The Herald

The Herald | Politics


New witness prompts further Police Scotland investigation into Al Fayed
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
26 Jul 2026 at 4:57pm
Police Scotland is pursuing further inquiries into an alleged 1991 attack at Mohamed Al Fayed?s Highland estate after a new witness came forward.


UK Government ready to deploy military to Scotland as Cairngorms fire rages on
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
26 Jul 2026 at 2:31pm
The UK Government is ready to deploy the army to Scotland to battle a wildfire in the Cairngorms


'We've reached breaking point?: Mum demands urgent action on ASN assessments
by gl-heraldnews@newsquest.co.uk | Eva Milne
26 Jul 2026 at 12:00pm
Stephanie McDowell's six-year-old daughter has experienced lengthy waits for an ASN assessment, prompting the mother to challenge the Scottish Government.


Andy Burnham says he will confront Donald Trump to defend Britain?s interests
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
26 Jul 2026 at 11:23am
Andy Burnham says he would challenge Donald Trump when needed, rules out an early election and faces questions over defence spending.


?Ready to lead?: Monica Lennon launches bid to revive Scottish Labour
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
26 Jul 2026 at 10:01am
Monica Lennon has confirmed she will stand for Scottish Labour leader, warning the party faces oblivion without radical and rapid change.


Nethy Bridge residents can return home as update given on wildfire
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
26 Jul 2026 at 9:20am
Residents of Nethy Bridge have been told they can return from their homes having been evacuated on Friday night due to a wildfire


No, The Odyssey is not smuggling a ?woke? agenda into cinema like a Trojan H...
26 Jul 2026 at 6:15am
Nolan?s Odysseus has been described as a Rorschach test, a figure so malleable he can mean whatever you want him to mean


Sarwar's shock exit leaves Scottish Labour bracing for a brutal summer
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
26 Jul 2026 at 5:00am
Anas Sarwar's departure for London leaves Scottish Labour facing a brutal leadership contest, a disastrous election result, and fundamental question about the party's relationship with Andy Burnham's government and Scottish voters.


'Tardis should land in Glasgow': Call for Doctor Who to be filmed in the city
26 Jul 2026 at 5:01am
The next era of Doctor Who should befilmed in Glasgow, bringing jobs, training and investment to Scotland?s screen sector, according to the Scottish Greens.


Cairngorms fire: Neil Gray signals review amid questions over response
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
26 Jul 2026 at 10:46am
Neil Gray has signalled a review of Scotland?s wildfire strategy after revealing the UK military was unlikely to have the helicopters requested.


Rise of middle-aged extremists: How Gen X became the radicalised generation
26 Jul 2026 at 6:15am
Dr Sara Wilford is one of the few academics in the world studying the phenomenon of people in midlife increasingly embracing far-right ideology. She talks to our Writer at Large


'Beggars belief' Will Trump?s Saudi nuclear deal trigger a Middle East arms r...
by david.pratt@heraldandtimes.co.uk | David Pratt
26 Jul 2026 at 6:15am
He failed to articulate a persuasive argument for the Iran war and now a poorly negotiated deal with Riyadh has only compounded the danger writes Foreign Editor David Pratt


Council's plea to government on school toilets went unanswered as election lo...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
25 Jul 2026 at 5:00am
Emails obtained by The Herald reveal Scottish Ministers repeatedly stalled when a council made an emergency request over school toilets, leaving it to defend a court case alone.


Struggling Scottish pubs need Andy Burnham?s business rates relief, SNP told
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
25 Jul 2026 at 5:00am
Andy Burnham's business rates relief for pubs in England must be passed down to 'struggling' pubs in Scotland, SNP ministers have been told.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Police Scotland investigating 'further' allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed
26 Jul 2026 at 4:37pm

It is understood a new witness to an alleged attack in the Highlands in 1991 has come forward.

Monica Lennon is one of the favourites to become the next Scottish Labour leader as she preparest to return to Holyrood

Is it time to bring the long-running sci-fi show to Scotland?

Andy Burnham has spoken in his first major interview since becoming Prime Minister.

Many of the evacuated residents of Nethy Bridge were moved to a dedicated respite centre at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort

Scottish Financial Enterprise points to growth in highly skilled jobs

Scottish Labour has missed many opportunities to gather power - the new Prime Minister can?t afford any more, writes Keith Geddes

Wings over Scotland

Ain?t it funny how things change?
22 Jul 2026 at 11:29am
Then, and now. (Click pic to enlarge.) Scottish politics: where repeated catastrophic failure is just another way to succeed.

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 …

Craig Murray

Narratives of Moral Conflict: Karim Khan and Delcy Rodriguez
26 Jul 2026 at 6:09am

Social media is not conducive to nuance. In the interest of reach, cut and dried positions are more effective and binary moral judgement expected. This leads to over-simplification of complex issues, and to skipping over facts inconvenient to your chosen narrative. There are issues affecting two high-profile people where it is worth considering the detail …

Narratives of Moral Conflict: Karim Khan and Delcy Rodriguez

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

BBC Scotland

Lennon launches Scottish Labour leadership bid
26 Jul 2026 at 5:03pm
The incoming West of Scotland MSP said her party was in the "last chance saloon" and needed "radical and fast change".

Scottish councils 'starved of cash and powers' by SNP, says Alexander
24 Jul 2026 at 11:46am
The Scottish Secretary also said he wanted "mutual respect" between governments at Holyrood and Westminster.

Burnham tells Swinney independence is 'off limits' at Commonwealth Games meeting
23 Jul 2026 at 6:49pm
The heads of the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments came together ahead of the opening of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar 'delighted' to accept trade minister job
23 Jul 2026 at 8:50am
Sarwar will leave the Scottish Parliament and his leader role, and take up a seat in the House of Lords.

Scottish Labour at a crossroads again as Sarwar jumps ship
22 Jul 2026 at 11:41pm
Anas Sarwar has never made a secret of his desire to hold high office, but where does it leave Scottish Labour?

Who could be the new Scottish Labour leader?
22 Jul 2026 at 2:06pm
The party are still reeling from their worst Holyrood election result in Scottish Parliament history.

Swinney says Scottish and UK relations 'haemorrhaged' with Douglas Alexander
22 Jul 2026 at 3:50pm
Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced on Monday that Douglas Alexander would remain as Scottish Secretary in his government.

Chris Mason: Sarwar ministerial role sees promotion of another Starmer critic
22 Jul 2026 at 6:22am
Months after calling on Keir Starmer to quit, the Scottish Labour leader is set to become a minister in Burnham's government, the BBC's political editor writes.

Who is Anas Sarwar? The Scottish Labour leader returning to UK politics
22 Jul 2026 at 12:05pm
The Glasgow MSP is expected to be confirmed for role in Andy Burnham's government after taking 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?

Scot Goes Pop

No. 10 North: How Burnham is signalling with his choice of name that "England...
26 Jul 2026 at 1:56pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.More people have become Ko-Fi supporters of my content over the last twenty-four hou...

Scottish poll DISASTER for Burnham: SNP have massive lead in his first YouGov...
25 Jul 2026 at 12:33pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Many thanks to the several people who became Ko-Fi supporters of my content yesterda...

Scotland is now in a FORCED union, not a "voluntary" one: Burnham makes it of...
24 Jul 2026 at 1:35pm
There is no unambiguous outcome to yesterday's readers' poll about the future of Scot Goes Pop as the result currently stands - so far traditional text-blogging is somewhat more popular than videos...

A poll for Scot Goes Pop readers and viewers - please respond if you can
23 Jul 2026 at 11:59am
So I'm completely stumped, to be honest.  Just over a year ago, I switched my focus from conventional blogging to YouTube videos in the hope that I would no longer be lurching from mini-crisis to m...

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...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Monica Lennon to stand in Scottish Labour leadership contest
26 Jul 2026 at 7:04pm
The former MSP, who is set to return to Holyrood, is the first politician to enter the race to succeed Anas Sarwar.

Burnham must go further and faster on cost of living, says SNP
25 Jul 2026 at 11:43am
In his inaugural Cabinet meeting, Andy Burnham told ministers they would be a 'cost-of-living Government'

Andy Burnham says he wants to ?get Britain hoping again? as he opens No 10 North
24 Jul 2026 at 6:38pm
The PM is expected to work at Heron House in Manchester once a week during his premiership

Burnham meets Swinney for first time as Prime Minister
23 Jul 2026 at 5:13pm
It?s the first in-person meeting between the Scottish and UK leaders since Burnham became Prime Minister on Monday.

Burnham to meet Swinney for first time as Prime Minister during Scotland visit
23 Jul 2026 at 7:39am
It?s the first in-person meeting between the Scottish and UK leaders since Burnham became Prime Minister on Monday.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar made lord and UK minister
23 Jul 2026 at 6:55am
Lord Sarwar was among the first to call for Sir Keir Starmer to stand down in February

Is Anas Sarwar?s House of Lords promotion failing upwards?
22 Jul 2026 at 12:41pm
The Scottish Labour leader is about to be announced as the latest ministerial appointment in Andy Burnham's Cabinet

Wes Streeting apologises for joke about prisoner releases caught on microphone
22 Jul 2026 at 7:13am
The defence secretary was caught making the joke about his newly appointed colleague, Justice Secretary Alex Norris.

Anas Sarwar set to step down as Scottish Labour leader to become Burnham mini...
21 Jul 2026 at 9:11pm
He hailed Andy Burnham for his ?bold Labour vision? as he entered No 10 this week

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?

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

John Swinney told to speed up £2 bus fares rollout despite Westminster cash u...
26 Jul 2026 at 4:30am
The SNP government has pledged a £2 fares cap by 2031 but in England, Andy Burnham will bring it in from January 1.

Monica Lennon's Scottish Labour leader bid launch as she vies to succeed Anas...
26 Jul 2026 at 4:30am
Lennon told the Sunday Mail her party faces ?oblivion? without ?radical and fast change? and said she will put herself forward for the job.

Andy Burnham: "I will tackle the cost of living crisis faced by Scots and giv...
25 Jul 2026 at 4:30am
Writing exclusively for the Daily Record, Prime Minister Andy Burnham also paid tribute to Glasgow for hosting the Commonwealth Games.

Scottish Labour leadership contender to give Holyrood exit payment cash to ch...
24 Jul 2026 at 4:00pm
EXCLUSIVE: Monica Lennon, who is set for a return to Holyrood nearly three months after losing at the May election, said women's health and alcohol abuse groups would benefit.

Andy Burnham warns John Swinney indyref2 is "off limits" for Labour Government
23 Jul 2026 at 6:50pm
The leaders are said to have had a constructive meeting but disagreed on the constitution.

'John Swinney should stop pretending Andy Burnham will ever agree to indyref2'
23 Jul 2026 at 5:00pm
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says the bloodless forever war between the UK and Scottish Governments will continue.

Michael Marra backs 'big changes' in Scottish Labour as leadership bid warms up
23 Jul 2026 at 11:54am
The Labour MSP released a statement amid speculation he will go for the leadership vacated by Anas Sarwar.

Former Labour MSP feels ?anger and disappointment? with Anas Sarwar over resi...
23 Jul 2026 at 10:04am
Paul O?Kane also named MSP Michael Marra when asked who should succeed Sarwar as Scottish Labour leader.

Andy Burnham to attend Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in first Scotland ...
23 Jul 2026 at 12:01am
The new Prime Minister is also expected to meet John Swinney and use his engagement in Scotland to talk about the cost of living crisis and devolution.

Anas Sarwar quits as Scottish Labour leader to become Lord in Andy Burnham go...
22 Jul 2026 at 11:09pm
Lord Anas, who has been Scottish Labour leader since 2021, was among the first to call for Sir Keir Starmer to stand down in February.

The National

The National | Politics

For the good of the Yes movement, we must move on from the past
26 Jul 2026 at 6:46pm

CAMPBELL Anderson (Letters, Jul 20) makes the seemingly unrealistic assumption that further investigation of decisions made by Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP hierarchy after Alex Salmond?s resignation as First Minister will reveal the full truth behind decisions made by those in power in the party.

Cap-doffing and singing a tuneless ditty to royals is now out of date
26 Jul 2026 at 6:39pm

GOD Save the King filled the front page of Saturday?s National. Respect for all fellow humans, yes, but cap-doffing and singing this tuneless ditty is out of date.

Scenes of racist violence and disorder in Glasgow 'must never become normalised'
26 Jul 2026 at 3:49pm

THE scenes of racist violence and far-right disorder seen at a rally in Glasgow ?must never become normalised?, the Scottish Greens have said ...

Reform UK fume at ?Nazi? label despite far?right Glasgow rally featuring Nazi...
26 Jul 2026 at 1:59pm

REFORM UK have responded after more than a dozen people were arrested after violence erupted in Glasgow between far-right and anti-racism protesters ...

Police probe Reform UK donations by Richard Tice-controlled company
26 Jul 2026 at 12:41pm

THE Metropolitan Police are investigating donations to Reform UK by a company controlled by the party?s deputy leader Richard Tice ...

Far right thugs attack Glasgow delivery driver with traffic cone in 'racist' ...
26 Jul 2026 at 10:47am

A DELIVERY driver in Glasgow was forced to flee after far right thugs launched a traffic cone at him ...

Monica Lennon confirms Scottish Labour leadership bid with warning to members
26 Jul 2026 at 10:32am

FORMER MSP Monica Lennon has launched her bid to become Scottish Labour's next leader

How do we defeat the rise of the extreme right in Scotland and Britain?
26 Jul 2026 at 5:00am

ANDY Burnham has completed his first week as UK Prime Minister, with the role feeling nearly as temporary as the leader of Scottish Labour.

Scotland can build on Tartan Army soft power at Commonwealth Games, says mini...
26 Jul 2026 at 5:00am

THE Glasgow Commonwealth Games will allow Scotland to continue forging key links across the globe after the Tartan Army lit up the US during the World Cup, the nation?s Sport Minister has said.

Let us remember Anas Sarwar, the narcissist who presided over an era of failure
26 Jul 2026 at 5:00am

AFTER the last Holyrood election, I found myself in an oddly lonely position

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

John Swinney says he will continue independence push despite Downing Street s...
23 Jul 2026 at 8:15pm
The first minister met Andy Burnham in Glasgow on Thursday afternoon

Anas Sarwar 'delighted' to become trade minister
23 Jul 2026 at 8:41am
Andy Burnham appoints more Scottish MPs to UK Government

Who could be Scottish Labour?s 11th leader since devolution?
22 Jul 2026 at 6:18pm
With Anas Sarwar set to quit so he can take up a post in the Lords, that leaves the party once more on the lookout for someone to take over the helm

Outdated technology impeding economic crime investigations, researchers warn
22 Jul 2026 at 11:35am
Poor data-sharing arrangements are hampering intelligence gathering

Anas Sarwar to be made minister in Burnham government
22 Jul 2026 at 8:22am
He is expected to stand down as Scottish Labour leader and head to the Lords

Almost two-thirds of Scottish businesses adopt AI
22 Jul 2026 at 7:00am
While the survey found adoption was widespread, most were not using the technology intensively

Building Inclusive Games That Reflect Their Communities
22 Jul 2026 at 7:00am
The most inclusive events aren?t those that become accessible over time. They?re the ones that reflect their communities from the moment they are created.

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

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

Evacuated villagers in Cairngorms allowed home after wildfire threat lifts
25 Jul 2026 at 11:08pm
Scottish first minister thanks Nethy Bridge residents and aid workers after earlier requesting UK military aid to fight 10-day fireResidents of Nethy Bridge have been told they can return to their homes after a large fire broke out in the Cairngorms national park.Supt Judy Hill of Police Scotland...

Scottish Labour?s rivals decry ?chancer? Anas Sarwar for resigning to join An...
22 Jul 2026 at 11:17pm
New prime minister has made Sarwar ? the first senior Labour figure to call for Keir Starmer?s resignation ? a peerScottish Labour?s rivals in Holyrood have slammed Anas Sarwar?s shock decision to resign as leader to sit in Andy Burnham?s new government, calling him a ?chancer? and accusing him o...

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...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Lord Sarwar of Brass Neck
21 Jul 2026 at 9:59pm
It seems to be a law of Scottish politics, or perhaps it’s more likely it’s just a personal curse, but whenever I try and take some time off from the blog a big story breaks and it’s back to the keyboard. What is most definitely a law of Scottish politics is that I’m not nationalist …

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 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

Largs community councillor and Herald really taking the p***, in the gutter, ...
26 Jul 2026 at 8:30pm
In the Herald today: A community councillor has renewed calls to reopen public toilets in Largs, warning that long ferry queues are leading to people urinating in nearby streets. Andy Adair, 85, said the issue had been raised previously but that he was advised to report incidents of public urination to police rather than seek a wider solution. As I remember, there’s a big toilet block near the ...

The wildfires in Europe and in Scotland are a world apart
26 Jul 2026 at 4:00pm
Details at: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/?s=wildfire

How Alex Salmond fought to prevent and to get justice for 600 000 war dead in...
26 Jul 2026 at 2:50pm
In 2003, as 1 million in London and 100 000 in Glasgow (me limping in at 99 990) marched against the US/UK plans to bomb and to invade Iraq, only one major party leader stood on the platform to denounce it – Alex Salmond, SNP leader at the time. One year later: Still with the courage he needed, in July 2016: Why do I say courage? He had the courage to oppose a war sanctioned by Parliament and d...

Scotland?s gutter press sink slowly into a sheuch like the ones being dug aro...
26 Jul 2026 at 2:47pm
Above at 9.52pm last night, Police Scotland tell the bitter-for-some truth about the Cairngorm wildfire. Undeterred, 12 hours later, the schadenfreude lot in the newspapers reporting Scotland badly are still telling the news that’s no longer of any use to you, helping to remind you why they’re all going down a sheuch like the ones being dug around Nethy Bridge. Isn’t it not sad. The weather has...

Apocalypse Now?
26 Jul 2026 at 9:29am
A Nethy Bridge local still at home (?) despite the looming ‘Apocalypse’, interviewed by Sky, perhaps minutes before Police Scotland said it was safe to return, makes one of the many OTT comments, harvested from 2 or 3 residents by Sky and BBC Scotland, to try to make Cairngorm wildfire into evidence, like that in France and Spain, of something deeply worrying. Ignoring the calm reassurances of ...

BBC Home and BBC Breakfast report that Cairngorm wildfire residents can retur...
26 Jul 2026 at 8:47am
If, down in Salford or wherever, you’re just reporting the news, there it is above the latest on the Cairngorms wildfire and the folk of Nethy Bridge. It’s the opening sentence in a report, largely based on police statements, last updated around 1am: Residents of the village of Nethy Bridge, near the wildfire that has been burning in the Cairngorms, have been told they can return to their homes...

Tell Andrew Bowie, Shadowy Secretary of State for Scotland ? No fire service ...
25 Jul 2026 at 7:22pm
As the Cairngorm wildfire faces heavy rain tomorrow, local MP and Shadowy Secretary of State for Scotland said: Increasing numbers of constituents had been getting in touch to express concern. In a letter, external to Scottish government minister Gillian Martin he claimed the SNP-led administration had “failed to treat the situation with the seriousness and attention that it deserves”. He singl...

The Edinburgh Tourist Levy to raise £50m a year, to build 472 new houses for ...
25 Jul 2026 at 6:10pm
Reader Arty Hetty has been hearing rumours from elements stirring against the Tourist Levy: ?Far as I know Edinburgh council are introducing a tourist tax, with the proceeds apparently going to be used to build houses for workers from outwith Scotland, not for services for the residents that are impacted by tourism?needs more investigation but that?s what I saw reported recently.?  stewartb (wi...

After failures on child grooming and stabbing Scotland seems unable to even r...
25 Jul 2026 at 3:10pm
Fresh from not being able to include Scotland in multiple youth stabbing and sex grooming panics, BBC Scotland can only find the above to illustrate Aberdeen after folk were warned to keep their windaes shut in case they choked from the Cairngorms wildfire which has ‘flared up’ in time for rain tomorrow. BBC Scotland are blowing frantically on the embers with big reports and photos from now 38 ...

SNP Government builds more than four times as many per head homes for social ...
25 Jul 2026 at 3:08pm
Thanks to Dottie once more. From the Resolution Foundation, yesterday: In the last year just 12,000 social rent homes were built in England, a fifth of the ‘affordable’ total Britain?s new Prime Minister has put ?council housing? at the heart of his programme for government. 1 The case for building more affordable homes is strong: near-record numbers of families in England are living in tempo...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

UK?s Burnham tells Scotland new independence vote is off limits - Al Jazeera
23 Jul 2026 at 7:12pm
UK?s Burnham tells Scotland new independence vote is off limits  Al Jazeera

New Scottish independence referendum ?off limits,? UK prime minister tells Sc...
23 Jul 2026 at 7:20pm
New Scottish independence referendum ?off limits,? UK prime minister tells Scottish leader  Anadolu Ajans?

Andy Burnham would oppose second Scottish independence referendum - BBC
6 Jul 2026 at 8:00am
Andy Burnham would oppose second Scottish 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

UK Prime Minister Burnham has ruled out the possibility of a new referendum o...
24 Jul 2026 at 12:53am
UK Prime Minister Burnham has ruled out the possibility of a new referendum on Scottish independence  ?????????? ??????????? ?????? (???)

Burnham: Scottish independence is ?off limits? - The Telegraph
23 Jul 2026 at 9:33pm
Burnham: Scottish independence is ?off limits?  The Telegraph

Andy Burnham 'won't overrule devolution' ? but says referendum 'off limits' -...
23 Jul 2026 at 8:26pm
Andy Burnham 'won't overrule devolution' ? but says referendum 'off limits'  The National Scot

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

British Prime Minister blocks calls for new Scottish independence referendum ...
23 Jul 2026 at 8:36pm
British Prime Minister blocks calls for new Scottish independence referendum  BGNES

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

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

SNP rejects offer of military helicopters to fight Scottish wildfires - The T...
26 Jul 2026 at 7:44pm
SNP rejects offer of military helicopters to fight Scottish wildfires  The Telegraph

SNP?s crusade against ?the rich? is making ordinary Scots poorer - The Times
26 Jul 2026 at 4:47pm
SNP?s crusade against ?the rich? is making ordinary Scots poorer  The Times

Scottish councils 'starved of cash and powers' by SNP, says Alexander - BBC
24 Jul 2026 at 11:46am
Scottish councils 'starved of cash and powers' by SNP, says Alexander  BBC

For the good of the Yes movement, we must move on from the past - The Nationa...
26 Jul 2026 at 8:20pm
For the good of the Yes movement, we must move on from the past  The National Scot

Struggling Scottish pubs need Andy Burnham?s business rates relief, SNP told ...
25 Jul 2026 at 8:50am
Struggling Scottish pubs need Andy Burnham?s business rates relief, SNP told  The Herald

The problem with the SNP?s separatist sympathies - The Critic
22 Jul 2026 at 2:00am
The problem with the SNP?s separatist sympathies  The Critic

Dani Garavelli · Short Cuts: Stealing from the SNP - London Review of Books
9 Jul 2026 at 8:00am
Dani Garavelli · Short Cuts: Stealing from the SNP  London Review of Books

SNP ?obstructed police? in Peter Murrell investigation, insider claims - The ...
25 Jul 2026 at 8:00pm
SNP ?obstructed police? in Peter Murrell investigation, insider claims  The Times

There?s little love for the SNP ? so why does the party look set to win in Sc...
6 May 2026 at 8:00am
There?s little love for the SNP ? so why does the party look set to win in Scotland?  The Conversation

'Anti-scientific approach': Labour at Westminster slam SNP on no new nuclear ...
22 Jul 2026 at 7:06am
'Anti-scientific approach': Labour at Westminster slam SNP on no new nuclear  Largs and Millport News

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

UK?s Burnham tells Scotland new independence vote is off limits - Al Jazeera
23 Jul 2026 at 7:12pm
UK?s Burnham tells Scotland new independence vote is off limits  Al Jazeera

New Scottish independence referendum ?off limits,? UK prime minister tells Sc...
23 Jul 2026 at 7:20pm
New Scottish independence referendum ?off limits,? UK prime minister tells Scottish leader  Anadolu Ajans?

Burnham tells Swinney independence is 'off limits' at Commonwealth Games meet...
23 Jul 2026 at 6:49pm
Burnham tells Swinney independence is 'off limits' at Commonwealth Games meeting  BBC

UK Prime Minister Burnham has ruled out the possibility of a new referendum o...
24 Jul 2026 at 12:53am
UK Prime Minister Burnham has ruled out the possibility of a new referendum on Scottish independence  ?????????? ??????????? ?????? (???)

John Swinney says he will continue independence push despite Downing Street s...
23 Jul 2026 at 7:15pm
John Swinney says he will continue independence push despite Downing Street saying referendum is ?off limits?  Holyrood Website

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

Andy Burnham 'won't overrule devolution' ? but says referendum 'off limits' -...
23 Jul 2026 at 8:26pm
Andy Burnham 'won't overrule devolution' ? but says referendum 'off limits'  The National Scot

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

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

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