The Herald

The Herald | Politics


John Swinney orders probe into SNP complaints process after Jordan Linden con...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
27 Mar 2026 at 5:13pm
John Swinney has ordered an independent review of SNP complaints procedures after former councillor Jordan Linden was convicted of multiple sexual offences.


Protest outside City Property as Glasgow arts groups face eviction from Trong...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
27 Mar 2026 at 3:05pm
Artists and campaigners have staged a protest over steep rent increases at Trongate 103, as Glasgow cultural organisations warn new lease terms could force them out.


Stephen Flynn urges SNP candidate to clarify position after defending Jordan ...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
27 Mar 2026 at 2:08pm
Stephen Flynn has said SNP councillors and candidates who defended or downplayed complaints about disgraced former council leader Jordan Linden must now ?outline their position? following his conviction for multiple sexual offences.


Lib Dems have 'no limit to ambition' as they target SNP, Alex Cole-Hamilton says
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
27 Mar 2026 at 12:28pm
Alex Cole-Hamilton has targeted SNP seats as he states there is "no limit" to the ambition of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.


Fringe return for Nicola Sturgeon revealed after Scottish Parliament farewell
by brian.ferguson@newsquest.co.uk | Brian Ferguson
27 Mar 2026 at 11:00am
The former First Minister is due to publish a new edition of her memoir in August.


Offord denies Reform Holyrood campaign a 'shambles' as party loses fifth cand...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
27 Mar 2026 at 9:03am
Reform UK?s Scottish leader Malcolm Offord has admitted a past joke about George Michael was ?probably? homophobic but says the backlash is overblown and politically motivated.


Stephen Flynn: Energy crisis will define Holyrood election
by Craig Paton
27 Mar 2026 at 7:55am
Flynn said voters will be casting their ballots for ?a permanent cost-of-living crisis under Westminster"


Ross Greer denies Scottish Greens making election win easier for SNP
27 Mar 2026 at 5:00am
Ross Greer has denied the Scottish Greens are making a Holyrood election win easier for the SNP by his party's decision to stand in just six constituency seats.


SNP?s first-time buyer pledge could make homes even dearer, warns think tank
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
27 Mar 2026 at 5:00am
The SNP says its £100m First Homes Fund will help first-time buyers escape the rent trap. But critics warn the £10,000 deposit pledge could inflate Scottish house prices, reward developers and leave the poorest locked out.


North Sea giant tables plan to revive industry as energy price fears grow
by scott.wright@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Scott Wright
27 Mar 2026 at 4:33am
Serica Energy calls on the UK Government to get behind North Sea production and scrap energy profits levy


Ming Yang warns decision to block Scots turbine factory could hike energy bills
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
27 Mar 2026 at 10:43am
The decision to block Ming Yang?s £1.5bn Scottish wind turbine factory has sparked warnings of higher energy costs and slower progress towards renewables.


Labour demands Swinney 'come clean' over sex complaints about SNP rising star
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
27 Mar 2026 at 9:28am
Labour has said John Swinney must ?come clean? over how complaints about former SNP rising star convicted of multiple sexual offences were handled by the party.


Ex-SNP councillor found guilty of 10 charges including sexually assaulting th...
by Gabriel McKay
26 Mar 2026 at 7:23pm
A former SNP councillor has been found guilty of 10 charges including sexually assaulting three men


Unspun ??: Why this election needs a different kind of coverage
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
26 Mar 2026 at 6:13pm
As Scotland heads toward the 2026 election, voters are increasingly convinced the country is on the wrong track. With trust falling and parties struggling to connect, the contest risks being defined more by disillusionment than hope. Here's what's The Herald's doing to combat that.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


'What's the big deal?': Malcolm Offord admits his joke was 'probably' homophobic
27 Mar 2026 at 9:09am

Reform UK?s Scottish leader has faced harsh criticism in recent days for the joke, but has now defended himself

Aberdeen had the highest rate of reported potholes of any local authority between 2021 and 2025.

John Swinney set the tone on day one of the Holyrood election campaign by lumping Labour with Reform.

The hustings on March 31 will be your chance to grill politicians on the issues that matter to you

Reform?s mass deportation plans will have a serious impact on Scotland

We have seen before what happens when a politician wants to make a splash about cutting energy bills, without making the effort to ensure that the plans add up

Jordan Linden committed his crimes over a 10-year period

The SNP, Labour, Conservatives, Lib Dems and Greens all launched their Holyrood election campaigns on Thursday.

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has signalled that a re-elected SNP government would be ready to take further action over mobile phones in schools.

Mr Sarwar ruled out any coalitions or deals with Nigel Farage?s party

Linda Holt, who was the party?s candidate in Fife North East, said she was standing down ?due to a lack of support from the party?.

Wings over Scotland

Let?s Call The Whole Thing Off
24 Mar 2026 at 12:59pm
The last faint hope of any remotely positive or at least interesting outcome of May’s election just left the building. It wasn’t MUCH of a hope, and it’s absolutely no surprise in the wake of the comically shambolic, belief-defyingly inept farce that has been the birth of Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana’s fringe-of-the fringe party, …

Irony you can?t buy
20 Mar 2026 at 12:09pm
Posted without comment. But the reason you can’t buy the irony is that she doesn’t need the money. So that’s quarter of a million pounds just for running away when things got a bit sticky, on top of the circa £225,000 in wages she’s trousered since resigning as FM despite never turning up for work …

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 …

Craig Murray

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

The London Ambulances Attack: Of Course It Was A False Flag
24 Mar 2026 at 12:04pm

The notion that the Iranian state would discredit itself by choosing to attack an ambulance service in London is crazy. Iran has not even attacked any hospitals or ambulances in Israel. Iran has absolutely zero record of attacks on healthcare facilities. That is of course in stark contrast to Israel which specifically targets them in …

The London Ambulances Attack: Of Course It Was A False Flag

Seeing Trump Clearly
21 Mar 2026 at 12:19pm

What if Trump’s apparently chaotic thought processes and intuitive decision making are all a blind, a charade? What if we are really witnessing, in the Middle East and more widely, a carefully constructed plan with very definite objectives? Has Trump in fact “planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway”, while flinging the …

Seeing Trump Clearly

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

BBC Scotland

SNP's Flynn horrified at sex attacks by 'predator' council leader
27 Mar 2026 at 4:48pm
Stephen Flynn branded Jordan Linden a "predator" and said he hoped his party would address claims that he was protected from within.

Scottish government removes bus campaign image after China claims
27 Mar 2026 at 5:57pm
Eagle-eyed social media users noticed that the road had bright green crash barriers and a green bus.

Offord says he is fit to be first minister after homophobic joke
27 Mar 2026 at 2:13pm
Malcolm Offord denied being homophobic after apologising for a joke he made about George Michael during a Burns Night speech.

Party leaders make pitches to Scots as they hit campaign trail
26 Mar 2026 at 1:35pm
With the Holyrood election just six weeks away, hopefuls have kick-started their campaigns.

Farage defends Scottish Reform leader Offord over homophobic joke
26 Mar 2026 at 6:27pm
Malcolm Offord has apologised for the "crude" remark he told at a rugby club dinner in 2018 but denies he is homophobic.

Health, education, tax and more - Has the SNP delivered on its promises at Ho...
26 Mar 2026 at 6:21am
As parties draw up their election manifestos, has the SNP ticked off the goals it set out in 2021?

Smoking ban in Scotland's pubs was a 'PR war' - but has it saved lives?
26 Mar 2026 at 6:21am
Exactly 20 years ago, Scotland became the first part of the UK to outlaw smoking in bars, restaurants and offices.

Why was a £1.5bn Chinese plan to invest in a Highland yard blocked?
26 Mar 2026 at 3:31pm
Ming Yang proposed building a wind turbine manufacturing plant at Ardersier.

Findlay felt capable of killing attacker but says 'I'm not a scrapper'
26 Mar 2026 at 10:13am
The Scottish Conservative leader discussed his visceral reaction to an acid attack in 2015 with the BBC's Scotcast.

Reform MSP backs Scottish leader Offord after his crude joke condemned
25 Mar 2026 at 8:54pm
The party's leader in Scotland has admitted making a "clumsy" remark at a rugby club dinner in 2018.

NHS, bills and immigration: One constituency's election talking points
26 Mar 2026 at 6:23am
Six weeks from the Holyrood election, the BBC takes the temperature in one central Scotland constituency.

NHS Scotland staff to get World Cup public holiday
25 Mar 2026 at 6:31pm
Measures will be put in place during the holiday to ensure the NHS will continue to operate as it normally would on public holidays.

Scot Goes Pop

Revealed: the far-right have almost totally taken over the "Alliance to Liber...
26 Mar 2026 at 6:45pm
I said in my video about the far-right elements of Barrhead Boy's new fringe party "Alliance to Liberate Scotland" (aka "the Atlas") that I had spotted at least two of the party's candidates as bei...

Let's keep the independence movement clean: avoid the dodgy far-right links o...
25 Mar 2026 at 3:02am

The NHS is Reform's Achilles heel, and they should be hammered on it
24 Mar 2026 at 11:23am
I received a Reform leaflet through the door this morning, emblazened with photos of Malcolm Offord.  And because I'm interested in polls, I immediately noticed the rather amusing error in the Lib ...

Lord Ashcroft's dodgiest poll question is one the health inspectors should be...
24 Mar 2026 at 2:14am
I've been having a more leisurely look through the results of the supplementary questions in the Ashcroft poll, and I think there are three worth drawing to your attention.  First of all, Ashcroft ...

Ashcroft poll: pro-independence parties could take overall majority of VOTES ...
23 Mar 2026 at 9:24pm

Thank you, your lordship! Sensational Ashcroft poll shows SNP on highest vot...
23 Mar 2026 at 9:58am
The contents have it!  I'll try to make a video about this poll when I have a spare moment, but for now the basic facts deserve mentioning, because they bode extremely well for the SNP.  Lord Ashcr...

A further thought on the defeat of the assisted dying bill
23 Mar 2026 at 12:53am
I just want to comment briefly on Andrew Tickell's column about the Scottish Parliament's rejection of the assisted dying bill.  He argues that the opponents of the bill, if they want to be logical...

Are the results of independence polls being deliberately manipulated by organ...
22 Mar 2026 at 12:32am
As explained in the previous blogpost, my main concern about the data tables from the Survation / Scotland in Union propaganda poll is that they show beyond all reasonable doubt that some responden...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

John Swinney orders review into SNP complaints procedure after Jordan Linden ...
27 Mar 2026 at 6:07pm
Former North Lanarkshire Council leader Linden was found guilty of ten sex offences on Thursday following a trial

Fifth Reform UK candidate quits Holyrood election race
27 Mar 2026 at 5:01pm
James Glen said he supported partner Linda Holt's decision to withdraw from the election race on Thursday

Reform?s Scottish leader Malcolm Offord criticises ?over the top? reaction to...
27 Mar 2026 at 2:18pm
Malcolm Offord also U-turned on a previous statement when he said the joke was 'probably homophobic'

Energy crisis will define Holyrood election, says Flynn
27 Mar 2026 at 7:16am
He said voters face a choice of ?a permanent cost-of-living crisis under Westminster or lower energy bills with independence?.

Jordan Linden was ?enabled to act inappropriately by his SNP colleagues?
27 Mar 2026 at 6:45am
Survivor of sexual abuse tells STV News that serious questions need to be answered about the behaviour of former North Lanarkshire Council leader.

Jack McConnell on 20th anniversary of Scotland?s public place smoking ban
26 Mar 2026 at 5:32pm
The former first minister has spoken to STV News on the 20th anniversary of the smoking ban in Scotland

Scotland: Is your council tax going up in 2026 and by how much?
26 Mar 2026 at 1:36pm
Local authorities across Scotland are hiking the levy by inflation-busting levels.

Scottish Reform candidate who called Humza Yousaf an ?Islamist moron? quits
26 Mar 2026 at 12:57pm
Linda Holt, who was contesting the North East Fife seat, quit due to 'lack of support from the party'

STV to host 2026 Scottish election leaders debate
26 Mar 2026 at 10:59am
The STV Leaders? Debate will be broadcast live from Edinburgh?s Signet Library on April 28

Party leaders start campaign push ahead of Holyrood vote
26 Mar 2026 at 7:45am
With the Scottish Parliament now in recess, the leaders of most of Scotland?s parties will kickstart their election campaigns on Thursday.

I went back to my hometown of Dundee to find out what voters are worried abou...
26 Mar 2026 at 7:02am
A lot has changed over the past three decades, but the challenges and concerns have an all too familiar ring about them

Reform MSP Graham Simpson ?has confidence? in Malcolm Offord despite homophob...
25 Mar 2026 at 3:21pm
Graham Simpson also said Malcolm Offord can 'absolutely' remain as party leader

Scottish Government introduces emergency heating oil scheme
25 Mar 2026 at 12:03pm
The UK Government announced £4.6 million of support for Scotland but Holyrood ministers said this amount is ?insufficient?

John Swinney to face final FMQs before Scottish election
25 Mar 2026 at 11:21am
The Scottish Parliament will be dissolved on April 9 ahead of the election

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Labour demands John Swinney answers 'crucial questions' after Jordan Linden c...
27 Mar 2026 at 5:18pm
EXCLUSIVE: Jackie Baillie accused the First Minister of "hiding" following the conviction of a former Nationalist rising star.

Scottish politics today: Reform loses fifth Holyrood candidate as civil war e...
27 Mar 2026 at 5:00pm
The Record brings you its regular 5pm round-up of the day's Scottish politics news.

Malcolm Offord admits 'shame' and 'embarrassment' over homophobic George Mich...
27 Mar 2026 at 4:30pm
Nigel Farage's handpicked leader for the Holyrood election has endured a torrid week.

SNP election candidate who gave evidence at Jordan Linden trial told to 'refl...
27 Mar 2026 at 1:58pm
Tracy Carragher is an SNP candidate in May 7 despite defending a disgraced ex-council leader in court.

Homeless mum's horror in notorious "hellhole" hotel with traumatised kids
27 Mar 2026 at 12:00pm
Allison has moved from one cramped flat to another - and endured a stay in notorious hotel - with her and five children in one room.

Reform UK's Holyrood campaign in meltdown as fifth candidate quits
27 Mar 2026 at 10:11am
James Glen said he had ?withdrawn? his candidacy a week after he had been unveiled as one of the party?s hopefuls.

John Swinney urged to 'come clean' on SNP role in Jordan Linden sex assault '...
27 Mar 2026 at 9:03am
Labour says the SNP have "serious questions to answer" after the former leader of North Lanarkshire council was found guilty.

Buckle up for the most bitter Holyrood election campaign in decades
26 Mar 2026 at 5:00pm
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon offers his thoughts on an election in which the SNP finds themselves in the surprising position of favourite.

John Swinney 'blindsided' after UK Government blocks Chinese plan to open win...
26 Mar 2026 at 1:34pm
Ming Yang proposed to build a factory near Inverness but the Chinese firm's proposal was rejected over national security fears.

Anas Sarwar pledges he will not cut benefits if he becomes next First Minister
26 Mar 2026 at 1:20pm
The Scottish Labour leader will not take an axe to benefits despite the UK Labour Government initially trying to cut payments.

The National

The National | Politics

What this week's polls tell us as Holyrood 2026 election campaign begins
27 Mar 2026 at 5:28pm

THE Holyrood campaign has kicked off in earnest this week and a new poll has predicted an enormous pro-independence majority.

Reform MSP hopeful in charity watchdog probe over shuttered museum
27 Mar 2026 at 4:55pm

A CHARITY linked with a Reform UK Scotland candidate is under investigation by the regulator, The National can reveal.

What it's like to be on the Glasgow free public transport pilot
27 Mar 2026 at 4:40pm

A TRIAL giving free unlimited travel on public transport to 1000 people in Glasgow will come to an end this week, but what do those who have been involved think about the pilot ...

Scottish Government responds after using picture of North Korea in Highlands ...
27 Mar 2026 at 4:28pm

THE Scottish Government have responded to allegations they used a picture of the North Korea border in an advert for promoting bus travel in the Highlands

Alex Salmond's former Alba aide failed in Reform job bid
27 Mar 2026 at 4:14pm

A FORMER Alba Party spin doctor who served as Alex Salmond?s right-hand man unsuccessfully applied to work for Reform UK, The National can reveal.

No evidence of family voting in Greater Manchester by-election, police say
27 Mar 2026 at 3:44pm

THERE is no evidence of "family voting" in the Gorton and Denton by-election, police have said, after Reform UK had tried to blame their loss on "cheating".

SNP?s MPs should focus on highlighting the UK?s role in genocide
27 Mar 2026 at 3:00pm

WHILE SNP economy spokesman Dave Doogan no doubt has the best of intentions, isn?t his appeal to Rachel Reeves to help those struggling with their energy bills in the wake of the US-Israeli incursion into Iranian affairs misguided at best and likely futile (Rachel Reeves urged not to ?leave citizens in the cold? by SNP ahead of announcement, Mar 24)?

Angela Rayner mocked after 'beyond the bubble' podcast to launch with Michael...
27 Mar 2026 at 2:58pm

ANGELA Rayner has been mocked after reports suggested she would be launching a podcast titled ?Beyond the Bubble?, when her first guest will be former Tory minister Michael Gove.

'Stay of execution' for threatened museum with closure date extended
27 Mar 2026 at 2:24pm

A museum that has been run by Falkirk Council for the past 50 years was given ?a stay of execution? that will allow it to stay open for the next two months in the hope agreement on its future can be reached

'Glaring flaw' in Scottish salmon farm data as millions of fish deaths excluded
27 Mar 2026 at 2:13pm

THE Scottish Government is facing questions over a ?glaring flaw? in a key salmon farming report that meant more than 15 million fish deaths were ignored ? only for it to conclude that ?persistent elevated mortality is not a systemic issue? ...

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Almost half a million affected by Lloyds banking app glitch
27 Mar 2026 at 11:50am
The banking group includes Lloyds, Halifax and the Bank of Scotland

We asked MSPs: what is your top advice to newbies?
27 Mar 2026 at 6:00am
With an eye to dissolution of the sixth session of this parliament, Holyrood asked some of our sitting politicians the simple question

Former council leader found guilty of sexually assaulting three men
26 Mar 2026 at 5:08pm
Jordan Linden was convicted of 10 charges, including sexual?assault, at?Falkirk?Sheriff Court

Court finds Meta and Google built intentionally addictive platforms
26 Mar 2026 at 12:48pm
Jurors in Los Angeles found a woman should receive damages after determining Facebook owner Meta and Google, which owns YouTube, 'acted with malice, oppression, or fraud'

Independence will 'lock Nigel Farage out' of Scottish politics, John Swinney ...
26 Mar 2026 at 12:00pm
Scottish Labour also launched its campaign, with leader Anas Sarwar promising to deliver a ?more positive and hopeful future?

One in five children in Scotland living in poverty despite recent improvements
26 Mar 2026 at 11:41am
Action call as election nears

Karen Meechan leaving tech body ScotlandIS after 22 years
26 Mar 2026 at 11:28am
The organisation said it would appoint a new leader in due course

Local Authorities Guide: Orkney Islands Council
26 Mar 2026 at 6:00am
Council leader Heather Woodbridge answers questions about local authority

Malcolm Offord denies homophobia after apologising for George Michael joke
25 Mar 2026 at 4:00pm
'Clumsy mistake' claim after outcry

Malcolm Offord ?unfit? to be MSP says John Swinney
25 Mar 2026 at 1:43pm
The Reform Scotland leader has said he "instantly regretted" a homophobic comment

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

Reform busy firefighting in Scotland but may yet set Holyrood?s politics ablaze
26 Mar 2026 at 6:29pm
With Nigel Farage?s party neck and neck with Labour for second place behind the SNP, disruption seems likely Hope, change, progressive change, change with fairness at its heart ? from a harbour north of Edinburgh to a hipster arts venue in Glasgow?s Barras Market, Scotland?s political parties sp...

UK politics: Trump says UK?s aircraft carriers are just ?toys? ? as it happened
26 Mar 2026 at 6:00pm
The comments were part of a broader address in which he condemned Nato alliesYesterday the Conservative party said that it wanted to ban political parties from distributing campaign literature in a foreign language. Announcing a plan to propose an amendement to the representation of the people bi...

UK politics: Tories claim McSweeney has ?serious questions? to answer about p...
25 Mar 2026 at 5:52pm
Shadow cabinet officer minister claims ?this whole thing stinks to high heaven?Here is the list of MPs down to ask a question at PMQs.Wes Streeting, the health secretary, has urged people to reject ?conspiracy? theories about the loss of Morgan McSweeney?s phone. Continue reading...

What?s at stake for UK in May?s elections: six key questions
23 Mar 2026 at 7:00am
Reform, Plaid Cymru, the SNP and the Greens are all banking on big gains and nationwide repercussionsOn 7 May, three of the UK?s four nations go to the polls in a series of elections with much potential significance, not just for who ends up governing various bodies, but also for the future polit...

?Anyone but Labour? or ?anyone but Reform?? Clash of animosities likely to de...
23 Mar 2026 at 7:00am
While Labour braces for a rout that could see off Starmer, a rising drive to keep out Farage is complicating expectationsSmall swings, high drama: why UK polls are less volatile than they seem ? in chartsLocal elections are often regarded as a referendum on the sitting government, with many previ...

Labour dismisses Reform UK MSP candidates as ?hopeless Tory rejects and oddba...
20 Mar 2026 at 4:50pm
This blog is now closedSeverin Carrell is the Guardian?s Scotland editor.Malcolm Offord, Reform UK?s Scottish leader, has doubled down on his defence of the party?s vetting by dismissing remarks by candidates backing Tommy Robinson or describing Humza Yousaf as an ?Islamist moron? (see 10.12am) a...

Reform UK suspends Scottish candidate less than a day after announcing him
20 Mar 2026 at 2:24pm
Stuart Niven found to have diverted Covid grants to personal account as party faces criticism for candidates? Islamophobic remarksReform UK has suspended one of its Scottish candidates after it emerged he had been struck off as a company director, and the party faces growing attacks for fielding ...

Supporters of Scotland?s assisted dying bill frustrated by lack of backing fr...
18 Mar 2026 at 6:41pm
Just three of Labour?s 20 MSPs in Holyrood voted for bill, despite support for legislation in House of CommonsSupporters of Scotland?s assisted dying bill have said they are frustrated a significant majority of Labour MSPs voted against the proposals, despite Labour?s substantial support for the ...

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...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

The rapid implosion of Reform?s Scottish campaign
26 Mar 2026 at 3:05pm
As the saying goes, you’d need a heart of stone not to laugh. Within just a few days of Reform UK launching its Scottish election campaign to much fanfare and racist ‘jokes’ about tartan burqas, the wheels are already coming off Farage’s septic tank pumper wagon. The party has already lost no less than four …

James Dornan MSP looks back on his career
24 Mar 2026 at 1:49pm
A guest post by James Dornan MSP   Today veteran SNP MSP James Dornan makes his last speech in the Scottish Parliament, and steps down to retirement and to give way to a new generation. To mark the occasion, he has very kindly written a guest post for this blog in which he looks back …

Reform?s chaotic launch and the implications of the Iran war for May?s election
20 Mar 2026 at 8:53pm
Nigel Farage came to Scotland on Thursday to launch his party’s manifesto for the Scottish elections on 7 May and to introduce Reform UK’s almost half former Tory slate of totally well vetted candidates. Reform UK there, promising to fix Broken Britain with a slew of the former Conservatives who were responsible for breaking it …

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 …

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

Short video ? The Dark Side of NHS England and Jackie Baillie?s only waiting ...
27 Mar 2026 at 1:35pm
Detail at – https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/03/27/the-dark-side-of-nhs-england-and-jackie-baillies-only-waiting-times-victory-over-scotland/

?Wind energy across Great Britain hit a new record on Wednesday, producing en...
27 Mar 2026 at 1:00pm
From STV News today: Wind power hits new record as gas squeezed to tiny share of generation. Wind energy across Great Britain hit a new record on Wednesday, producing enough electricity for more than 23 million homes across the country. Solar and wind also combined to squeeze more expensive gas-fired generation to just 2.3% of the power mix, figures from the National Energy System Operator (Nes...

Scotland?s GPs have ?negotiated, investment-heavy multi-year package aimed at...
27 Mar 2026 at 12:26pm
Thanks, once again, to Dottie for alerting me to this: Today, from Doctors’ Association UK: The Doctors? Association UK (DAUK) has given its strong support to general practitioners in England after they overwhelmingly rejected this year?s imposed contract changes. Almost 17,000 GPs and GP registrars took part in the BMA?s referendum, with 98.9% voting against the plans. They have called on the ...

?115,000 cancer deaths [especially among older adults] in 8 years: What a new...
27 Mar 2026 at 12:24pm
I’ve reported on this major US study, several times before but it remains at the centre of US debate as it’s findings spread across the vastness of the US when plans for new or recommissioned nuclear plants enter local media. UK media have, to my knowledge, never acknowledged this gold standard research, fearful of its potential impact on the current Labour government’s plans. From the New Hamp...

Huge increase in farm income in Scotland, above that in England due in part t...
27 Mar 2026 at 10:48am
From Farm income rises in 2024-25 published 26 March 2026 09:30 Farm incomes rose in 2024-25, after sharp declines in 2023-24. Increases in income are largely driven by high livestock prices, while total input costs remained stable. Decreases in costs for fertiliser and feed were offset by increases in labour and land and property costs. Average income across all farm types rose 30% from the pr...

In response to today?s latest frothing ferry feeding frenzy in the media what...
27 Mar 2026 at 9:44am

In response to today?s latest frothing ferry feeding frenzy in the media what...
27 Mar 2026 at 9:41am

In response to today?s latest frothing ferry feeding frenzy in the media what...
27 Mar 2026 at 9:38am

The Dark Side of NHS England and Jackie Baillie?s only waiting times ?victory...
27 Mar 2026 at 9:26am
In August 2025, STV and many other media reported: Long NHS waits are over 800 times more common in Scotland than they are in England, Scottish Labour has claimed. The party said its own analysis of publicly available figures showed Scotland had nearly 15,000 ongoing waits of two years or more ? representing one case per 367 people. Meanwhile, NHS England reported having 182 waits of more than ...

Labour Government now actively sabotaging Scotland with hypocritical concerns...
26 Mar 2026 at 9:03pm
Ardesier is 447 miles from Westminster while the new Chinese embassy will be only 1.5. Thanks to Arty Hetty for sharing this: From Renewables Now today:: The UK government has blocked Chinese wind turbine maker Mingyang Smart Energy Group Ltd (SHA:601615) from developing a GBP-1.5-billion (USD 2bn/EUR 1.73bn) manufacturing hub in the Scottish Highlands, citing national security concerns. The de...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

Richard Walker: Why this weekend's Scottish independence rally is so importan...
27 Mar 2026 at 5:04am
Richard Walker: Why this weekend's Scottish independence rally is so important  Thenational Scot

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

Full list of road closures as Scottish independence march takes place this we...
27 Mar 2026 at 3:08pm
Full list of road closures as Scottish independence march takes place this weekend  Edinburgh News

Nigel Farage is teaching Labour a lesson on independence - The Times
24 Mar 2026 at 5:26pm
Nigel Farage is teaching Labour a lesson on independence  The Times

March and Rally for Scottish Independence - Bella Caledonia
26 Mar 2026 at 9:11pm
March and Rally for Scottish Independence  Bella Caledonia

The SNP?s record, the independence debate, what matters to voters, and is Nic...
25 Mar 2026 at 7:40am
The SNP?s record, the independence debate, what matters to voters, and is Nicola Sturgeon an asset or a liability? My latest Scottish polling  Lord Ashcroft Polls

Analysis: Scotland's 'soft Yes' voters hold centre ground in independence deb...
24 Mar 2026 at 6:15pm
Analysis: Scotland's 'soft Yes' voters hold centre ground in independence debate  The Herald

John Swinney claims Scottish independence would 'lock Nigel Farage out of pow...
26 Mar 2026 at 8:05am
John Swinney claims Scottish independence would 'lock Nigel Farage out of power'  dailyrecord.co.uk

Everything you need to know about the Believe in Scotland rally and march - T...
26 Mar 2026 at 4:16pm
Everything you need to know about the Believe in Scotland rally and march  Thenational Scot

SNP ?ready to win big? and put Scotland on path to independence ? Swinney - L...
26 Mar 2026 at 1:58pm
SNP ?ready to win big? and put Scotland on path to independence ? Swinney  London Evening Standard

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

Ex-SNP council leader Jordan Linden guilty of multiple sex offences against y...
27 Mar 2026 at 2:00pm
Ex-SNP council leader Jordan Linden guilty of multiple sex offences against young men and boys  Sky News

SNP's Flynn horrified at sex attacks by 'predator' council leader - BBC
27 Mar 2026 at 4:48pm
SNP's Flynn horrified at sex attacks by 'predator' council leader  BBC

Health, education, tax and more - Has the SNP delivered on its promises at Ho...
26 Mar 2026 at 6:21am
Health, education, tax and more - Has the SNP delivered on its promises at Holyrood?  BBC

Stephen Flynn urges SNP candidate to clarify position after defence of Jordan...
27 Mar 2026 at 2:32pm
Stephen Flynn urges SNP candidate to clarify position after defence of Jordan Linden  The Herald

Stephen Flynn suggests SNP candidate should be sacked if they stand by convic...
27 Mar 2026 at 2:31pm
Stephen Flynn suggests SNP candidate should be sacked if they stand by convicted 'predator'  The Scotsman

John Swinney orders SNP complaints process review after council leader?s conv...
27 Mar 2026 at 6:01pm
John Swinney orders SNP complaints process review after council leader?s conviction  Thenational Scot

Swinney orders SNP complaints process review after council leader?s convictio...
27 Mar 2026 at 6:05pm
Swinney orders SNP complaints process review after council leader?s conviction  bordertelegraph.com

Reform busy firefighting in Scotland but may yet set Holyrood?s politics abla...
26 Mar 2026 at 4:30pm
Reform busy firefighting in Scotland but may yet set Holyrood?s politics ablaze | Scottish politics  The Guardian

SNP?s MPs should focus on highlighting the UK?s role in genocide - Thenationa...
27 Mar 2026 at 3:05pm
SNP?s MPs should focus on highlighting the UK?s role in genocide  Thenational Scot

Labour demands Swinney 'come clean' over sex complaints about SNP rising star...
27 Mar 2026 at 11:50am
Labour demands Swinney 'come clean' over sex complaints about SNP rising star  The Herald

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

Party leaders make pitches to Scots as they hit campaign trail - BBC
26 Mar 2026 at 1:35pm
Party leaders make pitches to Scots as they hit campaign trail  BBC

Everything you need to know about the Believe in Scotland rally and march - T...
26 Mar 2026 at 4:16pm
Everything you need to know about the Believe in Scotland rally and march  Thenational Scot

The SNP?s record, the independence debate, what matters to voters, and is Nic...
25 Mar 2026 at 7:40am
The SNP?s record, the independence debate, what matters to voters, and is Nicola Sturgeon an asset or a liability? My latest Scottish polling  Lord Ashcroft Polls

John Swinney: I will fight 2031 election as Prime Minister of independent Sco...
26 Mar 2026 at 1:26pm
John Swinney: I will fight 2031 election as Prime Minister of independent Scotland  The Herald

SNP ?ready to win big? and put Scotland on path to independence ? Swinney - L...
26 Mar 2026 at 1:58pm
SNP ?ready to win big? and put Scotland on path to independence ? Swinney  London Evening Standard

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

SNP ?ready to win big? and put Scotland on path to independence ? Swinney - T...
26 Mar 2026 at 12:57pm
SNP ?ready to win big? and put Scotland on path to independence ? Swinney  The Independent

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

Scottish independence poll 2025 - Statista
24 Feb 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish independence poll 2025  Statista