Craig is Common Weal's Head of Policy & Research and has been part of their team since 2016. His background is in laser physics but through a strange series of events after the 2014 independence referendum he found himself in the world of politics, economics and statistics. Here, at the Beacon for the Greenock & Inverclyde SNP, Craig discusses all things GERS and what they really mean for Scotland and Scotland's future.

Listen from Mike Russell, the minister handling Brexit on behalf of the Scottish Government. Mike discusses where we are now, where we may be in the future & the UK governments approach to negotiations so far.

 

Apologies for the audio at points in this one, Mike was moving around the room quite a lot when addressing the crowd!

Positive Money is a movement to democratise money and banking so that it works for society and not against it. Our current financial system has left us with the highest personal debt in history, unaffordable housing, worsening inequality, high unemployment and banks that are subsidised and underwritten with taxpayers’ money. For 'Positive Money' with Richard Taylor and Scott Egner, the goal is for a money and banking system that serves a fair, democratic, and sustainable economy. 

 

Agnes McAuley, Secretary of the Greenock and Inverclyde SNP Branch said: "I am delighted to bring Positive Money to Inverclyde to talk about their UK- wide campaign. Positive Money are a non-profit making organisation which is advocating a fresh approach to our monetary and banking system, one which will work for the benefit of all society.

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ch5fxyqf0joowcq/About_PositiveMoney.mp4?dl=0 http://positivemoney.org/resources/local-groups/videos-to-download/ ;

We hear from Andy Anderson on what currency Scotland could use after we become Independent.

Tommy Sheppard MP, a Board member of the Scottish Independence Convention and leading spokesperson for the movement, has recently been reported in the press to be calling for a delay in an independence referendum until we know the terms of British Exit from the EU. However, Mr Sheppard's opinion is not contrary to the Scottish government policy which has always been to wait until the terms of 'exit' is known. In his talk with Inverclyde residents, Mr Sheppard will set out details of a pathway which he believes will build a triumphant case for Scottish Independence.

The fifth in the continuing series of talks on Culture, Politics, and Economic Development, Lesley Riddoch, writer, journalist and broadcaster, and one of the most popular personalities in Scottish media has kindly accepted our invitation to speak at an open event in the Beacon Arts Centre.

Lesley will be discussing if Scotland, in these uncertain times, should look to Norway and Iceland for experience, advice and inspiration? Norway and Iceland are members of the EU’s rival trade body the EFTA and also have access to the single market through the European Economic Area. Might EEA membership – minus the troublesome Common Agriculture and Fisheries policies – suit Scotland’s specific needs better? Or is an independent Scotland best suited to full, vigorous involvement with the EU – reshaping it towards the needs of small northern states along with Finland, Sweden and Denmark? 

 

Agnes McAuley, Secretary of the Greenock and Inverclyde SNP Branch said: "We are cock-a-hoop with being able to bring Lesley Riddoch to Inverclyde to talk about her new book, McSmörgåsbord."

 

https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/McSmörgåsbord.html?id=qTlQAQAACAAJ&source=kp_cover&redir_esc=y