The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Community policing bears brunt as officer numbers drop to lowest level in two...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
4 Aug 2026 at 12:36pm
Police Scotland recorded 16,402 full-time equivalent officers at the end of June, its lowest quarterly total in two years, with figures revealing community policing divisions have suffered sharper cuts than the force as a whole.


Nicola Sturgeon comments on SNP campaign branded 'nonsense' by senior figure
by Lucinda Cameron
4 Aug 2026 at 12:26pm
Nicola Sturgeon?s claims that the SNP election campaign lacked ?vision or big-picture thinking? are a ?nonsense?, Scotland?s education secretary has said


Scottish Government's flagship Fair Work First policy has 'no teeth' evaluati...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
4 Aug 2026 at 5:00am
Scotland's Fair Work First policy has seen remarkable growth, with 89% of public contracts now carrying fair work conditions but the government's own evaluation warns that enforcement relies almost entirely on employers' self-declaration.


Immigration tensions leave social housing staff facing ?unacceptable? threats
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
4 Aug 2026 at 5:00am
Tensions over immigration in Scotland have left social housing staff facing "unacceptable" threats, it has been claimed.


Trump urges UK to open up North Sea as Swinney demands end to 'unfair' oil tax
by donald.erskine@newsquest.co.uk | Donald Erskine
3 Aug 2026 at 8:26pm
Donald Trump has said he thinks he and Andy Burnham are ?going to have a very good relationship? as he again stressed the need for the UK to tackle immigration and open up North Sea oil, claiming Britain was currently ?a bankrupt country?.


Rapist taxi driver surrenders operator licence on eve of emergency council me...
by donald.erskine@newsquest.co.uk | Donald Erskine
3 Aug 2026 at 7:17pm
The licence of a taxi driver currently in prison for the rape of a female passenger has been handed back on the eve of an emergency meeting which was called to decide if he was to be stripped of it.


Glasgow University: Jason Arday was 'never a visiting professor here despite ...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
3 Aug 2026 at 5:47pm
The University of Glasgow has told The Herald that Professor Jason Arday was never a visiting professor there, directly contradicting his official biography on Cambridge University's website.


Who is standing in Edinburgh council by-elections after SNP resignations?
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
3 Aug 2026 at 3:59pm
The contests will be a key test for the SNP, as they are likely to face stiff challenges from the Scottish Greens and Labour.


BP exit should 'serve as wake-up call' for Burnham as North Sea fears grow
by scott.wright@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Scott Wright
3 Aug 2026 at 3:45pm
Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged to capitalise on value of Rosebank and Jackdaw projects


Nicola Sturgeon's brutal takedown of Swinney shows she has turned her back on...
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
3 Aug 2026 at 2:35pm
John Swinney has always been Nicola Sturgeon's fixer - the man she turned to for help. So why is she attacking his SNP leadership?


SNP says written constitution must include method for leaving union
3 Aug 2026 at 1:57pm
A written constitution for the UK must include a method for leaving the union, the SNP has said.


Prime Minister to face protests over Palestine 'genocide' comments at Fringe ...
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
3 Aug 2026 at 11:45am
The Prime Minister?s sold-out Fringe event, scheduled for 12.15pm on August 19, is to take place at The Stand Comedy Club on York Place.


Sandie Peggie appeal against NHS Fife takes step forward after judge decision
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
3 Aug 2026 at 11:27am
Sandie Peggie's employment tribunal appeal against NHS Fife has taken a step forward after a judge ruled there were 'reasonable grounds' for challenge.


Katy Clark rules herself out of Scottish Labour leadership contest
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
3 Aug 2026 at 10:14am
Katy Clark has ruled herself out of standing in the Scottish Labour leadership contest to replace Anas Sarwar.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Attainment gap between richest and poorest pupils falls - but only slightly
4 Aug 2026 at 11:26am

The gap remains stubbornly high despite efforts to reduce it

Digital exam results were sent out at 8am on Tuesday morning.

Concerns have been raised about the impact on officer welfare

The Scottish government is proposing long-term prisoners including sexual offenders can be automatically released after serving just two thirds of their sentence.

David Brown is said to have ?handed in? licence and plates today, ahead of the review

Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce says this must be a ?wake-up? call for the UK Government.

Oliver Milne, who was Scottish Labour?s head of media until recently, is helping Mr Fagan is his bid to replace Mr Sarwar.

Sandie Peggie earned a partial victory at her employment tribunal against NHS Fife last year but will now appeal the unsuccessful outcomes

?8 to 12 metres of unrestrained masonry... unstable stonework... lintels have failed?

Wings over Scotland

Or Something
3 Aug 2026 at 9:37am
We have today sent the following email to the Crown Office. – 3 August 2026 Thank you for your letter of 30 July. I offer one last chance to reconsider. I do so having, once again, taken advice from the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates. On 1 July, you wrote to me saying inter …

The Deaf Eyes
2 Aug 2026 at 12:03pm
This email actually came in a couple of days ago, but we’ve been too dumbstruck to respond to it until now. Because, like, wow. Firstly, let’s take a moment to note the weird font change halfway through that central paragraph, as though someone else entirely butted in. Which in a sense they have, as the …

The Nobodies
27 Jul 2026 at 5:10pm
Apologies for the slightly shonky quality of this video, readers, which is due to the fact that ITV are such monumental self-sabotaging clowns that it’s not actually possible to screencap any sort of digital broadcast of theirs – screw YOU, viral content! – so we had to do this by videoing our iPad with our …

Ain?t it funny how things change?
22 Jul 2026 at 11:29am
Then, and now. (Click pic to enlarge.) Scottish politics: where repeated catastrophic failure is just another way to succeed.

The Wheels Of Industry
20 Jul 2026 at 2:49pm
Last Friday’s edition of The National ran this guff: And as we often are, we were put in mind of the greatest politics book ever written. We’d really need to quote a much longer section to fully convey the point – ideally just read all of the piece linked above – but this passage will …

Progressing To Oblivion
19 Jul 2026 at 3:21pm
It’s now more than three years since this site drew attention to the curious case of Progress Scotland, the zombie “polling company” run by the SNP’s Angus Robertson that had no employees and hadn’t published any polls since October 2020, but was apparently still accepting, and soliciting, donations from subscribers, and appeared to have disposed …

These Words Are My Own
17 Jul 2026 at 9:59pm
It’s been another fabulous day on the front pages for Nicola Sturgeon. The stories were triggered by a speech in the House Of Commons from Tory MP Sir David Davis, which you can watch below. ? (It was meant to be a much longer speech, but Davis had to truncate it on the hoof from …

A Matter Of Declinature
15 Jul 2026 at 5:05pm
Our solicitor has this afternoon written to the Deputy Chief Constable. We’ll await his response with interest.

The Invisible Rabbit
15 Jul 2026 at 11:30am
Further to Monday’s letter from the Deputy Chief Constable, we’ve now submitted the following Freedom Of Information request to Police Scotland, as per his suggestion. - To: FOI <foi@scotland.police.uk> 15 July 2026 This week I received a letter from DCC Stuart Houston. It notes in part: “During this time, Police Scotland utilised financial investigators, financial …

Blue In The Face
14 Jul 2026 at 1:13pm
Before we start, let’s note that this took 37 days. As you’re about to read, it says almost nothing other than “Please go away now”. It takes quite a long time to say it, but nevertheless those four words are pretty much the sum total of the actual content. It does not in any way …

Craig Murray

The Hard Right Packing of the UK Supreme Court
2 Aug 2026 at 7:00pm

Unlike the USA, where it is obsessively watched, the UK has no political culture of scrutinising the political composition of its Supreme Court. This is a big mistake. The UK Supreme Court has been deliberately and openly, even ostentatiously, packed with hard-right judges selected on the specific criterion that they will not oppose the will …

The Hard Right Packing of the UK Supreme Court

Scottish Independence: Set the Date!
29 Jul 2026 at 6:30pm

  The Scottish Government urgently needs a bold and radical approach to achieving Independence in spite of the firm London veto on a referendum. It is plain that there is no plan at present. The Scottish Parliament has a pro-Independence majority and government. This is how to achieve Independence consistent with international law and practice. …

Scottish Independence: Set the Date!

Narratives of Moral Conflict: Karim Khan and Delcy Rodriguez
26 Jul 2026 at 6:09am

Social media is not conducive to nuance. In the interest of reach, cut and dried positions are more effective and binary moral judgement expected. This leads to over-simplification of complex issues, and to skipping over facts inconvenient to your chosen narrative. There are issues affecting two high-profile people where it is worth considering the detail …

Narratives of Moral Conflict: Karim Khan and Delcy Rodriguez

Where Are We Going?
20 Jul 2026 at 1:25pm

An advert for the RNLI caught my attention because it indicated that the majority of their income comes from bequests in wills. The pitch was that, after you provide for your loved ones, you should leave money to the RNLI. I have no problem with this, having generations of lifeboatmen in my ancestry, but it …

Where Are We Going?

Extreme Unionism and Res Judicata
14 Jul 2026 at 5:02pm

Unsurprisingly, today at the Court of Session Lord Young refused to lift his suspension or “sist” of the Scottish judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action. He did however grant us leave to appeal against this decision. What was surprising was an extreme extension of the UK government’s argument. The UK government stated that …

Extreme Unionism and Res Judicata

The Ditching of Nigel Farage
11 Jul 2026 at 8:36am

Nigel Farage is the most consequential British politician of the 21st century. Certainly a more important historic figure than any of the last eight Prime Ministers. Tony Blair is the only realistic rival. Without Farage, the UK would never have left the European Union. Farage’s role in forcing the issue to the top of the …

The Ditching of Nigel Farage

BBC Scotland

Nominations open in Scottish Labour leadership contest
3 Aug 2026 at 10:23am
Candidates in the race to replace Anas Sarwar have two weeks to secure the support needed to reach the ballot.

Amnesty apologises to JK Rowling's sexual violence support centre
31 Jul 2026 at 6:50pm
The centre, funded by the Harry Potter author, had threatened Amnesty with legal action after it was labelled "anti-rights".

Scotland MP Joani Reid readmitted into Labour Party after suspension
31 Jul 2026 at 7:39am
She voluntarily suspended herself after her husband was arrested on suspicion of spying for China but no further action is being taken against her

Burnham says he 'can't ignore resource' of North Sea oil and gas
30 Jul 2026 at 5:19pm
Andy Burnham says he told the US president he couldn't ignore North Sea resources when people are struggling.

Which MSPs believe they can turn Scottish Labour's fortunes around?
29 Jul 2026 at 4:45pm
Nominations to be the next leader of Scottish Labour officially open on Monday.

Joe Fagan becomes third MSP to join Scottish Labour leadership race
28 Jul 2026 at 8:12pm
The South Scotland MSP said that Prime Minister Andy Burnham's recent by-election victory demonstrated that Labour could "win back trust".

GP walk-in clinics see low attendance leading to accusations of failure
28 Jul 2026 at 3:44pm
Scotland's health secretary says it's early days for the scheme and she is enouraged "thus far" - but critics say it should be scrapped.

Michael Marra joins race to become Scottish Labour leader
27 Jul 2026 at 7:40pm
It comes as the party confirmed they will have a new leader in place by its conference in September.

Minister defends decision to reject UK military help to fight wildfire
27 Jul 2026 at 2:42pm
Neil Gray said the military was unable to fulfil a "specific request" to send waterbombing helicopters to the Cairngorms.

Lennon launches Scottish Labour leadership bid
26 Jul 2026 at 5:03pm
The incoming West of Scotland MSP said her party was in the "last chance saloon" and needed "radical and fast change".

Scottish councils 'starved of cash and powers' by SNP, says Alexander
24 Jul 2026 at 11:46am
The Scottish Secretary also said he wanted "mutual respect" between governments at Holyrood and Westminster.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar 'delighted' to accept trade minister job
23 Jul 2026 at 8:50am
Sarwar will leave the Scottish Parliament and his leader role, and take up a seat in the House of Lords.

Scot Goes Pop

The BBC's attempts to sabotage the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games will never...
4 Aug 2026 at 11:12am
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.I currently have fourteen regular monthly Ko-Fi supporters.  I reckon if I could get...

The Craig Murray and Xander Elliards blueprints for securing Scottish indepen...
30 Jul 2026 at 9:20pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.I currently have fourteen regular monthly Ko-Fi supporters.  I reckon if I could get...

John Swinney's strong denunciation of Burnham's outrageous "off-limits" comme...
27 Jul 2026 at 7:37pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.I'm delighted to say I now have fourteen regular monthly Ko-Fi supporters, as a resu...

No. 10 North: How Burnham is signalling with his choice of name that "England...
26 Jul 2026 at 1:56pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.More people have become Ko-Fi supporters of my content over the last twenty-four hou...

Scottish poll DISASTER for Burnham: SNP have massive lead in his first YouGov...
25 Jul 2026 at 12:33pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Many thanks to the several people who became Ko-Fi supporters of my content yesterda...

Scotland is now in a FORCED union, not a "voluntary" one: Burnham makes it of...
24 Jul 2026 at 1:35pm
There is no unambiguous outcome to yesterday's readers' poll about the future of Scot Goes Pop as the result currently stands - so far traditional text-blogging is somewhat more popular than videos...

A poll for Scot Goes Pop readers and viewers - please respond if you can
23 Jul 2026 at 11:59am
So I'm completely stumped, to be honest.  Just over a year ago, I switched my focus from conventional blogging to YouTube videos in the hope that I would no longer be lurching from mini-crisis to m...

The case for optimism that the next general election WILL be used as a de fac...
21 Jul 2026 at 2:51pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos:Scottish independence could now be just one or two years away fr...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

MSP Clark rules herself out of Scottish Labour contest as nominations open
3 Aug 2026 at 10:47am
Katy Clark has urged the eventual winner to push for the selection of a more diverse range of candidates

Scottish Government making ?woeful progress? on bringing down waiting lists, ...
3 Aug 2026 at 7:06am
Scottish Labour said figures show there were 3,239 ongoing waits of two years or more across outpatient, inpatient and day case lists

Swinney pledges ?personal leadership? on domestic abuse after scale ?laid bare?
2 Aug 2026 at 12:09pm
It comes after two women, Vikki Soloman and Stcey Mair, were both allegedly killed by their ex-partner and husband respectively

Prime Minister Andy Burnham: UK offering Spain ?what help we can? to deal wit...
1 Aug 2026 at 1:41pm
The Prime Minister said he had spoken with Pedro Sanchez after around 60,000 migrants breached the border of its territory in north Africa

Nicola Sturgeon: Women expected to ?carry the can for the behaviour of a man?
30 Jul 2026 at 9:45pm
Ms Sturgeon also said Prime Minister Andy Burnham has a ?very southern view of what it means to be northern?.

Joani Reid readmitted to Labour Party after investigation into husband
30 Jul 2026 at 8:59pm
The East Kilbride and Strathaven MP was formally suspended following the arrest of her partner David Taylor

When will the Scottish Labour leadership election begin?
30 Jul 2026 at 1:58pm
Nominations will open on August 3, but three MSPs have already signalled their plans to run for leader

£8.4 billion investment in UK?s Dreadnought nuclear submarines
30 Jul 2026 at 10:50am
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said tens of thousands of jobs will be supported with the money

Can the SNP learn from Andy Burnham?s social care reforms?
29 Jul 2026 at 4:58pm
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced plans to reform the care sector

I get policy ideas from speaking to people in Greggs and pubs, Andy Burnham t...
29 Jul 2026 at 2:45pm
The new Prime Minister told This Morning on STV that he is about to get around the country to 'chat to people'

Hitman who targeted Scottish Conservative leader in acid attack to be release...
29 Jul 2026 at 11:08am
In December 2015, the MSP, who was investigations editor of the Scottish Sun at the time, had sulphuric acid thrown in his face by a hitman

SNP attacks Burnham for leaving party out of talks on English social care
29 Jul 2026 at 10:40am
The party said it was unfair to be left out of discussions if they result in UK-wide taxes

Who cares who leads Scottish Labour?
29 Jul 2026 at 6:56am
Anas Sarwar has stepped down as leader of Scottish Labour for a seat in the House of Lords and a job in Andy Burnham's UK Government

GP walk-in clinics see low attendance with some receiving only three patients...
28 Jul 2026 at 2:29pm
The Scottish Government launched the pilot with the promise of a million extra doctors appointments

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Scottish Labour leadership candidate backs North Sea jobs and calls for Roseb...
4 Aug 2026 at 12:00pm
EXCLUSIVE: Joe Fagan said he would "not stop lobbying" the UK Government to finally sign-off the two proposed oil and gas developments, which could support thousands of Scots jobs.

Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell mocked by campervan float at historic Scots...
4 Aug 2026 at 10:07am
A banner attached to the campervan towed through Lauder said it offered "eye tests" while another joked the vehicle had been "parked round the side".

Scots distillery redundancies could 'damage' rural communities as Diageo set ...
3 Aug 2026 at 3:18pm
More than 170 distillery workers in the Highlands and islands are at risk of redundancy as part of Diageo's plans to slash costs.

Scottish Labour stuck in 'doom loop' if party ignores constitutional question...
3 Aug 2026 at 2:39pm
David Linden accused Labour of failing to "contend with the reason" it had failed to win a Holyrood election since 2003.

Nicola Sturgeon is the irritating back-seat driver John Swinney cannot shake off
3 Aug 2026 at 1:16pm
In an opinion piece, Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says the First Minister's loyalty to Sturgeon is being tested.

Nicola Sturgeon 'more Green than SNP' after ex-FM blasts John Swinney's elect...
3 Aug 2026 at 12:17pm
EXCLUSIVE: A veteran Nationalist insisted the ex-FM was "wrong" to think "more woke policies" would have boosted the SNP's 2026 election campaign.

Left wing MSP says she will not be a candidate in Scottish Labour leadership ...
3 Aug 2026 at 9:00am
Katy Clark confirmed she will not try to succeed Anas Sarwar in a statement this morning.

Peter Murrell sentencing filming bid rejected by top judge over meme fears
3 Aug 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: Files released under freedom of information legislation reveal the internal discussions in the judiciary.

I will always hold this failing SNP Government to account
3 Aug 2026 at 4:30am
In a column for the Daily Record, Acting Scottish Labour leader Jackie Baillie hits out at the Government's record on the NHS.

Scottish Labour leadership frontrunner urged to apologise for 'boring' Holyro...
3 Aug 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: Marra is also facing questions about his attacks on the size of the public sector, which has staff represented by Labour-supporting trade unions

The National

The National | Politics

BP?s £4.2bn Iran ?war bonus? fuels anger over UK soaring energy bills
4 Aug 2026 at 1:00pm

BP has been slammed for raking in billions from a ?war bonus? boosted by the US-Iran conflict, while UK households face soaring energy bills.

Convicted former neo-Nazi picked as Tory local election candidate
4 Aug 2026 at 12:41pm

A FORMER neo-Nazi with convictions for harassing a Jewish MP and assaulting a police officer has been selected as a Conservative candidate in upcoming local elections, it has emerged.

SNP minister brands Nicola Sturgeon?s Scottish elections claims 'nonsense'
4 Aug 2026 at 12:29pm

NICOLA Sturgeon?s claims that the SNP election campaign lacked ?vision or big-picture thinking? are a ?nonsense?, Scotland?s Education Secretary has said ...

Gazan students plead with Glasgow University after securing offers
4 Aug 2026 at 9:52am

A GROUP of students in Gaza have appealed to the University of Glasgow not to "deprive us of our dreams" after securing unconditional offers to study in Scotland but being left without a way to take up their places

I believe most white citizens of the UK are tolerant and welcoming
4 Aug 2026 at 5:00am

THERE has always been an element of racism weaving through British (English?) society and, sadly, among politicians also from Thatcher to Starmer, all seeking political popularity by cultivating the lowest common denominator.

Is this the way Scotland can create a ferry network islanders need?
4 Aug 2026 at 5:00am

Scotland?s west coast ferry network is often defended as a vital ?lifeline? ? but one of its most outspoken critics argues that those lifelines are being delivered in the slowest, costliest way possible, and that island communities could be better served by shorter routes

The case for Scottish independence starts at the global level
4 Aug 2026 at 5:00am

There are few in what remains of the independence movement who now believe that Scottish autonomy can be achieved by simply relying on the SNP

Asking for funding from the UK Government falls into a Unionist trap
4 Aug 2026 at 5:00am

I REFER to your report ?Two Scottish city leaders demand UK Government devolution funding deal? (www.thenational.scot, August 1).

Wealth tax will achieve little while the rich still possess political power
4 Aug 2026 at 5:00am

It is not difficult to find people wondering whether 21st-century society hasn?t got its priorities all wrong, writes Colin Fox

I have some ideas to help English folk with the cost of living
4 Aug 2026 at 5:00am

ANDY Burnham is busy coming up with ideas to help with the cost of living. They all seem to be directed at England, so here are a few which could maybe help him.

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Action call as BP announces North Sea sell-off
31 Jul 2026 at 1:53pm
The Scottish Government has urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to take ?urgent action? to save jobs after BP announced plans to sell its North Sea operations

Joani Reid has Labour whip restored
31 Jul 2026 at 12:50pm
The MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven voluntarily stepped back from the party over the arrest of her husband David Taylor on suspicion of spying for China

Sovereignty, AI and Matthew Broderick
30 Jul 2026 at 7:00am
In the modern business landscape, there is no option to sit this out.

Joe Fagan announces intention to run in Labour leadership election
29 Jul 2026 at 11:20am
Joe Fagan has said that Prime Minister Andy Burnham?s by-election win in Makerfield showed that the party can ?win back trust? when it is ?serious about changing people?s lives?

Michael Marra and Monica Lennon emerge as Scottish Labour frontrunners
28 Jul 2026 at 3:02pm
Timetable for contest agreed

Andy Burnham appoints eight Scottish MPs to enhanced PPS roles
27 Jul 2026 at 4:00pm
The prime minister has given 16 Scottish MPs government jobs

Daniel Johnson: Time is running out for Scottish Labour
27 Jul 2026 at 12:10pm
MSP endorses Michael Marra for leader

Scottish businessman Sir Ian Wood dies aged 84
27 Jul 2026 at 12:00pm
Sir Ian Wood's family confirmed he died ?peacefully at home, surrounded by his family? on Sunday evening at his home in Aberdeen

John Swinney says he will continue independence push despite Downing Street s...
23 Jul 2026 at 8:15pm
The first minister met Andy Burnham in Glasgow on Thursday afternoon

Anas Sarwar 'delighted' to become trade minister
23 Jul 2026 at 8:41am
Andy Burnham appoints more Scottish MPs to UK Government

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

UK politics: Tories? Philp rejects French claim that shots fired from naval b...
28 Jul 2026 at 6:01pm
Shadow minister says there was no warning and ?it looked and sounded like deliberate intimidation?Conservative MP accuses French navy of firing shots near him in ChannelIt is not just the Russians firing on Brits in the English Channel; Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, has accused a French...

Poll shows Labour ahead of Reform UK for first time since Burnham became PM ?...
27 Jul 2026 at 5:45pm
New PM says he ?wouldn?t get carried away? by latest polling but says he is pleased if he has ?connected with people?I have already posted lines from Andy Burnham?s BBC interview on reforming social care (see 9.03am), making council tax fairer (see 10.03am), and ruling out an early election (see ...

Evacuated villagers in Cairngorms allowed home after wildfire threat lifts
25 Jul 2026 at 11:08pm
Scottish first minister thanks Nethy Bridge residents and aid workers after earlier requesting UK military aid to fight 10-day fireResidents of Nethy Bridge have been told they can return to their homes after a large fire broke out in the Cairngorms national park.Supt Judy Hill of Police Scotland...

Scottish Labour?s rivals decry ?chancer? Anas Sarwar for resigning to join An...
22 Jul 2026 at 11:17pm
New prime minister has made Sarwar ? the first senior Labour figure to call for Keir Starmer?s resignation ? a peerScottish Labour?s rivals in Holyrood have slammed Anas Sarwar?s shock decision to resign as leader to sit in Andy Burnham?s new government, calling him a ?chancer? and accusing him o...

Celtic leaders doubt Burnham?s devolution drive will go beyond England?s borders
6 Jul 2026 at 4:00pm
Would-be prime minister has made basic missteps in pitches to Wales, Scotland and Northern IrelandAndy Burnham?s devolution promises are yet to impress sceptical Celtic administrations hoping for a reset with Westminster, sources in Cardiff and Edinburgh have said.Burnham, who is expected to take...

Celtic nations begin to plan for breakup of UK in event of Reform election win
4 Jul 2026 at 7:00am
Politicians brace for constitutional turmoil if Nigel Farage?s party ends up in government ? or even as a strong oppositionThe rise of Nigel Farage has prompted political leaders across Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to game the unthinkable: the breakup of the United Kingdom.Unioni...

Badenoch urges Burnham to condemn defence investment plan as No 10 says fundi...
1 Jul 2026 at 6:00pm
Minister and MPs have raised concerns that his ?poisoned chalice? plan will take cash from much-needed road projectsMinister and MP ?furious? over cuts to road projects to fund defence planDan Sabbagh is the Guardian?s defence and security editor.Andy Burnham is a ?true patriot? who will provide ...

The Guardian view on the politics of Scotland: like Labour, the SNP is in nee...
23 Jun 2026 at 6:25pm
The sentencing of Peter Murrell brings limited closure to a major scandal. But John Swinney?s government faces new challenges in a changing landscapeThe Scottish National party (SNP) is accustomed to presenting Westminster dysfunction as a boost to its case for independence. But the political dra...

Peter Murrell jailed for five years after embezzling £400,000 from SNP
23 Jun 2026 at 2:29pm
Estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon is sentenced for stealing from party over 12-year periodMontblanc pens to Le Creuset ramekins: police photos show Peter Murrell?s spending habitPeter Murrell has been sentenced to five years and three months in jail after he admitted embezzling more than £400,...

Montblanc pens to Le Creuset ramekins: police photos show Peter Murrell?s spe...
23 Jun 2026 at 1:37pm
Haul is only a fraction of what the former SNP chief executive bought using embezzled party moneyPeter Murrell jailed for five years after embezzling £400,000 from SNPThe white police evidence tags on the unused Montblanc pens, picnic sets, Le Creuset ramekins and the chrome Alessi teapot tell a ...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Burnham?s mini bounce
1 Aug 2026 at 1:39pm
Our visitors have left now. It was lovely to see them. As far as the blog is concerned I’m able to type again. There was a problem with the keyboard on my laptop which has now been repaired. Top tip, don’t spill tea on your laptop. So it’s back to blogging as usual. Andy Burnham …

Why you should subscribe to The National
1 Aug 2026 at 1:15pm
The National’s summer sale is running until Thursday 6 August. During this limited time period you can purchase an annual subscription to Scotland’s only pro-independence newspaper for the bargain price of £20. You might not agree with everything published by The National, but that’s inevitable in a publication which carries the weight of an entire …

Lord Sarwar of Brass Neck
21 Jul 2026 at 9:59pm
It seems to be a law of Scottish politics, or perhaps it’s more likely it’s just a personal curse, but whenever I try and take some time off from the blog a big story breaks and it’s back to the keyboard. What is most definitely a law of Scottish politics is that I’m not nationalist …

Silly season politics
17 Jul 2026 at 4:01pm
With Friday’s coronation of Andy Burnham as leader of the Labour party and his official accession to Ten Downing Street on Monday, the UK is now on its seventh prime minister in ten years. Meanwhile the man who wants to become prime minister after the next general election is fighting a by election with a …

Reform UK?s attack on Scottish languages
14 Jul 2026 at 4:44pm
It’s the greatest attempted Westminster assault on Scottish culture since the Jacobite wars. Reform UK has proposed an amendment to the UK Government’s elections bill which would criminalise the use of any languages other than English or Welsh on electoral material and impose a punishment of up to six months in prison and/or a fine. …

Ich bin ein Bin liner
12 Jul 2026 at 6:08pm
Last week, Nigel Farage announced that he was going to resign as the MP for Clacton in order to fight a by election to become the MP for Clacton. In a pity political broadcast from Reform UK headquarters which was broadcast live by the BBC and Sky News, Farage railed at the media for unfairly …

Alister Jack?s colonialism remains a threat to Scotland
9 Jul 2026 at 5:15pm
The former colonial governor of the northern province, Alister Jack, who was given a peerage by Rishi Sunak as part of a back room deal. Jack rejected an earlier nomination by Boris Johnson in 2023 to avoid triggering a by-election while he was still an MP, only later to stand down for the 2024 General …

The Farage facade cracks
7 Jul 2026 at 6:53pm
Poor Nigel Facade, sorry Farage, the wee lamb has had an almighty hissy fit at the sheer audacity of the media daring to subject him to a tiny fraction of the scrutiny that is par for the course for the SNP. It was all very Trumpian. In a self-pitying Reform UK party political broadcast during …

The junkies and their dealers
5 Jul 2026 at 4:40pm
A number of peculiar developments have taken place in Scotland since the Holyrood election in May. These have been disguised by the anti-SNP media feeding frenzy which took place after the conviction of Peter Murrell for the crime of embezzlement, a crime whose victim was the SNP, despite the efforts of the British media in …

Labour?s attempted theft of the Holyrood election is being aided by the media
3 Jul 2026 at 3:32pm
Something is seriously wrong with democracy in Scotland, but the media has told us vastly more about Peter Murrell’s cruet sets than it has about what can only be described as an attempt by the Labour party to steal the Holyrood election. In fact the attempted subversion of the result of the recent election has …

The Courier

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Scottish Politics News From Holyrood and Westminster | The Courier

Could Rosyth-Europe ferry set sail thanks to Brexit reset?
27 May 2025 at 6:01am
Hopes have been raised for a simple solution to a cross-border problem.

Kirkcaldy MP demands pro-suicide forum is torn down
26 May 2025 at 6:01am
Around 100 suicides have been linked to the sickening forum which provides guidance to people on ending their life.

UHI Perth aviation students warn of ?unsettling times? after training firm?s ...
26 May 2025 at 6:00am
Worried Samuel Hughes, 19, is among students sharing their fears at a time of crisis for Perth College.

Fresh Dundee University strike begins over compulsory Levehulme Centre job cuts
26 May 2025 at 6:00am
University staff are taking five days of industrial action as the institution pushes ahead with plans to axe the forensic research hub.

NHS Fife nurse at centre of controversial trans tribunal suing her own trade ...
25 May 2025 at 2:32pm
A&E medic Sandie Peggie is now taking legal action against the Royal College of Nursing.

EXCLUSIVE: Dundee University still to strike rescue deal with government
23 May 2025 at 5:46pm
Opposition MSPs have expressed concern at the time taken to agree a deal almost a month after the fresh recovery plan was unveiled.

6 senior figures who left Dundee University during financial crisis
23 May 2025 at 5:10pm
Several university chiefs have moved on since £30m financial black hole emerged.

Dundee University activist artist leads degree show protest over financial cr...
23 May 2025 at 4:45pm
Duncan of Jordanstone student Finn Millar says he wants to play a part in "keeping the university alive".

John Swinney admits constituents have expressed Perth leisure concerns to him
23 May 2025 at 6:01am
The first minister wants further talks between both sides of Perth leisure debate.

EXCLUSIVE: Dundee University chief operating officer Jim McGeorge quits
22 May 2025 at 1:58pm
Dr Jim McGeorge ? who was responsible for good governance - had been on a period of extended leave.

Talking up Scotland

The 'Unstoppable' Talking-up Scotland

Drug-related hospital admissions plummet to lowest level since records began,...
4 Aug 2026 at 8:27am
From BBC Scotland this morning, the above and: A residential drug service in Glasgow is to close its doors after a long-running financial dispute with its council-owned landlord. The service run by the charity Turning Point Scotland will shut down, while a nearby drug crisis centre will move to the site instead. This had also been run by Turning Point, but will now be taken over by Glasgow City...

E-bike injuries in Scotland only one sixth of the UK level after SNP limits g...
4 Aug 2026 at 8:12am
Headlining on BBC Breakfast but not being liked to comparable problems in Scotland by BBC Scotland, here’s why: When you compare the number of casualties involving e-bikes. In 2024, the UK, saw 1 390 casualties.1 With 8% of the population, you might then expect around 111 casualties in Scotland. There were 18, one sixth of the level.2 Why might this be? I suppose weather will be a factor but th...

Watch out as they try again to blame the SNP but remember NO liberal democrac...
4 Aug 2026 at 7:57am

Only tiny 2% of terror referrals are in Scotland to rebut Labour scare story
3 Aug 2026 at 10:49pm
In the deeply untrusted Herald yesterday, the above, and: Scotland’s only ethnic-minority and Muslim MP has called on the Scottish Government to fund a cohesion strategy in the wake of last month’s violent far-right rally in Glasgow . Dr Zubir Ahmed said cuts to youth provision and to community policing meant the early warning signs of radicalisation were being missed. Does being ‘Scotland’s on...

From the wetter parts of Britain to the places that ?actually need it?
3 Aug 2026 at 10:37pm
By Liz S Talking of ?Fire? there is another huge problem in certain parts of the UK State , that is where droughts are also currently happening , all as a result of the greatly increased temperatures in some places within the UK state and also due to a lack of rainfall. There is a digital online travel platform called ?Exploring GB?. They posted this on 28 July on Facebook: ?Scotland gets huge ...

There is no trusted journalism that matters in Scotland
3 Aug 2026 at 10:20pm
The Herald is owned by a corporation and serves the interests of that corporation including its preference for the stability of the UK within NATO. The empirical evidence is clear and can be trusted far more than the Herald’s unconvincing claims: Substantial empirical evidence from case studies, content analyses, and comparative work on these topics aligns with and supports the core predictions...

Environment body admits Dounreay (Caithness) decades-long nuclear leak cannot...
3 Aug 2026 at 6:07pm
The above, which I missed 15 years ago, popped up in social media recently to shock me with the candour of the headline. More on it below, after this. Last October 2025 we had: Inspectors raise Scottish nuclear plant with excess child leukaemia risk to an ?enhanced level of regulatory attention for safety because of unsatisfactory site performance across numerous areas? with 300 years to go unt...

A ?Box of Frogs? plan for Scottish Independence
3 Aug 2026 at 5:46pm
By Mark E. Saunders of ?The Scottish Minuteman? https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=61575625542197 And Now For Something Completely Different A number of the anti-Scottish Independence media outlets have started reporting on a recent ?proposal? by former UK ambassador and Scottish independence campaigner Craig Murray.  Murray?s plan, described by some political pundits as ?sinister?, sugge...

As wildfire approaches Suffolk nuclear power station, the heatwave starts to ...
31 Jul 2026 at 11:02am
Thanks to Frances McKie for alerting us to this. Electricité de France (EDF) shut down the Golfech-2 nuclear reactor in southern France amid a heat wave pushing temperatures toward 40°C in parts of Europe. This is the latest in a record number of heat-related outages for France?s nuclear fleet this summer, reducing output from a key part of Europe?s electricity system. EDF also warned that the ...

As Labour?s Joani Reid MP sneaks back in under a media fog a reminder of what...
31 Jul 2026 at 9:18am

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

UK?s Burnham tells Scotland new independence vote is off limits - Al Jazeera
23 Jul 2026 at 8:00am
UK?s Burnham tells Scotland new independence vote is off limits  Al Jazeera

Scottish leader John Swinney calls for independence to thwart Reform - RNZ
10 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish leader John Swinney calls for independence to thwart Reform  RNZ

Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause? -...
4 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause?  The Conversation

Former diplomat unveils Scottish independence plan that could trigger war wit...
31 Jul 2026 at 2:29pm
Former diplomat unveils Scottish independence plan that could trigger war with UK  The National Scot

Scottish Parliament endorses SNP call for independence referendum - BBC
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish Parliament endorses SNP call for independence referendum  BBC

Scottish independence - Institute for Government
29 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish independence  Institute for Government

Andy Burnham would oppose second Scottish independence referendum - BBC
6 Jul 2026 at 8:00am
Andy Burnham would oppose second Scottish independence referendum  BBC

New Scottish independence referendum ?off limits,? UK prime minister tells Sc...
23 Jul 2026 at 8:00am
New Scottish independence referendum ?off limits,? UK prime minister tells Scottish leader  Anadolu Ajans?

Scottish Independence: More show. Less tell - Enlighten - Scotland's Independ...
16 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish Independence: More show. Less tell  Enlighten - Scotland's Independent Think Tank

Written constitution must include method to leave union, says SNP - Nation.Cymru
3 Aug 2026 at 2:06pm
Written constitution must include method to leave union, says SNP  Nation.Cymru

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

How accurate is Nicola Sturgeon's warning for the SNP? - The National Scot
4 Aug 2026 at 9:45am
How accurate is Nicola Sturgeon's warning for the SNP?  The National Scot

SNP urged to follow Burnham and exempt rapists from early release amid fear '...
4 Aug 2026 at 6:00am
SNP urged to follow Burnham and exempt rapists from early release amid fear 'public safety at risk'  The Scotsman

Scottish Government's flagship Fair Work First policy has 'no teeth' evaluati...
4 Aug 2026 at 8:53am
Scottish Government's flagship Fair Work First policy has 'no teeth' evaluation warns  The Herald

SNP?s election campaign lacked vision, Nicola Sturgeon says - thetimes.com
3 Aug 2026 at 4:35pm
SNP?s election campaign lacked vision, Nicola Sturgeon says  thetimes.com

SNP leaders are good ?friends? to North Sea oil industry - Socialist Worker
3 Aug 2026 at 4:50pm
SNP leaders are good ?friends? to North Sea oil industry  Socialist Worker

Sturgeon comments on SNP election campaign ?nonsense?, says education secreta...
4 Aug 2026 at 11:16am
Sturgeon comments on SNP election campaign ?nonsense?, says education secretary  Cambridge Independent

Scotland's papers: Body in suitcase probe and SNP tax 'hike' - BBC
30 Jul 2026 at 6:32am
Scotland's papers: Body in suitcase probe and SNP tax 'hike'  BBC

Written constitution must include method to leave union, says SNP - Nation.Cymru
3 Aug 2026 at 2:06pm
Written constitution must include method to leave union, says SNP  Nation.Cymru

SNP minister brands Nicola Sturgeon?s recent election claims 'nonsense' - The...
4 Aug 2026 at 12:35pm
SNP minister brands Nicola Sturgeon?s recent election claims 'nonsense'  The National Scot

?A third of Scots? voted to oust SNP in Holyrood election - thetimes.com
1 Aug 2026 at 5:00pm
?A third of Scots? voted to oust SNP in Holyrood election  thetimes.com

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

UK?s Burnham tells Scotland new independence vote is off limits - Al Jazeera
23 Jul 2026 at 8:00am
UK?s Burnham tells Scotland new independence vote is off limits  Al Jazeera

New Scottish independence referendum ?off limits,? UK prime minister tells Sc...
23 Jul 2026 at 8:00am
New Scottish independence referendum ?off limits,? UK prime minister tells Scottish leader  Anadolu Ajans?

Former diplomat unveils Scottish independence plan that could trigger war wit...
31 Jul 2026 at 2:29pm
Former diplomat unveils Scottish independence plan that could trigger war with UK  The National Scot

Scottish Parliament endorses SNP call for independence referendum - BBC
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish Parliament endorses SNP call for independence referendum  BBC

Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause? -...
4 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause?  The Conversation

Scottish leader John Swinney calls for independence to thwart Reform - RNZ
10 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish leader John Swinney calls for independence to thwart Reform  RNZ

Scottish Parliament backs move for new independence vote - NZ Herald
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish Parliament backs move for new independence vote  NZ Herald

Andy Burnham would oppose second Scottish independence referendum - BBC
6 Jul 2026 at 8:00am
Andy Burnham would oppose second Scottish independence referendum  BBC

Scottish independence - Institute for Government
29 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish independence  Institute for Government

Scotland's head of government vows to hold another independence referendum - ...
11 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scotland's head of government vows to hold another independence referendum  ConstitutionNet