The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Party rebels pushing 'malign agenda' to damage Salmond's memory, says Alba de...
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
22 Feb 2026 at 1:07pm
Former MP Neale Hanvey made the first public comments by Alba leadership following reports the party would not stand candidates in May?s Holyrood election.


Russell Findlay stands by Lord Advocate 'corruption' claim
22 Feb 2026 at 1:00pm
Russell Findlay has stood by his claims about Scotland?s top prosecutor after accusing the Lord Advocate of being involved in ?corruption?.


Government and external users delete data from ?school sex survey? census
by jody.harrison@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Jody Harrison
22 Feb 2026 at 12:37pm
Questions about sexual experiences were asked to children as young as 14


Nigel Farage is certainly not the Messiah - but he is a very, very naughty bo...
22 Feb 2026 at 6:15am
AN oft-asked question in recent months has been: will Reform kill off the Conservatives? It?s a legitimate point of debate.


What really happened when Pollokshields took on the Home Office
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
22 Feb 2026 at 5:00am
Five years after the immigration raid that sparked a mass protest in Pollokshields, questions remain about what really happened on Kenmure Street.


Mar-a-Lago shooting: man killed after entering perimeter of Trump resort
22 Feb 2026 at 2:41pm
A man in his early twenties has been shot dead after he entered the secure perimeter of US President Trump?s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, the United States authorities have said.


Cherry seeks answers on Murrell memo as she calls for Lord Advocate role reform
22 Feb 2026 at 11:34am
The Lord Advocate gave a "simply risible' reason about why she sent a memo to the First Minister on the indictment served on the former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, Joanna Cherry KC has said.


?S**t happens? Scotland?s most famed archaeologist on life, Culloden and Neil...
22 Feb 2026 at 6:15am
He pinpointed where the Battle of Bannockburn happened, discovered bodysnatching at Waterloo, and made TV shows with his notorious friend Neil Oliver. Now Professor Tony Pollard is throwing in the trowel and quitting academia. He talks to our Writer at Large


So is Donald Trump about to embroil the US in another major Middle East war?
by david.pratt@heraldandtimes.co.uk | David Pratt
22 Feb 2026 at 6:15am
For both Washington and Tehran it?s a moment of reckoning that could unleash turmoil in the region not seen since the Iraq War. Foreign Editor David Pratt examines the immense dangers


Auditors to examine ScotWind offshore leasing amid claims money ?squandered?
by jody.harrison@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Jody Harrison
21 Feb 2026 at 3:42pm
Opponents have accused the Scottish Government of ?squandering? the proceeds from the June 2022 ScotWind leases


Alba Party withdraws from Scottish election with questions over 'viability'
by jody.harrison@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Jody Harrison
21 Feb 2026 at 2:34pm
Alba Party leader Kenny MacAskill said the decision was a "bitter blow"


Ed Davey: 'Lib Dems back removal of Andrew from line of succession'
by Katrine Bussey and Neil Pooran
21 Feb 2026 at 12:01pm
Sir Ed said it would be ?intolerable? for Andrew to succeed to the throne


John Swinney: Independence ?within reach? after positive poll
by jody.harrison@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Jody Harrison
21 Feb 2026 at 10:06am
A survey by More in Common this week projected that the SNP would win 64 seats after May,


What has gone wrong with the M8 and will it ever be fixed?
21 Feb 2026 at 9:00am
More than 150,000 vehicles crawl along the M8 at Charing Cross in Glasgow each day and the road is bedevilled by roadworks and traffic jams. So what went wrong?

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


'School sex survey' data deleted by Scottish Government and researchers
22 Feb 2026 at 10:43am

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth admitted the government ?needs to do better?

The Scottish government has withheld correspondence about the budget - but Angus Robertson?s emails show the pressure on the public purse

A lot of experience is being lost from Holyrood - but the new intake of MSPs can learn from them.

Wings over Scotland

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.

A Dumber Nation
9 Feb 2026 at 3:52pm
In politics, readers, evil and stupidity aren’t the same thing. But nor are they exclusive. Before we ask you to consider which of the terms applies to the Scottish Government led by John Swinney, we’d like you to read this letter sent to Wings by the auntie of two women imprisoned in Scottish jails. “I …

Echoes of history
8 Feb 2026 at 5:26pm
The Sunday National’s front page today elicited a sigh of “So what?” from most. We’ve already GOT a “pro-indy” majority at Holyrood and have done for the last 10 years, for all it’s been worth. But to be fair there was a paragraph in the article that at least raised a quizzical eyebrow. Because, y’know, …

A Stitch In Timing
5 Feb 2026 at 4:09pm
Readers will probably be aware that literally as you read this, the Scottish Government is in court trying to defend its policy of letting male murderers be housed in women’s prisons by arguing that the Equality Act 2010 (as ruled on by the Supreme Court in the For Women Scotland case) is incompatible with the …

The Marshalling Plan
2 Feb 2026 at 1:25pm
Another month has passed, so we suppose it must be time for the third of our polling-analysis pieces for the Scottish Parliament election in May. (Last time round we assessed the grotesque rank idiocy of voting SNP on the list if you want a pro-indy majority, and the time before that we considered the possible …

Shield Of The Phantom
26 Jan 2026 at 1:02pm
Well, we gave it a go. It seems that it’s fine to farm important judgments out to mysterious shadowy figures who just make important chunks of them up out of thin air, and then issue them in your own name. Back in your boxes, plebs.

Craig Murray

Two Little Caracas Videos
17 Feb 2026 at 6:34am

I hope to write a serious article shortly about the position of Venezuela, which is rather that of a hostage with a gun to their head, attempting to appease a psychopath. But for now here are a couple of small videos illustrating that it is a lie that the country is failed, starving or repressive. …

Two Little Caracas Videos

Postpone The Celebrations
14 Feb 2026 at 7:46am

On the face of it the English High Court ruling that the Palestine Action proscription is unlawful makes the decision that the proscription remains in place pending appeal utterly illogical. But what if the High Court ruling is deliberately designed to fail at appeal? I believe that it is. They chose an extremely narrow path …

Postpone The Celebrations

Is The USA Controlling Venezuela
7 Feb 2026 at 5:54pm

My first video report from Venezuela: My being here reporting is entirely possible due, as is all my journalism and activism, to your individual subscriptions and donations. We now have a Venezuela reporting crowdfunder. I have simply edited the Lebanese GoFundMe crowdfunder, because that took many weeks to be approved and I don’t want to …

Is The USA Controlling Venezuela

Filton Acquittals Demolish Starmer and Cooper Lies About Palestine Action
5 Feb 2026 at 6:49pm

As the trial finished at Woolwich Crown Court of the six Palestine Action activists who entered the Filton factory to destroy Israeli killer drones, Starmer, Cooper, Lammy and Mahmood are left bereft of a single guilty verdict in the case on which they relied heavily to label Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. I could …

Filton Acquittals Demolish Starmer and Cooper Lies About Palestine Action

Trump, Pirate of the Caribbean
3 Feb 2026 at 11:14am

I have now been here a week and I think that I have absorbed enough to attempt a little analysis, as opposed to the simple impressions I gave shortly after arrival. Those impressions remain valid however: this is not a repressive state. I was on the Randy Credico show live on WBAI New York on …

Trump, Pirate of the Caribbean

Palestine Action Judicial Review
29 Jan 2026 at 6:59pm

I attach the full text of Lord Young’s decision granting the Scottish judicial review of the proscription of Palestine. A few points. Judicial Review can only be granted where the judge believes it has a realistic chance of success. Lord Young evidently believes that we have a realistic chance of success on our three grounds …

Palestine Action Judicial Review

BBC Scotland

Senior Alba members offer to help party contest Scottish election
22 Feb 2026 at 6:40pm
It comes after leader Kenny MacAskill told members that the pro-independence party was in a "perilous financial position".

Scottish government deletes data from school 'sex survey'
22 Feb 2026 at 11:08am
The survey asked pupils as young as 14 about their sexual experiences but parents said they were not told about the nature of the questions.

Are MSPs undermining the rule of law in Scotland?
21 Feb 2026 at 9:27am
How a very political court case sparked a huge row - and questions about the separation of powers.

Scottish Greens pledge to expand childcare hours and free bus travel
21 Feb 2026 at 3:14pm
The Scottish Greens have promised the "biggest expansion to childcare in a generation" and free buses for all.

Regional ballot is the 'secret weapon' to defeat SNP - Findlay
21 Feb 2026 at 12:35pm
Scottish Conservatives leader Russell Findlay said Tory votes will prevent the SNP from gaining a majority at Holyrood.

Scottish Lib Dems 'squeezed every penny' out of budget deal, says Cole-Hamilton
20 Feb 2026 at 1:22pm
He says an agreement with SNP ministers will see £300m of Holyrood money funding his party's priority issues.

Swinney backs lord advocate after corruption claim
19 Feb 2026 at 3:44pm
The accusation which involves Dorothy Bain was repeated during exchanges at First Minister's Questions in Holyrood.

Double-digit council tax rises proposed for second year in a row
19 Feb 2026 at 1:59pm
Aberdeenshire and Moray councils are both considering 10% council tax increases.

Healthy life expectancy falls across Scotland
19 Feb 2026 at 12:07pm
New figures show people in Scotland are spending a greater proportion of their life in poor health than previously.

Swinney was told of Murrell charges weeks before they became public
18 Feb 2026 at 3:43pm
Former SNP chief executive Murrell is accused of embezzling £459,000 from the party over a 12-year period.

'No guarantee' bus driver's killer will have free pass removed
17 Feb 2026 at 1:22pm
MSPs are demanding assurances Keith Rollinson's attacker will not get concessionary travel upon his release.

Free tuition under threat without revenue boost, report warns
17 Feb 2026 at 6:42am
Scotland's more generous benefits and public policies may have to be reconsidered, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

Scot Goes Pop

Typical Alba: They can't even abolish themselves without it turning into a to...
22 Feb 2026 at 7:40am

The Alba Party's final betrayal of its own members: having justified a DOUBLI...
21 Feb 2026 at 1:23pm
This is the email Kenny MacAskill has just sent to Alba members, who yet again have been made total mugs of by a self-appointed and self-serving party elite - "Dear friendLet me, firstly, thank you...

The SETTLED WILL KLAXON is sounding across Scotland this morning as yet ANOTH...
21 Feb 2026 at 4:56am

Drama as yet more details of the rigged 2023 Alba NEC election emerge: key Sa...
19 Feb 2026 at 6:27am
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Analysis of new More In Common poll showing the SNP on course for big victory
18 Feb 2026 at 4:09pm
Just a quick note to let you know that I have a new article at The National about the freshly-released More In Common poll, which has the SNP on course for 64 seats - the same as in 2021, but on a ...

REVEALED: The secret results of Alba's rigged 2023 NEC elections, and the hig...
17 Feb 2026 at 7:14pm

"Harken, brothers, what is that irritatingly persistent yet strangely compell...
16 Feb 2026 at 4:03pm

REVEALED AT LAST: What Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh NEVER wanted you to know - the "s...
14 Feb 2026 at 3:36pm
In October 2023, Alex Salmond took to the stage of Alba's 2023 conference in Glasgow, theatrically brandishing what he claimed was a "black dossier" containing unspecified evidence of unspecified w...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

US global tariffs will rise to 15%, Donald Trump says
21 Feb 2026 at 6:38pm
The US President initially said he would impose a 10% levy after the Supreme Court struck down his previous import taxes on Friday.

Financial woe means Alba Party ?unlikely? to fight election, leader says
21 Feb 2026 at 4:07pm
The pro-independence party, launched by Alex Salmond in 2021, faces the prospect of being unable to field candidates

Be honest about scale of financial challenges ahead of Holyrood election, pol...
20 Feb 2026 at 6:33am
The Fraser of Allander Institute's report warns of the need for stark choices by whoever takes power.

John Swinney vows ?absolute confidence? in Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain amid ro...
19 Feb 2026 at 3:38pm
Dorothy Bain KC has been accused of giving the SNP leader political advantage with a minute about the case against Peter Murrell

Award launched to ?commemorate life and values? of late SNP minister Christin...
19 Feb 2026 at 6:31am
Christina McKelvie died last year after receiving treatment for secondary breast cancer.

May elections: Scotland?s pensioners have their say on the issues facing Scot...
19 Feb 2026 at 6:31am
The NHS, housing, rising living costs and immigration are among the top concerns when it comes to older voters in Scotland

Lord Advocate denies giving First Minister ?political advantage? in Murrell case
18 Feb 2026 at 6:14pm
Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC faced questions over why details of the charge were given to John Swinney

John Swinney vows to respect court ?independence? amid Peter Murrell charge q...
18 Feb 2026 at 12:42pm
The First Minister declined to comment on why he was given sight of the indictment weeks before it was made public

Calls for answers about Lord Advocate?s email to FM on Peter Murrell charge
18 Feb 2026 at 8:59am
The Conservatives say the First Minister received a ?private warning? about the charges against the former SNP chief executive

From the mines to the North Sea: Workers fear history is repeating itself 
18 Feb 2026 at 6:33am
Workers in the energy industry believe the transition to renewables is pushing the sector towards collapse

Displaced workers scheme could create 30,000 hours of social care each month
18 Feb 2026 at 6:33am
The scheme helps employers recruit international workers who are already in the UK, but who have lost their sponsored employment.

Holyrood backs FOI reform but any changes will be after May election
17 Feb 2026 at 9:37pm
While the Scottish Government did not support the Bill, MSPs voted by 85 votes to 30 with eight abstentions.

Scottish Government denies involvement in delay to Peter Murrell court appear...
17 Feb 2026 at 5:19pm
The next hearing for the former SNP chief executive has been moved to after the Holyrood election

?No guarantee? teen who killed bus driver will have free travel pass removed
17 Feb 2026 at 1:39pm
The boy who killed Keith Rollinson could be released within weeks after two years in secure accommodation

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Gordon Brown: a flawed but brilliant man who deserves great praise
22 Feb 2026 at 5:00pm
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says the former Prime Minister's interventions on Jeffrey Epstein show what a towering figure he still is.

Alba election candidates demand party fights Holyrood poll despite leader's e...
22 Feb 2026 at 11:32am
One Alba candidate declared the financial issues facing the breakaway pro-independence party as "temporary blips".

Retired Scots struggling to access pensions face 'considerable financial dist...
21 Feb 2026 at 5:00pm
EXCLUSIVE: A senior MSP has written to the DWP to demand answers on when a massive backlog of complaints will be finally cleared.

Alba leader warns party founded by Alex Salmond may not fight Holyrood electi...
21 Feb 2026 at 3:03pm
Former SNP Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, who leads Alba, issued the bleak update to party members.

Labour Government urged to push ahead with equal minimum wage for younger wor...
21 Feb 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer hit out at reports suggesting Ministers could delay the reform.

Scottish politics today: Tories and Liberal Democrats hold their pre-election...
20 Feb 2026 at 7:56pm
The Daily Record brings you its daily 5pm briefing of the top stories in Scottish politics.

Labour Holyrood List candidates revealed as former Alba member pulls off stun...
20 Feb 2026 at 3:41pm
EXCLUSIVE: Irshad Ahmad shocked party figures by defeating long-standing MSPs Daniel Johnson and Martin Whitfield to top the Edinburgh and Lothians East list.

Peter Murrell case row raises serious questions but will have no impact on th...
19 Feb 2026 at 5:00pm
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says voters are fascinated by the Murrell case, but will fall asleep over the Lord Advocate row.

John Swinney comments on arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
19 Feb 2026 at 1:21pm
Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested and is in custody.

Swinney defends Lord Advocate over Murrell briefing amid corruption claim
19 Feb 2026 at 12:33pm
The First Minister said he was "disgusted" at the behaviour of the leader of Scottish Conservatives leader after he suggested Dorothy Bain was corrupt.

The National

The National | Politics

Scurrilous attacks on Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain are a diversion
22 Feb 2026 at 7:16pm

THE scurrilous attack on the Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain by Russell Findlay and Anas Sarwar have exposed both their parties' lack of morals and their lack of policies to improve Scots? lives.

Scottish Government reacts to 'damaging' new US tariffs
22 Feb 2026 at 4:18pm

The Scottish Government has reacted to Trump's new 15% global tariffs, slamming the policy as "damaging"

How a far-right agitator sparked an anti-immigrant protest at a Dumfries hotel
22 Feb 2026 at 4:09pm

A FAR-right agitator known to be an associate of Tommy Robinson sparked an anti-immigration protest outside a hotel in Dumfries.

Armed man shot dead after entering Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort
22 Feb 2026 at 3:06pm

The US Secret Service has confirmed that an armed man was shot and killed after entering the secure perimeter of Mar-a-Lago, President Donald Trump?s resort in Palm Beach, Florida at around 1.30pm on Sunday

Russell Findlay doubles down on Lord Advocate attack over Murrell memo
22 Feb 2026 at 1:37pm

RUSSELL Findlay has doubled down on his claims that the Lord Advocate is involved in ?corruption? over a memo sent to John Swinney.

Nigel Farage mocked for failed 'attention seeking' Chagos Islands stunt
22 Feb 2026 at 1:12pm

NIGEL Farage has been mocked for claiming he had been blocked from entering the Chagos Islands by the UK Government.

Gordon Brown email to police forces over Andrew and Epstein flights leaked
22 Feb 2026 at 12:20pm

GORDON Brown has demanded police investigate whether Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor used taxpayer-funded jets and RAF bases to meet Jeffrey Epstein, it has been revealed.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's pathetic plea during eviction from Windsor home
22 Feb 2026 at 11:13am

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is reported to have made a final 11-word plea while being evicted from the Royal Lodge in Windsor

Enough of the London Weighting ? let's start a new system
22 Feb 2026 at 11:00am

BEING in the south of England for a couple of days last week, I couldn?t help notice how much warmer it was than here in Scotland. True, I was slightly west of London and so it could have been all the hot air from Westminster being blown on that east wind but the serious point is that it is much warmer ?down south?.

Fury as 'discredited' Boris Johnson appears on BBC's Laura Kuenssberg
22 Feb 2026 at 9:55am

Viewers of the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg have criticised the broadcaster after featuring a pre-recorded interview with the former Prime Minister on the show

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

EDF power solutions UK - Removing barriers, unlocking opportunity
20 Feb 2026 at 6:00am
Delivering on these priorities will remove critical barriers and unlock the investment necessary to secure Scotland?s long-term energy independence and drive down costs for consumers.

John Swinney defends lord advocate over Peter Murrell memo
19 Feb 2026 at 1:40pm
The first minister said he had ?absolute confidence? in Dorothy Bain KC

Turning the Tide ? Scotland?s? Preventative ?Healthcare Journey
19 Feb 2026 at 6:00am
The return on investment is immediate and compounding: every percentage point reduction in diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, dementia and obesity frees up tens of millions of pounds that can be reinvested into frontline care.

Lack of ?just transition? progress risks Grangemouth repeat, expert commissio...
19 Feb 2026 at 5:00am
'There is no just path to net zero through deindustrialisation'

SNP one seat short of majority, new poll finds
18 Feb 2026 at 2:00pm
John Swinney has said a majority could lead to another referendum on Scottish independence

Demand for answers after John Swinney ?tipped off? about Peter Murrell case
18 Feb 2026 at 1:02pm
Details of the charges were made public on 13 February ? but the first minister was made aware on 19 January

National Crime Agency: War on online child abuse is becoming tougher
18 Feb 2026 at 10:48am
Tech firms and regulator must do more, NCA says

All to play for: Scottish games industry unveils election asks
17 Feb 2026 at 4:57pm
Chris van der Kuyl: 'The global industry is changing rapidly, and we cannot stand still'

Douglas Ross:?Peter Murrell adjournment ?stinks?
17 Feb 2026 at 3:14pm
SNP minister says government did not intervene on scheduling

Techscaler sets sights on New York as programme expands
17 Feb 2026 at 5:00am
Kate Forbes announces investment drive

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

The Guardian view on Scottish Labour: Keir Starmer needs Anas Sarwar?s act of...
22 Feb 2026 at 5:30pm
The leader of Scottish Labour will use its spring conference to demonstrate that he is his own man. Ironically, the prime minister?s survival may depend on his successAt Scottish Labour?s spring conference last year, Sir Keir Starmer bullishly addressed mounting discontent at his government?s per...

The Guardian view on Scotland?s housing crisis: supply has failed to keep pac...
18 Feb 2026 at 6:25pm
The country?s homelessness legislation is ambitious and humane. But too many people are still sleeping on the streets or in temporary accommodationRough sleeping in Scotland has risen by 106% over the past three years. Record numbers of children are now living in temporary accommodation, official...

?It?s betrayal?: Shetland?s scallop fishers brace for arrival of UK?s largest...
17 Feb 2026 at 12:00pm
Huge project by Norwegian-owned Scottish Sea Farms gets go-ahead amid concerns over the environmental cost of fish farming and threat to traditional way of lifeAt Collafirth, north Shetland, Sydney Johnson is unloading two-dozen bags of scallops by throwing them over his head like medicine balls ...

Tuesday briefing: The factors that will shape the future of Scotland
17 Feb 2026 at 7:55am
In today?s newsletter: As Scottish voters prepare to go to the polls, how can Labour, Reform and the Conservatives capitalise on weakening trust in the SNP?Good morning. The SNP has been in government since 2007, a phenomenal 19-year run, but polling suggests Scottish voters? trust in its ability...

Mick Duncan obituary
16 Feb 2026 at 8:39pm
My friend and fellow architect Mick Duncan, who has died aged 86, imbued his architecture with human scale and proportion, whether for the extensive buildings for Stirling University, at Victoria Quay housing the Scottish Executive in Leith, or in the modest yet stately headquarters for United Di...

Scottish Labour leader says he doesn?t regret calling for Starmer to quit ? U...
13 Feb 2026 at 4:30pm
Anas Sarwar said that he stood by what he said when he announced on Monday that he wanted the prime minister to stand downThe Equality and Human Rights Commission has welcomed a high court ruling defending the interim guidance it issued to organisations about the implications of the supreme court...

Jeane Freeman obituary
12 Feb 2026 at 5:57pm
SNP politician who served as Scottish health secretary and led the government?s response to the covid pandemicJeane Freeman, who has died aged 72, held two critical roles in the SNP government at Holyrood, leading the Scottish government?s response to the Covid pandemic alongside Nicola Sturgeon ...

Anas Sarwar says Starmer can campaign in Scotland after calling for him to quit
11 Feb 2026 at 5:59pm
Scottish Labour leader agrees PM can support party?s effort to win May?s Holyrood election in abrupt about-faceThe Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, has agreed that Keir Starmer can campaign for the party in the Holyrood elections just days after calling for the prime minister to resign.In a m...

Anas Sarwar says Starmer welcome to campaign for Labour in Scotland, days aft...
11 Feb 2026 at 5:56pm
Two days ago, the Scottish Labour leader said he wanted the prime minister to avoid Scotland during the election campaign because of his deep unpopularity with votersFamilies of nurses and carers have said they fear being torn apart under an immigration crackdown condemned as ?an act of economic ...

No 10 confident Sarwar acted alone in call for Starmer to go
10 Feb 2026 at 8:17pm
Downing Street initially feared Scottish Labour leader?s move was part of a wider leadership challenge Downing Street is increasingly confident that Anas Sarwar?s call for Keir Starmer to stand down was not part of a coordinated plot by a leadership rival to bring down the prime minister, the Gua...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Rejoining the EU looks set to get much easier for an independent Scotland
22 Feb 2026 at 2:52pm
According to former SNP MP and MEP Alyn Smith, who is well informed about developments within the EU, joining the EU looks set to become a whole lot easier for an independent Scotland. The EU Commission is proposing to revamp and speed up the process through which states which are candidates for EU membership accede …

Kenny MacAskill announces that the party is over for Alba
21 Feb 2026 at 3:48pm
So much for my afternoon off. Literally seconds after publishing my last blog piece I learned that the Alba party’s leader Kenny MacAskill had issued a statement in an email to Alba party members saying that the party will not after all be standing candidates at May’s Holyrood election. The statement blames the sudden decision …

New polling and Reform may have peaked
21 Feb 2026 at 1:47pm
I’ve been blogging a lot this week, which is what happens when there’s nothing on the telly except the Winter Olympics. All power to those who enjoy that sort of thing, but watching people sliding down a mountain in the snow with two planks strapped to their feet leaves me cold, pun intended. So my …

Labour Together: the authoritarian right wing rot at the heart of Starmer?s p...
20 Feb 2026 at 1:09pm
Having had personal encounters with people on the right of the Labour party the left wing comedian and Corbyn supporter Alexei Sayle said: “The right of the Labour Party are some of the most fucking horrible, vile, gruesome people. I’ve never met such awful people as those on the right of the Labour Party.” After …

Yes United and Independence Forum Scotland : Putting the band back together
19 Feb 2026 at 8:45pm
Please note that tickets for the daytime conference are now sold out, but tickets are still available for the evening event. Frustration at the lack of progress to secure better lives for current and future generations of Scots has raised the number of independence campaign groups working outside party politics. Campaigns focus on all sectors …

Corruption Westminster style
19 Feb 2026 at 1:16pm
The biggest news story today is one we can only talk around, not directly about. The King’s brother, the allegedly sweat free Andrew, will be sweating buckets today, after being arrested and taken into custody by Thames Valley Police on charges of misconduct in public office. This is a serious offence, and if found guilty …

The choice facing Scotland is independence or fascism.
18 Feb 2026 at 5:13pm
A major new poll was published on Wednesday which confirms other recent polls in showing that Scots are on track to elect a pro-independence majority to Holyrood in May’s election. Even better, this new poll, carried out by More in Common, shows that the SNP are within striking distance of winning an absolute majority in …

Westminster?s great Scottish energy rip off
17 Feb 2026 at 3:07pm
In news that hasn’t appeared anywhere on BBC Scotland to my shock and surprise, that’s shock and surprise as in “I was shocked and surprised to learn that the Pope believes in god.” A majority of MSPs have backed a campaign calling for an end to rip off energy bills in Scotland. Despite Scotland being …

Fundraiser update and a look to the election in May
14 Feb 2026 at 12:54pm
I thought I’d publish an update on the progress so far of the 2026 Wee Ginger Dug annual fundraiser. This is always an anxious time of the year as I ask other people to put their money where my mouth is. The blog is free to read for all and eschews advertising, paid content or …

Billionaire tax evader blames poor people for Britain?s problems
13 Feb 2026 at 1:05pm
73 year old billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, the UK’s own racist granddad, moved to the tax haven of Monaco in 2020 in order to avoid paying his fair share of taxes. He’s doubtless one of those English people living abroad who considers himself an ‘expat’ and not an immigrant. It’s equally likely that he doesn’t speak …

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

On a bridge too far in a tank and with a splitting headache
22 Feb 2026 at 7:45pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON By Liz S ?Labour Government promises? Aye don?t they just??..their only problem being that they then fail to deliver. An SNP investigation has revealed Starmer?s failed Brit card scheme cost the...

UK Labour doubles weeks on full maternity pay for teachers in England but Sco...
22 Feb 2026 at 10:47am
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON Thanks to Dottie for alerting me to this. Doubling, Bridget? Doubling what? Teachers, leaders and support staff will see their full maternity pay double from the 2027-28 academic year, rising fr...

Labour Government promises to halve the attainment gap by 2062 [!] for all pu...
22 Feb 2026 at 9:24am
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON All over BBC UK England today, this message: The government says it plans to halve the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers in England by the time children born in this ...

Scotland?s schools have had a 21% increase in funding to leave them 18%, £1 3...
22 Feb 2026 at 8:47am
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON The news yesterday, headlining today in BBC UK TV broadcasts seems unlikely to represent an overall increase in funding for schools in England but, rather, a re-organising of them, as in deck ch...

No Royal in the future will be heard ?purring down the line? over Scotland
21 Feb 2026 at 8:36pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON By Liz S A huge factor in the flawed part of Gordon Brown?s past ?plot? to encourage Prince William to help in persuading (gullible) Scots to stay within their UK, as in William the future heir ...

CalMac ferries are getting better ? short video
21 Feb 2026 at 5:40pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON Evidence at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotland Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or di...

Breast cancer among mature women far higher living near nuclear power station...
21 Feb 2026 at 5:13pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON Evidence at: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/02/20/french-owned-somerset-nuclear-power-station-delayed-by-13-years-with-construction-costs-soaring-from-18bn-to-more-than-50bn-and-to-produc...

Herald reveals 97% of CalMac sailings were NOT affected by mechanical issues...
21 Feb 2026 at 4:31pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON From the Herald last week, the above, and: More than 18,000 CalMac ferries have been cancelled due to technical faults over the last five years, it has been revealed Bobbie (10) is that big numb...

There are currently NO publicly detailed specific cases of child rape ?groomi...
21 Feb 2026 at 10:07am
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON From BBC Stoke & Staffordshire yesterday, the above and: Council leaders have given their backing to their county’s first ever community safety strategy. The document sets out how Staffordshire ...

Scotland?s Maternity Services ? We already know they ?deliver?
21 Feb 2026 at 9:21am
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON The Herald today with an investigation designed to drag Scotland’s maternity units into the same glare as those in England. It’s a redundant exercise and they know it but you can be sure it will...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

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

Scottish independence is sneaking up on Westminster - New Statesman
20 Feb 2026 at 6:03am
Scottish independence is sneaking up on Westminster  New Statesman

Majority of Scots would vote for independence in new vote, exclusive poll sho...
20 Feb 2026 at 12:03pm
Majority of Scots would vote for independence in new vote, exclusive poll shows  TheNational.scot

'Scottish independence? Yes - but make it egalitarian' - The Herald
21 Feb 2026 at 4:32am
'Scottish independence? Yes - but make it egalitarian'  The Herald

Scottish independence ?within reach? as Westminster ?unravelling? amid scanda...
21 Feb 2026 at 12:01am
Scottish independence ?within reach? as Westminster ?unravelling? amid scandals, Swinney says  Yahoo News Canada

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

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

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

New book charts writer?s role in thwarting Scottish independence - gatescambr...
3 Feb 2026 at 10:32am
New book charts writer?s role in thwarting Scottish independence  gatescambridge.org

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

Regional ballot is the 'secret weapon' to defeat SNP - Findlay - BBC
21 Feb 2026 at 12:35pm
Regional ballot is the 'secret weapon' to defeat SNP - Findlay  BBC

Voting Tory on peach ballot ?secret weapon to kick SNP out?, Findlay to say -...
21 Feb 2026 at 9:03am
Voting Tory on peach ballot ?secret weapon to kick SNP out?, Findlay to say  Radio News Hub

Labour accuse SNP of neglect over People's Palace funding - The Herald
22 Feb 2026 at 2:09pm
Labour accuse SNP of neglect over People's Palace funding  The Herald

SNP unveil every regional list candidate for Holyrood election - TheNational....
18 Feb 2026 at 1:28pm
SNP unveil every regional list candidate for Holyrood election  TheNational.scot

SNP one seat short of majority, new poll finds - Holyrood Website
18 Feb 2026 at 2:08pm
SNP one seat short of majority, new poll finds  Holyrood Website

SNP in touching distance of Holyrood majority with Reform poised to edge pass...
19 Feb 2026 at 2:00pm
SNP in touching distance of Holyrood majority with Reform poised to edge pass Labour, new poll finds  The Scotsman

?Pre-election stunt? - Greens criticise SNP candidate?s attempt to secure new...
22 Feb 2026 at 7:51am
?Pre-election stunt? - Greens criticise SNP candidate?s attempt to secure new walk-in GP clinic for Lerwick - but Goodlad hits back accusing Armitage of ?pettiness?  Shetland Times

SNP insists breaking up the UK would boost fishing industry - despite policy ...
22 Feb 2026 at 6:00am
SNP insists breaking up the UK would boost fishing industry - despite policy of joining hated European Union  Scottish Daily Express

Kingmakers: What the Greens or Lib Dems would demand of the SNP - The Times
21 Feb 2026 at 7:00pm
Kingmakers: What the Greens or Lib Dems would demand of the SNP  The Times

Ex-SNP councillor deemed unfit to stand trial found helping run successful ca...
22 Feb 2026 at 4:30am
Ex-SNP councillor deemed unfit to stand trial found helping run successful campervan business  Daily Record

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google 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

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

Majority of Scots would vote for independence in new vote, exclusive poll sho...
20 Feb 2026 at 12:03pm
Majority of Scots would vote for independence in new vote, exclusive poll shows  TheNational.scot

Scottish independence is sneaking up on Westminster - New Statesman
20 Feb 2026 at 6:03am
Scottish independence is sneaking up on Westminster  New Statesman

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

Why Alberta?s push for independence pales in comparison to Scotland?s in 2014...
27 May 2025 at 8:00am
Why Alberta?s push for independence pales in comparison to Scotland?s in 2014  The Conversation

Part Two: What an independent Scotland could look like - A Fresh Start with I...
8 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
Part Two: What an independent Scotland could look like - A Fresh Start with Independence  The Scottish Government

Scottish independence ?within reach? as Westminster ?unravelling? amid scanda...
21 Feb 2026 at 12:01am
Scottish independence ?within reach? as Westminster ?unravelling? amid scandals, Swinney says  The Independent

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

In the United Kingdom, prime minister rejects possibility of Scotland indepen...
3 Jun 2025 at 8:00am
In the United Kingdom, prime minister rejects possibility of Scotland independence referendum  ConstitutionNet