Evidence-led writing on Scotland’s economy, institutions and constitutional choices. Beyond slogans towards competence, stewardship and democratic power.
Stirling, Scotland
Joined April 2026
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Sixty homes in Coalsnaughton face demolition. What does recovery require when mining’s legacy makes a neighbourhood unsafe? My new Scotland Explained essay examines suitable housing and the obligations that survive closure.
davidmcwilliam.substack.com/…
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A prototype works in a Scottish lab. Who funds the next step? Where can the firm make it? Who buys the first one?
In Scotland Explained, I look at what it takes to turn research into products, and what the public should get back for its support.
] davidmcwilliam.substack.com/…
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David McWilliam | Scotland Explained retweeted
I remember when I lived in #Gaza just how devastating the rains were each November - and that was without almost an entire population sheltering in tents and under flimsy plastic sheeting!
Israel’s obstruction of all forms of shelter and aid is an atrocity!
David McWilliam | Scotland Explained retweeted
BREAKING: Trump may have accidentally chosen the wrong Dana White for his White House Press Secretary offer.
There is a woman named "Dana White" who is the former Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, more commonly known as the Pentagon's chief spokesperson, from April 2017 to the end of 2018.
She briefed the press from the Pentagon podium, and served as the principal media adviser and communications lead for the Secretary of Defense. She also was a Fox News publicist and worked at the conservative Heritage Foundation. She even started her career as a press secretary for the House Republican Conference.
Someone at the White House likely recommended her to Trump and he thought they meant UFC CEO Dana White, then went ahead and announced it on Truth Social thinking it's his UFC friend, and nobody around him was willing to correct him.
Furthermore, Trump is actively searching for a new press secretary after Karoline Leavitt left and Katie Zacharia lasted five days, so names are being pitched to him right now.
Per CNN, UFC's Dana White has declined the offer, and one aide now claims Trump was "joking."
David McWilliam | Scotland Explained retweeted
Of course he did. Palantir hired Tom Watson to schmooze his old pals. And he did.
There is no world in which Palantir helps boost "the UK's tech sovereignty". We need to know exactly how @YvetteCooperMP made this decision, based on what evidence & what data?
Palantir’s Tom Watson, ex-Labour MP, wrote to Yvette Cooper last month saying the controversial US company could help boost the UK’s tech sovereignty, letters show. Weeks later, sources say the UK is extending its NHS contract for two more years
bit.ly/4zrbMYF
David McWilliam | Scotland Explained retweeted
Let's Go
Wow. This is amazing!
The incoming House Oversight Committee chairman @RobertGarcia just outlined the four main investigations that Democrats will be opening when they take back the house in January.
It’s about time!!
David McWilliam | Scotland Explained retweeted
So many moving stories from the US midterms. The new Georgia governor - the first African American woman to become a governor in any American state - is the great great granddaughter of Georgia plantation slaves.
David McWilliam | Scotland Explained retweeted
This photo
Green Freeports: what should Scotland get in return?
Public support should leave lasting skills, stronger suppliers and a public return.
#ScotlandExplained #GreenFreeports #PublicValue #EnergyTransition
davidmcwilliam.substack.com/…
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Green Freeports: what should Scotland get in return?
Public support should leave lasting skills, stronger suppliers and a public return.
My new Scotland Explained asks how we judge what people and places gain.
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David McWilliam | Scotland Explained retweeted
There’s a tonne of early voting numbers out there- but this, for me, is by far the most revealing. Aligns with what we’re hearing from the ground in Texas with both campaigns. Huge Hispanic turnout, driven, it seems, by ICE.
David McWilliam | Scotland Explained retweeted
Wee thread on this. John Swinney made commitments on devolving further powers to Glasgow City Region *last year*. It's a long standing conversation. But Andy Burnham has not had a similar conversation with Glasgow. He hasn't had any conversation so far.
Watch as Andy Burnham calls for more powers to be devolved to Scottish cities after a meeting with John Swinney
The Prime Minister spoke to reporters in Glasgow on Friday after talks with the First Minister at a meeting of the National Economic Council, saying he and Swinney had found 'a lot of common ground'
David McWilliam | Scotland Explained retweeted
It’s the cover up that is almost worse than the scandal.
🔴 EXCLUSIVE: After *five-year* legal battle, Democracy for Sale has forced the government to reveal who referred firms to lucrative Covid PPE ‘VIP lane’ for 'politically connected'
30+ senior Tories are named, plus ex Duchess of York, and many more 🧵
democracyforsale.substack.co…
David McWilliam | Scotland Explained retweeted
The Largs shop owner, and former Tory candidate, who berated Stephen Flynn after her shop was flooded spoke to BBC Scotland last year about drains being covered by tarmac. A work order to remove it was raised by Amey as a priority after the firm was contacted by BBC Scotland.
So, was the work carried out? The article also says staff now remove stock off the floor every night and place sandbags down in the hope it will prevent possible damage. Was this done prior to the storm?
Given the focus on Toni Dawson by the BBC and STV and the subsequent media attacks on Stephen Flynn, this story needs further examination.
bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2n…
David McWilliam | Scotland Explained retweeted
Not a single news outlet has reviewed its coverage of Jason Arday, for accuracy or proportionality. Zero attempt has been made to conduct any inquiry into the media’s role in his death. Instead, the industry has moved into self-congratulatory mode. This isn’t just tone deaf, it betrays a systemic failure
David McWilliam | Scotland Explained retweeted
🚨 Israel has detained an SNP MP and a Greens MSP who were trying to enter Palestine
David McWilliam | Scotland Explained retweeted
What. The. Actual. Fuck…
Praising Vladimir Putin as a humanitarian? What world are you living in? It’s obscene
David McWilliam | Scotland Explained retweeted
We have the right to a public broadcaster. Those laughing at the demise of BBC Scotland are missing the point. This is a managed decline, a lasting, long-term damage to our cultural infrastructure. bellacaledonia.org.uk/2026/1…
David McWilliam | Scotland Explained retweeted
🚨 Ukraine has gathered clear proof that Starlink is being ordered to scupper Ukrainian operations.
It is horrific betrayal.
This is why all US technology needs to be replaced by European technology for critical European systems - UK included.
ALL of it.
Latest: Zelenskyy tells reporters over WhatsApp that restrictions on Ukraine's Starlink systems remain. Interceptor drones can't function, logistics and operations hobbled. The maximum speed is 161 kph; "exceeding this limit causes the Starlink connection to cut out completely, resulting in the loss of the drone."
He says Ukraine has done tests to determine whether SpaceX is truly facing technical issues, as has been told Kyiv by the US side, or if this is a "deliberate operation... to restrict us, cut us off, and prevent us from defending ourselves and protecting our people, both at the front and among the civilian population."
He says Ukraine "sent a couple of vehicles equipped with Starlink terminals into European Union territory."
"They moved at speeds exceeding 180kph, and the Starlink systems worked perfectly. We have the relevant logs and evidence to prove this."
He adds: "The conclusion is clear: the restrictions are in effect within Ukraine but do not apply within the European Union. In other words, this is a planned operation."
What saved Govanhill Baths? Listing alone was not enough. A joint piece with Laura of How To Love Your Data on community persistence, ownership and the support lasting stewardship needs.
#CommunityOwnership #Heritage #Scotland
davidmcwilliam.substack.com/…
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