Latest news with #RobertBlack
The National
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Tory MSP fumes as expert says Scotland 'not a partner in a union'
Professor Robert Black, emeritus professor in Scots law at Edinburgh University, argued that Unionist assumptions about the creation of Great Britain under the Acts of Union were wrong in a speech over the weekend. But his comments were met with fury from Scottish Tory MSP Stephen Kerr, who blasted the fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh's comments as 'irrelevant'. Kerr shared a screenshot of The National's story on Twitter/X with the caption: 'This is what the nationalists are now resorting to. Trying to rewrite ... the Act of Union 1707. READ MORE: Scotland 'absorbed into England' by Acts of Union, says top legal expert 'An out of date ideology which is irrelevant – yet still the SNP cling to it and any success for them promotes this sort of thinking.' Prof Black told the Scottish Sovereignty Research Group's conference on Saturday that Scotland had been 'absorbed' into England by the Acts of Union, contrary to the prevailing political view that 1707 marked the creation of a new state called Great Britain. (Image: David Cheskin) He said: 'No honest and conscientious lawyer can look at what happened in the first decade of the 18th century to the institutions of government north and south of the Tweed and reach the conclusion that the pre-existing states of Scotland and England both ceased to exist and that a new state emerged, phoenix-like out of the ashes. 'The evidence, the facts on the ground support no judgment other than that Scotland ceased to exist as a state in international law and was absorbed into a still-extant England, cosmetically renamed 'Great Britain'. READ MORE: Keir Starmer apologises to Welsh MP after attack during PMQs "Scotland's legal status today, more than three centuries later, is therefore not that of a partner in a union – unequal, perhaps, but a union nevertheless – but is that of territory absorbed into a larger country.' Prof Black, a distinguished legal expert who laid the groundwork for the Lockerbie bombing trial in 2001, did not delve into the political consequences of his comments but they were perceived as a landmark moment by his hosts. The Scottish Sovereignty Research Group is allied with Liberation Scotland, which is attempting to have Scotland 'decolonised' by the United Nations.
The National
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Case for Scottish independence greater now than ever
PROFESSOR Robert Black, who was a professor of Scots Law at Edinburgh University until his retirement in 2007, has said that in his legal opinion, Scotland was absorbed into England by the Acts of Union of 1707 and as such is not a "partner in a union". Indeed, in the opinion of Professor Black, the "Union" is merely a political fiction bereft of any substantive meaning. Black likened Scotland's situation post 1707 to that of a corporate 'takeover' rather than a 'merger". He said that contrary to the prevailing opinion in legal and political circles, Scotland and England did not merge into a new state with the Acts of Union, pointing to the facts that for England nothing much changed after 1707, treaties that the pre 1707 English state had entered into, such as the Treaty of Windsor which the kingdom of England signed with the kingdom of Portugal in 1386, continued to remain in force, whereas treaties signed by the pre 1707 Scottish state were rendered null and void as Scotland had ceased to exist as a state in international law. Speaking at the Scottish Sovereignty Research Group's conference on Saturday, he said: 'No honest and conscientious lawyer can look at what happened in the first decade of the 18th century to the institutions of government north and south of the Tweed and reach the conclusion that the pre-existing states of Scotland and England both ceased to exist and that a new state emerged, phoenix-like out of the ashes. READ MORE: Statistics from Canada do not back up assisted dying concerns 'The evidence, the facts on the ground support no judgment other than that Scotland ceased to exist as a state in international law and was absorbed into a still-extant England, cosmetically renamed 'Great Britain'. Scotland's legal status today, more than three centuries later, is therefore not that of a partner in a union – unequal, perhaps, but a union nevertheless – but is that of territory absorbed into a larger country. "A territory with only limited self-government and with its resources exploitable and exploited by the larger country for its own benefit and purposes." He explained that in legal terms, Scotland's legal system was altered while England's remained intact, with the House of Lords becoming Scotland's final court of appeal over its pre-Union equivalent. He also highlighted a legal opinion by distinguished legal experts Alan Boyle and James Crawford published before the 2014 referendum, which said that in the event of Scottish independence, the remainder of the UK would be the 'successor state' in terms of international treaties. The Scottish Sovereignty Research Group is associated with an attempt by the organisations Salvo and Liberation Scotland to have the United Nations recognise Scotland as a 'non-self-governing territory' like Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, or Guam. The groups are working with Geneva-based Justice Pour Tous Internationale (Justice for All International) to present Scotland's case to the United Nations. The Swiss organisation rates as "strong" Scotland's case to be recognised as having colonial status and thus to come under the aegis of the United Nations' special committee on decolonisation. However, the United Nations is very much a creature of the powerful existing states and is highly reluctant to add new territories to the 17 which it currently considers to have colonial status. An attempt by West Papuan leader Benny Wenda to have the territory's case heard by the special committee on decolonisation was rebuffed in 2017. West Papua was a Dutch colony which was annexed by Indonesia in 1962 despite Dutch attempts to prepare it for independence in its own right. The population of West Papua are culturally, linguistically, religiously and racially distinct from the rest of the Indonesian population, having far more in common with the people of the independent Papua New Guinea which occupies the eastern half of the massive island of New Guinea. In 1969 Indonesia organised a 'referendum' amongst 1,026 hand-picked village elders who were bribed, threatened and cajoled into voting to ratify the Indonesian annexation. Since annexation, Indonesia has exploited West Papua's natural resources and embarked upon a campaign of resettling hundreds of thousands of people from the over populated islands of Java and Madura, displacing the native Papuans. Political activity amongst native Papuans is severely repressed by the Indonesian government. West Papua is unarguably a colony if the word is to have any meaning, nevertheless, the UN's special committee on decolonisation refused to hear a petition signed by 1.8 million West Papuans and smuggled out of the territory. Committee chair Rafael Darío Ramírez Carreño of Venezuela said that the committee could only deal with the 17 states that had already been identified as 'non-self-governing territories' by the UN General Assembly. As West Papua proves, having a strong, even unimpeachable, case is no guarantee of recognition by the UN as a non-self-governing territory. Given this background, Salvo's and Liberation Scotland's chances of success in presenting Scotland's case to the UN seem slight. The Conservatives have catastrophically collapsed to fourth place in a major new opinion poll from YouGov, behind Reform UK, Labour, and even the Lib Dems. The poll confirms other recent polling showing that the hard right English nationalist Reform UK is currently surging ahead, at least in England, where Westminster elections are decided. Despite Keir Starmer's Labour party currently being as popular as the BBC executive who cancelled River City, the Tories are not the beneficiaries of Labour's fall from grace. That support is going to the political con trick that is Reform UK, the party of 'anti-elite' millionaires. (Image: PA) The YouGov poll of Westminster voting intention puts Reform UK on 29%, Labour on 22%, the Lib Dems on 17% and the Tories on just 16%. Reform UK remains in third place in the poll's Scottish subsample, which puts the SNP on 28%, Labour 19%, Reform UK 18%, Liberal Democrats 15%, Greens 11%, and the Conservatives trailing far behind on just 8%. Neither of the Tories's new leaders, Kemi Badenoch in the UK party or Russell Findlay in Scotland, are able to reverse what increasingly looks like a death spiral for the Conservatives. According to Electoral Calculus, if the poll were the result in a General Election, the Tories could be reduced to 17 seats while Reform UK would have a majority on 346 seats. The need for Scottish independence is growing increasingly urgent.
Edinburgh Reporter
29-04-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Tenant voices drive rise in satisfaction
Tenants in Scotland are more content, with new figures from a leading housing provider revealing that nearly 85% are happy with the overall service provided, marking a significant uplift from the previous year. A comprehensive new report reveals that 84.9% of tenants are now 'very' or 'fairly' satisfied with their housing, up from 80.3% just a year ago, and surpassing internal targets. Bield Housing and Care, the organisation behind the initiative, says the strategy has empowered frontline teams to respond more effectively while also offering clearer insight into evolving tenant priorities. Fuelled by a fresh approach to tenant feedback, the uplift reflects changes such as the move to rolling satisfaction surveys and the launch of a Tenant Insight Network, allowing teams to act swiftly on what matters most to tenants. While the results show encouraging progress, Bield is clear that the work doesn't stop here. Leaders say the uplift is a step in the right direction, but not the finish line. Robert Black, Bield's Policy & Insight Officer, said: 'By listening more regularly and more closely to our tenants, we are reshaping services to better reflect their priorities. This year's improvements are proof that when tenants feel heard, trust grows, and satisfaction follows. 'While we're pleased to see overall satisfaction increasing, we know there is more work to do. Our focus now is on maintaining momentum and targeting areas that matter most to our residents.' With more than 1,850 responses spanning over 144 developments, the survey provides one of the most detailed snapshots yet of life in supported housing for older people across Scotland. Repairs remain a key focus area, with satisfaction levels showing encouraging progress but still falling slightly short of internal targets. This year's report shows that 84.3% of tenants were satisfied with their most recent repair—an increase from 81.5% in 2023—though below the target of 88%. In response, the housing provider has already taken steps to address concerns raised. These include enhanced training for trades teams, clearer repair communications, and better coordination of visits to ensure issues are resolved right first time. More than 86% said that living in their home helped them live independently, with 80% agreeing it had improved their quality of life. Over 92% of those using Bield Response 24 (BR24) emergency response services said it made them feel safer and more independent. Zhan McIntyre, Head of Policy & Customer Standards at Bield, added: 'This is just the beginning. I've seen first-hand the positive impact we can have, but we know we can go further. This report sets a strong foundation, and now we're building on it with even greater ambition. 'We're investing where it matters most, deepening our engagement with tenants, and pushing to raise standards across the board. 'Whether it's through better communication, smarter services or shaping national policy, Bield is determined to play a leading role in the future of housing and care in Scotland.' Tenants also highlighted areas for future investment; listing upgrades to windows, heating systems and bathrooms as top priorities. In line with this, Bield is planning targeted capital investment in key developments over the coming year, supported by local insight data. Complementing the new rolling survey model, the organisation is also investing in regional forums and its Tenant Insight Network, a platform designed to deepen participation and bring lived experience into service decisions. Tenant satisfaction with opportunities to participate now stands at 62.9%, up from 57.4% the previous year, and ahead of the organisation's own target of 60%. As the housing landscape continues to evolve, the report suggests that putting tenants at the heart of operations is not only ethically sound – but strategically essential. The full report can be found here: Founded in 1971, Bield has grown from a single housing development to become a leading housing charity in Scotland. Today, it provides support for over 5,000 tenants across more than 170 developments, focusing on enhancing the quality of life for older people through innovative care and housing solutions. Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
28-04-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Tenant voices drive rise in housing satisfaction
Satisfaction among tenants across Scotland has surged, with new figures from a leading housing provider revealing that nearly 85 per cent are content with the overall service provided, marking a significant uplift from the previous year Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A comprehensive new report reveals that 84.9% of tenants are now 'very' or 'fairly' satisfied with their housing, up from 80.3 per cent just a year ago, and surpassing internal targets. Bield Housing and Care, the organisation behind the initiative, says the strategy has empowered frontline teams to respond more effectively while also offering clearer insight into evolving tenant priorities. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Fuelled by a fresh approach to tenant feedback, the uplift reflects changes such as the move to rolling satisfaction surveys and the launch of a Tenant Insight Network, allowing teams to act swiftly on what matters most to tenants. The Bield research shows an uptick in tenant satisfaction While the results show encouraging progress, Bield is clear that the work doesn't stop here. Leaders say the uplift is a step in the right direction, but not the finish line. Robert Black, Bield's Policy & Insight Officer, said: 'By listening more regularly and more closely to our tenants, we are reshaping services to better reflect their priorities. This year's improvements are proof that when tenants feel heard, trust grows, and satisfaction follows. 'While we're pleased to see overall satisfaction increasing, we know there is more work to do. Our focus now is on maintaining momentum and targeting areas that matter most to our residents.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With more than 1,850 responses spanning over 144 developments, the survey provides one of the most detailed snapshots yet of life in supported housing for older people across Scotland. Repairs remain a key focus area, with satisfaction levels showing encouraging progress but still falling slightly short of internal targets. This year's report shows that 84.3% of tenants were satisfied with their most recent repair—an increase from 81.5 per cent in 2023—though below the target of 88 per cent. In response, the housing provider has already taken steps to address concerns raised. These include enhanced training for trades teams, clearer repair communications, and better coordination of visits to ensure issues are resolved right first time. More than 86 per cent said that living in their home helped them live independently, with 80% agreeing it had improved their quality of life. Over 92% of those using Bield Response 24 (BR24) emergency response services said it made them feel safer and more independent. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Zhan McIntyre, Head of Policy & Customer Standards at Bield, added: 'This is just the beginning. I've seen first-hand the positive impact we can have, but we know we can go further. This report sets a strong foundation, and now we're building on it with even greater ambition. 'We're investing where it matters most, deepening our engagement with tenants, and pushing to raise standards across the board. 'Whether it's through better communication, smarter services or shaping national policy, Bield is determined to play a leading role in the future of housing and care in Scotland.' Tenants also highlighted areas for future investment; listing upgrades to windows, heating systems and bathrooms as top priorities. In line with this, Bield is planning targeted capital investment in key developments over the coming year, supported by local insight data. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Complementing the new rolling survey model, the organisation is also investing in regional forums and its Tenant Insight Network, a platform designed to deepen participation and bring lived experience into service decisions. Tenant satisfaction with opportunities to participate now stands at 62.9 per cent, up from 57.4 per cent the previous year, and ahead of the organisation's own target of 60%. As the housing landscape continues to evolve, the report suggests that putting tenants at the heart of operations is not only ethically sound - but strategically essential.
