The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Revealed: Huge legal aid costs for staff who 'should never have been charged?
5 Nov 2025 at 5:00am
The costs of legal aid for former staff at Melville House, a residential home for troubled boys in Fife, can be revealed.


Alarm over safety in Scotland?s maternity wards sparks call for national review
5 Nov 2025 at 5:00am
Scottish Labour urges a nationwide investigation into Scotland?s maternity and neonatal services following alarming inspection reports highlighting patient safety risks


Scot Gov under fire for membership of Holyrood group giving role to abuse order
5 Nov 2025 at 5:00am
The Scottish Government has been accused of disrespecting abuse survivors after working with a Holyrood group which has allowed a religious order involved inthe maltreatment of women to become an established member.


Could a nine-foot tall statue of Alex Salmond be built at the Scottish Parlia...
4 Nov 2025 at 6:56pm
Chris McEleny, a longtime friend of Salmond, said a permanent memorial to the late First Minister should be constructed in Holyrood.


Scottish Green councillor in bid to become party's first-ever Lord Provost
4 Nov 2025 at 5:29pm
Alasdair Tollemache would take up the ceremonial role in a bid to unseat the ruling Labour-Conservative coalition. 


Police officers seek meeting with Swinney after Sheku Bayoh inquiry chair quits
4 Nov 2025 at 5:49pm
Police officers involved in the arrest of Sheku Bayoh have asked to meet the First Minister after the inquiry into the Fife man?s death was thrown into turmoil by the resignation of its chair.


Misogyny crackdown calls as four in ten Scottish girls do not 'feel safe' out...
4 Nov 2025 at 4:35pm
Forty-four percent of Scottish girls do not feel safe while outside by themselves, according to new research by a leading charity. 


What Rachel Reeves didn?t say ? and how it could cost Scotland £1bn
4 Nov 2025 at 3:16pm
Rachel Reeves hinted at tax rises ahead of the UK budget ? a move that could indirectly wipe £1bn from Scotland?s budget under the current fiscal setup.


'Time for Scotland to speak up': religious charities back Ash Regan's sex wor...
4 Nov 2025 at 2:39pm
A group of Christian charities have called on Holyrood to pass Ash Regan?s Unbuyable Bill, which would ban the buying of sex in Scotland.


'Unanswered questions': The growing row over Inverness asylum seeker plan
4 Nov 2025 at 2:08pm
The UK Government announced that up to 300 male asylum seekers between the ages of 18 and 65 would be housed at Cameron Barracks.


Good news for Scottish cities as nation a ?standout destination?
4 Nov 2025 at 4:35am
Scottish cities fare well in the latest UK league table as the nation is described as a 'standout destination'


Former US vice president Dick Cheney dies aged 84
4 Nov 2025 at 11:46am
Dick Cheney, the former vice president of the United States, has died aged 84.


Sarwar insists Scottish Labour will not raise income tax despite budget squee...
4 Nov 2025 at 11:45am
Anas Sarwar says a Scottish Labour government would not raise income tax, even if Rachel Reeves? November Budget leads to a reduction in the Scottish block grant.


'Each of us must do our bit': Reeves repeatedly refuses to rule out income ta...
4 Nov 2025 at 9:09am
Rachel Reeves has repeatedly refused to rule out increasing income tax, opening the door to breaking a key Labour manifesto pledge.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Renewables and oil and gas chiefs unite to pile pressure on Chancellor amid '...
4 Nov 2025 at 6:13pm

Renewables and oil and gas chiefs have comes together in an unprecedented move, heaping pressure on the Chancellor to rethink her energy profits levy.

Millions of New Yorkers are casting their ballots.

The Fraser of Allander Institute estimated a 2p rise in UK income tax could cut Holyrood?s budget by £1 billion due to the fiscal arrangements between Holyrood and Westminster.

Audit Scotland highlighted serious challenges facing NHS Grampian and NHS Ayrshire and Arran

He died on Monday night, according to his family.

Income tax rates and thresholds are devolved - but Scots will still be affected by changes down south

Raising taxes could be what saves this government - but a lack of delivery will only help Reform UK.

"You will all have heard a lot of speculation about the choices I will make. I understand that - these are important choices that will shape our economy for years to come.?

The legislation is entering its second of three parliamentary stages

Wings over Scotland

How To Create Racists
29 Oct 2025 at 2:36pm
This really is an extraordinary headline, for multiple reasons. Because what actually IS “the rise of Reform”? ? The only thing “the rise of Reform” can possibly mean here is “more and more people choosing to vote for, or express their support for, a particular lawful political party in a democracy”. Why are we supposed …

Great news, everyone!
27 Oct 2025 at 11:04am
We?re important! Something to look forward to there, then.

The Music That Nobody Likes
24 Oct 2025 at 12:42pm
Perhaps the key graphic from last night’s by-election in Caerphilly is this one (green means Plaid Cymru in the context of Wales): In the end, Plaid won pretty comfortably in what had been predicted to be a very tight contest between them and Reform, with a majority of almost 4,000. But Plaid aren’t going to …

The Icarus Folly
22 Oct 2025 at 4:27pm
Last month, when half a football team of armed police ambushed and arrested comedy writer Graham Linehan at Heathrow Airport for a couple of tweets, we said this: Today, even more swiftly than we thought, this happened: Rarely can a hand have been overplayed so badly. Fans of free speech owe a huge vote of …

Courage Calls To None
17 Oct 2025 at 1:24pm
We should point out right at the start that a reader donated £12 back in the summer specifically to send us to Nicola Sturgeon’s book event in Bath last night. We assume it was someone we’d upset in some way. We arrived bang on 6.30, expecting to be among the first on the scene, but …

Your enemy?s mistakes
16 Oct 2025 at 5:03pm
So on the surface level this is just flat-out hilarious. Firstly because, as we showed you yesterday, the “significant proportion of Scotland’s population” which appears to have been won back to the SNP since John Swinney became its leader is… 1%. That’s all their vote has actually increased by as Scottish Labour have haemorrhaged support …

Come On Baby, Let?s Do The Twist
16 Oct 2025 at 11:34am
All of the words you’re about to read below were written by the same person in the last few days. It’s completely verbatim and none of it is taken in any way out of context. It means what it sounds like it means. But even if you’ve got a forehead the size of the “eggheads” …

A Case Study In Delusion
14 Oct 2025 at 1:19pm
Kevin McKenna has a piece in today’s Herald asking the question that is now the core issue for the Scottish independence movement. The short version of the answer is usually attributed to Mark Twain: “It is far easier to fool someone than to convince them that they’ve been fooled”. But that does nothing to explain …

The Cowards? Den
12 Oct 2025 at 4:19pm
We were going to write something today for the anniversary of Alex Salmond’s tragic death, but then we read Kevin McKenna’s piece in today’s Herald On Sunday and we can’t improve on it, so go and have a read of that before you do anything else. Alex always believed in looking forward, not back, so …

No cry of ?Pish!? rang out
11 Oct 2025 at 5:00pm
It’s really very hard to overstate what mendacious, duplicitous shite this is. ?? It did its job, though. As expected, the SNP conference comprehensively voted down the rebel amendments to Swinney’s motion on independence “strategy” and backed his grand plan of winning a majority, begging Keir Starmer for a second referendum – just like Nicola …

Craig Murray

UK Government Opposes Application for Scottish Judicial Review of Palestine A...
30 Oct 2025 at 5:27pm

The UK government – in the undistinguished shape of Baroness Smith of Cluny, Labour party hack, youngest daughter of John Smith and Advocate-General for Scotland – has responded to the court in our request for a Scottish judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action. The Government asks that the judicial review be denied on …

UK Government Opposes Application for Scottish Judicial Review of Palestine Action Terrorist Proscription

Urgent ? We Need a Federal Your Party
29 Oct 2025 at 2:34pm

The draft Your Party constitution is for a highly centralised, London-based party which echoes the Labour Party. It “devolves” – they literally use the word – power from the centre to non-autonomous entities in Scotland and Wales. We need a Federal party – a completely different approach – where authority lies with the members, and …

Urgent – We Need a Federal Your Party

I Have Joined Your Party
27 Oct 2025 at 6:55pm

I am taking the plunge into Your Party. My worries remain about its centralist tendencies and lack of democracy, but I will work against those from within. Your Party is not a unionist party. It does not yet have a policy on Scottish Independence. I shall of course be striving for it actively to support …

I Have Joined Your Party

A Quick Intellectual Canter
20 Oct 2025 at 2:35pm

This is more video of me than anybody would ever want to see, but here are three interviews I did over the weekend. The first covers the legal action against the proscription of Palestine Action, Starmer’s summary courts for peaceful protestors charged with “terrorism”, UK and US efforts to legalise the Israeli occupation of Gaza …

A Quick Intellectual Canter

36 Minute Trials and No Jury ? Starmer?s Fascist Mass Courts
17 Oct 2025 at 9:55am

Those charged with terrorism for supporting Palestine Action will have no jury in trials limited to 36 minutes each, with prison sentences up to six months. These are the plans for Starmer Courts for mass trials of anti-Genocide protestors. The plans are devised by Justice Michael Snow. He is the epitome of judicial prejudice. When …

36 Minute Trials and No Jury – Starmer’s Fascist Mass Courts

Fight the Proscription of Palestine Action
14 Oct 2025 at 2:54pm

I have started legal action in Scotland against the UK government over the proscription of Palestine Action, in coordination with Huda Ammori and her team in England. The petition has been accepted by the Court and served on the Solicitor General. They now have 16 remaining days to respond. The rationale is well explained in …

Fight the Proscription of Palestine Action

BBC Scotland

UK tax hike would have 'massive' impact on Scotland - Robison
4 Nov 2025 at 5:52pm
The finance secretary says an increase in income tax south of the border could lead to a £1bn shortfall at Holyrood.

Why is land reform on the agenda in Scotland?
5 Nov 2025 at 6:09am
MSPs are set to vote on legislation which could allow the government to intervene in private land sales.

Landfill ban 'delayed' by two years after BBC investigation
5 Nov 2025 at 6:09am
Temporary exemptions being offered by the regulator after 'capacity gap' identified at incinerators

Barracks asylum plan presents complex challenges, says council
4 Nov 2025 at 7:43pm
Highland Council is to hold a special meeting on the Home Office proposals for the Inverness site.

Sheku Bayoh police request meeting with first minister
4 Nov 2025 at 6:07pm
The former judge leading the probe into Sheku Bayoh's death stood down last month due to concerns over his impartiality.

Edinburgh's mobile phone ban in schools could cost up to £495,000
4 Nov 2025 at 4:44pm
The City of Edinburgh Council is carrying out an impact assessment on an all-primary school ban on phones.

Swinney pledges £25.5m to bring down NHS waits
3 Nov 2025 at 1:20pm
The Scottish Conservatives say the funding will "barely touch the sides" of what is required.

Salmond's estate seeks 'bankruptcy' over legal costs
2 Nov 2025 at 4:56pm
The former first minister's estate is seeking sequestration, the Scottish legal equivalent of bankruptcy.

Ex-health minister blames governments for state of NHS
2 Nov 2025 at 9:06am
Jeane Freeman says politicians being unable to look beyond the next election has contributed to the strain on the health service.

Thousands of poorest Scots to receive free weight-loss jabs in trial
1 Nov 2025 at 3:10pm
Up to 5,000 people in Scotland will take the injections as part of a multi-million pound study being led by Glasgow University.

Ministers lack plan for £5bn black hole, auditor says
30 Oct 2025 at 5:58pm
Scotland's auditor general also revealed that minister recorded a £1bn underspend in 2024-25.

Sabotage, betrayal, secrecy... and recycling
1 Nov 2025 at 9:16am
How a £50m court case over Scotland's deposit return scheme turned into a political blockbuster.

Scot Goes Pop

YouGov latest: another swing to Yes on the independence question, and the SNP...
5 Nov 2025 at 1:17am
* .* .*With less than two months of the year left to go, the 2025 Scot Goes Pop fundraiser is still short of its target figure.  If you'd like to help keep the lights on during the several months i...

BOMBSHELL Scottish poll rocks Westminster: firmly No-friendly pollster YouGov...
4 Nov 2025 at 3:07am
It's 2.20am as I sit down to write this, so probably not the ideal time to embark on making a video (you wouldn't believe how long even the shortest of videos take to make, once you take into accou...

Controversial "Stew" blogger spells it out for anyone who mistook his meaning...
3 Nov 2025 at 11:54am
Some of you may be familiar with a controversial and increasingly far-right blogger, based in Somerset, and known almost universally as "Stew".  In spite of being such an enormous distance away, he...

SNP storm to spectacular GAIN in Stirling East by-election
31 Oct 2025 at 12:26pm
I have some audio commentary on YouTube for you about the SNP's impressive win in the Stirling East by-election - plus also I make reference to the bizarre lengths the mainstream media are going to...

Controversial "Stew" blogger inches ever-closer to his inevitable endorsement...
29 Oct 2025 at 8:45pm
The title of Stuart "Stew" Campbell's latest blogpost rant is "How to create racists", to which the obvious punchline would appear to be "och, just follow Wings Over Scotland social media accounts"...

Labour slump to FIFTH place in YouGov's Scottish subsample - and now face a c...
29 Oct 2025 at 8:18am
* .* .*With barely two months of the year left to go, the 2025 Scot Goes Pop fundraiser is still short of its target figure.  If you'd like to help keep the lights on during the several months it w...

More analysis of the extraordinary poll showing Yes support at 55%
28 Oct 2025 at 3:45pm
Just a quick note to let you know I have an analysis piece at The National about the independence  results from the new Find Out Now poll.  You can read the article HERE.

HUGE majority for Scottish independence in new Find Out Now poll - and it's d...
28 Oct 2025 at 4:07am
* .* .*With barely two months of the year left to go, the 2025 Scot Goes Pop fundraiser is still short of its target figure.  If you'd like to help keep the lights on during the several months it w...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Scottish ministers left with ?unanswered questions? over UK asylum plans
4 Nov 2025 at 3:27pm
The Highland Council was notified last week that Cameron Barracks would be used to house around 300 asylum seekers.

MSPs reject bid to limit assisted dying to those with six months or less to live
4 Nov 2025 at 3:19pm
Holyrood?s Health Committee voted against the amendment put forward by Labour?s Daniel Johnson.

Chancellor refuses to rule out tax rises in November?s budget
4 Nov 2025 at 11:07am
Reeves declined to recommit to Labour?s manifesto commitments not to raise income tax, national insurance or VAT.

MSP Liam McArthur seeks to ?strengthen? assisted dying Bill
4 Nov 2025 at 7:40am
Almost 300 proposed amendments are due to be debated and voted on by the Health Committee over several sessions.

Reeves to promise ?fairness? in pre-budget speech as tax rises expected
4 Nov 2025 at 7:08am
Speculation is growing that the Chancellor will raise income tax at the next budget on November 26.

Former Tory councillor Todd Ferguson joins Reform after accusing party of ?lo...
3 Nov 2025 at 3:31pm
Former Tory councillor Todd Ferguson has become the 19th Scottish councillor to join Reform UK.

Scottish Government announces £25m NHS funding to reduce waiting times
3 Nov 2025 at 11:19am
The announcement comes as recent figures show the number of longest NHS waits are beginning to come down.

Findlay ?cannot believe how little outrage there is? over prison situation
2 Nov 2025 at 5:42pm
Scotland?s prison populations reached record levels last month.

Leaving ECHR ?not the future I want for Scotland?, says Swinney
2 Nov 2025 at 2:03pm
The ECHR has been criticised in recent years for its impact on the ability to deport people from the UK.

Swinney holds talks on cutting whisky tariffs with US ambassador
1 Nov 2025 at 4:27pm
The First Minister will also attend a whisky event and the rugby at Murrayfield with Warren Stephens.

Swinney to raise whisky deal in talks with US ambassador
1 Nov 2025 at 1:30pm
The First Minister has been pushing for Scotland?s national drink to be subject to lower trade tariffs.

Hard to determine whether mental health spending is effective, say MSPs
31 Oct 2025 at 7:56am
The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee said there is a lack of transparency around Government spending in the area.

Whisky on the menu as Scottish secretary Alexander meets US ambassador
31 Oct 2025 at 7:15am
Warren Stephens will meet with Alexander in Edinburgh, before attending the rugby at Murrayfield on Saturday with Swinney.

Douglas Alexander defends UK Government?s support for oil and gas industry am...
30 Oct 2025 at 5:52pm
The Scottish secretary would not be drawn on axing the windfall tax during a visit to the North East on Thursday.

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Pro-independence MSP turned down Reform UK after 'smooth talk' from Nigel Farage
5 Nov 2025 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: Ash Regan said Reform UK made two attempts at getting her to join their party.

Cameron House fire tragedy leads to landmark law change named in remembrance ...
5 Nov 2025 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: The law change follows a long campaign by the bereaved families of Simon Midgley and Richard Dyson, who died at Cameron House in 2017.

Glasgow council paying for homeless refugees to stay in 50 hotels as city rea...
5 Nov 2025 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: The cash-strapped SNP administration in Glasgow has confirmed a near 260 per cent rise in refugees being placed in hotels and B&Bs across the city.

Child attempted murder rise partly due to 'SNP incompetence', claims Anas Sarwar
4 Nov 2025 at 3:11pm
The number of children accused of attempted murder in Scotland has risen significantly according to new figures from a Scottish Police Authority report.

Anas Sarwar challenges John Swinney to use £1 billion underspend as Holyrood ...
4 Nov 2025 at 12:42pm
The rate of income tax paid by workers in Scotland is set by Holyrood but a hike elsewhere in the UK could still have a negative impact on public spending north of the Border.

Rachel Reeves puts UK on notice that tax rises are on the way with Brexit and...
4 Nov 2025 at 11:31am
Rachel Reeves could become the first UK Chancellor in 50 years to rip up a manifesto commitment not to increase income tax.

Alex Salmond lived in luxury £7,000 a month London apartment despite financia...
3 Nov 2025 at 5:00pm
EXCLUSIVE: The former SNP leader had access to "world class" facilities in the Dumont block.

John Swinney condemns school violence after figures show rise in attacks
3 Nov 2025 at 2:44pm
The First Minister spoke out after a trade union hit out at the dangers facing school staff

SNP Education Secretary urged to make urgent statement on soaring school viol...
3 Nov 2025 at 2:36pm
Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie said Jenny Gilruth must respond to the Daily Record exclusive on

Scots urged to obey law on Bonfire Night as new fireworks ban kicks in
3 Nov 2025 at 1:52pm
First Minister John Swinney said new firework control zones had been put in place across the country

The National

The National | Politics

Who was told about plan to house asylum seekers at Cameron barracks?
4 Nov 2025 at 6:30pm

I AM confused ? the Cameron Barracks in Inverness are about to house 300 asylum seekers. My confusion arises from the fact that the local MP claims he was not informed.

Softening-up process has officially begun as Labour Budget looms
4 Nov 2025 at 6:30pm

THE last verse of Mary Brooksbank?s famous song goes, ?Oh dear me the world is ill divided/Them that works the hardest are the least provided?. It is not going to change soon, with the hints coming from the latest statement to the media by the UK Chancellor in Downing Street.

Campaign to end Unionist council coalition could see first Green lord provost
4 Nov 2025 at 6:12pm

A CAMPAIGN to end a Labour/Tory local administration could see a councillor become the first Green Party lord provost

Keir Starmer told to ?be a social media star? in bid to win back voters
4 Nov 2025 at 7:30pm

A former adviser to Keir Starmer and Tony Blair has urged the Prime Minister to reinvent himself as a ?social media star?, warning that his cautious communication style is leaving voters cold

Richard Murphy: Labour don't need to hike taxes on working people. Here's why
4 Nov 2025 at 5:29pm

CHANCELLOR Rachel Reeves could cut taxes for working people while still balancing the UK?s books if she targeted the ?staggeringly enormous? undertaxation of wealth ...

Are Scottish Labour 'spreading misinformation' about NHS waiting times?
4 Nov 2025 at 5:28pm

SCOTTISH Labour have been accused of ?spreading misinformation? over NHS waiting times, again.

Scottish Labour MSP rapped for Holyrood rules breach in Glasgow gala advert
4 Nov 2025 at 5:00pm

A SCOTTISH Labour MSP has been rapped for breaching Holyrood rules in an advert published in a local publication ...

BrewDog 'may have to repay millions in taxpayer cash' after sale of Highland ...
4 Nov 2025 at 4:33pm

SCOTTISH beer giant BrewDog may be on the hook to repay public funding for its ?lost forest? project after the firm sold its Highlands estate ...

Scottish Parliament bosses to consider Alex Salmond memorial
4 Nov 2025 at 4:32pm

THE Scottish Parliament will consider creating a memorial to Alex Salmond, it has emerged.

Petition to call off Maccabi Tel Aviv match delivered to FA as milestone reached
4 Nov 2025 at 4:12pm

PRO-Palestine campaigners have delivered a petition to the English FA calling for the cancellation of a Europa League match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Aston Villa after it reached a major milestone.

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

MSPs back recall system for Holyrood
5 Nov 2025 at 6:00am
But the standards committee said there were ?fundamental issues that would need to be addressed? in the bill

?Unanswered questions? on use of Highland barracks for asylum seekers, Scotti...
4 Nov 2025 at 2:23pm
Shirley-Anne Somerville met with Alex Norris over provision for the Inverness move

UK Government urged to invest in?space economy?
4 Nov 2025 at 11:40am
The UK Government has been urged to invest in the global ?race for space? by a House of Lords committee

Two health boards ?financially unstainable?, auditors warn
4 Nov 2025 at 10:59am
NHS Grampian and NHS Ayrshire and Arran required loans to break even last year

Rachel Reeves warns of impact of 'years of economic mismanagement' ahead of B...
4 Nov 2025 at 10:23am
Rachel Reeves said that since her first Budget last year ?the world has thrown even more challenges our way?, laying the ground for what is expected to be a tax-raising fiscal event?later this month

Nearly 300 amendments submitted to assisted dying bill
4 Nov 2025 at 6:00am
Holyrood?s health committee to begin scrutiny of proposed legislation

Extra ?25.5m to help cut NHS waiting lists
3 Nov 2025 at 2:41pm
The money was announced by First Minister John Swinney as he visited the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow

Project to advance ocean renewables launches?in Orkney?
3 Nov 2025 at 2:16pm
The European Marine Energy Centre has launched a project?to increase the advancement of ocean renewable energy system technology

Labour: New HMP Glasgow not fit for purpose
3 Nov 2025 at 9:08am
Labour said its analysis showed the ?1bn 'superprison' would fail to provide enough capacity to address the crisis in Scotland's prisons

Scottish Government launches digital diabetes prevention programme
1 Nov 2025 at 6:00am
The Scottish Government has launched an online system to fast-track proven healthcare innovations to potential type 2 diabetes patients

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

Reeves says she should have checked rental licence had been obtained as letti...
30 Oct 2025 at 6:50pm
No 10 releases redacted emails between Reeves? husband and letting agentRachel Reeves? rental error: standards adviser looking at new informationRobert Peston, ITV?s political editor, says he thinks it is a mistake for the Conservatives to be saying Rachel Reeves should have to resign over the re...

MPs vote down Farage?s proposal for UK to leave ECHR ? as it happened
29 Oct 2025 at 5:20pm
This blog is now closed, you can read more of our UK political coverage hereMark Sedwill, the former cabinet secretary and former national security adviser, goes next. He is now a peer, and a member of the committee.He says the deputy national security adviser, Matthew Collins, thought there was ...

Cruise control: could a £5 ?entry? fee help balance Orkney?s needs with touri...
26 Oct 2025 at 7:00am
With tourists outnumbering locals by 20:1, islanders say levy is needed to help protect neolithic sites and maintain public servicesArtisan jewellery, gift and whisky shops crowd the main street of Kirkwall on Orkney. The town even has a new sushi shop, offering bento boxes and matcha cheesecake....

Scotland demands £24.5m from Westminster for Trump and Vance visits
22 Oct 2025 at 10:53am
Treasury says trips were private while Scottish ministers point out US president met Keir Starmer and it had to stump up for extra policingThe UK government needs to ?step up? and reimburse the £24.5m cost of Donald Trump and JD Vance?s recent visits to Scotland, Holyrood?s public finance ministe...

Badenoch accuses Labour of prioritising economic ties with China over nationa...
13 Oct 2025 at 6:22pm
Minister calls Badenoch?s claims about Chinese spy trial ?baseless smears?. This live blog is closedAt the Downing Street lobby briefing this morning the PM?s spokesperson said it was ?entirely false? to suggest the government influenced the collapse of the China spying case because of concerns B...

Swinney says Scottish government will sponsor visas for foreign care workers
13 Oct 2025 at 5:28pm
First minister tells SNP conference older people should not ?pay the price for Westminster?s prejudice? over immigrationJohn Swinney has said the Scottish government will help hundreds of overseas care workers stay in the UK, as he attacked Westminster for its rising hostility to immigrants.The f...

SNP backs Swinney?s ?clear? strategy for new independence referendum
11 Oct 2025 at 5:22pm
Members overwhelmingly endorse leadership motion that majority at next Holyrood election is only route to second voteSNP members have overwhelmingly backed leader John Swinney?s ?clear and unambiguous? independence strategy that a majority election win is the only route to another referendum.On t...

Former British diplomat challenges Palestine Action ban in Scotland
10 Oct 2025 at 10:30am
Craig Murray argues proscription order contravenes rights to freedom of speech under European convention of human rightsA former British diplomat has served a petition challenging the ban on Palestine Action in Scotland.The case, brought by Craig Murray, is separate to the judicial review of the ...

Senior SNP figures believe Holyrood majority ?within reach? at May?s election
10 Oct 2025 at 5:00am
As party gathers for conference, re-engaging independence supporters seen as way forward after trust in Scottish government hits record lowSenior Scottish National party strategists believe a majority at next year?s Holyrood elections is ?within reach? despite failing public trust in Scotland?s g...

The Guardian view on the nationalist surge: the SNP and Plaid Cymru are makin...
9 Oct 2025 at 6:35pm
In both Scotland and Wales, politics is marching to the beat of different drums from the rest of Britain. The UK-wide parties should watch outViewed through the Westminster prism, UK electoral politics seems a five-party contest. The narrative has been well aired in the conference season. The thr...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

The need for iGERS
4 Nov 2025 at 5:13pm
The pro-independence campaign group Believe in Scotland has proposed a replacement for the discredited GERS (Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland) figures which are published every year to the delight of British nationalists up and down the land. These statistics, which as Professor of Accountancy Practice Richard Murphy regularly points out, are based on unreliable and …

Migrant hysteria, the lie driving the rise of the far right
31 Oct 2025 at 6:30pm
The far right is on the rise, and it’s on the rise due to an artificial panic manufactured by rich and powerful interests in order to distract public attention from the greed and avarice of the wealthiest in society, a tiny segment which has hoarded ever greater wealth over the past few decades even as …

Rising support for independence and the end of the so-called Union
27 Oct 2025 at 7:58pm
There have been some mixed messages recently from opinion polling about the SNP’s chances of winning a majority at next year’s Holyrood election. Over the weekend The National published a report of an analysis of recent polling which suggested that the SNP could win a majority in its own right. This contrasts with other polling …

The lessons of Caerffili for Holyrood 2026
24 Oct 2025 at 3:04pm
Some great news from Wales today. Plaid Cymru has smashed over 100 years of Labour domination and swept its way to victory in the Caerffili Senedd by election, taking 47% of votes cast. Although pollsters and bookies had fancied Reform UK to take the seat, in the end, Plaid left Reform in the dust, far …

Starmer needs to learn that Holyrood won?t be pushed around
22 Oct 2025 at 4:25pm
Scotland’s colonial governor, Wee Dougie Alexander, Labour’s answer to the toxic oil slick that is Michael Gove, has said that Westminster would “take an SNP majority at Holyrood seriously” after being pressed by SNP MP Stephen Gethins to respond to Keir Starmer’s recent comment that “if there’s an SNP majority in Holyood, it’s got to …

The short sighted stupidity of Reform UK?s climate denialism
20 Oct 2025 at 3:23pm
A number of recent opinion polls have found that the hard right Anglo-British nationalists of Reform UK are on course to win the next Westminster general election. That alarming prospect is still four years off and it’s entirely possible that Farage’s latest political vehicle will implode before then just as all his other political parties …

England?s identity crisis is Scotland?s opportunity
17 Oct 2025 at 6:34pm
Scotland has an England problem. The largest country in this so-called union is currently in the grip of a strange national psychosis, and has fallen prey to the venomous snake oil salesmen of the English nationalist far right, who offer simplistic and hate filled nostrums for all that ails England, the housing crisis, the cost …

Joani Reid and the rat-pack
16 Oct 2025 at 1:35pm
Maybe it’s something in the water in East Kilbride and Strathaven, but the Westminster constituency seems to be cursed with morally bankrupt MPs. The present constituency boundaries are new and was first contested in the July 2024 Westminster general election, but the constituency broadly covers the same area as the abolished East Kilbride, Strathaven and …

Holyrood 2026, it?s up to all of us now
14 Oct 2025 at 2:44pm
While we were busy with a visit from my husband’s family from the United States, the SNP party conference was taking place in Aberdeen. The party came out of the conference united behind the First Minister’s plan for independence and irrespective of the merits or demerits of the plan, it cannot be denied that independence …

The fork in the road
8 Oct 2025 at 3:07pm
It’s customary to describe every upcoming election as critical. That’s always been the case with Scottish independence, as should the pro-independence parties fail to win a majority in the Scottish Parliament, and we’re unfortunate enough to get a Labour – or god forbid – Tory first minister, independence would be off the political agenda for …

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

NHS Ayrshire & Arran is not ?on the brink of collapse.? In England, some NHS ...
4 Nov 2025 at 7:24pm
Professor John Robertson OBA The Daily Record today has the above and: NHS Ayrshire & Arran owes nearly £130m and now tops the list of Scottish health boards with the largest amount of debt, says the Auditor General for Scotland. And the health board has been warned that its savings plan, aimed at reducing their crippling debt levels, is ?overly optimistic? and they ?may not be achievable.? Now...

Child homelessness soars 67% higher in England than in Scotland after a year ...
4 Nov 2025 at 4:27pm
Professor John Robertson OBA Thanks to Dottie for alerting us to this. From BBC London on 23 October 2025, the above and: Rents across England continue to rise, external as the numbers of households in temporary accommodation across the country are at a record high 170 000. Meanwhile, the amount of housing benefit private renters can claim – the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) – remains frozen ...

BBC Scotland amplified her unsubstantiated charge, so it?s a political ?win? ...
4 Nov 2025 at 4:02pm
By stewartb Lots of BBC coverage online of NHS Scotland today (November 4), but no space for positive news! Lots of quotes from opposition politicians amplified (without challenge of course) by BBC Scotland, by the media organisation that supposedly performs a public service. For example, the British Labour Party?s deputy leader and health spokesperson in Scotland is working to undermine public...

?The Home Office and policing do not have a shared understanding of the resou...
4 Nov 2025 at 1:04pm
By stewartb The National Audit Office (NAO, November 3, 2025) published this report: ?Police productivity ? Home Office. Report HC 1380?. (https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/police-productivity.pdf) It is concerned with policing in England and Wales. The NAO notes that the Home Office allocates the majority of police funding for England and Wales. Why relevant to TuS and to Scotl...

207 more police officers in Scotland than under Labour despite 40% reduction ...
4 Nov 2025 at 11:29am
Professor John Robertson OBA From Police officer quarterly strength statistics: 30 September 2025 published today: Scotland’s Chief Statistician has published statistics on Police Officer Quarterly Strength, which gives the number of full-time equivalent police officers employed by Police Scotland. The key findings of the statistics are: From Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2024-25 published in Jun...

NHS Scotland staffed and equipped to complete 98% of more than 25 000 operati...
4 Nov 2025 at 11:11am
Professor John Robertson OBA From Cancelled planned operations Month ending 30 September 2025, published today: There were 25,322 operations planned to take place across NHSScotland. This is 12.1% higher (+2,738) than the number planned a year previously in September 2024 (22,584). Overall, the number of planned operations had been steadily increasing since the COVID-19 pandemic impacted servic...

Keeping quiet about a fall in actual murder and actual murder by children but...
4 Nov 2025 at 10:20am
Professor John Robertson OBA The Record and BBC Scotland today are headlining a report by the police officers trade union, the SPA, claiming: A report has highlighted a “concerning increase” in the number of attempted murders carried out by children in Scotland. The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) paper, external said there were 17 attempted murders involving 20 children in the three months bet...

Untrustworthy ? Ayr Labour candidate for Holyrood election in 2026 ?enabled? ...
4 Nov 2025 at 9:40am
The Labour candidate for the Ayr constituency in the 2026 Scottish election, is Brian McGinley, above. At the time of the 2022 local elections, McGinley was Labour group leader. The outcome was: The Conservatives formed a minority administration. This was enabled by independent councillors and abstentions from Labour councillors on key votes to set-up the Conservative administration. In 2025, t...

If Scotland?s prisons are at ?breaking point?, why are assaults on prison off...
4 Nov 2025 at 8:35am
warned the prison system is at breaking point……The jail’s population has reduced since earlier this year and staff absences have improved. Professor John Robertson OBA BBC Scotland today is headlining a story they have gathered themselves in anticipation of linking it to the Scottish Government in an upcoming Holyrood vote on early prisoner release to reduce prison overcrowding. I’m sure Scotla...

Wealth Extraction ? Another supposed supporter of independence works against ...
3 Nov 2025 at 9:21pm
Professor John Robertson OBA Like Wings and Craig Murray and Kevin McKenna, Robin McAlpine of Common Weal cannot get over the SNP leadership’s failure to recognise his supreme intelligence and usefulness to their policy development back in 2014. Still in the huff, he’s in the National today with the above and: If you support independence then I urge you to take a moment?s break from strategisin...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

The new hero of Scottish independence? Nigel Farage - politico.eu
13 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
The new hero of Scottish independence? Nigel Farage  politico.eu

Swinney sets out latest plan for an independence referendum - BBC
4 Sep 2025 at 8:00am
Swinney sets out latest plan for an independence referendum  BBC

Twenty-five years of data shows how link between identity and views on Scotti...
9 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
Twenty-five years of data shows how link between identity and views on Scottish independence has grown stronger  The Conversation

Scottish independence: The simple reason why SNP don?t want to talk about cur...
4 Nov 2025 at 6:00pm
Scottish independence: The simple reason why SNP don?t want to talk about currency  The Scotsman

Scottish independence paper sets out defence and NATO plans - UK Defence Journal
4 Nov 2025 at 1:14pm
Scottish independence paper sets out defence and NATO plans  UK Defence Journal

Independence only way to protect pensioners amid Nigel Farage threat, SNP say...
4 Nov 2025 at 10:36am
Independence only way to protect pensioners amid Nigel Farage threat, SNP say  TheNational.scot

Part One: Why Scotland should be independent - A Fresh Start with Independenc...
8 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
Part One: Why Scotland should be independent - A Fresh Start with Independence  The Scottish Government

John Swinney's independence strategy backed by SNP members - BBC
11 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
John Swinney's independence strategy backed by SNP members  BBC

Independence is back on the agenda - but can SNP win election majority? - BBC
13 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
Independence is back on the agenda - but can SNP win election majority?  BBC

Women tip the balance in Scottish independence polls as gender gap reverses -...
2 Nov 2025 at 5:09am
Women tip the balance in Scottish independence polls as gender gap reverses  TheNational.scot

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

Scots warned SNP will follow Reeves?s lead on tax rises - The Telegraph
4 Nov 2025 at 5:53pm
Scots warned SNP will follow Reeves?s lead on tax rises  The Telegraph

Scottish independence: The simple reason why SNP don?t want to talk about cur...
4 Nov 2025 at 6:00pm
Scottish independence: The simple reason why SNP don?t want to talk about currency  The Scotsman

Plaid Cymru and SNP leaders discuss forming 'progressive alliance' - BBC
30 Oct 2025 at 1:07pm
Plaid Cymru and SNP leaders discuss forming 'progressive alliance'  BBC

Senior SNP figures believe Holyrood majority ?within reach? at May?s election...
10 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
Senior SNP figures believe Holyrood majority ?within reach? at May?s election  The Guardian

Chris Mason: SNP are the latest proof that things change quickly in politics ...
13 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
Chris Mason: SNP are the latest proof that things change quickly in politics  BBC

SNP backs Swinney?s ?clear? strategy for new independence referendum | Scotti...
11 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
SNP backs Swinney?s ?clear? strategy for new independence referendum | Scottish National party (SNP)  The Guardian

SNP moves to have MPs strip Prince Andrew of all titles - BBC
21 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
SNP moves to have MPs strip Prince Andrew of all titles  BBC

How John Swinney plans to put his stamp on the SNP as election looms - BBC
11 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
How John Swinney plans to put his stamp on the SNP as election looms  BBC

John Swinney's independence strategy backed by SNP members - BBC
11 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
John Swinney's independence strategy backed by SNP members  BBC

Swinney says Scottish government will sponsor visas for foreign care workers ...
13 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
Swinney says Scottish government will sponsor visas for foreign care workers  The Guardian

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

Swinney sets out latest plan for an independence referendum - BBC
4 Sep 2025 at 8:00am
Swinney sets out latest plan for an independence referendum  BBC

The new hero of Scottish independence? Nigel Farage - politico.eu
13 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
The new hero of Scottish independence? Nigel Farage  politico.eu

John Swinney's independence strategy backed by SNP members - BBC
11 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
John Swinney's independence strategy backed by SNP members  BBC

Women tip the balance in Scottish independence polls as gender gap reverses -...
2 Nov 2025 at 5:09am
Women tip the balance in Scottish independence polls as gender gap reverses  TheNational.scot

Twenty-five years of data shows how link between identity and views on Scotti...
9 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
Twenty-five years of data shows how link between identity and views on Scottish independence has grown stronger  The Conversation

First Minister John Swinney sets out latest plan for independence referendum ...
4 Sep 2025 at 8:00am
First Minister John Swinney sets out latest plan for independence referendum  Sky News

In the United Kingdom, prime minister rejects possibility of Scotland indepen...
3 Jun 2025 at 8:00am
In the United Kingdom, prime minister rejects possibility of Scotland independence referendum  ConstitutionNet

SNP seeks to exploit unionist rift with fresh independence pitch - Financial ...
9 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
SNP seeks to exploit unionist rift with fresh independence pitch  Financial Times

SNP majority only way to secure second referendum - Swinney - BBC
28 Jul 2025 at 8:00am
SNP majority only way to secure second referendum - Swinney  BBC

Part One: Why Scotland should be independent - A Fresh Start with Independenc...
8 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
Part One: Why Scotland should be independent - A Fresh Start with Independence  The Scottish Government