Sceptical Scot

David Gow Memorial Archive

David Gow Memorial Archive

Writing, tributes and reflections from David Gow’s Sceptical Scot archive.

David Gow was co-founder and co-editor of Sceptical Scot from March 2015 to October 2025. This page gathers David Gow’s work for Sceptical Scot, alongside tributes and reflections published in his memory. Over time it can also expand to include selected work from beyond the site.

Featured from the archive

A different David Gow article is highlighted each day.

Economy

Can Scotland meet EU economic criteria?

March 20, 2020

'If (national debate about indy Scotland joining the EU) is to be meaningful, there needs to be far more active engagement by both the political class and civil society.'

Read article

David Gow on Sceptical Scot

A running archive of David’s published work on the site.

  • Yes to indy Scotland in EU, No to Little England

    The case for an independent Scotland within the EU just got far stronger. In an updated version of a piece written the morning news of the win for Leave broke, the author explains why he’s switching his vote for #indyref2 – and why the economic case is improved. Read article

  • A new democratic settlement for Scotland

    The SNP’s 2016 election manifesto commits to a new wave of decentralising power in Scotland. But is that likely from a party that is now or on the verge of becoming the predominant one in Scotland – in semi-perpetuity? A real debate on devolving power and controlling an oligarchic executive should start now. Read article

  • Sturgeon’s runner-up on May 5?

    Nicola Sturgeon will still be first minister on May 6. Kezia Dugdale and Ruth Davidson are vying for the role of opposition leader in the next Holyrood term but both are really positioning themselves for the 2021 poll. Here we examine the prospects for the Scottish Conservative leader. Read article

  • Defeat Daesh and honour the dead

    France and its people have reasserted republican values and proclaimed the primacy of love in the fight against ISIS. But how best to ensure that the 130 Daesh victims in Paris are honoured – and to prevent similar atrocities happening? Read article

  • Brussels and the Left’s delusionary Brexit strategy

    Parts of the British Left are openly flirting with campaigning to quit the EU. The SNP is planning its own “upbeat” campaign to stay in. But these divisions on the social democratic/socialist Left simply buttress the forces of darkness: the very unaccountable corporatism both wish to confront. Read article

  • What kind of Europe for Scotland and Sturgeon?

    Nicola Sturgeon has rightly spoken out against the crushing effect of yet more austerity on Greece and its people but she and the SNP have yet to spell out a clear vision of what EU they are seeking. Read article

  • Franco-German Social Democrat plan to revive EU

    The French and German economy ministers have come up with some radical ideas to get the EU out of its trough – and offer the Tories a way out of their membership renegotiation impasse. Read article

  • The abuse of social democracy

    Everybody’s talking social democracy, not least in Scotland. But nobody defines what it means, recognises how it’s in crisis and sees how analysts/activists are starting to rethink it. Read article

  • The Bavarian Christian Social Union: a model for Scottish Labour?

    In light of discussion whether it’s time for Scottish Labour to sever formal links with the wider UK Labour Party David Gow considers whether the Bavarian Christian Social Union offers a possible model. Read article

  • ‘Lefties on steroids’ or pretty tame social democrats?

    The SNP’s anti-austerity politics is in reality a rehash of moderate redistribution – in the tradition of post-war British Labourism Read article

  • Nicola’s premature coronation

    Smear or swoon. Attitudes to Nicola Sturgeon lurch between the two. The few days since the #leadersdebate on ITV have seen her vilified as a secret Tory supporter (good for a second referendum with a positive outcome this time, supposedly) and “the most dangerous woman” in UK politics. Read article

  • Ending the sterile row over austerity

    The differences between Labour and the SNP in their plans for UK government spending and borrowing are much closer to each other’s than they are to those bequeathed by George Osborne. Read article

Tributes and reflections

Articles written in tribute to David Gow and his editorial legacy.