The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Plan to house 300 male asylum seekers at Highland barracks delayed
29 Nov 2025 at 8:45am
The Home Office has delayed plans to house 300 male asylum seekers at an army barracks in the Scottish Highlands.


UK Government accused of 'shameful swindle' over energy bills reduction pledge
29 Nov 2025 at 5:30am
The UK Labour Government has been accused of a 'shameful swindle' on energy bills after a think tank suggested savings were lower than expected.


SNP faces criticism as rural communities voice transport dissatisfaction
29 Nov 2025 at 5:00am
A new national report shows most rural Scots are unhappy with public transport, sparking sharp criticism of poor services, safety concerns and unreliable timetables


Education chiefs warn of £310m cost of ScotGov plan to cut teachers hours
28 Nov 2025 at 4:15pm
The plan was part of a 2021 Scottish Government manifesto commitment


?We don?t have the luxury of time?: Scotland at 'crossroads' warns chamber chief
28 Nov 2025 at 4:14pm
Scotland is at an ?economic crossroads?, Dr Liz Cameron has warned, as she delivered her final major address after more than two decades in charge of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce.


Glasgow Commonwealth Games chief defends £150 ticket prices
28 Nov 2025 at 2:14pm
Glasgow 2026 boss Phil Batty says high ticket prices are needed to fund a ?high quality event? without taxpayer cash.


Who is David Coburn - the former UKIP MEP now linked to a Russia bribery case?
28 Nov 2025 at 12:30pm
David Coburn has been named in court filings linked to a Russia bribery case - allegations he denies. Here?s all you need to know about the former UKIP MEP.


Swinney promises new powers for Glasgow in regional devolution push
28 Nov 2025 at 12:25pm
John Swinney has pledged to introduce 'enabling legislation' to hand Glasgow City Region new powers over skills, planning and economic development after May?s election.


Profits tumble at well-known Scottish car dealership group
28 Nov 2025 at 12:12pm
The Scottish car dealership group has posted a tumble in profits, citing 'one of the most challenging periods for the UK retail motor industry in recent memory'


Who is Ciaran Martin, the cyber expert now investigating the OBR budget leak?
28 Nov 2025 at 10:24am
Ex-NCSC chief Ciaran Martin has been appointed to lead the investigation into the landmark leak at the UK fiscal watchdog. Here?s who he is and why it matters.


Hungarian Prime Minister to meet with Vladimir Putin amid Ukraine peace propo...
28 Nov 2025 at 9:20am
The President of Hungary will meet with Vladimir Putin on Friday, amid pressure on Ukraine to accept a deal to end the war


Former UKIP Scotland leader denies taking payments in Russian influence scandal
28 Nov 2025 at 6:32am
The former leader of UKIP in Scotland has denied involvement in a Russian influence campaign after being named in court documents


Upset in Scotland as panel rejects wider prostate cancer screening for high-r...
28 Nov 2025 at 2:30pm
Prostate Scotland says it is ?deeply disappointed? after UK screening officials backed prostate cancer checks only for BRCA carriers, leaving many high-risk men excluded.


SNP ministers told to release secret evidence into Nicola Sturgeon probe
28 Nov 2025 at 10:05am
SNP ministers have been ordered to release some of the withheld evidence given to James Hamilton's investigation into Nicola Sturgeon following a long running freedom of information battle.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Watchdog orders release of withheld Nicola Sturgeon inquiry evidence. as SNP ...
28 Nov 2025 at 12:57pm

David Hamilton, the Scottish Information Commissioner, criticised the Scottish Government over its handling of the case

The figures come amid ongoing uncertainty for the sector over the ?family farm tax?

Wings over Scotland

The Groomers? Friends
27 Nov 2025 at 12:59pm
We’re just putting this here for the record, really. It’s a “debate” from the Scottish Parliament last night, on a motion from Patrick Harvie complaining that vulnerable children aren’t being pushed into a programme of lifelong medicalisation, sterilisation and mutilation quickly enough. The motion completely ignored both the findings of the Cass Review and the …

Searching And Looking
22 Nov 2025 at 9:44pm
Disgraced ex-policeman and notorious vexatious serial complainant Lynsay Watson is having quite the meltdown on the groomer-and-paedophile haven Bluesky tonight. Let’s listen in. The trigger is that Watson has been asked to attend a voluntary police interview in connection with allegations of harassment against him – something that’s happened before, and which he’s managed to …

Reach For The Stars (And Stripes)
19 Nov 2025 at 8:49am
To be honest, we’re mainly putting these here so you don’t have to keep looking at that picture of Alan Cumming. But they also show what you can achieve, whether in football or politics, if you actually attack rather than being content to endlessly shuttle it all sideways and backwards until you get beaten without …

Over The Hill And Down The Slope
14 Nov 2025 at 1:15pm
We’ve just been leaked the SNP’s first poster roughs for Holyrood 2026. One more push, everyone!

Grift Away
8 Nov 2025 at 2:31pm
Oh good, another plan. Just three and a half years to wait. Should we, what’s the phrase, “Save The Date”? Rhetorical question, obviously. If you’re in a hurry, folks, just scroll down to the video and start there, because Believe In Scotland’s latest wheeze to get hold of your folding money and stash it in …

Rise Of The Machine
7 Nov 2025 at 11:49am
It’s Wings’ 14th birthday today, and to be entirely honest with you, readers, like a lot of teenagers we’re having a bit of an existential crisis. It’s quite difficult to see any point in being a Scottish political journalist for the next five years, because it’s just going to be one depressing Groundhog Day after …

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

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

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

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

Craig Murray

Resisting Authoritarianism
28 Nov 2025 at 8:34am

In the last three days I have been in London at the judicial review of Palestine Action and today I am in Jersey for the terrorist trial of Natalie Strecker. I made a brief impromptu speech outside the High Court, in intervening to try and stop some people in wheelchairs from being arrested as “terrorists”, …

Resisting Authoritarianism

Judicial Malfeasance and Palestine Action
26 Nov 2025 at 2:56am

The Scottish judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action – funded so far by readers of this blog – has been simply shelved by delay tactics that plainly break the Scottish legal system’s own rules. Our case was ruled competent for us to serve the petition on the UK government. They replied in the …

Judicial Malfeasance and Palestine Action

The Beat of the War Drums
20 Nov 2025 at 6:34am

In fascist lockstep, the entire British media, broadcast and print, corporate and state, is leading with a Ministry of Defence press release about a “Russian spy ship” inside “British waters”. No British media appears to have been able to speak to anybody who knows the first thing about the Law of the Sea. Here are …

The Beat of the War Drums

UN Reform and Scottish Independence
14 Nov 2025 at 11:06am

Scottish Independence is an extremely attractive prospect to states at the United Nations, and for reasons that you might not expect. Every state knows that the current UN structure is outdated and indefensible, with five states – US, China, Russia, UK and France – having a permanent seat and a total veto on the Security …

UN Reform and Scottish Independence

The Four Mentors of King Charles
6 Nov 2025 at 3:40pm

As Godfather to Prince William, heir to the British throne, Prince Charles chose his close friend and adviser Laurens van der Post. A paedophile. Van der Post raped a 14 year old girl who had been given into his care for the sea voyage from South Africa to London. He then installed her in a …

The Four Mentors of King Charles

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

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

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

BBC Scotland

Ministers ordered to publish Sturgeon inquiry evidence
28 Nov 2025 at 3:39pm
The Scottish government has been ordered to publish some of the written evidence from an investigation into whether Nicola Sturgeon broke the ministerial code.

Scotland's former Ukip leader denies taking pro-Russian payments
28 Nov 2025 at 12:08pm
A prominent former MEP for Nigel Farage's old party denies taking bribes in a pro-Russian campaign.

Sandie Peggie lawyer says Scottish government is in denial
27 Nov 2025 at 1:08pm
Lawyer Naomi Cunningham says the Supreme Court judgment is "a model of clarity and simplicity".

MSPs pass emergency bill to fix business rates blunder
27 Nov 2025 at 6:56pm
The government is seeking to correct a legislative error in a bid to avoid a £400m bill to refund taxpayers.

No changes to Scottish income tax plan, Robison says
27 Nov 2025 at 12:53pm
The finance secretary says rates will not rise and no new bands will be introduced in January's Budget.

No independence referendum if SNP wins majority, Reeves says
27 Nov 2025 at 12:08pm
The chancellor has refused to support a second vote if the SNP wins a majority of seats in May.

Prestwick Airport remains in public hands as bidder pulls out
27 Nov 2025 at 6:00pm
Prestwick Airport has been owned by the Scottish government since 2013.

Tax, benefits and minimum wage: What does the Budget mean for Scotland?
26 Nov 2025 at 6:01pm
Rachel Reeves has outlined her tax and spending plans but how do they impact on Scotland?

Scotland to receive £820m boost from UK Budget
26 Nov 2025 at 4:31pm
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced her tax and spending plans, many of which will apply directly in Scotland.

'Make-or-break' Budget falls short for oil industry as windfall tax stays
26 Nov 2025 at 1:53pm
North Sea producers say the tax, introduced when Russia's invasion of Ukraine caused oil prices to spike, is crippling the sector.

More North Sea drilling to be allowed in new Labour plan
26 Nov 2025 at 10:32am
The chancellor will unveil the North Sea Strategy in her Budget speech, the BBC understands.

Covid lockdown linked to rise in child developmental issues
26 Nov 2025 at 5:14pm
The University of Edinburgh-led study examined health visitor reports on 258,000 children between March 2020 and August 2021.

Scot Goes Pop

IT'S OFFICIAL: Rachel Reeves confirms Scotland is in a FORCED union with Engl...
28 Nov 2025 at 11:17am
* .* .*With just over one month of the year left to go, the 2025 Scot Goes Pop fundraiser is still short of its target figure.  If you'd like to help keep the lights on during the several months it...

Does the Alba Party's "princess" Shannon Cullen regret her ill-judged associa...
27 Nov 2025 at 1:12pm
In a way it's ironic that the Alba Party have become so vehemently anti-monarchy, because they certainly believe in the principle of Royal Families within their own ranks.  Famously, Christina Hend...

Landmark YouGov poll shows how SNP could win independence by holding the bala...
26 Nov 2025 at 6:08am
* .* .*With just over one month of the year left to go, the 2025 Scot Goes Pop fundraiser is still short of its target figure.  If you'd like to help keep the lights on during the several months it...

Scotland becoming a "YouGov democracy" is not the road to independence
25 Nov 2025 at 6:19am
* .* .*With just over one month of the year left to go, the 2025 Scot Goes Pop fundraiser is still short of its target figure.  If you'd like to help keep the lights on during the several months it...

Nothing succeeds like secession
24 Nov 2025 at 4:45pm
Just a quick note to let you know I am one of the interviewees in Dani Garavelli's Radio 4 documentary If At First You Don't Secede..., which is about the epic saga of the ever-elusive Indyref 2.  ...

"War is not a Hollywood movie. Living, breathing people are the ones who mus...
23 Nov 2025 at 6:23pm
Iuliia Mendel on Twitter: "Every subsequent deal for Ukraine will only be worse ? because we are losing. We are losing people, territory, and the economy.The EU (which by the way has paid Russia mo...

My response to Chris McEleny's allegation that I defamed him in reference to ...
22 Nov 2025 at 4:10am
I received an unsolicited email out of the blue a few hours ago from the Alba Party's disgraced former General Secretary, Chris McEleny, who was sacked and then expelled from the party due to his "...

BREAKING: Stew ducks the debate - it turns out he's NOT a Charlie Kirk type a...
21 Nov 2025 at 4:12pm
After issuing my video debate challenge to controversial blogger Stuart "Stew" Campbell, I said this: "Please do let me know your thrilling excuses for ducking / ignoring this debate challenge at y...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Flynn warns foundations of UK ?can?t and won?t be fixed? as SNP eyes indyref2
29 Nov 2025 at 10:45am
The SNP Westminster leader has urged Scots to back his party at next year?s election.

Scottish Ministers ordered to publish wrongly withheld Sturgeon inquiry evidence
28 Nov 2025 at 6:57pm
The Information Commissioner said ministers failed to disclose some information requested under FOI rules.

Scottish Government update on grooming gangs inquiry to be set out ?before Ch...
27 Nov 2025 at 2:23pm
John Swinney was once again challenged to agree to establish a national inquiry at First Minister's Questions on Thursday.

John Swinney to face FMQs following chancellor?s UK Budget announcement
27 Nov 2025 at 11:45am
The chancellor scrapped the two-child benefit cap among a raft of tax and spending changes on Wednesday.

Net migration falls to lowest in years but number in asylum hotels surges
27 Nov 2025 at 10:02am
Net migration to the UK was estimated at 204,000 in the 12 months to June 2025.

UK Government to allow oil and gas extraction near existing North Sea fields
26 Nov 2025 at 4:54pm
Energy secretary Ed Miliband said it is a ?world-leading? plan

Extra £820m for Scottish Government announced in UK Budget
26 Nov 2025 at 2:30pm
Three Scottish projects will also get cash from the UK Government as part of the 2025 budget.

UK Government refusal to pay for Trump and Vance visits ?deeply disappointing?
26 Nov 2025 at 2:02pm
The estimated additional cost of policing the presidential visit alone was about £20 million.

Tory MSP Maurice Golden says he couldn?t stand for ?shambolic? party at next ...
26 Nov 2025 at 12:58pm
Maurice Golden announced in April that he would not run for re-election next year.

Keir Starmer faces PMQs ahead of Rachel Reeves? ?tax-hiking? budget 
26 Nov 2025 at 12:08pm
There is wide speculation that Labour is planning to raise taxes on Wednesday.

Two-child benefit cap scrapped and taxes hiked in UK Budget
26 Nov 2025 at 12:04pm
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has outlined a host of changes to taxes and spending.

MSP seeks ?consensus? at Holyrood on Bill to criminalise those who buy sex
26 Nov 2025 at 7:36am
Independent MSP Ash Regan has brought forward a member?s Bill at the Scottish Parliament.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set to unveil tax-hiking budget
26 Nov 2025 at 7:00am
The chancellor is due to deliver her second budget in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

Nigel Farage insists he did not racially abuse fellow pupils after interview ...
25 Nov 2025 at 9:08pm
Allegations from more than a dozen school contemporaries suggested the Reform leader engaged in alleged incidents of deeply offensive behaviour.

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Alcohol ban at Scottish football grounds: Everything you need to know about n...
28 Nov 2025 at 2:10pm
Scots football fans are fed-up with a 45-year-old piece of legislation introduced by Margaret Thatcher's government.

Scotland fans could enjoy pint at Euro 2028 under plans for 'extended pilot s...
28 Nov 2025 at 1:34pm
EXCLUSIVE: Tartan Army supporters could be able to toast their side at Hampden Park if Scotland qualify for the European Championships in 2028.

SNP Government ordered to publish Nicola Sturgeon inquiry evidence in transpa...
28 Nov 2025 at 12:38pm
The former first minister was cleared of breaching the ethics code in 2021 following the botched investigation into Alex Salmond.

Former UKIP leader in Scotland denies taking payments from Russia to make pro...
28 Nov 2025 at 9:49am
David Coburn, who served as an MEP for five years, was previously forced to apologise after he compared Humza Yousaf to convicted terrorist Abu Hamza.

Glasgow council leader rejects 'emergency' homeless summit as city faces crisis
28 Nov 2025 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: The SNP's Susan Aitken turned down the plea by the Scottish Tenants Organisation.

Number of asylum seekers living in Scots hotels listed by area
27 Nov 2025 at 2:53pm
New figures show the geographic spread of asylum seekers housed in council areas by the Home Office.

John Swinney to make decision on Scottish grooming gangs probe by Christmas
27 Nov 2025 at 1:42pm
The First Minister met police chiefs earlier this week to hear about the scale of the problem.

John Swinney told extra Budget cash should be spent on offering free school m...
27 Nov 2025 at 11:28am
EXCLUSIVE: Ross Greer said the benefits of providing free school meals to more pupils were "unquestionable."

Rachel Reeves tells SNP to forget second referendum on independence and focus...
27 Nov 2025 at 10:51am
John Swinney has argued his party would have a mandate to stage an IndyRef2 if it wins a majority of MSPs at next May's election.

Irn-Bru maker admits it could change recipe of iconic drink due to sugar tax
27 Nov 2025 at 8:53am
AG Barr said it would "carefully review" the implications of the new sugar tax levy imposed by the UK Government.

The National

The National | Politics

Your Party unveils name shortlist ahead of conference
29 Nov 2025 at 8:32am

THE left-wing party formed by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana will seek use its debut conference to decide on key issues, including a formal name ...

Home Office delays plan to house 300 asylum seekers at Highland barracks
29 Nov 2025 at 8:20am

THE Home Office has delayed plans to house 300 asylum seekers at an army barracks in the Highlands ...

LIVE: Your Party members debate leadership as conference kicks off
29 Nov 2025 at 7:00am

Your Party's founding conference kicks off in Liverpool

Ukraine, Russia, and how history disproves the doctrine of 'nuclear deterrence'
29 Nov 2025 at 5:00am

BEFORE the demise of the USSR, Soviet nuclear weapons were stationed not only in Russia but also Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine ...

Economic case for Union 'torn apart' by Labour's Budget, Stephen Flynn says
29 Nov 2025 at 5:00am

THE economic case for the United Kingdom has been ?torn apart?, Stephen Flynn has said ...

What you need to know ahead of Palestine Action protest in Edinburgh today
29 Nov 2025 at 5:00am

CAMPAIGNERS will rally in Edinburgh this Saturday in protest over the proscription of Palestine Action.

Anas Sarwar invited to North East to see 'damage Labour doing to Scottish ind...
29 Nov 2025 at 5:00am

ANAS Sarwar has been urged to visit the North East to see the ?damage? the UK Government?s windfall tax is having on Scotland?s energy industry ..

This poll shows how Reform UK are riding high. It offers the Yes movement a l...
29 Nov 2025 at 5:00am

?DISILLUSIONED Men? feels almost too on the nose as a report theme ...

Does Anas Sarwar not understand the problem he claims to be solving?
29 Nov 2025 at 5:00am

ANAS Sarwar?s announcements on public-sector staffing and mental health crisis care are being marketed as ?big, bold and meaningful change? ...

No 10 backs Rachel Reeves despite revelations she 'misled public over finances'
28 Nov 2025 at 7:35pm

DOWNING Street has insisted Rachel Reeves did not mislead the public or markets when she warned of difficult decisions needed to fill a black hole in the public finances ? despite new revelations that there was no spending gap at all ...

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

OBR calls in cyber expert over leaked budget analysis
27 Nov 2025 at 4:40pm
The Office for Budget Responsibility has said it will be taking advice from a cybersecurity expert after it leaked an analysis of the budget ?in error? on its website

Rachel Reeves: There won?t be another referendum
27 Nov 2025 at 3:40pm
Shona Robison accused the chancellor of an ?astonishing level of arrogance?

Scottish Government urged to cut income tax
27 Nov 2025 at 2:20pm
Russell Findlay said the decision by the UK Government to abolish the two-child cap on benefits freed up money earmarked to mitigate that policy

Help ban purchase of sex in Scotland, John Swinney is urged
27 Nov 2025 at 1:46pm
Move would 'finally make good on a policy position that we have held for decades', Scottish Parliament hears

Is John Swinney?s new age verification app the first step towards digital ID?
27 Nov 2025 at 10:06am
'The SNP loudly declared their opposition to the UK Government?s Digital ID scheme, so it is very interesting that they seem to be ushering in a scheme of their own,' said Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton

Scots ?cooling? on immigration ? but voters still want workers
27 Nov 2025 at 7:01am
Change does not equate to 'outright hostility', think tank Migration Policy Scotland finds

Council had ?gaps in cybersecurity? before ransomware attack
27 Nov 2025 at 7:00am
A report into a cyberattack on a Scottish council has found the local authority had not properly prepared for such an event

Scottish scientists pioneer autism diagnosis video game
27 Nov 2025 at 6:00am
Scientists at the University of Strathclyde have developed a video game that could detect autism in children aged between two and six years old

UK Government scraps two-child limit amid tax-raising budget
26 Nov 2025 at 2:16pm
The Scottish Government will receive an additional ?820m over the period of the spending review

Scottish ministers urged to establish grooming gangs inquiry after NSPCC inte...
25 Nov 2025 at 5:48pm
A minister said she wanted to ensure an inquiry was the best use of resources

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

Starmer says budget did not break manifesto tax pledge ? as it happened
27 Nov 2025 at 5:54pm
PM says: ?We kept to our manifesto in terms of what we?ve promised. But I accept the challenge that we?ve asked everybody to contribute?Ask the Guardian your budget questionsShare your views on the new ?mansion tax?Budget calculator: find out if you are better or worse offThe Conservative party i...

Uk politics: Streeting defends asylum policy, but says he?s not ?comfortable?...
19 Nov 2025 at 5:31pm
Health secretary still maintains that forced removals are ?right thing to do for the country?Healey is now taking questions.Q: How close are are we to war?It is Labour that is the party of defence. Continue reading...

Starmer stands by McSweeney and says he has been ?assured no briefings agains...
13 Nov 2025 at 6:06pm
This blog has now closed, you can read more on this story herePA Media has more on what the monthly performance figures from NHS England show. PA says:The data shows 180,329 people in England had been waiting more than a year to start routine hospital treatment at the end of September, down from ...

Scotland plans to issue £1.5bn of its own bonds ? ?kilts? rather than gilts
13 Nov 2025 at 12:48pm
Announcement by first minister John Swinney comes after Moody?s and S&P give country same credit rating as UKThe Scottish first minister John Swinney has said Edinburgh is on track to issue its own government bonds, nicknamed ?kilts?, after the country was given the same credit rating as the UK.T...

The Guardian view on Scottish land reform: vast estates remain feudal in scal...
9 Nov 2025 at 5:25pm
Half of the country?s privately owned countryside is held by just 421 owners. New legislation suggests democrats still fear powerful interestsNo other European country has such a narrow base of proprietorship as Scotland. Half of all privately owned rural land is held by 421 people or entities. T...

Nicola Sturgeon: I understand why people doubt my ignorance of alleged SNP em...
7 Nov 2025 at 3:20pm
?Trust me, I had no idea? about potential wrongdoing in Scottish National party, says former first ministerNicola Sturgeon on leadership, scandal and trolling the trolls ? podcastNicola Sturgeon has said she fully understands why many people find it hard to believe she had no idea about alleged e...

Nicola Sturgeon on leadership, scandal and trolling the trolls ? podcast
7 Nov 2025 at 5:00am
In a special, bonus episode of Politics Weekly, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey sit down with Scotland?s former first minister Nicola Sturgeon for a frank conversation about her time in office and the future of nationalist politics.Nothing is off the table: her leadership, Covid, the gender row tha...

Lammy says he was not ?equipped with the details? when facing questions on mi...
6 Nov 2025 at 5:22pm
This live blog is now closed, you can read more on this story hereDavid Lammy, the deputy PM and justice secretary, has welcomed the fact that Billy Smith is back in custody, but described the spike in release mistakes as ?unacceptable?.According to PA Media, Lammy said:William Smith is back in c...

Met police issue statement with more information about missing Algerian priso...
5 Nov 2025 at 6:18pm
This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story hereDavid Lammy starts by saying the PM is in Brazil.He says the thoughts of all MPs are still with the victims of the appalling attacks in Huntingdon and Peterborough, where, he says, he was at school for seven years. Continue reading...

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

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

The lie that protects the rich from tax rises
27 Nov 2025 at 3:30pm
Better late than never, Rachel Reeves finally followed the lead of the SNP Government in Holyrood and announced that the heinous two child cap on benefits will finally be abolished from May next year, cue a load of hypocritical Labour MPs trying to pretend that they supported this measure all along despite voting to keep …

Hope of a better Scotland can defeat the far right
25 Nov 2025 at 2:42pm
Racists complain that migrants don’t want to learn English and integrate, but when migrants do want to learn English and integrate, racists mount a protest outside the school where English language lessons are being given to the mothers of some of the pupils, insisting that they are “protecting our kids” from unvetted adults on school …

The Scottish media?s covid double standards
21 Nov 2025 at 1:37pm
Did Nicola Sturgeon get everything right during the Covid pandemic when she headed a devolved government limited powers at its disposal and she was faced with an anti-independence Scottish media that screamed she was politicising the pandemic in order to further the cause of independence whenever she sought to diverge from the line being taken …

A Labour vote in Scotland is a vote not to matter
19 Nov 2025 at 5:01pm
You’ve got to hand it to the Labour party, they are certainly consistent, consistent in their shafting of Scottish workers. It’s almost as though, despite Labour’s protestations to the contrary, Scottish votes don’t matter to the Labour party and its strategists. We’ve seen a party which campaigned on the slogan vote Labour to save Grangemouth …

Starmer?s Labour enables fascism
17 Nov 2025 at 6:58pm
When the race baiting far right criminal Stephen Yaxley-Lennon and the hard right Reform UK are praising Labour’s policies, you know that something has gone profoundly wrong in a party which purports to be on the centre-left. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced a set of measures which are aimed at making the lives of …

Just get your boots off our necks, Westminster
14 Nov 2025 at 3:23pm
In an interview with The National newspaper, the actor Alan Cumming, who currently hosts the US version of the popular show The Traitors and who is outspoken in his support for Scottish independence, demanded “Get just get your boots off our necks, Westminster.” He made the powerful call for Scottish self-determination in connection with the …

No, independence supporters? compaints about BBC bias are nothing like Trump
12 Nov 2025 at 3:01pm
There is certainly no love lost between supporters of Scottish independence and the BBC. It is however egregious I’m-not-a-nationalist-I’m-British bollocks to suggest, as former Labour party hack Carlos Alba writes in Wednesday’s Herald newspaper, that Yes supporters are now on the side of Donald Trump as he threatens the Corporation with a billion dollar lawsuit …

Believe in Scotland?s path to independence, the routemap we need
10 Nov 2025 at 7:25pm
I have previously blogged about my view that the UK is entering a terminal phase crisis which it is unlikely to survive in its current form. The pro-independence campaign group Believe in Scotland is of a similar opinion and believes that this crisis provides Scotland and Wales with a unique opportunity to seize independence and …

Labour?s doomed attempt to paint the SNP as a threat to national security
6 Nov 2025 at 3:34pm
The oil is running out, all the banks will leave, you won’t have a pension, you can’t use the pound, the EU won’t let you back in, and now we have – the SNP are a threat to national security. This wasn’t an off the cuff remark from a harried Labour minister being put under …

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

The Courier

[CaRP] Can't open remote newsfeed [403].
Scottish Politics News From Holyrood and Westminster | The Courier

Could Rosyth-Europe ferry set sail thanks to Brexit reset?
27 May 2025 at 6:01am
Hopes have been raised for a simple solution to a cross-border problem.

Kirkcaldy MP demands pro-suicide forum is torn down
26 May 2025 at 6:01am
Around 100 suicides have been linked to the sickening forum which provides guidance to people on ending their life.

UHI Perth aviation students warn of ?unsettling times? after training firm?s ...
26 May 2025 at 6:00am
Worried Samuel Hughes, 19, is among students sharing their fears at a time of crisis for Perth College.

Fresh Dundee University strike begins over compulsory Levehulme Centre job cuts
26 May 2025 at 6:00am
University staff are taking five days of industrial action as the institution pushes ahead with plans to axe the forensic research hub.

NHS Fife nurse at centre of controversial trans tribunal suing her own trade ...
25 May 2025 at 2:32pm
A&E medic Sandie Peggie is now taking legal action against the Royal College of Nursing.

EXCLUSIVE: Dundee University still to strike rescue deal with government
23 May 2025 at 5:46pm
Opposition MSPs have expressed concern at the time taken to agree a deal almost a month after the fresh recovery plan was unveiled.

6 senior figures who left Dundee University during financial crisis
23 May 2025 at 5:10pm
Several university chiefs have moved on since £30m financial black hole emerged.

Dundee University activist artist leads degree show protest over financial cr...
23 May 2025 at 4:45pm
Duncan of Jordanstone student Finn Millar says he wants to play a part in "keeping the university alive".

John Swinney admits constituents have expressed Perth leisure concerns to him
23 May 2025 at 6:01am
The first minister wants further talks between both sides of Perth leisure debate.

EXCLUSIVE: Dundee University chief operating officer Jim McGeorge quits
22 May 2025 at 1:58pm
Dr Jim McGeorge ? who was responsible for good governance - had been on a period of extended leave.

Talking up Scotland

Talking-up Scotland 'Albatraz'

Youth suicides in Scotland fall after Scottish Government?s ?stand-out? initi...
29 Nov 2025 at 9:57am
Professor John Robertson OBA The Daily Record is getting right into making money from youth suicides but, of course, not telling you the whole story. They don’t even define ‘youth’ so I have the stats for the 15-24 and 5-24 groups and both are falling. For the 15-24 group, overall suicides are down 12% from 2023 and the average age at suicide – 47.5 years suggests a shift toward older adults wi...

Crime in Scotland falls 37% from 2007 to barely half the level in England and...
29 Nov 2025 at 8:55am
Professor John Robertson OBA From Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: November 2025 published on 27 November 2025: Police recorded crime changed little between year ending June 2024 and year ending June 2025, increasing by 1%. The total number of crimes recorded by the police in Scotland in the year ending June 2025 was 303,343. This was 3,265 crimes (or 1%) higher tha...

Despite flu surge NHS Scotland?s greater resilience is preventing hospitals b...
29 Nov 2025 at 8:53am
Professor John Robertson OBA From Viral respiratory diseases in Scotland surveillance report published 27 November 2025 (Latest release): Influenza levels continued to rise in Scotland in week 47, with a sharp rise in laboratory-confirmed cases (from 555 to 805) and hospital admissions (279 to 391), and higher test positivity (from 11.0% to 15.8%). All age groups are now affected at levels not ...

Scots taxpayers to pay £200 million for new nuclear power stations in England
29 Nov 2025 at 8:46am
Professor John Robertson OBA Thanks to Dorothy for alerting me to this. In the Guardian today, the above and: UK energy bill payers will hand over £2bn a year in subsidies to EDF, the French company building two nuclear power stations, according to government figures. EDF, owned by the French government, will be entitled to £1bn in annual payments as soon as Hinkley Point C, in Somerset, comes ...

News you won?t hear ? Scottish Government?s ?world-leading? legislation on NH...
28 Nov 2025 at 12:04pm
Professor John Robertson OBA From the Scottish Government yesterday: The Health and Care (Staffing) (Scotland) Act 2019 (?the Act?) is the UK?s first multidisciplinary staffing legislation and Scotland became world leading by enshrining such legislation which applies across our entire health and care system. This legislative step reflected our unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality ca...

How can this be a matter for government comment when that isn?t? BBC Scotland...
28 Nov 2025 at 10:09am
Professor John Robertson OBA BBC Scotland today had the above, left, story: People suffering from the chronic pain condition fibromyalgia are being failed by the NHS, according to new research which found patients were waiting years for diagnosis, undergoing unnecessary tests and being prescribed harmful drugs. Researchers at Aberdeen University said some doctors were even refusing to refer pat...

How can future of GP services in Scotland be ?hanging in the balance? when on...
28 Nov 2025 at 9:38am
Professor John Robertson OBA The BMA Scotland really needs to think about their relationship with the Scottish Government before they start making claims like the above. Specifically on GP supply and access, a useful exercise might be to look south. From LBC News yesterday: Wes Streeting hits out at BMA for ‘misleading’ claims amid GP access row The Health Secretary and the union are locked in ...

Ajax armoured vehicles, 12 years late, way over budget at £10 million each, t...
28 Nov 2025 at 8:26am
Professor John Robertson OBA Thanks to rtpscott for alerting me to this. Andrew, above is hanging on to his title just in case his Ajax armoured vehicle soon becomes less useful than a horse. I predict AI drones will refuse to kill horses. I think he’s wearing his beret low to cover a suspicious swelling he’s had since testing out his Ajax and which might make his prompted claim on Sky News tha...

320 000 THANK YOUs to SNP as their policies benefit 16 times as many children...
28 Nov 2025 at 8:23am
Professor John Robertson OBA Have a look at the Daily Record news website. It’s quite a shock. Endless utterly naked propaganda trying to claim far more for Labour achievements than they effect and to laughably credit Anas for influencing the London Party. The above front page is only going to work on someone who has no idea that SNP policies have taken 100 000 children out of poverty, 5 times ...

SNP buy Prestwick Airport for just £1, make £10 million profit and create 4 5...
28 Nov 2025 at 8:17am
The Ayrshire Daily New’s Doug Maclean, has a fine piece of journalism serving the information needs of the community. Professor John Robertson OBA Thanks to Robert Martin for alerting me to this. Both Prestwick airport and its sister airport at Manston in Kent were available for sale in 2013. Both were losing money and the company that owned them were not able or prepared to invest in their lon...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

No independence referendum if SNP wins majority, Reeves says - BBC
27 Nov 2025 at 12:08pm
No independence referendum if SNP wins majority, Reeves says  BBC

This poll shows how Reform UK are riding high. It offers the Yes movement a l...
29 Nov 2025 at 5:06am
This poll shows how Reform UK are riding high. It offers the Yes movement a lesson  TheNational.scot

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

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

Scotland casts fresh eye on independence vote as UK's political landscape shi...
24 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
Scotland casts fresh eye on independence vote as UK's political landscape shifts  Courthouse News

Rachel Reeves accused of 'astonishing arrogance' over Scottish independence r...
27 Nov 2025 at 10:51am
Rachel Reeves accused of 'astonishing arrogance' over Scottish independence referendum call  The Scotsman

Must Scotland consult Nostradamus to find out how we hold another referendum?...
28 Nov 2025 at 4:05pm
Must Scotland consult Nostradamus to find out how we hold another referendum?  The Herald

A Fresh Start with Independence - The Scottish Government
8 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
A Fresh Start with Independence  The Scottish Government

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

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

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

No independence referendum if SNP wins majority, Reeves says - BBC
27 Nov 2025 at 12:08pm
No independence referendum if SNP wins majority, Reeves says  BBC

Labour is big spender, but SNP will take all the credit - The Herald
29 Nov 2025 at 6:35am
Labour is big spender, but SNP will take all the credit  The Herald

SNP calls for ?fresh start? at fifth term at Holyrood - Morning Star | The Pe...
29 Nov 2025 at 12:01am
SNP calls for ?fresh start? at fifth term at Holyrood  Morning Star | The People?s Daily

Exclusive: Housing Minister Mairi McAllan 'not even considering' future SNP l...
29 Nov 2025 at 6:00am
Exclusive: Housing Minister Mairi McAllan 'not even considering' future SNP leadership bid  The Scotsman

Blow to SNP as MSPs vote to remove entire section from flagship nature bill -...
26 Nov 2025 at 6:04pm
Blow to SNP as MSPs vote to remove entire section from flagship nature bill  TheNational.scot

John Swinney promises SNP will do "everything in our power" to protect kids f...
29 Nov 2025 at 4:30am
John Swinney promises SNP will do "everything in our power" to protect kids from epidemic of youth suicide  Daily Record

Labour believes ?welfare over work? Budget will help beat SNP in Scotland - T...
28 Nov 2025 at 4:24pm
Labour believes ?welfare over work? Budget will help beat SNP in Scotland  The Telegraph

Flynn warns foundations of UK ?can?t and won?t be fixed? as SNP eyes indyref2...
29 Nov 2025 at 12:01am
Flynn warns foundations of UK ?can?t and won?t be fixed? as SNP eyes indyref2  The Independent

Nicola Sturgeon: I understand why people doubt my ignorance of alleged SNP em...
7 Nov 2025 at 8:00am
Nicola Sturgeon: I understand why people doubt my ignorance of alleged SNP embezzlement  The Guardian

SNP leader John Swinney: ?Scotland and England are going in completely differ...
25 Nov 2025 at 5:03am
SNP leader John Swinney: ?Scotland and England are going in completely different directons?  The Irish Times

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

No independence referendum if SNP wins majority, Reeves says - BBC
27 Nov 2025 at 12:08pm
No independence referendum if SNP wins majority, Reeves says  BBC

Must Scotland consult Nostradamus to find out how we hold another referendum?...
28 Nov 2025 at 4:05pm
Must Scotland consult Nostradamus to find out how we hold another referendum?  The Herald

Rachel Reeves accused of 'astonishing arrogance' over Scottish independence r...
27 Nov 2025 at 10:51am
Rachel Reeves accused of 'astonishing arrogance' over Scottish independence referendum call  The Scotsman

Why Alberta?s push for independence pales in comparison to Scotland?s in 2014...
27 May 2025 at 8:00am
Why Alberta?s push for independence pales in comparison to Scotland?s in 2014  The Conversation

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

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

Scotland casts fresh eye on independence vote as UK's political landscape shi...
24 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
Scotland casts fresh eye on independence vote as UK's political landscape shifts  Courthouse News

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

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

Part Two: What an independent Scotland could look like - A Fresh Start with I...
8 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
Part Two: What an independent Scotland could look like - A Fresh Start with Independence  The Scottish Government