The Herald

The Herald | Politics


LibDem largess and Robertson's folly: Receipts reveal truth about Holyrood co...
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
16 Jun 2026 at 1:54pm
Mr Robertson spent a total of £25,026 between January 7 and polling day, almost £12,000 more than Lorna Slater of the Scottish Greens.


G7 stunt calls out Donald Trump and world leaders over water access in Gaza
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
16 Jun 2026 at 1:00pm
Campaigners have used the G7 summit in France to highlight the lack of clean water in Gaza, with the event being held in Evian


Angus Robertson spent twice as much on doomed Holyrood bid than victorious Gr...
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
16 Jun 2026 at 12:31pm
Mr Robertson, who came third in Edinburgh Central behind Ms Slater and Labour councillor James Dalgleish, spent a total of £25,026.


Donald Trump says Iran deal 'all signed' but doubts expressed over Israel stance
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
16 Jun 2026 at 9:04am
U.S President Donald Trump has arrived at the G7 meeting in France, as doubts begin to emerge over a peace deal with Iran


EU expert gives verdict on European attitudes to Scotland ten years after Bre...
16 Jun 2026 at 5:00am
European governments are currently "fearful" of Scottish independence amid the turmoil of global events, according to a prominent EU expert as she gave her assessment of the current political situation ten years after the Brexit vote.


'Murky affair': Murrell paid off £112k on motorhome day before Salmond probe
16 Jun 2026 at 5:00am
Peter Murrell paid off a £112,050 balance on the purchase of a luxury campervan the day before he appeared before a Holyrood inquiry examining a botched probe into Alex Salmond, it can be revealed.


Edinburgh book festival: Nicola Sturgeon, Liz Lloyd and Q Manivannan to appear
by brian.ferguson@newsquest.co.uk | Brian Ferguson
16 Jun 2026 at 12:01am
Gordon Brown, Jeremy Hunt and former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin will join John Grisham, Juno Dawson, Mark Haddon and Ann Patchett at Scotland's biggest literary celebration.


'Ten years after Jo Cox?s murder, common ground in politics matters more than...
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
16 Jun 2026 at 3:01pm
Ten years after Jo Cox?s murder, Scotland?s minority government must show that respectful disagreement and common ground can still deliver change.


First Minister says tariff removal is major win for Scotch whisky exports
by Danyel VanReenen, PA.
15 Jun 2026 at 7:49pm
First Minister John Swinney has welcomed the removal of US tariffs on Scotch whisky, describing the move as a major opportunity for one of Scotland's important industries.


Scotland?s children's commissioner hits out at Starmer over teen social media...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
15 Jun 2026 at 10:26am
Scotland's children's commissioner has condemned Keir Starmer?s UK social media ban, warning it lacks evidence and could drive vulnerable young people into riskier, unregulated areas of the internet while failing to hold tech platforms accountable.


Scottish Government must not 'shirk responsibility' over Rosebank approval
by Katrine Bussey
15 Jun 2026 at 8:40am
Scottish ministers are being told they must not ?shirk responsibility? for the ?enormous damage? the planned Rosebank oil and gas field would cause


Keir Starmer to ban under-16s from social media in 'big moment for our country'
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
15 Jun 2026 at 8:13am
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced a landmark social media ban for under-16s. The restrictions will target platforms like TikTok and Instagram, alongside AI chatbots and online gaming communication features.


UK 'ready to support' Iran peace deal as agreement reached to end the war
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
15 Jun 2026 at 6:23am
Sir Keir Starmer says the UK is "ready to support" the implementation of a peace deal between the United States and Iran


John Swinney accused of 'pandering to Nicola Sturgeon' over Supreme Court ruling
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
15 Jun 2026 at 5:00am
John Swinney has been accused of 'pandering' to Nicola Sturgeon over plans to take a 'domestic approach' to new watchdog guidance on the Supreme Court ruling.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Aberdeen South: Kemi Badenoch on a war footing for high-stakes by-election
16 Jun 2026 at 4:56pm

Residents of Aberdeen South will vote in a new MP on Thursday

With just 48 hours to go until the Aberdeen South by-election, Kemi Badenoch is confident the Scottish Conservatives can beat the SNP.

It comes after Dorothy Bain announced her decision to step down after five years in the role

Scotland and England face crucial by-elections as Reform UK and Labour clash amid political turmoil

The Aberdeen South by-election has become a de facto vote on the future of the North Sea oil and gas sector.

Wings over Scotland

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Craig Murray

The UK Joins the Pirates
15 Jun 2026 at 1:21pm

I was genuinely surprised by the Starmer regime’s refusal to state that the Israeli boarding of the Global Sumud flotilla on the High Seas was illegal. I did not realise it was because the UK was planning to undertake similar illegal seizure itself. The Gaza Flotilla seizure was illegal: while for obvious reasons freedom of …

The UK Joins the Pirates

Sentencing the Innocent
13 Jun 2026 at 4:41pm

Judge Johnson had proved his fascist credentials through rulings much earlier in the Filton trial than his vicious sentencing. Indeed, he had arguably already shown them when he released Tommy Robinson from a prison sentence, or when as a barrister he had chosen to work for the intelligence services and Ministry of Defence. But in …

Sentencing the Innocent

The Joy of Resistance
6 Jun 2026 at 9:51am

Just a quick note to say that I am very aware that lately I have been rather bitter, which is not good for anybody, especially me. The disappointments and state outrages have been no worse than usual; my frustration at my poor health, and the subsequent constraint of my ability to fight back, has rather …

The Joy of Resistance

The Power of the UK State Over Scotland
28 May 2026 at 7:50am

I went through yesterday’s preliminary hearing in the Scottish judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action with a sense of mounting horror. We had the same judge as at the permission hearing, Lord Young. We had exactly the same arguments and the same case law being deployed again by the UK government as at …

The Power of the UK State Over Scotland

Palestine Action Scottish Judicial Review ? Stitch-Up Incoming?
27 May 2026 at 12:58am

The proscription of Palestine Action was sold to MPs and the media on the basis of a deliberate campaign of lies, fronted by Yvette Cooper, then Home Secretary, and Mark Rowley, Commissioner of the Metropolitan police. Both have deep commitment to Israel. Cooper is owned by the Israel lobby. What is worse, they then attempted …

Palestine Action Scottish Judicial Review – Stitch-Up Incoming?

Dr Manivannan
14 May 2026 at 6:00pm

The furore around the election of Dr Manivannan to the Scottish Parliament is deeply troubling. There is no argument whatsoever that they were eligible to stand for election. The law was changed specifically in order for those on temporary visas to be able to stand in Scottish parliamentary elections. I confess I am not sure …

Dr Manivannan

BBC Scotland

Ruth Charteris KC named as Scotland's next top law officer
16 Jun 2026 at 3:10pm
Charteris will replace Dorothy Bain KC as lead of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and chief legal adviser to the Scottish government.

Commissioner 'disappointed' by social media ban for children
15 Jun 2026 at 12:51pm
Nicola Killean warned that a ban "may inadvertently push children to less regulated or riskier parts of the internet".

Scotland on front line in fight against Russia - MP
14 Jun 2026 at 1:29pm
Graeme Downie's comments came as British armed forces boarded a sanctions-busting Russian oil tanker in the English Channel.

Israeli tech firm accused of targeting First Minister in election
12 Jun 2026 at 2:18pm
Accounts linked to tech firm BlackCore are alleged to have carried out 'digital interference operations' against John Swinney.

Investigation into Scotland's maternity units to start in autumn
11 Jun 2026 at 5:11pm
Bereaved families say they are angry that the same issues have been reoccurring for years.

Scotland's councils face budget shortfalls. How bad is it in your area?
11 Jun 2026 at 6:39am
The Accounts Commission has warned local authorities that their funding plans are not keeping pace with rising costs.

Arbroath and Broughty Ferry: A tale of two high streets
11 Jun 2026 at 6:10am
The fortunes of both high streets will be one of the big topics to be considered by the constituency's new MP, following next week's election.

Scottish Parliament rejects call for Peter Murrell inquiry
10 Jun 2026 at 8:48pm
SNP and Greens MSPs have instead backed a wider inquiry into how political parties are financed.

No reprimand for Scottish Secretary over meeting with Mandelson firm
10 Jun 2026 at 3:06pm
Sir Keir Starmer says the Scottish secretary "acted appropriately" despite an "administrative oversight".

'Not just offshore jobs': The issues facing voters in Aberdeen South
10 Jun 2026 at 6:08am
Voters head to the polls on 18 June as seven candidates stand in Aberdeen South.

Mobile phones to be banned in all Edinburgh secondary schools
9 Jun 2026 at 2:58pm
From August, pupils will have to put their devices in magnetically sealed pouches throughout the school day, including during breaks and lunchtime.

Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions fall slightly as progress slows
9 Jun 2026 at 12:42pm
The amount of planet-warming gases produced in 2024 fell by 1% compared to the previous year.

Scot Goes Pop

New low for BBC as they abuse Scottish World Cup coverage as a licence fee en...
14 Jun 2026 at 3:01pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos: BOMBSHELL as French Government reveals there was Israeli interf...

BOMBSHELL as French Government reveals there was Israeli interference in the ...
12 Jun 2026 at 7:10pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos: Of course Good Morning Britain should apologise for its anti-Sc...

Of course Good Morning Britain should apologise for its anti-Scottish chauvin...
10 Jun 2026 at 1:49pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos: Sparkling YouGov subsample puts spring in SNP's step as crucial...

Sparkling YouGov subsample puts spring in SNP's step as crucial by-elections ...
9 Jun 2026 at 8:16pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos: BIG BOOST for independence support in pre-election YouGov poll ...

The Scot Goes Popcast is now available on Apple Podcasts
8 Jun 2026 at 1:47am
I hope this will be of some use to someone, because it's taken me days of torture to get to this point.  Apple may be one of the largest companies in the world, but its website is a baffling, bug-r...

BIG BOOST for independence support in pre-election YouGov poll that no-one se...
7 Jun 2026 at 1:56pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE. Other recent videos: If this Makerfield by-election poll is accurate, it's the end of the road for Keir Starmer as PMRUPERT LOWE could...

An examination of the latest Hullaba-Stew
6 Jun 2026 at 6:36pm
Never one to resist an exercise in utter futility, the controversial Somerset-based "Stew" blogger has attempted to resuscitate a correspondence with the Chief Constable and the Crown Office that h...

Dark times for Stew as the full realisation dawns of just how *much* he's acc...
6 Jun 2026 at 12:17am
Please go gently with the controversial Somerset-based "Stew" blogger if you run into him, things seem to have really got on top of him over the last 36 hours and he's now rather overcome with emot...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Far-right has no place on our streets, says Swinney after Glasgow demo
16 Jun 2026 at 5:56pm
The Scottish First Minister condemned the behaviour of balaclava-clad demonstrators ?doing Nazi salutes?

What do this week?s by-elections mean for Starmer?
16 Jun 2026 at 4:52pm
Voters in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry go to the polls to elect new MPs on Thursday

Who are the candidates in Thursday?s by-elections in Aberdeen, Abroath, Broug...
16 Jun 2026 at 4:51pm
Seats up for grabs are Makerfield in Greater Manchester, Aberdeen South in north-east Scotland, and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry in eastern Scotland

Scotland?s new top law officer ?exceptionally well qualified?, John Swinney says
16 Jun 2026 at 3:29pm
Ruth Charteris KC is being promoted from solicitor general to Lord Advocate

Tories would give Aberdeen oil industry ?kiss of life? says Badenoch
16 Jun 2026 at 6:40am
The Conservative leader is visiting the constituency on Tuesday

Somerville hails ?momentous opportunity? to improve working with third sector
16 Jun 2026 at 6:40am
The Scottish Government announced it is to create a new formal partnership with the third sector in February

John Swinney to visit Kentucky for whisky talks during US visit
15 Jun 2026 at 6:42am
The Scottish First Minister will meet bourbon business leaders in the state after attending the World Cup in Boston

Israeli tech firm accused of interfering in Scottish election
12 Jun 2026 at 5:32pm
Hundreds of accounts targeted John Swinney and the SNP on social media, France's disinformation watchdog said

Labour tax hike wiping charity shops from high streets, SNP warns
12 Jun 2026 at 6:52am
The party said UK Government?s rise in employers? national insurance has forced charity shops to close

Al Carns resigns as defence minister, after Healey?s exit over military funding
11 Jun 2026 at 8:59pm
He said he could not defend ?a level of investment I know to be inadequate to the task?.

Review of Scotland?s maternity services to begin after summer
11 Jun 2026 at 7:03pm
The health secretary said the independent review would examine how care can better meet the needs of women

Swinney warns of ?rising tide of hateful rhetoric? in wake of unrest
11 Jun 2026 at 3:34pm
The First Minister has accused Reform UK of ?stirring up of hatred within our society?

Swinney to face FMQs after MSPs vote down call for Murrell inquiry
11 Jun 2026 at 1:53pm
Swinney will face the opposition before heading across the Atlantic ahead of Scotland's first World Cup game in 28 years

Defence secretary John Healey quits over armed forces funding
11 Jun 2026 at 12:48pm
John Healey said the Prime Minister had been unable to commit resources needed to defend the UK amid 'rising threats'

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Thieving Peter Murrell spent stolen SNP cash to treat himself on his birthday
16 Jun 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: The original indictment also claimed Murrell spent nicked SNP cash on the day of his late father's funeral, but this claim was later dropped.

'Happy birthday to me!' Peter Murrell spent stolen cash on posh towels treat
16 Jun 2026 at 4:30am
Peter Murrell bought gifts for years on the significant date as calls for an inquiry grow.

John Swinney refusal to back independent inquiry into Peter Murrell scandal i...
16 Jun 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: A senior Nationalist warned the Murrell scandal risked "poisoning the future chances the party" unless questions were answered over how £600,000-worth of donations were spent.

Why Peter Murrell embezzlement scandal will rumble on into the next decade
16 Jun 2026 at 4:30am
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says the SNP will struggle to keep a lid on a scandal that is consuming the party.

Scottish Labour could be set for a coronation when Anas Sarwar stands down as...
15 Jun 2026 at 5:00pm
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says MSP Michael Marra may become the next leader without a challenge - due to a dearth of contenders.

Watchdog warns of seven month delay in allocating public service complaint cases
15 Jun 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman says a huge rise in complaints has resulted in delays.

Woman 'tortured' as child wants law change after mum jailed for just 8 months
14 Jun 2026 at 10:18am
Caroline Eshghi was kicked, burnt, starved and force-fed rotten milk, but her mum spent just eight months in prison

SNP faced 'unprecedented' wave of AI bot attacks as Israeli firm accused of e...
14 Jun 2026 at 4:30am
The party made the claim after allegations Israeli tech firm BlackCore tried to 'smear' John Swinney during the Holyrood election campaign.

Newly-elected Labour MSP hits out at sexism in politics ten years after Jo Co...
13 Jun 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: Jenny Young said the political climate has not improved for women a decade after Cox's brutal murder.

Leaked WhatsApp messages reveal brutal infighting among Scottish Labour MPs o...
12 Jun 2026 at 5:00pm
EXCLUSIVE: The messages, posted in the official WhatsApp group for Scottish Labour MPs, show Alexander's allies defending him after a round of briefings.

The National

The National | Politics

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage breaking British company law
16 Jun 2026 at 5:46pm

REFORM UK?s leader Nigel Farage has broken UK company law, it has emerged after the MP received an undisclosed £5million gift from a crypto billionaire ...

UK Government must investigate alleged Israeli election meddling, says minister
16 Jun 2026 at 5:30pm

THE UK Government must take alleged Israeli interference in the Scottish election seriously and fully investigate, External Affairs minister Stephen Gethins has said.

Why the Tartan Army are the best ambassadors for Scotland
16 Jun 2026 at 5:30pm

We have all witnessed the attention the Tartan Army's passion in the US has received since they touched down for the country's World Cup campaign. But can they have an impact way beyond this?

Scotland?s waters not ?adequately protected? from Russian threats, says John ...
16 Jun 2026 at 5:26pm

VITAL assets in Scotland?s waters are not being ?adequately protected? because of ?disproportionate? UK Government spending on nuclear weapons, John Swinney has claimed ...

Who really is Andy Burnham? This is what Makerfield voters had to say
16 Jun 2026 at 4:41pm

WHO is Andy Burnham, really?

Closure of historic landmark 'act of cultural vandalism,' ministers told
16 Jun 2026 at 4:24pm

ALLOWING the closure of a historic 130-year-old landmark in Glasgow would be an act of ?cultural vandalism,? the Scottish Government has been told as ministers have been urged to intervene ...

Jeremy Corbyn slams inaction as illegal Israeli settlements promoted at Londo...
16 Jun 2026 at 3:53pm

JEREMY Corbyn has hit out at UK Government inaction after it was confirmed that illegal Israeli settlements were advertised at a London property show ...

Scottish city high street rejuvenation project to receive £600,000
16 Jun 2026 at 3:38pm

A COMMUNITY-LED project to rejuvenate Aberdeen?s high street will receive a further £600,000 in funding, the Scottish Government has announced ...

Scottish Tory candidate 'could cost taxpayers £1m in AI questions' at Westmin...
16 Jun 2026 at 3:16pm

THE SNP have claimed that Douglas Lumsden could cost taxpayers over £1 million in AI questions if elected in the forthcoming Aberdeen South by-election ...

John Swinney hails 'outstanding' Tartan Army for World Cup support
16 Jun 2026 at 2:59pm

FIRST Minister John Swinney has praised the Tartan Army for being an ?absolute credit? to the country and ?capturing the imagination? of Americans while supporting Scotland at the World Cup ...

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Ruth Charteris named as next lord advocate
16 Jun 2026 at 3:25pm
She replaces Dorothy Bain who announced she was standing down last month

Kemi Badenoch: Aberdeen South byelection could give 'the kiss of life' to oil...
16 Jun 2026 at 1:01am
Kemi Badenoch is expected to visit Aberdeen South today, ahead of polling day on Thursday

UK will ban social media access for under-16s, Starmer confirms
15 Jun 2026 at 11:05am
PM vows to 'move at speed', with ban possible from early 2027

Israeli tech firm targeted John Swinney in election misinformation campaign, ...
12 Jun 2026 at 4:20pm
Claims are 'deeply concerning', FM says

John Swinney accuses Reform of ?inciting racial hatred?
11 Jun 2026 at 4:42pm
Malcolm Offord said the FM was ?throwing false accusations at my party?

John Healey resigns as defence secretary over military spending plans
11 Jun 2026 at 1:36pm
The MP said he had "no other option" because the Treasury was "unwilling" to provide the required resources

Watchdog warning as councils? budget gap hits half a billion pounds
11 Jun 2026 at 7:00am
Government urges backing for public sector reform

SNP and Greens vote down Labour bid to launch Peter Murrell inquiry
10 Jun 2026 at 6:54pm
Parliament backed the Greens? call for an independent review of all political party finances

Swinney says Glasgow disturbances which followed Belfast knife attack are ?co...
10 Jun 2026 at 4:00pm
Three arrests were made following disorder in Glasgow city centre, Police Scotland said

Jenni Minto elected convener of Standards Committee
10 Jun 2026 at 3:25pm
The remaining conveners were elected unopposed

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

UK defence spending plan ?well short of what?s required? and harder choices n...
16 Jun 2026 at 6:08pm
Ex-defence secretary John Healey and ex-defence minister Al Carns have given resignation statements to MPsSpeaking to reporters at the G7, Keir Starmer also defended the defence investment plan (DIP) draft that led to John Healey?s resignation as defence secretary last week. Starmer confirmed tha...

France accuses Israeli firm of interfering in Scottish elections and targetin...
12 Jun 2026 at 3:00pm
Cyber agency says BlackCore targeted John Swinney, as well as interfering in New York and French electionsFrance?s cybersecurity agency has accused the Israeli tech company BlackCore of interfering in the Scottish elections earlier this year by targeting the first minister, John Swinney.The disin...

Dan Jarvis named new defence secretary as Al Carns quits government ? UK poli...
11 Jun 2026 at 10:53pm
Government confirms Jarvis?s move from role as security minister to replace John HealeyRyan Henderson, assistant chief constable for the Police Service of Northern Ireland, is about to hold a press conference about last night?s rioting.Andy Burnham is facing criticism after saying that he thinks ...

Starmer to meet Henry Nowak?s family this afternoon, No 10 says ? as it happened
4 Jun 2026 at 5:33pm
This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story hereKemi Badenoch has posted a message on social media saying she met Henry Nowak?s father, mother and stepmother this morning. She praises their courage, and says:Henry?s family do not want anger to tear communities apart. They are a famil...

A new elephant in Nicola Sturgeon?s room | Brief letters
2 Jun 2026 at 5:38pm
Murrell?s motorhome | Hooked on Alan Rickman | Football fans | Nine times table | Beauty of maths | It all adds upFollowing Nicola Sturgeon?s bravura performance on BBC One?s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme (Nicola Sturgeon: I feel as if I?m serving a sentence for a crime I did not commit,...

Starmer says he ?felt sick? watching video of Henry Nowak?s arrest ? as it ha...
2 Jun 2026 at 5:32pm
The prime minister said: ?I have seen the body cam footage, it?s harrowing, and I have to say, as a father of a 17-year-old boy, I felt sick watching it.?BBC Scotland has more details of the Peter Murrell hearing this morning on its live blog. And, on its live blog, Sky News has pictures of some ...

Motorhome bought by Murrell with stolen SNP money was driven only 4 miles, co...
2 Jun 2026 at 1:29pm
High court in Edinburgh hears £125K vehicle was described as a van in faked invoice and stocked with luxury goodsThe luxury motorhome that Peter Murrell bought using money stolen from the Scottish National party was driven for only four miles, sitting unused for more than two years.Murrell, then ...

Mandelson described Starmer?s No 10 operation as ?beleaguered and bereft? in ...
1 Jun 2026 at 6:18pm
Peter Mandelson?s unfiltered remarks to cabinet officials are made public in hundreds of pages of documents relating to his appointment as US ambassador Mandelson files show no mitigation of security concernsAt the Downing Street lobby briefing the PM?s spokesperson said the release of the Mandel...

The Guardian view on the Aberdeen South byelection: the politics of energy ta...
31 May 2026 at 5:30pm
While Westminster?s attention is focused on Andy Burnham and Makerfield, another pivotal byelection is taking place in Scotland?s north-eastThe coming byelection in Makerfield, from where Andy Burnham aspires to make rapid progress towards Downing Street, is perhaps the most consequential in Brit...

Nicola?s only crime was to love too much. And to not notice the Jaguar on the...
31 May 2026 at 5:27pm
Rather than being one of the shrewdest operators in British politics for a decade, it turns out Sturgeon was just too trustingYou know how it is. You wake up and look out the bedroom window. You see a brand new Jaguar worth £81,000 parked in the driveway. You smile to yourself. That?s what you lo...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Sarwar learns the law of unintended consequences
11 Jun 2026 at 11:52am
Anyone with two functioning braincells knows that the only reason the anti-independence parties and the SNP’s enemies are so keen on an inquiry into the Murrell scandal is because they seek to make political capital out of it, damage a party that keeps defeating them at the ballot box, and with it hinder progress to …

Westminster goes Trumpian and the media in Scotland jumps the SNPbad shark
7 Jun 2026 at 7:26pm
At the behest of Tory MP Andrew Six Chips Bowie, Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee is to vote next week on whether to hold an inquiry into the finances of the SNP. Bowie is of course only interested in good governance and looking after the best interests of the SNP members whose money was stolen by …

The historic failure of the media in Scotland
4 Jun 2026 at 1:28pm
The issues in my left eye, my better eye, seem to be getting a bit better so I’m only half blind now. Many thanks to everyone who left kind messages of support. Hopefully after 16 June when I have the cataract operation my eyesight will improve markedly. The Murrell scandal is of course still rumbling …

Seeing the path ahead clearly
31 May 2026 at 2:45pm
I’m not going to be blogging so much over the next couple of weeks. For the past year or so I’ve had a cataract in my right eye, which has rapidly worsened over recent months such that at an eye test at the opticians last week I found to my horror that I could not …

The first salvos have been fired in the latest stage of the independence camp...
27 May 2026 at 4:20pm
On Tuesday, the first working day of a new Scottish Parliament, with a record pro-independence majority, the fourth such majority in a row, MSPs voted by 72 to 55, a majority of 17 to adopt a motion calling on the Westminster government “to make a Section 30 order under the Scotland Act 1998 to devolve …

Explaining a parliamentary mandate for the staunch of hearing
26 May 2026 at 3:16pm
Today Holyrood gets the ball rolling on putting into action the pro-independence mandate given to it by the people of Scotland at the recent election, which as we all know by now resulted in the largest ever majority of pro-independence MSPs in the history of the Scottish Parliament. I’ll blog about the debate and vote …

Branchform?s over and the SNP is still standing
25 May 2026 at 1:41pm
Well, after five long years, murder tents, and over £2 million in police costs, it’s all over bar the inevitable shouting, and of course the not insignificant matter of what is likely to be a substantial custodial sentence. Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party. …

The supposed ?Once in a generation? pledge is a Westminster myth
23 May 2026 at 12:31pm
On Thursday evening’s edition of BBC Reform Time, Fiona Bruce, the completely unbiased and neutral right wing unionist host, editorialised in aid of Tory MP Harriet Cross who had insisted that the question of independence had been “settled” in 2014 and attempts to revisit the matter “have to end, they have to end.” Bruce interjected …

John Swinney fires the starting gun on independence push
22 May 2026 at 1:30pm
He’s not mucking about. On the back of Holyrood’s record pro-independence majority, John Swinney has announced that there will be a debate and vote in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday on securing a Section 30 order for an independence referendum. With 72 pro-independence MSPs in the chamber, the motion will pass easily despite the predictable …

The British media is hiding Holyrood?s independence majorities
20 May 2026 at 5:01pm
Something interesting, and entirely predictable, has been happening in the British media since the SNP comprehensively defeated the parties of Westminster rule in this month’s Holyrood elections, being returned for a fifth term in office in a Scottish Parliament which has its largest ever pro-independence majority, making this the fourth Scottish Parliament in a row …

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

Talking-up Scotland

?Scotland has proudly led the way in many areas concerning women?s rights and...
16 Jun 2026 at 1:15pm
I’ve been looking the other way, embarrassed as I can be when confronted with a loud mental health problem in the aisles of a supermarket, by the latest string of fake news from Kevin McKenna, greasing the pages of the Herald, this last few months but, such is my lack of inner peace, today’s utterly fantastic ‘John Swinney and the Scottish Greens have, in effect, given a free pass to pimps’ pus...

Major increases in school-leaver employment and university access in SNP years
16 Jun 2026 at 12:00pm
From Summary Statistics for Follow-up Leaver Destinations, No. 8: 2026 edition, published today, the above table extract and: This statistical publication provides information on the follow-up destinations, nine months after the end of the school year, of 2024-25 school leavers from publicly funded secondary schools in Scotland. https://www.gov.scot/publications/summary-statistics-for-follow-up...

With an SNP-held Arbroath by-election looming BBC Scotland cannot wait for Po...
16 Jun 2026 at 9:14am
BBC Scotland‘s insert in BBC Breakfast is headlining the above story alongside the report of the Arbroath and Broughty ferry by-election. They’ve had to work hard to get a story out of their Tayside & Central web page which only has: A 23-year-old man has been charged after a woman was raped in Arbroath. Police said they had received a report of a serious sexual assault in the Bridge Street are...

Cryptosporidium in the Capital, Diarrhoea in Devon, a Toilet in the Thames, a...
16 Jun 2026 at 8:38am
BBC Breakfast this morning on a £10bn rescue package for Thames Water, which would cost the taxpayer in Scotland a near £1bn share of that as it comes out of general UK taxation. We know by now that so called Barnett consequentials to compensate Scotland for this kind of thing rarely work and that the UK Government is more likely to cut the Scottish block grant anyway, as it pleases. Thames Wat...

Scottish media accept that Israeli interference against the SNP may be true a...
15 Jun 2026 at 6:20pm
Covered fairly widely in the Scottish MSM and by BBC Scotland last week: Scotland’s first minister was targeted by an Israeli firm spreading online disinformation before the Holyrood election, a French government agency has claimed. John Swinney and the SNP were allegedly targeted in accounts linked to BlackCore ? a tech company claiming to “shape narratives” who French authorities accused of t...

Surge in e bike offences is exacerbation of wider county lines drug gangs pla...
15 Jun 2026 at 5:07pm
From Aberdeenshire Live, last week: Fifty people have been charged in connection with a Police Scotland crackdown on illegal e-bikes in Aberdeen. The city’s Community Action Team identified 154 crimes during a three-week crackdown on illegal e-bikes, with dozens of people charged. Between Monday, May 18 and Friday, June 5, officers working on Operation Armour patrolled known crime hotspots, tar...

My Party, My Choice ? SNP Donors Speak Out
11 Jun 2026 at 9:29am
By Jim Mennie Following Peter Murrell?s guilty plea for embezzling over £400,000 from SNP funds, opposition parties and sections of the media have called for a public inquiry and the ?return of funds to donors?. A petition launched by SNP donors in 2024 made one clear point: donations to the SNP are voluntary, unrestricted gifts under UK law. Thousands of us who donated have already said public...

As Starmer doubles down on extra waste-generating new nuclear ? the safest p...
11 Jun 2026 at 9:05am
In London Daily today, the above and: Keir Starmer, leader of the UK Labour Party, has proposed an ambitious initiative to increase the development of nuclear power in the United Kingdom, emphasizing the construction of small modular reactors (SMRs). https://londondaily.com/keir-starmer-advocates-for-small-modular-nuclear-reactors-amid-environmental-concerns One of the biggest problems for thes...

Scottish independence shouldn?t give you that sinking feeling
11 Jun 2026 at 8:39am
This report will no doubt draw accusations of ‘whitabootery‘ being taken to its logical conclusion, complete daftness, but, if the facts told the opposite story, the media operating in Scotland would just love to give you a sinking feeling to store with all the other ‘Scotland is sh**te‘ narratives they feed you daily. How can the SNP run a country if they can’t stop your house sinking? Luckily...

Where it counts, NHS Grampian is not ?troubled?
11 Jun 2026 at 7:37am
BBC Scotland, in their BBC Breakfast insert today, making much of NHS Grampian as ‘troubled‘, misses these key statistics below. The Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratio is a reliable measure of the extent to which a hospital is operating normally and safely. The large Aberdeen Royal is only 0.04% above the Scottish average of 1. Smaller hospitals can have less predictable figures but, again D...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

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 Independence: More show. Less tell - Enlighten - Scotland's Independ...
16 Jun 2026 at 4:02am
Scottish Independence: More show. Less tell  Enlighten - Scotland's Independent Think Tank

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

EU expert gives verdict on Scottish European relations ten years after Brexit...
16 Jun 2026 at 8:05am
EU expert gives verdict on Scottish European relations ten years after Brexit vote  The Herald

Is Scotland still divided on independence? - The Week
28 May 2026 at 8:00am
Is Scotland still divided on independence?  The Week

Scottish Bonds to Create ?Financial Referendum? on Independence - Bloomberg.com
15 Jun 2026 at 9:16am
Scottish Bonds to Create ?Financial Referendum? on Independence  Bloomberg.com

Pro-EU rally to be held at Holyrood to mark anniversary of Brexit vote - The ...
16 Jun 2026 at 8:09am
Pro-EU rally to be held at Holyrood to mark anniversary of Brexit vote  The National Scot

Ipsos Polling confirms Holyrood26 as the ?loveless election? in Scots minds -...
3 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Ipsos Polling confirms Holyrood26 as the ?loveless election? in Scots minds  Ipsos

Nationalist Governments Now in Both: The 2026 Parliamentary Elections in Scot...
31 May 2026 at 7:13pm
Nationalist Governments Now in Both: The 2026 Parliamentary Elections in Scotland and Wales  Open Canada

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

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

SNP Government accused of 'deeply cynical' election stunt after announcing £1...
16 Jun 2026 at 6:34pm
SNP Government accused of 'deeply cynical' election stunt after announcing £1m for Aberdeen high streets  Scottish Daily Express

Peter Murrell 'spent hundreds on household goods with SNP cash to treat himse...
16 Jun 2026 at 12:05pm
Peter Murrell 'spent hundreds on household goods with SNP cash to treat himself on his birthday'  Scottish Daily Express

Big salaries, a motorhome and SNP accounts: The Nicola Sturgeon interview unw...
1 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Big salaries, a motorhome and SNP accounts: The Nicola Sturgeon interview unwrapped  BBC

How former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell spent the £400,000 he embezzled ...
1 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
How former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell spent the £400,000 he embezzled  BBC

We know what former SNP chief Peter Murrell bought with £400,000 of embezzled...
29 May 2026 at 8:00am
We know what former SNP chief Peter Murrell bought with £400,000 of embezzled funds. What I?d like to know is why  The Guardian

SPICe general election Scotland 2026 results and analysis - SPICe Spotlight
9 May 2026 at 8:00am
SPICe general election Scotland 2026 results and analysis  SPICe Spotlight

Nicola Sturgeon denies any knowledge of items husband Peter Murrell bought wi...
25 May 2026 at 8:00am
Nicola Sturgeon denies any knowledge of items husband Peter Murrell bought with embezzled £400,000  Sky News

Final YouGov MRP of the 2026 Holyrood election shows the SNP falling short of...
6 May 2026 at 8:00am
Final YouGov MRP of the 2026 Holyrood election shows the SNP falling short of a majority  YouGov

Former Scottish National Party chief pleads guilty to embezzling $540,000 - R...
25 May 2026 at 8:00am
Former Scottish National Party chief pleads guilty to embezzling $540,000  Reuters

Sturgeon defends 'no comment' police interview after SNP funds probe arrest -...
27 May 2026 at 8:00am
Sturgeon defends 'no comment' police interview after SNP funds probe arrest  BBC

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

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 Bonds to Create ?Financial Referendum? on Independence - Bloomberg.com
15 Jun 2026 at 9:16am
Scottish Bonds to Create ?Financial Referendum? on Independence  Bloomberg.com

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

EU expert gives verdict on Scottish European relations ten years after Brexit...
16 Jun 2026 at 8:05am
EU expert gives verdict on Scottish European relations ten years after Brexit vote  The Herald

Swinney says Scottish independence referendum could be held in 2028 - BBC
12 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
Swinney says Scottish independence referendum could be held in 2028  BBC

Is Scotland still divided on independence? - The Week
28 May 2026 at 8:00am
Is Scotland still divided on independence?  The Week

Ipsos Polling confirms Holyrood26 as the ?loveless election? in Scots minds -...
3 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Ipsos Polling confirms Holyrood26 as the ?loveless election? in Scots minds  Ipsos

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

UK Government rejects Scottish parliament's call for new independence referen...
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
UK Government rejects Scottish parliament's call for new independence referendum  The Brussels Times

The next Scottish and Welsh governments are likely to put constitutional chan...
6 May 2026 at 8:00am
The next Scottish and Welsh governments are likely to put constitutional change back on the agenda  Institute for Government