; comment from former spads Mary Macleod and Ayesha Hazarika; round table on digital justice in association with Axon.
3 Editor’s note
We are at a pivotal point in Britain’s history and Boris Johnson epitomises the depth of dysfunction at the heart of government
6 Roundup
Pictures and numbers from the past two weeks
7 Talking Point
There is still some detail to iron out in the Civil Litigation Bill
9 Digital Highlights
The best of Twitter and Holyrood’s online content
10 Political Spotlight
The battles around Brexit have more than a whiff of déjà vu
15 Cover Story: Conference season
The UK party conferences promise to be a tense affair
19 Comment: Theresa May
The Conservatives are building a stronger United Kingdom
20 Comment: Jeremy Corbyn
Labour is winning back votes and is a government in waiting
22 Comment: Vince Cable
The Lib Dems are the only party that fully supports both unions
30 SpAdversaries: Macleod & Hazarika
Former spads Mary Macleod and Ayesha Hazarika on the First Minister’s tunnel vision and looking for new Labour talent
32 Interview: Ian Duncan
Scotland’s newest lord on his appointment and coming to terms with Brexit
37 Interview: Lesley Laird
The Shadow Scottish Secretary on Labour’s fightback and local government
44 Round Table
Key figures discuss plans for greater use of digital in the justice system in Scotland
48 Getting to know you
South of Scotland MSP Michelle Ballantyne walks on the ceiling
50 Comment
Laura Beveridge: smacking was part of a continuum of violence for me
51 Inbox
On the road with Brexit, universal credit and Ben bong gone
52 Diary
Ministerial pup, Lance Corporal Gray and Di’s eyes on the slide
53 Politicians & their pets
Monica Lennon introduces Elvis and Cookie
54 Last Word
Sketch: Liam Kirkaldy wonders if seaweed could be intended as the answer to the downturn in the price of oil and gas