John Downie

Last week many of our political leaders made the most of recess and set off on their Summer holidays after an apparently gruelling political session so far...you can almost feel the sympathy up and down the country. With the sure footed Theresa May hillwalking in the Alps... Read more

As you may have noticed, Liam Fox - the UK Secretary of State for International Trade - is in Washington DC. Poor Liam, you have to feel for him. Despite his best efforts to focus our attention on a "new and exciting chapter" in UK-US trade relations, the start of his visit has... Read more

With UK Government or Tory party policy – take your pick, depending on your perspective – disarray on Brexit negotiations on display once again last week, it's almost easy to look upon it as a great political spectator sport. If it only wasn't so serious. Liam Fox, the... Read more

As the unedifying spectacle that is UK general election continues to depress us with its stage managed press conferences and lack of genuine debate, you have to question the state of our democracy. It's even more depressing if you start thinking of it in the context of Brexit... Read more

Ideas for a better world won't get a hearing in an election on Brexit Read more

What next for charities and voluntary organisations in light of constitutional upheaval? Read more

Brexit and Indyref2 are not the only issues at play when deciding what kind of country we want to be Read more

06 February 2017 Full survey findings 1. Impact of leaving EU 86% felt that leaving the EU would have a negative impact on the Scottish Economy 81% felt that leaving the EU would have a negative impact on Poverty & Social Exclusion 80% felt that leaving the EU would have a... Read more

People of the city are absent from major new economic report Read more

Forum has regular access to highest levels of government, ensuring third sector voices are heard loud and clear Read more