The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Now for the hangover as whisky trade counts cost of US tariffs
3 Apr 2025 at 5:01pm
Brent Crude and European stocks tumble after White House announcement


Scottish Tories fighting for survival - but 'Reform-lite agenda' may kill cha...
3 Apr 2025 at 2:19pm
As Jamie Greene quits the Scottish Tories, has the party's move to win over Reform UK voters damaged the party's chance of survival.


One in three Scottish vets report seeing illegally imported puppies
3 Apr 2025 at 1:35pm
One in three Scottish vets have reported seeing puppies brought into the country illegally in the last year.


John Swinney reacts to Trump tariffs on salmon, whisky and other exports
3 Apr 2025 at 12:04pm
First Minister John Swinney says the imposition of wide-ranging tariffs by the United States is "not good news"


Inside Scotland's 'life changing' alternative to jail for women
3 Apr 2025 at 11:00am
Yvonne Mooney is a prisoner at the Lilias Centre in Glasgow. She fell into a life of crime after being sex trafficked from the age of nine but the prison has helped her turn things around.


Ian Murray to pitch Scotland to investors in New York during Tartan Week
3 Apr 2025 at 8:25am
Ian Murray will pitch Scotland to investors on Thursday as he holds a series of meetings in New York for Tartan Week.


Exclusive poll: How has First Minister move affected business view of SNP Gov...
3 Apr 2025 at 4:34am
The exclusive poll reveals business leaders' views on the Scottish and UK governments and the prospects of mitigating Brexit damage


Behind the scenes of a 'game changing' female prison - but does it work?
3 Apr 2025 at 6:00am
The Lilias Centre is hailed as a game changer for rehabilitating female prisoners. But if it's so successful, why are there empty beds?


'Long time coming': Harvie exit triggers Scottish Green power struggle
3 Apr 2025 at 5:00am
Patrick Harvie will step down as co-leader of the Scottish Greens this summer, with insiders saying his departure has ?been a long time coming? due to internal unpopularity and growing grassroots opposition.


NHS refuse to reveal Sandie Peggie tribunal costs as it could help nurse's case
3 Apr 2025 at 5:00am
NHS Scotland lawyers are refusing to disclose how much public money has been spent on a high-profile employment tribunal involving A&E nurse Sandie Peggie and a trans doctor, citing fears it could give her a tactical advantage.


Fears Scotland?s £1bn superjail could be delayed for ninth time
3 Apr 2025 at 5:00am
Scotland?s £1bn new Glasgow prison has been delayed eight times. With nearly 1,000 assaults reported in overcrowded HMP Barlinnie, there are fears over the future.


Find answers to the big business questions in our poll
3 Apr 2025 at 4:33am
A major exclusive poll of Scottish business leaders features


Jailed for missing court due to childcare - are too many women sent to prison?
3 Apr 2025 at 5:00am
Women are being sent to prison after missing court appearances because they cannot get child care, The Herald has found as we investigate the state of Scotland's prisons.


'The hardest part of my punishment - losing my children'
3 Apr 2025 at 4:30am
The worst thing about being sentenced to a lengthy term in custody was "losing my children," one prisoner told The Herald as we were invited on a tour of the new HMP Stirling last week.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


SNP scraps gas boiler ban amid fears heat pump push 'burdening' public
3 Apr 2025 at 5:09pm

Scots will no longer face legal requirements to replace gas boilers amid concerns the U-turn will further derail Scotland?s net zero progress.

Scottish businesses describe ?major blow? as markets gripped by turmoil in wake of White House announcement

First Minister John Swinney said tariffs would be damaging for economic activity

Russian media has fallen for an outrageous April Fools joke involving Prince Andrew.

US president Donald Trump announced the tariffs on Wednesday evening

Donald Trump has announced sweeping tariffs on all of the US?s trading partners, with 10 per cent set as a minimum

Jamie Greene has resigned from the Scottish Conservatives and will sit as an independent MSP.

Kaukab Stewart said it was the first time the Scottish Government had been invited

First Minister John Swinney will be attending a memorial in Leith today to commemorate the bravery of his uncle in the Second World Wat

Wings over Scotland

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Craig Murray

Liberation Scotland
2 Apr 2025 at 3:27pm

It is remarkable that few would dispute that Ireland was a British colony before most of it became Independent, but to point to Scotland’s highly analogous colonial position brings howls of anger. All Empires employ the human resources of their colonies. India was conquered for the British by Indian soldiers, not by British troops. Nearly …

Liberation Scotland

Starmer?s Thatcherite Economics
24 Mar 2025 at 7:41pm

You can only support the current manifestation of late-stage capitalism, if you believe that massive inequality of wealth is necessary to wealth creation, or if you believe that the total amount of wealth is unimportant so long as a very small minority are extremely wealthy. “Trickledown economics” is at heart simply a statement of the …

Starmer’s Thatcherite Economics

Artificial Intelligence vs Corrupt Judges
21 Mar 2025 at 11:41am

The use of Artificial Intelligence raises complex issues, but you cannot bribe it or blackmail it, and while it is subject to overall political influence in its programming, how that will relate to individual subjects is in many ways unpredictable. Rather on a whim, I decided to ask easily available and free Artificial Intelligence sources …

Artificial Intelligence vs Corrupt Judges

The Rot at the Core of ?Democracy?
18 Mar 2025 at 10:51am

As 320 Palestinians were massacred last night, most of them women and children, we live in a world where it is accepted as legal that Trump2 is genocidally Zionist because he received a $100 million donation from Miriam Adelson to be so. In addition to which Adelson is the second largest donor to AIPAC, which …

The Rot at the Core of “Democracy”

The Curious Case of Mahmoud Khalil
14 Mar 2025 at 2:32pm

Two key points the discussion has mostly missed: 1) It has been a bipartisan Justice Department policy for years to attempt to establish that the First Amendment does not apply to non-US citizens 2) Why has the Trump administration chosen Mahmoud Khalil out of thousands of potential victims; about as problematic a test case as …

The Curious Case of Mahmoud Khalil

The Moral Balance
12 Mar 2025 at 11:17am

There is a logical fallacy that dominates European neoliberal “thinking” at the moment. It goes like this. “Hitler had unlimited territorial ambition and proceeded to attempt conquest of all Europe after annexing the Sudetenland. Therefore Putin has unlimited territorial ambition and will proceed to attempt conquest of all Europe after annexing Eastern Ukraine.” This fallacious …

The Moral Balance

BBC Scotland

No legal requirement to update heating in new bill
3 Apr 2025 at 6:42pm
A previous version of the bill required new homeowners to replace their heating systems by 2045.

Premature baby leave 'transformative' for parents
3 Apr 2025 at 11:21pm
From Sunday, parents of premature or sick babies will be entitled to 12 weeks' paid leave.

Scottish exporters 'disappointed' over Trump tariffs
3 Apr 2025 at 5:47pm
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes says the new 10% levy will have a negative impact on Scotland's economy.

Patrick Harvie to stand down as Scottish Greens co-leader
2 Apr 2025 at 3:39pm
The MSP is the longest-serving party chief at Holyrood, having been in the role for almost 17 years.

MSP's emotional tribute to 'star' and partner Christina McKelvie
2 Apr 2025 at 5:51pm
Keith Brown pays an emotional tribute to his partner Christina McKelvie MSP following her death.

Prison service boss says it should lose prosecution immunity
2 Apr 2025 at 6:32pm
Teresa Medhurst has backed the removal of crown immunity over deaths in custody.

Stephen Flynn confirms bid to win seat at Holyrood
1 Apr 2025 at 3:22pm
The SNP Westminster leader looks set to be chosen as the party's candidate in Aberdeen South and North Kincardine.

Councillor hits out at online trolls as she quits
1 Apr 2025 at 3:42pm
Maxine Smith says she has quit for personal reasons after 18 years as a Highland councillor.

Care at home to expand in plan to cut NHS waiting times
31 Mar 2025 at 10:13pm
An extra £200m of funding will go towards improvements, including greater use of digital technology.

Swinney leads tributes to SNP minister McKelvie
27 Mar 2025 at 1:43pm
Emotional parliamentarians shared their memories of McKelvie following her death at the age of 57.

Patient safety at risk from GP burnout, warns doctor
30 Mar 2025 at 12:00pm
Dr Sigi Joseph said GPs have to soak up more work while cross-covering shifts for each other, causing exhaustion.

What next for the SNP? Moving out from under the Branchform shadow
20 Mar 2025 at 7:28pm
The news Nicola Sturgeon will face no further action under Operation Branchform offers a chance for the SNP to move on.

Scot Goes Pop

Bombshell Survation poll shows that even Labour's *own members* dislike Starm...
3 Apr 2025 at 4:24pm
As you may have seen, LabourList have been revealing the results of a poll they commissioned Survation to run among actual paid-up members of the Labour party.  Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of...

As rumours mount that Ash Regan may be on the brink of leaving the Alba party...
2 Apr 2025 at 3:46pm
I think by this stage it's fair to say that something is definitely afoot with Ash Regan, although probably only a tiny handful of people know exactly what's going on.  Even the best-informed peopl...

Labour in total freefall as they slump to new post-election low in any poll f...
2 Apr 2025 at 10:14am
These numbers initially seemed so wild that I had to double-check they weren't an April Fool, but someone from More In Common posted them on Twitter this morning (ie. as opposed to yesterday) so th...

A direct reply to Shannon Donoghue's threats: You, madam, are an overgrown ad...
1 Apr 2025 at 3:52am
When I heard a few hours ago that Shannon Donoghue had once again blown her top about me on social media, I laughed and said "I've got the sacred annual tradition of the Scot Goes Pop April Fool to...

How can the Alba Party ask for the trust of the public when it has shafted it...
31 Mar 2025 at 2:21pm
After yesterday's blogpost, an Alba member was kind enough to send me the full text of the relatively minor changes to the Alba constitution that were put to the party conference on Friday.  He als...

Alba's pay-per-vote NEC elections descend into chaos yet again as members are...
30 Mar 2025 at 11:24am
You really couldn't make this up.  Having practically torn their party apart just to keep the loathed and utterly discredited pay-per-vote system for NEC elections, you'd think the Alba leadership ...

The authors of the "Wee Alba Book" have both now rejected Alba - and Wings is...
28 Mar 2025 at 3:41pm
My year-and-a-bit on the Alba NEC, which now seems like about five centuries ago, was dominated by the interminable 'Wee Alba Book Tour'.  It got to the point where even McEleny was being a bit sar...

CALAMITY COLUMBO: Stunning rebuke to the Corri Nostra as Chris Cullen *FAILS*...
28 Mar 2025 at 11:25am
"You see, I'm a little confused here, sir...why have I lost the election?"The freshly announced Alba Party office bearer results are the quintessential curate's egg - good in parts, bad in others. ...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Government to launch free legal advice service for rape victims
3 Apr 2025 at 7:20pm
The pilot, announced on Thursday, has been welcomed by the charity Rape Crisis Scotland.

John Swinney can?t rely on being pals with Donald Trump
3 Apr 2025 at 6:14pm
First Minister John Swinney will lead the Tartan Day parade through the streets of New York on Saturday.

Initial interest in Grangemouth rescue plan ?above expectations?
3 Apr 2025 at 5:32pm
Forbes said that Petroineos has not made any firm commitments to invest in any of the projects identified for the future of Grangemouth.

First Minister John Swinney says Trump?s tariff ?not good news?
3 Apr 2025 at 1:19pm
Scotland exports about £4bn worth of goods to the US every year.

UK Government to consider retaliation over Trump tariffs
3 Apr 2025 at 1:17pm
Reynolds cautioned members to 'keep calm and remain clear-eyed' on what is in the national interest.

John Swinney faces FMQs in wake of Donald Trump tariff announcements
3 Apr 2025 at 11:52am
US President Donald Trump slapped a 10% tariff on US imports of UK goods on Wednesday evening during his 'Liberation Day' announcement.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer: Trump?s tariffs will ?clearly have economic impa...
3 Apr 2025 at 10:27am
Keir Starmer said the world was ?entering a new era? after Donald Trump?s tariffs sent stock markets tumbling across the globe.

Tory MSP Jamie Greene quits party over ?Reform-lite agenda? 
3 Apr 2025 at 9:50am
Greene said the Scottish Conservative party he joined in years past 'simply no longer exists'.

Harvie: Watering down heating in buildings law would be environmental vandalism
3 Apr 2025 at 8:57am
The Scottish Greens co-leader said he is ?very concerned? that the proposed Bill could be ?diluted, delayed or dropped?.

Murray to pitch Scotland to investors in New York during Tartan Week
3 Apr 2025 at 7:47am
The minister will invite business leaders to the Scottish Investor Summit in Edinburgh aimed at encouraging more investment in the country.

Scottish Whisky Association ?disappointed? after Trump hits UK with 10% tariff
2 Apr 2025 at 10:00pm
The US president said his ?liberation day? announcement was a ?declaration of economic independence?.

Christina McKelvie?s partner pays emotional tribute to ?soulmate?
2 Apr 2025 at 4:35pm
Keith Brown said McKelvie was 'the best thing that ever happened to me'.

Horizon scandal: Postmaster?s life ?ruined? by injustice
2 Apr 2025 at 4:25pm
Rab Thomson said many victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal are 'unaware' that they can be exonerated.

Keir Starmer says UK ?preparing for all eventualities? as Trump?s tarffis loom
2 Apr 2025 at 1:21pm
'We?re taking a calm, pragmatic approach and keeping our feet on the ground', Starmer said.

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

John Swinney has 'no plans' to meet with Trump Administration officials when ...
3 Apr 2025 at 2:37pm
The First Minister is jetting off to New York as part of the city's annual Tartan Day celebrations.

Scottish Parliament evacuated for fire alarm test at end of FMQs
3 Apr 2025 at 1:01pm
Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone announced that a fire had been reported in the building.

Sir Tom Hunter fires tariffs warning to Donald Trump and says whisky industry...
3 Apr 2025 at 12:29pm
The Scots billionaire and philanthropist warned Trump's system of tariffs would create "havoc".

Trump tariffs are 'not good news' and 'damaging' for Scots, says John Swinney
3 Apr 2025 at 12:11pm
The First Minister said in Holyrood that he would work with the UK Government "to protect Scottish business."

Trump tariffs 'will impact key Scottish industries', says Kate Forbes
3 Apr 2025 at 11:19am
The Deputy First Minister said there was ?no doubt this will have an impact on some of our key industries?.

John Swinney pays tribute to war hero uncle who won Victoria Cross fighting i...
3 Apr 2025 at 10:29am
The First Minister will attend a memorial service in Edinburgh to commemorate the life of Corporal Thomas Peck Hunter.

Trump tariffs will 'clearly have economic impact' on UK, says Keir Starmer
3 Apr 2025 at 9:54am
The Prime Minister said the UK Government would respond with ?cool and calm heads?.

SNP official claims Taliban got 'better' Trump tariff deal than the UK
3 Apr 2025 at 9:28am
The Republican President slapped massive import taxes on goods coming into the US from abroad, but the levy was lower for the UK and Afghanistan at 10 per cent.

Scottish Tory MSP resigns party whip in fresh blow for Russell Findlay
3 Apr 2025 at 9:09am
West of Scotland MSP Jamie Greene has resigned the Conservative whip in protest at its ?Reform-lite agenda? that risks becoming ?Trump-esque?.

Watchdog to investigate £1m golden goodbye scandal at Glasgow city council
3 Apr 2025 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: Audit Scotland has confirmed they will look at the over payments to five former staff, including one-time CEO Annemarie O'Donnell.

The National

The National | Politics

The National's new app is up and running ? download it now!
3 Apr 2025 at 7:15pm

Whether you feel like catching up on the latest news with no interruptions from adverts, or exercising your mind with new interactive puzzles every day, you can do so wherever you are with your digital subscription to The National, and using the app.

?Revised? heating bill will be introduced at Holyrood this year, says minister
3 Apr 2025 at 6:41pm

Climate change campaigners have accused Scottish ministers of ?weakening? legislation aimed at making heating more environmentally friendly

One way or another, it is the general public who will pay for tariffs
3 Apr 2025 at 6:30pm

WHAT is glaringly absent in discussion of tariffs and retaliatory tariffs is who actually pays the bill. The answer is that if imports go ahead despite the new tariffs then the consumer, the general public, will foot the bill as any increase in costs will be passed on to the end user.

We cannot be 'Stronger in Scotland' without independence
3 Apr 2025 at 6:55pm

YOUR paper reported on the forthcoming important independence conference at the Pearce Institute this Saturday. It is vitally important for several reasons in developing an achievable strategy for independence. Key questions that require urgent answers will be asked.

John Swinney hits out at 'sleekit' Anas Sarwar for secret Eric Trump meeting
3 Apr 2025 at 4:52pm

ANAS Sarwar has been branded ?sleekit? after it emerged he met with US President Donald Trump?s son in a secret meeting ...

UK lists thousands of US products which could face retaliatory tariffs
3 Apr 2025 at 3:23pm

THE UK Government has published an ?indicative? long list of US products that may be subject to retaliatory tariffs ...

SNP 1, Alba 2 is no mere electoral tactic ? it?s a revolutionary act
3 Apr 2025 at 3:00pm

I WRITE as a councillor of the Scottish National Party, not merely as a servant of the people but as a voice for the downtrodden, the weary, and the defiant who yearn for a Scotland unshackled from the chains of Westminster?s decrepit Union. The hour is upon us, the moment to seize our destiny, not through meek petitions or grovelling compromise, but through the ballot box ? a weapon more poten...

John Swinney not to meet any US Government officials during visit
3 Apr 2025 at 3:06pm

THE First Minister did not seek meetings with US Government officials ahead of a trip to New York, it has been confirmed ...

Russell Findlay reacts as another Tory leaves party
3 Apr 2025 at 2:45pm

SCOTTISH Tory leader Russell Findlay has blamed people leaving his party for ?selfish? personal reasons, as more of his colleagues jump ship ...

Just Stop Oil are winding down ? but these Scottish protesters vow to keep going
3 Apr 2025 at 2:32pm

Members of a Scottish campaign group say they will continue to take direct action against the Scottish Government, following Just Stop Oil?s recent decision to step away from it.

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Trump tariffs will be ?damaging? to Scottish economy ? John Swinney
3 Apr 2025 at 2:07pm
The first minister said his government would ?leave no stone unturned? in its efforts to protect jobs

Scottish region to become UK ?drone hub?
3 Apr 2025 at 12:30pm
School meals, medication and railway inspections are amongst the services that have been delivered by drones across Argyll and Bute

Jamie Greene MSP quits 'Reform-lite' Conservatives
3 Apr 2025 at 10:26am
Blow to Russell Findlay as West Scotland MSP leaves with immediate effect

Scottish Government 'concern' over Trump tariffs
3 Apr 2025 at 8:28am
Fears over impact on whisky and salmon exports

Shona Robison: UK Government 'balancing books on backs of disabled people'
2 Apr 2025 at 6:37pm
Labour says the chancellor is on a 'rescue mission' for public services

Scotland to showcase gaming industry at world-renowned event
2 Apr 2025 at 4:36pm
Eight Scottish games companies will travel to Japan and showcase their products at the World Expo in Osaka

UK Government under pressure to back crypto market
2 Apr 2025 at 3:19pm
In a letter to the prime minister?s special advisor on business a?group?of trade bodies called for ?greater strategic focus and alignment? in the blockchain ecosystem

Patrick Harvie to step down as Greens co-leader
2 Apr 2025 at 12:16pm
The Glasgow MSP has been at the helm of the party since 2008

Stephen Flynn confirms Scottish Parliament bid
1 Apr 2025 at 5:15pm
SNP Westminster leader wins local backing as selection process continues

Come clean on ?13bn hole in full fiscal autonomy policy, Michael Marra tells ...
1 Apr 2025 at 4:40pm
Shona Robison has confirmed it was the government?s second preferred option ? after full independence

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

UK politics: Starmer warns Trump?s US tariffs not just ?short-term tactical e...
3 Apr 2025 at 6:00pm
PM says measures mark ?the beginning of a new era? for trade and the global economyInternet safety campaigners have expressed alarm about reports that the Online Safety Act could be reviewed as part of the economic deal the UK is negotiating with the US.According to a Politico report, quoting unn...

Patrick Harvie to stand down as co-leader of Scottish Greens
2 Apr 2025 at 2:38pm
UK?s longest-serving parliamentary leader will leave legacy of rent freeze, housing rights and free under-21 bus travelUK politics live ? latest updatesPatrick Harvie, the UK?s longest serving parliamentary leader, has announced he is standing down as co-convener of the Scottish Greens after near...

Asylum system risks ?damaging social cohesion?, Glasgow city council warns
1 Apr 2025 at 12:01pm
Council says cost running into tens of millions, as homeless refugees granted asylum across UK come to city for supportThe asylum system risks ?damaging social cohesion? with homeless refugees putting ?unprecedented pressure? on Glasgow services, the city council has warned.Glasgow city council, ...

?Good chance? Reeves will have to raise taxes in autumn budget, thinktank say...
27 Mar 2025 at 5:18pm
Institute for Fiscal Studies also warns Reeves over her focus on sticking with fiscal rules regardless of real world eventsIn an interview with ITV?s Good Morning Britain, Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, said she would not accept free tickets for concerts again in the future.Asked about the contro...

The battle for Glasgow?s Wyndford estate ? photo essay
24 Mar 2025 at 12:44pm
A carbon crime or bright new future? For nearly four years, a fierce debate raged over demolishing the site?s high-rise flatsFor nearly four years, a fierce debate raged over the future of the Wyndford estate in Glasgow, dividing residents and sparking wider national controversy. Was the demoliti...

Scottish voters split over free tuition as university financial crisis deepens
24 Mar 2025 at 5:00am
Poll finds up to 48% of voters believe Scottish students who can afford it should pay, with 29% opposedScottish voters are divided over Scotland?s policy of free tuition for Scottish students as the crisis over university finances intensified.A poll commissioned by the Carnegie Trust for the Univ...

?Hostile environment? drives many of SNP?s female MSPs to step down before 20...
23 Mar 2025 at 12:00pm
Women at Holyrood cite lack of support from party, abuse in chamber and online, and tolerance of bullyingHolyrood is becoming a ?hostile environment for women? and a significant number of female MSPs in the Scottish National party are stepping down before the May 2026 elections, citing lack of su...

Starmer must drop ?cruel? Pip proposals or face ?mother of all rebellions?, L...
19 Mar 2025 at 5:53pm
Richard Burgon says PM?s failure to defend new Pip eligibility rules at PMQs shows why ?cruel? plans should be dropped. This live blog is closedScores of Labour MPs raise concerns over welfare changesLast night, to back up its analysis of the disability cuts, the Institute for Fiscal Studies publ...

David Lammy says G7 considering further moves to pressure Russia into agreein...
17 Mar 2025 at 6:13pm
?We have more cards we can play,? foreign secretary tells MPs as he says G7 foreign ministers found ?common ground? when meeting last weekThe Reform UK press conference is about to start. There is a live feed here.Nigel Farage is going to announce that 29 councillors have defected to his party, a...

We know Nicola Sturgeon will stand down next year. But don't write her off ju...
14 Mar 2025 at 11:00am
For all the challenges, flaws and failures, there was a symbolism to her tenure that still engages the public and inspires younger activistsNicola Sturgeon must be sick of the sight of her own obituaries. Since she confirmed on Wednesday that she will not seek re-election as a MSP at next May?s H...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

The Scottish media?s personality disorder
3 Apr 2025 at 6:57pm
If the Labour government wanted to know why so many people are claiming sickness and disability benefits for anxiety and depression, all they need to do is to cast an eye over the handiwork of their pals in the anti-independence Scottish media – which is to say almost all of it. The Scottish media devotes …

Reeves?s neo-liberal choice to punish the disabled
27 Mar 2025 at 4:30pm
Just before the Chancellor Rachel Reeves made her Spring Budget statement this week, the Guardian newspaper published a story reporting on the new austerity cuts that she was set to announce, the headline ran: “Further benefits cuts planned as Rachel Reeves forced to find extra £1.6bn.” This headline is, to put it kindly, misleading. Reeves …

Branchform?s meagre fruit
23 Mar 2025 at 12:19pm
It cost £2.3 million, it lasted four years. It originated in a politically motivated complaint from a notorious attention seeker with a habit of making nuisance complaints to the police, but Police Scotland’s Operation Branchform has finally come to an end – without any charges being brought against former first minister Nicola Sturgeon or former …

Labour out-Tories the Tories
18 Mar 2025 at 8:11pm
The head of the DWP, the Department of Wickedness and Persecution, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, the mad axe-woman of Westminster, today announced the biggest cuts ever to sickness and disability benefits, kicking away the crutches of some of the most vulnerable in society. The scale of the cuts is horrifying, all the more …

Visits from space aliens
16 Mar 2025 at 7:04pm
You may not have noticed, on account of doing something far more engrossing, like de-fluffing your navel, but last week Scotland was ‘graced’ – I use the term advisedly – by a visit from Russell Findlay’s boss Kemi Badenoch, a woman who makes the notoriously ill-tempered and uptight deputy leader of Reform UK, Richard Tetchy, …

Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer, we?ll kick your crutches out of here.
10 Mar 2025 at 8:18pm
Labour’s plan to target the disabled and the long term sick have been widely trailed in advance. The final details are to be announced at the end of this month, but it is expected that those on long term sickness benefits will come under greater pressure to find work or risk their already meagre benefits …

Chippy Richard Tetchy goes to the chippy
6 Mar 2025 at 7:32pm
Reform UK’s Nigel Farage mini-me, the notoriously bad tempered Richard Tetchy, sorry, Tice, was in Scotland this week in order to pretend that he and Farage’s private limited company masquerading as a democratically constituted far right English nationalist party actually care about Scotland. Spoiler alert, he failed miserably. It has been clear for some time …

The end of the Anglosaxon transatlantic alliance
1 Mar 2025 at 2:44pm
Anyone who’s not a fan of Putin or who hasn’t drunk deep of the MAGA Kool-Aid was horrified by the disgusting scenes in the Oval Office yesterday when America’s extortionist in chief and his pet rodent JD Vance ambushed the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who was in Washington DC ostensibly to sign a deal giving …

Rest in peace, Mary Docherty
28 Feb 2025 at 8:39pm
My friend Mary (known to her family as Maureen) Docherty passed away this morning. Mary was a huge lover of Scotland and a long time supporter of independence. Mary was one of the first people I met through this blog. Back in the blog’s early days, before the independence referendum when my late husband Andy …

Taking out the Nigel Garbage
27 Feb 2025 at 7:39pm
Nigel Farage, the man who makes you wish for a time machine so you could go back to the 1960s and insist his father used a condom, has announced that he’s planning a trip to Scotland in order to boost his far right band of millionaire enabling English ethno-nationalists in plenty of time for the …

The Courier

Scottish Politics News From Holyrood and Westminster | The Courier

Dundee University crisis response spearheaded by Kate Forbes
3 Apr 2025 at 3:40pm
The deputy first minister was put in place as a third trade union announced it is also balloting staff over potential strikes.

EXCLUSIVE: Dundee DJ who fought for Eljamel justice boycotts public inquiry
3 Apr 2025 at 1:06pm
Pat Kelly told The Courier he will not take part in the public inquiry into the disgraced NHS Tayside surgeon whose actions left him with life-changing injuries.

EXCLUSIVE: John Swinney ?would not have sent? Dundee University jobs warning
3 Apr 2025 at 12:06pm
The first minister set out why ministers were surprised by the university's letter on Monday saying their job cuts could impact up to 700 people.

What will Maggie Chapman do as Dundee University rector?
3 Apr 2025 at 6:02am
The local regional politician stood against Dundee gym owner Sheli McCoy - also known as TV Gladiator Sabre - to take on the prestigious role at a time of financial crisis at the institution.

John Swinney: I can win back voters in Glenrothes by-election
2 Apr 2025 at 7:09pm
The first minister was speaking in Glenrothes as he campaigned in the council by-election.

Ex-Dundee University chief Iain Gillespie finally agrees to Holyrood grilling...
2 Apr 2025 at 2:19pm
MSPs will likely question the former principal and four others after Holyrood's Easter break this month.

EXCLUSIVE: SNP ministers ?volcanic? at Dundee University saying 700 jobs coul...
2 Apr 2025 at 11:45am
The Courier was told about the scale of anger inside government offices when further details were revealed by university management.

EXCLUSIVE: SNP government reduced initial Dundee University lifeline cash by £5m
2 Apr 2025 at 6:00am
Emergency loans announced by Shona Robison in February had originally been set at £20 million before the package was announced, The Courier can reveal.

Equalities watchdog sends enforcement warning to NHS Fife over trans changing...
1 Apr 2025 at 1:41pm
The regulator intervened in the row over NHS Fife allowing trans staff to use single-sex changing facilities.

NHS Fife refuses to answer SECOND key question on trans row tribunal
1 Apr 2025 at 6:00am
The health board previously refused to declare how much it had spent on the controversial case so far.

Talking up Scotland

Talking-up Scotland

SNP plans even fairer taxation with new council tax band
3 Apr 2025 at 7:15pm
Professor John Robertson OBA The Telegraph, above, plotting the downfall of the SNP with the politics of meanness. The Scottish Government is consulting with local councils on introducing a new council tax band for the most expensive homes. Expect a hysterical reaction as Anas Sarwar and his mum both rage against their houses being included. Most of us, I’m sure recognise another progressive in...

How NHS Scotland repeatedly has and can help NHS England patients
3 Apr 2025 at 1:12pm
Professor John Robertson OBA In the Independent yesterday, the above, and: Enhertu is the first licensed targeted treatment for patients with HER2-low breast cancer that cannot be removed surgically or that has spread to other parts of the body. Patients are usually offered chemotherapy, but Breast Cancer Now explains the targeted drug could offer people more time to live in comparison. Enhertu...

Herald?s Martin Williams reports others taking ?pot shots at the SNP? using t...
3 Apr 2025 at 9:45am
Professor John Robertson OBA, BA Journalism Research Methods Module Co-ordinator (really I was) One of these moments, eh? The Herald‘s main ferry correspondent, daily rubbishing the SNP Government for their oversight of the CalMac ferry service (best in the world, really), writes today: So much to say. So much to snigger at. Is that headline suggesting the PM not the FM is to blame for not gett...

Channel 4 reports 150 knife attacks in schools in England & Wales but has no ...
2 Apr 2025 at 10:13pm
Professor John Robertson OBA Thanks to Legerwood for alerting me to this. Channel 4 tonight had the above story. Had this been drug deaths you can be sure the Scottish data would be presented to remind us of our status as the drug death capital of Europe. I am not aware of directly comparable figures for Scotland and neither are Channel 4’s researchers, it seems, but there is evidence to point ...

?Scottish? MP praises NHS England and damns NHS Scotland on behalf of her boss
2 Apr 2025 at 9:51pm
By Liz S Imogen Walker , Labour MP for Hamilton and Clyde since last year, stood up today in PMQ?s to feed her weak and needy Labour leader with the usual #SotlandIsSh*te and also BTW her declaring that apparently #EnglandIsBetter. This kind of infantile behaviour neither impresses nor fools anyone into believing the credibility of what is being spun by MP?s like her as part of the weekly panto...

On Malta, timetables are purely expressions of intent ? ferries leave when t...
2 Apr 2025 at 7:02pm
By JB Didn?t see this across ?our? media, after all The herald and STV, are shouting about ?new direct flights from Glasgow to ?fantastic? holiday destination? Glasgow Airport sees new twice-weekly Malta flight launched | The Herald Ryanair announces new direct flights to Malta | STV News People stranded at Gozo fast ferry terminals after gangway falls in sea. No politician, no MP, no council, ...

100% of 328 prisoner referrals started alcohol-dependency treatment within th...
2 Apr 2025 at 8:55am
Professor John Robertson OBA From Public Health Scotland on 25 March 2025, for the quarter 1 October to 31 December 2024, latest release: 328 referrals to prison-based services started treatment. Of these, 302 (92.1%) involved a wait of three weeks or less (alcohol, 100.0%; co-dependency, 98.6%; drugs, 88.9%). In the Herald report today: Scottish ministers ‘lack leadership’ in prison alcohol re...

Despite daily media campaign to undermine it Public satisfaction with NHS hig...
2 Apr 2025 at 8:38am
Professor John Robertson OBA Regulars here will have seen our almost daily rebuttals of the lies and selective bias against NHS Scotland and our reports of 95% plus target busting in areas such as IVF, operations completed and drug and alcohol treatment. You will also have seen our comparisons of, for example, the crucial cancer and 18 week waiting lists showing far better performance in Scotla...

BC Ferries in Canada just beginning to think of replacing four ferries betwee...
2 Apr 2025 at 8:04am
Professor John Robertson OBA From Global News yesterday: BC Ferries is going to get four new major vessels for its fleet. The new vessels will replace the aging Queens of Alberni 49, New Westminster 61, Coquitlam 49, and Cowichan 49, which are the oldest major ships still in use. BC Ferries applied for five new diesel-battery hybrid, all-electric-ready ships, but the independent British...

How the Scottish Government is supporting improved cancer care ? but shameful...
1 Apr 2025 at 9:28pm
By JB Some positive things you will not be allowed to read about in the ?Scottish? media. Funding for projects to benefit patients and clinical staff. A total of £1.5 million funding in 2024-25 is supporting 12 projects to continue providing direct and personalised support to patients with cancer. Over £1.5 million will support 12 pilot projects across Scotland to deliver a single point of cont...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

We cannot be 'Stronger in Scotland' without independence - The National Scot
3 Apr 2025 at 7:04pm
We cannot be 'Stronger in Scotland' without independence  The National Scot

In the UK, Scottish independence and Irish reunification have lost their appe...
10 Jan 2025 at 8:00am
In the UK, Scottish independence and Irish reunification have lost their appeal  Le Monde.fr

Scotland?s pro-independence warriors are shifting on nuclear weapons ? slowly...
1 Apr 2025 at 6:35pm
Scotland?s pro-independence warriors are shifting on nuclear weapons ? slowly  politico.eu

Scotland March 2025 snapshot - YouGov
27 Mar 2025 at 9:51am
Scotland March 2025 snapshot  YouGov

Kenny MacAskill: We must mobilise the grassroots if we are to achieve Indepen...
1 Apr 2025 at 1:10pm
Kenny MacAskill: We must mobilise the grassroots if we are to achieve Independence  Alba Party

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

Sturgeon predicts independence and united Ireland in UK 'shake-up' - BBC
17 Sep 2024 at 8:00am
Sturgeon predicts independence and united Ireland in UK 'shake-up'  BBC

Revival in SNP fortunes raises fresh questions about Scottish independence - ...
23 Dec 2024 at 8:00am
Revival in SNP fortunes raises fresh questions about Scottish independence  Financial Times

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

Former Yes Scotland researcher launches Holyrood bid for SNP - The National Scot
3 Apr 2025 at 10:53am
Former Yes Scotland researcher launches Holyrood bid for SNP  The National Scot

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

So many years with so little talent. How can the SNP be winning? - The Herald
3 Apr 2025 at 6:31am
So many years with so little talent. How can the SNP be winning?  The Herald

SNP set to gain from Labour as Reform surges across UK, MRP poll suggests - T...
3 Apr 2025 at 12:07am
SNP set to gain from Labour as Reform surges across UK, MRP poll suggests  The Herald

Christina McKelvie: John Swinney leads tributes to SNP minister - BBC
27 Mar 2025 at 1:43pm
Christina McKelvie: John Swinney leads tributes to SNP minister  BBC

?Hostile environment? drives many of SNP?s female MSPs to step down before 20...
23 Mar 2025 at 7:00am
?Hostile environment? drives many of SNP?s female MSPs to step down before 2026 vote | Scottish politics  The Guardian

Police investigation 'could weaken SNP's election chances', top pollster warn...
20 Mar 2025 at 7:00am
Police investigation 'could weaken SNP's election chances', top pollster warns  Sky News

Nicola Sturgeon no longer a suspect in SNP finances investigation - BBC
20 Mar 2025 at 7:00am
Nicola Sturgeon no longer a suspect in SNP finances investigation  BBC

SNP MP calls for Trump state visit to be scrapped - BBC
1 Mar 2025 at 8:00am
SNP MP calls for Trump state visit to be scrapped  BBC

Nicola Sturgeon no longer under investigation over SNP fraud claims - The Gua...
20 Mar 2025 at 7:00am
Nicola Sturgeon no longer under investigation over SNP fraud claims  The Guardian

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon cleared in police investigation into SN...
20 Mar 2025 at 7:00am
Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon cleared in police investigation into SNP's finances  Sky News

SNP 1, Alba 2 is no mere electoral tactic ? it?s a revolutionary act - The Na...
3 Apr 2025 at 3:38pm
SNP 1, Alba 2 is no mere electoral tactic ? it?s a revolutionary act  The National Scot

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

Scotland?s pro-independence warriors are shifting on nuclear weapons ? slowly...
1 Apr 2025 at 6:35pm
Scotland?s pro-independence warriors are shifting on nuclear weapons ? slowly  politico.eu

Scotland March 2025 snapshot - YouGov
27 Mar 2025 at 9:51am
Scotland March 2025 snapshot  YouGov

In the UK, Scottish independence and Irish reunification have lost their appe...
10 Jan 2025 at 8:00am
In the UK, Scottish independence and Irish reunification have lost their appeal  Le Monde.fr

Holyrood Election can be Scotland?s ?Independence Day? says MacAskill - Alba ...
29 Mar 2025 at 7:31pm
Holyrood Election can be Scotland?s ?Independence Day? says MacAskill  Alba Party

John Swinney: Scottish independence vote left 'positive legacy' - BBC
18 Sep 2024 at 8:00am
John Swinney: Scottish independence vote left 'positive legacy'  BBC

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, 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

Election 2024: Scotland headed for huge change with SNP set to lose dozens of...
31 May 2024 at 8:00am
Election 2024: Scotland headed for huge change with SNP set to lose dozens of seats to Labour  The Conversation

How attitudes towards independence reshaped Scottish elections: A longitudina...
3 Nov 2024 at 7:00am
How attitudes towards independence reshaped Scottish elections: A longitudinal analysis (1999?2021)  Wiley Online Library