The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Minister knocks back calls for extra funding to police rogue vape shops
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
18 Mar 2026 at 4:07pm
Ministers insist councils have the resources to enforce the law around Scotland?s vape register despite falling staff numbers and mounting warnings.


Anas Sarwar apologises for 'stroke joke' that 'diminishes' survivor experience
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
18 Mar 2026 at 2:16pm
Anas Sarwar had been told to apologise for a 'disgraceful' joke he made referencing a stroke.


St Andrew's Uni probe racism claims at Reform UK event as protest row escalates
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
18 Mar 2026 at 1:30pm
Reform UK has called on the University of St Andrews to take ?decisive action? after an event organised by the party?s newly formed society was disrupted by student protesters.


Nigel Farage calls for UK to 'follow Norway' with North Sea drilling
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
18 Mar 2026 at 1:16pm
Nigel Farage has urged the UK Government to ramp up North Sea oil and gas drilling, arguing it could boost jobs, cut prices and improve energy security ? but ministers insist the future lies in a balanced transition.


Nicola Sturgeon urged to condemn 'abusive' protest outside constituency mosque
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
18 Mar 2026 at 6:30am
Nicola Sturgeon has been urged to condemn protests which have been targeting a mosque in her constituency, with demonstrators allegedly abusing and harassing Muslims


Scottish Conservatives vow cap on public sector ?golden goodbyes? and curbs o...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
18 Mar 2026 at 5:00am
The Scottish Conservatives want to cap public sector severance payouts and sharply restrict gagging clauses after figures showed £3.2m was spent on 90 ?golden goodbye? deals across Scotland last year.


Scotland faces losing £1.5bn of investment amid 'dithering' over Chinese plant
18 Mar 2026 at 5:00am
UK and Scottish ministers have been accused of risking £1.5 billion of investment over a lack of a decision on whether to give the go ahead to a Chinese wind farm factory in the Highlands.


Glasgow media giant warns 'long-term visibility is limited' as loss reported
by scott.wright@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Scott Wright
18 Mar 2026 at 4:33am
STV chief executive Rufus Radcliffe declares this summer's World Cup will be a 'big moment for viewers and for advertisers this year'


Why lived experience matters after Scotland?s assisted dying Bill is rejected
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
18 Mar 2026 at 1:20pm
After Holyrood rejects the assisted dying Bill, this analysis explores why lived experience remains central to shaping law and public policy.


How every MSP voted as 12 MSPs switched to reject assisted dying Bill
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
17 Mar 2026 at 11:07pm
This is how MSPs voted in a crunch vote on assisted dying, which resulted in the proposals being rejected.


MSPs reject Bill to legalise assisted dying following late night crunch vote
17 Mar 2026 at 10:01pm
Liam McArthur has vowed the fight for assisted dying in Scotland will continue after MSPs rejected his bill. The final vote followed an emotionally charged debate in Holyrood.


Scottish Parliament election 2026: Key dates for polls in Edinburgh and Lothians
by rose.moncur@newsquest.co.uk | Rose Moncur
17 Mar 2026 at 5:54pm
Notice of election published for Scottish Parliament vote in Edinburgh and Lothians. Register by April 20 to vote on May 7. Postal and proxy options available.


Inside John Curtice's latest election briefing - insights and forecasts
17 Mar 2026 at 3:50pm
Hundreds of investors, businesses, civil servants and local government officials gathered today in Glasgow for the annual conference of the Scottish Property Federation.


Christians in Scotland losing faith with traditional party politics, research...
17 Mar 2026 at 12:18pm
A newly-published study reveals that Scottish Christians are no longer being drawn to one particular political party ahead of national elections in May.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


The shocking ?baby blind spot? in Scotland's fight against child abuse
18 Mar 2026 at 4:45pm
Nearly half the children on the child protection register in 2023-24 were under the age of four


How Nigel Farage's claims about election 'cheating' echo Donald Trump's attac...
18 Mar 2026 at 4:45pm
Amid low election turnouts, the importation from America of right-wing voter suppression tactics poses a serious threat


Angela Rayner lines up leadership tilt - but needs others to put the knife in
18 Mar 2026 at 4:45pm

Ms Rayner has a grip on the party due to her ability to appeal to the voters who are abandoning Labour both for Reform and the Greens.

The pro-independence party previously announced it will wind up as it is no longer financially viable

Treatments such as chemical peels, dermal fillers and microneedling will now need to be carried out by a qualified professional in a regulated setting such as a hospital.

The emotional assisted dying debate was a display of Holyrood at its best.

Liam McArthur, the MSP behind the bill, said many of those who voted against it would come to regret it deeply

Berwick Rangers has been unable to qualify for funding due to playing in Scotland but being based in England.

Several MSPs switched their support from Yes to No in the final vote

Wings over Scotland

Looking up at the stars
10 Mar 2026 at 6:24pm
A fascinating line from the BBC this evening: The number of parties who got MSPs elected at the last election is? five. (Though in fairness there are now six, Reform having a single MSP after Graham Simpson defected from the Tories. The Lib Dems are even outnumbered by independents, of whom there are seven.) Also …

Scotland?s Most Frightened
4 Mar 2026 at 5:52pm
This was just two months ago. (Longer version here.) ? And we’ll bet you anything you like he’s already wishing he hadn’t said it. Because a recent study suggested that Swinney might just achieve the impossible task he set for himself, and if he does then he’s REALLY screwed. Now, we don’t actually think that’ll …

Two Men Unalike
28 Feb 2026 at 1:41pm
So Cathy Newman of Channel 4 News got herself a scoop last night. And to be honest, readers, we were a bit confused. “Gender critical views” are not only lawful things to hold and express, they’re one of a small subset of opinions that are explicitly protected as such in law. And why would a …

The Tactics Of Suicide
26 Feb 2026 at 1:48pm
Sorry, readers, we’ve been too busy boiling with rage at revolting, cretinous Americans for the last few days to trust ourselves with writing a full-length article, but we’ve just about calmed down enough in time for this month’s polling analysis. Which is handy, because today is also the day of the Gorton and Denton by-election …

When the law breaks the law
19 Feb 2026 at 1:33pm
There is a not particularly funny joke that is sometimes told in legal circles about why a law student failed to finish his coursework ? because he had no conviction. With rare exceptions lawyers aren?t renowned for their sense of humour but I can?t help thinking someone, at the highest levels of our justice system, …

The Future Is Yesterday
18 Feb 2026 at 2:10pm
So on the one hand there’s obviously very little point paying attention to the SNP’s regional list candidates for May’s Holyrood election, because as this website has comprehensively demonstrated over recent months, the chances of the SNP having any list MSPs elected are remote. However, nothing is impossible, so let’s take a look at the …

Scotland In Numbers
17 Feb 2026 at 11:30pm
Cost of keeping vital rape crisis services in Glasgow operating: £500,000. Amount of money wasted by the Scottish Government fighting and losing court cases to try to remove women’s rights: £1.14 million. Angry yet?

The Longest Road
16 Feb 2026 at 1:23pm
As the six-year fight for justice for Alex Salmond continues, we thought you might like to see this clip from this morning’s Mike Graham Show, interviewing Paul McManus, the businessman and drummer in Glasgow rock band Gun who’s stepped up to fund the Salmond family’s case against the Scottish Government despite disagreeing with much of …

The Modern Politician
10 Feb 2026 at 5:17pm
A play in three acts: And you thought ours were spineless. Poor old Anas, though. If 24 hours is a long time in politics these days, a week is forever. And a month hardly even bears thinking about. As for a year and a half, well, the less said the better.

A Dumber Nation
9 Feb 2026 at 3:52pm
In politics, readers, evil and stupidity aren’t the same thing. But nor are they exclusive. Before we ask you to consider which of the terms applies to the Scottish Government led by John Swinney, we’d like you to read this letter sent to Wings by the auntie of two women imprisoned in Scottish jails. “I …

Craig Murray

Radicalism and Scottish Independence
14 Mar 2026 at 4:18pm

There is no place like home, and a few hours after arriving back in Scotland I was in Glasgow giving a talk to Pensioners for Independence. I still covered quite a wide sweep, but my focus came back to what I care about more than anything – the freedom, prosperity and just position in the …

Radicalism and Scottish Independence

Has Venezuela Abandoned Socialism?
13 Mar 2026 at 5:48pm

I interviewed a prominent academic who is a profound critic of the Venezuelan government, and in contrast a strong academic supporter. The conversations were relaxed, open and I believe worthwhile. There is no serious dispute that the Venezuelan government shifted to some degree towards economic liberalism under President Maduro. The question is to what extent …

Has Venezuela Abandoned Socialism?

Fighting Back Against Zionist Control of the UK
12 Mar 2026 at 8:06am

I today met our legal team and instructed them to submit an application for interim relief in the Scottish judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action. If successful this will immediately lift the proscription in Scotland, pending the review. Scores of people in Scotland face imminent conviction for terrorist offences simply for exercising free …

Fighting Back Against Zionist Control of the UK

Metro Workers of Caracas
10 Mar 2026 at 6:39am

President Nicolás Maduro is a working-class man, a bus driver who worked his way to office through the trade union movement. Compare that to the Western “elite”. In Caracas I joined a rally of his fellow Metro workers, many of whom know him personally, demanding his release after kidnap by the US. I intend to …

Metro Workers of Caracas

Joy at Death and Destruction
7 Mar 2026 at 12:39pm

The United States and Israel are both revelling in inflicting the maximum possible death and suffering on Iran. After the genocide in Gaza, on a far larger field in Iran, those in power in Israel and the USA have a lust to kill and they revel in impunity. The Epstein files reveal the same dynamic. …

Joy at Death and Destruction

The War for Greater Israel
1 Mar 2026 at 2:21pm

There has scarcely been an attempt to pretend any justification in international law for the attack on Iran and murder of its leader. The response of the UK government, focusing almost entirely on condemning Iran for exercising its legitimate right of self-defence, takes the Starmer dishonesty meter further off the scale. The RAF has been …

The War for Greater Israel

BBC Scotland

MSP rules out reintroducing assisted dying bill after Scottish election
18 Mar 2026 at 12:58pm
Liam McArthur said it was time to pass the baton to someone else after five years of work on the now-rejected bill.

Scotland's assisted dying bill rejected after emotional debate
18 Mar 2026 at 12:04am
Scotland would have become the first part of the UK to legalise the process had MSPs backed the proposals.

Scotland's assisted dying bill has fallen - what happens now?
18 Mar 2026 at 12:14am
Debate on the issue has been ongoing in parliament for more than 15 years but this is the closest legislation has made it to become a law.

Greyhound racing to be outlawed in Scotland
18 Mar 2026 at 4:18pm
The sport, which already faced extinction after the country's last track closed, is to be banned permanently.

Sarwar apologises for stroke quip at press conference
18 Mar 2026 at 4:32pm
Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland described the Labour leader's remarks as "deeply disappointing".

BBC Scotland unveils multi-platform plans to cover Scottish Parliament vote
18 Mar 2026 at 3:03pm
They include a leaders debate, daily online live pages, analysis, fact checking, audience-driven stories as well as a rolling results programme.

Sturgeon was a 'better' FM than Swinney, says Greens co-leader
18 Mar 2026 at 8:23am
Gillian Mackay tells the BBC's Scotcast the SNP has moved away from a left wing political agenda under John Swinney.

Emergency heating oil fund set up to support Scottish households
18 Mar 2026 at 10:42am
The Scottish government says its package would offer help to lower income households.

Ardrossan harbour taken into public ownership
18 Mar 2026 at 7:53am
Ministers are planning to spend millions redeveloping the site after it emerged that new ferries are too big to fit the existing facilities.

Botox and Brazilian butt lift law passed by parliament
17 Mar 2026 at 10:07pm
Delivering treatments to someone under the age of 18 is to be outlawed under the legislation.

Almost a decade after Grenfell, my flat still isn't safe
17 Mar 2026 at 10:10pm
As MSPs vote on proposals to fund repairs to unsafe claddings, residents say they are still waiting for action.

Starmer announces £53m support to help with heating oil costs
16 Mar 2026 at 9:25pm
The money will be for "vulnerable" households who have faced a sharp rise in energy bills since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war with Iran.

Scot Goes Pop

Stephen Daisley owes the Scottish Parliament an apology tonight
17 Mar 2026 at 10:51pm
The vote on assisted dying went the way I hoped it would, although even three hours ago I was still very pessimistic.  I think one thing all of us can agree on is that the standard of debate was ex...

Reddit tries to explain Stew - but struggles
17 Mar 2026 at 10:28am
Today is going to be an unpleasant day, because the stakes are high and the outcome is unpredictable, so I thought you might appreciate some light relief.  A Reddit thread suddenly appeared yesterd...

Why I hope the Scottish Parliament rejects assisted dying this week
15 Mar 2026 at 8:16pm
Not that I expect my opinion to make the remotest difference, but as the Scottish Parliament is about to make one of the most consequential decisions in its history, I thought I'd offer my opinion ...

The "Liberate Scotland" alliance continues to both disintegrate and drift to ...
15 Mar 2026 at 4:56pm
The Independence For Scotland party, which until today was one of the three component parts of the Liberate Scotland alliance along with the far-right Sovereignty and "Independents for Independence...

SNP conference, and a housekeeping note
14 Mar 2026 at 1:08pm
Never let it be said that I don't take my SNP membership seriously, because I've given up on watching the rugby today in order to attend the SNP campaign conference in Edinburgh.  (And there's prec...

This election is not a game. As yet another fringe pro-indy party starts bru...
12 Mar 2026 at 9:23pm
Until today, when he suddenly left the party after an angry tirade, Allan Petrie was the designated Nominating Officer of the "Alliance to Liberate Scotland".  (Indeed he technically still is, beca...

GB-wide YouGov poll: Greens STAY AHEAD of Labour, and SNP lead by 8 in Scotland
11 Mar 2026 at 11:02pm
Later in this video, I also provide some more information / offer some thoughts on why YouGov may be systemically underestimating independence support in their full-scale Scottish polls.

Questions mount over Stew's "I'm a fearsome journalist, can make mincemeat of...
10 Mar 2026 at 7:06pm
 But yeah, Allan, it *was* actually pretty rude of you to make Stew's involvement a condition of you taking part if you hadn't even bothered to check with him whether he was willing to do it.  Hope...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Deaths in prison custody surge to highest level since 2012, figures show
18 Mar 2026 at 1:45pm
Some 54 people died behind bars in 2023-24 ? a rise of 15 from the year before.

End-of-life care needs ?urgent improvements?, says Gordon Brown after assiste...
18 Mar 2026 at 1:25pm
The former prime minister spoke out after a bid to legalise assisted dying in Scotland was defeated on Tuesday night

Sir Keir Starmer faces MPs at PMQs amid heating oil support announcement and ...
18 Mar 2026 at 12:08pm
The Prime Minister is likely to face questions over a meningitis outbreak in Kent and the ongoing Middle East conflict

MSPs urged to end ?cruel? greyhound racing ahead of final vote on ban
18 Mar 2026 at 6:37am
Proposed legislation would make it an offence to operate a racing track for greyhounds and for a dog owner to race their animal on one.

MSPs reject Assisted Dying Bill after emotionally charged Holyrood debate
17 Mar 2026 at 10:12pm
Liam McArthur?s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is defeated by 69 votes to 57 in the Scottish Parliament.

MSPs expected to back Bill to regulate ?wild west? beauty procedures
17 Mar 2026 at 8:07pm
The Bill will limit who can carry out procedures

Neil Gray to miss historic assisted dying vote after being admitted to hospital
17 Mar 2026 at 5:19pm
Neil Gray said he would instead vote by proxy and will abstain given the Scottish Government's position

MSPs set for historic vote on whether to legalise assisted dying in Scotland
17 Mar 2026 at 6:37am
Members will be asked if terminally ill adults with decision-making capacity - and six months or less to live - should be allowed to seek medical help to die.

Starmer says UK working with allies on ?viable plan? to open Strait of Hormuz
16 Mar 2026 at 4:34pm
The Prime Minister has resisted Trump?s demands to send Royal Navy warships to help secure the vital shipping route

Ministers accused of using ?hugely inflated? jobs figures for data centres
15 Mar 2026 at 12:28pm
The Action to Protect Rural Scotland is demanding more scrutiny of such claims.

John Swinney promises ?transformational? help with childcare if SNP re-elected
14 Mar 2026 at 5:33pm
The SNP leader also promised help for those seeking to buy their first home if his party wins the Scottish Parliament election in May.

Better future possible for Scotland away from Westminster, John Swinney to say
14 Mar 2026 at 12:42pm
The First Minister will tell an SNP conference that Westminster?s economic model is ?totally broken?.

Scottish Government to give first-time buyers up to £10,000 to escape ?rent t...
13 Mar 2026 at 6:13pm
First Minister announced he would create a £100 million First Homes Fund if the SNP are re-elected

MSP ?witnessed? sexually assaulting young female members of staff
13 Mar 2026 at 3:20pm
A survey of workers at Holyrood revealed 84 previously unreported cases of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Scottish politics today: Turning kids away from vaping 'must be a health prio...
18 Mar 2026 at 5:00pm
The Record brings you its regular 5pm round-up of the day's Scottish politics news.

Family of stroke victim criticises Anas Sarwar for 'flippant' comment that 'r...
18 Mar 2026 at 3:19pm
EXCLUSIVE: James Bundy told the Record "flippant comments like this risk reinforcing the very stereotypes we are working to overcome".

Vaping 'rife' in Scots schools as SNP Government branded 'slow footed' on issue
18 Mar 2026 at 2:49pm
Official guidance to headteachers states vape use is "inappropriate" at school even if a pupil has turned 18.

Prisoners dying in Scots jails reaches highest level in 14 years as overcrowd...
18 Mar 2026 at 11:17am
Scotland's prisons are bursting at the seams with repeated early release schemes failing to get a grip on the problem.

"The grief never goes away" Young footballer's mum demands urgent youth suici...
18 Mar 2026 at 4:30am
Sharon Johnstone is backing the Record?s Save Young Lives campaign and urging ministers to fund suicide prevention training in every school.

Scotland spending billions to 'manage' poverty levels without reversing them
18 Mar 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: The Wise Group said too many Scots living below the poverty line lack the confidence to access support which they are entitled to.

Holyrood backs crackdown on Botox and fillers after ?wild west? warning
17 Mar 2026 at 11:08pm
MSPs have voted overwhelmingly to regulate non-surgical cosmetic procedures in Scotland, banning treatments for under-18s and requiring Botox and filler injections to be carried out by registered m...

Assisted dying in Scotland law rejected by MSPs following emotional debate at...
17 Mar 2026 at 10:12pm
The defeat marks the third time that legislation to legalise assisted dying has been voted down in the last two decades.

What is Assisted Dying and how would the law work in Scotland?
17 Mar 2026 at 5:00pm
MSPs will finally decide whether the controversial Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill makes it on the statute books.

Health Secretary Neil Gray admitted to hospital ahead of assisted dying vote ...
17 Mar 2026 at 1:14pm
No information was given on why Gray had been admitted to hospital.

The National

The National | Politics

Top journalist urges Welsh to 'get angry' at Westminster in new book
18 Mar 2026 at 4:43pm

A top Welsh journalist has released a new book arguing why people in his country need to 'get angry' at a political system that is holding them back

Lord Advocate steps in to push crunch Scottish Palestine Action hearing to Hi...
18 Mar 2026 at 4:27pm

A CRUNCH hearing in the prosecution of Scottish activists accused of terrorism has been pushed back and moved up to the High Court

Alba threaten to call in police amid funds despite with local office bearers
18 Mar 2026 at 3:51pm

ALBA are threatening to call in the police amid a dispute with several local office bearers over the return of party funds to their HQ ...

Top human rights lawyer to speak at Scottish independence rally this month
18 Mar 2026 at 3:44pm

HUMAN rights lawyer Aamer Anwar is set to address a Scottish independence rally this month in Edinburgh

Labour 'must investigate drone parts sent to Israel despite export ban'
18 Mar 2026 at 3:43pm

THE UK Government must open an investigation into where weapons parts it has allowed to be exported to Israel have ended up ...

Why Zack Polanski's economics speech today was an important moment
18 Mar 2026 at 2:24pm

ZACK Polanski?s speech as leader of the Green Party in England and Wales today was, at its core, an attempt to reframe British political economy along a moral axis: He highlighted the need for care rather than exploitation.

SNP face an uphill battle in home of UK?s nuclear subs
18 Mar 2026 at 2:23pm

FIVE years ago, the SNP fell just one seat short of an overall majority in the Scottish Parliament, and it perhaps isn?t over-egging the hyperbole to suggest the one seat in question was Dumbarton ...

Charity demands meeting with Anas Sarwar over 'disgraceful joke about stroke ...
18 Mar 2026 at 2:19pm

ANAS Sarwar is facing calls to immediately apologise after a ?disgraceful joke at the expense of stroke survivors? ...

Scotland's first Center Parcs will create 1200 jobs, John Swinney says
18 Mar 2026 at 1:33pm

SCOTLAND'S first Center Parcs resort will create 1200 permanent jobs, the First Minister has announced, with young people expected to make up almost a third of those taken on ...

What is the Nuestra America convoy and why is it going to Cuba?
18 Mar 2026 at 1:13pm

ALL you need to know about the Nuestra America flotilla set to land in Cuba later this week ...

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Ivan McKee: Public sector data quality limiting new tech potential
18 Mar 2026 at 5:08pm
Scotland?s public sector?s data maturity landscape is ?uneven?,?Ivan McKee has said, which is limiting the ability to adopt new technologies

Liam McArthur rules out fresh assisted dying bill after election
18 Mar 2026 at 3:31pm
But he said he was ?confident? that the next attempt to legalise it would pass

AI copyright opt-out scrapped as UK Government seeks more time for reform
18 Mar 2026 at 3:00pm
Labelling to be considered for AI-generated content

MSPs reject assisted dying bill
18 Mar 2026 at 12:30pm
After a four-hour debate on Tuesday evening, it was rejected by 69 votes to 57

Just transition will fail without poverty action, Scottish parties are warned
18 Mar 2026 at 11:30am
Number of Scots seeking help to heat homes has shot up since last election, charity says

Supercomputer is super-charging the economy, report finds
18 Mar 2026 at 6:00am
The Archer2 system is based at the University of Edinburgh

Local Authorities Guide: Moray Council
18 Mar 2026 at 6:00am
Council leader Kathleen Robertson answers questions about local authority

Neil Gray ?sorry and frustrated? to miss assisted dying vote after hospital stay
17 Mar 2026 at 4:40pm
Health secretary thanks medical staff for treatment

Rachel Reeves targets AI and EU in economic growth plan
17 Mar 2026 at 3:22pm
Chancellor eyes closer alignment with bloc and promises 'the fastest AI adoption in the G7'

Local Authorities Guide: Inverclyde Council
17 Mar 2026 at 6:00am
Council leader Stephen McCabe answers questions about local authority

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

Scottish parliament votes against legalising assisted dying
17 Mar 2026 at 10:44pm
MSPs reject bill after concerted campaign to block it and despite amendments intended to placate criticsThe Scottish parliament has voted against legalising assisted dying after critics and religious groups led a concerted campaign to block the measures.MSPs voted 69 to 57 to reject the proposals...

The Guardian view on the fragile politics of the union: Labour?s woes have co...
17 Mar 2026 at 6:41pm
Following May?s elections, first ministers committed to independence could be in place in Edinburgh, Cardiff and BelfastThe general election of July 2024 did not just call time on a decade and a half of Conservative rule. It also delivered the most pro-Union parliament since the early 2010s, when...

Zelenskyy says Europe is a ?global force? that can stand against any other po...
17 Mar 2026 at 6:22pm
Keir Starmer previously reassured that the war in Iran would not distract the UK from supporting Ukraine Nigel Farage is speaking now at the Reform UK event.The website promoting the lottery is up. It is called nigelcutmybills.com. Continue reading...

Trump says he is ?not happy? with UK as he criticises Starmer for being overl...
16 Mar 2026 at 6:19pm
President says PM should be more supportive over strait of Hormuz Keir Starmer is speaking at his press conference.The war is entering its third week, he says.First, we will protect our people in the region.Second, while taking the necessary action to defend ourselves and our allies, we will not ...

UK faces ?seismic moment? as nationalists target election wins, says John Swi...
14 Mar 2026 at 6:22pm
SNP leader hails prospect of success for parties in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland that want to break up unionThe UK is facing an ?absolutely seismic moment?, John Swinney has said, with the prospect of the election of first ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in May who are a...

Glasgow?s only high-ladder fire engine unavailable during office block inferno
12 Mar 2026 at 2:12pm
Revelation prompts questions over Scottish fire service?s capacity to deal with large fires after 2023 cutsConcerns have been raised about the capacity of Scotland?s fire service to deal with large fires like the one that gutted a Victorian office block in Glasgow as it emerged that the city?s on...

Starmer warned cabinet against ?overly deferential? relations with devolved g...
11 Mar 2026 at 10:46am
Leaked memo dates from shortly after Labour Senedd members raised alarm devolution is being rolled backUK politics live ? latest updatesKeir Starmer warned his cabinet against an ?overly deferential? approach to the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish governments, according to a leaked memo.In the...

Alba party to wind up and not contest Scottish election
8 Mar 2026 at 8:28pm
Pro-independence party formed by Alex Salmond in 2021 had suffered membership fall and financial crisisThe Alba party has announced that it will wind up and not field any candidates for the 2026 Scottish parliament election.The pro-independence party was formed in 2021 by the late Alex Salmond as...

Scotland becomes first UK country to legalise water cremations
2 Mar 2026 at 3:24pm
Hydrolysis uses alkaline and water to break down body in a few hours and is part of demand for more sustainable funeralsScotland has become the first part of the UK to legalise hydrolysis, an environmentally friendly alternative to cremation or burial, reflecting increasing demand for more sustai...

PM vows to ?keep fighting? after Greens sweep past Labour and Reform to win b...
27 Feb 2026 at 5:57pm
This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story here:Report: Labour MPs demand Starmer change directionAnalysis: clock is ticking for StarmerProfile: who is Hannah Spencer, new Green MP?Reform activists are ?hearing Matt Goodwin has all but conceded defeat to the Greens?, the UK poll agg...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Thoughts on the failure of the assisted dying bill
18 Mar 2026 at 2:46am
Back in 1998, after we had moved to Spain, my late husband Andy and I became very close friends with our new neighbour, a Norwegian woman called Ellie who had moved to Spain after retiring from a career on the Norwegian oil rigs in the North Sea. She was looking forward to spending her final …

Scotland: Too wee?
17 Mar 2026 at 9:11am
Is it time to look again at the long-debated theory that Scotland is ?too wee? to be a successful independent country? A guest post by Diane Izzett https://bsky.app/profile/dizzyscot.bsky.social With the yes voters taking a lead in recent polls, do the facts support this or is it just the final death throes of a coloniser losing …

Lessons from 2014 for next time round
14 Mar 2026 at 6:23pm
An important new academic book looking at the 2014 Scottish independence referendum has just been published. The snappily titled “Discourse, Voice, and the Politics of Participation in the Scottish Independence Referendum” by Dr Maike Dinger, a Lecturer in Communications, Media and Culture at the University of Stirling is available on Amazon for £104.99 hardback or …

So-called muscular unionism is a sign of Westminster?s fragility
12 Mar 2026 at 4:30pm
The Labour party has responded to the leak of a memo from Starmer to cabinet ministers in which he tells them not to be “deferential” to the devolved governments and not to hesitate to override them even on devolved matters. Starmer was questioned about the memo by SNP MP Stephen Gethins at Prime Minister’s Questions …

Devolution has run out of road
10 Mar 2026 at 6:48pm
This always happens, every time I decide to take a bit of time off, a big news story breaks and it’s back to the keyboard. On Tuesday, a Labour government memo was leaked which proves that Keir Starmer is hell bent on undermining the devolution settlement. In the memo, sent to all members of the …

What the end of Alba means for May?s election and the broader independence mo...
9 Mar 2026 at 5:35pm
Well that’s it. The Alba party has gone and will not be contesting the Holyrood election in May, or indeed any elections in the future. Unlike some, I am not gloating about the party’s demise even though I was never a supporter of it. I kept my thoughts about Alba largely to myself despite coming …

Labour?s dangerous plans for NHS Scotland
8 Mar 2026 at 4:33pm
The Holyrood elections are just eight weeks away. This will be a critical election for Scotland’s future and it is more important than ever that Scotland returns a pro-independence majority, ideally an SNP majority to the Scottish Parliament. It’s not just the future of hopes for independence which is at stake. This election is also …

A personal milestone and yet more good polling news
5 Mar 2026 at 4:19pm
I’m going to start on a personal note. Almost eight years after we got married and over ten years that we have been together, my husband has finally become a British, or should I say Scottish citizen. It’s been a long, expensive, and stressful journey, but we got there, and now we are immune to …

The BBC?s odd indy poll, more polls, and BBC Scotland?s double standards
4 Mar 2026 at 3:38pm
There are some very odd things going on with the BBC’s Savanta poll on Scottish independence. An analysis of the polling data by Independent Voices, @indyvoices.bsky.social on BlueSky, also pointed out by the regular poster Statgeek in the comments section of this blog, notes that the poll reports a peculiarly high percentage of those who …

Humiliation for BBC Scotland as its own poll shows a Yes majority
3 Mar 2026 at 3:26pm
BBC Scotland has done one of its pre-election polls to tell us what Scotland “really thinks” as we go into the Scottish election in nine weeks time. On Tuesday, BBC Scotland unveiled its findings on the crucial question of independence. Despite the BBC’s very own poll finding that support for independence is in the majority, …

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

Talking-up Scotland

Contrary to Daily Record?s shameful front page today ? Scotland?s Child and A...
18 Mar 2026 at 9:11am

Reposted as BBC Scotland wrongly claim Scot Gov was ?forced to buy Ardrossan ...
18 Mar 2026 at 8:56am

Major ?gold standard? research reveals Scots are significantly less worried a...
17 Mar 2026 at 10:38pm
From the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2024/25: Main findings published yesterday, see the above striking images. From the first year of SNP-rule until their 18th in 2023/2024, worry about all forms of violent crime, based on what people say themselves and not the often under-reported police figures, has fallen, in the case of physical violence of a personal nature, by around just under hal...

Violent crime as experienced by people, beyond police reporting, reveals huge...
17 Mar 2026 at 10:37pm
From the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey 2024/25: Main findings published yesterday, see the above striking figures. From the first year of SNP-rule until their 18th in 2023/2024, violent crime, based on what people say themselves and not the often under-reported police figures – a 37% fall and 118 000 fewer victims per year! Imagine the media coverage if these trends went the opposite way. T...

Suspected drug deaths static but official figures point to greater optimism
17 Mar 2026 at 10:33pm
Suspected (left) and official drug deaths (right) in Scotland From Suspected drug deaths in Scotland: October to December 2025, published today, the above, and: There were 248 suspected drug deaths recorded during the period October to December 2025. This was 15% (43) fewer than the previous quarter (July to September 2025, 291 deaths), and 7% (16) more than the same calendar quarter in the pre...

Labour?s crisis in social care disappears when the figures come in
17 Mar 2026 at 10:32pm
In December 2025, Jackie Baillie, Labour Party Health spokesperson said: That the Parliament believes that the Scottish Government?s failure to prioritise social care has fuelled a crisis, harming some of Scotland?s most vulnerable people, and calls on the Scottish Ministers to work to close the funding gap facing health and social care partnerships and value Scotland?s care workforce. In respo...

New Zealand Green Party Warns Of ?Perfect Storm? As Ferry Breakdowns Disrupt ...
17 Mar 2026 at 4:33pm
From SCOOP on 14th March 2026: The Green Party is warning that New Zealand is facing a “perfect storm” of transport disruption after the latest ferry breakdowns and cancellations left travellers stranded and freight operators scrambling to move goods between the North and South Islands. The Interislander’s Kai?rahi has been out of service since Tuesday night because of a technical fault. An Int...

Affluent Washington State refuses to fund even starting the replacement of 50...
17 Mar 2026 at 4:30pm
From the Washington State Standard: Budget writers in the Washington Legislature on Monday declared their intent to eventually buy more hybrid electric ferries to modernize the state ferry fleet.  But newly unveiled House and Senate transportation spending proposals left at the dock a $1 billion borrowing request from the governor to pay the tab, raising doubts about when and how a new shipyard...

?Robust and consistent signal: Cancer mortality rates higher near nuclear pow...
17 Mar 2026 at 4:29pm
From the US health research journal Healio, yesterday: U.S. counties located closer to nuclear power plants have higher cancer mortality rates than those located farther away, results of a national analysis showed. The study ? which accounted for environmental, socioeconomic and other factors ? yielded results that remained consistent through multiple sensitivity analyses. In light of increased...

?Everyone who dies on this street dies of cancer? ? why do only German resea...
17 Mar 2026 at 4:27pm
From the New Hampshire Bulletin, yesterday: In the late 1970s, when Seabrook resident David Wright was about 9 years old, his father began bringing him along to protest the construction of a nuclear power plant across the marsh from their family home. Some locals were fired up. ?They didn?t want a reactor in their backyard,? Wright said. Thousands who shared that sentiment turned out in the Sea...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland - BBC
2 Mar 2026 at 8:00am
Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland  BBC

Top human rights lawyer to speak at Scottish independence rally this month - ...
18 Mar 2026 at 4:12pm
Top human rights lawyer to speak at Scottish independence rally this month  Thenational Scot

SNP maintain polling lead in Scotland but four in ten say they may change the...
16 Mar 2026 at 8:24am
SNP maintain polling lead in Scotland but four in ten say they may change their minds  Ipsos

Swinney says independence 'within our grasp' as he unveils childcare plan - H...
14 Mar 2026 at 4:51pm
Swinney says independence 'within our grasp' as he unveils childcare plan  Holyrood Website

Iran wants Scottish independence to happen as it will 'harm the UK' amid soci...
18 Mar 2026 at 1:20pm
Iran wants Scottish independence to happen as it will 'harm the UK' amid social media bot attacks  Scottish Daily Express

Scottish independence - Institute for Government
26 Jan 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish independence  Institute for Government

Swinney: Scottish independence is 'within grasp' as he shrugs off 'failure' c...
14 Mar 2026 at 12:01am
Swinney: Scottish independence is 'within grasp' as he shrugs off 'failure' criticism  The Herald

Dullness, not revolution, is Scotland?s midwife of seismic change - The Times
17 Mar 2026 at 4:30pm
Dullness, not revolution, is Scotland?s midwife of seismic change  The Times

Scottish first minister says a May majority means new independence push - Reu...
18 Jan 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish first minister says a May majority means new independence push  Reuters

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

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

SNP maintain polling lead in Scotland but four in ten say they may change the...
16 Mar 2026 at 8:24am
SNP maintain polling lead in Scotland but four in ten say they may change their minds  Ipsos

Sexual offences trial of former SNP council leader hears from alleged victim ...
18 Mar 2026 at 4:58pm
Sexual offences trial of former SNP council leader hears from alleged victim  BBC

Sturgeon was a 'better' FM than Swinney, says Greens co-leader - BBC
18 Mar 2026 at 8:23am
Sturgeon was a 'better' FM than Swinney, says Greens co-leader  BBC

SNP face an uphill battle in home of UK?s nuclear subs - Thenational Scot
18 Mar 2026 at 2:34pm
SNP face an uphill battle in home of UK?s nuclear subs  Thenational Scot

SNP tax and benefits policies ?cost households extra £500 a year? - The Times
18 Mar 2026 at 6:00am
SNP tax and benefits policies ?cost households extra £500 a year?  The Times

'This is more pie in the sky fantasy' - The Herald
18 Mar 2026 at 6:32am
'This is more pie in the sky fantasy'  The Herald

Viewpoint Both votes SNP will harm independence movement - Shetland News
18 Mar 2026 at 10:45am
Viewpoint Both votes SNP will harm independence movement  Shetland News

First Minister John Swinney?s speech to the SNP?s 2026 Campaign Conference - ...
14 Mar 2026 at 4:07pm
First Minister John Swinney?s speech to the SNP?s 2026 Campaign Conference  snp.org

News - Councillor leaves Greens for SNP to better fight Reform - West Coast T...
18 Mar 2026 at 2:12pm
News - Councillor leaves Greens for SNP to better fight Reform  West Coast Today

SNP to give mentally ill criminals the vote - The Telegraph
16 Mar 2026 at 5:42pm
SNP to give mentally ill criminals the vote  The Telegraph

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland - BBC
2 Mar 2026 at 8:00am
Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland  BBC

Scottish independence - Institute for Government
26 Jan 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish independence  Institute for Government

First Minister John Swinney?s speech to the SNP?s 2026 Campaign Conference - ...
14 Mar 2026 at 4:07pm
First Minister John Swinney?s speech to the SNP?s 2026 Campaign Conference  snp.org

Only one in 12 Scots want independence vote as priority - Yahoo News UK
13 Mar 2026 at 10:57am
Only one in 12 Scots want independence vote as priority  Yahoo News UK

Scottish first minister says a May majority means new independence push - Reu...
18 Jan 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish first minister says a May majority means new independence push  Reuters

Swinney says independence 'within our grasp' as he unveils childcare plan - H...
14 Mar 2026 at 4:51pm
Swinney says independence 'within our grasp' as he unveils childcare plan  Holyrood Website

SNP tell UK Government 'to prepare for loss of Scottish subsidies after Yes v...
14 Mar 2026 at 2:09pm
SNP tell UK Government 'to prepare for loss of Scottish subsidies after Yes vote'  Thenational Scot

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

Swinney: Scottish independence is 'within grasp' as he shrugs off 'failure' c...
14 Mar 2026 at 12:01am
Swinney: Scottish independence is 'within grasp' as he shrugs off 'failure' criticism  The Herald

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