The JSPrice Perception

Left to right: John Swinney, Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf (Image: BBC News) Scottish politics has seen considerable turbulence in recent weeks. This has delighted commentators and politicians who oppose the idea of devolution or the Scottish National Party (SNP) more generally. I mean, after all, the UK general election is just weeks away, any excuse to try and deter the progress of Scotland's largest party. And any excuse to highlight the nation's problems and say that it shouldn't have more independent powers. Personally, I am more pro-devolution than against. I see its merits but I equally appreciate the need for the concept to reform. The problem has been for years, devolved nations and cities are largely led by parties who aren't the ruling party in Westminster so, naturally, relationships between the Conservatives and leaders in Wales, Manchester, Liverpool, London, and elsewhere, including now Birmingham (which has recently welcomed a Labour Mayor for the fi...

Katharine Birbalsingh at her Michaela Community School (Image: Byline Times) At the moment, in Britain, there are really contentious and concerning debates being had about what's 'right' and 'wrong' for children. It has made me feel that I am from a fortunate generation, sandwiched between the kids raised in the 1970s and 80s who at school were very restricted and severely punished for minor reasons, and those in education today where there's too much overprotection and faux outrage. By comparison, my era - in the late 90s and 2000s, felt rather straightforward and dull. The faux outrage right now circles around religion and identity, which I'll address the latter later.  For quite a while I have been following the developments of Michaela Community School in north west London. In recent years, it has raised the eyebrows of education experts and political figures, many of whom in two minds as to whether the school's seemingly unorthodox approach is a go...