The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Solicitors warn of legal aid ?crisis? amid 23% drop in cases paid to solicitors
6 Nov 2024 at 6:11pm
Lawyers have warned the legal sector is in crisis after the number of legal aid cases paid to solicitors fell 23% since 2019-20.


'Fear for women across the world' under Donald Trump's presidency 
6 Nov 2024 at 2:06pm
Are we truly prepared for the decisions Donald Trump makes and the influence he now wields across the world when it comes to women's rights?


On Election Day, people tell you who they really are
6 Nov 2024 at 2:00pm
With Donald Trump victorious, reporter Garrett Stell - who grew up in North Carolina - reflects on the state of American politics and society.


Swinney 'encouraged' by firework controls despite significant Bonfire Night d...
6 Nov 2024 at 2:18pm
John Swinney has said he is encouraged by firework control measures despite Bonfire Night disorder across the country.


Trump presidency poses risk to Scotland's whisky industry, John Swinney has w...
6 Nov 2024 at 1:05pm
Donald Trump's plans to increase tariffs on foreign exports into the United States poses a "damaging" risk to the Scotch whisky industry, John Swinney warned.


How Kamala Harris lost the election: The flaws in her Presidential campaign
6 Nov 2024 at 12:22pm
Kamala Harris was the big hope for the Democrats after Joe Biden stepped down but Donald Trump has come out on top


Republicans have won the Senate but what does it mean for America?
6 Nov 2024 at 7:59am
Republicans have won control of the Senate, a potential boost for a Donald Trump presidency.


Donald Trump declares victory in US presidential election
6 Nov 2024 at 7:41am
Mr Trump declared he had won a ?magnificent victory for the American people? as he appeared on track to return to the White House as 47th President of the United States.


Optimism fades to concern among US students in Scotland as Donald Trump nears...
6 Nov 2024 at 6:27am
Crowds gathered in Edinburgh to watch on as the results of the US election came through


'National Insurance hike will cost Glasgow City Council over 50 million pounds'
6 Nov 2024 at 5:00am
The leader of Glasgow City Council has written to the UK chancellor seeking 'urgent clarity' over the recent hike to National Insurance contributions which she claims will cost the council over £50 million pounds.


Tuition fees: Scottish ministers urged to consider means testing university fees
6 Nov 2024 at 5:00am
A policy expert has urged Scottish ministers to consider means testing tuition fees in Scotland amid an increase in university fees for students in England.


Trump elected as US president after victory in Wisconsin
6 Nov 2024 at 10:52am
Donald Trump is the first person convicted of a felony to be elected president and, at 78, is the oldest person chosen for the office.


Trump?s Scottish golf business celebrates victory of ?true leader?
6 Nov 2024 at 3:03pm
The business that runs Donald Trump?s golf courses in Scotland has welcomed his historic victory in the US presidential election.


Starmer congratulates Trump on ?historic? US election victory
6 Nov 2024 at 9:14am
Sir Keir Starmer said the UK-US special relationship will ?continue to prosper? following Donald Trump?s ?historic election victory?.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Dollar soars and Scotch spooked - how the world markets reacted to Donald Tru...
6 Nov 2024 at 6:15pm

?If our businesses find it too challenging and expensive to trade with the US, will they turn their attention to the EU as a more user-friendly alternative?? - Joe Nellis, economic adviser to MHA

The Special Relationship between the US and UK is old enough and strong enough to withstand the measured criticism of political leaders

How economic reality will catch up with the politicians of big, flabby government

Trump paid a lengthy tribute to Musk, calling him a ?star? of the Republican Party and a ?wonderful? guy

It was Mrs Badenoch?s first PMQs as Tory leader

The First Minister condemned ?unacceptable? behaviour

Polls once again underestimate support for controversial Republican candidate Donald Trump

Economic security at home and strong alliances, particularly with Europe, will see the UK through

Hillary Clinton lost the 2016 election - and now Kamala Harris has lost another eight years later

The First Minister said tariffs posed a ?very real? threat

Scotland reacts to the news Donald Trump is on course to win the US presidential election

The result is not the one Labour was hoping for

Donald Trump?s election victory shows the Confederacy lives on in all but name and so does its racism and intolerance

There have been few more divisive political figures in modern times than Donald J Trump, who has just won a second term as President of the United States of America.

Wings over Scotland

How it happened
6 Nov 2024 at 8:59am
So it looks like the USA has elected a mad orange rapist convicted of 34 felonies who could yet be in jail by the time of his inauguration. (He would remain President even if that happened, which would be really funny.) And we can’t even blame them for it, because the alternative they were offered …

The Mandalorian Candidate
4 Nov 2024 at 2:23pm
To be honest, readers, the peculiar events of yesterday continued to nag at us all day as every news broadcaster in Scotland and beyond leapt eagerly on the ludicrous non-story from the Herald On Sunday’s front page. (It was even the #2 item on BBC Radio Wales, inexplicably). ? For such an absolute nothingball of …

Bespoilers Of Graves
3 Nov 2024 at 12:04pm
From here, the top of the barrel is so far away that you can’t see so much as a pinprick of daylight through the most powerful pair of binoculars. In a moving epitaph a few days ago, the widely-respected Professor James Mitchell of the University Of Glasgow noted of Alex Salmond that: “He could be …

The Skeleton Dance
2 Nov 2024 at 6:59am

That worth remembering
29 Oct 2024 at 8:14am
Alex Salmond will be laid to rest in the green turf of Aberdeenshire today in a quiet and dignified private ceremony. (A public celebration of his life will take place next month.) Most of Scotland’s press and commentariat beclowned itself shamefully after his death just as it did during his life, but below is a …

A Delicate Art
26 Oct 2024 at 2:32pm
Redaction is a tricky business, and comes with numerous pitfalls even if you’re being careful, which not everyone is. If you’re involved in creating a document you know will have to be redacted, there are a variety of safeguarding approaches you can adopt. When I worked on a videogames magazine called Amiga Power in the …

The Impostor
26 Oct 2024 at 6:59am

The 24 Official Genders Of Scotland
21 Oct 2024 at 4:06pm
Are listed below: Click the pic to enlarge, if you want to lose the will to live. The list, updated last week, comes from the Scottish Government’s guidance on data collection and publication which we located here (it’s in the Excel document) after it was reported by Daniel Sanderson of the Telegraph, and it’s just …

In Times To Come
19 Oct 2024 at 6:59am

The fleas on the ticks on the midgets
16 Oct 2024 at 3:12pm
Wherever you find giants, you also find parasites, bottom-feeders and carrion. When a mighty lion dies in the jungle, tiny creeping crawling maggots and insects and bacteria feast gleefully on its corpse for many days. Which naturally brings us to the Scottish media. The above paragraphs of cowardly innuendo and baseless speculative smearing were penned …

Craig Murray

Beirut Problems
1 Nov 2024 at 4:10am

On Wednesday we were arrested and held awhile by General Security in Lebanon and told not to report from here until we receive the proper permits. This is a frustrating delay but I hope will soon resolve.

Beirut Problems

Setting Up In Beirut
30 Oct 2024 at 7:32am

I apologise for the break, I have been setting up in Beirut to cover the Israeli assault from here. This has been quite a logistic challenge. I am accompanied by Niels Ladefoged, the cinematographer with Wikileaks who was with Julian Assange on his flight to Australia. Readers of this blog know Niels as the cinematographer …

Setting Up In Beirut

Who Are the Terrorists?
18 Oct 2024 at 8:24am

I have a confession to make. When a journalist writes this it generally means they will proceed to reveal something they hope will actually show them in a good light or justified in some way. But I have a real confession to make, of something I did that was wrong. Somewhere in the UK, among …

Who Are the Terrorists?

The Notional Health Service
17 Oct 2024 at 2:01am

Today is my 66th birthday, so I am hoping that you will forgive an article that is at core the anecdotal ramblings of an old man. It was inspired by horror at Wes Streeting (I could end the sentence there but I shall continue it) ‘s plan to give weight loss jabs to the unemployed. …

The Notional Health Service

The Salisbury Festival of Russophobia Opens Today
14 Oct 2024 at 12:04pm

Today is the grand opening of the Salisbury Festival of Russophobia, otherwise known as the Public Inquiry into the death of Dawn Sturgess, an unfortunate victim of imperialist spy games. Do not be fooled. This is not in any sense a genuine public inquiry, supposed to get at the truth. This is an inquiry like …

The Salisbury Festival of Russophobia Opens Today

Alex Salmond. Always My Hero.
13 Oct 2024 at 10:53am

Before Alex Salmond, Scottish Independence was an impossible dream, a romantic aspiration, outside the realm of practical politics. After Alex Salmond, it is the dominant question in Scottish politics and by far the biggest threat to the UK state. I would argue that, with every poll for a decade showing overwhelming support for Independence among …

Alex Salmond. Always My Hero.

BBC Scotland

Ferry disruption: Islanders face a difficult winter, warns minister
6 Nov 2024 at 7:21pm
Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop says she is pushing ferry operator CalMac to consider "all options" to maintain services.

Swinney congratulates Trump after backing Harris in US election
6 Nov 2024 at 5:55pm
The first minister's endorsement for the Democratic nominee was called "appalling" by Trump's business.

Arran's main ferry could be out of service until late March
5 Nov 2024 at 5:26pm
CalMac said new problems had been uncovered on MV Caledonian Isles while the ship was in dry dock.

Climate change legislation passed by MSPs
5 Nov 2024 at 6:38pm
The Bill was passed in Holyrood with 105 votes to zero with seven Scottish Green MSPs abstaining.

Why is SNP government facing £170m court case over recycling scheme?
5 Nov 2024 at 1:40pm
Ministers could face a huge bill if they lose a legal fight over beleaguered bottle return plans.

Can Labour meet its clean energy targets?
5 Nov 2024 at 4:20pm
A new report which suggests how the UK government and industry can reach clean energy targets.

Scottish Covid Inquiry: What is it investigating and how does it work?
5 Nov 2024 at 6:55am
The latest evidence session of the public inquiry is looking at how the delivery of education at all levels in Scotland was affected by the Covid crisis.

Police receive new sex assault complaint against Alex Salmond
3 Nov 2024 at 1:34pm
Officers are assessing a non-recent sexual assault allegation made against the former first minister who died last month.

'Conversation' will take place on tax hike compensation - Sarwar
3 Nov 2024 at 3:46pm
The Scottish Labour leader says discussions will involve the chief secretary to the Treasury and the Scottish government

Findlay pledges to 'work constructively' with new leader Badenoch
2 Nov 2024 at 2:00pm
The Scottish Tory leader had refused to endorse either candidate, saying he would work with whoever took over.

Can a deadlocked Holyrood agree any major reforms?
2 Nov 2024 at 8:09am
The SNP is having to drop key reforms due to a lack of support in a deadlocked Scottish Parliament.

Treasury must compensate Scotland for tax hike - Robison
31 Oct 2024 at 1:29pm
The Scottish finance secretary has warned a rise in National Insurance could cost the government £500m.

Scot Goes Pop

The Reverend is in want of a wife...sorry, CLOCK
6 Nov 2024 at 10:24pm
So make that 27,544.  Yes, thrillingly, the "Reverend" nipped away from his MAGA celebration party for a few seconds today to post a response on Twitter to my blogpost of last night."I wondered how...

Adjusting to the Trump restoration
6 Nov 2024 at 7:01am
For the reasons I set out in my blogpost last night before the results came in, it's no exaggeration to say that Donald Trump's return to the White House is a setback for humanity.  However, in the...

A brief reply to Stuart Campbell's latest bizarre attack on me *for voting ag...
5 Nov 2024 at 11:14pm
While we wait for the early exit polls, I just thought I'd briefly address the 27,543rd unprovoked attack on me from my crazed Somerset-based stalker, because this time he's angry with me for votin...

Who will win today's US presidential election?
5 Nov 2024 at 1:16pm
The answer is, of course, that I don't have a scooby. If the statistical experts who devote their lives to studying this question say the race is as hard to read as a coin toss (and they do), nobod...

Why I voted for Kamala Harris - and why that decision makes me feel dirty
4 Nov 2024 at 5:53pm
A few weeks ago, I asked Scot Goes Pop readers for advice about my dilemma over whether to vote for Kamala Harris or Jill Stein.  I think you could see from the reactions that the 'right' and 'wron...

Budget disaster for Labour in Scotland: bombshell Norstat poll shows SNP surg...
3 Nov 2024 at 8:46pm
I said on Wednesday that the initial reaction of commentators to a Budget often bears little resemblance to the actual political impact of that Budget after a little time has elapsed.  We may be se...

Bill Clinton blows up his own reputation by embracing the discourse of genocide
2 Nov 2024 at 10:45pm
Jimmy Carter, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, is widely regarded as the classic example of someone who performed exceptionally well as an ex-president.  No-one could accuse Bill Clinton...

Tonight, Matthew, BMG stands for "Bong! Majority's Gone": Labour fall behind ...
2 Nov 2024 at 10:37am
The general assumption is that Kemi Badenoch is just minutes away from becoming leader of the Conservative Party, and I expect that assumption to prove correct - although other types of election ha...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Whisky industry could face ?real difficulties? if Trump tariffs return ? Swinney
6 Nov 2024 at 3:27pm
The First Minister defended his endorsement of Kamala Harris during the election campaign.

Lee Anderson told to apologise after swearing at parliamentary security officer
6 Nov 2024 at 12:06pm
A standards watchdog found Anderson swore twice at a security guard when his pass didn't work.

Kemi Badenoch to face Keir Starmer in first PMQs since becoming Tory leader
6 Nov 2024 at 11:45am
Kemi Badenoch will face Keir Starmer for the first time since becoming to Tory leader.

Holyrood passes Climate Change Bill branded an ?admission of failure?
5 Nov 2024 at 5:54pm
The Scottish Government was forced to introduce legsilation after it scrapped the legalling binding target to cut emissions by 75% by 2030.

Rethink needed to avoid ?brutal winter storm? in NHS, ministers warned
5 Nov 2024 at 2:41pm
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine said A&E patients must receive ?safe, dignified and timely care?.

Scots are Donald Trump?s biggest supporters in Western Europe, survey finds
5 Nov 2024 at 1:07pm
Trump, who owns a golf course near Aberdeen and a hotel and resort in Girvan, recently spoke out in favour of Scotland remaining as part of the UK.

Vote to scrap Scotland?s climate change targets branded ?day of shame?
5 Nov 2024 at 10:34am
MSPs will vote on legislation to scrap Scotland?s legally binding targets on emissions at Holyrood on Tuesday.

Who?s who in Kemi Badenoch?s new Conservative shadow cabinet?
5 Nov 2024 at 9:20am
The first shadow cabinet meeting under the new Tory leader takes place on Tuesday.

Farage: Harris should pardon Trump to curb threat of unrest if she wins
5 Nov 2024 at 8:26am
The Reform UK leader also suggested the Republican candidate should concede defeat if he suffers a ?clear and decisive? loss on Tuesday.

Councillor facing second standards hearing over ?inappropriate comments? in 1...
4 Nov 2024 at 8:15pm
Bryan Pottinger is facing fresh allegations that he made inappropriate comments to a junior staff member.

Farmers call for inheritance tax U-turn ahead of crunch talks with ministers
4 Nov 2024 at 8:36am
NFU president Tom Bradshaw said inheritance tax would be ?the final straw? for farmers after Brexit, rising prices and climate change.

Starmer to pledge more cash for border command in blitz on small boats
4 Nov 2024 at 7:05am
The Prime Minister will use a speech to Interpol to tell the world to ?wake up to the severity of this challenge?.

Chancellor says she was ?wrong? on tax rises during the election
3 Nov 2024 at 3:43pm
Rachel Reeves said she 'didn't know everything' during the election campaign, accusing the Conservatives of hiding a 'black hole' in the country's finances.

New Tory leader Badenoch claims Partygate scandal ?overblown?
3 Nov 2024 at 3:16pm
Badenoch said the public were ?not wrong to be upset about Partygate?, but said the Conservatives should not have "criminalised everyday activities".

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Inside Donald and Melania Trump's 26 year relationship - full timeline explained
6 Nov 2024 at 4:32pm
Donald Trump and Melania Trump's two-decade long romance began by chance in 1998 and the former model is set to reprieve her role as First Lady of the United States.

When does Trump become US president? Exact date he will be sworn in to White ...
6 Nov 2024 at 3:28pm
Donald Trump has become the 47th president of the United States as he prepares his transition to the White House after his victory against Kamala Harris.

Scottish Government plans for 25p 'latte cup levy' backed by litter campaigners
6 Nov 2024 at 3:23pm
Charity Keep Scotland Beautiful said the plans for a single-use coffee cup charge are a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' to tackle litter and waste.

Elon Musk blasts Jennifer Lopez for warning people against Trump 'but not ex-...
6 Nov 2024 at 2:11pm
Jennifer Lopez publicly voiced her support for failed Presidential candidate Kamala Harris prior to this week?s US election vote.

US residents claim Donald Trump employed Melania 'doppelganger' after spottin...
6 Nov 2024 at 1:59pm
Americans took to social media to claim the lady by Donald Trump's side was actually not his wife Melania, but actually a doppelganger, after they spotted several 'clues'

John Swinney 'actively considering' bringing back universal winter fuel payme...
6 Nov 2024 at 1:41pm
EXCLUSIVE: The move would come into effect next year, months ahead of the Holyrood election.

Keir Starmer says UK Government 'pushing' India on release of Jagtar Singh Johal
6 Nov 2024 at 1:08pm
West Dunbartonshire MP Douglas McAllister asked the Prime Minister if he would do all he could to get Jagtar Singh Johal released from prison.

John Swinney sounds alarm over Donald Trump tariff plan on whisky
6 Nov 2024 at 12:51pm
The First Minster spoke out as concern grew over Trump's agenda for a second term.

Five policies Donald Trump will implement after winning 2024 US election
6 Nov 2024 at 12:12pm
The Republican candidate - who owns golf courses in Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire - will return to the White House in January.

Who are Donald Trump's five children? Inside US election winner's sprawling f...
6 Nov 2024 at 11:58am
Donald Trump has five children from three different marriages - who are they and what do they do?

The National

The National | Politics

Americans have made their bed, and now the rest of the world has to lie in it
6 Nov 2024 at 7:15pm

DONALD Trump has won the race to become American president ...

Democrats pretending everyone was ?middle class? was a mistake
6 Nov 2024 at 7:00pm

THE terms upper, middle and working class have real meaning, though those meanings are, understandably, often contested. For the Democrats, the reality and even the term ?working class? was to be ignored, and with Hillary Clinton explicitly derided.

Donald Trump's lengthy rap sheet failed to give American voters pause
6 Nov 2024 at 6:47pm

I THINK most people would have thought a rap sheet which includes the following might have had an impact on Trump?s electability: misogyny, felonies, chequered business dealings, endorsements by anti-vaxxers and KKK wizards, disclosures of classified information and shady relations with rogue states.

In pictures: Trump's Scottish resort staff 'celebrate' after election victory
6 Nov 2024 at 5:55pm

STAFF at the Trump International in Aberdeen have been photographed holding a giant US flag on the property's golf course following Donald Trump's election win.

The ugly truth from the US election? Americans just really like Trump
6 Nov 2024 at 5:38pm

And so the hand wringing and blame game begins. On one level it?s entirely predictable, such was the concerted belief in so many quarters that America was sick and tired of Donald Trump?s antics and toxicity. 

Two Scottish councils call on UK Government to reverse Winter Fuel Payment cut
6 Nov 2024 at 5:22pm

TWO councils in Scotland have called on the UK Government to reverse its decision to axe the Winter Fuel Payment for all those not in receipt of benefits ...

Labour advisers 'told Kamala Harris how to win election'
6 Nov 2024 at 4:05pm

ONE of Keir Starmer?s top advisers met with Kamala Harris?s presidential campaign to brief them on Labour?s General Election strategy ahead of the US election ...

Donald Trump?s Scottish golf business celebrates 'wonderful' victory of 'true...
6 Nov 2024 at 3:27pm

THE business that runs Donald Trump?s golf courses in Scotland has welcomed his ?wonderful and historic? victory in the US presidential election ...

More safe routes into the UK are needed for those seeking refuge
6 Nov 2024 at 3:00pm

I WELCOME the new Labour government?s recent moves to provide more resources for our crumbling public services. However, the recent speech by Keir Starmer at an international policing conference on issues relating to people attempting to reach the UK by using small boats seemed to me to be wrong-headed and lacking compassion.

You're an American who wants to move to Scotland? Here's our guide
6 Nov 2024 at 3:00pm

There has been a huge spike in Americans searching the term "move to Scotland" in the wake of the US election ? and we're here to help ...

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Scottish Public Service Awards 2024 shortlist announced
6 Nov 2024 at 10:37am
The awards will take place in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 10 December

Keir Starmer: UK will continue to work with ?closest of allies? as Donald Tru...
6 Nov 2024 at 9:29am
First Minister John Swinney has also offered his congratulations to the president-elect

MSPs set to vote on scrapping key climate change targets
5 Nov 2024 at 1:00am
The government will drop its 2030 emissions target after admitting it was no longer achievable

SPA: Police Scotland ?way behind the curve? on technology
4 Nov 2024 at 4:48pm
Martyn Evans, chair of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), has said that while Scotland?s use of digital technology for evidence gathering is behind that of other countries

Inverclyde Council leader arrested and charged with domestic assault
4 Nov 2024 at 2:07pm
The Labour councillor has been administratively suspended from the party pending the outcome of an investigation

Online child abuse is a 'disease' that must be tackled like Covid, expert claims
4 Nov 2024 at 12:38pm
Paul Stanfield, of Childlight, said online child abuse should be treated like a public health issue

Keir Starmer announces border security boost to ?smash? people smuggling gangs
4 Nov 2024 at 12:33pm
Speaking at the Interpol General Assembly in Glasgow, the prime minister said the UK was ?resetting? its approach to the issue of people smuggling

Interpol: ?We?re witnessing an unprecedented surge in cybercrime?
4 Nov 2024 at 7:00am
Interpol cybercrime director Neal Jetton has called for a ?total 360-degree strategy? to tackle the global cybercrime crisis.

Interpol: ?Law enforcement has to have a shift in its mindset?
3 Nov 2024 at 8:37pm
Interpol executive director for police services Stephen Kavanagh has called on law enforcers ?to stop thinking in linear way? to face the challenges posed by the online crime world

Kemi Badenoch wins Tory leadership race
2 Nov 2024 at 11:01am
She won 57 per cent of the vote by Conservative members

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

UK politics: Starmer insists pro-growth policies on way after OBR?s budget wa...
31 Oct 2024 at 5:34pm
PM says budget just ?first step? after watchdog said measures would make no difference to growth over five yearsRachel Reeves is now being interview on ITV?s Good Morning Britain.She is being interviewed by Ed Balls, the former Labour shadow chancellor who is now a TV presenter. He asks her to co...

Scottish pilot of juryless rape trials dropped after backlash from lawyers
31 Oct 2024 at 3:57pm
Minister responsible for plan says she remains concerned about evidence juries may be influenced by rape myths The Scottish government has scrapped a pilot of juryless trials for rape cases, which aimed to tackle endemic low conviction rates for sexual assault prosecution, after a backlash from t...

Mourners say goodbye to ?political giant? Alex Salmond at his funeral
29 Oct 2024 at 4:20pm
Former SNP leader and first minister ?restored pride in our nation?, says acting Alba head in eulogyMourners have remembered a ?political giant? and a ?friend to many? at the funeral of former first minister Alex Salmond, which took place in Strichen, Aberdeenshire, on Tuesday.Salmond?s niece Chr...

No 10 says Starmer ?shares public anger? at early prisoner releases but syste...
22 Oct 2024 at 6:07pm
Downing Street says government ?shocked? at inheriting prisons crisis as hundreds of prisoners get early release. This live blog is closedThe funeral of Alex Salmond, the former Scottish first minister who died suddenly earlier this month after delivering a speech in North Macedonia, will be held...

Employment rights bill will cost firms £5bn per year but benefits will justif...
21 Oct 2024 at 5:44pm
Analysis from business and trade department says bill will significantly strengthen workers? right. This live blog is closedIn the past the weirdest budget tradition was the convention that the chancellor is allowed to drink alcohol while delivering the budget speech. But since no chancellor has ...

Arts sector in Scotland at risk of ?death by slow cuts?, leading figures warn
20 Oct 2024 at 4:57pm
Exclusive: Heads of organisations say lack of funding clarity and wider policy could cause temporary closures in monthsArts leaders in Scotland have warned that the sector is facing ?death by slow cuts? because of a lack of clarity over funding, with delays and funding shortfalls meaning some maj...

SNP chief executive Murray Foote quits after heavy general election defeat
18 Oct 2024 at 1:55pm
Former Daily Record editor says he could not make personal commitment to lead changes party requiresThe chief executive of the Scottish National party, Murray Foote, has unexpectedly quit ?in the best interests of the party? after it suffered its worst election defeat in nearly two decades.Foote,...

Sir Tom Hunter confirms he paid for Alex Salmond?s body to be flown home
17 Oct 2024 at 3:25pm
Scottish multimillionaire said the former first minister had ?devoted his life to Scotland?Sir Tom Hunter, one of Scotland?s wealthiest men, has confirmed he has paid for Alex Salmond?s body to be flown home from the Balkans.Hunter, a multimillionaire investor and philanthropist, was ambivalent a...

Private donor to pay for Alex Salmond?s body to be flown home
16 Oct 2024 at 3:56pm
Move comes after Foreign Office rejected calls for RAF to arrange flight following Salmond?s death in North MacedoniaUK politics live ? latest updatesA private donor has paid for a charter flight to repatriate Alex Salmond?s body from North Macedonia, after the Foreign Office rejected calls for t...

Ministers will have to comply with tougher rules on declaring gifts, MPs told...
14 Oct 2024 at 6:18pm
Cabinet Office minister Ellie Reeves says Labour is closing ?Tory freebies loophole? over declaring hospitalityBadenoch criticised for pamphlet?s ?stigmatising? remarks on autismThe Autism Centre of Excellence at Cambridge, a charity that works with Cambridge University?s Autism Research Centre, ...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Counting the cost of royal greed
5 Nov 2024 at 11:49am
Over the weekend Channel 4’s Dispatches programme revealed the extent to which the public is being milked by the greedy and money grabbing Windsor family. Or rather, at least the extent to which the programme and the investigative reporters of the Sunday Times were able to uncover. The Windsors go to great lengths to keep …

Trump, Scotland, America and the world
1 Nov 2024 at 11:02am
Donald Trump has weighed into the Scottish independence debate in his typically incoherent and ill-informed way. Earlier this month Trump appeared on the podcast of comedian Andrew Schulz. No, I’d never heard of him either. Schulz has been criticised for his right wing takes, racist stereotyping, and his tendency to punch down, characteristics which define …

The revolving door
28 Oct 2024 at 11:35am
?The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.? George Orwell, Animal Farm. Two council by elections are due in Glasgow. This is not in itself earth shattering political news, council by elections happen all …

Scotland?s severed tongues
24 Oct 2024 at 11:16am
The Scottish languages bill is currently winding its way through the Scottish Parliament. The Bill gives the Gaelic and Scots languages official status in Scotland and makes improvement to the support for the Gaelic and Scots languages in Scotland. This also includes changes in relation to Gaelic and Scots in Scotland’s education system aimed at …

Family visit
14 Oct 2024 at 4:21pm
Just a quick note to let everyone know that I am not going to be about this week as we have family visiting from the USA. Normal blogging service will be resumed next week. While we are doing our best tour guide impression with our American guests – “Look, there’s a castle!” – “Look! There’s …

Alex Salmond R.I.P.
12 Oct 2024 at 8:43pm
In news which has shocked all of Scotland, Alex Salmond has suddenly passed away while on a trip to North Macedonia. Whether you support Scottish independence or not, he was without doubt a giant of Scottish politics who transformed the Scottish political landscape for good, a truly monumental individual, and as such he leaves a …

Defending the Scots language from the Tory MSP for Mordor
10 Oct 2024 at 4:20pm
Yet again Scotland’s languages are making the news, following on from Andrew Marr’s factually incorrect and ignorantly dismissive comments about Gaelic, for which he eventually apologised, this time it’s Scots which is the object of British nationalist ignorance. The graciousness free zone which is the Scottish Tory MSP for Mordor Stephen Kerr has taken to …

Starmer?s colonial office mentality
8 Oct 2024 at 2:35pm
Keir Starmer’s government has not been in power for three months, but it is already shaping up to be as vile and corrupt as the Conservatives it replaced. A new poll has found that Starmer is now viewed as more sleazy than his predecessor Rishi Sunak. A YouGov poll asking people to compare the two …

100 days of Starmer, lies, hypocrisy, and freebies
3 Oct 2024 at 2:25pm
Keir Starmer’s hypocrisy is off the charts, over 43,000 Palestinians and Lebanese have died, the great majority innocent civilians, in Israeli attacks since October 7 last year, none of which have elicited much in the way of sympathy or concern from Keir Starmer, yet when Iran launched its missile attack on Israel yesterday, Starmer took …

Andrew Marr, Gaelic and Scots
28 Sep 2024 at 8:27pm
This is an expanded version of a piece I wrote for The National a few days ago. I’m reposting it here with some additions in the light of Marr’s apology for his insulting and ignorant comments about the Gaelic language and its place in Scottish culture. It’s the sad and ignorant old trope that never …

The Courier

Scottish Politics News From Holyrood and Westminster | The Courier

Trump, fireworks, Covid: The Courier politics digest
6 Nov 2024 at 3:59pm
5 need-to-know stories across Scotland and the UK, every afternoon.

Perthshire?s Rory Stewart addresses US election prediction humiliation and £1...
6 Nov 2024 at 1:13pm
The former Tory MP, whose family come from Crieff, wanted to bet big money on a Kamala Harris victory.

Dundee actor Brian Cox launches ?monster? TV rant against Donald Trump
6 Nov 2024 at 10:32am
The Succession star claimed the President-elect is ?deeply mentally unstable? and ?wants to be a dictator?.

New Scottish Conservative leader backs The Courier campaign for parole reform
5 Nov 2024 at 11:59am
Russell Findlay MSP was the victim of an acid attack in 2015 and has his own dealings with the parole system.

New Stirling Labour MP?s wife aims to replace him in council by-election
5 Nov 2024 at 10:45am
Anne Kane will contest the Stirling East ward on December 5 after her husband Chris quit as local authority chief to focus on Westminster duties.

John Swinney accused of betraying Angus nurses locked in pay row
5 Nov 2024 at 6:00am
Trade union GMB said the first minister had "washed his hands" of the problem when it was raised at Holyrood.

Perth anti-racism activists plan protest in city at Reform party conference
4 Nov 2024 at 5:29pm
Campaigners want to give Nigel Farage?s growing party a ?nice big Perth welcome?.

Tory boss backed, council leader charged: The Courier politics digest
4 Nov 2024 at 5:05pm
5 need-to-know stories across Scotland and the UK, every afternoon.

NHS Fife told ?no point? asking for cash to overhaul mental health services
4 Nov 2024 at 6:01am
The Courier understands NHS Fife was told by the Scottish Government not to submit a request for the £100 million needed to raise the standard of care.

Dundee council leader Mark Flynn reveals cancer diagnosis
4 Nov 2024 at 5:45am
The SNP councillor says he is receiving treatment and hopes his prognosis is positive.

Talking up Scotland

Talking-up Scotland

Even with a 10% fare increase for the Arran crossing, the nearest equivalent ...
6 Nov 2024 at 6:39pm
By Professor John Robertson, UK Ferry Correspondent From the Largs & Millport Weekly News, yesterday: COUNCILLORS are attempting to freeze fares on both the Arran and Cumbrae ferry routes and prevent a price hike. At tomorrow’s North Ayrshire Council meeting, a motion is being put forward by Councillor Cameron Inglis calling for the local authority to write to cabinet secretary for transport, F...

Why is BMA Scotland silent when Labour is a threat to Highland and Island pra...
6 Nov 2024 at 5:59pm
By Professor John Robertson OBA Thanks to MSM Monitor for pointing this out. From BBC Highlands and Islands yesterday but conspicuously absent from BBC Reporting Scotland or Good Morning Scotland: Doctors in the Highlands fear increased National Insurance (NI) costs could close some practices, a senior Scottish figure in the British Medical Association (BMA) has said. Chancellor Rachel Reeves a...

SNP surge to at least 10% lead over Labour and Reform almost catch Tories in ...
6 Nov 2024 at 2:43pm
From Norstat for the Sunday Times on 1 November with 1 013 Scots, +16 for Holyrood and +18 for Westminster, after the Labour UK budget and horribly distorting the sample in favour of Unionist parties in weighting for the 2014 Referendum. Look at the huge adjustment to increase the presence of 2014 No voters and to diminish the presence of 2014 Yes voters. So for the SNP and Greens this seems ce...

Factcheck: Labour did NOT put an end to paying for Higher Education in Scotla...
6 Nov 2024 at 12:17pm
In 2001, the Labour/Lib Dem coalition government in the newly devolved Scottish Parliament, replaced tuition fees with a ‘graduate endowment’ payment to be made after completing a course. They did not abolish the cost of higher education tuition, they merely delayed it as a compromise to avoid clashing with the UK Labour Government which first introduced the fees. In 2008, the first SNP Governm...

Fireworks Night a ?damp squib? as offences plummet except in Pacific Quay
6 Nov 2024 at 11:25am
By Professor John Robertson OBA The BBC Scotland report on last night’s fireworks events is one of the simplest best examples of media bias and you could use it with 11 year-olds. It’s so naked and simple, you might force a wee ironic snigger. It opens with Firefighters attacked on Bonfire Night as crews take 1,000 calls and goes on with 32 (count them) paragraphs describing incidents, interspe...

Current Arran ferry service doing 10 to 12 crossings a day at 99% reliability...
5 Nov 2024 at 7:53pm
By Professor John Robertson, Genuine Ferry Correspondent The Herald has this today: Fresh problems could sideline MV Caledonian Isles ’till March’. Fresh problems have been uncovered on one of CalMac?s largest ferries which could see it out of action for the rest of the winter.  The ageing MV Caledonian Isles was due to return to service later in November after more than eight months on the sid...

The Scotch Whisky Association is really, really unhappy with the British Labo...
5 Nov 2024 at 4:46pm
By stewartb The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) usually has little trouble in having its press statements amplified by BBC Scotland. And the SWA typically has something to say about the budgets of Westminster governments. Anyone seen references to the SWA?s response to the Labour Party government?s budget in a BBC news item: any analysis yet from a BBC business and economy editor? As far as I c...

Just a complaint, no charges but Alex Salmond has been the top story on the P...
5 Nov 2024 at 12:28pm
By Anonymous Another BBC ?Blink and you miss it? headline at the top of their Scottish pages of their website when it is considered to be too #BAD a story connected to another political party who are in opposition to the SNP. While many headlines concocted by the BBC and so promoted as being connected to, as in linked to a #SNPBAD story, well as articles they stay (high) up on the BBC website f...

Contrary to media scare stories, 220 new police officers in the last quarter ...
5 Nov 2024 at 12:17pm
By Professor John Robertson OBA The cringe ‘Scottish’ media is full of fake news on police officer numbers at the moment. The true facts are, from open, transparent, official, checkable statistics, in Police officer quarterly strength statistics: 30 September 2024, published today is: Police officer numbers increased by 220 FTE officers (+1.4%) in the last quarter from 30 June 2024 This is an i...

Scotland?s emergency departments at least 10% better than in NHS England in S...
5 Nov 2024 at 11:55am
By Professor John Robertson OBA From Public Health Scotland today, 65.9% of those attending full Emergency Departments, in September 2024 were seen within 4 hours.1 From NHS England, the equivalent figure was 59.8%.2 NHS Scotland’s ED’s are thus 10.4% more efficient. Sources: The gap is probably greater: NHS Scotland performance likely to be even further ahead as five examples of cover-up and d...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

John Swinney congratulates Donald Trump on presidential election victory - BB...
6 Nov 2024 at 1:29pm
John Swinney congratulates Donald Trump on presidential election victory  BBC.com

Scottish independence poll 2024 - Statista
9 Oct 2024 at 8:00am
Scottish independence poll 2024  Statista

Scottish independence is in stalemate and with Alex Salmond's death it is loo...
13 Oct 2024 at 8:00am
Scottish independence is in stalemate and with Alex Salmond's death it is looking for a new star  Sky News

Politics class: Alex Salmond?s death leaves Scottish independence cause furth...
20 Oct 2024 at 8:00am
Politics class: Alex Salmond?s death leaves Scottish independence cause further adrift  Financial Times

In conversation with Kate Forbes MSP, Deputy First Minister of Scotland - The...
5 Nov 2024 at 11:06am
In conversation with Kate Forbes MSP, Deputy First Minister of Scotland  The Institute for Government |

Will Scotland ever become an Independent nation-state? - Forbes
19 Oct 2024 at 8:00am
Will Scotland ever become an Independent nation-state?  Forbes

Scottish independence: 10 years on - YouGov
17 Sep 2024 at 8:00am
Scottish independence: 10 years on  YouGov

Alex Salmond: Scotland?s first nationalist leader and a tireless campaigner f...
12 Oct 2024 at 8:00am
Alex Salmond: Scotland?s first nationalist leader and a tireless campaigner for independence  The Conversation Indonesia

Alex Salmond, leading figure in Scottish independence movement, dies at age 6...
12 Oct 2024 at 8:00am
Alex Salmond, leading figure in Scottish independence movement, dies at age 69  CNN

Ten years on from Scotland?s independence referendum - The Economist
18 Sep 2024 at 8:00am
Ten years on from Scotland?s independence referendum  The Economist

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

John Swinney congratulates Donald Trump on presidential election victory - BB...
6 Nov 2024 at 1:29pm
John Swinney congratulates Donald Trump on presidential election victory  BBC.com

SNP Government ditch surrogacy adverts asking young Scots to donate after pub...
6 Nov 2024 at 9:00pm
SNP Government ditch surrogacy adverts asking young Scots to donate after public outcry  Scottish Daily Express

SNP claims there are 24 genders - The Telegraph
20 Oct 2024 at 8:00am
SNP claims there are 24 genders  The Telegraph

SNP chief executive Murray Foote quits after heavy general election defeat - ...
18 Oct 2024 at 8:00am
SNP chief executive Murray Foote quits after heavy general election defeat  The Guardian

Alex Salmond death ? latest: Nicola Sturgeon pays tribute to ?mentor? ex-Scot...
13 Oct 2024 at 8:00am
Alex Salmond death ? latest: Nicola Sturgeon pays tribute to ?mentor? ex-Scottish first minister  The Independent

John Mason expelled from SNP over 'unacceptable' Gaza posts - BBC.com
13 Oct 2024 at 8:00am
John Mason expelled from SNP over 'unacceptable' Gaza posts  BBC.com

Alex Salmond normalised concept of Scottish independence as he led SNP to pow...
13 Oct 2024 at 8:00am
Alex Salmond normalised concept of Scottish independence as he led SNP to power  The Guardian

?Incomparable? Alex Salmond made Scottish nationalism soar before he and SNP ...
12 Oct 2024 at 8:00am
?Incomparable? Alex Salmond made Scottish nationalism soar before he and SNP soured  The Guardian

SNP expels MSP over ?utterly abhorrent? comments on Israel-Hamas conflict - T...
13 Oct 2024 at 8:00am
SNP expels MSP over ?utterly abhorrent? comments on Israel-Hamas conflict  The Guardian

Now the SNP says there are TWENTY FOUR genders: Scottish government accused o...
21 Oct 2024 at 8:00am
Now the SNP says there are TWENTY FOUR genders: Scottish government accused of being 'disconnected from the re  Daily Mail

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

The agony and ecstasy of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum - BBC.com
17 Sep 2024 at 8:00am
The agony and ecstasy of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum  BBC.com

Scottish independence poll 2024 - Statista
9 Oct 2024 at 8:00am
Scottish independence poll 2024  Statista

10th anniversary of the Scottish independence referendum - Sky News
18 Sep 2024 at 8:00am
10th anniversary of the Scottish independence referendum  Sky News

Ten years on from Scotland?s independence referendum - The Economist
18 Sep 2024 at 8:00am
Ten years on from Scotland?s independence referendum  The Economist

Alex Salmond: Scotland?s first nationalist leader and a tireless campaigner f...
12 Oct 2024 at 8:00am
Alex Salmond: Scotland?s first nationalist leader and a tireless campaigner for independence  The Conversation Indonesia

Scottish independence: 10 years on - YouGov
17 Sep 2024 at 8:00am
Scottish independence: 10 years on  YouGov

Why Scotland gave up on independence - The New Statesman
19 Sep 2024 at 8:00am
Why Scotland gave up on independence  The New Statesman

Alex Salmond, former Scottish first minister who nearly got Scotland?s indepe...
12 Oct 2024 at 8:00am
Alex Salmond, former Scottish first minister who nearly got Scotland?s independence from UK, dies at 69  PBS NewsHour

Alex Salmond, champion of Scottish independence, dies at 69 - The Washington ...
12 Oct 2024 at 8:00am
Alex Salmond, champion of Scottish independence, dies at 69  The Washington Post

Alex Salmond, leading figure in Scottish independence movement, dies at age 6...
12 Oct 2024 at 8:00am
Alex Salmond, leading figure in Scottish independence movement, dies at age 69  CNN