The Herald

The Herald | Politics


The war in Gaza is over, but these protestors say the fight is just beginning
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
3 May 2026 at 10:00am
The precautions are not without reason. Last July, three people were arrested on terror-related charges after a van was driven into the fence surrounding the site.


?Scunnered Scotland?: What impact will the meh factor have on Thursday's vote?
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
3 May 2026 at 5:00am
Voters are feeling a bit 'meh' about the upcoming Holyrood election, raising fears of historically low turnout.


Swinney ?very concerned? by reports of BP considering leaving North Sea
by Craig Paton
2 May 2026 at 1:53pm
Scotland?s First Minister is ?very concerned? by reports that oil giant BP is considering leaving the North Sea.


Scotland should prepare for 'gangster' Trump to change mind on whisky ? Cole-...
by Neil Pooran
2 May 2026 at 1:41pm
Scotland should prepare for the ?gangster? US president to change his mind on whisky tariffs, the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader has said.


Douglas Alexander may be ?reshuffled out of existence? after election ? Swinney
by Craig Paton and Craig Meighan
2 May 2026 at 1:14pm
John Swinney has suggested Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander could be ?reshuffled out of existence? by next weekend.


Reform candidate ?attacked? while campaigning in Glasgow
2 May 2026 at 8:02am
A Reform politician has allegedly been assaulted while campaigning for the party in Glasgow.


Civil servants warn SNP efficiency cuts will 'undermine' vital public services
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
2 May 2026 at 5:30am
The Scottish Government's planned efficiency job cuts will undermine workers and vital public services, it has been claimed.


New mega-poll predicts SNP majority as Labour fall to fourth behind Reform an...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
2 May 2026 at 5:00am
A final mega-poll ahead of next week's election projects an SNP majority and a Scottish Green surge, while Scottish Labour and the Tories face historic collapses, putting a second independence referendum back on the table.


'Reform appeals to a lot of hardcore unionists who are not fond of Scotland a...
by alison.rowat@theherald.co.uk | Alison Rowat
2 May 2026 at 6:01am
Historian Murray Pittock?s latest work runs to just 205 pages. There's never a dull moment, as you might expect from Scotland's History Boy. He talks to Alison Rowat about Scotland then and now, and how his career got off to a sticky start


Greens in Holyrood pledge to give basic income to care leavers
2 May 2026 at 5:00am
The Scottish Greens have made an electio pledge to roll out a basic income for all care leavers in a bid to ensure young people leaving the care system are given secure and regular financial support.


Why this Highland seat could become one of the most intriguing election battles
2 May 2026 at 6:30am
Kevin McKenna explores why the Inverness and Nairn seat is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing election battles, with voters raising concerns over roads, housing and trust.


'Scandal' or 'gamechanger'? Public divided on civil servants working from home
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
1 May 2026 at 1:30pm
The topic of civil servants working from home has divided the country, with some describing as a scandal and others, gamechanging.


Will this Labour stronghold in Scotland's capital survive the Starmer slide?
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
1 May 2026 at 11:16am
Mr Johnson defeated incumbent SNP MSP Jim Eadie ten years ago, and increased his vote share by 10% five years later. 


Today's Herald cartoon from Steven Camley
1 May 2026 at 10:27am
You can purchase Steven Camley's cartoons by calling 0191 603 0178 or visiting thepicturedesk.co.uk

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


SNP to fall short of overall majority at Holyrood election, poll finds
3 May 2026 at 9:57am

The Norstat survey for The Sunday Times suggested the Nationalists would secure 57 MSPs

Drugs charities have said the need for drugs checking services is ?urgent? as new figures show the soaring rate of contaminated substances

The latest whispers, gossip and nonsense from the Holyrood campaign trail

Wings over Scotland

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Craig Murray

The Morass of Injustice
2 May 2026 at 11:24am

A vast cloying morass of injustice has visibly submerged the British legal systems in anything connected to Palestine. In a quite incredible series of linked and kinked events this week, the senior KC representing one of the Palestine Action activists in the Filton trial was in the Court of Appeal arguing against being found in …

The Morass of Injustice

An Inspiring Story
21 Apr 2026 at 7:54am

In 2018, at the height of the economic crisis in Venezuela through crippling sanctions, Kellogg’s announced the overnight closure of their Maracay factory with hundreds of redundancies – and massive knock-on effects in the local community. The workers refused to accept the closure and, with government assistance, restarted the factory. It is still running eight …

An Inspiring Story

Vote for the Alliance to Liberate Scotland
15 Apr 2026 at 12:48pm

It was not my intention to run for election to the Scottish parliament from a hospital bed in Caracas, but sometimes we have to take what life gives us. I went to a clinic a week ago feeling dizzy and was immediately rushed to hospital. My heart rate was fluttering and below 20 bpm. I …

Vote for the Alliance to Liberate Scotland

The Strait of Hormuz
8 Apr 2026 at 5:02pm

In international law, Tehran has every right to close the strait of Hormuz to nations with which it is in armed conflict. Two vital points: 1) States who permit attacks on Iran to be launched from their territory can be blocked 2) Iran can block neutral ships from trading with states with which it is …

The Strait of Hormuz

The Weight on Delcy Rodriguez
31 Mar 2026 at 1:16pm

As I was leaving the University of the Communes in Tocuyito, after a joyful and uplifting visit, an earnest young Professor came up to me and pulled me aside. Very quietly, he asked me what was going to happen. A number of the students were terrified there would be regime change and they, picked as …

The Weight on Delcy Rodriguez

The Caracas Metro
26 Mar 2026 at 6:46am

The extreme nature of sanctions against Venezuela made it very challenging to keep economic activity going. One example is Caracas’s impressive five-line Metro system, where for almost twenty years they had to keep things running with no spares or maintenance support from the train manufacturers. Yet resilience and ingenuity kicked in, and Venezuela actually reverse …

The Caracas Metro

BBC Scotland

The big issues and key flashpoints from Scotland's election campaign
2 May 2026 at 9:19am
BBC Scotland political editor Glenn Campbell examines what we have learned during the Holyrood election campaign.

Whisky tariffs deal sparks political squabble over who claims credit
1 May 2026 at 4:34pm
Party leaders quickly changed their campaign plans after Donald Trump's announcement on the tariffs deal.

Will 'scunnered' voters decide Scotland's election?
1 May 2026 at 6:20am
Pollsters say there are plenty of undecided voters - but few have a positive view of politicians.

Trump to remove whisky tariffs after King's visit
1 May 2026 at 8:52am
The US president said he would lift restrictions on Scotland's ability to work with the state of Kentucky on whisky and bourbon.

The city caught in the middle of the big energy shift debate
30 Apr 2026 at 1:08am
Is the UK fumbling the shift away from oil and gas jobs?

'Stable marriage' the priority for Scottish Family Party
30 Apr 2026 at 6:01am
The party promotes marriage between heterosexual couples and opposes abortion in all but "very extreme" cases.

Reform's Scottish leader says he owns six houses, six boats and five cars
28 Apr 2026 at 10:30pm
Malcolm Offord was criticised as "entitled" during an STV leaders debate ahead of next week's election.

What did Scottish party leaders do before politics?
29 Apr 2026 at 2:26pm
Reform's Malcolm Offord bought six boats with a fortune made in banking - but other leaders had a life before politics too.

How the changing face of farming is reflected in Scotland's election
29 Apr 2026 at 6:01am
The rural vote is a significant, but often overlooked, constituency in the Scottish Parliament election.

Independence the priority for Alliance to Liberate Scotland
29 Apr 2026 at 6:02am
The party is hoping to maximise the number of pro-independence MSPs returned to Holyrood.

Scotland's population set to fall due to drop in migration
28 Apr 2026 at 1:30pm
The National Records of Scotland said the change is "mainly driven by migration falling from unusually high levels".

What impact do refugees have on housing in Glasgow?
28 Apr 2026 at 6:00am
BBC Verify examines claims made by political leaders about the impact of asylum and migration on housing.

Scot Goes Pop

Scotland moves a step closer to independence as earth-shaking Norstat poll sh...
2 May 2026 at 8:44pm
See what I mean about the way in which the unionist media seeks to bury independence polling results these days?  This is clearly a hugely significant result - it's the eighth poll in a row from th...

Stonehaven REVELATION as "most accurate pollster" puts the SNP on course for ...
2 May 2026 at 9:11am
To be clear, the bit about "most accurate pollster" is Stonehaven's own self-description, but I always put that in because it upsets our resident unionist troll KC.  It was Stonehaven who, a few mo...

"Stew-pid. Just Stew-pid." The advice that controversial blogger "Stew" wou...
1 May 2026 at 10:14pm
The controversial Somerset-based blogger "Stew" seems to have had a screw loose ever since Kezia Dugdale psychologically damaged him by defeating his vanity libel case - a drubbing that not only br...

Which group of voters did Offord actually intend to impress with his boast ab...
1 May 2026 at 11:19am
Paul Hutcheon's contributions to this campaign have been somewhat less than constructive, but I did think he was absolutely correct when he said that Malcolm Offord's boasts about his wealth were m...

In a democracy, there has to be a route by which the most fundamental changes...
29 Apr 2026 at 9:20am
It's a reminder of just how comprehensively Somerset Stew has moved over to the other side that right in the middle of a Holyrood election campaign, he has approvingly tweeted an article from the p...

The Diffley difference: new poll tilts this election in the SNP's favour - an...
28 Apr 2026 at 11:19pm
Unlike our occasional commenter Declan, I'm not particularly given to punching the air upon seeing an opinion poll, but if I was ever going to do that, yesterday would have been the day.  There wer...

EXCLUSIVE SCOT GOES POP / FIND OUT NOW POLL: By a more than 2-1 majority, the...
27 Apr 2026 at 12:56pm
Labour's UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting was recently asked in an LBC interview whether there would be an independence referendum if the Scottish people vote in favour of holding one at the Scott...

Join me on YouTube at NOON as Wes "they're not having one!" Streeting faces h...
27 Apr 2026 at 10:06am
If you join the waiting zone, the video should automatically start playing when the clock strikes 12 for Streeting's HIGH NOON.  While you're waiting for the results, please check out the new Scot ...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Reform candidate ?attacked? while campaigning in Glasgow
2 May 2026 at 10:30am
Councillor Thomas Kerr is said to have been attacked while delivering leaflets in Shettleston on Friday.

John Swinney thanks Donald Trump ?personally? after US whisky tariffs set to ...
1 May 2026 at 3:25pm
Swinney visited a whisky distillery on Friday after the US President announced he would drop the 10% levy

SNP leader John Swinney stands by food price cap policy despite industry crit...
1 May 2026 at 11:05am
Swinney said the policy was a matter of public health, despite the Scottish Retail Consortium branding it a 'potty gimmick'

Scottish Reform leader Malcolm Offord ?owns six houses, six boats and five cars?
29 Apr 2026 at 11:08am
Lord Malcolm Offord asked if the Greens wanted more or fewer people like him in Scotland

Party leaders engage in fiery final debate on STV
28 Apr 2026 at 9:13pm
The Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Greens, Scottish Labour, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party and Reform UK had the chance to grill each other in front of the nation

Watch Live: Scottish election leaders debate on STV
28 Apr 2026 at 7:06am
The STV Leaders? Debate will be broadcast live from Edinburgh?s Signet Library tonight at 7pm

Scotland?s political parties accused of ?lack of realism? over manifesto plans
27 Apr 2026 at 9:56pm
The Institute for Fiscal Studies said the parties running in the Holyrood election did not appreciate ?just how tough the fiscal challenges will be?.

Keir Starmer to face sleaze inquiry vote over Peter Mandelson job
27 Apr 2026 at 5:48pm
It's a similar series of events that led to Boris Johnson?s departure as prime minister in 2022

Parties lay out first 100 days in office as election day nears
27 Apr 2026 at 5:44pm
It's just ten days until the vote on May 7

Parties make policy promises with less than two weeks to election day
26 Apr 2026 at 10:48am
The vote on May 7 is a crucial test at the ballot box.

Polanski branded ?imbecile? after calls for Trump to be stripped of Scottish ...
25 Apr 2026 at 9:46am
The Green leader said the US president is ?enabling a genocide in Gaza?

Scotland Tonight: Non-violent criminals should not be sent to prison, says Gr...
24 Apr 2026 at 12:59pm
Ross Greer said he believes the current prison system doesn't work and community sentences would reduce reoffending

No 10 considered giving spin doctor diplomatic job despite paedophile council...
23 Apr 2026 at 8:25am
Lord Doyle campaigned for Sean Morton in 2017 after he had been charged over indecent images of children

Restrict ?forever chemicals? that hurt people and planet, MPs urge
23 Apr 2026 at 5:47am
The Environmental Audit Committee has released a report calling on the government to phase out PFAs from non-essential items.

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Scottish town halls gripped by 'censorship culture' 10 years on from free spe...
3 May 2026 at 4:30am
In 2016, independent Argyll and Bute councillor Mike Breslin was cleared of code of conduct charges after 'robustly' criticising council officials.

Scottish Greens accused of 'hypocrisy' over not directly paying business rate...
3 May 2026 at 4:30am
The party has called for Non-Domestic Rates to be raised on banking multinationals with £1m+ business properties.

SNP Government 'pressured' Scottish Water not to publish sewage dump data bef...
3 May 2026 at 4:30am
The Sunday Mail today reveals emails showing Scottish Water wanted to publish annual figures as usual in March but were overruled.

Anas Sarwar vows to chop NHS waiting times as he blasts SNP 'culture of secrecy'
3 May 2026 at 4:30am
Ahead of polling day, the Scottish Labour leader said the infections scandal at Glasgow's superhospital is the SNP's 'single biggest failure'.

Malcolm Offord urged to 'come clean' over claims he 'bought' Reform leadershi...
3 May 2026 at 4:30am
The multi-millionaire has admitted giving a 'small amount' to Reform shortly after Nigel Farage appointed him Scottish party leader.

Reform UK candidate launches disgusting racist tirade calling white people 'm...
2 May 2026 at 1:22pm
Wannabe Reform UK councillor Stuart Prior has been exposed for a series of horrendous and alarming tweets.

Scotland's crumbling classrooms as school sewage leaks reported on 300 occasions
2 May 2026 at 4:30am
The Lib Dems warned Scottish education is "already under heaps of pressure even without pipes and bathrooms causing chaos".

Scottish politics today: John Swinney toasts Donald Trump after whisky tariff...
1 May 2026 at 5:00pm
The Record brings you its regular 5pm round-up of the biggest stories in Scottish politics.

Donald Trump calls John Swinney after President agrees to ditch US tariffs on...
1 May 2026 at 2:54pm
The President spoke with the First Minister for nine minutes after the American leader handed the whisky industry a massive boost.

John Swinney blasts Douglas Alexander as government relations sour over whisky
1 May 2026 at 1:59pm
The SNP leader said Douglas Alexander was "clearly distressed" after the UK Government minister branded him a "liar".

The National

The National | Politics

Shirley-Anne Sommerville says antisemitism a 'cultural and societal problem'
3 May 2026 at 10:39am

The SNP?s Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville says she has spoken to members of Scotland?s Jewish community, acknowledging their security concerns

Zack Polanski calls out 'vile antisemitic cartoon' of him in national newspaper
3 May 2026 at 10:34am

ZACK Polanski has condemned a ?vile antisemitic cartoon? of him published in a national newspaper this weekend.

Pro-Palestine protest organisers challenge Keir Starmer?s threat to ban marches
3 May 2026 at 10:25am

ORGANISERS of pro-Palestine demonstrations have challenged Keir Starmer?s threat to ban some protests against Israel as they warn it would ?strike at the root of free assembly and free speech? in the UK ...

Donald Trump casts doubt on peace deal saying Iran has not 'paid a big enough...
3 May 2026 at 9:06am

DONALD Trump has cast doubt on a peace deal with Iran as he said the country has not yet ?paid a big enough price? ...

Airlines to group flights together on fewer planes under jet fuel-saving plans
3 May 2026 at 8:21am

AIRLINES will be allowed to group passengers from different flights together on to fewer planes as part of plans to save jet fuel ...

Number of wild salmon caught in Scottish rivers hits lowest level since recor...
3 May 2026 at 5:00am

THE number of wild salmon caught in Scotland?s rivers is at its lowest level since records began 74 years ago, ?worrying? new figures have revealed ...

Paranoid Labour are scorning the crucial art of para-diplomacy
3 May 2026 at 5:00am

ONE of the more scurrilous theories which swirled around Anas Sarwar?s surprising decision to perform a one-man hit on Sir Keir Starmer back in March was that it was a plot simultaneously hatched and blown by Douglas Alexander.

I hope this election is a turning point as politicians talk more to lobbyists...
3 May 2026 at 5:00am

I THINK we can generally agree that this hasn?t been a classic election, but there is at least one group who will be happy with how it has gone ? the commercial lobbyists. That isn?t healthy for democracy and it makes me very nervous.

Scottish Labour's NHS plan 'created two-tier system in England', expert study...
3 May 2026 at 5:00am

THERE is a ?two-tier system now operating within the NHS in England? ? and Labour?s plans for Scotland?s NHS risk creating the same divide north of the Border, an expert has warned ...

John Curtice explains why list vote is 'irrelevant' to SNP's election hopes
3 May 2026 at 5:00am

THERE is a path to an SNP majority at the Scottish parliament elections in just four days? time ? but it relies on ?oddball? constituencies and the list vote is ?irrelevant?, according to polling expert Professor John Curtice ...

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

AI is ?defining currency? of our age, says Liz Kendall
28 Apr 2026 at 5:22pm
The minister pledged to work with other ?middle power nations? on AI to improve global security

Morgan McSweeney: Mandelson revelations were a knife to my soul
28 Apr 2026 at 3:22pm
Prime minister's former chief-of-staff appears before Foreign Affairs Committee

UK Government will ?impose some form? of social media restrictions for children
28 Apr 2026 at 1:22pm
Ministers have stopped short of implementing a blanket ban

John Swinney vows to bring forward Holyrood vote in bid to secure second inde...
27 Apr 2026 at 4:39pm
The SNP leader pledged to 'hit the ground running' if his party remains in power after the election

SNP maintains lead in new Scottish election poll
27 Apr 2026 at 4:05pm
A single-party majority government is the most popular option for voters, research finds

Scottish university builds first simulated freight truck journey in UK
27 Apr 2026 at 12:39pm
It will help to improve understanding of the carbon footprint of goods that are shipped between road and air freight

To finally end Scotland's drugs deaths, we need to plan now for 2036
27 Apr 2026 at 7:00am
This is one area where we simply must work together to build the Scotland we all want in the future.

Former New Labour spin doctor compares Keir Starmer to George W Bush
27 Apr 2026 at 1:01am
Alastair Campbell also warned the UK would end up in "pretty dark place" if Labour did not turn things around

Former HIV Scotland chief and SNP adviser admits embezzlement
24 Apr 2026 at 4:33pm
Sentencing will take place in May

Zack Polanski: ?Outrageous? that pro-independence parliament would not secure...
24 Apr 2026 at 2:25pm
The GPEW leader put down his party's surge to ?resentment and anger at the Labour government?

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

End of Trump tariffs on whisky sparks row between Scottish parties over claim...
1 May 2026 at 3:33pm
First minister John Swinney says he played significant role but Labour rejects claim and accuses SNP of hypocrisyDonald Trump?s announcement that he will lift punishing US tariffs on scotch whisky has been overshadowed by a row between rival Scottish party leaders over claiming credit for the dec...

Will Reform dominate the local and devolved elections? ? podcast
30 Apr 2026 at 5:21pm
Pippa Crerar is joined by the election analyst Prof Rob Ford to look at the upcoming local and devolved elections. Will Reform dominate across England? Can the Greens remove Labour?s longstanding hold over London? And will the nationalists win in Scotland and Wales? Continue reading...

Polanski criticised for reposting comment suggesting police arresting Golders...
30 Apr 2026 at 4:55pm
Home Office minister says ?the Green Party has hit a new low? after party leader?s repost on X On BBC Radio Merseyside the presenter, Tony Snell, put it to Kemi Badenoch that Merseyside was a lost cause for the Tories. He said that Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, had been on the programme yes...

?Reform is an acute threat to Scottish self-government,? says John Swinney
30 Apr 2026 at 7:00am
Polling puts Reform, led in Scotland by former peer Malcolm Offord, neck and neck with Labour for second placeReform UK represents an acute threat to Scottish self government, John Swinney has warned, adding that nationalist victories in Scotland and Wales in May could ?irrevocably change? the dy...

Farage reported to parliament?s standards watchdog over undeclared £5m donati...
29 Apr 2026 at 5:33pm
Farage was given £5m by the Thai-based billionaire Christopher Harborne shortly before announcing he would stand in the 2024 general electionExclusive: Farage was given undisclosed £5m by crypto billionaire in 2024Here is the running order for PMQs.Nigel Farage was given £5m by the crypto billion...

Reform?s Scottish leader called ?tone deaf? after boasting about his houses, ...
29 Apr 2026 at 11:27am
SNP leader John Swinney suggests Malcolm Offord and other leaders should publish tax returns before 7 MayUK politics live ? latest updatesThe leader of Reform UK in Scotland, Malcolm Offord, has been dismissed as ?tone deaf? and ?entitled? after he boasted in a televised election debate about the...

No 10 publishes previously confidential memo to refute claim that Starmer mis...
27 Apr 2026 at 6:13pm
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle earlier confirmed that MPs will decide whether to let inquiry into Keir Starmer?s statements over Peter Mandelson proceedDowning Street has said that the UK is ?in a good position? to handle the global supply problems caused by the Iran war not being resolved.Speaking at...

Free bus travel to first-homes fund: what Scottish parties are promising on t...
27 Apr 2026 at 2:00pm
Advent of Reform has radically altered the dynamics of the campaign and parties are responding accordinglyPolls predict a gravity-defying fifth term at Holyrood for the Scottish National party ? albeit on a much reduced vote share ? but the advent of Reform UK has radically altered the dynamics o...

?This election is all to play for?: Can the Scottish Labour leader defy polit...
24 Apr 2026 at 6:00am
Anas Sarwar speaks to the Guardian about why he thinks the polls are wrong and how he hopes to end the SNP?s near 20-year dominance at HolyroodAnas Sarwar says he is certain he can pull off one of the greatest escape acts of modern British politics. It is 14 days until the Holyrood election, and ...

Global Counsel, lobbying firm set up by Mandelson, went bust owing £4.5m just...
23 Apr 2026 at 5:48pm
Firm went bust in February amid fallout from the scandal over Mandelson?s links to Jeffrey EpsteinLittle says in March she had a meeting when she asked to see the Foreign Office?s documentation about the decision to grant Mandelson vetting. She said she was asking because this was documentation c...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Whisky, Labour?s leadership, and polling, fingers crossed for a record pro-in...
2 May 2026 at 4:09pm
We’re on the home straight now for the Scottish election on Thursday, and we are well into that nail biting phase when things seem to be going well but we are always aware of the uncanny ability of Scots to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The overwhelmingly anti-independence British media in Scotland is …

George Monbiot is right, the Union has nothing good for Scotland
1 May 2026 at 3:03pm
In an interview with The National, environmental campaigner George Monbiot, perhaps the highest profile person on the English left to have come out in favour of Scottish independence during the 2014 independence referendum campaign, has said that there is “nothing in the Union” for Scotland. In 2014 independence campaigners constantly asked Better Together supporters for …

Six houses, five cars, six yachts and zero self-awareness
29 Apr 2026 at 8:39pm
I didn’t watch the STV leaders’ debate as we had visitors, which meant I missed the moment that Malcolm Offord torpedoed Reform UK’s “We’re the party which is opposed to the elite” schtick. It was always bollocks, but on Tuesday night Offord slipped up. When you are cos-playing as the party which is on the …

A new chapter in the quest for independence starts next week
27 Apr 2026 at 2:55pm
First Minister John Swinney has promised that on the first day the new Scottish Parliament is in session, a vote would be brought forward to “approve the development of a Section 30 Order to give Scotland the power to hold an independence referendum.” He also promised that a referendum bill would be introduced within the …

A tale of three polls which give hope for a pro-indy majority in May
26 Apr 2026 at 3:29pm
Three opinion polls came out over the weekend which were not asking about voting intention in the Holyrood election which is now only a week and a half away. Nevertheless, all these polls are instructive about the kind of country Scotland could be, and their trust in the various parties contesting the election, and that …

The anti-independence hysteria of Alex Cole-Hamilton
23 Apr 2026 at 8:30pm
I don’t normally blog about Alex Cole-Hamilton, partly that’s because in Scotland the Lib Dems are a minor regional party who only win representation because their support is concentrated in a few areas and whose importance in Scotland is boosted far beyond their true relevance as they are the Scottish branch of the UK party …

Sarwar and Starmer are on borrowed time
22 Apr 2026 at 8:20pm
When Labour came to power in Westminster in 2024, the party promised to put an end to the cronyism, chaos, sleaze, and corruption which characterised the last fourteen years of Conservative rule. How’s that working out then. Labour has continued all of them and added an unhealthy dose of lies and deceit. This week, Keir …

Labour?s Holyrood campaign lurches from one crisis to another
19 Apr 2026 at 2:26pm
There’s less than three weeks to go until the Holyrood election and the wheels have well and truly come off the Labour campaign. With the headlines being dominated by the Mandelson story – Anas Sarwar’s erstwhile old friend – and mounting speculation about how long Starmer can survive as Prime Minister, Sarwar, talking to the …

We can win an SNP majority despite the moral bankruptcy of the media
17 Apr 2026 at 3:21pm
The Scottish Parliament election campaign is now well underway. Yesterday (Thursday) saw the launch of the SNP manifesto. The response of the British media in Scotland to this, and to a defining event of the campaign earlier this week Reform’s Malcolm Offord blurting out that Anas Sarwar had bounced up to him and spoke of …

The overwhelming evidence that Labour is willing to do a deal with Reform
15 Apr 2026 at 3:12pm
Sometimes events happen which define an entire election campaign, last night Reform’s Malcolm Offord responded to Anas Sarwar’s assertion that he’d never do a deal with Reform because it fields racists by saying: ?This does not square with you coming up to me at the start of this campaign, bouncing up to me at Paisley …

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

Prioritising citizens over corporations ? Scottish Government sets a preceden...
3 May 2026 at 7:50am
According to Secret Glasgow on 24 April 2026, the above and: Global attention is currently fixed on the Scottish Government, which has successfully introduced an Act that sets a precedent most nations have yet to follow. Although it hasn?t dominated local headlines, international media and social platforms are praising the Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Act 2026 for its commitment to prio...

Attacker of two Jewish men in London had earlier tried to murder a Muslim but...
2 May 2026 at 3:00pm
Readers may feel we're straying into an area not directly related to our mission but as Liz S points out this is another example of the duplicity of the UK media that we must surely want to leave behind. By Liz S Much of the media and the Met Police are obscuring something else that happened on the same day a man attacked, as in stabbed, two Jewish men in London. Most of the media and the Met p...

Innovative high capital cost projects commonly overrun in costs and time but ...
2 May 2026 at 11:01am
It’s been ages, two days, since the last ferry fiasco story, likely to affect the voting behaviour of almost no voters of course but you can be sure there will be a big one on Wednesday night, maybe even on the day of the vote? Look and laugh. What will you not hear? Well-known examples 1. Hinkley Point C (UK nuclear power) 2. Crossrail (London rail project) 3. Boeing 787 Dreamliner (aviation) ...

Youth unemployment far lower in Scotland ? short video
2 May 2026 at 10:03am
Sources: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/05/02/19-years-of-the-snp-in-charge-and-uk-youth-unemployment-is-shocking-55-higher-than-in-scotland-which-has-one-of-the-lowest-rates-in-western-europe/

Reposted as Anas Sarwar tries to save himself by blaming a whole health board...
2 May 2026 at 9:22am

19 years of the SNP in charge and UK youth unemployment is shocking 55% highe...
2 May 2026 at 8:50am
The above, presented as applying to the UK as a whole, formed part of a BBC Breakfast report this morning including these comments: Being out of work or education between the ages of 16 and 24 can have serious long-term consequences for people’s health, employment and finances later in life. A new study suggests that nearly one million young people are currently not in education, employment or ...

The Scotch Whisky Association on US tariffs: ?Scotch Whisky and US Whiskey sh...
1 May 2026 at 8:03pm
By stewartb I?m pleased that independent whisky distillers in Scotland will benefit from the removal of trade tariffs on their exports to the USA.  (As someone who greatly enjoys a single malt, I?ve long since shunned for the most part the brands of the big corporates in favour of Scotland?s burgeoning independent sector.) The role of FM Swinney in achieving this change in US policy seems to be...

I bet they didn?t say ?administrative error? when it was an administrative error
1 May 2026 at 11:18am
The Herald a week ago and today, milking the story of one single appointment at the same GP walk-in clinic with a healthy dose of demonising John Swinney. He’s a busy man if he’s managing the appointment system in a clinic as well as being FM! It’s the inverted commas or speech marks the Herald hasn’t used on the first story but has on the second that get’s ‘me.’ In the second, the NHS has said...

Short video ? Violent crime in Scotland has fallen by 27% since 2008-09 with ...
1 May 2026 at 10:43am
Sources at: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/04/30/violent-crime-in-scotland-has-fallen-by-42-since-2008-09-with-30-000-fewer-scots-experiencing-it-every-year-after-two-decades-with-no-service-cutting-right-wing-government-and-the-snp-maintaining-24-m/

?Hard-pressed Scots? will be ?sick of it? if we distort the truth before they...
1 May 2026 at 8:30am
The Herald today rehashing a story they got from the Scottish Cons in March. If you can’t be bothered reading all this below, here’s a short video covering the key points: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/03/13/short-video-on-are-hard-pressed-scots-sick-of-homeworking-hybrids/ Here’s the March 2026, response which still stands today The Herald today has: The Scottish Government faces a new...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

A fairer, greener and independent Scotland is in reach - Scottish Greens
3 May 2026 at 8:24am
A fairer, greener and independent Scotland is in reach  Scottish Greens

The question of Scottish independence is alive but not kicking - The Economist
30 Apr 2026 at 1:48pm
The question of Scottish independence is alive but not kicking  The Economist

Swinney says Scottish independence referendum could be held in 2028 - BBC
12 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
Swinney says Scottish independence referendum could be held in 2028  BBC

Caught between the UK and EU: What?s next for young Scots? - France 24
27 Apr 2026 at 12:34pm
Caught between the UK and EU: What?s next for young Scots?  France 24

The Scottish independence lie - The Spectator
29 Apr 2026 at 5:15am
The Scottish independence lie  The Spectator

Scotland political snapshot, Spring 2026 - YouGov
8 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
Scotland political snapshot, Spring 2026  YouGov

John Swinney to give speech on independence today ? how and when to watch - T...
1 May 2026 at 8:20am
John Swinney to give speech on independence today ? how and when to watch  The National Scot

Priorities of Scotland?s Gen Z voters in 2026 election - Channel 4 News | Sub...
30 Apr 2026 at 6:42pm
Priorities of Scotland?s Gen Z voters in 2026 election  Channel 4 News | Substack

The pros and cons of Scottish independence - The Week
22 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
The pros and cons of Scottish independence  The Week

The great independence charade - Financial Times
16 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
The great independence charade  Financial Times

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

SNP election strategy 'is playing into Westminster's hands', Greens say - The...
3 May 2026 at 5:06am
SNP election strategy 'is playing into Westminster's hands', Greens say  The National Scot

SNP to fall short of overall majority at Holyrood election, poll finds - The ...
3 May 2026 at 9:57am
SNP to fall short of overall majority at Holyrood election, poll finds  The Scotsman

Reasons the SNP deserve to lose this election - The Times
2 May 2026 at 5:30pm
Reasons the SNP deserve to lose this election  The Times

The big issues and key flashpoints from Scotland's election campaign - BBC
1 May 2026 at 10:57pm
The big issues and key flashpoints from Scotland's election campaign  BBC

How to silence Scottish nationalists - The Spectator
3 May 2026 at 5:15am
How to silence Scottish nationalists  The Spectator

SNP in denial over growing mental health crisis, says Sarwar - The Independent
3 May 2026 at 12:01am
SNP in denial over growing mental health crisis, says Sarwar  The Independent

Too few migrants are coming to Scotland, say SNP - BBC
26 Apr 2026 at 2:54pm
Too few migrants are coming to Scotland, say SNP  BBC

New mega-poll predicts SNP majority as Labour fall to fourth behind Reform an...
2 May 2026 at 6:58am
New mega-poll predicts SNP majority as Labour fall to fourth behind Reform and Greens  The Herald

SNP 'digging Scotland into hole' with 'disastrous' finance policies experts s...
2 May 2026 at 8:16pm
SNP 'digging Scotland into hole' with 'disastrous' finance policies experts say  The Scottish Sun

Scotland has suffered nearly 7,000 days of failure under SNP, says Russell Fi...
3 May 2026 at 9:07am
Scotland has suffered nearly 7,000 days of failure under SNP, says Russell Findlay  Scottish Daily Express

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

Swinney says Scottish independence referendum could be held in 2028 - BBC
12 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
Swinney says Scottish independence referendum could be held in 2028  BBC

Scotland?s parliamentary election 2026: what are the big economic choices? - ...
28 Apr 2026 at 2:31pm
Scotland?s parliamentary election 2026: what are the big economic choices?  Economics Observatory

The question of Scottish independence is alive but not kicking - The Economist
30 Apr 2026 at 1:48pm
The question of Scottish independence is alive but not kicking  The Economist

Caught between the UK and EU: What?s next for young Scots? - France 24
27 Apr 2026 at 12:34pm
Caught between the UK and EU: What?s next for young Scots?  France 24

The great independence charade - Financial Times
16 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
The great independence charade  Financial Times

How a 'wellbeing economy' could unlock Scottish independence - The National Scot
29 Apr 2026 at 5:43pm
How a 'wellbeing economy' could unlock Scottish independence  The National Scot

Scotland political snapshot, Spring 2026 - YouGov
8 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
Scotland political snapshot, Spring 2026  YouGov

The pros and cons of Scottish independence - The Week
22 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
The pros and cons of Scottish independence  The Week

Voting SNP could bring independence and lower energy bills, says Swinney - Th...
1 May 2026 at 12:01am
Voting SNP could bring independence and lower energy bills, says Swinney  The Irish News

Will the Scots Get a Second Referendum? - Irish Border Poll
19 Apr 2026 at 7:05am
Will the Scots Get a Second Referendum?  Irish Border Poll