The Herald

The Herald | Politics


John Swinney insists majority for SNP will trigger independence referendum
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
28 Mar 2026 at 4:01pm
John Swinney has urged independence supporters to give the SNP both their votes at the Holyrood election, arguing only a majority can unlock a referendum and tackle poverty, energy costs and Scotland?s global voice.


Lib Dems ?on verge? of beating SNP in many seats, Alex Cole-Hamilton says
by Nick Forbes
28 Mar 2026 at 10:51am
The Scottish Liberal Democrats are ?on the verge of winning against the SNP? in many constituencies, the party?s leader has said.


Sturgeon among Glasgow MSPs urging UK Gov to 'play part' in Union Street fire...
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
28 Mar 2026 at 5:30am
Nicola Sturgeon has joined six SNP MSPs to write to the UK Government demanding financial aid to help recover Glasgow's Union Corner after the devastating fire.


Former Alex Salmond aide looked to swap Alba job for Reform
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
27 Mar 2026 at 5:40pm
A former aide to Alex Salmond during his time with with the Alba Party applied for a job with Reform UK


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

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Brian Cox and John Swinney address rally for independence on Edinburgh's Calt...
28 Mar 2026 at 5:59pm

Thousands of people marched through Edinburgh on Saturday in support of independence and heard Succession star Brian Cox speak alongside First Minister John Swinney at a rally on Calton Hill.

Soldiers from the Royal Regiment of Scotland have marked the 20th anniversary of its formation by creating the number "20" with torches at Glencorse Barracks in what was described as a "powerful symbol of unity, service and pride".

With Reform seemingly in meltdown, here are my early predictions

The decline in housebuilding is despite numerous government targets since the SNP first took office

There is more than a hint of irony to the argument made by John Swinney

Only she knows why she decided to go to war with women.

It was never meant to be like this, Holyrood?s potential is being wasted

A review of the SNP?s complaints procedures will be carried out after the Jordan Linden scandal.

Wings over Scotland

Protest But Don?t Survive
28 Mar 2026 at 5:20pm
If events in Edinburgh today are anything to go by – when a march and rally announced with great fanfare seven months ago, backed by both the “independence” parties in the Scottish Parliament and featuring the First Minister as main speaker, attracted perhaps 1,500 people at the most to Calton Hill on a bright and …

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?

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 and Greens join independence march ahead of Holyrood election
28 Mar 2026 at 6:24pm
SNP leader John Swinney and the Greens co-leaders led thousands on an independence march down the Royal Mile.

SNP to review party complaints after sex attacks by ex-council leader
27 Mar 2026 at 6:48pm
Jordan Linden was found guilty of five assaults and sending unwanted sexual communications to teenagers.

China bus photo removed from Scottish Highlands travel campaign
28 Mar 2026 at 8:21am
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 6:34pm
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.

Scot Goes Pop

"Alliance to Liberate Scotland" angrily defend their pact with the far-right ...
28 Mar 2026 at 2:44am
Later in this video, I also give my thoughts on the extraordinary but somehow totally unsurprising news that the self-styled 'independence ultra' Chris McEleny, who expelled and drove out so many g...

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...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

SNP has ?effective process? for dealing with abusive behaviour, Swinney insists
28 Mar 2026 at 5:25pm
Mr Swinney was speaking the day after party announced an independent review into its complaint handling procedures.

Sarwar pledges to slash NHS waiting times and end 8am GP appointment ?scramble?
28 Mar 2026 at 12:38pm
The Scottish Labour leader said his party would ?build a better future for Scotland?.

Lib Dems ?on verge? of beating SNP in many seats, Cole-Hamilton says
28 Mar 2026 at 11:59am
Alex Cole-Hamilton was campaigning in Linlithgow on Saturday, where he set out his party?s plans for bringing down the cost of living.

Island communities ?failed? by SNP amid ongoing ferry disruption ? Cole-Hamilton
27 Mar 2026 at 8:26pm
The Lib Dem leader was speaking after ferry operator CalMac reported major issues with some services due to mechanical issues with vessels.

Labour ?ready to deliver? while SNP and Reform ?mired in scandal?, says Sarwar
27 Mar 2026 at 8:23pm
The Scottish Labour leader was speaking as he campaigned in Coatbridge ahead of the Holyrood poll in May.

Findlay: Tory Scottish government would embrace defence industry
27 Mar 2026 at 8:23pm
He also said the party would reinstate funding cut from colleges to tackle the ?skills shortage?.

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'

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Council tax a 'subsidy' for wealthy Scots and should be scrapped to help poor...
28 Mar 2026 at 5:00pm
EXCLUSIVE: The Joseph Rowntree Foundation said it was "perfectly reasonable" to ask Scots who have done well from the housing market to pay more tax on their properties.

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.

The National

The National | Politics

See all the pictures from today's major Scottish independence rally in Edinburgh
28 Mar 2026 at 3:33pm

Activists gathered in Edinburgh on Saturday for a major Scottish independence march

See Brian Cox's full speech at major Believe in Scotland independence rally
28 Mar 2026 at 3:00pm

Brian Cox has addressed the crowd at a major Scottish independence rally in Edinburgh

Brian Cox says it's 'time to get our country back' as he kicks off independen...
28 Mar 2026 at 1:37pm

BRIAN Cox has said it is "time to get our country back" as he kicked off a major independence march.

Thousands march for Scottish independence in major Edinburgh rally
28 Mar 2026 at 11:22am

Thousands have turned out to take part in a major Scottish independence march and rally in Edinburgh

Brian Cox on Scottish independence and the SNP ahead of major rally today
28 Mar 2026 at 8:58am

Scottish acting star Brian Cox has spoken out about Scottish independence ahead of a major rally and march in Edinburgh today

The state of play in every Scottish constituency explained ? find yours here
28 Mar 2026 at 8:33am

The National is publishing a profile for every constituency in the upcoming Holyrood elections on May 7 ? here's how to find information about your area

Watch the Believe in Scotland Edinburgh march and rally live
28 Mar 2026 at 7:00am

THE First Minister and Succession star Brian Cox due to address a Scottish independence march and rally in Edinburgh today

Scotland?s future does not lie within a Union taking us into an illegal war
28 Mar 2026 at 5:00am

I DO not believe Scotland?s future lies within a Union which risks taking us into an illegal war, or a war without our consent

When it comes to surveillance, there is one tech firm to rule them all
28 Mar 2026 at 5:00am

BEFORE we assess the creeping incursion of US military tech giant Palantir into our health (and other public) statistics on these islands, let?s pause over their dorky name

Kate Forbes: It?s my time to say mar sin leibh agus tapadh leibh
28 Mar 2026 at 5:00am

THIS is my last-ever column for The National, because this was my last-ever week as an MSP

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

Latest research ? 90% of Scots think current levels of wealth inequality are ...
28 Mar 2026 at 3:19pm
Just published, using a survey of 2 321 Scots, over 16 years of age and 6 focus groups, The Diffley Partnership attempted to measure attitudes to wealth inequality and support for redistributive policies. First (above) on views of how wealth comes about, a majority of nearly two in three (63%) selected that most individuals are wealthy because of luck or the circumstances they were born into, w...

The Glasgow waste depot workers strike, Anas Sarwar and Holyrood Election 202...
28 Mar 2026 at 3:17pm
Nicely timed for the next Scottish election, the GMB staff at the Polmadie waste recycling centre in Glasgow have been called out by their Labour-affiliated leaders. They did the same thing, again in alliance with the city’s rats, furry and Labour versions, in October 2021 to try to undermine the SNP Council and SNP Government: Cleansing staff in Glasgow have confirmed they will strike for a we...

Latest figures reveal that child poverty in London at shocking 38% is massive...
28 Mar 2026 at 9:03am
Thanks again to Dottie for alerting me to this: From the Guardian two days ago: London has England?s highest levels of child poverty, data shows – About 38% of children in London live in relative poverty, compared with 29% in England as a whole. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/26/child-poverty-london-housing-crisis The equivalent figure for Glasgow, which has the highest level in S...

Some facts on ferry services in the UK
28 Mar 2026 at 8:35am

The history of the Tories, Liberals and Labour in covering-up systematic chil...
28 Mar 2026 at 8:09am

How BBC Scotland tried to protect Anas Sarwar when a Labour councillor groome...
28 Mar 2026 at 8:06am

As Labour accuse the SNP of covering up sex crimes a reminder of what they are:
28 Mar 2026 at 7:58am

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 ...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

Thousands march for Scottish independence in major Edinburgh rally - Thenatio...
28 Mar 2026 at 3:50pm
Thousands march for Scottish independence in major Edinburgh rally  Thenational Scot

SNP and Greens join independence march ahead of Holyrood election - BBC
28 Mar 2026 at 6:24pm
SNP and Greens join independence march ahead of Holyrood election  BBC

Vote for a fairer, greener and independent Scotland - Scottish Greens
28 Mar 2026 at 7:54am
Vote for a fairer, greener and independent Scotland  Scottish Greens

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

John Swinney to tell Edinburgh rally of ?prize? of Scottish independence - Lo...
28 Mar 2026 at 1:03am
John Swinney to tell Edinburgh rally of ?prize? of Scottish independence  London Evening Standard

John Swinney insists majority for SNP will trigger independence referendum, -...
28 Mar 2026 at 5:37pm
John Swinney insists majority for SNP will trigger independence referendum,  The Herald

Brian Cox and John Swinney address rally for independence - Edinburgh News
28 Mar 2026 at 5:59pm
Brian Cox and John Swinney address rally for independence  Edinburgh News

See all the pictures from today's major Scottish independence rally in Edinbu...
28 Mar 2026 at 3:35pm
See all the pictures from today's major Scottish independence rally in Edinburgh  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

Swinney says independence 'within our grasp' as he unveils childcare plan - H...
14 Mar 2026 at 7:00am
Swinney says independence 'within our grasp' as he unveils childcare plan  Holyrood Website

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

Scotland's papers: SNP 'cover up' claims and fuel shortage warning - bbc.com
28 Mar 2026 at 9:00am
Scotland's papers: SNP 'cover up' claims and fuel shortage warning  bbc.com

SNP and Greens join independence march ahead of Holyrood election - BBC
28 Mar 2026 at 6:24pm
SNP and Greens join independence march ahead of Holyrood election  BBC

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

Scotland's papers: SNP 'cover up' claims and fuel shortage warning - Yahoo Ne...
28 Mar 2026 at 9:00am
Scotland's papers: SNP 'cover up' claims and fuel shortage warning  Yahoo News Canada

It would be a massive surprise if the SNP didn?t win here again - Thenational...
28 Mar 2026 at 5:06am
It would be a massive surprise if the SNP didn?t win here again  Thenational Scot

SNP has ?effective process? for dealing with abusive behaviour, Swinney insis...
28 Mar 2026 at 5:12pm
SNP has ?effective process? for dealing with abusive behaviour, Swinney insists  The Irish News

The SNP?s Holyrood campaign is thoroughly dishonest - The Spectator
28 Mar 2026 at 6:00am
The SNP?s Holyrood campaign is thoroughly dishonest  The Spectator

Six weeks to stop an SNP majority - Scottish Conservatives
26 Mar 2026 at 7:00am
Six weeks to stop an SNP majority  Scottish Conservatives

Twenty years of SNP has turned Holyrood into parliament devoid of vision - Th...
28 Mar 2026 at 6:00am
Twenty years of SNP has turned Holyrood into parliament devoid of vision  The Scotsman

FM refused to sack SNP candidate who sought to 'protect' paedo Jordan Linden ...
27 Mar 2026 at 9:29pm
FM refused to sack SNP candidate who sought to 'protect' paedo Jordan Linden until his sex attacks arrest  The Scottish Sun

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

SNP and Greens join independence march ahead of Holyrood election - BBC
28 Mar 2026 at 6:24pm
SNP and Greens join independence march ahead of Holyrood election  BBC

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

John Swinney insists majority for SNP will trigger independence referendum, -...
28 Mar 2026 at 5:37pm
John Swinney insists majority for SNP will trigger independence referendum,  The Herald

John Swinney to tell Edinburgh rally of ?prize? of Scottish independence - Lo...
28 Mar 2026 at 1:03am
John Swinney to tell Edinburgh rally of ?prize? of Scottish independence  London Evening Standard

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

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

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