Articles by Tom Gallagher

Tom Gallagher is Emeritus Professor of Politics at Bradford University and is researching a book on why Britain’s ability to avoid the internal conflicts which have marked continental Europe is disappearing.

The SNP and social authoritarianism in Scotland?

The Scottish National Party has been turning Scotland into one of the most socially authoritarian places in the Western World. A pliant media isn't helping. But is a revolt by the forces of freedom in the making?
by Tom Gallagher - 18 July 2018
Is the sun setting on Catalan nationalism?

Just like in Scotland, Catalan separatism has failed to increase momentum. On the contrary, many have been surprised by how quickly it seems to have fallen away. The SNP should take note
by Tom Gallagher - 19 December 2017
Scots nationalists mired in confusion over Catalonia

Scottish nationalists, and even some English Conservatives, have got themselves into a mess over Catalonia where the majority boycotted the recent independence referendum. The EU also opposes Catalan independence as much as Scottish independence, leaving the pro-EU SNP totally confused, and at a sorry dead end
by Tom Gallagher - 9 October 2017
Greek Eurofudge threatens to detonate a bankrupt new order

As Syriza's success in Greece shows, Marxists, of a kind, are making a comeback in Europe. Along with far-Right populists they are taking advantage of paralysis in the contemporary European project. A new and bankrupt order could now follow
by Tom Gallagher - 8 July 2015
SNP's Sturgeon finds kindred spirits in 3rd rate Greek populists

Confused, superficial, and shallow, it is quite possible that the SNP's Nicola Sturgeon sees a kindred spirit in Greece's Syriza. Responsible governing in the interests of real people comes second to this collection of third-rate, far-left chancers and demagogues
by Tom Gallagher - 2 July 2015
Cameron's world: Peril and opportunity for the Union

Cameron needs to understand that his second term is about preserving the Union. This requires a total re-think on strategy. In their hearts and minds, most Scots want the Union to prevail. Cameron needs to get clever, and ignore opportunistic Tories just as much as the neo-authoritarian SNP
by Tom Gallagher - 12 May 2015
Rise of Nicola Sturgeon: Shallow empress of north Britain

Scotland’s insurgents offer no original formula for politics. SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon is, in reality, a shallow political hack with no coherent vision. Her primary drive is to end the durable British experiment and entrench a bossy, introspective state in the north irrespective of whether it is economically viable or not
by Tom Gallagher - 22 April 2015
Scotland 2015: Total electoral polarisation

Scotland is convulsed by confrontation as the SNP and its supporters intimidate opponents. Democratic civility is treated with contempt, and prejudice and disdain are the order of the day
by Tom Gallagher - 13 April 2015
Religion and Trotskyism mix well in Scotland

The SNP's Nicola Sturgeon has made quite a splash this week. But if people knew what SNP supporters were playing at with the minds of Scottish kids they might have pause for thought
by Tom Gallagher - 4 April 2015
Uncrowned King Alex Salmond-Napoleon remembers

There has been a strange alliance between Alex Salmond and Rupert Murdoch. Salmond the supreme egotist lets rip (about himself as much as Scotland) in his tragicomic, melodramatic account of the failed independence referendum campaign
by Tom Gallagher - 25 March 2015
Seeds of tyranny being sown in Scotland?

Is the nationalist camp in Scotland really creating an atmosphere of intimidation against opponents of independence? There are now real fears of a creeping soft authoritarianism
by Tom Gallagher - 3 March 2015
EU crisis: Mediterranean Game of Thrones

The real story of Greece's talks with the EU on austerity is of a massive climbdown by the supposedly anti-austerity Syriza. In this game of thrones the Germans have outgamed the Greeks, and will do the same to Spain, all because of their addiction to the euro
by Tom Gallagher - 23 February 2015
Why charlatans and demagogues are flourishing

The Spanish philosopher José Ortega y Gasset knew a thing or two about the modern world, and the shallow populism that seduces it. Modern Europe should re-read his penetrating analysis on how democracy dies
by Tom Gallagher - 12 February 2015
Greek crisis foreshadows new European order

Far-Left Syriza's victory in Greece could herald the beginning of an even more bureaucratic, state-dominated and anti-democratic European Union than we already have
by Tom Gallagher - 5 February 2015
Perfect European storm approaches from Greece

The Greek elections threaten to send the Euro crisis into overdrive as the structural flaws in the whole project of monetary and political union risk an epic row. Can the project survive?
by Tom Gallagher - 23 January 2015