The Herald

The Herald | Politics


John Swinney insists he's 'changing no goalposts' on indyref2 strategy
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
28 Apr 2026 at 2:18pm
John Swinney insists the SNP?s route to a second independence referendum has not changed despite comments from inside the party.


North Sea champion slams Miliband for deleted tweet
by scott.wright@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Scott Wright
28 Apr 2026 at 2:47pm
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband under fire for deleted post on BP profits


Sarwar hits out at SNP 'gimmicks' as drug deaths up 31 per cent on last quarter
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
28 Apr 2026 at 1:12pm
Anas Sarwar has accused the SNP of failing Scotland?s drugs deaths emergency with ?slogans and gimmicks? as new figures show suspected fatalities rising sharply.


Anas Sarwar backs Keir Starmer ahead of sleaze probe vote
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
28 Apr 2026 at 12:25pm
Anas Sarwar says Scottish Labour?s MPs will vote to block a Commons sleaze inquiry into Sir Keir Starmer despite mounting questions over the Peter Mandelson scandal.


Warning: Join single market or 'be outsiders at mercy of USA, China and Russia'
by ian.mcconnell@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Ian McConnell
28 Apr 2026 at 4:33am
The campaign group said the UK 'can join our friends and neighbours and fight our corner, or we can be outsiders at the mercy of the USA, China and Russia'


'Immediate risk to life' in 10 buildings as ScotGov post-Grenfell repairs stall
by martin.williams@theherald.co.uk | Martin Williams
28 Apr 2026 at 6:32am
Ten buildings in Scotland have had emergency safety measures put in place after being judged an ?immediate risk to human life? ? yet not a single block has been declared fully repaired under the national cladding programme, nearly nine years after the Grenfell Tower.


MPs warn UK-Australia-US security pact in danger of 'fading away'
by Christopher McKeon
28 Apr 2026 at 12:01am
Britain?s landmark security deal with the US and Australia is threatened by dwindling political leadership, faltering investment and an overstretched submarine service, MPs have warned.


??Unspun: Election Briefing - Polling, STV debate, IndyRef2 and resets
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
28 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
Poll shows SNP ahead but short of majority ahead of STV leaders? debate. Plus Anas Sarwar?s reset and Westminster pressure in today's briefing.


It may surprise you, but Scotch whisky is not our biggest export
by Sandy Begbie
28 Apr 2026 at 4:31am
Financial services is one of Scotland's most internationally competitive sectors


Scotland's population to fall earlier than expected due to migration
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
28 Apr 2026 at 10:16am
Scotland?s population is projected to decline from 2034, earlier than expected, as lower migration and an ageing population outweigh births.


SNP to push for independence vote even if they fall short of Holyrood majority
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
27 Apr 2026 at 3:50pm
John Swinney has pledged to make the first sitting day of a re-elected SNP government about independence as he vowed his party would ?hit the ground running? after next week?s Holyrood election.


Angus Robertson skewered by rivals for moving away from Edinburgh constituency
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
27 Apr 2026 at 3:30pm
Mr Robertson put in expenses claims for 138 journeys between Linlithgow and Edinburgh between November 2023 and February 2026.


'Extremely concerned': Edinburgh candidates speak out against Roseburn Path t...
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
27 Apr 2026 at 2:31pm
Campaigners fighting to protect the popular cycle path have asked candidates to reveal their views on the controversial plans.


Has John Swinney just quietly changed the SNP?s independence goalposts?
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
27 Apr 2026 at 2:12pm
John Swinney says an SNP majority remains the best route to a new independence referendum ? but party insiders now make clear the push will continue even if that majority never comes.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Children waiting 'intolerably long' for neurodevelopment assessments
28 Apr 2026 at 6:00am

The Scottish Liberal Democrats said the system is ?completely broken?

?We have reached trigger point with higher taxes? says Ivan McKee

The SNP is set to win 62 MSPs, with Reform on 19 and Labour on 17.

The SNP leader has brought forward his plan for independence - striking a similarity with his predecessors.

The Scottish Labour leader launched the manifesto at an event with Carol Mochan - who broke the party whip by voting against gender reforms.

Wings over Scotland

Push The Button
25 Apr 2026 at 12:43pm
We’ve been thinking about this all morning, readers. To the point where we’d vote for any party pledging to implement it at once. It’s the best such moral-dilemma question we’ve ever seen, and the absolute key to the state of humankind as a species. It’s a near-perfect practical illustration of the concept of “suicidal empathy”, …

How To Get Away With Crimes
22 Apr 2026 at 6:03pm
After many years of vindictively, vexatiously and maliciously plaguing innocent people, it seemed in February this year that disgraced and deranged former policeman Lynsay Watson‘s campaign of terror might be finally beginning to draw to a close. ? Attending the Civic Justice Centre in Manchester as part of an ongoing attempt to persecute the feminist …

The Pit Of Vipers
19 Apr 2026 at 2:50pm
It’s hard to know where to start with the Sunday Mail’s lead story today. Especially if one doesn’t want sent to prison. So we hope you’ll forgive us if we’re extra-careful. The article contains things even we’d never read before. The Mail has redacted some of the names, but – well, we’re not going to …

The Narcissism Of No Differences
17 Apr 2026 at 3:29pm
So that’s the full set of manifestos in. You can download them all here in a oner, if you’re REALLY bored. But we don’t advise it, because we can just tell you what they say in a couple of minutes. SNP: “If you’re even reading this we know you’re absolute idiots, so here are a …

Happy Anniversary
16 Apr 2026 at 10:56am
It was exactly one year ago today that the Supreme Court delivered its judgment in the case of For Women Scotland Vs The Scottish Ministers, a judgment which has still not been implemented by the Scottish or UK governments, so it was quite bold of the SNP to choose it as the launch date for …

Do You Believe In The Westwood?
10 Apr 2026 at 12:27pm
As all alert readers will know, this site likes to keep a watchful eye on the shady and disturbing activities of paedophilia-plagued charity LGBT Youth Scotland. So we were naturally intrigued to hear that they’d hired a new convenor last month. And if you’re sitting there thinking, “Blimey, AI Christopher Walken looks very very ill”, …

Not So Octopus
9 Apr 2026 at 1:48pm
Alert readers will have noticed something of a minor furore in recent days around a boneheaded Scottish Greens candidate (as if there were any other kind) calling for the complete abolition of prisons. So far Kate Nevens – who on the latest polling has a very reasonable chance of being elected on the list – …

The quality of mercy
3 Apr 2026 at 1:09pm
Let’s just deal with this quickly. Because the truth is that we should all be quietly sending BBC Scotland bouquets in appreciation for doing the independence movement a favour for once. Belief in an independent Scotland IS as strong as ever, which is to say it’s pretty much where it’s been since 2014 – two …

Clocks And Calendars
30 Mar 2026 at 1:06pm
We think the lads at The Scotsman might have gotten a bit confused and/or carried away when it came to putting the clocks forward at the weekend. At 6am on Sunday morning they tweeted this: But the link was a 404. We checked the print edition of Scotland On Sunday but there was nothing there …

Sicknote Slippers
29 Mar 2026 at 6:09pm
The turnout at the “independence march and rally” yesterday was so abysmally poor that it seems almost unfair to pick on any of the scores of SNP elected representatives who didn’t bother to show up. But dear old Cosy Feet Pete Wishart had the most chef’s-kiss excuse of all. The reason he didn’t fancy getting …

Craig Murray

An Inspiring Story
21 Apr 2026 at 7:54am

In 2018, at the height of the economic crisis in Venezuela through crippling sanctions, Kellogg’s announced the overnight closure of their Maracay factory with hundreds of redundancies – and massive knock-on effects in the local community. The workers refused to accept the closure and, with government assistance, restarted the factory. It is still running eight …

An Inspiring Story

Vote for the Alliance to Liberate Scotland
15 Apr 2026 at 12:48pm

It was not my intention to run for election to the Scottish parliament from a hospital bed in Caracas, but sometimes we have to take what life gives us. I went to a clinic a week ago feeling dizzy and was immediately rushed to hospital. My heart rate was fluttering and below 20 bpm. I …

Vote for the Alliance to Liberate Scotland

The Strait of Hormuz
8 Apr 2026 at 5:02pm

In international law, Tehran has every right to close the strait of Hormuz to nations with which it is in armed conflict. Two vital points: 1) States who permit attacks on Iran to be launched from their territory can be blocked 2) Iran can block neutral ships from trading with states with which it is …

The Strait of Hormuz

The Weight on Delcy Rodriguez
31 Mar 2026 at 1:16pm

As I was leaving the University of the Communes in Tocuyito, after a joyful and uplifting visit, an earnest young Professor came up to me and pulled me aside. Very quietly, he asked me what was going to happen. A number of the students were terrified there would be regime change and they, picked as …

The Weight on Delcy Rodriguez

The Caracas Metro
26 Mar 2026 at 6:46am

The extreme nature of sanctions against Venezuela made it very challenging to keep economic activity going. One example is Caracas’s impressive five-line Metro system, where for almost twenty years they had to keep things running with no spares or maintenance support from the train manufacturers. Yet resilience and ingenuity kicked in, and Venezuela actually reverse …

The Caracas Metro

The London Ambulances Attack: Of Course It Was A False Flag
24 Mar 2026 at 12:04pm

The notion that the Iranian state would discredit itself by choosing to attack an ambulance service in London is crazy. Iran has not even attacked any hospitals or ambulances in Israel. Iran has absolutely zero record of attacks on healthcare facilities. That is of course in stark contrast to Israel which specifically targets them in …

The London Ambulances Attack: Of Course It Was A False Flag

BBC Scotland

Scotland's population set to fall due to drop in migration
28 Apr 2026 at 1:30pm
The National Records of Scotland said the change is "mainly driven by migration falling from unusually high levels".

What impact do refugees have on housing in Glasgow?
28 Apr 2026 at 6:00am
BBC Verify examines claims made by political leaders about the impact of asylum and migration on housing.

Too few migrants are coming to Scotland, say SNP
26 Apr 2026 at 2:54pm
The SNP say more migrants are needed to support the economy, but Reform claim immigration has pushed the system to breaking point.

Scotland's population is shifting - could it affect the election outcome?
24 Apr 2026 at 11:08pm
Changing populations mean that Scotland's electoral map has been redrawn - which could influence how parties campaign, and how the election plays out.

Zack Polanski calls for Trump to be 'kicked out' of his Scottish golf courses
24 Apr 2026 at 7:22pm
Trump International responded calling the Greens leader an "imbecile" after he shared his personal opinion on the Holyrood campaign trail.

Are parties being upfront about Scotland's finances?
23 Apr 2026 at 11:11pm
Can Holyrood afford to pay for the spending promises being outlined in the election campaign?

SNP's McAllan supports more 'evidence-led' drilling in North Sea
23 Apr 2026 at 9:45pm
The main political parties were asked their views on oil and gas extraction during the BBC's Question Time held in Aberdeen.

State-owned shipyard 'blocked' from bidding for new CalMac ferry
23 Apr 2026 at 11:08pm
Ferguson Marine said it was unable to bid to build a replacement for MV Lord of the Isles because of eligibility criteria.

Lib Dem leader signals party could back Sarwar as first minister
22 Apr 2026 at 10:08am
Alex Cole-Hamilton says he would have an "obligation" to remove the SNP from power if the opportunity arose.

STV staff to strike on Scottish election results day
22 Apr 2026 at 2:06pm
Members of both the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Bectu are set to walk out on Friday 8 May.

Starmer admits No 10 asked about job for aide Matthew Doyle
22 Apr 2026 at 2:13pm
The prime minister was questioned at PMQs about allegations that Downing Street had asked about a diplomat role for the then-communications chief.

The Lib Dems' manifesto pledges analysed
17 Apr 2026 at 3:16pm
We have analysed some of the policies in the Scottish Lib Dems' manifesto for the 2026 Holyrood election.

Scot Goes Pop

EXCLUSIVE SCOT GOES POP / FIND OUT NOW POLL: By a more than 2-1 majority, the...
27 Apr 2026 at 12:56pm
Labour's UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting was recently asked in an LBC interview whether there would be an independence referendum if the Scottish people vote in favour of holding one at the Scott...

Join me on YouTube at NOON as Wes "they're not having one!" Streeting faces h...
27 Apr 2026 at 10:06am
If you join the waiting zone, the video should automatically start playing when the clock strikes 12 for Streeting's HIGH NOON.  While you're waiting for the results, please check out the new Scot ...

It will soon be HIGH NOON for Wes Streeting in the Scot Goes Pop / Find Out N...
27 Apr 2026 at 8:30am
My latest constituency profile for The National is John Swinney's seat of Perthshire North.*  *  *If you've finding Scot Goes Pop poll useful, please consider donating to our new polling fundraiser...

Hammerblow for Brit Nat propaganda outfit "Scotland In Union" as their regula...
26 Apr 2026 at 9:38pm
As I said the other day, there's still more to come from the new Scot Goes Pop / Find Out Now poll - I had been planning to release another result on Friday, and then that slipped to yesterday, and...

More thoughts on the prospects for an SNP overall majority in the light of th...
24 Apr 2026 at 10:07am
Just to allow you to make up your own minds, I thought I'd draw your attention to the fact that the Stats for Lefties account picked up on the Scot Goes Pop / Find Out Now poll yesterday, and produ...

Atlas-branded leaflets are being distributed in the Cumbernauld & Kilsyth con...
23 Apr 2026 at 9:19pm
I was astounded at the leaflet I received through the door of my Cumbernauld home yesterday from the notorious Dr Alan McManus, who has regularly spoken at far-right rallies organised by the holoca...

EXCLUSIVE SCOT GOES POP / FIND OUT NOW POLL: SNP and Greens on course to win ...
23 Apr 2026 at 12:58am
A little earlier tonight, I revealed the Scottish Parliament voting intention results from the new Scot Goes Pop / Find Out Now poll in a video on my YouTube channel, but as promised, here are the ...

EXCLUSIVE SCOT GOES POP / FIND OUT NOW POLL: Join me at 11.50pm on YouTube to...
22 Apr 2026 at 11:22pm
If you join the waiting zone, the video above should automatically start playing at 11.50pm.  Just like last night, I'll be posting the poll results on this blog in text form later on for the video...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Scottish election leaders debate on STV
28 Apr 2026 at 7:06am
The STV Leaders? Debate will be broadcast live from Edinburgh?s Signet Library tonight at 7pm

Scotland?s political parties accused of ?lack of realism? over manifesto plans
27 Apr 2026 at 9:56pm
The Institute for Fiscal Studies said the parties running in the Holyrood election did not appreciate ?just how tough the fiscal challenges will be?.

Keir Starmer to face sleaze inquiry vote over Peter Mandelson job
27 Apr 2026 at 5:48pm
It's a similar series of events that led to Boris Johnson?s departure as prime minister in 2022

Parties lay out first 100 days in office as election day nears
27 Apr 2026 at 5:44pm
It's just ten days until the vote on May 7

Parties make policy promises with less than two weeks to election day
26 Apr 2026 at 10:48am
The vote on May 7 is a crucial test at the ballot box.

Polanski branded ?imbecile? after calls for Trump to be stripped of Scottish ...
25 Apr 2026 at 9:46am
The Green leader said the US president is ?enabling a genocide in Gaza?

Scotland Tonight: Non-violent criminals should not be sent to prison, says Gr...
24 Apr 2026 at 12:59pm
Ross Greer said he believes the current prison system doesn't work and community sentences would reduce reoffending

No 10 considered giving spin doctor diplomatic job despite paedophile council...
23 Apr 2026 at 8:25am
Lord Doyle campaigned for Sean Morton in 2017 after he had been charged over indecent images of children

Restrict ?forever chemicals? that hurt people and planet, MPs urge
23 Apr 2026 at 5:47am
The Environmental Audit Committee has released a report calling on the government to phase out PFAs from non-essential items.

Starmer to face PMQs amid pressure over Mandelson vetting scandal
22 Apr 2026 at 12:00pm
It comes after former Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins said there was a ?dismissive approach? on vetting from No 10

UK inflation rises to 3.3% after Iran war pushes up fuel prices
22 Apr 2026 at 6:06am
The Office for National Statistics said inflation had risen to 3.3% in March, up from 3% in Februrary.

Smoking ban for people born after 2008 agreed
21 Apr 2026 at 11:13am
The Commons and Lords have settled on a final draft of the legislation

Politicians urged to consider ?restrictions? on larger vehicles in cities
21 Apr 2026 at 7:28am
Transform Scotland is also urging councils to consider making parking charges higher for sports utility vehicles (SUVs).

Starmer to face second bruising day as Trump weighs in on Mandelson affair
21 Apr 2026 at 6:20am
The sacked head of the foreign office, Sir Olly Robbins, will give his version of events on Tuesday.

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

John Swinney denies changing 'goalposts' on requiring SNP majority for indyref2
28 Apr 2026 at 1:06pm
The First Minister was quizzed by the press amid reports he was watering down his referendum policy.

Anas Sarwar dismisses Commons vote against Keir Starmer as a 'political stunt'
28 Apr 2026 at 12:13pm
The Scottish Labour leader claimed there was a "disappointment and an anger" among voters with both Keir Starmer and the SNP.

'Hearts fan' John Swinney left maroon-faced after failing to name Jambos captain
28 Apr 2026 at 11:09am
The First Minister was left stumped when asked a basic question about his favourite team.

Scottish election campaign LIVE as voters say 'meh' ahead of STV leaders' debate
28 Apr 2026 at 9:18am
The Record's top team will bring you all the news and reaction from the Holyrood campaign trail as STV hosts the final leaders' debate of the 2026 election.

"I was a cop but I ended up using foodbanks" Ex-officer shares poverty hell i...
28 Apr 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: Pam Fox experienced a nightmare situation with her health and finances after leaving the police.

John Swinney wants a rammy over Scottish independence regardless of SNP elect...
27 Apr 2026 at 5:00pm
The plan for the SNP's first 100 days in government is focused on causing another row over the constitution irrespective of whether the party wins a majority on May 7, says Chris McCall

Keir Starmer could face sleaze inquiry into claims he lied to MPs over Peter ...
27 Apr 2026 at 4:15pm
Downing Street described the vote as a "desperate" Tory stunt the week before the Holyrood elections.

Anas Sarwar accuses John Swinney of 'shifting the goalposts' on Scottish inde...
27 Apr 2026 at 2:08pm
The Scottish Labour leader said the SNP would rather focus on the constitution than fixing the NHS or supporting public services.

John Swinney offering 'constitutional chaos' on first day of SNP Government i...
27 Apr 2026 at 12:41pm
The SNP leader refused to rule out demanding an IndyRef2 even if his party fails to win a majority at the Holyrood election on May 7.

Poll finds SNP on course to win Holyrood election but falling short of overal...
27 Apr 2026 at 11:59am
The new poll also makes for grim reading for Scottish Labour.

The National

The National | Politics

Why should Scotland wait 15 years for nuclear power we don't need?
28 Apr 2026 at 3:00pm

SARWAR has been touting nuclear power stations as the way forward for Scotland without any serious challenge from the media. The Hinkley Point C nuclear project in England is significantly over budget, with costs estimated at £35 billion (in 2015 prices) or up to £46bn-plus in current prices.

The state of play in every Scottish constituency explained ? find yours here
28 Apr 2026 at 2:58pm

The National is publishing a profile for every constituency in the upcoming Holyrood elections on May 7 ? here's how to find information about your area

SNP candidate remains the likely favourite in this rural seat
27 Apr 2026 at 7:06pm

When the famously eccentric and highly controversial Conservative MP for Perth and Kinross, Sir Nicholas Fairbairn, died in office in early 1995, the SNP put up a candidate who was practically his polar opposite in the race to replace him ? the feminist, republican, left-wing firebrand Roseanna Cunningham.

Impact of Palestine Action ban on human rights overstated, Home Office lawyer...
28 Apr 2026 at 2:49pm

LAWYERS acting for the UK Government have claimed that the High Court's findings about the impact on human rights of banning Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation were ?overstated and wrong?.

Who is Morgan McSweeney's wife? Scottish MP Imogen Walker has key role in Labour
28 Apr 2026 at 2:32pm

MORGAN McSweeney has faced scrutiny from MPs over his role in the Peter Mandelson scandal, but his Labour MP wife has mostly stayed out of the spotlight.

BBC forced to correct article over-stating small boat crossings by 140 per cent
28 Apr 2026 at 2:08pm

THE BBC has been forced to issue a correction after over-stating small boat crossings by more than 140 per cent ...

'I was adrenalized': Morgan McSweeney addresses giving wrong details on phone...
28 Apr 2026 at 1:53pm

MORGAN McSweeney has claimed he was ?adrenalized? after he was confronted about giving police the wrong information when he reported his phone as stolen.

'Taking the p*ss': Hannah Spencer slams Labour MPs defending drinking on the job
28 Apr 2026 at 1:53pm

GREEN MP Hannah Spencer has hit back at MPs who attacked her for suggesting they should not be drinking at work saying they are "taking the piss".

Reform UK blasted for 'lying' on election leaflets about Scotland's powers
28 Apr 2026 at 1:33pm

REFORM UK have been panned for "lying" on a Scottish election leaflet after suggesting they can introduce policies that are outwith Holyrood's powers.

Who is Morgan McSweeney? Keir Starmer?s former chief of staff grilled by MPs
28 Apr 2026 at 1:00pm

Keir Starmer?s former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney has appeared in front of MPs amid questions over his role in the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Morgan McSweeney: Mandelson revelations were a knife to my soul
28 Apr 2026 at 3:22pm
Prime minister's former chief-of-staff appears before Foreign Affairs Committee

UK Government will ?impose some form? of social media restrictions for children
28 Apr 2026 at 1:22pm
Ministers have stopped short of implementing a blanket ban

John Swinney vows to bring forward Holyrood vote in bid to secure second inde...
27 Apr 2026 at 4:39pm
The SNP leader pledged to 'hit the ground running' if his party remains in power after the election

SNP maintains lead in new Scottish election poll
27 Apr 2026 at 4:05pm
A single-party majority government is the most popular option for voters, research finds

Scottish university builds first simulated freight truck journey in UK
27 Apr 2026 at 12:39pm
It will help to improve understanding of the carbon footprint of goods that are shipped between road and air freight

To finally end Scotland's drugs deaths, we need to plan now for 2036
27 Apr 2026 at 7:00am
This is one area where we simply must work together to build the Scotland we all want in the future.

Former New Labour spin doctor compares Keir Starmer to George W Bush
27 Apr 2026 at 1:01am
Alastair Campbell also warned the UK would end up in "pretty dark place" if Labour did not turn things around

Former HIV Scotland chief and SNP adviser admits embezzlement
24 Apr 2026 at 4:33pm
Sentencing will take place in May

Zack Polanski: ?Outrageous? that pro-independence parliament would not secure...
24 Apr 2026 at 2:25pm
The GPEW leader put down his party's surge to ?resentment and anger at the Labour government?

JK Rowling offers to pay for woman prisoner to sue Scottish Government after ...
24 Apr 2026 at 1:03pm
A transgender inmate was arrested after an alleged incident at HMP Greenock

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

No 10 publishes previously confidential memo to refute claim that Starmer mis...
27 Apr 2026 at 6:13pm
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle earlier confirmed that MPs will decide whether to let inquiry into Keir Starmer?s statements over Peter Mandelson proceedDowning Street has said that the UK is ?in a good position? to handle the global supply problems caused by the Iran war not being resolved.Speaking at...

Free bus travel to first-homes fund: what Scottish parties are promising on t...
27 Apr 2026 at 2:00pm
Advent of Reform has radically altered the dynamics of the campaign and parties are responding accordinglyPolls predict a gravity-defying fifth term at Holyrood for the Scottish National party ? albeit on a much reduced vote share ? but the advent of Reform UK has radically altered the dynamics o...

?This election is all to play for?: Can the Scottish Labour leader defy polit...
24 Apr 2026 at 6:00am
Anas Sarwar speaks to the Guardian about why he thinks the polls are wrong and how he hopes to end the SNP?s near 20-year dominance at HolyroodAnas Sarwar says he is certain he can pull off one of the greatest escape acts of modern British politics. It is 14 days until the Holyrood election, and ...

Global Counsel, lobbying firm set up by Mandelson, went bust owing £4.5m just...
23 Apr 2026 at 5:48pm
Firm went bust in February amid fallout from the scandal over Mandelson?s links to Jeffrey EpsteinLittle says in March she had a meeting when she asked to see the Foreign Office?s documentation about the decision to grant Mandelson vetting. She said she was asking because this was documentation c...

How Reform is exposing the reality of Scotland?s views on immigration and ide...
19 Apr 2026 at 11:00am
Once a progressive outlier, Scotland is facing a political reckoning as Reform benefits from growing social divisionIt?s Monday evening in Aberdeen, and George Preston is wearing his union flag suit to the Reform UK rally. He joined the party in 2024 as it gained ground in the north-east of Scotl...

?Things could go backwards?: Kezia Dugdale on safety, LGBTQ+ rights and the f...
19 Apr 2026 at 7:00am
Exclusive: Former Scottish Labour leader says she feels more scared as a lesbian today and calls for a kinder debate on transgender issuesKezia Dugdale, the former leader of Scottish Labour, says she is now ?quite scared? as a lesbian in Britain and has started to feel nervous holding her wife?s ...

Badenoch calls Farage an ?opportunist? after he urges Scottish nationalists t...
16 Apr 2026 at 7:17pm
Tory leader criticises Farage for saying that holding another independence vote ?probably quite reasonable?Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the Conservative party, has accused Nigel Farage of being an opportunist who does not believe in unionism after he urged Scottish nationalists to back Reform.Far...

No 10 claims Starmer did not know Mandelson failed security vetting until thi...
16 Apr 2026 at 6:54pm
The prime minister was not aware that the former US ambassador had failed the vetting process, according to Downing StreetSwinney says this is a manifesto for the whole of Scotland.He confirms that the SNP would argue for the Scottish power to have more control over energy policy (still largely r...

SNP pledges to cap bread and milk prices if it wins Scotland?s parliamentary ...
16 Apr 2026 at 3:38pm
John Swinney unveils his party?s manifesto, saying cost of living is the ?defining issue? for voters on 7 MayThe SNP will cap supermarket prices for essential goods such as bread and milk if it retains power, John Swinney has pledged, after describing the cost of living as ?the defining issue of ...

Scottish Labour leader says claim he tried to do Reform deal is ?desperate lie?
15 Apr 2026 at 5:42pm
Anas Sarwar says there have been ?no stitch-ups, no deals, no backroom chats with Reform? over Holyrood electionsAnas Sarwar has dismissed as ?a desperate lie from a desperate man? a claim by Reform UK?s Scotland leader, Malcolm Offord, that he offered to do a deal with the rightwing party to kee...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

A new chapter in the quest for independence starts next week
27 Apr 2026 at 2:55pm
First Minister John Swinney has promised that on the first day the new Scottish Parliament is in session, a vote would be brought forward to “approve the development of a Section 30 Order to give Scotland the power to hold an independence referendum.” He also promised that a referendum bill would be introduced within the …

A tale of three polls which give hope for a pro-indy majority in May
26 Apr 2026 at 3:29pm
Three opinion polls came out over the weekend which were not asking about voting intention in the Holyrood election which is now only a week and a half away. Nevertheless, all these polls are instructive about the kind of country Scotland could be, and their trust in the various parties contesting the election, and that …

The anti-independence hysteria of Alex Cole-Hamilton
23 Apr 2026 at 8:30pm
I don’t normally blog about Alex Cole-Hamilton, partly that’s because in Scotland the Lib Dems are a minor regional party who only win representation because their support is concentrated in a few areas and whose importance in Scotland is boosted far beyond their true relevance as they are the Scottish branch of the UK party …

Sarwar and Starmer are on borrowed time
22 Apr 2026 at 8:20pm
When Labour came to power in Westminster in 2024, the party promised to put an end to the cronyism, chaos, sleaze, and corruption which characterised the last fourteen years of Conservative rule. How’s that working out then. Labour has continued all of them and added an unhealthy dose of lies and deceit. This week, Keir …

Labour?s Holyrood campaign lurches from one crisis to another
19 Apr 2026 at 2:26pm
There’s less than three weeks to go until the Holyrood election and the wheels have well and truly come off the Labour campaign. With the headlines being dominated by the Mandelson story – Anas Sarwar’s erstwhile old friend – and mounting speculation about how long Starmer can survive as Prime Minister, Sarwar, talking to the …

We can win an SNP majority despite the moral bankruptcy of the media
17 Apr 2026 at 3:21pm
The Scottish Parliament election campaign is now well underway. Yesterday (Thursday) saw the launch of the SNP manifesto. The response of the British media in Scotland to this, and to a defining event of the campaign earlier this week Reform’s Malcolm Offord blurting out that Anas Sarwar had bounced up to him and spoke of …

The overwhelming evidence that Labour is willing to do a deal with Reform
15 Apr 2026 at 3:12pm
Sometimes events happen which define an entire election campaign, last night Reform’s Malcolm Offord responded to Anas Sarwar’s assertion that he’d never do a deal with Reform because it fields racists by saying: ?This does not square with you coming up to me at the start of this campaign, bouncing up to me at Paisley …

Labour can?t be trusted not to do a deal with Reform
14 Apr 2026 at 9:43pm
I don’t usually pay too much attention to leaders’ debates in the run up to elections. They are invariably too shouty with the leaders vying to talk over the top of each other. Anas Sarwar is invariably the worst offender. On both the leaders’ debates so far, his behaviour has bordered on the offensive, he’s …

Labour?s Scottish manifesto launch, not a campaign, a damage limitation exercise
13 Apr 2026 at 2:22pm
On Monday, Anas Sarwar launches Labour’s manifesto for the Holyrood election and attempts to reboot his party’s faltering campaign, a campaign which was holed below the waterline yesterday, firstly with Wes Streeting’s arrogantly colonialist dismissal of an independence referendum, and secondly by Sarwar’s rude and entitled performance in Sunday evening’s party leader debate, in which …

Wes Streeting?s attack on Scottish democracy will backfire
12 Apr 2026 at 9:50pm
Just when Anas Sarwar thought that the Labour campaign in the Holyrood election couldn’t get any worse, along comes Wes Streeting. Labour’s oleaginous answer to Michael Gove, the private healthcare loving health secretary in the Labour Government in Westminster, who is currently presiding over an NHS England in chaos due to a junior doctor strike …

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

Herald writer?s suggestion of a ?risk to life in 10 buildings as ScotGov post...
28 Apr 2026 at 2:56pm
In the Herald today, Martin Williams has: 10 buildings in Scotland have had emergency safety measures put in place after being judged an ?immediate risk to human life? ? yet not a single block has been declared fully repaired under the national cladding programme, nearly nine years after the Grenfell Tower Fire. The intervention means some residents are relying on temporary protections such as ...

That BBC Scotland journalists ?did not cover the referendum in the way they w...
28 Apr 2026 at 2:36pm
In the often excellent analysis by Prof Happer in the Herald yesterday, because it correctly identifies the bias in BBC Scotland as, for most staff, ‘structural’, ‘cultural‘ I’d say, I’d have to disagree with this: Happer, who speaks extensively to BBC Scotland staff, said: “BBC Scotland journalists felt they couldn?t cover the referendum in the way they would have liked because of commands com...

For any friends tempted by the Lib Dems a wee reminder of their double standa...
28 Apr 2026 at 1:40pm

As yet another Tufton Street, London-based think tank comes up to tell us our...
28 Apr 2026 at 10:43am

As Labour approaches second anniversary in power, their auditors say 50% of E...
28 Apr 2026 at 10:30am
In the Guardian today: Half of headteachers say parts of their school are either out of use or unfit for purpose due to leaks, damp, mould, asbestos, ageing boilers and malfunctioning fire doors, according to a new survey by the National Association of Head Teachers(NAHT). Among those who say their schools are suffering, almost three-quarters (73%) say they have toilet blocks that are either cl...

Poverty ? Given the Labour Party?s track record in government in Cardiff over...
28 Apr 2026 at 9:16am
By stewartb In its news report of the JRF?s statement on the election manifestos of political parties in Scotland regarding poverty, The National newspaper quotes the social justice spokesperson for the British Labour Party in Scotland. This demonstrates yet again the party?s political hypocrisy. On poverty reduction, Claire Baker states: ?The SNP?s shameful lack of progress over the last two d...

Four years after top Swedish health officer praises hospital safety programme...
28 Apr 2026 at 8:58am
The Herald still desperately stoking the fires of supposed discontent with NHS Scotland which they hope might help save Anas Sarwar from a near extinction event on May 7/8. There is far bigger news on this issue. In 2023/2024 (latest) NHS Scotland payed out £47.3m for health-related complaints.1 All things being equal with ten times the population, you might expect the NHS England to be around ...

UK Labour?s new Renters? Rights nearly ten years behind SNP and still not as ...
28 Apr 2026 at 8:28am
From BBC England yesterday: Described as the biggest shake-up to renting in England for more than 30 years, a new law giving tenants more rights was formally approved at the end of October. The government has now confirmed that the main changes will come into force from 1 May 2026. The new rules will affect more than 11 million people. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqjwqp72y7ro No mention...

?The BBC suffers from ideological conformity? ? Scotland?s ?top media academi...
27 Apr 2026 at 7:37pm
In the Herald today: Scotland?s top media academic: ?BBC Scotland is biased branch office.’ Professor Catherine Happer leads Glasgow University?s acclaimed Media Group. She talks to our Writer at Large about why the national broadcaster is haemorrhaging public trust When I saw her explanation of how this comes about, I fully agree with what is essentially a version of Hermann & Chomsky’s in Man...

?Will party manifestos meet Scotland?s child poverty targets?? Has this fragm...
27 Apr 2026 at 4:32pm
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation today asks: Will party manifestos meet Scotland?s child poverty targets? and opines straight-off: All parties have published their manifestos for the 7 May Holyrood elections, but they fall well short of the action needed to meet child poverty targets, leaving the next Scottish Government to match rhetoric with action. The researchers, above, base this largely on ...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

Scotland?s parliamentary election 2026: what are the big economic choices? - ...
28 Apr 2026 at 2:31pm
Scotland?s parliamentary election 2026: what are the big economic choices?  Economics Observatory

Caught between the UK and EU: What?s next for young Scots? - France 24
27 Apr 2026 at 12:34pm
Caught between the UK and EU: What?s next for young Scots?  France 24

Scottish elections: Will we see an SNP majority this May? - Revolutionary Com...
28 Apr 2026 at 2:30pm
Scottish elections: Will we see an SNP majority this May?  Revolutionary Communist Party

SNP vows to push for new independence vote with or without a majority - Finan...
27 Apr 2026 at 3:12pm
SNP vows to push for new independence vote with or without a majority  Financial Times

Keir Starmer Has Given Scottish Nationalism a Booster Shot - Jacobin
25 Apr 2026 at 2:03pm
Keir Starmer Has Given Scottish Nationalism a Booster Shot  Jacobin

John Swinney's renewed independence drive is the last thing Scotland needs - ...
28 Apr 2026 at 6:00am
John Swinney's renewed independence drive is the last thing Scotland needs  The Scotsman

John Swinney insists he's 'changing no goalposts' on indyref2 strategy - The ...
28 Apr 2026 at 2:34pm
John Swinney insists he's 'changing no goalposts' on indyref2 strategy  The Herald

Scotland political snapshot, Spring 2026 - YouGov
8 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
Scotland political snapshot, Spring 2026  YouGov

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

Scots back independence ? and say Holyrood majority is mandate for vote, poll...
27 Apr 2026 at 2:56pm
Scots back independence ? and say Holyrood majority is mandate for vote, poll finds  The National Scot

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

Too few migrants are coming to Scotland, say SNP - BBC
26 Apr 2026 at 2:54pm
Too few migrants are coming to Scotland, say SNP  BBC

Scottish elections: Will we see an SNP majority this May? - Revolutionary Com...
28 Apr 2026 at 2:30pm
Scottish elections: Will we see an SNP majority this May?  Revolutionary Communist Party

SNP vows to push for new independence vote with or without a majority - Finan...
27 Apr 2026 at 3:12pm
SNP vows to push for new independence vote with or without a majority  Financial Times

Swinney will call vote on referendum powers after Scottish elections | Scotla...
27 Apr 2026 at 4:48pm
Swinney will call vote on referendum powers after Scottish elections | Scotland  The Guardian

John Curtice: Polls says SNP will be the largest party but numbers vary - BBC
26 Apr 2026 at 9:58am
John Curtice: Polls says SNP will be the largest party but numbers vary  BBC

Scots unimpressed by Holyrood campaigns, but give SNP the edge - Ipsos
23 Apr 2026 at 11:30am
Scots unimpressed by Holyrood campaigns, but give SNP the edge  Ipsos

First Minister John Swinney?s speech on the SNP?s plan for the first 100 days...
27 Apr 2026 at 11:39am
First Minister John Swinney?s speech on the SNP?s plan for the first 100 days of the next parliament  snp.org

Anas Sarwar: SNP inaction on drug deaths crisis 'an insult to families' as La...
28 Apr 2026 at 1:51pm
Anas Sarwar: SNP inaction on drug deaths crisis 'an insult to families' as Labour unveils strategy  The Scotsman

Sarwar hits out at SNP 'gimmicks' as drug deaths up 31 per cent on last quart...
28 Apr 2026 at 1:27pm
Sarwar hits out at SNP 'gimmicks' as drug deaths up 31 per cent on last quarter  The Herald

SNP ?delivered goods? on budget says Swinney amid think tank concerns - The I...
28 Apr 2026 at 12:52pm
SNP ?delivered goods? on budget says Swinney amid think tank concerns  The Irish News

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

Caught between the UK and EU: What?s next for young Scots? - France 24
27 Apr 2026 at 12:34pm
Caught between the UK and EU: What?s next for young Scots?  France 24

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

SNP vows to push for new independence vote with or without a majority - Finan...
27 Apr 2026 at 3:12pm
SNP vows to push for new independence vote with or without a majority  Financial Times

SNP to demand new independence referendum ? even without a majority - The Times
26 Apr 2026 at 5:54pm
SNP to demand new independence referendum ? even without a majority  The Times

John Swinney's renewed independence drive is the last thing Scotland needs - ...
28 Apr 2026 at 6:00am
John Swinney's renewed independence drive is the last thing Scotland needs  The Scotsman

John Swinney vows to bring forward Holyrood vote in bid to secure second inde...
27 Apr 2026 at 3:40pm
John Swinney vows to bring forward Holyrood vote in bid to secure second independence referendum  Holyrood Website

Scots back independence ? and say Holyrood majority is mandate for vote, poll...
27 Apr 2026 at 2:56pm
Scots back independence ? and say Holyrood majority is mandate for vote, poll finds  The National Scot

The pros and cons of Scottish independence - The Week
22 Apr 2026 at 4:08pm
The pros and cons of Scottish independence  The Week

Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland - BBC
2 Mar 2026 at 8:00am
Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland  BBC

Scotland political snapshot, Spring 2026 - YouGov
8 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
Scotland political snapshot, Spring 2026  YouGov