The Herald

The Herald | Politics


'People want to use Britain's imperial history to confect division'
by teddy.jamieson@theherald.co.uk | Teddy Jamieson
24 Jul 2026 at 11:00am
As a result, the former TV producer turned TV historian appeared as one of the Faithfuls alongside Stephen Fry, Clare Balding, Paloma Faith, Jonathan Ross, Alan Carr, Celia Imrie and the rest  in the first series of The Celebrity Traitors last autumn.


Anger as PM downgrades key foreign office role as Scottish Labour MP appointed
24 Jul 2026 at 5:01am
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has come under attack for downgrading the role of a foreign office minister.


Call for new Holyrood probe into heritage agency after further turmoil
24 Jul 2026 at 5:00am
Holyrood's culture committee is being urged to launch a new investigation into the Scottish Government's heritage agency Historic Environment Scotland.


Inside the grassroots campaign confronting Scotland?s women?s health crisis
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
24 Jul 2026 at 5:00am
Nicola?s Law campaigners warn women?s lives are at risk as they demand mandatory NHS women?s health training after 650 women seek support.


I am ready to lead Scottish Labour, says left wing trailblazer
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
24 Jul 2026 at 4:25pm
Monica Lennon says she feels refreshed and ready for Scottish Labour leadership as she considers a bid to succeed Anas Sarwar.


Independence disagreement raised by John Swinney and Andy Burnham in Scotland...
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
23 Jul 2026 at 5:56pm
Andy Burnham and John Swinney disagreed over Scottish independence as they held official talks in Glasgow today.


The big mistake Andy Burnham has made in his first meeting with John Swinney
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
23 Jul 2026 at 2:54pm
Andy Burnham has spent years arguing that the Westminster system had to change. So why won't he speak to the media?


Scottish Labour leadership contender warns 'big changes' needed after Sarwar ...
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
23 Jul 2026 at 12:27pm
Michael Marra, the man widely tipped to replace Anas Sarwar, has said Scottish Labour needs to make significant changes.


Mackintosh's Glasgow School of Art is 'gone forever' says architect
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
23 Jul 2026 at 5:00am
Glasgow School of Art's confirmation that it cannot afford to fully reinstate the fire-damaged Mackintosh Building has led a leading architect to warn that Charles Rennie Mackintosh's masterpiece is "gone forever".


Remote working crackdown in Scottish civil service leads to slump in morale
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
23 Jul 2026 at 5:00am
More civil servants are considering leaving the Scottish Government following the crackdown on remote working.


Glasgow: The city which sparks cheer and despair in equal measure
by scott.wright@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Scott Wright
23 Jul 2026 at 4:31am
Returning to Glasgow after two weeks abroad brings mixed emotions


Burnham in 'genuine partnership' vow ahead of first face-to-face talks with S...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
23 Jul 2026 at 12:01am
Andy Burnham will make his first visit to Scotland as Prime Minister for the Commonwealth Games opening.


Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar made lord and UK minister
by craig.williams@newsquest.co.uk | Craig Williams
23 Jul 2026 at 12:00am
Anas Sarwar has confirmed he is stepping down as Scottish Labour leader to join Andy Burnham's government as Minister of State for Trade.


Monica Lennon eyes Scottish Labour leadership after Anas Sarwar?s exit
by Hannah Brown and Rebecca McCurdy
22 Jul 2026 at 4:53pm
Monica Lennon has refused to rule out standing to succeed Anas Sarwar as Scottish Labour leader, saying she has been contacted by party figures encouraging her to enter the contest.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Controversial 544-bed hostel in Edinburgh's West End crescent approved on appeal
24 Jul 2026 at 5:02pm

Controversial plans given go-ahead

The road has been closed since July 9

John Swinney says deal is a ?win on both sides of the Atlantic?

Scottish Government says it will ?progress? scheme during its committed 100-day timescale

It came as the two men held their first in-person meeting since Mr Burnham became Prime Minister

The new Prime Minister said business rates will be cut by 20 per cent in England

Wings over Scotland

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

The Wheels Of Industry
20 Jul 2026 at 2:49pm
Last Friday’s edition of The National ran this guff: And as we often are, we were put in mind of the greatest politics book ever written. We’d really need to quote a much longer section to fully convey the point – ideally just read all of the piece linked above – but this passage will …

Progressing To Oblivion
19 Jul 2026 at 3:21pm
It’s now more than three years since this site drew attention to the curious case of Progress Scotland, the zombie “polling company” run by the SNP’s Angus Robertson that had no employees and hadn’t published any polls since October 2020, but was apparently still accepting, and soliciting, donations from subscribers, and appeared to have disposed …

These Words Are My Own
17 Jul 2026 at 9:59pm
It’s been another fabulous day on the front pages for Nicola Sturgeon. The stories were triggered by a speech in the House Of Commons from Tory MP Sir David Davis, which you can watch below. ? (It was meant to be a much longer speech, but Davis had to truncate it on the hoof from …

A Matter Of Declinature
15 Jul 2026 at 5:05pm
Our solicitor has this afternoon written to the Deputy Chief Constable. We’ll await his response with interest.

The Invisible Rabbit
15 Jul 2026 at 11:30am
Further to Monday’s letter from the Deputy Chief Constable, we’ve now submitted the following Freedom Of Information request to Police Scotland, as per his suggestion. - To: FOI <foi@scotland.police.uk> 15 July 2026 This week I received a letter from DCC Stuart Houston. It notes in part: “During this time, Police Scotland utilised financial investigators, financial …

Blue In The Face
14 Jul 2026 at 1:13pm
Before we start, let’s note that this took 37 days. As you’re about to read, it says almost nothing other than “Please go away now”. It takes quite a long time to say it, but nevertheless those four words are pretty much the sum total of the actual content. It does not in any way …

The Unstoppable Lie Machine
13 Jul 2026 at 7:00pm
Six weeks ago, Nicola Sturgeon said this: Today, on her behalf, her perpetually furious lawyer said this: So she was lying. Imagine literally nobody’s surprise. “I have nothing to hide, but I’m going to hide it anyway” is flawlessly in character. (Though we must take a moment to note that the idea of anyone bothering …

Step One
12 Jul 2026 at 3:05pm
Today’s Sunday Mail leads for the second weekend in a row on questions about the finances of Yes Scotland. But there’s a paragraph in the online version of the story that doesn’t make the print edition, and it’s a shame, because it’s a very telling one. This is it, from Yes Scotland’s former marketing director …

It just takes a beat
10 Jul 2026 at 12:58pm
Looks like we turned that round pretty fast, gang. Six weeks ago: And today: Amazing what a draft document and a KC opinion can do, eh? A casual observer might be forgiven for thinking that the SNP was absolutely cold-sweat desperate to avoid a civil case that would set a powerful precedent for a legal …

Craig Murray

Where Are We Going?
20 Jul 2026 at 1:25pm

An advert for the RNLI caught my attention because it indicated that the majority of their income comes from bequests in wills. The pitch was that, after you provide for your loved ones, you should leave money to the RNLI. I have no problem with this, having generations of lifeboatmen in my ancestry, but it …

Where Are We Going?

Extreme Unionism and Res Judicata
14 Jul 2026 at 5:02pm

Unsurprisingly, today at the Court of Session Lord Young refused to lift his suspension or “sist” of the Scottish judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action. He did however grant us leave to appeal against this decision. What was surprising was an extreme extension of the UK government’s argument. The UK government stated that …

Extreme Unionism and Res Judicata

The Ditching of Nigel Farage
11 Jul 2026 at 8:36am

Nigel Farage is the most consequential British politician of the 21st century. Certainly a more important historic figure than any of the last eight Prime Ministers. Tony Blair is the only realistic rival. Without Farage, the UK would never have left the European Union. Farage’s role in forcing the issue to the top of the …

The Ditching of Nigel Farage

Palestine Action Proscription: We Fight Back
1 Jul 2026 at 12:50pm

I publish below in full the Note we have submitted to Court today to re-establish the separate Scottish judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action. Not only is the state doubling down on prosecution of pro-Palestine activists, a new National Security State Threats Bill is being fast tracked through parliament to extend the attack …

Palestine Action Proscription: We Fight Back

The Middle East, Hormuz and the New Mercantilism
29 Jun 2026 at 9:50am

The provisional surrender document signed by Donald Trump appeared to represent a triumph for Iran and indeed for the world; but neither the USA nor Israel has the slightest sense of honour and they cannot be trusted to negotiate in good faith. Iran knows this – after all, the USA twice attacked Iran actually during …

The Middle East, Hormuz and the New Mercantilism

The UK Joins the Pirates
15 Jun 2026 at 1:21pm

I was genuinely surprised by the Starmer regime’s refusal to state that the Israeli boarding of the Global Sumud flotilla on the High Seas was illegal. I did not realise it was because the UK was planning to undertake similar illegal seizure itself. The Gaza Flotilla seizure was illegal: while for obvious reasons freedom of …

The UK Joins the Pirates

BBC Scotland

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New PM Burnham tells John Swinney 'agree to disagree' on Scottish independence
21 Jul 2026 at 12:18pm
Scotland's first minister raised the issue of Scottish independence during a phone call with Andy Burnham on Tuesday morning, in the hopes of advancing the debate.

Douglas Alexander to remain Scottish Secretary as Burnham confirms cabinet
21 Jul 2026 at 9:45am
A host of cabinet ministers in the Starmer government are leaving their jobs, but Alexander said he was "very happy" to stay.

Burnham to announce plans for new North Sea oil and gas drilling
18 Jul 2026 at 4:46pm
Drilling has become a controversial topic for the Labour party after the 2024 manifesto pledged to not issue new licences.

Will Scotland buy Burnham's vision of a 'rewired' Britain?
20 Jul 2026 at 6:14am
Andy Burnham enters Downing Street promising more devolution and economic growth but what does that mean for Scotland?

Scot Goes Pop

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

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

The case for optimism that the next general election WILL be used as a de fac...
21 Jul 2026 at 2:51pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos:Scottish independence could now be just one or two years away fr...

A progress report on the Scot Goes Pop video channel - plus a question for it...
21 Jul 2026 at 12:40am
I was planning to make a video tonight about Andy Burnham's first day as Prime Minister, but then I thought back to how hilariously off-beam some of the reactions to Liz Truss and Keir Starmer were...

On the day Andy Burnham becomes Prime Minister, Scottish independence could n...
20 Jul 2026 at 11:10am
If you'd like to support my YouTube channel and help it to grow further, please visit my Ko-Fi page, where you can either make a one-off donation of any amount you choose, or set up a small recurri...

Not "hatred" or "bigotry" after all: in stunning turnaround, the British esta...
17 Jul 2026 at 12:42pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos:"Self-Determination for the Falklands but NOT for Scotland!" - W...

"Democratic Self-Determination for the Falkland Islands but NOT for Scotland!...
14 Jul 2026 at 6:56pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos:"Self-Determination for the Falklands but NOT for Scotland!" - W...

SNP vote INCREASES in Larkhall by-election as Burnham FAILS his first Scottis...
13 Jul 2026 at 12:24am
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos:Disaster for Burnham as Labour languish in JOINT THIRD in YouGov...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Andy Burnham?s Government ?will meet international defence commitments?, chan...
21 Jul 2026 at 12:02pm
John Healey unexpectedly emerged as Andy Burnham's chancellor after quitting as defence secretary under Keir Starmer

?Honour? for Douglas Alexander to stay as Scottish secretary under Burnham
21 Jul 2026 at 10:32am
Alexander was appointed by Sir Keir Starmer, and held on despite the new PM purging a number of leading figures from the Cabinet

Burnham scraps VAT on electricity bills in first major policy announcement as PM
21 Jul 2026 at 5:20am
Burnham and his new Chancellor John Healey announced that VAT will be removed from domestic electricity bills from October 1 to give families "breathing space".

Man, 28, charged with murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe
20 Jul 2026 at 6:56pm
Joshua Kerry, from Rotherham, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates? Court on Tuesday

Can Andy Burnham end rough sleeping in Scotland?
20 Jul 2026 at 4:47pm
There's a new PM at 10 Downing Street but the same old problem persists: How do you eradicate rough sleeping and solve the housing crisis?

Live: Andy Burnham becomes UK Prime Minister 
20 Jul 2026 at 9:24am
Andy Burnham has become the Prime Minister of the UK following Keir Starmer's resignation

Andy Burnham must deliver emergency budget to ?reverse damage?, says SNP
20 Jul 2026 at 6:48am
SNP Westminster leader Dave Doogan said that Burnham would be ?judged on his actions not words?.

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'Scottish Labour are deep in injury time when it comes to saving themselves'
22 Jul 2026 at 5:00pm
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says Scottish Labour needs a leadership contest to trigger a debate on its precarious future.

Former Scottish Labour MSP 'not ruling out' running for the leadership after ...
22 Jul 2026 at 4:42pm
EXCLUSIVE: Monica Lennon said she would "absolutely" welcome a return to Holyrood. She is likely to become an MSP again imminently.

'The runners and riders who could take over from Anas Sawar as Scottish Labou...
22 Jul 2026 at 7:53am
In an opinion piece, Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon writes about the potential candidates in any leadership contest.

The National

The National | Politics

Putting royals 'centre stage' in Commonwealth opener 'out of touch'
24 Jul 2026 at 6:07pm

HAVING the royal family "centre stage" in the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony looked "completely out of touch" for people across Scotland amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, the Scottish Greens have warned.

Lord Sarwar and Scottish Labour spin machine think voters won?t spot the con
24 Jul 2026 at 6:01pm

SCOTTISH Labour politicians have gone to outrageous lengths trying to spin the fallout from Anas Sarwar swanning off to the House of Lords.

New Trump tariffs 'taking advantage of UK hypocrisy' on forced labour, expert...
24 Jul 2026 at 5:24pm

AN expert has said that Donald Trump?s latest tariffs are ?taking advantage of UK hypocrisy? on forced labour ...

Michael Shanks mocked for renewables boast as Labour eye new North Sea oil fi...
24 Jul 2026 at 4:09pm

ENERGY Minister Michael Shanks has been blasted for boasting about renewable power in Glasgow while the UK Government is reportedly set to sign off on further drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea.

Anti-racism rally set to counter rising anti-immigration disorder in Glasgow
24 Jul 2026 at 3:44pm

Anti-racism campaigners will hold a rally in Glasgow on July 25 to counter a meeting of the far-right group 'Unite the Clans'

Is Scottish whisky exempt from Donald Trump's new trade tariffs?
24 Jul 2026 at 3:21pm

DONALD Trump has announced a new raft of tariffs for countries including the UK.

Expert issues warning to Andy Burnham as FOUR Labour ministers snub Scottish ...
24 Jul 2026 at 3:10pm

PRIME Minister Andy Burnham risks worsening the disconnect that many Scottish voters already feel from Westminster by avoiding a ?key aspect of a functioning democracy?, a leading Scottish media expert has warned ...

Andy Burnham jets around the UK at taxpayers' expense in first week as PM
24 Jul 2026 at 2:21pm

ANDY Burnham flew from London to Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, before jetting back down to Manchester shortly after.

Andy Burnham opens Number 10 North in Manchester
24 Jul 2026 at 2:21pm

PRIME Minister Andy Burnham has opened Number 10 North in Manchester.

Israeli military kills 4 Palestinians after settler killed in West Bank
24 Jul 2026 at 2:02pm

THE Israeli military has shot and killed four Palestinians after an Israeli settler was killed in a confrontation with local residents.

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prime Minister to focus on ?practical measures, not constitutional changes? f...
21 Jul 2026 at 12:03pm
Andy Burnham spoke with First Minister John Swinney on Tuesday morning

Transforming the Grid to Secure Our Energy Future
21 Jul 2026 at 7:00am
Scotland is at a pivotal moment, and the decisions taken now will shape our economy, communities and energy security for decades to come. As electricity demand grows and more renewable energy comes online, upgrading Scotland's transmission network is esse

Andy Burnham names Cabinet
21 Jul 2026 at 1:24am
Douglas Alexander has been reappointed Scottish secretary

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

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

Celtic leaders doubt Burnham?s devolution drive will go beyond England?s borders
6 Jul 2026 at 4:00pm
Would-be prime minister has made basic missteps in pitches to Wales, Scotland and Northern IrelandAndy Burnham?s devolution promises are yet to impress sceptical Celtic administrations hoping for a reset with Westminster, sources in Cardiff and Edinburgh have said.Burnham, who is expected to take...

Celtic nations begin to plan for breakup of UK in event of Reform election win
4 Jul 2026 at 7:00am
Politicians brace for constitutional turmoil if Nigel Farage?s party ends up in government ? or even as a strong oppositionThe rise of Nigel Farage has prompted political leaders across Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to game the unthinkable: the breakup of the United Kingdom.Unioni...

Badenoch urges Burnham to condemn defence investment plan as No 10 says fundi...
1 Jul 2026 at 6:00pm
Minister and MPs have raised concerns that his ?poisoned chalice? plan will take cash from much-needed road projectsMinister and MP ?furious? over cuts to road projects to fund defence planDan Sabbagh is the Guardian?s defence and security editor.Andy Burnham is a ?true patriot? who will provide ...

The Guardian view on the politics of Scotland: like Labour, the SNP is in nee...
23 Jun 2026 at 6:25pm
The sentencing of Peter Murrell brings limited closure to a major scandal. But John Swinney?s government faces new challenges in a changing landscapeThe Scottish National party (SNP) is accustomed to presenting Westminster dysfunction as a boost to its case for independence. But the political dra...

Peter Murrell jailed for five years after embezzling £400,000 from SNP
23 Jun 2026 at 2:29pm
Estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon is sentenced for stealing from party over 12-year periodMontblanc pens to Le Creuset ramekins: police photos show Peter Murrell?s spending habitPeter Murrell has been sentenced to five years and three months in jail after he admitted embezzling more than £400,...

Montblanc pens to Le Creuset ramekins: police photos show Peter Murrell?s spe...
23 Jun 2026 at 1:37pm
Haul is only a fraction of what the former SNP chief executive bought using embezzled party moneyPeter Murrell jailed for five years after embezzling £400,000 from SNPThe white police evidence tags on the unused Montblanc pens, picnic sets, Le Creuset ramekins and the chrome Alessi teapot tell a ...

?This changes everything?: how Brexit altered Scotland?s political landscape
21 Jun 2026 at 12:00pm
Former party leaders reflect on the turbulence that followed the referendum in which most Scottish voters backed the losing sideThe decision to quit the EU bolstered support for Scottish independence, which a decade after the Brexit referendum is at near record levels, according to Scottish Labou...

Burnham calls for ?new path for Britain? as Starmer vows to fight any leaders...
19 Jun 2026 at 6:30pm
This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story here:Cabinet loyalists tell PM he has weekend to set out timetable for exit?Now is the change moment?: Burnham staff have no doubtsPodcast: will Burnham become prime minister?What would ?change? look like if Burnham becomes PM?David Blunket...

Scottish Conservatives win Aberdeen South in shock loss for the SNP
19 Jun 2026 at 12:29pm
Tories? Douglas Lumsden says city has spoken ?loud and clear? in support of the North Sea oil and gas industryThe Scottish National party has lost the formerly safe seat of Aberdeen South in a shock loss to the Scottish Conservatives.Douglas Lumsden beat the SNP?s Richard Thomson by 6,050 votes, ...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

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

Silly season politics
17 Jul 2026 at 4:01pm
With Friday’s coronation of Andy Burnham as leader of the Labour party and his official accession to Ten Downing Street on Monday, the UK is now on its seventh prime minister in ten years. Meanwhile the man who wants to become prime minister after the next general election is fighting a by election with a …

Reform UK?s attack on Scottish languages
14 Jul 2026 at 4:44pm
It’s the greatest attempted Westminster assault on Scottish culture since the Jacobite wars. Reform UK has proposed an amendment to the UK Government’s elections bill which would criminalise the use of any languages other than English or Welsh on electoral material and impose a punishment of up to six months in prison and/or a fine. …

Ich bin ein Bin liner
12 Jul 2026 at 6:08pm
Last week, Nigel Farage announced that he was going to resign as the MP for Clacton in order to fight a by election to become the MP for Clacton. In a pity political broadcast from Reform UK headquarters which was broadcast live by the BBC and Sky News, Farage railed at the media for unfairly …

Alister Jack?s colonialism remains a threat to Scotland
9 Jul 2026 at 5:15pm
The former colonial governor of the northern province, Alister Jack, who was given a peerage by Rishi Sunak as part of a back room deal. Jack rejected an earlier nomination by Boris Johnson in 2023 to avoid triggering a by-election while he was still an MP, only later to stand down for the 2024 General …

The Farage facade cracks
7 Jul 2026 at 6:53pm
Poor Nigel Facade, sorry Farage, the wee lamb has had an almighty hissy fit at the sheer audacity of the media daring to subject him to a tiny fraction of the scrutiny that is par for the course for the SNP. It was all very Trumpian. In a self-pitying Reform UK party political broadcast during …

The junkies and their dealers
5 Jul 2026 at 4:40pm
A number of peculiar developments have taken place in Scotland since the Holyrood election in May. These have been disguised by the anti-SNP media feeding frenzy which took place after the conviction of Peter Murrell for the crime of embezzlement, a crime whose victim was the SNP, despite the efforts of the British media in …

Labour?s attempted theft of the Holyrood election is being aided by the media
3 Jul 2026 at 3:32pm
Something is seriously wrong with democracy in Scotland, but the media has told us vastly more about Peter Murrell’s cruet sets than it has about what can only be described as an attempt by the Labour party to steal the Holyrood election. In fact the attempted subversion of the result of the recent election has …

Labour?s nuclear power, an offer we can refuse
2 Jul 2026 at 3:30pm
It’s an offer we can refuse. The Labour government has identified a number of sites across Scotland on which it would like to build new nuclear power plants. A report was published this week by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the political ashtray Michael Shanks, the most disappointing MP in a …

Burnham, the GB Energy of devolution
29 Jun 2026 at 9:06pm
Andy Burnham’s big plan for the UK is still lacking in detail, but it’s already looking suspiciously like another of Westminster’s power grabs at the expense of the Scottish and Welsh parliaments. Burnham’s big speech on Monday during which he unveiled his plans for a Number Ten North. No, Scotland, not THAT north, Burnham’s north. …

The Courier

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Scottish Politics News From Holyrood and Westminster | The Courier

Could Rosyth-Europe ferry set sail thanks to Brexit reset?
27 May 2025 at 6:01am
Hopes have been raised for a simple solution to a cross-border problem.

Kirkcaldy MP demands pro-suicide forum is torn down
26 May 2025 at 6:01am
Around 100 suicides have been linked to the sickening forum which provides guidance to people on ending their life.

UHI Perth aviation students warn of ?unsettling times? after training firm?s ...
26 May 2025 at 6:00am
Worried Samuel Hughes, 19, is among students sharing their fears at a time of crisis for Perth College.

Fresh Dundee University strike begins over compulsory Levehulme Centre job cuts
26 May 2025 at 6:00am
University staff are taking five days of industrial action as the institution pushes ahead with plans to axe the forensic research hub.

NHS Fife nurse at centre of controversial trans tribunal suing her own trade ...
25 May 2025 at 2:32pm
A&E medic Sandie Peggie is now taking legal action against the Royal College of Nursing.

EXCLUSIVE: Dundee University still to strike rescue deal with government
23 May 2025 at 5:46pm
Opposition MSPs have expressed concern at the time taken to agree a deal almost a month after the fresh recovery plan was unveiled.

6 senior figures who left Dundee University during financial crisis
23 May 2025 at 5:10pm
Several university chiefs have moved on since £30m financial black hole emerged.

Dundee University activist artist leads degree show protest over financial cr...
23 May 2025 at 4:45pm
Duncan of Jordanstone student Finn Millar says he wants to play a part in "keeping the university alive".

John Swinney admits constituents have expressed Perth leisure concerns to him
23 May 2025 at 6:01am
The first minister wants further talks between both sides of Perth leisure debate.

EXCLUSIVE: Dundee University chief operating officer Jim McGeorge quits
22 May 2025 at 1:58pm
Dr Jim McGeorge ? who was responsible for good governance - had been on a period of extended leave.

Talking up Scotland

The 'Unstoppable' Talking-up Scotland

Burnham delivers ?for Scotland? two men close to Peter Mandelson
24 Jul 2026 at 4:08pm
From Liz S The Sunday Mail (falsely) headlined this last Sunday: ?Burnham: I?ll deliver for Scotland?. So what has he, so far, ?delivered? ? Well he has given a peerage and also a role in his UK government to someone who, as the (alleged) leader of Labour in Scotland, (badly) lost the Scottish election for Labour in Scotland in May of this year. He has also kept on the same SOS against Scotland...

Anas protests reduced access to the First Minister but seems OK with no acces...
24 Jul 2026 at 9:48am
Above, one of the very few media outlets reporting the no media access for the new PM yesterday and below one of the many reporting the moderated access for the FM, on 29 January 2026: By Liz S Talking of Anas and his U turns, as in his seemingly conflicting opinions , opinions that are dependent on who they can most damage and who they can most protect. In June of this year the BBC reported th...

Scots had 5.5 million litres of water each recently so the reserves should ha...
24 Jul 2026 at 9:12am
BBC Scotland this morning has A prolonged period of dry weather has left some river flows in the east of Scotland among the lowest on record. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) said it meant a number of sites across the Borders, Angus, Aberdeenshire and Fife were expected to move into “significant scarcity” in the next few days. It would allow them to introduce “targeted and temp...

Just like Andy, Anas U-turns all the way to the top to fulfil his dad?s dreams
24 Jul 2026 at 7:53am
By a friend of Talking-up Scotland Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar MP was almost the first Lord Sarwar, having been proposed by PM Gordon Brown for a life peerage in May 2010. Significant objections, notably including HMRC, led to Brown?s nomination being blocked (ref 1). Other controversies included allegations of vote-rigging (not substantiated in Court) and running up almost £200,000 in MP expenses...

BBC Scotland?s Mark Daly incoherently tries to give Scotland its own ?Wayne C...
24 Jul 2026 at 6:46am
case in London are inevitable, and that is because the picture emerging is of an extremely violent sex offender, who targeted vulnerable women, who abused his power undetected for many years. In reporting the case of Alan Greer ‘a police officer who took his own life in May was a violent rapist who carried out attacks and attempted murders of women over at least 14 years, BBC Reporting Scotland...

New Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Scotland Office attacked he...
23 Jul 2026 at 4:24pm
From the UK Governor of Scotland in the last few minutes. January 19th 2025 – on BBC Politics Scotland, from Westminster (see the backdrop), Melanie Ward, Scottish Labour MP for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy joined the horde of ‘Scottish’ Labour MPs serving up and humiliating their local communities in the service of the UK Labour Party. From the local Courier in May 2024: A Palestine medical chari...

Scottish Government?s more ambitious policies and tighter targets seem to hav...
23 Jul 2026 at 4:04pm
In the Guardian today: Children living in the poorest areas across England are 40% more likely to be admitted to hospital for respiratory infections, an analysis of NHS England data shows, with experts raising the alarm on the impact of air pollution on young people?s health. The analysis, based on data obtained via freedom of information requests by the charity Impact on Urban Health, revealed...

?Loyalist? Liverpool gangs still exploiting children to push drugs and commun...
23 Jul 2026 at 4:02pm
From Streamline today: In a massive display of force aimed at dismantling entrenched criminal networks, over 300 Merseyside Police officers executed dozens of synchronized dawn raids across the region on Thursday morning. The sweeping crackdown, codenamed Operation Vanguard, represents the third and largest iteration of Chief Constable Rob Carden?s relentless offensive against serious organised...

Why multiple rapist Alan Greer is not Police Scotland?s Wayne Couzens moment ...
23 Jul 2026 at 12:07pm
Details at: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/07/23/if-alan-greers-family-and-colleagues-were-oblivious-to-his-violent-double-life-how-can-it-be-police-scotlands-wayne-couzens-moment-when-the-met-ignored-10-warnings-on-him-over-15-years-em/

10 out of 11 drug dealers in Portsmouth were from Portsmouth
23 Jul 2026 at 11:29am
Fifteen paragraphs down in the above BBC Scotland Top Ten listed from BBC UK about drug dealing from Portsmouth, where it seems to be FA of interest (below) : Found guilty of conspiracy to smuggle cocaine following a trial were Daniel Jamieson, of Heath Road, Ramsden Heath, Essex; Lewis Watts, of Toronto Road, Tilbury, Essex; and David Paterson, of Viking Way, Peterhead, near Aberdeen. One in e...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

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

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

New PM Burnham tells John Swinney 'agree to disagree' on Scottish independenc...
21 Jul 2026 at 12:18pm
New PM Burnham tells John Swinney 'agree to disagree' on Scottish independence  BBC

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

?Independence is off limits,? Burnham tells Swinney - Morning Star | The Peop...
24 Jul 2026 at 4:29pm
?Independence is off limits,? Burnham tells Swinney  Morning Star | The People?s Daily

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

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

Scottish leader John Swinney calls for independence to thwart Reform - RNZ
10 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish leader John Swinney calls for independence to thwart Reform  RNZ

Andy Burnham has just made a huge mistake over independence - The Herald
24 Jul 2026 at 4:29pm
Andy Burnham has just made a huge mistake over independence  The Herald

Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause? -...
4 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause?  The Conversation

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

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

Why Andy Burnham must treat SNP as allies in fight against far-right populism...
23 Jul 2026 at 5:37pm
Why Andy Burnham must treat SNP as allies in fight against far-right populism ? Joyce McMillan  The Scotsman

Motorhome bought by Murrell with stolen SNP money was driven only 4 miles, co...
2 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Motorhome bought by Murrell with stolen SNP money was driven only 4 miles, court told  The Guardian

How former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell spent the £400,000 he embezzled ...
1 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
How former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell spent the £400,000 he embezzled  BBC

SNP may have claimed back tax on Murrell's illicit purchases - Swinney - BBC
4 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
SNP may have claimed back tax on Murrell's illicit purchases - Swinney  BBC

Big salaries, a motorhome and SNP accounts: The Nicola Sturgeon interview unw...
1 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Big salaries, a motorhome and SNP accounts: The Nicola Sturgeon interview unwrapped  BBC

SNP wins 58 seats as Labour and Reform tie for second with 17 each - BBC
9 May 2026 at 8:00am
SNP wins 58 seats as Labour and Reform tie for second with 17 each  BBC

Peter Murrell used fake invoices to cover up £400,000 spending spree - BBC
2 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Peter Murrell used fake invoices to cover up £400,000 spending spree  BBC

Peter Murrell jailed for more than five years for embezzling SNP funds - BBC
22 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Peter Murrell jailed for more than five years for embezzling SNP funds  BBC

SNP must get rampant shoplifting under control - Midlothian View
24 Jul 2026 at 2:10pm
SNP must get rampant shoplifting under control  Midlothian View

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

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

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

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

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

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

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

Andy Burnham rules out referendum talks with John Swinney during Scotland vis...
23 Jul 2026 at 12:01am
Andy Burnham rules out referendum talks with John Swinney during Scotland visit  The Independent

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

Scottish leader John Swinney calls for independence to thwart Reform - RNZ
10 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish leader John Swinney calls for independence to thwart Reform  RNZ

Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause? -...
4 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause?  The Conversation