Aidan SkinnerWhen Malc and Jeff and I set Better Nation up we knew we’d want to find other good people to join in – that is, after all, the essence of a good group blog – and we knew we wanted people who could write well, both provocatively and constructively, wherever they were on the progressive spectrum. We were therefore properly delighted when Kate said yes to coming on board in May. And now the four of us are pleased to welcome Aidan Skinner to join our increasingly inaccurately named trio.

The reasoning was simple – we’ve really enjoyed his guest posts for us (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), and although he was already our most regular guest, we wanted more. For me personally, one key moment was his contribution to a somewhat contested post I wrote on timing for the independence, which included a comment that even some of those opposed to independence would like to take part in the discussion about what form of independence we get offered. That’s what constructive looks like.

So, anyway, I’m sure you’ll all find some critically pro-Labour posts here something you can get your teeth into. And for my part, I’ll keep trying to persuade him Labour can’t be fixed and that he belongs elsewhere. I’m sure one of us will be proved right, sooner or later.

And one last thought – if you want to take part in Better Nation, drop us a line with something you would like us to post here. Give us a few good posts and you may find us twisting your arm to get more involved. Watch out.