It takes only one puff to bring down Brown’s straw man

The big problem with Brown’s persuasive case against total independence is that no-one is actually arguing for total independence. To call this a straw-man argument is to give it far too much weight – a straw structure does at least take a few huffs and puffs to dismantle. This dishonest construction is more like a delicate sculpture made out of dandelion clocks by the fairies who live at the bottom of the garden.

Is there a way to raise taxes without spooking the voters?

It would be unfair to compare the UK Government to the serial killer in the Saw movies, but handing income-tax powers to the Scottish Parliament was a stroke of evil genius.

If you’re a private renter (or a landlord), you need to know about these big changes

It’s time to get up to speed on the new private residential tenancy. Starting on December 1, every new tenancy in Scotland will be one.

There’s no point attracting tourists if local infrastructure isn’t up to it

It’s simply not possible to please all of the people all the time. But if we’re to keep attracting more and more visitors, and in the process boost our economy, we need to be honest about where we let ourselves down.

The Tory government’s hunt for ‘undeclared partners’ is not about money

Large-scale benefit fraud “crackdowns” are less about clawing back cash and more an attempt to degrade and humiliate anyone and everyone who relies on state support.

When it comes to mental health, sometimes a label helps

There’s an understandable reluctance to attach labels to children who are struggling to cope, but without diagnosis, how can they get help?

Is inheritance really a toxic topic in Scottish politics?

If the transfer of assets from parents to their children is thwarting aspirations of social mobility, why won’t our politicians come out and say so?

Anyone who believes there are no alternative facts needs a lesson in media studies

Donald Trump’s team and clearly telling whoppers, but if we aren’t willing to put in the background reading, do we get the ‘truth’ we deserve?

Cold callers are more than just a nuisance … could we use people power to silence them?

Why should consumers have to take evasive action to avoid unsolicited calls? Perhaps a total boycott of these nuisances is in order.

Why I’ll try to high-five every runner I pass in 2017

It’s awful that some women feel harassed when out running – so I’m setting out to spread a little camaraderie while pounding the pavement.