The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Can Alba survive electoral failure, financial turmoil and the loss of Alex Sa...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
23 Feb 2026 at 5:16pm
Alba was founded on a bold electoral strategy to deliver a pro-independence ?supermajority? at Holyrood. After electoral failure, financial turmoil and the loss of Alex Salmond, the party now faces an existential question: can it survive at all?


Peter Mandelson arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office
by craig.williams@newsquest.co.uk | Craig Williams
23 Feb 2026 at 5:09pm
The Metropolitan Police said the 72-year-old was taken to a London police station for interview on Monday.


'Utter b******s': MacAskill hits back as Salmond?s Alba Party face new police...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
23 Feb 2026 at 1:57pm
Police Scotland is investigating allegations that Alba fraudulently submitted nomination papers in local by-elections.


Doctors warning to MSPs as Assisted Dying conscientious objection left to Wes...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
23 Feb 2026 at 11:11am
Scotland?s leading medical bodies have issued a rare joint warning over proposed changes to assisted dying legislation, saying plans to remove safeguards for doctors could weaken scrutiny, professional protections and public trust ahead of a decisive Holyrood vote.


Calls to reopen Aberdeenshire's abandoned railway stations as commuter number...
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
23 Feb 2026 at 10:49am
Fresh calls to reopen Cove and Newtonhill stations have been made after journeys at a nearby station rose by 150 per cent.


Maternity Services: Do they deliver? All stories from our latest investigation
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
23 Feb 2026 at 10:30am
The Herald launches a four-day investigation into Scotland?s maternity services, examining safety, staffing pressures and access to care nationwide.


Russia threatens to 'make life difficult' for UK after general assassination ...
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
23 Feb 2026 at 8:46am
A member of Russia's state Duma has threatened to "make life difficult" for the UK after accusing British intelligence of being involved in the assassination attempt on a top general


Baillie seeks ethics probe after Bain memo on Murrell to FM
23 Feb 2026 at 11:15am
Jackie Baillie has written to the Scottish Government?s Independent Advisers on the Ministerial Code urging them to consider investigating a potential breach of the Ministerial Code by the Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC.


What are M8 motorway delays really costing Scotland in 2026?
23 Feb 2026 at 9:00am
The M8 was a relatviely inexpensive endeavour in the 1960s, but running costs and maintainence today on Scotland's busiest motorway are taking their toll.


Leading negligence lawyer says families are being ?devastated? by maternity f...
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
23 Feb 2026 at 8:00am
A leading clinical negligence lawyer says families are being ?devastated? by maternity failures in Scotland following £100m in NHS payouts.


?I?ll be your thorn in the flesh?: Safety chief says maternity system ?not wo...
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
23 Feb 2026 at 5:00am
Scotland?s Patient Safety Commissioner says the maternity system is ?not working? and must be urgently redesigned to address safety concerns.


Revealed: Nearly £100m paid out in NHS Scotland maternity negligence claims
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
23 Feb 2026 at 5:00am
Nearly £100m has been paid out by NHS Scotland in maternity and obstetric negligence claims over five years, FOI data obtained by The Herald reveals.


Fewer births - yet why do maternity negligence claims remain high in Scotland?
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
23 Feb 2026 at 11:00am
Scotland?s birth rate is at a record low, yet maternity negligence claims remain high. Hannah Brown looks at what is driving pressure in care.


Why The Herald is looking into the future of maternity care in Scotland
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
23 Feb 2026 at 5:00am
Exclusive data and frontline voices underpin The Herald?s four-day investigation into Scotland?s maternity services

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Anas Sarwar warns Scots not to 'press FU button' by backing Reform - as Labou...
23 Feb 2026 at 4:45pm

Anas Sarwar has urged Scots to refrain from voting for Reform as a protest vote - warning public services could be put at risk.

Business owners are asking the Scottish Government to ?pause and rethink? their business rates revaluations.

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

Rival Demonstrations in Caracas
23 Feb 2026 at 8:28am

There are two things which are extremely difficult to find in Venezuela – government repression and opposition support. I am pretty long in the tooth and very experienced in understanding politics and people around the world, and I have found it difficult to locate either. I would particularly warn you against accepting the political prisoners …

Rival Demonstrations in Caracas

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

BBC Scotland

Alba's financial difficulties due to fraud, leader claims
23 Feb 2026 at 3:40pm
Police have been investigating alleged financial 'irregularities' in the pro-independence party since May.

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

The sickening hypocrisy of Sara Salyers
22 Feb 2026 at 11:26pm
I was half-thinking of making a video in direct response to the unhinged personal attack Sara Salyers of "Salvo" launched against me earlier today, but in spite of the character limit on Twitter, I...

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

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Alba party leader claims financial woes are ?result of fraud?
23 Feb 2026 at 5:39pm
The pro-independence party faces the prospect of being unable to field candidates when Scots go to the polls in May.

Government funding of £620,000 will help Gaelic language thrive ? Kate Forbes
23 Feb 2026 at 6:36am
It comes as research shows that Gaelic media supports 340 jobs across Scotland, including 160 in island communities.

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.

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Scottish politics today: Lord Advocate 'breached ministerial code' claims Labour
23 Feb 2026 at 5:00pm
The Daily Record brings you its daily 5pm briefing of the top stories in Scottish politics.

Lord Advocate to release more details of contact with SNP Government on Peter...
23 Feb 2026 at 3:38pm
A Crown Office spokesperson also said Dorothy Bain would update Parliament on Tuesday on the other cases the Government had been advised on.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could be removed from line of succession as Keir S...
23 Feb 2026 at 1:20pm
The Prime Minister's official spokesman was pressed on calls to legally bar the disgraced ex-prince from any chance of one day becoming king.

Lord Advocate may have 'misled Parliament' as Labour demands investigation in...
23 Feb 2026 at 10:37am
Jackie Baillie has demanded answers after the SNP leader received an update on the case involving Peter Murrell weeks before the details of the indictment were made public.

SNP charging £750 per ticket for business event featuring 'beer and blether' ...
23 Feb 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: The networking event at the plush One Great George Street conference centre features a range of speakers including Kate Forbes and John Swinney.

SNP 'fanned the flames' of Scotland's housing emergency by letting housebuild...
23 Feb 2026 at 4:30am
The Scottish Labour leader pledged his party would deliver a "housebuilding revolution" if it won power at Holyrood.

I'll leave no stone unturned to improve our NHS and make sure Scots get quali...
23 Feb 2026 at 4:29am
Writing in his regular column for the Record, the First Minister says a new network of GP walk-in centres will ease pressure on Scotland's NHS.

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".

Ex-SNP councillor deemed unfit to stand trial found helping run successful ca...
22 Feb 2026 at 4:30am
Michael Cullen is now actively working on a thriving camper van conversion business despite previously claiming to be too ill to stand trial, the Sunday Mail can reveal.

The National

The National | Politics

Kenny MacAskill: Lessons have still to be learned from McCrone
23 Feb 2026 at 1:52pm

THE deliberate suppression of the McCrone Report was one of the worst political crimes ever perpetrated upon the people of Scotland.

This is how royal correspondents are working to protect the monarchy
23 Feb 2026 at 7:00pm

OVER the last few days you will no doubt have seen a stream of royal correspondents and editors invited onto news channels to give their verdict on the arrest of the former prince Andrew.

Labour blasted as new report shows Scots hammered by high energy costs
23 Feb 2026 at 6:24pm

THE SNP have hit out at Labour as a new report showed that Scottish households have been hammered by high energy costs ...

Reform UK 'using racism in bid for power without constraint', expert warns
23 Feb 2026 at 5:45pm

REFORM UK are aiming to win ?power without constraint? by appealing to ?racism or aggressive nationalism? and ideas "left behind generations ago" ...

Live updates as Peter Mandelson arrested in London
23 Feb 2026 at 5:19pm

Lord Peter Mandelson has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the Metropolitan Police have said.

Peter Mandelson arrested on 'misconduct in public office' allegations
23 Feb 2026 at 5:07pm

PETER Mandelson has been arrested amid a police probe into misconduct in public office.

Key Mandelson files document to be 'held back' until police give go ahead
23 Feb 2026 at 5:03pm

LABOUR have confirmed that a key document in the Peter Mandelson files will not be published despite MPs forcing the Government into sweeping disclosure.

Scottish Labour MP forced to apologise after 'dark shit' comment in Commons
23 Feb 2026 at 5:02pm

A SCOTTISH Labour MP was told off by the Commons Speaker and forced to apologise after describing the Labour Together scandal as ?some dark shit?.

SNP and Scottish Greens agree Glasgow council budget deal
23 Feb 2026 at 4:34pm

THE SNP and Scottish Greens have agreed a deal to pass a budget in Glasgow, which could see council tax rise between 5 per cent and 6 per cent.

Reform will say just about anything for a BBC headline
23 Feb 2026 at 4:17pm

REFORM UK would like your attention, please.

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Peter Mandelson arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office
23 Feb 2026 at 5:15pm
Mandelson had been under investigation over allegations he shared market-sensitive government information with Jeffrey Epstein

MSPs must not water down health worker protections in assisted dying bill, me...
23 Feb 2026 at 3:56pm
Ministers have expressed concerns about legislative competence

Alba?s financial difficulties due to fraud, Kenny MacAskill claims
23 Feb 2026 at 2:58pm
MacAskill announced over the weekend that it was unlikely to put forward candidates for the Scottish Parliament election in May, because of a lack of funds

Gillian Martin: I will absolutely not be SNP leader ? but there are other wom...
23 Feb 2026 at 9:00am
Nicola Sturgeon said last year she could not see another woman becoming leader ?any time soon?

From ambition to delivery: CIOB sets out its ?Big Three? election priorities ...
23 Feb 2026 at 6:00am
By taking a whole-system approach to retrofit, skills, and building safety, they can bridge the gap between aspiration and action.

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

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

Cruelty built on lies, Reform?s immigration plans
23 Feb 2026 at 3:35pm
On Monday Reform UK’s home affairs spokes bigot the millionaire Zia Yusuf announced his party’s plans for the immigration system should we be unfortunate enough to see Reform UK take power after the next Westminster general election, which due to Westminster’s corrupt and undemocratic first past the post voting system could allow Farage and his …

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 …

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

Washington State?s ferry fiasco is so bad politician wants to return to the 1...
23 Feb 2026 at 7:19pm
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 Washington State and the cluster of islands around Seattle, with a GDP double that in Scotland, has been served by Washington State Ferries in a manner that would shock ferry users in Scotland. ...

Council tax in Labour-run Birmingham to rise by 50% more than in SNP-run Glas...
23 Feb 2026 at 2:59pm
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 Scotland today: Council tax in Glasgow is set to rise by between 5% and 6%, after the SNP and Greens agreed a deal to pass a budget. Free school meals are expected to be extended to all...

Maternity negligence in NHS Scotland falls dramatically in last three years t...
23 Feb 2026 at 1:43pm
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 front page today is frankly disgusting. That’s a five year total added-up in an infantile attempt to get a big number. It was actually just 96.2m and far more important, they won’t sh...

Please support Talking-up Scotland, countering media bias with well-researche...
23 Feb 2026 at 12:05pm

Thousands of babies and mothers avoidably dead in NHS England?s maternity tru...
23 Feb 2026 at 10:45am
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 West Yorkshire and across BBC TV News broadcasts, today: Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he takes the concerns of bereaved families “extremely seriously” after acknowledging trust h...

One in every 100 Aberdonians was physically assaulted last year but it was on...
23 Feb 2026 at 9:34am
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 Above, the crimes of violence in Scotland overall and in Aberdeen, as recorded by Police Scotland in Recorded Crime in Scotland: year ending September 2025. Violent crime across Scotland has inc...

Minimum unit pricing in Scotland is associated with 13% fall in alcohol death...
23 Feb 2026 at 8:46am
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 Annie Wells, List Con MSP, for now, campaigning on a platform of drug and alcohol deaths. Today, it was alcohol deaths and the above claim. You can, with some very simplistic arithmetic, prove t...

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 and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Council tax in Glasgow to rise as SNP and Greens agree budget - BBC
23 Feb 2026 at 12:21pm
Council tax in Glasgow to rise as SNP and Greens agree budget  BBC

Analysis: Labour faces uphill battle as SNP favoured in Aberdeen Central - Th...
23 Feb 2026 at 5:35pm
Analysis: Labour faces uphill battle as SNP favoured in Aberdeen Central  TheNational.scot

SNP refuses to rule out paying £1bn more a year in benefits - The Times
23 Feb 2026 at 4:35pm
SNP refuses to rule out paying £1bn more a year in benefits  The Times

SNP ?working harder than ever? to win Shetland in May?s Holyrood election, Sw...
23 Feb 2026 at 3:02pm
SNP ?working harder than ever? to win Shetland in May?s Holyrood election, Swinney says  Morning Star | The People?s Daily

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

SNP must heed warning: action on rates is urgent - The Scotsman
23 Feb 2026 at 1:02pm
SNP must heed warning: action on rates is urgent  The Scotsman

Gillian Martin: I will absolutely not be SNP leader ? but there are other wom...
23 Feb 2026 at 1:03am
Gillian Martin: I will absolutely not be SNP leader ? but there are other women who could be  Holyrood Website

Lord Advocate to release more details of contact with SNP Government on Peter...
23 Feb 2026 at 3:57pm
Lord Advocate to release more details of contact with SNP Government on Peter Murrell case  Daily Record

Inverclyde's MSP says eye care programmes show SNP's commitment to health ser...
23 Feb 2026 at 11:30am
Inverclyde's MSP says eye care programmes show SNP's commitment to health services  Greenock Telegraph

SNP and Scottish Greens agree Glasgow council budget deal - TheNational.scot
23 Feb 2026 at 4:43pm
SNP and Scottish Greens agree Glasgow council budget deal  TheNational.scot

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

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

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

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