The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Waiting times at Scotland's A&E departments the worst since April
15 Oct 2024 at 11:56am
Waiting times at Scotland?s emergency departments are at the worst levels since April, new figures have shown, as Scottish Labour said they should be a ?wake-up call? to the Government


Date, candidates and how the voting system works for the Falkirk South by-ele...
15 Oct 2024 at 9:51am
Everything you need to know as Anas Sarwar hits the campaign trail in the Falkirk South by-election


Cost of RAF repatriation for Alex Salmond as Scottish Government weighs options
15 Oct 2024 at 8:16am
The Scottish Government is reportedly considering hiring a private plane to repatriate the body of Alex Salmond, with an RAF charter likely to cost £600,000


Unemployment down and wage growth slows in latest ONS figures
15 Oct 2024 at 7:34am
Unemployment is down but wage growth has slowed in the latest figures released by the ONS


BNPL buyers beware as legislation looms ahead of festive season
15 Oct 2024 at 4:30am
The government is late with the introduction of its BNPL regulation, which will likely lead to providers getting more forceful with debt collection


Tax on 'super-rich' could inject £130 billion into UK finances to solve budge...
15 Oct 2024 at 12:01am
A tax on the UK's 'super-rich' could provide a money boost of £130 billion over the next five years


Analysis: Anger over Salmond's treatment will only intensify
15 Oct 2024 at 2:12pm
Pete Wishart's comment and the positive reception Mr Salmond received from the committee, particularly it SNP MPs, made me wonder if there could be an rapprochement between him and his former party.


Fergus Ewing compares SNP treatment of Alex Salmond to Stalin's of foes
15 Oct 2024 at 11:09am
Fergus Ewing: "In a way it was comparable to Stalin who, after removing 'enemies of the state' would wipe all traces of them from official photographs. It was, in the true sense of the word, pathetic and it was shameful."


Alex Salmond's cause of death confirmed after post mortem
14 Oct 2024 at 7:56pm
A post-mortem examination has confirmed Alex Salmond?s cause of death as a heart attack, the Alba Party has said.


Scottish Government in talks with Foreign Office to repatriate Alex Salmond's...
14 Oct 2024 at 7:15pm
The Scottish Government is in talks with the Foreign Office to bring back the body of Alex Salmond from North Macedonia.


Alex Salmond lawyers pay tribute to late 'giant' of political world
14 Oct 2024 at 9:54am
Alex Salmond's lawyers Levy & McRae have paid tribute to the late Alba leader who died at the age of 69 while attending a conference in North Macedonia.


John Mason 'considering' appeal against SNP expulsion over Gaza controversy
14 Oct 2024 at 8:56am
John Mason says he's considering an appeal after being expelled from the SNP for his controversial comments on Gaza


Offshore wind opportunity 'squandered' by Scottish Government says Labour
14 Oct 2024 at 8:04am
The Scottish Government has ?squandered? an offshore wind opportunity presented by ScotWind, the UK energy minister has said


SNP to propose amendment calling for House of Lords to be abolished
14 Oct 2024 at 7:42am
The SNP will table an amendment to press the Government to go beyond its proposal to streamline the House of Lords and abolish it altogether

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Why Scotland's rent control plan is based on prejudice against landlords ? an...
15 Oct 2024 at 6:04pm

Rent controls result in a reduction in the supply of housing available to tenants, which in turn causes the amount charged to rise when tenancies change

The first Labour Budget in 14 years will be based on fairness and focused on economic growth

The Scottish Government is said to be considering chartering a private plane

The Chancellor is set to deliver her first Budget statement on October 30, which will outline the Government?s plans for raising or lowering taxes.

GB Energy must work towards the wider goal of de-carbonisation, not de-industrialisation

The senior Tory claimed stronger powers for Holyrood would be a fitting legacy

The latest episode of The Scotsman?s politics podcast is available now

Businesses are warning of dire consequences of more tax rises to come

Mark Kent, the chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, has written a letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of the UK Budget

The Scottish Chambers of Commerce and other business groups are warning that increased taxes or cuts to relief will ?jeopardise investment and economic growth?

Wings over Scotland

The Giant
13 Oct 2024 at 1:38pm
It’s hard to write an obituary for someone you can’t quite believe is dead. But we must look the truth in the eyes, and it is so. Alex Salmond would have wished to die, some decades from now, in the country he fought for all his days, and preferably not before it had recovered its …

The King And Queen Of Cringe
11 Oct 2024 at 5:40pm
Honestly not sure which of these is the most nauseating. Click the pic to enlarge, if you can stomach it. Swinney was grinning like a yokel at the first meeting of the “Council Of The Nations And Regions”, held in Edinburgh but where he was the only Scot around a table of 18, placing him …

Two Spaces
10 Oct 2024 at 2:31pm
Everyone even remotely connected to Scottish politics has known for months that the below is the case. It’s an open secret. But what’s playing out right now is something much bigger than the fate of one or two or three individuals. It’s the entire future of the credibility of Scotland’s justice system. Like Robin McAlpine …

Coping with change
7 Oct 2024 at 3:19pm
Just a quick bit of housekeeping here with regard to the new Wings comments section, which offers far more functionality but has also attracted a few complaints because it’s no longer a straight chronology of oldest-to-newest tweets. (We could actually change that back, but the cost would be losing the ability to reply directly to …

Things happen slowly
6 Oct 2024 at 11:52am
When times are quiet in Scottish politics, as they currently are, our favourite genre of story is “mainstream press belatedly catches up with Wings Over Scotland”. And so to this morning’s front page splash in the Sunday Mail. The rumour mill has been grinding about Operation Branchform developments again in the last few days, although …

The whole caboodle
5 Oct 2024 at 11:13am
While we get on with some tinkering behind the scenes in the absence of any Scottish political news – we have an exciting new comment system and the Contact form finally works again! – readers may wish to enjoy the full marathon three-and-a-quarter hours of last month’s fun indyref anniversary event at the Glasgow Science …

Mistaken identity
28 Sep 2024 at 6:59am

To Save Your Time
26 Sep 2024 at 1:23pm
Let us not be ungracious about the use of the term “leading figures” here. But equally, let’s not waste too much attention. The University Of Glasgow’s Centre For Public Policy yesterday put out a 56-page report discussing Scotland’s constitutional future. It purports, reasonably enough, to address the glaring democratic weakness in the Unionist policy position …

Dear Sandy
24 Sep 2024 at 3:18pm
The below is an open letter from a rape survivor, Paula, to Sandy Brindley, CEO of Rape Crisis Scotland. It is reproduced unedited, with Paula’s permission. Dear Sandy, I’m writing to implore you to stop doing press interviews. Each time you do, it feels like yet another slap in the face from Edinburgh Rape Crisis …

A Danger To Women
23 Sep 2024 at 5:31pm
As we write this article, Sandy Brindley (on the left of the picture below) is still in post as the CEO of Rape Crisis Scotland. For as long as that remains the case, rape victims in Scotland will not be safe. A few days ago, Brindley claimed to be unaware of calls for her resignation …

Craig Murray

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.

Simply No Red Lines At All
11 Oct 2024 at 2:03pm

There is literally no act so vile that the UK, US and Germany will not support if perpetrated by the terrorist state of Israel. Yesterday Israel: deliberately attacked UN peacekeepers in three separate bases; bombed residential central Beirut killing and maiming hundreds; abducted, beat up and held an American journalist; slaughtered 30 Palestinian refugees in …

Simply No Red Lines At All

In Praise of Civil Disobedience
9 Oct 2024 at 4:37pm

Western governments are deeply involved, strongly against the will of the majority of their population, in committing a colonial genocide of indigenous people. This happens because the political class have been bought by the Zionist lobby. The causes may run deeper, but that is the mechanism. Democracy has therefore failed, having been fatally corrupted. In …

In Praise of Civil Disobedience

A Very Peculiar Triumph
5 Oct 2024 at 9:30am

At the end of Julian Assange’s testimony before the Judicial Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, 95% of the entire room of 220 people rose in a standing ovation. The audience consisted of members of the Parliamentary Assembly, who are delegated members of their national parliaments, from all over Europe. Furthermore …

A Very Peculiar Triumph

Netanyahu Plays Chicken
21 Sep 2024 at 8:07am

Netanyahu is desperate to keep war simmering along and to draw the USA closer and closer to him. At the same time he cannot send ground forces into South Lebanon where they will take massive casualties. Israel can assassinate, it can employ indiscriminate terrorism and it can bombard from the air, and it has done …

Netanyahu Plays Chicken

BBC Scotland

Scotland fans pay tribute to Alex Salmond with minute's applause
15 Oct 2024 at 8:19pm
Fans were asked to join the tribute to Alex Salmond ahead of the Scotland v Portugal match.

'Sorrow' Salmond did not live to see an independent Scotland - Flynn
14 Oct 2024 at 6:23pm
MPs from across the political spectrum paid tribute to Alex Salmond at Westminster, where he served for 25 years.

Salmond ally hopes family will continue legal action
14 Oct 2024 at 9:41pm
The former first minister was in the process of suing the Scottish government when he died on Saturday.

Salmond family pay tribute to 'devoted and loving' man
14 Oct 2024 at 1:45pm
The family of the former first minister vow to continue his work for Scottish independence.

Alex Salmond: A politician who loved creating headlines
14 Oct 2024 at 6:51am
The former Scottish first minister was a politician who rarely missed a media opportunity.

Ferry fares in Scotland to increase by 10% next year
14 Oct 2024 at 6:46pm
Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop says last year's fare freeze cannot be continued.

Mason happy to repeat 'no genocide' claim after SNP expulsion
14 Oct 2024 at 12:36pm
The veteran SNP politician has been expelled from the party after claiming there is no genocide in Gaza.

'Time stopped' after Salmond collapsed at conference
13 Oct 2024 at 7:14pm
Organisers say the former first minister fell backwards in his chair after suffering a massive heart attack.

Alex Salmond 'left footprint on Scottish politics', says Swinney
13 Oct 2024 at 3:57pm
Scotland's first minister says the late SNP leader took the party from the fringes of politics to the heart of government.

Gilruth keeps £145m from councils over teacher numbers row
11 Oct 2024 at 6:27am
Government says the money has been earmarked to maintain teacher jobs, but Cosla disagrees with it being ringfenced.

Why are there so many people in Scotland's jails?
11 Oct 2024 at 6:29am
Scotland's prison population is again nearing a record high - but what can be done about it?

Council of Nations tackles challenge of UK power-sharing
11 Oct 2024 at 2:53pm
The prime minister, the devolved leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and England's mayors are meeting in Edinburgh.

Scot Goes Pop

So where does the independence movement go from here?
15 Oct 2024 at 11:33am
Robin McAlpine's latest piece presents the independence movement as having been "orphaned" by Alex Salmond's death, with a sudden realisation that "we're going to have to do it on our own", and wit...

Alex Salmond's appearance on the Scot Goes Popcast, 6th April 2021
14 Oct 2024 at 9:51pm
A couple of you have asked for the link to Alex Salmond's appearance on the Scot Goes Popcast at the time of Alba's founding.  You can watch the video version below.  I was one of umpteen alternati...

John Mason's ridiculous expulsion suggests the SNP have learned absolutely no...
13 Oct 2024 at 10:32pm
The SNP's decision to suspend the whip from John Mason a couple of months ago was interesting. They did it on the grounds that he had denied Israel was committing genocide in Gaza, which suggested ...

Simply astounding: just three months after their "loveless landslide", Labour...
13 Oct 2024 at 1:30pm
I said a few days ago that crossover seemed to be approaching, and although we still haven't quite hit that point yet, a major landmark has today been reached with the first GB-wide poll from any f...

Alex Salmond, 1954-2024
12 Oct 2024 at 6:17pm
Hopefully it goes without saying that my earlier blogpost today, which briefly mentioned Alex Salmond, was written before I heard the awful news.  I went out for a walk a few minutes ago, and my ph...

While I take a few days off to prepare properly for my Alba "disciplinary" he...
12 Oct 2024 at 3:43pm
I may not be blogging much over the next few days, because I've still got to compile my written submission for my Alba disciplinary hearing, and the deadline is fast approaching.  I still find it h...

"We were supposed to have momentum!" laments Anas Sarwar, as Labour flatline ...
11 Oct 2024 at 10:43pm
Last week brought two SNP by-election wins in Dundee, this week has brought two Labour by-election wins in North Lanarkshire, including one in a ward where the SNP topped the poll last time around....

My US election dilemma (advice is welcome)
10 Oct 2024 at 9:02pm
Those of you of a certain vintage may remember that the Guardian newspaper was widely regarded as having made a complete fool of itself twenty years ago when it tried to influence the US presidenti...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

?We will keep manifesto promise on tax,? says Starmer amid Budget speculation
15 Oct 2024 at 4:34pm
Sir Keir Starmer warned again that October 30 would bring a 'tough' Budget.

Minute?s applause to be held at Hampden prior to Scotland game following deat...
15 Oct 2024 at 1:38pm
The former first minister died after suffering a massive heart attack in North Macedonia around 3.40pm local time on Saturday.

Chancellor urged to go easy on windfall tax amid low confidence in oil and gas
14 Oct 2024 at 8:01pm
Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce urged the Chancellor to scrap the Energy Profits Levy that it said is putting 100,000 jobs at risk.

Scottish Government in talks with Foreign Office over plans to bring Alex Sal...
14 Oct 2024 at 3:30pm
The 69-year-old was in North Macedonia taking part in a youth cultural and diplomatic event when he suffered a heart attack.

Alba Party will continue Alex Salmond?s legacy, says acting leader
14 Oct 2024 at 12:31pm
The former first minister died suddenly on Saturday at a conference in North Macedonia.

John Swinney: Growing investment in Scotland would help tackle child poverty
14 Oct 2024 at 11:58am
John Swinney will seek to boost Scotland?s private investment at the event convened by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Scottish Government ?floundering? on fisheries plans, says marine charity Ope...
14 Oct 2024 at 10:53am
Open Seas said the failure to meet a 2024 target for the delivery of fisheries management plans was undermining efforts to ensure long-term sustainability and biodiversity in Scotland?s seas.

SNP MSP John Mason expelled from party over Israel comments considering appeal
14 Oct 2024 at 8:53am
In a post on X on Sunday, Mason revealed he had been expelled by the party over his comments and was 'very disappointed'.

Starmer to pledge to scrap regulation to woo investors at business summit
14 Oct 2024 at 6:42am
The Government is expected to unveil investment deals worth billions in AI, life sciences and infrastructure at its first International Investment Summit.

Years late and millions over-budget ferry faces further delays
14 Oct 2024 at 6:31am
Trials of the MV Glen Sannox have been an 'overall success' but a handover date has yet to be confirmed.

Alex Salmond?s family pays tribute to ?loving husband and fiercely loyal brot...
13 Oct 2024 at 6:29pm
The former first minister of Scotland is survived by his wife and three siblings.

?Everyone was paralysed in shock?: Eyewitness describes moment Alex Salmond c...
13 Oct 2024 at 4:55pm
The 69-year-old was in North Macedonia taking part in a youth cultural and diplomatic event in the city of Ohrid.

President of North Macedonia leads commemoration ceremony for Alex Salmond
13 Oct 2024 at 2:53pm
President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova expressed her condolences to the former first minister's family.

John Mason MSP expelled from SNP over Gaza comments
13 Oct 2024 at 2:09pm
The party accused Mason of 'flippantly dismissing the deaths of more than 40,000 Palestinians'.

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Alex Salmond's body 'ready to be brought back to Scotland', say officials in ...
15 Oct 2024 at 4:54pm
Discussions were continuing between Alba Party officials, the Scottish Government and UK Foreign Office over the best to return the former first minister following his sudden death.

Downing Street denies Taylor Swift tickets were a ?thank you? to Keir Starmer
15 Oct 2024 at 2:31pm
Number 10 would not say whether the Prime Minister was confident that perceptions of a conflict of interest had been avoided.

SNP calls on Labour Government to support campaign to make all Scotland match...
15 Oct 2024 at 1:47pm
Tartan Army fans have long complained about games involving Steve Clarke's side being shown on a variety of subscription channels.

Primary schools in John Swinney's seat facing closure during strikes, council...
15 Oct 2024 at 11:56am
Perth and Kinross Council said strikes involving school support staff mean it is ?likely many primary schools and early learning and childcare (ELC) settings will have to close?.

Rachel Reeves urged to 'back Scotch whisky' and cut alcohol duty in Budget
15 Oct 2024 at 11:17am
Business leaders across Scotland have called for the Labour Chancellor to lower the duty placed on spirits after the Tory government raised it by 10.1 per cent last year.

Keir Starmer refuses to rule out raising employers' national insurance in Budget
15 Oct 2024 at 10:30am
The Prime Minister said on Tuesday that Labour would keep its promise not to raise taxes on ?working people?.

Alex Salmond was 'shunned' by SNP leadership who tried to 'erase him from his...
15 Oct 2024 at 10:09am
Veteran Nationalist Fergus Ewing lashed out at what he described as a "Stalinist" attempt to airbrush the SNP's former leader from history.

Hopes soar for Alzheimer's cure as dementia expert predicts there will be cur...
15 Oct 2024 at 4:30am
Record View says the prospect of a cure could give hope to thousands in the years and decades ahead ? and consign this horrible disease to history.

Older Scots 'skipping meals and turning down heating' due to rising costs
15 Oct 2024 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: Food Train said pensioners were at risk of "falling dangerously ill" if they took the decision to eat less in a desperate attempt to save money on bills.

Alex Salmond?s cause of death confirmed as heart attack after post-mortem
14 Oct 2024 at 7:42pm
The 69-year-old, who was Scotland?s first minister from 2007 until 2014, died suddenly in North Macedonia on Saturday.

The National

The National | Politics

Watch as Tartan Army honours Alex Salmond with one-minute applause
15 Oct 2024 at 7:40pm

THE Tartan Army has paid tribute to Alex Salmond ahead of Scotland playing Portugal ...

Labour's watered-down Lords reform plans clear first hurdle
15 Oct 2024 at 7:22pm

LABOUR?S watered-down plans to reform the House of Lords have passed their first parliamentary hurdle.

Inside Alex Salmond's economic journey ? from my own conversation with him
15 Oct 2024 at 6:45pm

AS first minister from 2007 to 2014, Alex Salmond led the charge in the Scottish independence referendum. Salmond?s thinking on Scotland?s economic future, particularly his stance on the currency and fiscal policy, has had a lasting impact.

Alex Salmond drew so many of us into the movement for independence
15 Oct 2024 at 6:30pm

WE all have our favourite stories, events, times that are important to us when we remember the extraordinary political life of Alex Salmond. For me, I have to go back in time 20 years to when I first joined the SNP under the inspirational influence of Alex. Like many of us it was Alex that brought us, drew us, took us into the independence movement.

IDF-linked firm to receive millions from Rosebank oil field in North Sea
15 Oct 2024 at 6:12pm

NEW analysis has shown that a fossil fuel firm with links to an Israeli company supplying fuel to the IDF is set to make millions from the Rosebank oil field.

Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp: Alex Salmond was right about our dream but we need a plan
15 Oct 2024 at 6:00pm

It's impossible to write a column this week without reflecting on the passing of a giant of our movement.

Alba open online book of condolences for Alex Salmond
15 Oct 2024 at 4:48pm

THE Alba Party have opened an online book of condolence for Alex Salmond.

Unemployed to be given weight-loss jags as part of UK plan to 'get them back ...
15 Oct 2024 at 4:28pm

THE Health Secretary has said unemployed people will be given weight-loss injections as part of a UK Government drive to ?get them back to work?.

Fears Nelson Mandela's grandson blocked from entering UK over stance on Gaza
15 Oct 2024 at 3:34pm

A SCOTTISH campaign group has raised fears that Nelson Mandela?s grandson has been ?prevented? from entering the UK to deliver talks on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as a result of his stance on Gaza ...

Tories were preparing to sanction 'extremist' Israeli ministers, David Camero...
15 Oct 2024 at 3:24pm

The previous government was preparing to sanction two Israeli ministers over comments encouraging blocking aid to Gaza, David Cameron has said ...

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

New UK bill aims to clamp down on social media algorithms
15 Oct 2024 at 6:13pm
The new bill would force social media firms to exclude those under 16 from algorithms

Keir Starmer pushes for AI to power public sector reform
15 Oct 2024 at 4:55pm
During an in-conversation event with Google?s former chief executive Eric Schmidt, Starmer was keen to highlight the potential of AI in the NHS claiming it would ?reimagine the health service?.

Associate feature: Making bus priority, a priority
15 Oct 2024 at 1:02am
"Bus isn't a priority". We often get told this from government officials, bus just isn?t a priority. It?s somewhat understandable why buses may be lower down on the government's priority list, unlike ferries or rail, which have caused more headaches for m

?Ambitious? initiative set to build ?deeptech? supercluster in Scotland
14 Oct 2024 at 5:58pm
The new multi-year programme will create scaling pathways for spinouts, start-ups, and SMEs

Multi-billion foreign investment announced for UK data centres
14 Oct 2024 at 2:28pm
US firms will invest around ?6bn in new UK data centres data infrastructure allowing the UK to test next-generation AI

?Apparatus of the state? turned against Alex Salmond, says legal team
14 Oct 2024 at 2:28pm
David McKie, a senior partner at Levy & McRae, said in his tribute to the late former first minister that the?treatment ?he endured? would have??broken many people, but not Alex?

Former first minister Alex Salmond dies aged 69
14 Oct 2024 at 11:40am
Family pays tribute and vows to continue former first minister's work for 'independence and justice'

John Mason expelled from the SNP over ?unacceptable? Gaza comments
14 Oct 2024 at 11:29am
The Glasgow MSP had the whip removed in August when he said there was ?no genocide? in Gaza

Scottish Government has ?squandered? ScotWind cash, says UK energy minister M...
14 Oct 2024 at 1:01am
Shanks said using the cash in this way was a ?missed opportunity? and suggested the auction could have generated more cash

Swinney: ?Swift decision-making? on the Acorn project critical to address Gra...
11 Oct 2024 at 5:26pm
The first minister was speaking to the media following a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

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, ...

SNP expels MSP over ?utterly abhorrent? comments on Israel-Hamas conflict
13 Oct 2024 at 7:56pm
John Mason posted ?if Israel wanted to commit genocide, they would have killed 10 times as many?An MSP has been expelled from the SNP over comments about the Israel-Hamas conflict, which his party described as ?utterly abhorrent?.The Glasgow Shettleston MSP, John Mason, posted on social media in ...

Alex Salmond obituary
13 Oct 2024 at 5:39pm
A commanding figure in Scottish politics who came close to breaking up the United KingdomThe Scottish politician Alex Salmond, who has died suddenly at the age of 69, was a commanding figure who came close to breaking up the United Kingdom in the 55.3 to 44.7% independence referendum of 2014.The ...

Ella Baron on the death of Alex Salmond ? cartoon
13 Oct 2024 at 5:19pm
Continue reading...

Alex Salmond normalised concept of Scottish independence as he led SNP to power
13 Oct 2024 at 5:12pm
Former first minister established party as a political force but questions later emerged about influence he wieldedTributes paid to Alex Salmond?s ?colossal contribution? to Scottish and UK politicsAlex Salmond cemented his place in British political history in May 2011 when he and the Scottish N...

Tributes paid to Alex Salmond?s ?colossal contribution? to Scottish and UK po...
13 Oct 2024 at 4:25pm
First minister John Swinney says predecessor, who died on Saturday, ?had a huge impact on our public life?John Swinney has paid tribute to Alex Salmond?s ?colossal contribution? to Scottish and UK politics, as allies of the former first minister mourned his sudden death on Saturday.Swinney, the i...

Alex Salmond?s political star had long faded. Yet his death has sent shock wa...
13 Oct 2024 at 1:22pm
While the Alba leader?s final years were dominated by controversy, his vision for independence changed Scottish politics for everThree years ago, he was Scotland?s most unpopular politician. More unpopular even than Boris Johnson. And north of the border, that?s really saying something.Three mont...

?Incomparable? Alex Salmond made Scottish nationalism soar before he and SNP ...
12 Oct 2024 at 10:33pm
Late SNP leader drove party to power and country to brink of independence but left a fractured legacyAlex Salmond, former first minister of Scotland, dies aged 69Alex Salmond ? a life in picturesThe flags on the Scottish parliament building were lowered on Saturday evening to mark the passing of ...

Scottish independence campaigner Alex Salmond ? a life in pictures
12 Oct 2024 at 7:58pm
The former Scottish National party first minister, leader of the Alba party, economist and television host has died aged 69?Incomparable? Alex Salmond made Scottish nationalism soar before he and SNP soured Continue reading...

Political and media figures pay tribute to former first minister Alex Salmond
12 Oct 2024 at 7:07pm
Ex-leader of the SNP, who has died at 69, described by Keir Starmer as a ?monumental figure of Scottish and UK politics?Alex Salmond, former first minister of Scotland, dies aged 69Politicians and commentators in the UK have been paying tribute to Alex Salmond after the death of the former first ...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

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 …

Starmer?s honeymoon is well and truly over
25 Sep 2024 at 11:14am
Before Labour’s inevitable victory in July’s Westminster general election, I predicted that Starmer’s government would soon become very unpopular as voters realised that the ‘change’ which he had promised was no real change at all, it was simply the continuation of the same old damaging Tory neoliberal nostrums, delivered somewhat less chaotically and corruptly. What …

Ten years on
17 Sep 2024 at 11:39am
On Wednesday it will be the tenth anniversary of the independence referendum. This is always a poignant time of year for me, not only because of the what might have been had Scotland grasped the thistle and chosen independence on that fateful day, but because this time of year is also the anniversary of the …

Vote Labour: freeze your granny to help the rich
11 Sep 2024 at 11:13am
It’s only been nine weeks but we already have resounding answer to the question of how much influence Labour’s Scottish branch office has over policy making in Keir Starmer’s government. The answer to that question is none at all. Prior to July’s Westminster general election Anas Sarwar loudly proclaimed that he and his Tory-lite party …

Only with independence can Scotland escape the rise of the right
4 Sep 2024 at 11:14am
Last weekend, there were elections in the Germans states of Thuringia and Saxony. In both these states the far right Alternative für Deutschland party, which favours the ‘repatriation’ of immigrants and even of some naturalised German citizens – the ones who are muslim or not white of course – performed alarmingly well, coming top of …

The Courier

Scottish Politics News From Holyrood and Westminster | The Courier

John Swinney says ?no justification? for Perthshire strike set to close schoo...
15 Oct 2024 at 3:24pm
First Minister John Swinney - whose constituency is being targeted - said he was deeply disappointed by the action over pay.

Dundee economics expert slates Labour?s winter fuel payment cuts
15 Oct 2024 at 6:00am
The verdict comes as Labour insiders assess the backlash to the controversial policy days after two by-election setbacks in the city.

Alex Salmond in pictures across Dundee, Perth, Fife and Angus
14 Oct 2024 at 2:25pm
The former first minister, who died on Saturday aged 69, was a regular visitor to Tayside and Fife throughout his political career.

EXCLUSIVE: ?I?m a Dundee nurse who worked with Eljamel ? then he botched my o...
14 Oct 2024 at 6:00am
Pam Woodfield lifts the lid on working as a student nurse with the butcher surgeon who harmed hundreds of patients at NHS Tayside, including herself.

Dundee?s Brian Cox reveals how Alex Salmond changed his mind on politics and ...
13 Oct 2024 at 10:47am
The TV legend was good friends with the former SNP leader, who died on Saturday.

Former first minister Alex Salmond dies aged 69
12 Oct 2024 at 5:43pm
The veteran SNP politician, who nearly took Scotland to independence, died after giving a speech in North Macedonia on Saturday.

Has St Andrews tourism and student boom led to a ?death of community? for loc...
12 Oct 2024 at 6:00am
Longtime St Andrews residents fear erosion of community as housing costs and student numbers reshape the ?Auld Grey Toon.? But should we also welcome the inward investment?

EXCLUSIVE: Emails reveal Eljamel police faced ?challenging? hunt for medical ...
11 Oct 2024 at 6:02am
Correspondence between detectives and health officials reveal how hard police are finding it to prove the disgraced NHS Tayside surgeon's behaviour was criminal.

John Swinney says son among Perthshire pupils ?singled out? in union?s school...
10 Oct 2024 at 1:18pm
School staff plan to walk out for two weeks as Unison directly target the first minister?s constituency.

Eljamel scandal: NHS Tayside staff provide statements to police investigation
9 Oct 2024 at 3:27pm
Officers probing the disgraced neurosurgeon?s botched operations have also met NHS Tayside executives.

Talking up Scotland

Talking-up Scotland

72 year-old coal-fired ferry still serving in one of wealthiest countries in ...
15 Oct 2024 at 1:59pm
As the Express goes on about CalMac’s ‘aging’ ferries again, a bit of perspective: When you think of travel on Lake Michigan, you likely think of the S.S. Badger. It has been an iconic mode of transportation connecting communities and enhancing travel experiences for decades. As the last operating coal-fired passenger steamship in the United States, the S.S. Badger carries a rich history that r...

Wow!
15 Oct 2024 at 1:46pm
After reading James Kelly’s comments on the sacking of John Mason, I wrote the above. Cheeky I know but, wow, the response. He was defending Mason who might be seen as defending Netanyahu. How did I become a genocide supporter? Doctor?

Humza Yousaf makes same error as Prof Devine in blaming ordinary Scots for im...
15 Oct 2024 at 11:32am
Professor John Robertson OBA This is just wrong. Elites in Scotland and in India played a leading role in the British Empire. 99% of the population in both places were starved, worked into the ground and used as cannon-fodder. ‘Scotland’ did not play any role, people did. I’ve been here before with otherwise highly intelligent public figures apparently ignorant of the reality of life for the ma...

Flood of British refugees into Scotland in the SNP era may surpass the level ...
15 Oct 2024 at 10:56am
From The Irish Famine in a Scottish Perspective 1845-1851 by Géraldine VAUGHAN, in 2015, it is estimated that there were roughly 115,000 Irish incomers to Scotland for those six years.1 From the NRS, in the ten years from 2012 to 2022 (latest data), around 100 000 arrived in Scotland from other parts of the UK, increasing sharply from 3 000 in 2012 to 12 500 in 2022. This trend seems likely to ...

10% of the population but 65% more doctors in training
15 Oct 2024 at 9:03am
From Undergraduate medicine degree admissions at Scottish universities: FOI release, published yesterday, we see 1 240 entrants to ?Pre Clinical? medicine for 2022-23, the latest HESA data available (245 from rUK).1 From NHS England’s NHS England update on medical school training places, 28 February letter to Royal College of Physicians, published in February 2024: We are currently ahead of pla...

It?s good to see comparisons between Scotland and Wales
14 Oct 2024 at 8:01pm
By stewartb We know that the British Labour Party and its media allies in Scotland for the Union would have voters here believe that any shortcomings, all problems in Scotland?s public services can be laid at the door of the SNP Scottish Government. So it?s good to see comparisons between Scotland and Wales ? in education, health and social care, housing, poverty levels, unemployment; economic ...

CalMac ferry fares to increase to only a fraction of those for Isle of Wight.
14 Oct 2024 at 6:38pm
From BBC Scotland today: Ferry fares in Scotland will increase by 10% from next year, the Scottish government has confirmed. The rise will take effect from 1 January 2025 on the Northern Isles network and from 28 March on the west coast. CalMac’s services in the west have been under particular pressure due to ageing vessels, with the main Arran ferry out of action for most of the year. Transpor...

The endless stream of supposedly intelligent media cartoons misrepresenting t...
14 Oct 2024 at 6:13pm
By Professor John Robertson OBA When I first saw the above guardian cartoon, I didn’t know what to make of it. @Prae54Rae gets it. It’s endless. A foul-smelling stream of supposedly liberal leftist sentiment, as confused and snearing, as any on the hard right in England. Here’s the previous: Peter Brookes in the Times, gleefully shared by the slimy be-wigged lard-bucket that is Andrew Neil, the...

Pay attention Ireland ? Scotland ?stands apart? as the best educated country ...
14 Oct 2024 at 1:09pm
The above is from an Irish journalist today. Am I going to have to invent a new term to add to the Anglocentric media Scots face daily? Hibernocentric? The facts: Scotland is the best educated country in Europe, according to a report released by the Office for National Statistics. It says that nearly 45 per cent of people in Scotland aged between 25 and 64 have had some kind of tertiary educati...

Incompetent Welsh Labour councils face nearly 20% higher cuts than in Scotlan...
14 Oct 2024 at 12:59pm
From BBC Wales yesterday: Welsh councils are facing “unsustainable” budget pressures over the next few years according to the body which represents them. The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) said funding shortfalls could “significantly impact” councils? ability to deliver essential services. The BBC has identified a budget shortfall of at least £540m across Wales by 2026-27. https://ww...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

Former Scottish leader Alex Salmond dies, aged 69 - RNZ
12 Oct 2024 at 7:24pm
Former Scottish leader Alex Salmond dies, aged 69  RNZ

Alex Salmond, champion of Scottish independence, dies at 69 - The Washington ...
13 Oct 2024 at 4:20am
Alex Salmond, champion of Scottish independence, dies at 69  The Washington Post

Alex Salmond?s death leaves Scottish independence cause further adrift - Fina...
15 Oct 2024 at 9:40am
Alex Salmond?s death leaves Scottish independence cause further adrift  Financial Times

Alex Salmond, leading figure in Scottish independence movement, dies at age 6...
12 Oct 2024 at 11:29pm
Alex Salmond, leading figure in Scottish independence movement, dies at age 69  CNN

Scottish independence is in stalemate and with Alex Salmond's death it is loo...
13 Oct 2024 at 3:47pm
Scottish independence is in stalemate and with Alex Salmond's death it is looking for a new star  Sky News

Alex Salmond, former Scottish First Minister who sought Scotland's independen...
12 Oct 2024 at 7:38pm
Alex Salmond, former Scottish First Minister who sought Scotland's independence, dies at 69  CBS News

Alex Salmond: Scotland?s first nationalist leader and a tireless campaigner f...
12 Oct 2024 at 10:15pm
Alex Salmond: Scotland?s first nationalist leader and a tireless campaigner for independence  The Conversation

Body of Scottish independence champion Alex Salmond soon to be flown home fro...
14 Oct 2024 at 2:57pm
Body of Scottish independence champion Alex Salmond soon to be flown home from North Macedonia  The Associated Press

Alex Salmond's family pay tribute to 'devoted and loving' man - BBC.com
15 Oct 2024 at 10:41am
Alex Salmond's family pay tribute to 'devoted and loving' man  BBC.com

Scottish MP defiant after party sacks him over ?abhorrent? Gaza remark - Al J...
14 Oct 2024 at 12:15pm
Scottish MP defiant after party sacks him over ?abhorrent? Gaza remark  Al Jazeera English

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

John Mason happy to repeat 'no genocide' claim after SNP expulsion - BBC.com
14 Oct 2024 at 9:52am
John Mason happy to repeat 'no genocide' claim after SNP expulsion  BBC.com

Scottish MP defiant after party sacks him over ?abhorrent? Gaza remark - Al J...
14 Oct 2024 at 12:15pm
Scottish MP defiant after party sacks him over ?abhorrent? Gaza remark  Al Jazeera English

How Alex Salmond exposed the SNP - Spiked
14 Oct 2024 at 6:30pm
How Alex Salmond exposed the SNP  Spiked

Alex Salmond dead: Tributes after ex-first minister dies aged 69 - BBC.com
12 Oct 2024 at 10:39pm
Alex Salmond dead: Tributes after ex-first minister dies aged 69  BBC.com

Key moments of Alex Salmond's life and career... in 107 seconds - BBC.com
12 Oct 2024 at 8:16pm
Key moments of Alex Salmond's life and career... in 107 seconds  BBC.com

?Incomparable? Alex Salmond made Scottish nationalism soar before he and SNP ...
12 Oct 2024 at 11:24pm
?Incomparable? Alex Salmond made Scottish nationalism soar before he and SNP soured  The Guardian

SNP finances probe 'delays' threaten independence movement, whistleblower say...
5 Oct 2024 at 8:00am
SNP finances probe 'delays' threaten independence movement, whistleblower says  Sky News

Alex Salmond: Scotland?s first nationalist leader and a tireless campaigner f...
12 Oct 2024 at 10:15pm
Alex Salmond: Scotland?s first nationalist leader and a tireless campaigner for independence  The Conversation

Obituary: The political titan that was former first minister of Scotland Alex...
12 Oct 2024 at 9:59pm
Obituary: The political titan that was former first minister of Scotland Alex Salmond  Sky News

John Mason expelled from SNP over 'unacceptable' Gaza posts - BBC.com
13 Oct 2024 at 4:51pm
John Mason expelled from SNP over 'unacceptable' Gaza posts  BBC.com

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

Former Scottish leader Alex Salmond dies, aged 69 - RNZ
12 Oct 2024 at 7:24pm
Former Scottish leader Alex Salmond dies, aged 69  RNZ

Alex Salmond, champion of Scottish independence, dies at 69 - The Washington ...
13 Oct 2024 at 4:20am
Alex Salmond, champion of Scottish independence, dies at 69  The Washington Post

Former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, Who Sought Scotland?s Independen...
12 Oct 2024 at 6:20pm
Former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, Who Sought Scotland?s Independence, Dies at 69  TIME

Alex Salmond: Scotland?s first nationalist leader and a tireless campaigner f...
12 Oct 2024 at 10:15pm
Alex Salmond: Scotland?s first nationalist leader and a tireless campaigner for independence  The Conversation

Alex Salmond, leading figure in Scottish independence movement, dies at age 6...
12 Oct 2024 at 11:29pm
Alex Salmond, leading figure in Scottish independence movement, dies at age 69  CNN

Scottish independence is in stalemate and with Alex Salmond's death it is loo...
13 Oct 2024 at 3:47pm
Scottish independence is in stalemate and with Alex Salmond's death it is looking for a new star  Sky News

In pictures: Alex Salmond's career in politics through the decades - BBC.com
12 Oct 2024 at 11:44pm
In pictures: Alex Salmond's career in politics through the decades  BBC.com

Alex Salmond, Scottish first minister and independence champion, 1954-2024 - ...
13 Oct 2024 at 5:22pm
Alex Salmond, Scottish first minister and independence champion, 1954-2024  Financial Times

Body of Scottish independence champion Alex Salmond soon to be flown home fro...
14 Oct 2024 at 2:57pm
Body of Scottish independence champion Alex Salmond soon to be flown home from North Macedonia  The Associated Press

Alex Salmond, champion of Scottish independence, dies at 69 - The Japan Times
13 Oct 2024 at 1:01am
Alex Salmond, champion of Scottish independence, dies at 69  The Japan Times