Richard is a past Head of Campaigns for the SNP and a former Head of Research for the party’s Westminster MPs. His move into full-time political activity followed a career which saw him work in the pensions industry and dabble for a number of years as a semi-pro musician. He now lives in Aberdeenshire and is his party's candidate in the Gordon Westminster constituency. He is a columnist for the monthly Scots Independent newspaper, and blogs at the similarly titled ‘Scots and Independent‘ website.

You snooze you lose

The current furore over the terms and timing of a referendum on Scottish Independence has been notable for two things – a complete lack of unionist forethought, and the continuing lack of understanding about what motivates the SNP

Holyrood race heats up

It’s not just Welsh voters who will be going to the polls this May. In Scotland too there will be elections, where voters will have the chance to deliver their verdict on four years of SNP minority government

Scotland walks a little taller

As Plaid Cymru begins its Annual Conference in Llandudno, a leading young SNP politician examines the impact of the al-Megrahi release on his party, Scottish politics, and the nature of devolution in Scotland.

Beginning To Take Notice

For as long as anyone can remember, the devolution debate in Wales has been towed along by developments in Scotland. But that is changing, and Wales might now set the pace of reform