Latest news with #GordonMacIntyre-Kemp
The National
2 days ago
- Business
- The National
Is Wellbeing Economics the only way to generate economic growth?
This is from a newsletter from Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, called Reinventing Scotland. It explores the wellbeing economy. Sign up here to receive it every Tuesday at 7pm. I WANT to dispel a huge myth about the Wellbeing Economic Approach and that is that it requires de-growth, that is the policy of reducing levels of production and consumption within an economy in order to improve social wellbeing and minimize environmental damage. Frankly, that sort of thinking is for academics with no idea how the real world economy works or what could be achieved with a wellbeing reset in our socioeconomic thinking. The thing is, there is no such thing as 'an economy' nor 'a society' in isolation. They're so deeply interconnected that you can't fix one without shaping the other. This is where traditional 'left vs. right' politics falls short, each side hyper-focused on only half the equation, treating society and the economy as a rivalry rather than a partnership. READ MORE: SNP demand UK Government act amid new Israeli plan to 'bury' Palestinian state This approach can offer shorter term wins but long term pain as society and economy fail to operate in balance. Real progress happens when we stop seeing them as opposites. A thriving economy needs a healthy society, just as a thriving society needs a healthy economy. Wellbeing fuels economic participation; strengthens economic security, enables social and environmental stability and reduces inequality and poverty - the building blocks of socioeconomic success. When people have opportunities, they contribute more. When businesses operate responsibly, they create lasting value, not just short-term profits. This is the path to good-growth, that is growth that lifts people up instead of leaving them behind, that strengthens communities without exploiting them, and that funds public services without bankrupting the future. It's not left or right. It's a higher purpose for economy and politics. So yes, I am saying that socialism and capitalism are dying belief systems, the battle of left versus right is last century's economic paradigm. The world has moved on but the economic debate has not. Governments and economists seem to be focused on simply mitigating socioeconomic decline in the face of climate change, robotisation and AI, as if there were no alternative to the broken neoclassical capitalist system. In UK politics, Reform and 'Your Party' (Corbyn/Sultana) are making waves but it's just more extreme versions of the old broken left v right disconnect fuelled by society's desperate need for change - any change. The Wellbeing Economic Approach is the key to future prosperity, economic security. The first political party to realise this will be able to command majorities in both Holyrood and Westminster. This is a huge opportunity for the SNP, by linking wellbeing to independence, they will be able to demonstrate that independence is the real and radical change that the people are clamouring for. That would undermine both Reform's negative change agenda and Corbyn's outdated socialist approach. Fail to do that and Holyrood 2026 will punish the SNP. People instinctively understand that real wealth doesn't trickle-down from big corporations, investment funds and wealthy individuals. That real wealth is created when society offers equal access to opportunity and wellbeing to all. Insecurity is the emotion dominating in politics right now and no political party seems to have the answer, so extremes get a hearing. The Wellbeing Economic Approach is the answer. By providing security to all in society it will also increase trust in the party/government that can deliver that positive change narrative. The Wellbeing economy delivers good-growth not bad-growth , its certainly not a de-growth approach. Here are five reasons why the Wellbeing Economic Approach beats GDP Growth First strategies and creates more growth: 1. Wellbeing Prioritises Long-Term Socioeconomic Resilience GDP Growth-first: Chasing GDP at all costs leads to boom-bust cycles, inequality, and climate degradation. Wellbeing Economic Approach: Invests in a wellbeing (prevention not emergency treatment) focused healthcare and green infrastructure, boosting productivity and sustainability. Nordic nations combine high GDP with low inequality via strong social safety nets to keep a higher percentage of the population economically active. 2. Reduces Costly Negative Consequences GDP Growth-first: Ignore hidden costs like pollution, employee burnout, or corporate welfare (taxpayers foot the bill later), wages are kept low to allow profits to be generated but the population is impoverished and are now rebelling (Trump/Reform etc). Wellbeing Economic Approach: Taxes carbon, regulates monopolies, and values unpaid care work, preventing future crises (e.g., New Zealand's "Wellbeing Budget" targets mental health and child poverty which were being exacerbated by GDP Growth-first thinking). 3. Unlocks Innovation GDP Growth-first: Rewards short-term profiteering and price gouging share buybacks, rent exploitation. Wellbeing Economic Approach: Public-private initiatives which create markets and solve problems. (e.g., clean energy from Scotland's renewable wealth, vaccines, and close to market Research & Development tax credits investing for the future). Germany's renewable transition "Energiewende," created 300K plus jobs when Scotland's renewable energy potential is far greater per head than Germany's. 4. Strengthens Social Trust GDP Growth-first: Inequality, destroys trust in society, slows social mobility and weakens consumer demand (e.g., wage stagnation, despite GDP growth and a new class called the working poor). Wellbeing Economic Approach: Wellbeing wages and pensions and affordable housing increase consumer spending, fueling consumer demand and reducing crime. 5. Aligns with Planetary Boundaries GDP Growth-first: Depletes resources. 1.5 Earths are needed for current consumption according to the Global Footprint Network. Wellbeing Economic Approach: Circular economies and regenerative agriculture (e.g., Costa Rica's reforestation doubled its rainforests and through eco-tourism boosted the nation's GDP since 1990 whilst dramatically cutting emissions). Imagine what the world will look like when our politicians finally realise that you can't generate economic growth anymore without first focusing on the wellbeing of the people, planet and economy as one? Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp is an economist, the CEO of Business for Scotland, the founder of the Believe in Scotland campaign consisting of 143 local and national Yes Groups, and the author of Scotland the Brief.
The National
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
Independence campaigners react to new John Swinney referendum plan
The National has reached out to influential figures within the independence movement to hear their take on the three-part plan. Read below as Robin McAlpine, Jonathon Shafi, Lesley Riddoch, Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp and Ruth Wishart have their say. READ MORE: John Swinney sets out 3-point plan to achieve Scottish independence Robin McAlpine (Common Weal): No more progress towards independence under John Swinney's leadership It would have been less embarrassing if the First Minister hadn't written this. It is his second major relaunch in recent weeks and neither are persuasive or identifiably different from the pre-launch position. This is based on fantasies. The First Minister can keep claiming the SNP are united and popular again, but opinion polling and constant internal grumbling prove otherwise. This "strategy" isn't going to help matters. The same politicians repeating the same soundbites won't grow support. There is no chance the SNP are going to secure more than 50% of the votes cast next year. I therefore see no chance that they will then be able to mobilise any kind of mass public campaign. As a strategist I can tell you that a persuasive strategy speaks for itself and does not need all this stuff about global precipices and nations reborn and destiny and dynamic interconnected economies. Adjectives are the enemy of good strategy. All we have learned from this is that the SNP won't speak to anyone but themselves, that they are entirely out of ideas and that they plan to run the same election campaign as last time and call that an independence strategy. If this is all they have it now seems vanishingly unlikely there will be any further progress towards independence under the current regime. In fact I'd be surprised if there is anyone who is now not drawing the same conclusion. The door is wide open but the SNP is blocking it. Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp (Believe in Scotland): There's nothing new here The SNP are getting on the front foot on independence again, that's to be welcomed. However, there isn't anything new being said that hasn't been said before by previous leaders before Scottish elections. The new SNP strategy summarised: Start using the word 'independence' again and reiterate the SNP's support for it. Good, but that alone won't trigger the new national conversation required for the country to truly engage with the independence cause. Emphasise that Swinney's SNP is regaining its reputation for competent governance. But after 18 years in power, the SNP are seen as the establishment, tired and not exciting. Voters may feel a Labour FM could wield more influence in London, where the SNP clearly have none. Ask for a referendum if they win the election. A repeat of the democratic mandate by being the largest party that they already have. That mandate will be ignored as it has been in the past. Without a majority of votes or seats, it's easy for Westminster to dismiss any mandate the [[SNP]] may have on the constitution. Governments don't offer referendums they believe they'll lose. David Cameron thought 2014 would deliver a 75% No vote, or he'd never have agreed to it. He misjudged the EU referendum too thinking Remain would win comfortably. That mandate will be ignored as it has been in the past. Without a majority of votes or seats, it's easy for Westminster to dismiss any mandate the SNP may have on the constitution. If the [[SNP]] want to capture the 54% Yes support in a Holyrood election, they must do two things. Firstly, explain what happens when Westminster says No. Not doing so means asking supporters to back something they know won't happen, and that will cost them seats. Secondly, we need a new national conversation to co-create a vision of the future. When Believe in Scotland meets the FM in early August, I'll present the details of the Scottish Citizens' Convention Plan and challenge him to fund it or come up with a better plan. This strategy is not a better plan. Jonathon Shafi (columnist and socialist campaigner): Yes, the SNP are in a better place. But this is word soup While arguably down to the weakness of the opposition, there is no doubt that the [[SNP]] have steadied themselves under John Swinney's leadership. In a fast-moving world, it is easy to forget just how perilous the situation was for the party. Riven with splits, including bruising clashes and fallouts between leading figures, there was an existential feel to the atmosphere at the height of the police investigation into party finances. This, combined with departure of a once untouchable Nicola Sturgeon and a threadbare track record in terms of meaningful reform in government, led to new found belief in the Labour camp. But despite their recent by-election win, Keir Starmer has made it an uphill battle as far as the prospects for [[Holyrood]] 2026 are concerned. As such, and despite it all, the [[SNP]] are on track to form yet another government. But this is where any faint praise ends. Just as [[John Swinney]] identifies the "listlessness" of the Labour Party, the same can be said of the [[SNP]]. There is a lack of bite when it comes to policy, especially when it comes to taking on the vested interests. Thus, the freeports are being set up, our wind is being sold off and Grangemouth went down without a fight. The idea that the First Minister is going to lead an insurgent campaign against the British state will be risible to many. The official prospectus for independence remains little more than a hangover from the Growth Commission, which would leave Scotland stranded without its own currency for an indefinite period, and therefore at the behest of the Bank of England and the City. There is no sign that this and other programmatic issues have been addressed, so it is little wonder that the result is word soup. Ruth Wishart (columnist): Patience isn't unlimited On one thing we can certainly agree: 'Scotland's interests are best served only when Scotland's future is in Scotland's hands. Our nation will only fully flourish when the people of Scotland are in charge of our own destiny with independence.' The question remains who is best placed to move the dial. [[John Swinney]] benefits from the fact that all his main opponents are Unionists. I'm unconvinced that the indy movement as a whole will buy the assertion that: 'Our renewed unity and sense of purpose is clear for all to see. Some good and necessary first steps have been taken, but they have only brought us to the starting line." How long are we meant to linger on the starting line? John argues that the long pause from 2014 suggests our aspirations 'are ever more valid.' Yes they are. But for many of us long-standing supporters of independence, patience is not unlimited. Apparently we demonstrated in 2014 that a formal referendum is "the correct means to bring about independence'. Even if them down there keep saying no? Even if we continue to beg on our knees for one? Lesley Riddoch (journalist, filmmaker, campaigner): We need something to enthuse us, and this isn't it Lesley Riddoch with the FM in an interview marking 10 years since the indyrefJohn, a question. Will independence be line one, page one of the SNP's 2026 manifesto? If not, this well-constructed piece means nothing. You want a Scotland that is reborn. Good phrase. But rebirth should start now. The only "new" policy you mention is scrapping peak rail fares – again. How about finally publishing Scottish Government franchising guidelines to help regional transport authorities re-regulate buses so the £2 cap on bus journeys already operating in England can happen here? That would be genuinely new, big, inexpensive and only involves standing up to the lawyers. Ditto muscular land reform, a land tax and a wealth tax. Dinnae pu' a face. People need to see you tackle the ae' beens and vested interests fearlessly so they can believe the disruption of independence will be worth the candle. You are "ready to turn the heat up on Westminster". How? And you say: "History tells us that only when the SNP is doing well is there any prospect of advancing on Scotland's constitutional cause." Strangely enough indy is doing quite well right now while the SNP are not. None of this is really new. So c'mon. Surprise, enthuse and amaze us. What do you make of the strategy? Have your say in the comments.
The National
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Scottish independence hub opens with Gaelic classes
In a former SNP office building on Carnoustie's High Street, the Carn Ustaidh Hub opened on Saturday May 17 with representatives from Alba, SNP and the Scottish Greens attending the launch. The hub, run by Yes Carnoustie, is already hosting a weekly Gaelic conversation class and twice monthly evening sessions, with plans for one on Scottish history and culture and one with a more political theme each week. Broadcaster and journalist Lesley Riddoch and founder of Believe in Scotland Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp have already visited the hub, with Dr Tim Rideout from the Scottish Currency Group to speak on Tuesday, May 27. READ MORE: 'Basic fail': BBC under fire after hiding Reform politician's affiliations Sessions have also been held on rewilding, with leading sector organisation Scotland: The Big Picture's documentary 'Why not Scotland?' shown. Shinty and Scotland's native breeds of livestock have also featured in events specific to the area. In June, the hub will be screening a short film made by graduates of Edinburgh Napier Film School called 'Guttin' Quines', about the women of the North East of Scotland, who processed the herring on the quaysides. (L-R) Kenny MacAskill, Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, Lloyd Melville, and Maggie Chapman (Image: Yes Carnoustie) The opening was attended by Alba Party leader Kenny MacAskill, Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman SNP candidate for Angus South in the upcoming Scottish Parliamentary elections Lloyd Melville. The opening address was given by MacIntyre-Kemp, with entertainment from traditional fiddler, Richard Thomson and Gaelic poet, Donnachadh Mac Caba. Yes Carnoustie convener, Rosemary Champion, said, 'Getting the hub ready for today was a magnificent effort by the volunteers. It's great to see folk from different parts of the Yes movement come together, as we need to. "Today's the end of the beginning and the hard work starts now.'
