Scottish politics · public policy · political economy
Look closer.
Independent writing on the choices that shape Scotland—what is said, what is meant, and what it may mean in practice.
Scottish political writer and analyst. Founder of Scotland Reimagined.
The work
Context is a political act.
Stephen Anderson writes about Scottish politics, public policy, the economy and constitutional affairs. His work starts with the detail that a headline leaves out: the structure behind a policy, the trade-off beneath a promise, or the people missing from the argument.
Stephen led Kelpie Media, a marketing agency and TV production business that employed more than 30 staff at its peak. His wider business experience includes ACE Business Supplies and Woosh Couriers. His television production work includes programmes on Scottish culture and global socio-economic issues for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Al Jazeera and PBS.
Read Stephen Anderson's full profile
Explore the analysis hubBusiness and AI advisory
Business experience backed by practical technology expertise.
I help business owners make clearer decisions, improve operations and apply AI to practical business needs.
My experience includes running Kelpie Media, a marketing agency and TV production business employing more than 30 staff at its peak, alongside ACE Business Supplies and Woosh Couriers.
I have also developed and taken SaaS subscription services to market. As an expert-level AI user, I create business-specific applications and workflows using services including Cloudflare, Google Workspace and Zapier.
Available for business consulting, practical AI advisory, application development and selected continuing advisory relationships.
The approach
“The useful question is rarely whether a policy sounds right. It is who gains, who pays, and what follows.”Analysis that begins with the structure behind the argument—not the theatre around it.
The political analysis hub
A public notebook for Scotland.
Does Anyone Deserve to Govern Scotland?
An examination of the choices and political consequences surrounding Scotland’s 2026 election.
Read on Medium ↗ Policy & economy · 2026Ranking the Scottish Election Manifestos
A scrutiny of policy promises and fiscal credibility during the Holyrood campaign.
Read on Medium ↗ Energy · 2026The Great Scottish Energy Heist
Clean power, AI data centres, heat and community benefit in Scotland.
Read on Medium ↗What I follow
The questions beneath the daily noise.
Politics & democracy
Holyrood, elections, political parties and the institutions that make public power real.
Policy & political economy
Public services, taxation, investment and the distribution of opportunity in Scotland.
Constitution & the Union
Devolution, independence and Scotland’s relationship with the rest of the UK.
Energy, place & power
Resources, infrastructure, climate choices and the communities that carry their consequences.
Scotland in the world
Trade, security and international pressures behind domestic political decisions.
Public work
Writing for an argument worth having.
Scotland Reimagined is a separate political organisation and publication founded by Stephen. This personal site is the home for his own writing, analysis and public profile.
A working principle
Clarity without simplification.
Political analysis should make the world more legible—not simply make a side feel more certain of itself.