The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Glasgow: The Next Chapter - The Herald's new series explores the future of th...
by joe.donnelly2@newsquest.co.uk | Joe Donnelly
18 Jun 2026 at 12:56pm
The Herald's latest in-depth investigative series explores the future of Scotland's largest city through the lens of culture, business, people and more.


Inside story: How Tories turned things around to win in Aberdeen South
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
19 Jun 2026 at 3:58pm
Analysis of how the Conservatives turned Aberdeen South into a referendum on oil and gas, exposing SNP uncertainty on North Sea jobs and economic trust.


'Time is up': Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood urge Starmer to set departure t...
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
19 Jun 2026 at 3:07pm
Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood have urged Sir Keir Starmer to set a departure timeline as Cabinet pressure mounts after Andy Burnham?s Makerfield win.


Swinney vows SNP will ?consider the implications? of Aberdeen South defeat
19 Jun 2026 at 2:48pm
The SNP will ?consider the implications? of its defeat in the Aberdeen South by-election, leader John Swinney has said, as he admitted the Tories seized the seat from his party after capturing ?understandable anger? in the area over the future of the oil and has...


Taxpayers are the real losers of the Scottish Government's trans prison policy
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
19 Jun 2026 at 12:49pm
The Scottish Government has lost another costly legal battle - this time on transgender prison policies.


Glasgow City Council 'welcomes' Boston Mayor's plans to formally twin cities
by craig.williams@newsquest.co.uk | Craig Williams
19 Jun 2026 at 12:24pm
Glasgow City Council has said it "welcomes" plans by the Mayor of Boston, Michelle Wu, to formalise an international partnership between the two cities.


'A huge wake up call': Unions blast Labour and SNP over North Sea after Tory win
19 Jun 2026 at 12:23pm
Trade unions have attacked both UK and Scottish ministers over North Sea oil and gas saying the Conservative victory in Aberdeen South should be a "wake up call" to both governments.


Court of Session rules Scottish Government trans prison policy is unlawful
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
19 Jun 2026 at 12:00pm
The Court of Session has ruled that it is unlawful for trans women to be housed in female prisons


Prestwick Airport chief?s eye-catching legacy as he reveals departure
by ian.mcconnell@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Ian McConnell
19 Jun 2026 at 4:35am
The Prestwick Airport chief talked about his 'legacy' as he revealed his departure


Andy Burnham wins Makerfield by-election paving way for Labour leadership con...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
19 Jun 2026 at 3:04am
Andy Burnham?s dramatic victory in the Makerfield by-election has triggered an immediate leadership crisis for Keir Starmer.


Scottish Conservatives win Aberdeen South by-election in blow to SNP
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
19 Jun 2026 at 1:06am
The Tories have won the Aberdeen South by-election, while the SNP has held on to Arbroath and Broughty Ferry.


Brexit has made Scotland almost £30 billion a year worse off, study finds
19 Jun 2026 at 5:03am
Brexit has made Scotland almost £30 billion a year worse off with the country the most damaged of UK devolved nations, a new academic study has revealed.


SNP infighting erupts as party loses key Westminster by-election to Conservat...
19 Jun 2026 at 8:49am
SNP infighting has begun after the party lost a key by-election to the Conservatives in a shock defeat which saw its support plummet.


SNP candidate Lara Bird wins Arbroath and Broughty Ferry by-election
by Rachel Keenan, PA
19 Jun 2026 at 2:40am
The SNP has successfully held the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry seat, with qualified barrister Lara Bird elected as the new MP.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


SNP ministers lose court battle over trans prisoners in female jails
19 Jun 2026 at 12:00pm

A Court of Session ruling said the current prison guidance is ?unlawful?

The Conservatives turned the Aberdeen South by-election into a referendum on North Sea oil and gas - and it has fallen in their favour.

A cross-party Westminster committee has demanded answers over whether Peter Murrell embezzled public funds ahead of potentially launching an inquiry into the scandal.

There are now calls within the party to rethink its stance on oil and gas

John Swinney tells farmers they will be protected amid concerns over food price cap plan

Andy Burnham has won the Makerfield by election by over 9,000 votes.

The Conservatives pulled off a stunning victory against the SNP in Aberdeen South - but the nationalists managed to hang on to Arbroath and Broughty Ferry.

Wings over Scotland

A Fishy Tale
19 Jun 2026 at 9:54am
It is, if you’re a bit dim, almost possible to believe this. But not for very long. Because while the Labour vote collapsed by a staggering 87% in Aberdeen South last night, the Tory vote only went up by about a third of that. Labour lost 10,000 votes but the SNP also lost 7,000 and …

Response Level Upgrade
12 Jun 2026 at 12:48pm
Our first letter was answered/dismissed by “Service Adviser 1989847”, so this reply to our second one, while it doesn’t say much, definitely feels like a step up. Our KC has offered all possible assistance to the Cyber and Fraud Unit in relation to the matter, and we’ll keep you posted with any developments, readers.

Wider Than A Mile
10 Jun 2026 at 1:06pm
In this scene, John Swinney is portrayed by Stewie Griffin (the baby), and the faithful membership of the SNP is portrayed by Brian Griffin (the dog). ? We’re not sure any words are needed after that, but what the heck, we’re here now. Because it’s really, really difficult to overstate the blind idiot gullibility of …

The Ever-Changing Lie
9 Jun 2026 at 12:28pm
We have an update, folks. Because they don’t even care about keeping their bullshit straight. So the full sequence now runs: (1) “The money isn’t missing, it’s all still there and ringfenced for a second indyref. Anyone who says otherwise is a loony conspiracy theorist.” (Feb 2020) (2) “Okay, it’s not ringfenced, it’s woven in …

The Massive Face Of Truth
7 Jun 2026 at 11:01am
If you?d like to watch a 21-minute video of me banging on about Operation Branchform and whatnot to the Scottish Sun, click the image below. If you?d rather not watch that, best not to click it.

In pursuit of clarity
6 Jun 2026 at 11:12am
Wings has today sent the following emails. - The Chief Constable Police Scotland 5 Fettes Avenue Edinburgh EH4 1RB 6 June 2026 Thank you for your (very swift) reply to my letter. However, I am afraid that it leaves more questions than answers. Firstly, you state that Police Scotland ?have been advised? that the information …

The Interesting Words Round
5 Jun 2026 at 7:42pm
We received two emails today, just a few minutes apart. There are a couple of notable things about them. The first came from Claire Somebody at the Crown Office. The second one, even more thrillingly, came from Service Advisor 1989847 at Police Scotland, which we assume is some sort of advanced crime-fighting robot. In one …

The Lord Of The Rings
5 Jun 2026 at 12:14pm
John Swinney knows the rules. He can’t pretend he doesn’t. ? So let there be no mistake about this: if Police Scotland and the Crown Office refuse to investigate the First Minister’s open public confirmation this week that a serious crime was committed by the SNP over the “ring-fenced” fundraiser money from 2017 and 2019, …

The Aims Of Justice
4 Jun 2026 at 5:59pm
Wings has today sent the following letter to the named recipients. – The Chief Constable Police Scotland 5 Fettes Avenue Edinburgh EH4 1RB Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service 25 Chambers Street Edinburgh EH1 1LA 4 June 2026 . Dear Chief Constable and Crown Office, RE: REQUEST FOR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION ? ALLEGED MISAPPROPRIATION OF RING-FENCED …

For Me, But Not For Thee
4 Jun 2026 at 1:00pm
Huh. Well, that’s nice, isn’t it? The SNP are hoping to make out like bandits from Peter Murrell’s conviction. Despite Swinney’s admission yesterday that the party stole £700,000 from donors to two “ring-fenced” fundraisers, it stands to pocket a surprise bonus of £400,000 from recovering his criminal proceeds (on top of Swinney’s boasted “significant increase” …

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

Judge rules Scottish guidance for housing trans prisoners is unlawful
19 Jun 2026 at 4:05pm
Judge Lady Ross said sex segregation in prisons must be based on biological sex, based on a Supreme Court ruling last year.

Historic by-election win sends message to Labour and SNP - Badenoch
19 Jun 2026 at 2:20pm
Kemi Badenoch hailed the Scottish Conservatives' first by-election win since 1973, after the party took Aberdeen South from the SNP.

Scottish Conservatives win first Westminster by-election in more than 50 years
19 Jun 2026 at 10:07am
The Tories take Aberdeen South, while the SNP wins in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry.

Tories pick themselves up off the floor with unexpected Scottish by-election win
19 Jun 2026 at 11:57am
The Conservatives secured a comfortable victory over the SNP in Aberdeen South after throwing everything at the seat.

Highland Council to work with businesses on new visitor levy
19 Jun 2026 at 9:27am
The local authority put on hold previous plans last year following concerns from tourism bodies.

Swinney apologises to girl at centre of Dundee viral knife video
18 Jun 2026 at 5:34pm
The child brandished weapons at a Bulgarian man who was later convicted of assaulting her.

Holyrood restricts media access to politicians after FMQs
18 Jun 2026 at 7:12pm
A designated area for journalists was set out by the Scottish parliament on Thursday.

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.

Scot Goes Pop

SNP settle for one by-election win out of two - but Keir Starmer will only be...
19 Jun 2026 at 2:27pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos: New low for BBC as they abuse Scottish World Cup coverage as a ...

By-election analysis
19 Jun 2026 at 10:50am
Just a quick note to let you know that I have a new article at The National analysing last night's three by-election results, which you can read HERE.  I'll try to make a video later on as well, al...

Burnham still in the danger zone in Makerfield by-election, say two out of th...
17 Jun 2026 at 7:49am
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos: New low for BBC as they abuse Scottish World Cup coverage as a ...

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...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Commons leaders pressed over ?safeguards? for public cash after Peter Murrell...
19 Jun 2026 at 3:57pm
Patricia Ferguson, the chair of the Scottish Affairs Committee, has written to both the Clerk of the House of Commons and the Speaker on the issue

Scottish Government loses legal challenge over trans prisoners in female jails
19 Jun 2026 at 12:28pm
In a case at the Court of Session, For Women Scotland won its bid to challenge the existing guidelines and to have them struck down.

Scottish Conservatives claim Aberdeen South as SNP vote collapses
19 Jun 2026 at 6:18am
Douglas Lumsden won the Aberdeen South seat, while SNP MP Lara Bird has been elected in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry

Starmer congratulates Burnham as Makerfield win paves way for leadership contest
19 Jun 2026 at 2:40am
The mayor of Greater Manchester said he wanted to ensure Makerfield was synonymous with ?bringing about the change this country needs."

Polls for Westminster by-elections close in Scotland
18 Jun 2026 at 10:13pm
The results are expected to be declared early on Friday morning

John Swinney speaks of ?distress? after ?disorder? in Glasgow
18 Jun 2026 at 9:09pm
Those involved in disorder in Scotland last week after a knife attack in Belfast ?must be held accountable? John Swinney has insisted

Scottish Government underspent budget by £358m last year
18 Jun 2026 at 5:52pm
Public finance minister Hannah Mary Goodlad told MSPs the underspend only amounted to 0.6% of the Government?s overall budget

John Swinney: Farmers will be protected as food price cap is brought in
18 Jun 2026 at 3:15pm
It comes as the First Minister announced a new task force to ensure locally produced food is used in schools and hospitals

Voters go to the polls to choose new MPs in two Scottish by-elections
18 Jun 2026 at 7:16am
It came after Stephen Flynn and Stephen Gethins left the Commons following their election to Holyrood last month.

?We know where you live?: Female councillors subjected to threats and intimid...
18 Jun 2026 at 6:34am
Study finds 'endemic' levels of misogyny directed at women in local government, with many experiencing harassment, threats and intimidation.

Offshore oil and gas at the heart of the fight for Aberdeen South
17 Jun 2026 at 6:42am
Voters will head to the polls in a constituency once represented by Donald Dewar, where the future of the industry isn't far from people's minds

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

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

John Swinney reflects on Aberdeen by-election thrashing as civil war engulfs SNP
19 Jun 2026 at 3:42pm
The First Minister said the Conservatives were ?able to garner tactical voting in their favour? in the by-election.

MPs demand answers on whether Peter Murrell embezzled public money given to SNP
19 Jun 2026 at 2:30pm
Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband will be sentenced next week.

Trans prisoners to be removed from women's jails after judge rules SNP policy...
19 Jun 2026 at 12:44pm
An undisclosed number of trans women remain in Scottish prisons despite the landmark UK Supreme Court ruling that a person's legal sex is the one recorded at birth.

What Andy Burnham as Prime Minister would mean for Scotland
19 Jun 2026 at 12:33pm
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says Scottish politics will be transformed if Andy Burnham becomes PM.

Makerfield by-election results LIVE as Andy Burnham speaking after after seis...
19 Jun 2026 at 11:14am
The latest updates and news after Andy Burnham's huge win in Makerfield

SNP by-election drubbing is another legacy of the Nicola Sturgeon era
19 Jun 2026 at 10:36am
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says the SNP were seen as being on the wrong side of the debate on oil and gas jobs.

SNP civil war breaks out after the Tories secure stunning victory in Aberdeen...
19 Jun 2026 at 7:53am
A former special adviser took aim at Stephen Flynn after the historic defeat.

Makerfield by-election winner announced as Andy Burnham claims vital seat for...
19 Jun 2026 at 3:11am
Voters in the Greater Manchester constituency went to the polls on Thursday, with their decision having huge implications for Keir Starmer, the Labour Party, and the UK as a whole

Scots college bosses slammed after spending £14,000 on New York Tartan Week t...
18 Jun 2026 at 3:42pm
The EIS took aim at the City of Glasgow College for spending thousands so bosses could jet out to attend the 2026 Tartan Week without resolving an industrial dispute.

SNP MSP left red faced after mistakenly backing Reform UK call for immigratio...
18 Jun 2026 at 12:57pm
Clare Adamson clarified the error in an X post.

The National

The National | Politics

Keir Starmer 'considering resigning' after Andy Burnham by-election victory
19 Jun 2026 at 6:07pm

KEIR Starmer is considering resigning amid mounting pressure from his Cabinet in the wake of Andy Burnham?s by-election victory, according to reports

Andy Burnham offers the vibes of the moment ? but nothing of substance
19 Jun 2026 at 5:37pm

What next for SNP policy on oil and gas after crushing Aberdeen by-election d...
19 Jun 2026 at 4:55pm

AFTER any election defeat, the initial reaction from most political figures is always something along the lines of: ?Lessons to be learned. A soul search is needed.?

Plaid Cymru join The National as regular columnists
19 Jun 2026 at 4:47pm

Plaid Cymru are joining The National, with a new monthly column kicking off tomorrow.

Senior Cabinet members 'tell Keir Starmer to go' as Prime Minister clings on
19 Jun 2026 at 3:24pm

CABINET members have reportedly told Keir Starmer to go, while the Prime Minister has used a lunchtime call with Labour staff members to urge them to "pull together" and take the fight to Reform

Scottish Labour have 'heads in the sand' after by-election thrashings
19 Jun 2026 at 2:48pm

SCOTTISH LABOUR have been accused of having their ?heads in the sand? after two crushing Westminster by-election defeats.

John Swinney will 'consider implications' of Aberdeen South by-election defeat
19 Jun 2026 at 2:43pm

The SNP will 'consider the implications' of its defeat in the Aberdeen South by-election, John Swinney has said

Scots honoured with dedicated appreciation day in US as tribute to Tartan Army
19 Jun 2026 at 2:20pm

Scotland fans in Boston have been honoured with a dedicated appreciation day as part of a transatlantic tribute to the Tartan Army

Former New York lawyer jailed for three years for targeting Nadia El-Nakla
19 Jun 2026 at 2:17pm

A MAN convicted of threatening or abusive behaviour towards Scotland's senior law officer and the wife of a former Scottish First Minister was jailed today for three years and four months

Two men jailed over Russian-backed arson attacks targeting Keir Starmer
19 Jun 2026 at 1:28pm

Two 'useful idiots' have been jailed for a series of arson attacks targeting Keir Starmer on the orders of a shadowy Russian-speaking taskmaster

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Council worker sentenced for embezzlement
19 Jun 2026 at 2:33pm
Money was intended for vulnerable people

Transgender prisoners should not be held in women?s jails, court rules
19 Jun 2026 at 1:22pm
Scottish Government policy ruled unlawful in ?comprehensive victory? for For Women Scotland

MPs write to Electoral Commission seeking answers over Murrell scandal
19 Jun 2026 at 12:40pm
The former SNP chief executive was convicted of embezzling from the party earlier this month

Closing the AI Execution Gap: Why Identity Is Now the Control Plane for AI
19 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Closing the AI gap starts with identity, but success is ultimately about execution: aligning strategy, architecture and operating models so AI can deliver sustained advantage.

Scottish Conservatives defeat SNP in Aberdeen South with historic by-election...
19 Jun 2026 at 7:05am
The SNP held onto Arbroath and Broughty Ferry in the night's other Scottish by-election

Burnham eases to victory in Makerfield setting up potential showdown with Sta...
19 Jun 2026 at 6:43am
The Manchester mayor said the result was a 'loud cry for change'

Scottish Parliament in transparency row for ?inhibiting? access to MSPs
18 Jun 2026 at 5:41pm
The introduction of a barrier risks undermining scrutiny, parliament has been warned

Let the public shape digital systems to avert ?polycrisis?, expert urges
18 Jun 2026 at 5:39pm
Legitmacy is at risk, it is claimed

Greens call for pause on data centre approvals until national strategy created
18 Jun 2026 at 5:00pm
John Swinney said existing planning policy was sufficient to allow councils to make their own decisions

Anas Sarwar calls for guarantee over women and babies? safety in maternity wards
18 Jun 2026 at 4:13pm
John Swinney said his government was working with health boards to ensure any recommendations from the inspections were acted on

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

Scottish Conservatives win Aberdeen South in shock loss for the SNP
19 Jun 2026 at 12:29pm
Tories? Douglas Lumsden says city has spoken ?loud and clear? in support of the North Sea oil and gas industryThe Scottish National party has lost the formerly safe seat of Aberdeen South in a shock loss to the Scottish Conservatives.Douglas Lumsden beat the SNP?s Richard Thomson by 6,050 votes, ...

Burnham calls for ?new path for Britain? as Starmer vows to fight any leaders...
19 Jun 2026 at 6:30pm
This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story here:Cabinet loyalists tell PM he has weekend to set out timetable for exit?Now is the change moment?: Burnham staff have no doubtsPodcast: will Burnham become prime minister?What would ?change? look like if Burnham becomes PM?David Blunket...

?No friends to the oil and gas industry?: Aberdeen South, the byelection wher...
17 Jun 2026 at 3:00pm
Peter Murrell affair may feature, but contest seen as straight fight between SNP and Tories over energy policyThe contest for Aberdeen South, a constituency that spans urban social housing and detached homes with sculpted gardens, has been dominated by one topic: the future of North Sea oil and g...

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 ...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Three by elections and no one cared about the Murrell affair
19 Jun 2026 at 12:42pm
The Tories are celebrating their Westminster by election win in Aberdeen South today. But just as Labour celebrated its Holyrood by election win in Hamilton, Larkhall, and Stonehouse in 2025 only to go on to lose this year’s Holyrood election, all this by election result really tells us is that tactical voting in by elections …

The world?s crappiest whodunnit
17 Jun 2026 at 12:20pm
I’ve had my cataract operation, the op was a couple of days early as there was a cancellation. The recovery period is four weeks, but I already notice a massive improvement in my eyesight. The fog has lifted and I’m now able to read much more comfortably. I’m hugely relieved it’s over. Right now, there’s …

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 …

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

As effectiveness of the new UK Labour government plan to protect victims from...
19 Jun 2026 at 5:20pm
From the Western Mail 12 May 2026, the above image and: A MAN punched his fists through the kit­chen win­dow of his former part­ner?s house and threatened to murder her before tak­ing her by the throat and squeez­ing, a court has heard. Alex Thomas had only been out of prison for a mat­ter of days when he attacked the woman in her own home. Source: https://www.pressreader.com/uk/western-mail/20...

Murrell Effect debunked as SNP significantly increase vote share in by-election
19 Jun 2026 at 5:09pm
We all know the voters in Aberdeen South were set firm to punish both Labour and the SNP and they did. They humiliated Labour by pushing them down into 4th place! It was a single-issue protest vote of the kind we often see in by-elections and which means nothing for the wider and longer-term prospects of the winners. Lumsden should save as much as he can as he’ll be out again in 2 to 3 years. I...

In Scotland, twice as many ?probation officers? and so only a tiny fraction o...
19 Jun 2026 at 12:04pm
In the Guardian today: The public is ?at direct risk? from unsupervised ex-offenders because probation officers in England and Wales are being asked to cope with excessive workloads, a union has said. As ministers prepare to release and monitor tens of thousands more prisoners this autumn, Napo?s executive has declared for the first time that it has no confidence in managers at the probation se...

UK Energy Minister, Michael Shanks, should be warned about Rural Scots trappe...
19 Jun 2026 at 10:26am
The Scotsman today has a report on the Poverty Alliance apparently warning the SNP on the costs of energy in rural parts, unconnected to the gas grid and where home heating oil has to be bought in bulk in the absence of any price protection. The absence of price protection for heating oil, the regulatory framework for energy markets, and the overall approach to supporting off-grid households ar...

Why Swinney is correct to reject call for AI data centre pause in Scotland
19 Jun 2026 at 9:40am
I knows this one is divisive. More than a few Talking-up Scotland readers disagree with us on it but here is the case, again, that Scotland is one of the few places with the resources – water and energy – to make a lot of money out of data centres, once independent of course. From the Sunday Mail 28 December 2025, the above back-to-front headline and: Massive new data centres planned in Scotlan...

Why does BBC UK report an English drug gang terrorising Aberdeen but BBC Scot...
18 Jun 2026 at 3:04pm
From the Scottish Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service yesterday: Victor Kihu, 24, recruited men from deprived areas in England to sell and supply Class A drugs from several properties in a cross-border county lines illicit practice known as cuckooing.  Prosecutors from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) gathered evidence which showed Kihu exercised control over multip...

The real drug gangs plague in Scotland ? Media still keeping quiet on drug ga...
18 Jun 2026 at 3:03pm
Images – Police Scotland Forget the Daniels and Lyons Scottish drug gangsters so beloved of the media operating in Scotland. They’re at a global level. They’re not dealing to your kids. This lot are, in a hundred locations from Thurso to Dumfries. From BBC Scotland: NE, Orkney & Shetland, yesterday: Eight men have been arrested and charged after police in Aberdeen seized drugs with a street val...

Unemployment in England 19% higher than in Scotland after nearly 20 years of ...
18 Jun 2026 at 3:01pm
In the Guardian today and from the ONS, above, but getting no BBC coverage: Unemployment fell and wages increased in April, official figures showed, putting pressure on the Bank of England to raise interest rates despite a peace deal in the Middle East. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed UK unemployment slipped to 4.9% in the three months to April from 5% ...

Scotland?s pharmacy scheme ?the model for England? may reduce shortages problems
18 Jun 2026 at 2:59pm
In the Guardian today: Britons sic are facing some of the ?most severe? shortages of NHS medicines on record including common painkillers, epilepsy drugs and HRT, health leaders have warned, even forcing some patients with impaired digestive systems to skip meals. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has warned that medicine shortages pose a ?serious risk to patient safety?. The Royal Coll...

TORY OIL AND GAS PROMISES IN ABERDEEN SOUTH: EMPTY RHETORIC FROM A PARTY OF W...
18 Jun 2026 at 11:13am
By JimMennie As Aberdeen South goes to the polls today, Tories are still attempting to pitch themselves as the saviours of North Sea jobs. Their candidate and national figures claim they alone will ?get Britain drilling? and reverse decline. The reality is starker. The long-term drop in oil and gas employment has been driven primarily by global markets, a maturing North Sea basin with smaller, ...

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

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

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

Pro-independence MSPs respond to 'decolonise Scotland' letter - The National ...
17 Jun 2026 at 4:59pm
Pro-independence MSPs respond to 'decolonise Scotland' letter  The National Scot

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

Caught between the UK and EU: What?s next for young Scots? - France 24
27 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
Caught between the UK and EU: What?s next for young Scots?  France 24

Scottish Parliament to move on new independence vote - RTE.ie
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish Parliament to move on new independence vote  RTE.ie

The question of Scottish independence is alive but not kicking - The Economist
30 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
The question of Scottish independence is alive but not kicking  The Economist

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

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

Historic by-election win sends message to Labour and SNP - Badenoch - BBC
19 Jun 2026 at 2:20pm
Historic by-election win sends message to Labour and SNP - Badenoch  BBC

Scottish Conservatives win Aberdeen South in shock loss for the SNP - The Gua...
19 Jun 2026 at 1:22am
Scottish Conservatives win Aberdeen South in shock loss for the SNP  The Guardian

The Aberdeen Tory triumph is a nightmare for the SNP... and Ed Miliband - The...
19 Jun 2026 at 8:32am
The Aberdeen Tory triumph is a nightmare for the SNP... and Ed Miliband  The Telegraph

Tories and SNP win Scottish by-elections - as Labour come fourth in both race...
19 Jun 2026 at 10:51am
Tories and SNP win Scottish by-elections - as Labour come fourth in both races  Sky News

Scottish Conservatives win first Westminster by-election in more than 50 year...
19 Jun 2026 at 10:07am
Scottish Conservatives win first Westminster by-election in more than 50 years  BBC

?No friends to the oil and gas industry?: Aberdeen South, the byelection wher...
17 Jun 2026 at 3:01pm
?No friends to the oil and gas industry?: Aberdeen South, the byelection where one topic dominates  The Guardian

Tories upset SNP with historic Aberdeen South by-election win - The Telegraph
19 Jun 2026 at 3:00am
Tories upset SNP with historic Aberdeen South by-election win  The Telegraph

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

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

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

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

How do views of Brexit differ between England, Scotland and Wales, 10 years s...
19 Jun 2026 at 9:55am
How do views of Brexit differ between England, Scotland and Wales, 10 years since the referendum?  YouGov

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

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

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

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

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

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

Downing Street rejects Holyrood call for independence referendum - The Nation...
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
Downing Street rejects Holyrood call for independence referendum  The National Scot