The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Students reveal why they vandalised historic Glasgow University building
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
22 Mar 2026 at 4:20pm
Students have been engaged in a years-long battle to convince senior managers to relinquish investments in the defence sector.


Anti-war protestors picket at Prestwick amid row over US military planes
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
22 Mar 2026 at 3:50pm
First Minister John Swinney has repeatedly said that he does not have the power to do so, as foreign affairs is a policy area reserved to the UK Government.


Reform candidate claimed asylum seekers 'pose higher sexual risk' to women
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
22 Mar 2026 at 2:43pm
Ms Holt wrote: ?Politicians may be loath to link the unprecedented rise in sexual crime in Glasgow to its status as the UK?s asylum-seeker capital"


Why the Scottish Greens want to ban 'Victorian' exams and homework
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
22 Mar 2026 at 1:40pm
The party?s election manifesto will include a commitment to end the ?Victorian? exams system, as well as the use of homework in primary school. 


SNP accused of 'failing women' after shamed MSP attends party conference
22 Mar 2026 at 1:04pm
The SNP has been accused of failing to protect female members of the party after it allowed a disgraced former minister to attend its conference.


British Gas boss calls for more North Sea production as bills set to rise
22 Mar 2026 at 11:07am
The chief executive of British Gas owner Centrica has called for more production of oil and gas in the North Sea saying it ?would definitely make a difference? to household energy prices as he was questioned on the impact of the war in the Middle...


George Galloway will 'campaign and vote for' Scottish independence in new ref...
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
22 Mar 2026 at 10:00am
George Galloway says he will 'campaign and vote' for Scottish independence in the event of a second referendum


Did the UK and Scottish Government allow 28 men to be 'held hostage' by Donal...
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
22 Mar 2026 at 6:30am
A legal analysis by two professors at the University of Glasgow has raised further questions over the seizure of a Russian oil tanker and the lengthy detention of its crew in Scottish waters


John Swinney urged to reverse 'programme of austerity' in Scotland's fire ser...
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
22 Mar 2026 at 6:30am
The head of the Fire Brigades Union in Scotland has written to John Swinney calling for planned cuts to the fire service to be scrapped and 'clear commitments' made on investment following the fire on Union Street in Glasgow


The new Iraq? Trump?s Iran war is not winding down but entering a dangerous n...
by david.pratt@heraldandtimes.co.uk | David Pratt
22 Mar 2026 at 6:15am
As thousands more US Marines are ordered to the Gulf, Foreign Editor David Pratt examines what could easily become a perilous sequel to the invasion of Iraq


Rise of the populist right: Inside the mood in Reform UK as Farage eyes Scotland
22 Mar 2026 at 5:00am
The most well-known anecdote about Nigel Farage and Scotland is about how the Reform UK leader had to be locked in an Edinburgh pub for his own safety after being "ambushed" by independence supporters.


Offord stands by Reform candidates over previous social media posts
22 Mar 2026 at 1:32pm
Reform UK's Scottish leader Malcolm Offord has stood by his Holyrood candidates, saying one will be a "first-class MSP", after controversial past social media posts emerged.


'Immediate jeopardy': Trongate 103 groups urge minister to intervene in evict...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
21 Mar 2026 at 5:00am
Seven arts charities at Glasgow?s Trongate 103 have warned ministers the publicly funded cultural complex is at risk of collapse within days. With eviction notices, steep new rents and soaring service charges, they say one of the city?s key creative hubs is in real danger.


Tax cut pledges made by Reform for Scotland 'not fiscally credible?, says thi...
by Craig Paton
20 Mar 2026 at 4:17pm
The party?s leader in Scotland pledged to re-align Scotland?s tax bands with the rest of the UK, as well as a 1p cut in all rates.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Malcolm Offord does not 'judge' candidate who called Humza Yousaf 'Islamist'
22 Mar 2026 at 11:58am

The Reform UK leader defended his MSP candidates who have made controversial comments, saying they are ?real people with real opinions?.

It is the final countdown in the Scottish Parliament.

With party to party setting different rules candidate vetting is a curious game

The Scottish government has faced recent controversy over how it handles freedom of information enquiries

A co-ordinated campaign spearheaded by MSPs in Holyrood?s three biggest parties and lobbying by religious groups defeated Scotland?s assisted dying legislation.

Wings over Scotland

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 …

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

Craig Murray

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

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

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

Metro Workers of Caracas

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

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

Joy at Death and Destruction

BBC Scotland

Outgoing MSPs leave Holyrood with relief, regret and unfinished business
22 Mar 2026 at 9:16am
A record 42 MSPs are stepping down, from grandees to first timers - they share their reasons why.

The council where no administration can get its budget passed
22 Mar 2026 at 9:20am
Every administration in Dumfries and Galloway has seen its spending plans defeated since 2022.

How could AI change Scotland's public services?
21 Mar 2026 at 9:41am
Ministers forecast an explosion in AI and want to reap the benefits for services and the economy.

Police separate protestors at Holyrood anti-immigration rally
21 Mar 2026 at 4:46pm
Officers kept protestors apart outside Holyrood as an anti-immigration rally sparked a counter demonstration.

Reform vows to cut Scottish income tax below UK rate
19 Mar 2026 at 8:15pm
Nigel Farage's party has launched a manifesto and unveiled its candidates for the Holyrood election.

Mould alert over damp wall panels at new Aberdeen hospital
20 Mar 2026 at 5:20pm
Plasterboard and insulation at the Baird Family Hospital and The Anchor Centre have been stripped out after they were allowed to get wet.

Concern over high number of women on remand at HMP Stirling
20 Mar 2026 at 10:38am
HMP Stirling's deputy governor says soaring numbers of inmates on remand are hampering rehabilitation.

Reform UK's Scottish manifesto pledges analysed
19 Mar 2026 at 7:33pm
BBC Scotland journalists have analysed some of the policies in Reform's manifesto for the 2026 Holyrood election.

Racism behind rise in support for Reform, says Swinney
19 Mar 2026 at 7:51pm
The first minister told the BBC's Scotcast the views of some Reform UK supporters were "intolerant".

Scotland's prison population reaches new record high
19 Mar 2026 at 5:21pm
The population remains stubbornly high despite the fact that hundreds of prisoners have been freed early since November.

Greyhound racing outlawed in Scotland after MSPs back ban
18 Mar 2026 at 9:22pm
The sport already faced extinction after the country's last track in Kirkcaldy, Fife, closed last year.

Reform UK's Scottish election manifesto at-a-glance
19 Mar 2026 at 5:33pm
The party has announced its policy plans ahead of the Holyrood poll on 7 May.

Scot Goes Pop

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...

Survation cross a Rubicon by actively and knowingly pushing a fraudulent prop...
19 Mar 2026 at 10:46pm
As I pointed out in my video last night, the polling company Survation have seemingly prided themselves over the years on maintaining a particularly high standard of political neutrality and balanc...

Greens stay ahead of Labour for THIRD week in a row - SNP lead by 5 in Scotland
19 Mar 2026 at 12:52am
Later in this video I also give some preliminary thoughts on the ever-absurd latest outing for the Survation / Scotland In Union propaganda poll - although there's a limit to what I can say about i...

Why the new ScotRail minimum fare is unfair for passengers
18 Mar 2026 at 7:37pm
I only discovered a couple of days ago that ScotRail are introducing a minimum fare of £10 for tickets bought on the train, except when you've boarded at a station where there is no ticket office o...

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

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

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

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

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Violent incidents in schools more than doubled since last election ? Labour
22 Mar 2026 at 2:39pm
John Swinney has been accused of ?sitting on his hands? as school violence reaches ?crisis point?

Swinney rejects assertion he cancelled briefing on US military use of airport
20 Mar 2026 at 1:22pm
The First Minister was due to be briefed on the situation on Thursday

Reform suspends Holyrood candidate less than 24 hours after being announced
20 Mar 2026 at 12:08pm
The party said it is investigating reports surrounding Stuart Niven?s financial conduct

Reform?s Scottish leader defends candidates after ?fruity? comments emerge
20 Mar 2026 at 10:17am
Malcolm Offord said everybody in their lives has ?said something intemperate?

John Swinney and Kate Forbes set for last joint engagement
20 Mar 2026 at 10:06am
The First Minister and his deputy will be in Ayrshire for an ?exciting announcement? for Scotland?s economy

Nicola Sturgeon says leaving Holyrood is a ?wrench? as she makes final speech
19 Mar 2026 at 9:00pm
The former first minister of Scotland is stepping down from Holyrood at the next election

Scotland at a crossroads ahead of ?critical? election, says Reform?s Offord
19 Mar 2026 at 6:21pm
Party members met on Thursday as Reform?s candidates were announced and the policy platform was launched

Nigel Farage says all mass religious observances should be banned
19 Mar 2026 at 5:02pm
He said the Open Iftar in Trafalgar Square on Monday was an ?attempt to overtake, intimidate and dominate our way of life?

Swinney to consider planning law change in wake of Glasgow fire
19 Mar 2026 at 3:52pm
An MSP has suggested transport bodies should have more say on which businesses can operate near key hubs

John Swinney to face MSPs at Holyrood for FMQs after Assisted Dying Bill defe...
19 Mar 2026 at 11:54am
The First Minister will take questions from MSPs at Holyrood from noon.

Greyhound racing banned in Scotland in ?landmark win for animal welfare?
18 Mar 2026 at 10:01pm
MSPs backed a bill to make it an offence to operate a racing track for greyhounds

Anas Sarwar apologises over ?deeply disappointing? stroke comments
18 Mar 2026 at 8:43pm
The Scottish Labour made a joke about being photographed in a 'stroke pose' during a live-streamed press conference

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

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

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Scottish Labour needs sharp dividing lines with the SNP if they are to put up...
22 Mar 2026 at 4:30am
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says Labour are miles behind the SNP in the polls and need to ditch their innate caution and small c conservatism.

Action needed more than words amid call for 'tailgating' ban in Scotland
21 Mar 2026 at 4:30am
Record View says Holyrood should mirror the Unauthorised Entry Act and bring in banning orders for those who sneak into matches.

Parties must be clear in the election on how they will reduce child poverty
21 Mar 2026 at 4:30am
In an article for the Record, IPPR Scotland Director Stephen Boyd says benefits play a huge role in tackling poverty.

Nearly three quarters of Reform's Holyrood constituency candidates are men
21 Mar 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: Reform in Scotland has been blasted for their record on gender balance.

Scottish politics today: Reform Scotland meltdown over Holyrood candidates
20 Mar 2026 at 5:00pm
The Record brings you its regular 5pm round-up of the day's Scottish politics news.

Reform's Holyrood tax cut plan derided as 'not credible' and a 'mirage' by ex...
20 Mar 2026 at 4:39pm
David Phillips at the Institute for Fiscal Studies offered a withering assessment of the right wing party's proposal to cut income tax.

Reform UK suspends Holyrood candidate over covid loan director ban
20 Mar 2026 at 11:09am
The anti-immigration party has launched an investigation into Stuart Niven.

Reform UK refuses to sack candidate who backed Tommy Robinson and called for ...
20 Mar 2026 at 9:18am
Malcolm Offord is under pressure over the appointment of Holyrood candidates who have shared extreme opinions.

Meet the Reform UK candidates standing for election to the Scottish Parliamen...
20 Mar 2026 at 4:30am
Some of Reform's constituency candidates are relative newcomers to Scottish politics. But many are no strangers to elections - or wearing the blue rosette of the Conservatives.

Reform UK candidate for Holyrood backed far right thug Tommy Robinson
19 Mar 2026 at 6:25pm
EXCLUSIVE: Senga Beresford offered support for Robinson and called for Muslims to be deported.

The National

The National | Politics

Questions as Israel-linked Scottish charity sees income spike by 1750 per cent
22 Mar 2026 at 5:00pm

A SCOTTISH charity with ties to Israel is facing questions over donations after its income spiked by 1750 per cent in one year ...

Donald Trump mocks Keir Starmer with 'too scared of president' comedy skit
22 Mar 2026 at 3:45pm

DONALD Trump has risked worsening UK-US relations further after posting a comedy skit of Prime Minister Keir Starmer being scared to talk to him on social media

Push for independence 'evidence of poor leadership at the top in the UK', exp...
22 Mar 2026 at 2:34pm

Warren Mosler has been dubbed the founder of Modern Monetary Theory. The former New York hedge fund executive has for decades made the case that we are looking at the way money works down the wrong end of the microscope

Laura Kuenssberg under fire after asking 'dumbest question ever' on Israel an...
22 Mar 2026 at 1:44pm

LAURA Kuenssberg has been accused of asking the "dumbest question ever" amid a discussion on Israel and Iran on the BBC ...

Malcolm Offord says 'take less offence' over candidate's social media posts
22 Mar 2026 at 1:26pm

REFORM UK?s Scottish leader, Malcolm Offord, has suggested people should "take less offence" over his party candidates? social media after a series of revelations about racist and inflammatory posts ...

Labour MPs raise doubts as McSweeney-Mandelson messages 'lost on stolen phone'
22 Mar 2026 at 12:25pm

LABOUR MPs have accused the UK Government of treating the public as ?fools? after reports that former No 10 chief of staff Morgan McSweeney?s phone was stolen ? meaning his messages to Peter Mandelson may be lost forever ...

George Galloway to 'campaign and vote for Yes' after U-turn on Scottish indep...
22 Mar 2026 at 10:54am

POLITICAL firebrand George Galloway has U-turned on his opposition to Scottish independence, saying the ?British state is financially, politically, and morally bankrupt? ...

Zack Polanski's gives brutal response to top BBC host's Palestine genocide di...
22 Mar 2026 at 8:38am

Zack Polanski has hit out at Nick Robinson's comments that 'no court has said there is a genocide' in Gaza

'Exhausted' peace movement must redouble efforts in anti-Iran war push, says ...
22 Mar 2026 at 5:00am

THE war on Iran has caught everyone on the back foot. Operation Epic Fury seems, for the moment, like an epic miscalculation.

Ruth Wishart: Independence supporters have few options beyond the ?safe? SNP
22 Mar 2026 at 5:00am

The SNP are the only option left with Alba taking a self-denying ordinance and the Scottish Greens being something of a mixed bag despite some worthwhile initiatives

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Reform?s self-financing tax cuts ?a mirage?, says Institute for Fiscal Studies
20 Mar 2026 at 3:40pm
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said self-funding tax cuts were a ?mirage? created by a ?misunderstanding or misrepresentation? of the devolution settlement.

Scottish Reform candidate suspended over Covid loan
20 Mar 2026 at 11:40am
Stuart Niven under investigation as Malcolm Offord defends 'fruity' candidate comments

FOI requests handled with ?impartiality and integrity?, John Swinney says
19 Mar 2026 at 3:53pm
The Scottish information commissioner said last week he could no longer trust ministers with the Salmond files

Malcolm Offord pledges to cut taxes as he sets out Reform's Holyrood manifesto
19 Mar 2026 at 3:42pm
Speaking at Reform?s conference at Bishopton near Glasgow, Malcolm Offord said he wanted to create a ?wealth economy? and that Scotland was ?broken?, languishing in ?middle-table mediocrity?.

John Swinney unable to block use of Prestwick for US jets involved in Iran war
19 Mar 2026 at 1:20pm
Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay made the call for the ban during FMQs

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

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

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

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

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

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

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...

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

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

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

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

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

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

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 …

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

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

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

Reposted as Scotsman today lies through its?.How can violent crime by childre...
22 Mar 2026 at 4:39pm

Local press unafraid to tell the truth about where this Country Lines drug cu...
22 Mar 2026 at 3:49pm
Thanks to Graham for alerting me to this. In the P&J two days ago: Once more, the local press unafraid to tell the truth about where this curse originates though the term ‘North West of England’ means Liverpool. How bad is this?

Scottish Labour laughably claim 450 ?high paid? airport jobs but at only £11k...
22 Mar 2026 at 3:31pm
The SNP saved Prestwick airport from closure just over 12 years ago, protecting around 3 200 jobs in the airport and in the surrounding area and boosting the local economy by £61 million annually. https://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/report/the-scottish-government%E2%80%99s-purchase-of-glasgow-prestwick-airport We’re used to having a wee laugh at Scottish Labour sums but that £5 million won’t go f...

How Scotland?s schools have played the major role in keeping thousands of pup...
22 Mar 2026 at 11:37am
In the Sunday Times today, the above video, and: The UK?s county lines networks have evolved into a sophisticated business model that thrives on the exploitation of the young. David Collins, Northern Editor of The Sunday Times, and David Woode, Crime Editor of The Times, go inside a police disruption unit in North Yorkshire to witness high-stakes raids targeting the ?line holders? who pull the ...

Understanding Covid deaths in care homes in Scotland 3 ? Why Scotland?s highe...
22 Mar 2026 at 10:34am
All the necessary data to explain the above is deep in the bowels of the 14 000 or so Talking-up Scotland archives. I could have dug it all up and posted an answer later today but then I thought, what do I keep Grok (I imagine a Raven-like familiar) for? I asked him: Compare the percentage of Covid deaths which were in care homes in England and Scotland from March 2020 to February 2022? He did ...

Understanding Covid deaths in care homes in Scotland 2 ? How Jeanne Freeman?s...
22 Mar 2026 at 10:16am
In BBC Scotland?s retrospective comment on Jeanne Freeman?s time as Health Secretary, they write: Freeman stood beside Sturgeon in press conferences throughout the next year. There would be praise for their calm stewardship and she was there at the start of the vaccine roll-out. But the decision to discharge elderly hospital patients to care homes during the first few weeks of the pandemic with...

Understanding Covid deaths in care homes in Scotland 1 ? In the murderous fir...
22 Mar 2026 at 10:06am
In the Guardian 19th July 2020, six months after Boris Johnson’s incompetence and callousness allowed the virus free access t the UK and just over three months since the SNP Government got devolved authority for the pandemic tactics, here is what happened to care home residents. In a piece broadly sympathetic to the First Minister and Scotland?s Covid strategy, the Guardian writers seemed to fe...

SNP Council introduces dispersal zone to combat anti-social behaviour even th...
21 Mar 2026 at 2:17pm
From Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2024-25, published in June 2025, the above figures show that anti social behaviour crimes in Glasgow have plummeted by 66%, from 28 406 ten years ago, to 9 742 last year. https://www.gov.scot/publications/recorded-crime-scotland-2024-25/documents/ Despite this BBC Scotland, yesterday, had: A dispersal zone has come into place in Glasgow city centre as part of a ...

Why did cancer mortality drop in the pandemic years of 2021 and 2022 if the D...
21 Mar 2026 at 11:25am
The Daily Record today, has: Cancelled cancer appointments during Covid led to ‘loss of life in Scotland’ – Pausing bowel cancer screening appointments in Scotland during Covid-19 led to missed and late diagnoses, longer waits for colorectal cancer treatment and ultimately loss of life, an inquiry heard. The UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry? has heard how millions of people had non-urgent operations ...

Guardian?s Scotland Editor platforms Holyrood?s third party as the main and o...
21 Mar 2026 at 9:24am
Severin Carrell, the Guardian‘s ‘Scotland Editor‘ has this today: Reform 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 candidates making Islamophobic remarks. Reform confirmed on Friday morning it had suspended Stuart Niven, its candidate for Dundee City West, after the Herald revea...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

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

George Galloway to 'campaign and vote for Yes' after U-turn on Scottish indep...
22 Mar 2026 at 11:05am
George Galloway to 'campaign and vote for Yes' after U-turn on Scottish independence  Thenational Scot

George Galloway says he will 'campaign and vote for' Scottish independence - ...
22 Mar 2026 at 10:11am
George Galloway says he will 'campaign and vote for' Scottish independence  The Herald

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

The new hero of Scottish independence? Nigel Farage - politico.eu
13 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
The new hero of Scottish independence? Nigel Farage  politico.eu

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

LETTER: It is time we left Westiminster behind for Scottish independence, She...
21 Mar 2026 at 9:55am
LETTER: It is time we left Westiminster behind for Scottish independence, Shetland autonomy and ?proper democracy?  Shetland Times

SNP maintain polling lead in Scotland but four in ten say they may change the...
4 Mar 2026 at 12:16pm
SNP maintain polling lead in Scotland but four in ten say they may change their minds  Ipsos

A Fresh Start with Independence - The Scottish Government
8 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
A Fresh Start with Independence  The Scottish Government

Twenty-five years of data shows how link between identity and views on Scotti...
9 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
Twenty-five years of data shows how link between identity and views on Scottish independence has grown stronger  The Conversation

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

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

SNP accused of 'failing women' after shamed MSP attends party conference - Th...
22 Mar 2026 at 2:48pm
SNP accused of 'failing women' after shamed MSP attends party conference  The Herald

Favourability towards Reform UK dips in Scotland while the SNP?s ratings hold...
18 Mar 2026 at 6:51pm
Favourability towards Reform UK dips in Scotland while the SNP?s ratings hold up  Ipsos

Ruth Wishart: Independence supporters have few options beyond the ?safe? SNP ...
22 Mar 2026 at 5:05am
Ruth Wishart: Independence supporters have few options beyond the ?safe? SNP  Thenational Scot

It is the SNP's record that matters in this election - not Keir Starmer's - H...
22 Mar 2026 at 7:02am
It is the SNP's record that matters in this election - not Keir Starmer's  Holyrood Website

Violent incidents in schools 'more than double' under SNP - The Scotsman
22 Mar 2026 at 6:00am
Violent incidents in schools 'more than double' under SNP  The Scotsman

Dumfries and Galloway Council's budget passing conundrum - BBC
22 Mar 2026 at 9:20am
Dumfries and Galloway Council's budget passing conundrum  BBC

The SNP?s benefits bill is out of control - Scottish Conservatives
19 Mar 2026 at 9:33pm
The SNP?s benefits bill is out of control  Scottish Conservatives

SNP's free bus travel for asylum seekers could fund 30 doctors on NHS as huge...
22 Mar 2026 at 7:52am
SNP's free bus travel for asylum seekers could fund 30 doctors on NHS as huge cost to taxpayers emerges  Scottish Daily Express

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

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

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

George Galloway to 'campaign and vote for Yes' after U-turn on Scottish indep...
22 Mar 2026 at 11:05am
George Galloway to 'campaign and vote for Yes' after U-turn on Scottish independence  Thenational Scot

George Galloway says he will 'campaign and vote for' Scottish independence - ...
22 Mar 2026 at 10:11am
George Galloway says he will 'campaign and vote for' Scottish independence  The Herald

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

First Minister John Swinney?s speech to the SNP?s 2026 Campaign Conference - ...
14 Mar 2026 at 7:00am
First Minister John Swinney?s speech to the SNP?s 2026 Campaign Conference  snp.org

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

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

Scottish leader John Swinney says SNP winning majority in May election would ...
17 Jan 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish leader John Swinney says SNP winning majority in May election would be green light for indyref2  Sky News

No independence referendum if SNP wins majority, Reeves says - BBC
27 Nov 2025 at 8:00am
No independence referendum if SNP wins majority, Reeves says  BBC

Scotland casts fresh eye on independence vote as UK's political landscape shi...
24 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
Scotland casts fresh eye on independence vote as UK's political landscape shifts  Courthouse News