The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Anas Sarwar set to resign as Scottish Labour leader to join Andy Burnham's go...
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
21 Jul 2026 at 7:18pm
Anas Sarwar is set to resign as leader of Scottish Labour.


Inside Burnham?s gamble on Douglas Alexander after Labour?s Holyrood disaster
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
21 Jul 2026 at 12:42pm
Douglas Alexander survived Andy Burnham?s Cabinet reshuffle despite criticism over Scottish Labour?s Holyrood campaign. Here?s why he stayed.


Burnham to Swinney: 'We'll have to agree to disagree on independence'
21 Jul 2026 at 10:19am
Prime Minister Andy Burnham told First Minister John Swinney they will have to ?agree to disagree? on independence in a call on Tuesday, a UK Government source said.


Swinney raises independence referendum in first call with Burnham
21 Jul 2026 at 9:15am
First Minister John Swinney has invited the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to visit north of the border ?at the earliest opportunity? in a call on Tuesday where Mr Swinney raised the issue of Scottish independence.


Employment and unemployment in Scotland both up in latest ONS figures
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
21 Jul 2026 at 8:18am
Both employment and unemployment have risen in Scotland in the latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics


Burnham faces questions over funding for £850m VAT cut on electricity bills
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
21 Jul 2026 at 8:10am
Andy Burnham has cut VAT on domestic electricity bills to zero from October, saving households around £45 a year but his first major policy as Prime Minister is already under pressure over how the £850 million cost will be met.


Scottish aerospace and defence sectors contribute £2.3bn a year to economy
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
21 Jul 2026 at 5:00am
Scotland's aerospace and defence sectors contribute a combined £2.3 billion to the economy and support 24,000 jobs, yet trade body ADS warns the industries remain politically marginalised.


Burnham keeps Alexander in Scotland Office as he makes sweeping changes to Ca...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
20 Jul 2026 at 9:10pm
Andy Burnham has overhauled Labour's top team in a sweeping first-day reshuffle, making John Healey Chancellor, returning Louise Haigh and Angela Rayner to Cabinet, and leaving Douglas Alexander in the Scotland Office despite speculation of a promotion.


John Healey made Chancellor as Burnham stages show of Labour unity
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
20 Jul 2026 at 6:20pm
John Healey has been appointed Chancellor by Andy Burnham after days of Labour infighting.


Burnham's tax tweak is good for Scottish workers but bad for Scottish ministers
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
20 Jul 2026 at 5:11pm
Andy Burnham has hinted at unfreezing the £12,570 personal allowance. But a quirk of Scotland's tax structure means any rise could quietly widen Holyrood's already severe budget gap.


Shelter Scotland challenges new PM Burnham over rough sleeping pledge
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
20 Jul 2026 at 3:53pm
Shelter Scotland says Andy Burnham must tackle Westminster policies and invest in social housing to end rough sleeping across Scotland.


Former Yes Scotland chief distances himself from 'mocking' social media post
20 Jul 2026 at 3:50pm
The former boss of the Yes Scotland campaign group has distanced himself from a social media post which appeared to mock claims £1.5million went missing as part of its bid to win the 2014 referendum.


Glasgow 2026 exhibition highlights LGBTQ+ criminalisation across Commonwealth
by rose.moncur@newsquest.co.uk | Rose Moncur
20 Jul 2026 at 1:42pm
The Zero Flags Commonwealth exhibition launches in Glasgow during the 2026 Games, highlighting countries where LGBTQ+ people still face criminalisation.


Andy Burnham promises to build 'national unity' in first speech as Prime Mini...
20 Jul 2026 at 12:57pm
Andy Burnham has promised "to build a national sense of unity" in the UK as he became the seventh Prime Minister in a decade today after Sir Keir Starmer?s resignation

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Burnham pledges 'cost-of-living government' as he announces £850m VAT cut on ...
21 Jul 2026 at 5:07pm

Electricity bills will be VAT free from October 1

Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, appeared at Westminster Magistrates? Court on Tuesday over the death of Reform UK spokeswoman and former Tory minister.

There had been speculation Mr Alexander could be replaced

We now know who will be setting the political agenda in the months to come.

The two leaders spoke for the first time since the Prime Minister took office over on the phone on Tuesday morning.

Andy Burnham promised to deliver the biggest change to British politics in 40 years as he became Prime Minister

The new PM sacked nearly a dozen senior ministers as he announced his new government.

Andy Burnham?s ascension paled in comparison to when Sir Keir Starmer took office two years ago.

Wings over Scotland

The Wheels Of Industry
20 Jul 2026 at 2:49pm
Last Friday’s edition of The National ran this guff: And as we often are, we were put in mind of the greatest politics book ever written. We’d really need to quote a much longer section to fully convey the point – ideally just read all of the piece linked above – but this passage will …

Progressing To Oblivion
19 Jul 2026 at 3:21pm
It’s now more than three years since this site drew attention to the curious case of Progress Scotland, the zombie “polling company” run by the SNP’s Angus Robertson that had no employees and hadn’t published any polls since October 2020, but was apparently still accepting, and soliciting, donations from subscribers, and appeared to have disposed …

These Words Are My Own
17 Jul 2026 at 9:59pm
It’s been another fabulous day on the front pages for Nicola Sturgeon. The stories were triggered by a speech in the House Of Commons from Tory MP Sir David Davis, which you can watch below. ? (It was meant to be a much longer speech, but Davis had to truncate it on the hoof from …

A Matter Of Declinature
15 Jul 2026 at 5:05pm
Our solicitor has this afternoon written to the Deputy Chief Constable. We’ll await his response with interest.

The Invisible Rabbit
15 Jul 2026 at 11:30am
Further to Monday’s letter from the Deputy Chief Constable, we’ve now submitted the following Freedom Of Information request to Police Scotland, as per his suggestion. - To: FOI <foi@scotland.police.uk> 15 July 2026 This week I received a letter from DCC Stuart Houston. It notes in part: “During this time, Police Scotland utilised financial investigators, financial …

Blue In The Face
14 Jul 2026 at 1:13pm
Before we start, let’s note that this took 37 days. As you’re about to read, it says almost nothing other than “Please go away now”. It takes quite a long time to say it, but nevertheless those four words are pretty much the sum total of the actual content. It does not in any way …

The Unstoppable Lie Machine
13 Jul 2026 at 7:00pm
Six weeks ago, Nicola Sturgeon said this: Today, on her behalf, her perpetually furious lawyer said this: So she was lying. Imagine literally nobody’s surprise. “I have nothing to hide, but I’m going to hide it anyway” is flawlessly in character. (Though we must take a moment to note that the idea of anyone bothering …

Step One
12 Jul 2026 at 3:05pm
Today’s Sunday Mail leads for the second weekend in a row on questions about the finances of Yes Scotland. But there’s a paragraph in the online version of the story that doesn’t make the print edition, and it’s a shame, because it’s a very telling one. This is it, from Yes Scotland’s former marketing director …

It just takes a beat
10 Jul 2026 at 12:58pm
Looks like we turned that round pretty fast, gang. Six weeks ago: And today: Amazing what a draft document and a KC opinion can do, eh? A casual observer might be forgiven for thinking that the SNP was absolutely cold-sweat desperate to avoid a civil case that would set a powerful precedent for a legal …

The Only Notes That Really Count
9 Jul 2026 at 8:01pm
Wings has this evening received a formal legal opinion from Roddy Dunlop KC with regard to the prospects of success of a claim of fraudulent breach of trust by the SNP against donors to the “ringfenced” referendum campaign fundraisers. We attach it below. We continue to seek more people to join the group – if …

Craig Murray

Where Are We Going?
20 Jul 2026 at 1:25pm

An advert for the RNLI caught my attention because it indicated that the majority of their income comes from bequests in wills. The pitch was that, after you provide for your loved ones, you should leave money to the RNLI. I have no problem with this, having generations of lifeboatmen in my ancestry, but it …

Where Are We Going?

Extreme Unionism and Res Judicata
14 Jul 2026 at 5:02pm

Unsurprisingly, today at the Court of Session Lord Young refused to lift his suspension or “sist” of the Scottish judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action. He did however grant us leave to appeal against this decision. What was surprising was an extreme extension of the UK government’s argument. The UK government stated that …

Extreme Unionism and Res Judicata

The Ditching of Nigel Farage
11 Jul 2026 at 8:36am

Nigel Farage is the most consequential British politician of the 21st century. Certainly a more important historic figure than any of the last eight Prime Ministers. Tony Blair is the only realistic rival. Without Farage, the UK would never have left the European Union. Farage’s role in forcing the issue to the top of the …

The Ditching of Nigel Farage

Palestine Action Proscription: We Fight Back
1 Jul 2026 at 12:50pm

I publish below in full the Note we have submitted to Court today to re-establish the separate Scottish judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action. Not only is the state doubling down on prosecution of pro-Palestine activists, a new National Security State Threats Bill is being fast tracked through parliament to extend the attack …

Palestine Action Proscription: We Fight Back

The Middle East, Hormuz and the New Mercantilism
29 Jun 2026 at 9:50am

The provisional surrender document signed by Donald Trump appeared to represent a triumph for Iran and indeed for the world; but neither the USA nor Israel has the slightest sense of honour and they cannot be trusted to negotiate in good faith. Iran knows this – after all, the USA twice attacked Iran actually during …

The Middle East, Hormuz and the New Mercantilism

The UK Joins the Pirates
15 Jun 2026 at 1:21pm

I was genuinely surprised by the Starmer regime’s refusal to state that the Israeli boarding of the Global Sumud flotilla on the High Seas was illegal. I did not realise it was because the UK was planning to undertake similar illegal seizure itself. The Gaza Flotilla seizure was illegal: while for obvious reasons freedom of …

The UK Joins the Pirates

BBC Scotland

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar set to become a minister in Burnham's gove...
21 Jul 2026 at 8:36pm
It would mean Sarwar leaving the Scottish Parliament and his leader role, then taking up a seat in the House of Lords.

New PM Burnham tells John Swinney 'agree to disagree' on Scottish independence
21 Jul 2026 at 12:18pm
Scotland's first minister raised the issue of Scottish independence during a phone call with Andy Burnham on Tuesday morning, in the hopes of advancing the debate.

Douglas Alexander to remain Scottish Secretary as Burnham confirms cabinet
21 Jul 2026 at 9:45am
A host of cabinet ministers in the Starmer government are leaving their jobs, but Alexander said he was "very happy" to stay.

Will Scotland buy Burnham's vision of a 'rewired' Britain?
20 Jul 2026 at 6:14am
Andy Burnham enters Downing Street promising more devolution and economic growth but what does that mean for Scotland?

Burnham to announce plans for new North Sea oil and gas drilling
18 Jul 2026 at 4:46pm
Drilling has become a controversial topic for the Labour party after the 2024 manifesto pledged to not issue new licences.

Is Burnham promising a new dawn for North Sea oil and gas?
19 Jul 2026 at 3:27pm
The incoming PM is expected to announce fresh support for the North Sea from day one of his premiership.

Government drops plans to stop paying coastguard volunteers
16 Jul 2026 at 9:11pm
UK transport minister Keir Mather says he had listened to the views of coastguard rescue officers.

Swinney wants 'constructive relationship' with Labour leader Burnham
17 Jul 2026 at 3:28pm
John Swinney congratulated the former mayor of Greater Manchester after he was confirmed as UK Labour's new leader.

Union pushes ministers to deliver promise of work for state-owned shipyard
16 Jul 2026 at 6:13am
The GMB has accused ministers of dragging their feet over new work for Ferguson Marine which as announced before the Holyrood election.

Faslane set for £15bn upgrade to increase 'warfighting readiness'
14 Jul 2026 at 6:29pm
The revamp of the base, which houses the UK's nuclear submarine fleet, will be carried out over the next decade.

Yes Scotland hands accounts to police after 'missing £1.5m' complaint
14 Jul 2026 at 2:22pm
The group which campaigned for independence in the 2014 referendum insists all its funds have been accounted for.

Sturgeon's police statement on SNP finances won't be released, says lawyer
13 Jul 2026 at 10:50pm
The former first minister exercised her right to give a "no comment" police interview, later sending a written statement to officers.

Scot Goes Pop

The case for optimism that the next general election WILL be used as a de fac...
21 Jul 2026 at 2:51pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos:Scottish independence could now be just one or two years away fr...

A progress report on the Scot Goes Pop video channel - plus a question for it...
21 Jul 2026 at 12:40am
I was planning to make a video tonight about Andy Burnham's first day as Prime Minister, but then I thought back to how hilariously off-beam some of the reactions to Liz Truss and Keir Starmer were...

On the day Andy Burnham becomes Prime Minister, Scottish independence could n...
20 Jul 2026 at 11:10am
If you'd like to support my YouTube channel and help it to grow further, please visit my Ko-Fi page, where you can either make a one-off donation of any amount you choose, or set up a small recurri...

Not "hatred" or "bigotry" after all: in stunning turnaround, the British esta...
17 Jul 2026 at 12:42pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos:"Self-Determination for the Falklands but NOT for Scotland!" - W...

"Democratic Self-Determination for the Falkland Islands but NOT for Scotland!...
14 Jul 2026 at 6:56pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos:"Self-Determination for the Falklands but NOT for Scotland!" - W...

SNP vote INCREASES in Larkhall by-election as Burnham FAILS his first Scottis...
13 Jul 2026 at 12:24am
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos:Disaster for Burnham as Labour languish in JOINT THIRD in YouGov...

Why so many Scots want NORWAY to beat England in the World Cup: three CRACKIN...
10 Jul 2026 at 2:20pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos:Disaster for Burnham as Labour languish in JOINT THIRD in YouGov...

Disaster for Burnham as Labour languish in JOINT THIRD in YouGov Scottish sub...
8 Jul 2026 at 3:01pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos:Another stunning SNP by-election GAIN as the Tories go into FREE...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Andy Burnham?s Government ?will meet international defence commitments?, chan...
21 Jul 2026 at 12:02pm
John Healey unexpectedly emerged as Andy Burnham's chancellor after quitting as defence secretary under Keir Starmer

?Honour? for Douglas Alexander to stay as Scottish secretary under Burnham
21 Jul 2026 at 10:32am
Alexander was appointed by Sir Keir Starmer, and held on despite the new PM purging a number of leading figures from the Cabinet

Burnham scraps VAT on electricity bills in first major policy announcement as PM
21 Jul 2026 at 5:20am
Burnham and his new Chancellor John Healey announced that VAT will be removed from domestic electricity bills from October 1 to give families "breathing space".

Man, 28, charged with murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe
20 Jul 2026 at 6:56pm
Joshua Kerry, from Rotherham, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates? Court on Tuesday

Can Andy Burnham end rough sleeping in Scotland?
20 Jul 2026 at 4:47pm
There's a new PM at 10 Downing Street but the same old problem persists: How do you eradicate rough sleeping and solve the housing crisis?

Live: Andy Burnham becomes UK Prime Minister 
20 Jul 2026 at 9:24am
Andy Burnham has become the Prime Minister of the UK following Keir Starmer's resignation

Andy Burnham must deliver emergency budget to ?reverse damage?, says SNP
20 Jul 2026 at 6:48am
SNP Westminster leader Dave Doogan said that Burnham would be ?judged on his actions not words?.

Donald Trump celebrates reports Andy Burnham could back more North Sea drilling
19 Jul 2026 at 4:18pm
Burnham has not confirmed reports he is considering approving new fossil fuel production - but on social media, Trump claimed he said he would

Scottish Government has ?failed? Disclosure Scotland waiting times, Labour says
19 Jul 2026 at 4:07pm
The party said on Sunday that 'urgent action' is needed to cut waiting times for PVG checks with the longest wait running to 301 days

Scottish Green MSP to take leave of absence to treat chronic illness
19 Jul 2026 at 12:18pm
Cara McKee has said she will will go on leave while she undergoes a planned medical procedure to treat trigeminal neuralgia.

Burnham will scrap digital ID to focus on cost of living
19 Jul 2026 at 12:06pm
A spokesperson for the incoming prime minister said his Government would 'put its focus where people need it right now'

Being transgender is not the most interesting thing about me, says Green MSP
19 Jul 2026 at 11:03am
Iris Duane made history alongside her party colleague Q Mannivanan as the first openly transgender MSPs in the Scottish Parliament.

Andy Burnham urged to stick to Labour manifesto on North Sea oil
18 Jul 2026 at 3:26pm
Allies of the new Labour leader have said he intends to make a ?dynamic? start to his premiership, when he formally takes over from Keir Starmer

MP should not have ?hidden behind parliamentary privilege? on Sturgeon ? Gilruth
17 Jul 2026 at 2:37pm
The Scottish deputy first minister said Sir David should have shared his views publicly, rather than in the Commons

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

'What happens next for Scottish Labour after the resignation of Anas Sarwar?'
21 Jul 2026 at 8:23pm
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon, who broke the story of Anas Sarwar's resignation, says a divisive leadership contest is in the offing.

Anas Sarwar set to quit as Scottish Labour leader to take role in Andy Burnha...
21 Jul 2026 at 7:08pm
EXCLUSIVE: The Record can exclusively reveal the Glasgow MSP will take up a job in the new Government.

'The first phone call between Andy Burnham and John Swinney shows trouble is ...
21 Jul 2026 at 5:00pm
In an analysis, Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says the two leaders have differences that cannot be reconciled.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham 'slapped down' John Swinney over call for indyref2
21 Jul 2026 at 9:26am
EXCLUSIVE: A source said Burnham did not waver on a second independence referendum.

John Swinney raises indyref2 in first conversation with new Prime Minister An...
21 Jul 2026 at 9:13am
A statement by the SNP Government suggested a cordial chat took place between the two leaders.

Andy Burnham RECAP as Cabinet takes shape with Miliband, Rayner, Streeting an...
20 Jul 2026 at 11:02pm
Andy Burnham marked his first day as Prime Minister today after meeting the King.

Former Yes Scotland chief executive criticises X post making fun of 'missing ...
20 Jul 2026 at 4:21pm
The statement was issued by Aamer Anwar, who is representing former Yes Scotland CEO Blair Jenkins.

'Andy Burnham calls time on the gloominess of the past as he backs hope'
20 Jul 2026 at 1:17pm
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says the contrast between Andy Burnham and Keir Starmer in their early days as PM is stark

Former Labour First Minister urges party to have 'proper' review into Holyroo...
20 Jul 2026 at 4:30am
Lord McConnell said politics is stronger when debate takes place.

Andy Burnham will help country 'defeat the Right' as new chapter for Labour o...
20 Jul 2026 at 4:30am
In his Daily Record column, Scottish Labour Anas Sarwar says he is delighted Burnham will become Prime Minister today.

The National

The National | Politics

Anas Sarwar to quit as Scottish Labour leader and join Andy Burnham's Government
21 Jul 2026 at 7:55pm

ANAS Sarwar is set to quit as Scottish Labour leader and become a minister in Andy Burnham's UK Government, according to reports ...

What exactly is the problem with our MSPs being landlords?
21 Jul 2026 at 6:30pm

I WAS puzzled by the headline in Friday?s National ?Revealed: MSPs? earnings from properties? and the accompanying two-page detailed account of the property interests of Scotland?s MSPs. I assume this information was trawled from the freely available MSP declarations of interest, a task which could be carried out by anyone with an hour or two to spare.

We need your help to make the case for a citizens? convention
21 Jul 2026 at 6:30pm

AS readers of and contributors to the National Conversation, I?d like to invite you to a revolution.

There are more than two options open to the Yes campaign
21 Jul 2026 at 6:30pm

PETER A Bell (Letters, Jul 19) makes a powerful case: the Section 30 process is a dead end; Westminster holds a veto; a de facto referendum risks a contested, inconclusive result; and independence ultimately requires an act of Scottish self-assertion.

We need action to set up a convention, not just yet more talk
21 Jul 2026 at 6:30pm

I READ Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp?s article in The National on Friday and I have been hearing people talk at independence marches about holding a Scottish constitutional convention or forming a strategy committee for the best part of the last ten years (Independence needs a strategy for victory, not a shortcut to defeat, Jul 17).

'It's so poor': Zack Polanski blasts Andy Burnham over indyref2 comments
21 Jul 2026 at 5:26pm

ZACK Polanski has condemned Andy Burnham over his apparent refusal to grant a second Scottish independence referendum ...

How did Douglas Alexander manage to keep his job?
21 Jul 2026 at 5:25pm

ANDY Burnham has promised change, but if his first 24 hours as Prime Minister are anything to go by, that doesn?t stretch quite as far north as Scotland.

Footage shows Ed Miliband seething as Cabinet applauds new Chancellor
21 Jul 2026 at 5:08pm

ED Miliband appeared to seethe as he was forced to watch on as Andy Burnham and the rest of his top team applauded the new Chancellor ? whose job he craved.

An open letter from a socialist to Andy Burnham
21 Jul 2026 at 5:00pm

AS I wrote this, you were kissing the King?s hand to be anointed as the seventh prime minister in 10 years.

New Health Secretary took thousands from private health-linked donors
21 Jul 2026 at 2:12pm

THE new Health Secretary took more than £165,000 from donors linked with the private healthcare sector, it has emerged.

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Prime Minister to focus on ?practical measures, not constitutional changes? f...
21 Jul 2026 at 12:03pm
Andy Burnham spoke with First Minister John Swinney on Tuesday morning

Transforming the Grid to Secure Our Energy Future
21 Jul 2026 at 7:00am
Scotland is at a pivotal moment, and the decisions taken now will shape our economy, communities and energy security for decades to come. As electricity demand grows and more renewable energy comes online, upgrading Scotland's transmission network is esse

Andy Burnham names Cabinet
21 Jul 2026 at 1:24am
Douglas Alexander has been reappointed Scottish secretary

Andy Burnham to announce cost-of-living measures tomorrow
20 Jul 2026 at 3:45pm
He also said that later this year his government would publish a 10-year plan

'My work is done?, says Keir Starmer in final address as PM
20 Jul 2026 at 12:39pm
The outgoing prime minister delivered his final address to the nation this morning as he makes way for the incoming Andy Burnham

Jack McConnell: Andy Burnham should insist on Scottish Labour election review
20 Jul 2026 at 1:00am
Former first minister gives exclusive interview to Holyrood

Andy Burnham named Labour Party leader
17 Jul 2026 at 3:43pm
Andy Burnham has officially been named as the Labour Party?s new leader

Andy Burnham?s Lords reforms could ?blow a constitutional fuse?
16 Jul 2026 at 7:30pm
Lord Speaker Michael Forsyth proposes new appointments system for peers

MP accuses Nicola Sturgeon of ?lying? about Peter Murrell and knowing ?full w...
16 Jul 2026 at 6:32pm
David Davis went on to accuse Sturgeon of ?stitching up? Salmond to ?hide the truth?.

Aberdeen Council chief executive named Dundee University principal as strikes...
16 Jul 2026 at 6:17pm
Incoming leader hailed for experience of 'institutional recovery'

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

Celtic leaders doubt Burnham?s devolution drive will go beyond England?s borders
6 Jul 2026 at 4:00pm
Would-be prime minister has made basic missteps in pitches to Wales, Scotland and Northern IrelandAndy Burnham?s devolution promises are yet to impress sceptical Celtic administrations hoping for a reset with Westminster, sources in Cardiff and Edinburgh have said.Burnham, who is expected to take...

Celtic nations begin to plan for breakup of UK in event of Reform election win
4 Jul 2026 at 7:00am
Politicians brace for constitutional turmoil if Nigel Farage?s party ends up in government ? or even as a strong oppositionThe rise of Nigel Farage has prompted political leaders across Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to game the unthinkable: the breakup of the United Kingdom.Unioni...

Badenoch urges Burnham to condemn defence investment plan as No 10 says fundi...
1 Jul 2026 at 6:00pm
Minister and MPs have raised concerns that his ?poisoned chalice? plan will take cash from much-needed road projectsMinister and MP ?furious? over cuts to road projects to fund defence planDan Sabbagh is the Guardian?s defence and security editor.Andy Burnham is a ?true patriot? who will provide ...

The Guardian view on the politics of Scotland: like Labour, the SNP is in nee...
23 Jun 2026 at 6:25pm
The sentencing of Peter Murrell brings limited closure to a major scandal. But John Swinney?s government faces new challenges in a changing landscapeThe Scottish National party (SNP) is accustomed to presenting Westminster dysfunction as a boost to its case for independence. But the political dra...

Peter Murrell jailed for five years after embezzling £400,000 from SNP
23 Jun 2026 at 2:29pm
Estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon is sentenced for stealing from party over 12-year periodMontblanc pens to Le Creuset ramekins: police photos show Peter Murrell?s spending habitPeter Murrell has been sentenced to five years and three months in jail after he admitted embezzling more than £400,...

Montblanc pens to Le Creuset ramekins: police photos show Peter Murrell?s spe...
23 Jun 2026 at 1:37pm
Haul is only a fraction of what the former SNP chief executive bought using embezzled party moneyPeter Murrell jailed for five years after embezzling £400,000 from SNPThe white police evidence tags on the unused Montblanc pens, picnic sets, Le Creuset ramekins and the chrome Alessi teapot tell a ...

?This changes everything?: how Brexit altered Scotland?s political landscape
21 Jun 2026 at 12:00pm
Former party leaders reflect on the turbulence that followed the referendum in which most Scottish voters backed the losing sideThe decision to quit the EU bolstered support for Scottish independence, which a decade after the Brexit referendum is at near record levels, according to Scottish Labou...

Burnham calls for ?new path for Britain? as Starmer vows to fight any leaders...
19 Jun 2026 at 6:30pm
This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story here:Cabinet loyalists tell PM he has weekend to set out timetable for exit?Now is the change moment?: Burnham staff have no doubtsPodcast: will Burnham become prime minister?What would ?change? look like if Burnham becomes PM?David Blunket...

Scottish Conservatives win Aberdeen South in shock loss for the SNP
19 Jun 2026 at 12:29pm
Tories? Douglas Lumsden says city has spoken ?loud and clear? in support of the North Sea oil and gas industryThe Scottish National party has lost the formerly safe seat of Aberdeen South in a shock loss to the Scottish Conservatives.Douglas Lumsden beat the SNP?s Richard Thomson by 6,050 votes, ...

?No friends to the oil and gas industry?: Aberdeen South, the byelection wher...
17 Jun 2026 at 3:00pm
Peter Murrell affair may feature, but contest seen as straight fight between SNP and Tories over energy policyThe contest for Aberdeen South, a constituency that spans urban social housing and detached homes with sculpted gardens, has been dominated by one topic: the future of North Sea oil and g...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Silly season politics
17 Jul 2026 at 4:01pm
With Friday’s coronation of Andy Burnham as leader of the Labour party and his official accession to Ten Downing Street on Monday, the UK is now on its seventh prime minister in ten years. Meanwhile the man who wants to become prime minister after the next general election is fighting a by election with a …

Reform UK?s attack on Scottish languages
14 Jul 2026 at 4:44pm
It’s the greatest attempted Westminster assault on Scottish culture since the Jacobite wars. Reform UK has proposed an amendment to the UK Government’s elections bill which would criminalise the use of any languages other than English or Welsh on electoral material and impose a punishment of up to six months in prison and/or a fine. …

Ich bin ein Bin liner
12 Jul 2026 at 6:08pm
Last week, Nigel Farage announced that he was going to resign as the MP for Clacton in order to fight a by election to become the MP for Clacton. In a pity political broadcast from Reform UK headquarters which was broadcast live by the BBC and Sky News, Farage railed at the media for unfairly …

Alister Jack?s colonialism remains a threat to Scotland
9 Jul 2026 at 5:15pm
The former colonial governor of the northern province, Alister Jack, who was given a peerage by Rishi Sunak as part of a back room deal. Jack rejected an earlier nomination by Boris Johnson in 2023 to avoid triggering a by-election while he was still an MP, only later to stand down for the 2024 General …

The Farage facade cracks
7 Jul 2026 at 6:53pm
Poor Nigel Facade, sorry Farage, the wee lamb has had an almighty hissy fit at the sheer audacity of the media daring to subject him to a tiny fraction of the scrutiny that is par for the course for the SNP. It was all very Trumpian. In a self-pitying Reform UK party political broadcast during …

The junkies and their dealers
5 Jul 2026 at 4:40pm
A number of peculiar developments have taken place in Scotland since the Holyrood election in May. These have been disguised by the anti-SNP media feeding frenzy which took place after the conviction of Peter Murrell for the crime of embezzlement, a crime whose victim was the SNP, despite the efforts of the British media in …

Labour?s attempted theft of the Holyrood election is being aided by the media
3 Jul 2026 at 3:32pm
Something is seriously wrong with democracy in Scotland, but the media has told us vastly more about Peter Murrell’s cruet sets than it has about what can only be described as an attempt by the Labour party to steal the Holyrood election. In fact the attempted subversion of the result of the recent election has …

Labour?s nuclear power, an offer we can refuse
2 Jul 2026 at 3:30pm
It’s an offer we can refuse. The Labour government has identified a number of sites across Scotland on which it would like to build new nuclear power plants. A report was published this week by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the political ashtray Michael Shanks, the most disappointing MP in a …

Burnham, the GB Energy of devolution
29 Jun 2026 at 9:06pm
Andy Burnham’s big plan for the UK is still lacking in detail, but it’s already looking suspiciously like another of Westminster’s power grabs at the expense of the Scottish and Welsh parliaments. Burnham’s big speech on Monday during which he unveiled his plans for a Number Ten North. No, Scotland, not THAT north, Burnham’s north. …

The feeding frenzy
26 Jun 2026 at 12:13pm
Peter Murrell was sentenced on Tuesday for a crime of which the SNP was the victim. That has not diminished the appetite of the media in Scotland to continue its witch hunt. Ever since Murrell pleaded guilty the media in Scotland has descended into a feeding frenzy. You’d be forgiven for thinking that it was …

The Courier

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Scottish Politics News From Holyrood and Westminster | The Courier

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Talking up Scotland

The 'Unstoppable' Talking-up Scotland

Your world today is quite different than the one BBC Scotland constructs for you
21 Jul 2026 at 7:02pm
Four out of seven top stories might suggest you live in an increasingly violent world in Scotland today but things have changed, a lot, after nearly 20 years of centre-left/protecting public services as opposed to centre-right/cutting public services, politics. 2. youth violence 3. Rape 4. Child abuse 5. Domestic abuse

The SNP will not make your holiday flight more expensive just the rich in pri...
21 Jul 2026 at 3:25pm
Sources – https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/07/21/this-is-a-complete-lie-snp-will-not-make-your-holiday-flight-more-expensive-but-only-the-12-000-private-jet-flights-a-year-by-the-likes-of-bill-gates-donald-trump-and-footballers-like-jens-hjerto-d/

News of Andy Burnhams?s new Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband welcomed in Scotlan...
21 Jul 2026 at 3:20pm
Ed Miliband is Labour’s new UK Government Foreign Secretary. Some of us remember his threat to try to put us off voting Yes in 2024. Sadly, it may have worked for some. Things have changed. We need a hard border and we’ll put the Black Watch on the border. Why? Full text with sources of evidence for all of the above at: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/page/2/?s=border

?Scottish food and drink exports six-times England per head?? Really, why don...
21 Jul 2026 at 3:11pm
Only 4 days ago, the Herald’s token capable journo had the above. On the 30th May 2025, he had this below. Both came and went in a matter of hours and today, there is no trace of this narrative in the Herald: What about the rest of the media operating in Scotland? Just the Herald. Ask ‘BBC Scotland food exports?’ Mustn’t be in the public interest or I feel sure they’d tell us. ?

The Great Over-achievers ? Only 10% of the population but 35% of the wins bet...
21 Jul 2026 at 2:30pm
How many international football matches between England and Scotland have each won? England have won 49, Scotland have won 41, with 26 draws, for a total of 116 matches (as of the latest data from 2023). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England%E2%80%93Scotland_football_rivalry This is the all-time head-to-head record for official senior international matches between the two teams (the oldest inte...

In Scotland 29 charities benefit by more than £6 000 pa from funds recovered ...
21 Jul 2026 at 2:28pm
From Proceeds of Crime and Asset Recovery data for 2025/26: FOI release published today data equivalent to that compiled in FOIs 202600505817 and 202600505933 for the years 2025/26. https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-202600516318/ The funds raised in England & Wales are disproportionally higher, more than twice per head of population mainly due to the concentration of financial crime and its...

This is a complete lie ? SNP will NOT make your holiday flight more expensive...
21 Jul 2026 at 2:26pm
The Express is pushing the above. It’s a complete misrepresentation of the facts. The Scottish Government is introducing Air Departure Tax (ADT) from April 2027 as Scotland’s replacement for UK Air Passenger Duty (APD). It will initially match UK APD rates for all flights, including commercial/holiday ones. Then, from April 2028, they’ll add a Private Jet Supplement that raises taxes specifical...

How the Crown Estate raised funds in Scotland and bypassed devolution to inve...
21 Jul 2026 at 10:05am
Posted last night in Facebook by Salvo, a link to this P&J article from June 2018: The UK?s Crown Estate has been accused of a ?cash grab? that could cost Moray assets a share of a £167 million windfall. The agency has sold its multi-million stake in the Fort Kinnaird retail park in Edinburgh. However, despite the estate?s assets north of the border being devolved to Crown Estate Scotland ? the...

Seven reports proving Scotland?s prison service?s superior performance and Lo...
21 Jul 2026 at 7:52am
BBC Scotland today is platforming selectively an inspectors’ report on Low Moss prison in Glasgow which has 835 prisoners when it was designed for 784. They have not mentioned its ‘revised operational/safe capacity’ of 884 via Project 100. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-62043866 Inspectors did not find it had caused any measurable rises in in-prison offending or safety breakd...

A tale of two dentists ? Anas Sarwar and ?Odious? Lord Offord?s Brother
20 Jul 2026 at 4:35pm
Three months ago, angered by Lord Offord of Reform’s claim that he had ‘bounced up to him’ seeking to collaborate against the SNP, Anas had some harsh words for Lord Offord. Did he know then that Lord Offord’s wee brother would be inviting him to speak at a a do on dentistry? How will that go? A surprise inclusion in the website of Vermilion, a private dental company owned by Dr David Offord, w...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

New PM Burnham tells John Swinney 'agree to disagree' on Scottish independenc...
21 Jul 2026 at 12:18pm
New PM Burnham tells John Swinney 'agree to disagree' on Scottish independence  BBC

Andy Burnham rejects calls for a Scottish independence referendum - The Times
21 Jul 2026 at 12:46pm
Andy Burnham rejects calls for a Scottish independence referendum  The Times

New PM Burnham tells John Swinney 'agree to disagree' on Scottish independenc...
21 Jul 2026 at 12:18pm
New PM Burnham tells John Swinney 'agree to disagree' on Scottish independence  Yahoo

Swinney says he will push Burnham for powers to hold Scottish independence vo...
21 Jul 2026 at 6:51pm
Swinney says he will push Burnham for powers to hold Scottish independence vote  London Evening Standard

North star - Monocle
18 Jul 2026 at 4:38am
North star  Monocle

Prime Minister to focus on ?practical measures, not constitutional changes? f...
21 Jul 2026 at 11:03am
Prime Minister to focus on ?practical measures, not constitutional changes? for Scotland  Holyrood Website

Swinney raises independence referendum in first call with Burnham - The Herald
21 Jul 2026 at 12:11pm
Swinney raises independence referendum in first call with Burnham  The Herald

Scottish leader John Swinney calls for independence to thwart Reform - RNZ
10 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish leader John Swinney calls for independence to thwart Reform  RNZ

?Agree to disagree?, Andy Burnham tells John Swinney on independence - The Sc...
21 Jul 2026 at 10:15am
?Agree to disagree?, Andy Burnham tells John Swinney on independence  The Scotsman

John Swinney sets out independence mandate to Andy Burnham in first call with...
21 Jul 2026 at 2:32pm
John Swinney sets out independence mandate to Andy Burnham in first call with new PM  The National Scot

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

SNP plot legal aid change after Peter Murrell scandal but 'too late' to claw ...
21 Jul 2026 at 3:21pm
SNP plot legal aid change after Peter Murrell scandal but 'too late' to claw back money  Scottish Daily Express

Activist admits SNP DOESN'T have indyref2 mandate as issue off the table unti...
21 Jul 2026 at 2:30pm
Activist admits SNP DOESN'T have indyref2 mandate as issue off the table until 2040  Scottish Daily Express

Motorhome bought by Murrell with stolen SNP money was driven only 4 miles, co...
2 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Motorhome bought by Murrell with stolen SNP money was driven only 4 miles, court told  The Guardian

Big salaries, a motorhome and SNP accounts: The Nicola Sturgeon interview unw...
1 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Big salaries, a motorhome and SNP accounts: The Nicola Sturgeon interview unwrapped  BBC

How former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell spent the £400,000 he embezzled ...
1 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
How former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell spent the £400,000 he embezzled  BBC

We now know how Peter Murrell embezzled from the SNP - but not why - BBC
2 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
We now know how Peter Murrell embezzled from the SNP - but not why  BBC

We know what former SNP chief Peter Murrell bought with £400,000 of embezzled...
29 May 2026 at 8:00am
We know what former SNP chief Peter Murrell bought with £400,000 of embezzled funds. What I?d like to know is why  The Guardian

Peter Murrell used fake invoices to cover up £400,000 spending spree - BBC
2 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Peter Murrell used fake invoices to cover up £400,000 spending spree  BBC

Sturgeon wishes she had not kept Murrell on as SNP chief executive - BBC
29 May 2026 at 8:00am
Sturgeon wishes she had not kept Murrell on as SNP chief executive  BBC

Peter Murrell jailed for more than five years for embezzling SNP funds - BBC
22 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Peter Murrell jailed for more than five years for embezzling SNP funds  BBC

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

New PM Burnham tells John Swinney 'agree to disagree' on Scottish independenc...
21 Jul 2026 at 12:18pm
New PM Burnham tells John Swinney 'agree to disagree' on Scottish independence  BBC

Swinney raises independence referendum in first call with Burnham - The Herald
21 Jul 2026 at 12:11pm
Swinney raises independence referendum in first call with Burnham  The Herald

Swinney says he will push Burnham for powers to hold Scottish independence vo...
21 Jul 2026 at 6:51pm
Swinney says he will push Burnham for powers to hold Scottish independence vote  London Evening Standard

Scottish Parliament endorses SNP call for independence referendum - BBC
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish Parliament endorses SNP call for independence referendum  BBC

Scottish leader John Swinney calls for independence to thwart Reform - RNZ
10 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish leader John Swinney calls for independence to thwart Reform  RNZ

Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause? -...
4 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause?  The Conversation

Scottish Parliament backs move for new independence vote - NZ Herald
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish Parliament backs move for new independence vote  NZ Herald

Andy Burnham ?rules out? Scottish independence referendum - The Times
5 Jul 2026 at 5:03pm
Andy Burnham ?rules out? Scottish independence referendum  The Times

Scottish independence - Institute for Government
29 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish independence  Institute for Government

Nationalist Governments Now in Both: The 2026 Parliamentary Elections in Scot...
31 May 2026 at 8:00am
Nationalist Governments Now in Both: The 2026 Parliamentary Elections in Scotland and Wales  Open Canada