Professor of Public Policy, Edinburgh University
Joined March 2014
- Tweets 7,543
- Following 232
- Followers 4,777
- Likes 13,355
168 Photos and videos
Not a fan of knighthoods etc but Chris Mullin deserves recognition. One of the most principled and courageous figures in politics in my lifetime. And a brilliant diarist to boot. We need more like him.
Jun 13
Former Sunderland South MP and political diarist, Chris Mullin, Knighted
itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2026-…
1
2
17
4,233
Circular economy
Jun 13
Exclusive: Sturgeon donated £290 shoes to SNP fundraiser…and watched Murrell buy them back for £4,000 dailymail.com/news/article-1…
2
16
90
4,181
Jun 12
Must be admirably modest in not disclosing qualifications on Linkedin as surely no First Minister would deem him qualified to be a SPAD on this basis.
2
5
4,089
Jun 12
Anyone any idea what his qualifications were to become a SPAD?
I welcome Mr Middletoin's election. The much greater centrality of SpAds in SG over the last 10-15 years has been a substantial and important change. But the SpAds are pretty much a black box. Mr Middleton is now helpfully giving a public insight into the SpAd mindset./
8
5
19
9,614
James Mitchell retweeted
Jun 11
The truth is that for 99% of MSPs for 99% of the time they vote and do what their party managers instruct them to do. Hence the fact that there was no competition for Committee convenorships. It was all stitched up by party bosses and worst of all MSPs all went along with it. I know how it works. The group is told that it is Jimmy’s turn for chairing a committee and the rest all fall in line.
Jun 11
Committees at Holyrood are not working. Intended to be “all-encompassing”, they are overstretched and split along party lines.
5
68
167
11,910
James Mitchell retweeted
Jun 11
Committees at Holyrood are not working. Intended to be “all-encompassing”, they are overstretched and split along party lines.
1
9
17
10,679
Jun 11
This short thread is interesting and once more raises questions about role - and competence - of SPADs. As Benjamin notes, credit to professional officials and FM.
I have received the SIC-ordered released documents, which the SG attempted to prevent disclosure (082/2026). The stand-out point is this: that SPADs attempted to prevent the disclosure of Colin McAllister's (the FM's chief of staff, the top SPAD) statement to the SIC as well as
1
27
41
6,557
Jun 10
And yet the Greens suggested I did. Always best to understand context before offering opinion.
Jun 10
No shit ?
1
1
14
2,985
Jun 10
Intrigues me that anyone would pontificate and abuse so freely when so obviously ignorant. Do these people not understand the harm they do to their cause?
Jun 10
Another one...
Don't know this guy and obv doesn't know me, unaware the SNP invited me three times to deliver guest lecture at annual conference. Also gave me access to membership for survey twice and I've interviewed every leader since Robt McIntyre countless others.
3
6
28
3,527
Jun 10
Another one...
Don't know this guy and obv doesn't know me, unaware the SNP invited me three times to deliver guest lecture at annual conference. Also gave me access to membership for survey twice and I've interviewed every leader since Robt McIntyre countless others.
You do realise this clown is a well known unionist schill so, not entirely sure his view is to be taken seriously?
5
9
53
13,381
Jun 10
Don't know this guy and obv doesn't know me, unaware the SNP invited me three times to deliver guest lecture at annual conference. Also gave me access to membership for survey twice and I've interviewed every leader since Robt McIntyre countless others. Dearie me.
Paul Hutcheon calling ultra Unionist, anti SNP and critic of and expert in everything @ProfJMitchell an SNP expert is right up there with one of the funniest takes Ive heard contorted as headline! Meanwhile, donations to the SNP are up and what did Sarwar promise the Easdale Bros
12
22
70
8,217
Jun 10
There are far too many unanswered questions, far too much inconsistency from the SNP. This must be separately and forensically analysed by qualified independent investigator(s) with full access to information, data and witnesses. Nothing less should be accepted.
Jun 10
Let me be very clear. I do NOT support the Green amendment. It is an attempt to evade the very serious issues that require focus on SNP financial mismanagement.
38
91
227
16,609
Jun 10
Let me be very clear. I do NOT support the Green amendment. It is an attempt to evade the very serious issues that require focus on SNP financial mismanagement.
50
103
434
117,464
Jun 10
Try this..
strathprints.strath.ac.uk/cg…
Otherwise email me and can send
Much tho I wld love to read, access is privileged.
1,285
Jun 10
Article written in 2009:
academic.oup.com/pa/article-…
Jun 10
Well done. Responses will be interesting. Maybe.
If possible, would love to pick this up on Sceptical Scot where @ProfJMitchell and @HubrisTheBook have made the point - Westminster does this accountability better - before retiring PO Tricia Marwick also urged reform
4
1
1,060
James Mitchell retweeted
Jun 10
From 11 years ago: Ray Perman @HubrisTheBook exposed the need for reform in Holyrood where SNP government controls a partisan committee structure. sceptical.scot/2015/04/parli…
2
2
470
James Mitchell retweeted
Jun 9
I remain concerned that Scottish Parliamentary procedures enabled and continue to enable the election of Convenors and Deputy Convenors from the same party for Parliamentary Committees. Given there was no scrutiny of this motion in Parliament, I have written to all members of the Parliamentary Bureau seeking answers as to how they came to agree this proposal. I will publish responses here.
9
99
300
11,778
Totally undermines what some of us long advocated.
Jun 9
Well apart from one committee, all nominees are uncontested. So it looks like each party appointed their chosen nominee and said to another - "you second our candidate and we will second yours" Committees are a vitally important part of Parliament and its hugely disappointing that MSPs did not see this as an opportunity to put themselves forward independent of their party bosses and provide a real choice for voters. Grr. holyrood.com/news/view,two-s…
3
14
27
8,037
Great piece. Difficult to disagree with this analysis. If anything some under-statement - 'There can’t have been too many Council Leaders jumping for joy when they heard Jenny Gilruth had taken on Finance and Local Government.'
Jun 9
In an article for the Record, Inverclyde council leader Stephen McCabe writes on the challenges facing local authorities over the next 12 months.
He also focuses on the impact of Reform councillors getting elected next year.
dailyrecord.co.uk/news/polit…
5
20
4,562
No prizes for working out source...
6
5
35
5,952