The Herald

The Herald | Politics


David Cameron: UK government won't pause Israel arms sales
12 May 2024 at 10:13am
Foreign secretary David Cameron says the UK does not support an offensive on Rafah as things stand, but will not pause arms sales to Israel


Alexander Zaldastanov, Vladimir Putin's new right hand man
12 May 2024 at 8:00am
Alexander Zaldastanov is the founder of Russia's first motorcycle gang - but why was he the guest of honour at Vladimir Putin's inauguration?


Blitz on Gaza strains relations to breaking point on many fronts
12 May 2024 at 6:11am
Gaza strains relations to breaking point on many fronts


Janey Godley film in TV move and The Piano in Scotland
12 May 2024 at 10:00am
Couldn?t get a ticket to the world premiere of Janey at this year?s Glasgow Film Festival? Then have I got (good) news for you. John Archer?s documentary about Janey Godley, Glaswegian comedian and sometime panellist on HIGNFY, transfers to the small screen in Janey (BBC Scotland, Tuesday, 10pm). It?s an hour-long version of what was a feature-length film, but in the trimming it has lost none of its power to amuse and move.


Women's Euros2025: Greens push for Israel ban ahead of Scotland game
12 May 2024 at 5:07pm
The Scottish Greens have urged Glasgow City Council to demand Israel be banned from playing Scotland at women's Euros 2025 qualifiers at Hampden later this month.


Scottish Government 'committed' to conversion therapy ban
12 May 2024 at 12:24pm
The Scottish Government will ?refocus? and ?reprioritise,? Health Secretary Neil Gray has said, indicating that the new First Minister could be set to ditch policies pursued by his predecessor.


Natalie Elphicke denies lobbying ministers on behalf of husband
12 May 2024 at 11:34am
Turncoat MP Natalie Elphicke has dismissed claims she lobbied ministers on behalf of her sex pest husband as ?nonsense.?


Slater blamed as Biffa take legal action over Deposit Return Scheme
12 May 2024 at 10:49am
Former Green minister Lorna Slater has been named in court papers submitted by recycling firm Biffa over the botched deposit return scheme.


Kate Forbes promises to cut bureaucracy and 'get stuff done'
12 May 2024 at 10:30am
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has promised to cut red tape for businesses, saying she wants to "prioritise jobs and wages, not bureaucracy.?


Revealed: Greens membership surge since end of deal with SNP
12 May 2024 at 6:23am
The Scottish Greens have seen a surge of hundreds of new members since the Bute House Agreement with the SNP ended, the Herald on Sunday can reveal.


First Minister John Swinney eyes Bute House policy cull
12 May 2024 at 5:33am
John Swinney has signalled a move to take the SNP back to the 'moderate left' of politics after his predecessor Humza Yousaf ended the Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens.


'Swinney showed weakness by not refreshing Yousaf Cabinet'
12 May 2024 at 5:27am
John Swinney was right to bring Kate Forbes back into government as Deputy First Minister but he showed weakness in not making other changes to his Cabinet, according to a leading expert on the SNP.


Child psychologist: 'Scot Gov oversees cruelty? through its policies
12 May 2024 at 6:10am
YTRY


25 years of devolution: McConnell calls for 'radical' reform
11 May 2024 at 6:30am
Power in Scotland has become too centralised over the last quarter century of devolution, Jack McConnell has warned.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Cabinet Secretary signs pledge to protect fishing
12 May 2024 at 9:45pm
Mairi Gougeon joins 53 other MSPs in promising to support sector


Scottish Government once again urged to implement the Cass review on trans ch...
12 May 2024 at 1:37pm

Scotland?s health secretary says the government is reviewing the Cass report, and recommitting to proposals to ban conversion therapy

The SNP has written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak seeking clarity on the future of UK arms sales to Israel

New Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes is promising to remove red tape to get the economy ?firing on all cylinders?.

A clear majority believe the former minister should quit following £11,000 iPad bill scandal

Ofcom has put forward 40 practical actions for online services to lower the risk of children seeing harmful content, ahead of the Online Safety Act coming into full force

A defensive war should inflict greater losses on Russian troops with a damaging effect on their morale

Wings over Scotland

Window Dressing
11 May 2024 at 6:59am

The Circus Of Hate
9 May 2024 at 4:51pm
Well, what a nice statement of unity and tolerance this is: And only slightly undermined by coming from THIS guy: But Smith’s new message of tolerance hasn’t fully penetrated the party ranks. Dovydas Kulie?as used to work for Emma Roddick MSP, who until yesterday was the minister responsible for the grotesque “conversion practices” legislation being …

The Symbolist
9 May 2024 at 12:49pm
Comment seems superfluous, really. So we’ll just make a couple of the obvious points for the sake of it and then we’re off to the park. (1) As we told you yesterday, the Scottish Government/Parliament has, by the express and deliberate nature of its design, basically zero control over the economy. (2) In so far …

Continuity continued
8 May 2024 at 4:29pm
So that was a big waste of everyone’s time. We’re not sure why John Swinney made a big show of dragging all his ministers away from their desks to Bute House today in order to tell them nothing had changed. All he’s done is give Kate Forbes the smallest possible sliver of Shona Robison’s job …

A watery grave
7 May 2024 at 1:35pm
We watched a TV documentary about the sinking of the Bismarck last week. The most striking aspect of it was the visible and audible distress on the faces and in the voices of some of the Royal Navy sailors who’d been on the ships which sent the German battleship to the Atlantic seabed as they …

The Groomers? Union
6 May 2024 at 2:48pm
We were going to write a follow-up piece to this last week, until the SNP detonated a hand-grenade in its own trouser pocket. But with the coronation of John Swinney this afternoon after the only challenger sold out for some shiny beads and trinkets, we can get back to some serious news. The controversial charity …

The Unforgiven
5 May 2024 at 1:47pm
We’ve already posted a shorter and snappier soundbite from this video on our Twitter, but it’s really worth watching the full version here: ? Because the body language is remarkable. For three and a half minutes, Neil Gray is completely unable to look his former colleague – an SNP MSP until a few months ago, …

Excess Baggage
4 May 2024 at 6:59am

If you want to know the facts
2 May 2024 at 2:23pm
…just read Wings Over Scotland, folks. A year ago, when he was red-hot favourite with all the bookies, we told you that Angus Robertson wouldn’t even run for the SNP leadership, let alone win. And this time round, a week ago when SHE was still the red-hot favourite, we told you that Kate Forbes wouldn’t …

Volkssturm John
29 Apr 2024 at 8:16pm
In the dying days of World War 2, as Berlin crumbled to rubble under Russian bombs and rockets, the Nazis played a desperate last card in the shape of the Volkssturm, an ad hoc fighting force primarily comprised of old men, invalided veterans and those not deemed fit for normal military service. (As most of …

Craig Murray

The Ignorance of Islamophobia
9 May 2024 at 8:05pm

The deluge of Islamophobia on social media unleashed by supporters of the Gaza genocide has been profoundly shocking. It is one reason I am very sorry that Humza Yousaf was forced out as First Minister of Scotland, as he was a particular target and his ousting will have encouraged the bigots. On Twitter and Facebook …

The Ignorance of Islamophobia

Starmer Smashed in Blackburn
6 May 2024 at 6:30am

The leadership of genocide enthusiast Keir Starmer – who is still supporting arms sales to Israel and the “Israeli right to self-defence”, who still refuses to acknowledge one single Israeli war crime – cost the Labour Party dear in Blackburn in the local elections. The result means I am very likely to win the parliamentary …

Starmer Smashed in Blackburn

The Curious Case of the Freedom Flotilla
28 Apr 2024 at 1:16pm

The departure of the spectacular “Freedom Flotilla” to Gaza carrying 5,500 tonnes of aid has been postponed (again), because the flag state of the major vessels, Guinea Bissau, has withdrawn their registration. The key question is why the organisers were proceeding with such an unreliable flag state in the first place? In the 2010 Freedom …

The Curious Case of the Freedom Flotilla

Worse Than You Can Imagine
26 Apr 2024 at 7:46am

Governments cannot take big decisions extremely quickly except in the most extreme of circumstances. There are mechanisms in all states that consider policy decisions, weigh them up, involve the various departments of the state whose activities are affected by that decision, and arrive at a conclusion, though not necessarily a good one. The decision to …

Worse Than You Can Imagine

The Farce of Diplomatic Assurances
17 Apr 2024 at 6:34am

The United States has now, on the face of it, produced the Diplomatic Note giving the two assurances required by the High Court to allow the extradition of Julian Assange to proceed. The assurance that Julian Assange will be allowed to rely on the First Amendment in his defence is a blatantly weak piece of …

The Farce of Diplomatic Assurances

I Stand in Blackburn
16 Apr 2024 at 6:32am

I shall be standing for election to Parliament as the member for Blackburn. This unexpected turn of events requires an honest declaration. 1) I am standing because of the Genocide in Gaza. 2) I am standing because of the appalling pro-Genocide stance of the Labour Party and Keir Starmer’s continued support of arms exports to …

I Stand in Blackburn

BBC Scotland

Gray 'open to ideas' about future of NHS in Scotland
12 May 2024 at 1:32pm
But Scotland's health secretary vows the service must remain in public hands and free at the point of delivery.

Swinney remains committed to gender reform bill
10 May 2024 at 10:16pm
The Scottish government recommits to bill that will allow someone to self-identify their legally recognised sex.

Swinney says no change in SNP's referendum strategy
9 May 2024 at 7:38pm
The first minister said Scotland could only "move on" if it became independent.

Greens attack Kate Forbes at Swinney's first FMQs
9 May 2024 at 5:40pm
John Swinney's record in government and new team came under fire at his debut first minister's questions

Forbes 'honoured' to become deputy first minister
8 May 2024 at 10:42pm
John Swinney has announced his first cabinet after being officially sworn in as first minister.

At-a-glance: The new Scottish cabinet
8 May 2024 at 6:07pm
First Minister John Swinney's new cabinet includes one new member in Kate Forbes and a majority of women.

John Swinney sworn in as Scotland's first minister
8 May 2024 at 10:50am
He is now expected to form his government, with a "significant" role being promised to Kate Forbes.

Who is John Swinney, Scotland's new first minister?
8 May 2024 at 2:14pm
SNP leader John Swinney has been sworn in as Scotland's seventh first minister.

Who is Kate Forbes, Scotland's new deputy first minister?
8 May 2024 at 1:39pm
The former finance secretary is considering whether to stand as leader of the SNP.

John Curtice: Can Swinney bring voters back into the SNP fold?
8 May 2024 at 5:35pm
He steps into the role with a Westminster election months away - and a drop in the SNP's ratings.

Big tensions remain in SNP as Swinney takes leadership
6 May 2024 at 7:02pm
For the second time in his life, John Swinney is elected leader of the SNP in difficult circumstances.

Cass Review author calls for 'holistic' gender care
7 May 2024 at 12:08pm
Dr Hilary Cass said young people with "gender distress" also often had struggles with mental health, neurodivergence or family issues.

Scot Goes Pop

Scot Goes Popcast: Eurovision 2024
11 May 2024 at 6:03pm
For those of you planning to watch the Eurovision tonight, I've recorded a short podcast with some scene-setting thoughts, which you can listen to below. James Kelly · Scot Goes Popcast Episode 22:...

Does 2 become 1?
10 May 2024 at 11:00pm
First of all, a quick note to let you know that I'm quoted in Alasdair Soussi's profile of John Swinney on the Al Jazeera website, which you can read HERE.  I'm both critical of Swinney and complim...

Kate Forbes is upsetting all of the right people
10 May 2024 at 6:56pm
I didn't write about it at the time because I didn't want to tempt fate, but when the announcement was made that Kate Forbes had been appointed as Deputy First Minister, the first thought that went...

First Savanta survey since Swinney swept in shows sizzling 48% support for in...
10 May 2024 at 10:06am
Looking back at the dates, it seems to have been 2nd May on which it became obvious that John Swinney was the next SNP leader, so as this poll didn't start until the 3rd, it can be seen to all inte...

Hallelujah, Swinney has done the right thing and appointed Kate Forbes as Dep...
8 May 2024 at 3:00pm
I was a bit sceptical about whether John Swinney would actually go as far as appointing Kate Forbes as Deputy First Minister, because it marks her out so obviously as the most likely successor.  Th...

When everything realistic has been tried and didn't work, you just have to sh...
6 May 2024 at 6:17pm
Without wanting to be overly critical, I think it's probably reasonable to say that Graeme McCormick has behaved slightly oddly, and not entirely fairly to the SNP members who went to considerable ...

Sensational Norstat poll shows support for independence has INCREASED to 48% ...
5 May 2024 at 6:22am
This is a curate's egg poll, so let's start with the good part.  Support for independence has remained impressively untouched by the crisis within the SNP, and indeed has increased slightly since t...

Are you an SNP member and do you want a contested leadership election? If so...
4 May 2024 at 9:55am
I'm purely offering this as information for any Scot Goes Pop readers who happen to be SNP members - and I'm getting it all second hand so apologies if anything turns out to be wrong.  An SNP membe...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Scottish Government committed to conversion therapy ban, says health secretar...
12 May 2024 at 12:59pm
The health secretary also said he is pleased with the way John Swinney has started his tenure as First Minister.

Kate Forbes vows action to get economy ?firing on all cylinders?
12 May 2024 at 10:18am
The deputy first minister said Scotland is open for business.

John Swinney pressed over abortion protests Bill amid concern at his deputy K...
11 May 2024 at 5:22pm
The First Minister has been asked to reiterate his Government?s commitment to ban anti-abortion protests outside clinics and hospitals.

Tory MP urges Scottish Parliament to ?up its game? and combat negativity
11 May 2024 at 5:00pm
David Mundell served as an MSP between 1999 ? when the first Scottish Parliament was elected ? and 2005.

?New chapter? for SNP with ?hope and optimism at its heart?, says John Swinney
11 May 2024 at 1:22pm
The new First Minister said the party will work to build a ?modern, diverse, dynamic Scotland?.

SNP has to work hard to rebuild trust of Scotland, says John Swinney
10 May 2024 at 6:05pm
The First Minister visited St John?s Hospital in Livingston after being sworn in on Wednesday.

Kate Forbes officially sworn in as Scotland?s deputy first minister as she ta...
10 May 2024 at 2:22pm
The SNP MSP took the oath of office in Gaelic as she was formally made John Swinney's second in command.

Independence for Scotland can be delivered within five years, says John Swinney
10 May 2024 at 10:54am
John Swinney was sworn in as Scotland?s seventh First Minister on Wednesday.

Swinney to chair first Cabinet meeting since becoming First Minister
10 May 2024 at 7:25am
John Swinney will chair the Cabinet?s first meeting at Bute House, Edinburgh, before a series of visits in the afternoon.

NASUWT: Teachers? union calls for government action to tackle violence in sch...
10 May 2024 at 6:42am
Teachers' union NASUWT condemn 'half-baked proposals' from ministers over escalating violence and abuse in classrooms.

Alex Salmond: SNP ?incompetence? in power ?hindered? cause of independence
10 May 2024 at 6:38am
Former FM says there is no way 'immediately' for another independence referendum to be held.

Bill to tackle puppy farming approved at Holyrood
9 May 2024 at 9:02pm
The Bill would create a code of practice for those buying, selling and giving away puppies.

John Swinney: Scottish independence is the solution to the cost of living cri...
9 May 2024 at 6:14pm
The First Minister told STV News that the state of the economy in Scotland was down to 'foolish decisions' made by Westminster.

Anas Sarwar: New Labour MP Natalie Elphicke who defected from Tories ?should ...
9 May 2024 at 4:46pm
The Scottish Labour leader said he 'did not know Natalie Elphicke' but he 'fundamentally disagreed' with some of her past comments.

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

John Swinney's SNP Government still committed to LGBT conversion therapy ban
12 May 2024 at 3:04pm
Health Secretary Neil Gray reaffirmed support for a ban amid claims it could be dropped.

Trade union chief demands John Swinney takes action on free school meals
12 May 2024 at 4:30am
SUNDAY MAIL EXCLUSIVE: Roz Foyer has written to John Swinney urging him to make progress on the SNP's promise give all primary pupils free school meals

Waste firm Biffa start £150m court action against Scots Government over bungl...
12 May 2024 at 4:30am
SUNDAY MAIL EXCLUSIVE: Former green minister Lorna Slater's personal assurances abut the deposit returns scheme are being cited by Biffa as a reason for their legal action.

Michael Matheson quizzed by standards watchdogs as iPad scandal report due to...
12 May 2024 at 4:30am
MSPs have now interviewed the former Health Minister about his £11k iPad bill.

Eradicating child poverty is a moral imperative and an economic necessity
11 May 2024 at 4:30am
Writing for the Daily Record, the First Minister says the fight to eradicate child poverty is one which has the capacity to unite Scotland.

John Swinney urges talks with Keir Starmer to end 'national tragedy' of child...
11 May 2024 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: The new First Minister said tackling child poverty requires co-operation between parties at Holyrood and with the UK Government.

John Swinney to meet LGBT campaigners for independence following Kate Forbes ...
10 May 2024 at 11:44am
The decision to bring Kate Forbes back into the Scottish Government Cabinet has prompted criticism from the Greens and some SNP members.

John Swinney says Scotland could be an independent country by 2029
10 May 2024 at 10:46am
The new First Minister made the claim amid criticism of his decision to scrap the post of independence minister.

John Swinney says gender reform legislation will not be introduced by his SNP...
10 May 2024 at 9:09am
The new FM said a court confirmed Holyrood cannot legislate in this area.

Alex Salmond blasts SNP 'incompetence' for holding back Scottish independence
10 May 2024 at 4:30am
The former first minister hit out at Nicola Sturgeon and her "ill-starred, ill-fated, kamikaze venture to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom".

The National

The National | Politics

Labour?s standards are clear now they have welcomed Natalie Elphicke
12 May 2024 at 7:00pm

AFTER Natalie Elphicke?s defection from the Tories to Labour, Stephen Flynn called on Labour to ?show some standards?. Mrs Elphicke is further right than Jacob Rees-Mogg according to JRM himself. So it seems that Sir Keir has done just that, as he is delighted to welcome her to the Labour Party.

The SNP membership has always welcomed a spectrum of political thought
12 May 2024 at 6:30pm

I WISH to respond to the article by Kelly Given ?The SNP?s shift right runs contrary to all I believe in? (May 9). Last time I looked, the SNP were and are a centre-left party, progressive in their outlook, tolerant of the views and beliefs of their diverse membership and very much reflective of the general population of Scotland.

'Urgent action needed to empower Scottish community buyouts'
12 May 2024 at 5:25pm

URGENT action is required to empower more communities to buy land, campaigners from across Scotland heard at a major conference this weekend ...

ICJ: Egypt backs South Africa's genocide case against Israel
12 May 2024 at 3:06pm

EGYPT has officially backed South Africa?s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Green councillor in bid to suspend Israel team ahead of Scotland match
12 May 2024 at 3:28pm

ISRAEL'S women's team should be banned from taking part in the women's Euros 2025 qualifiers ahead of their match against Scotland, a Greens councillor has said ...

Kate Forbes pledges to cut red tape to boost Scotland's economy
12 May 2024 at 2:46pm

NEW Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has said she hopes to cut red tape to boost the Scottish economy and get it "firing on all cylinders".

John Swinney urges Keir Starmer to work with him to end child poverty
12 May 2024 at 2:21pm

THE First Minister has urged Sir Keir Starmer to work with him to eradicate child poverty by changing course on a range of policies.

Let's give up on gentle persuasion approach for Scottish independence
12 May 2024 at 2:00pm

MY first choice of title for this article was Compare And Contrast.

New First Minister John Swinney has impressed so let's unite for Yes
12 May 2024 at 2:00pm

This guy seems to have had a personality transplant!

David TC Davies: Welsh Secretary accused of ministerial code breach
12 May 2024 at 1:16pm

A TORY Cabinet minister has been accused of breaching the ministerial code after appearing to use his Government office in Whitehall to film an anti-Labour video he then posted on social media...

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Labour leads SNP at both Westminster and Holyrood, according to poll
10 May 2024 at 4:03pm

Scottish Government: Westminster should remove Section 35 block to gender ref...
10 May 2024 at 3:38pm

Most tech experts concerned on the impact AI will have on UK democracy, surve...
10 May 2024 at 9:26am
A survey carried out by?BCS,?the Chartered Institute for IT, has highlighted fears over AIs impact on the upcoming UK general election.

Swinney to chair inaugural cabinet meeting as first minister
10 May 2024 at 8:39am
FM vows to create a 'better, brighter future' for Scotland

Ross Greer makes emotional speech as MSPs back Kate Forbes for deputy first m...
9 May 2024 at 6:55pm
The Scottish Greens opposed Kate Forbes' appointment as deputy first minister

Patrick Harvie launches FMQs attack on 'repressive' Kate Forbes
9 May 2024 at 2:28pm
Forbes: 'I stand by the government's agenda'

Increase teacher numbers, John Swinney urged at First Minister's Questions
9 May 2024 at 2:09pm
The new first minister came under pressure over his record as education secretary

UK Government invests millions to 'end' Russian domination of energy market
9 May 2024 at 12:45pm
The UK Government invests million to create new facility to became the first European nation to produce advanced nuclear fuel

Kate Forbes becomes deputy first minister
9 May 2024 at 8:20am
First Minister John Swinney has unveiled his full cabinet

The Holyrood baby turns eight: There?s no end to the cost-of-living crisis f...
9 May 2024 at 8:00am
The cost-of-living crisis means children are being priced out of fun

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

Palestinian charity CEO to stand for Labour in Fife in boost for Starmer
10 May 2024 at 12:18pm
Melanie Ward?s run for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy likely to delight allies of party leader criticised for Gaza stanceThe chief executive of the aid charity Medical Aid for Palestinians has been chosen as a Labour candidate to fight a key seat in Scotland, after the original candidate was suspended...

The Guardian view on John Swinney?s Scotland: a new start but also more of th...
9 May 2024 at 6:39pm
The new first minister gets it that the public want better government, but he has not got much time to deliverScotland?s new first minister is an experienced and unflashy politician who can read the public mood. Almost everything that John Swinney has said and done since replacing Humza Yousaf th...

Kate Forbes elected Scotland deputy first minister despite Green opposition
9 May 2024 at 5:57pm
Fresh row erupts over Forbes?s conservative views on equality ? but appointment is approved by narrow majorityThe Scottish Greens have voted against Kate Forbes becoming Scotland?s new deputy first minister in a fresh row over her conservative views on equality.Ross Greer, a Scottish Green MSP, s...

UK politics: Tory defector Natalie Elphicke apologises for comments about wom...
9 May 2024 at 4:50pm
Comments made after Charlie Elphicke jailed for two years criticised by new colleagues in Labour partyHaving seen a fuller version of what Ben Houchen, the Conservative Tees Valley mayor, said on BBC Radio Tees this morning, I have beefed up the post at 10.16am and changed the headline. Houchen d...

John Swinney scraps post of minister for independence to focus on economy
9 May 2024 at 2:27pm
New first minister says case for Scottish independence best made by creating ?vibrant economy?John Swinney has axed the post of minister for independence, in a clear signal to Scottish voters that his government is focused on their immediate cost of living concerns before the general election.The...

Scottish first minister John Swinney appoints Kate Forbes as deputy
8 May 2024 at 6:42pm
Announcement comes after Swinney is sworn in as seventh first minister ?for everyone in Scotland?Kate Forbes, the former finance secretary who stepped aside last week allowing John Swinney to stand unopposed for the Scottish National party leadership, has been appointed deputy first minister.The ...

Labour defends welcoming rightwing Tory MP Natalie Elphicke into party ? as i...
8 May 2024 at 5:53pm
Natalie Elphicke said she was defecting to Labour due to ?broken promises of Rishi Sunak?s tired and chaotic government?. This live blog is now closedConservative MP Natalie Elphicke defects to Labour citing border securityPMQs starts in just over 20 minutes, and today there will be particular in...

John Swinney sworn in as Scotland's first minister ? video
8 May 2024 at 4:26pm
John Swinney became Scotland's seventh first minister on Wednesday after taking his oath at a formal ceremony at the Court of Session in Edinburgh. Swinney, 60, is a Scottish National party veteran, with more than two decades as a member of the Scottish parliament and a decade and a half as a cab...

Grant Shapps says it will ?take some time? to conclude who was to blame for c...
7 May 2024 at 6:23pm
Defence secretary makes statement after 270,000 payroll records belonging to members of Britain?s armed forces been exposed to hackers. This live blog is closedReeves says Labour has a vision for the country. Stability will be change, she argues.I know ? warm words are not enough. I do not undere...

John Swinney to become Scottish first minister after vote by MSPs
7 May 2024 at 6:14pm
New SNP leader seventh to hold the office, vacated after Humza Yousaf axed deal with GreensThe new Scottish National party leader John Swinney will become Scotland?s seventh first minister after winning the backing of MSPs.As is traditional, opposition leaders stood against Swinney in the vote, w...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Many thanks to everyone ? fundraiser update
9 May 2024 at 4:31pm
I just wanted to thank everyone who contributed to or supported this year’s Wee Ginger Dug fundraiser. I was even more apprehensive about it this year than I have been in years past. There is a cost of living crisis which has had a severe impact on the budgets of many households, and it’s fair …

How right wing do you need to be not to be welcome in the Labour party?
9 May 2024 at 2:44am
On Wednesday in the House of Commons, just as Prime Minister’s Questions was about to begin, the Conservative MP for Dover, Natalie Elphicke, crossed the floor of the chamber and sat on the opposition benches , becoming the latest Tory MP to rebel against Rishi Sunak and his hapless leadership of the cruel and chaotic …

Starmer, leader of the City of London party, and a new first minister for Sco...
7 May 2024 at 5:46pm
The Labour party loves to claim that it speaks for the ordinary working people of Scotland. Like so much that issues from the centre-right British nationalist flag fetishising party of Keir Starmer that claim is a shameful barefaced lie. Under Starmer the Labour party is interested only in articulating policies which will appeal to the …

Starmer?s vacuous platitudes
5 May 2024 at 4:08pm
Keir Starmer published a piece in The Observer this sunday entitled “It’s time to end the UK’s divisions: Labour is for everyone.” The piece is an intelligence insulting and utterly vacuous content free word salad with a room temperature IQ. Absolutely nowhere in its 625 self regarding words does Starmer tell us exactly how he …

News you may have missed on BBC Scotland
4 May 2024 at 11:16am
While we’ve been preoccupied with the drama of Humza Yousaf’s resignation, the votes of no confidence in Holyrood and an SNP leadership contest which turned out not to be that dramatic after all, elsewhere politics was continuing as usual, the Tories were torying in their normal chaotic and nasty way while Keir Starmer’s Labour party …

An outbreak of calm
2 May 2024 at 4:05pm
The SNP leadership contest was over even before it had begun, no doubt much to the disappointment of BBC Scotland management who will now have to bin all the ‘SNP divided’ stories they were going to regale us with over the coming weeks as a distraction from the meltdown of the Conservatives and Keir Starmer’s …

The big loser of today?s no confidence vote
1 May 2024 at 7:37pm
As expected the Scottish Government has survived the Labour vote of no-confidence brought forward by Anas Sarwar seeking to opportunistically capitalise on the collapse of the Bute House Agreement between the SNP with the Greens. The Greens had already signalled that their beef was with Humza Yousaf and had been mollified by his resignation on …

Annual fundraiser, a quick update
30 Apr 2024 at 3:17pm
It has been just over a week since the blog’s annual fundraiser was launched and I thought readers might like a quick update since it’s not clear from the Go Fund Me page alone how the fundraiser is going. The total received from all sources, PayPal, Go Fund Me, and direct deposits now stands at …

A new leader for a new era
29 Apr 2024 at 2:54pm
Humza Yousaf’s efforts to find a way through the two votes of no confidence expected this week have proven unsuccessful, and he has stepped down as First Minister. The infuriated Greens have refused overtures from the SNP to back Humza Yousaf in the Tory vote of no confidence. By siding with the Tories the Scottish …

The flame remains undiminished
26 Apr 2024 at 2:29pm
Back in 2014 in the immediate aftermath of the independence referendum, I published a piece about the importance of keeping the flame of hope alive. Right now, we need that flame of hope more than ever, the candle is guttering and the storm winds of despair are blowing stronger than ever. In recent weeks the …

The Courier

Scottish Politics News From Holyrood and Westminster | The Courier

Scotland?s largest men?s mental health charity faces collapse in months after...
12 May 2024 at 6:00am
Men's Sheds tackle social isolation and aim to improve quality of life for a community of 10,000 members.

25 years of devolution: Has Scotland changed for the better?
11 May 2024 at 6:00am
Former presiding officer Tricia Marwick, former first minister Henry McLeish and MSP Murdo Fraser share their views and memories as the Scottish Parliament celebrates 25 years.

Just FOUR homes approved so far under SNP scheme to boost key workers in rura...
10 May 2024 at 6:00am
New First Minister John Swinney made fixing Perthshire?s rural housing crisis one of his key priorities in the top job.

A9 dualling: John Swinney ?committed? to delivering delayed project
9 May 2024 at 2:55pm
The new first minister agreed to meet with a cross-party delegation to discuss the dualling between Perth and Inverness.

What went wrong for Perthshire?s John Swinney as SNP leader 20 years ago, and...
9 May 2024 at 6:00am
We spoke to friends and foes from the first time around - including Alex Salmond and Jack McConnell - along with past and current SNP figures.

Alex Salmond: A9 dualling delay excuses are ?pathetic?
8 May 2024 at 1:15pm
The former first minister said he believes the project became less of a priority after he left government in 2014.

VIDEO: John Swinney praises wife?s support through MS to help him become new ...
7 May 2024 at 5:15pm
Elizabeth Quigley and their extended family watched his first speech to parliament as leader of the SNP government.

North East MSP demands gender services overhaul as Cass review author urges S...
7 May 2024 at 2:05pm
Dr Hilary Cass, who wrote a major review into gender services for under-18s in England, appeared before MSPs probing her findings in Edinburgh today.

Perthshire MSP John Swinney voted in as Scotland?s new first minister
7 May 2024 at 12:30pm
Holyrood formally endorsed the government leader after Humza Yousaf tendered his formal resignation to King Charles on Tuesday morning.

Ex-first minister Henry McLeish?s pension breaks £760k ? while Humza Yousaf m...
7 May 2024 at 6:00am
Both politicians served for a year as first ministers, with dramatically different financial settlements.

Talking up Scotland

Talking-up Scotland / Scottish media fact checking is like shooting fish in a...

New BBC Scotland tactic ? ?numbing the senses of the nation with trivia?
12 May 2024 at 7:40pm
By stewartb The contributions to life in Scotland by the public service broadcaster, BBC Scotland are well known to TuS readers. Most readily analysed is its output appearing daily on the BBC News website: context-free, perspective-free news on economic and political matters; politicisation of public service issues to a degree unknown in the output of BBC Wales; an evident preference for negati...

How BBC Wales hides Labour Government from scrutiny
12 May 2024 at 4:43pm
In the Nation Cymru today but nowhere in the MSM of Wales: Wales deserves better than to have a dishonest politician as First Minister. That?s why it?s important that the Labour Party does what is necessary to remove Vaughan Gething from office. Since Nation.Cymru revealed four days ago that he had misled the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, statements he has made ? and that another member of his Cabinet h...

Fury as taxpayers fork out BILLIONS on warships that have never fought but fe...
12 May 2024 at 1:13pm
As you can see , our wee sniffling rodents are all over the story of the crew that had to be recruited for the new ferries before delays set in. THREE POINT FNNNN MILLION! They were less interested in these far greater tales of wasted BILLIONS. First, in 2018, from the Mail: The £6 billion Royal Navy fleet that hardly ever went to sea: Warships that can’t sail in the heat spent 80 per cent of t...

Aberdeen home-owners buy property which requires maintenance just like any ot...
12 May 2024 at 9:54am
By Professor John Robertson As with the excited media reports on inflammable cladding, quite safe from ‘towering infernos’ in Scotland because of the cavity fire barriers required in Scotland by longstanding building regulations, the reports on Raac are tending to be evidence-deficient. Today, BBC Scotland is headlining: ‘We live in fear our roof is going to collapse’ The report, typically, doe...

As CalMac averages over 99% reliability last week Peel Port?s blame for Arran...
11 May 2024 at 9:41am
From the Scotsman, today: Claims by the owner of a harbour on CalMac?s busiest route that its poor condition is due to damage by the operator?s ferries have been rubbished by another ports firm which said the fleet had not harmed any of its own 26 harbours. Who owns Peel Ports? John Whittaker (born 14 March 1942) is a British billionaire. He is chairman of the Peel Group, a property business th...

If a Scottish County Lines drugs gangster cuckooed the vulnerable in England ...
10 May 2024 at 1:51pm
It had to happen. A Glasgow-based County Lines gangster makes the headlines in the Northants Telegraph, on the 9th of May 2024: A man found trying to hide from police in a Corby flat that had been ?cuckooed? has been jailed for drug-dealing. Glaswegian Rudy Kwatabyala has a long history of crime, with 81 offences on his record. He said he had been drawn to Corby after a relationship breakdown a...

How grudging Guardian editorials on SNP leader have persuaded even my intelli...
10 May 2024 at 9:25am
By Professor John Robertson In the Guardian editorial on John Swinney, today: Scotland?s new first minister is an experienced and unflashy politician who can read the public mood. Almost everything that John Swinney has said and done since replacing Humza Yousaf this week shows he grasps the palpable wish ? south of the border as well as north ? for more effective government that is led by more...

Is Little Reindeer stalker just another typical Scottish Labour activist?
9 May 2024 at 11:53pm
In the Sun on 27 April 2024: A WOMAN claimed to be the real-life stalker from Netflix smash Baby Reindeer was previously accused of harassing two of Scotland?s leading politicians. Fiona Harvey, 58, came into contact with the late Glasgow MP Jimmy Wray, who died aged 78 in 2013, and his solicitor wife Laura, 62, when she was a former Labour Party member. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/27577210/r...

Wake up Scotland?.you are being played!
9 May 2024 at 10:44pm
By NMRN This was not just a Tory defection to Labour?.this was a Natalie Elphicke Tory defection to Labour??. The Labour party , but mostly Starmer, have shot themselves in the foot here?? Plus Sarwar & co are currently canvassing in Scotland for his party for the next GE?..so would be odd , considering this defection is all over most of the UK media, if the media here in Scotland did not raise...

?It is very easy for Tories to cross over to Labour these days, THEY ARE THE ...
9 May 2024 at 10:25pm
By stewartb ?It is very easy for Tories to cross over to Labour these days, THEY ARE THE SAME BLOODY PARTY, ..? How far will Labour-supporting newspapers in Scotland like the Daily Record be prepared to go on behalf of the ?precious Union? to protect/shield the party that many left leaning, progressive folk in England are now calling LINO ? ?Labour in Name Only?? This from today (8 May) : ?Labo...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

Scottish first minister John Swinney axes minister for independence role afte...
9 May 2024 at 10:56am
Scottish first minister John Swinney axes minister for independence role after appointing new cabinet  Sky News

Let's give up on gentle persuasion approach for Scottish independence - The N...
12 May 2024 at 2:02pm
Let's give up on gentle persuasion approach for Scottish independence  The National

Who is John Swinney, Scotland?s new first minister after Humza Yousaf quit? -...
10 May 2024 at 11:41am
Who is John Swinney, Scotland?s new first minister after Humza Yousaf quit?  Al Jazeera English

Scottish Independence Referendum & Westminster Voting Intention (8-9 May 2024...
9 May 2024 at 8:00am
Scottish Independence Referendum & Westminster Voting Intention (8-9 May 2024)  Redfield & Wilton Strategies

John Swinney: 5 things you need to know about Scotland's new leader - POLITIC...
7 May 2024 at 4:48pm
John Swinney: 5 things you need to know about Scotland's new leader  POLITICO Europe

Swinney says no change in SNP independence referendum strategy - BBC.com
9 May 2024 at 7:30pm
Swinney says no change in SNP independence referendum strategy  BBC.com

Police Scotland's chief constable: SNP finance probe heading to prosecutors '...
12 May 2024 at 11:40pm
Police Scotland's chief constable: SNP finance probe heading to prosecutors 'within weeks'  Yahoo News UK

Scottish independence poll 2024 - Statista
10 Apr 2024 at 8:00am
Scottish independence poll 2024  Statista

Labour is the big beneficiary of Scottish political turmoil - The Economist
2 May 2024 at 8:00am
Labour is the big beneficiary of Scottish political turmoil  The Economist

'Independence can be delivered in five years' says Scotland's First Minister ...
10 May 2024 at 8:42am
'Independence can be delivered in five years' says Scotland's First Minister John Swinney  Sky News

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

Police Scotland's chief constable: SNP finance probe heading to prosecutors '...
13 May 2024 at 12:01am
Police Scotland's chief constable: SNP finance probe heading to prosecutors 'within weeks'  Sky News

SNP embezzlement probe heading to prosecutors 'within weeks' - Police Scotlan...
13 May 2024 at 12:02am
SNP embezzlement probe heading to prosecutors 'within weeks' - Police Scotland's chief constable  Sky News

Police Scotland Chief Constable blasts the SNP's soft-touch justice system as...
13 May 2024 at 12:01am
Police Scotland Chief Constable blasts the SNP's soft-touch justice system as 'very inefficient'  Scottish Daily Express

Nicola Sturgeon makes ridiculous threat as she 'rants about SNP leaks in unea...
12 May 2024 at 10:11pm
Nicola Sturgeon makes ridiculous threat as she 'rants about SNP leaks in unearthed video'  Express

SNP activist abandons leadership bid and endorses John Swinney - The Guardian
6 May 2024 at 2:30am
SNP activist abandons leadership bid and endorses John Swinney  The Guardian

John Curtice: Can Swinney bring voters back into the SNP fold? - BBC.com
7 May 2024 at 11:01pm
John Curtice: Can Swinney bring voters back into the SNP fold?  BBC.com

New SNP leader John Swinney promises action on economy and jobs - BBC
6 May 2024 at 4:30pm
New SNP leader John Swinney promises action on economy and jobs  BBC

Labour scents opportunity in SNP disarray - Scotland - Financial Times
29 Apr 2024 at 8:00am
Labour scents opportunity in SNP disarray - Scotland  Financial Times

Humza Yousaf facing no confidence vote as Scotland?s SNP-Green coalition coll...
25 Apr 2024 at 8:00am
Humza Yousaf facing no confidence vote as Scotland?s SNP-Green coalition collapses  The Independent

Making John Swinney leader may be the SNP?s smartest move in years - The Guar...
7 May 2024 at 3:09pm
Making John Swinney leader may be the SNP?s smartest move in years  The Guardian

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

Swinney says no change in SNP independence referendum strategy - BBC.com
9 May 2024 at 7:30pm
Swinney says no change in SNP independence referendum strategy  BBC.com

Scottish first minister John Swinney axes minister for independence role afte...
9 May 2024 at 10:56am
Scottish first minister John Swinney axes minister for independence role after appointing new cabinet  Sky News

Let's give up on gentle persuasion approach for Scottish independence - The N...
12 May 2024 at 2:02pm
Let's give up on gentle persuasion approach for Scottish independence  The National

Scottish Independence Referendum & Westminster Voting Intention (8-9 May 2024...
9 May 2024 at 8:00am
Scottish Independence Referendum & Westminster Voting Intention (8-9 May 2024)  Redfield & Wilton Strategies

John Swinney: 5 things you need to know about Scotland's new leader - POLITIC...
7 May 2024 at 4:48pm
John Swinney: 5 things you need to know about Scotland's new leader  POLITICO Europe

Labour is the big beneficiary of Scottish political turmoil - The Economist
2 May 2024 at 8:00am
Labour is the big beneficiary of Scottish political turmoil  The Economist

SNP backs revised plan for Scottish independence referendum - Financial Times
15 Oct 2023 at 8:00am
SNP backs revised plan for Scottish independence referendum  Financial Times

Alex Salmond launches new Scottish independence plan - BBC
30 Nov 2023 at 8:00am
Alex Salmond launches new Scottish independence plan  BBC

Labour ahead of SNP in Scotland for first time since independence referendum ...
10 Apr 2024 at 8:00am
Labour ahead of SNP in Scotland for first time since independence referendum  YouGov

Alex Salmond: SNP 'incompetence' in power 'hindered' independence - HeraldSco...
10 May 2024 at 7:22am
Alex Salmond: SNP 'incompetence' in power 'hindered' independence  HeraldScotland