The Herald

The Herald | Politics


'People want change': Why this Lib Dem says she can defeat the SNP in Edinburgh
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
9 Apr 2026 at 4:48pm
The cheerful mum-of-two and local councillor has been knocking on doors for fourteen months, eager to flip this seat from yellow to orange.


We're weeks away from the election and 42 per cent of voters are still undecided
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
9 Apr 2026 at 3:48pm
Labour has slumped in the latest Ipsos Scottish poll, with Anas Sarwar?s party now level with Reform. But with tactical voting rising and many still undecided, the final result? and John Swinney?s lead ? remains far from settled.


Candidate dressed as gannet attempts to gatecrash Tory manifesto launch
by rose.moncur@newsquest.co.uk | Rose Moncur
9 Apr 2026 at 2:00pm
Robert Pownall, Edinburgh Central candidate, calls for an end to Scotland?s Guga hunt at Scottish Conservatives? manifesto launch, urging seabird protection.


'They are no longer for me': Deacon Blue singer turns back on all social media
by brian.ferguson@newsquest.co.uk | Brian Ferguson
9 Apr 2026 at 11:32am
Ricky Ross says he has 'no interest' in reading, writing or posting anything anywhere other than on his own blog.


Meet the six Reform candidates trying to turn the capital city turquoise
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
9 Apr 2026 at 11:31am
According to Ballot Box Scotland, Reform is expected to come in fourth with 10.8% of the vote, behind Labour, the Greens, and the SNP.


Veteran Tory MSP warns ?extremist? Reform could replace Conservatives
by Craig Meighan
9 Apr 2026 at 8:31am
Liz Smith, who is stepping down after nearly 20 years at Holyrood, admitted concerns over her party?s ability to rebuild trust with voters.


Inside the closely-fought battle for Nicola Sturgeon's Glasgow Southside cons...
9 Apr 2026 at 5:00am
Who will win the battle for Nicola Sturgeon's Glasgow Southside, which, according to one magazine's annual rankings, includes two of the world's "coolest neighbourhoods"?


Oil price plunges on Iran ceasefire news but outlook unclear amid fragile truce
by mark.williamson@newsquest.co.uk | Mark Williamson
9 Apr 2026 at 4:30am
Brent crude price falls sharply as Middle East ceasefire lifts stock markets but analysts warn on outlook.


Over 70 per cent of GPs say patient safety at risk amid workload crisis in Sc...
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
9 Apr 2026 at 5:00am
A survey of Scottish GPs finds 71% believe patient safety is at risk due to workload pressures, as calls grow for more funding and workforce reform in primary care.


Richard Tice backs Malcolm Offord amid Reform's Holyrood controversy
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
8 Apr 2026 at 4:09pm
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice has backed Malcolm Offord amid controversy over his Holyrood candidates.


'Safety and dignity': Social care charity backs drug-use facility in Edinburgh
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
8 Apr 2026 at 2:59pm
City of Edinburgh Council is currently consulting residents about the facility, which could open in the Cowgate area of the city.


Reform's Richard Tice calls for 'every last drop' of North Sea oil to be extr...
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
8 Apr 2026 at 2:45pm
Richard Tice said Reform UK would extract 'every last drop' of oil from the North Sea as he backed new domestic drilling.


Anas Sarwar: Funding for 'broken' Creative Scotland provides poor value for m...
by brian.ferguson@newsquest.co.uk | Brian Ferguson
8 Apr 2026 at 2:32pm
Scottish Labour leader suggests quango has prioritised organisations which 'make the most noise' in lobbying campaigns.


New poll 'grim reading' for Scottish Labour as they slump behind Greens and R...
by donald.erskine@newsquest.co.uk | Donald Erskine
8 Apr 2026 at 2:20pm
The SNP has extended its lead ahead of May's Holyrood election, while Scottish Labour slumps to fourth place behind the Greens and Reform, according to the latest poll.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Reform UK 'not intending' to rerun 'racist' Anas Sarwar ad, says Malcolm Offord
9 Apr 2026 at 4:45pm

Scottish leader Malcolm Offord said his party was running a ?very positive campaign? and had no plans to use the attack ad.

We take a look at how MSPs are elected to Holyrood.

Take a look at who is eligible to vote in the Scottish Parliament election.

The rules for a Holyrood election are slightly different to the rules for electing MPs to Westminster.

The Scottish Labour leader said he would not ?sit back and let Scots pay the price?

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said demand for services is rising drastically

Alex Cole-Hamilton denied it would be too soon to bring forward new legislation

The Scotsman goes surfing with the Scottish Liberal Democrat leader to find out what makes him tick, and what he stands for

The Institute of Fiscal Studies warns the Conservative manifesto will push families into poverty and lower standards in public services.

The Scottish Reform leader said at a press conference in Aberdeen that a ?small number? of his candidates had backed leaving the UK but that ?it doesn?t matter?.

Wings over Scotland

Not So Octopus
9 Apr 2026 at 1:48pm
Alert readers will have noticed something of a minor furore in recent days around a boneheaded Scottish Greens candidate (as if there were any other kind) calling for the complete abolition of prisons. So far Kate Nevens – who on the latest polling has a very reasonable chance of being elected on the list – …

The quality of mercy
3 Apr 2026 at 1:09pm
Let’s just deal with this quickly. Because the truth is that we should all be quietly sending BBC Scotland bouquets in appreciation for doing the independence movement a favour for once. Belief in an independent Scotland IS as strong as ever, which is to say it’s pretty much where it’s been since 2014 – two …

Clocks And Calendars
30 Mar 2026 at 1:06pm
We think the lads at The Scotsman might have gotten a bit confused and/or carried away when it came to putting the clocks forward at the weekend. At 6am on Sunday morning they tweeted this: But the link was a 404. We checked the print edition of Scotland On Sunday but there was nothing there …

Sicknote Slippers
29 Mar 2026 at 6:09pm
The turnout at the “independence march and rally” yesterday was so abysmally poor that it seems almost unfair to pick on any of the scores of SNP elected representatives who didn’t bother to show up. But dear old Cosy Feet Pete Wishart had the most chef’s-kiss excuse of all. The reason he didn’t fancy getting …

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

Let?s Call The Whole Thing Off
24 Mar 2026 at 12:59pm
The last faint hope of any remotely positive or at least interesting outcome of May’s election just left the building. It wasn’t MUCH of a hope, and it’s absolutely no surprise in the wake of the comically shambolic, belief-defyingly inept farce that has been the birth of Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana’s fringe-of-the fringe party, …

Irony you can?t buy
20 Mar 2026 at 12:09pm
Posted without comment. But the reason you can’t buy the irony is that she doesn’t need the money. So that’s quarter of a million pounds just for running away when things got a bit sticky, on top of the circa £225,000 in wages she’s trousered since resigning as FM despite never turning up for work …

Looking up at the stars
10 Mar 2026 at 6:24pm
A fascinating line from the BBC this evening: The number of parties who got MSPs elected at the last election is? five. (Though in fairness there are now six, Reform having a single MSP after Graham Simpson defected from the Tories. The Lib Dems are even outnumbered by independents, of whom there are seven.) Also …

Scotland?s Most Frightened
4 Mar 2026 at 5:52pm
This was just two months ago. (Longer version here.) ? And we’ll bet you anything you like he’s already wishing he hadn’t said it. Because a recent study suggested that Swinney might just achieve the impossible task he set for himself, and if he does then he’s REALLY screwed. Now, we don’t actually think that’ll …

Two Men Unalike
28 Feb 2026 at 1:41pm
So Cathy Newman of Channel 4 News got herself a scoop last night. And to be honest, readers, we were a bit confused. “Gender critical views” are not only lawful things to hold and express, they’re one of a small subset of opinions that are explicitly protected as such in law. And why would a …

Craig Murray

The Strait of Hormuz
8 Apr 2026 at 5:02pm

In international law, Tehran has every right to close the strait of Hormuz to nations with which it is in armed conflict. Two vital points: 1) States who permit attacks on Iran to be launched from their territory can be blocked 2) Iran can block neutral ships from trading with states with which it is …

The Strait of Hormuz

The Weight on Delcy Rodriguez
31 Mar 2026 at 1:16pm

As I was leaving the University of the Communes in Tocuyito, after a joyful and uplifting visit, an earnest young Professor came up to me and pulled me aside. Very quietly, he asked me what was going to happen. A number of the students were terrified there would be regime change and they, picked as …

The Weight on Delcy Rodriguez

The Caracas Metro
26 Mar 2026 at 6:46am

The extreme nature of sanctions against Venezuela made it very challenging to keep economic activity going. One example is Caracas’s impressive five-line Metro system, where for almost twenty years they had to keep things running with no spares or maintenance support from the train manufacturers. Yet resilience and ingenuity kicked in, and Venezuela actually reverse …

The Caracas Metro

The London Ambulances Attack: Of Course It Was A False Flag
24 Mar 2026 at 12:04pm

The notion that the Iranian state would discredit itself by choosing to attack an ambulance service in London is crazy. Iran has not even attacked any hospitals or ambulances in Israel. Iran has absolutely zero record of attacks on healthcare facilities. That is of course in stark contrast to Israel which specifically targets them in …

The London Ambulances Attack: Of Course It Was A False Flag

Seeing Trump Clearly
21 Mar 2026 at 12:19pm

What if Trump’s apparently chaotic thought processes and intuitive decision making are all a blind, a charade? What if we are really witnessing, in the Middle East and more widely, a carefully constructed plan with very definite objectives? Has Trump in fact “planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway”, while flinging the …

Seeing Trump Clearly

Radicalism and Scottish Independence
14 Mar 2026 at 4:18pm

There is no place like home, and a few hours after arriving back in Scotland I was in Glasgow giving a talk to Pensioners for Independence. I still covered quite a wide sweep, but my focus came back to what I care about more than anything – the freedom, prosperity and just position in the …

Radicalism and Scottish Independence

BBC Scotland

CalMac ferries problems dominate election campaigning
8 Apr 2026 at 5:21pm
Scotland's political leaders turn their attention to the problems facing ferry services as campaigning continued for Holyrood.

Tax rebate not intended for millionaire pensioners, Findlay says
8 Apr 2026 at 10:54am
The Scottish Tories say they will give £500 to pensioners - but the party's leader says he hopes millionaires will not apply.

Scottish Conservatives pledge tax cuts in election manifesto
7 Apr 2026 at 4:20pm
Leader Russell Findlay announces his party's plans ahead of next month's Holyrood poll.

Green candidate backs abolition of Scotland's prisons
7 Apr 2026 at 1:17pm
The comments, made by Edinburgh and Lothians East hopeful Kate Nevens, have been branded "monumentally stupid".

Scottish Conservative election manifesto at-a-glance
7 Apr 2026 at 6:23pm
The party's priorities include cutting tax bills, raising school standards and delivering faster GP appointments.

SNP chief told of Linden complaints 10 years ago, says ex-official
6 Apr 2026 at 12:51pm
Former council leader Jordan Linden was last month found guilty of five sexual assaults against young men.

What we learned from Scotcast's interviews with party leaders
4 Apr 2026 at 9:18am
The leaders of Scotland's six biggest parties spoke to the BBC's Scotcast ahead of the election.

How does the NHS in Scotland compare with the rest of the UK?
3 Apr 2026 at 6:21am
BBC Verify looks at key measures to see what progress is being made and whether Scotland can be compared with other nations.

'An awful experiment': Cash boost for families as two-child limit scrapped
2 Apr 2026 at 11:00pm
The nine-year policy that capped financial help at two children has been removed.

Swinney softens stance on North Sea drilling as oil prices soar
2 Apr 2026 at 2:01pm
The first minister said energy security should be a primary concern when making decisions on oil and gas projects.

More than 4.2 million registered to vote in Scottish Parliament election
2 Apr 2026 at 11:16am
The overall total, and that of 16 and 17-year-olds, is slightly down on last year.

Navy investigated links between nuclear sub commander and MP
1 Apr 2026 at 5:44pm
No disciplinary action was taken over the allegations of an inappropriate relationship with Scottish MP Joani Reid.

Scot Goes Pop

The crazy, topsy-turvy logic (and in some cases hypocrisy) of the "tactical v...
9 Apr 2026 at 11:05am
I'm beginning to think I'm going to have to mute certain accounts on Twitter to get through the rest of the Holyrood campaign with my sanity intact.  Every single time I log in, I see retweet after...

Pro-independence parties on course to win an astonishing 62% of seats in the ...
8 Apr 2026 at 12:55pm
Scottish Parliament constituency ballot (Ipsos, 26th-31st March 2026):SNP 39% (+3)Reform UK 15% (-1)Labour 15% (-5)Conservatives 11% (+2)Liberal Democrats 10% (-)Greens 7% (-)Scottish Parliament re...

Catastrophe for Starmer as Labour slump to joint all-time low in weekly YouGo...
8 Apr 2026 at 12:07pm
YouGov have suddenly and belatedly started including Rupert Lowe's Restore Britain and Jeremy Corbyn's Your Party as options in their weekly GB-wide polls, which on the whole is a good thing becaus...

More on the MRP poll: the 67-seat projection for the SNP may even be an under...
7 Apr 2026 at 5:52pm
Some more details of the Find Out Now MRP poll for The National have been published on the Electoral Calculus website.  Whoever wrote the article (presumably Martin Baxter) doesn't seem to be fully...

Find Out Now - ZAP WHAM POW - that a new MRP poll shows the SNP on course for...
6 Apr 2026 at 7:07pm
As you may have seen, a new Find Out Now MRP poll commissioned by The National is suggesting that the SNP are on course for an overall majority at the Holyrood election.  They would take 67 seats, ...

Bombshell GB-wide Ashcroft poll is the first not to show Reform in an outrigh...
6 Apr 2026 at 12:37am
So this is a genuine landmark for the reasons given in the title, and it's also worth making the point that the data tables (unless I'm misinterpreting them, but I don't see how I can be) show that...

"C'est trop bruyant!": The settled will klaxon is so piercing tonight that it...
4 Apr 2026 at 9:36pm
Tonight brings word of the latest in the regular series of Norstat polls for the Sunday Times, and although the newspaper has buried the results of the independence question at the bottom of the wr...

"But what if that other voice we all know so well responds by saying 'we say ...
3 Apr 2026 at 9:18pm
A former commenter on this blog from way back in the 2014 indyref period got in touch with a question a few days ago, and I've been so busy that I haven't responded to him yet - but it's an interes...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Nicola Sturgeon opens up on arrest, divorce and ?secret rendezvous?
9 Apr 2026 at 7:00pm
Scotland?s former first minister has opened up about her personal life

Children?s specialists call for ?greater and sustained investment? in services
9 Apr 2026 at 7:22am
They urged politicians to ?seize a critical opportunity? with ?decisive action? to help improve the lives of children across the country.

Starmer: Work still to do to end US-Iran conflict and reopen Strait of Hormuz
8 Apr 2026 at 4:43pm
Sir Keir Starmer has said there was a ?sense of real relief? at the ceasefire in...

SNP extends lead while Scottish Labour support slumps, poll shows
8 Apr 2026 at 12:00pm
The SNP remains set to be the largest party at Holyrood

Findlay vows to give ?everything? to stop ?living nightmare? of SNP majority
7 Apr 2026 at 4:46pm
The Scottish Tory leader was speaking as he launched his party?s manifesto ahead of the Holyrood election next month

Swinney apologises to islanders again over ferry disruption
7 Apr 2026 at 2:19pm
Scotland?s west coast ferry network has struggled in recent weeks, with eight vessels out of service at the same time at one point

Tories blast ?permanent crisis? in A&E as waiting times figures published
7 Apr 2026 at 12:23pm
Public Health Scotland published new A&E waiting times figures for both the month of February and the final full week of March

Swinney demands action as he warns cost of living crisis to ?get worse?
7 Apr 2026 at 12:21pm
The Scottish First Minister said the UK Government must protect consumers

Scottish Labour pledge pothole fund to fix ?sorry state? of Scotland?s roads
7 Apr 2026 at 12:17pm
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar is vowing to fix Scotland?s roads

Scottish Tory manifesto to launch with focus on tax and cutting benefits bills
7 Apr 2026 at 8:54am
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay is set to make a speech in Edinburgh on Tuesday

SNP calls for inquiry into Trident security after Joani Reid reports
3 Apr 2026 at 1:23pm
The party wants an probe after the Labour MP, whose husband is accused of spying for China, allegedly behaved inappropriately with Navy officers

Unpaid carers should have £400 uplift in support, say Lib Dems
3 Apr 2026 at 12:09pm
Alex Cole-Hamilton said unpaid carers formed the ?backbone? of care in Scotland

?We?ve got the beating of the SNP at this election?, says Scottish Lib Dem le...
3 Apr 2026 at 10:10am
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader tells Scotland Tonight that his party can defeat the SNP in ten constituencies

SNP will deliver revolution in childcare if it wins election, says Jenny Gilruth
3 Apr 2026 at 9:37am
The education secretary said her party would extend support to every family in the country for children from nine months to the end of primary school

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Nicola Sturgeon hints at ?secret rendezvous? as she opens up on divorcing Pet...
9 Apr 2026 at 7:00pm
The former SNP First Minister also spoke about the time she was arrested over a probe into SNP finances.

Scottish politics today: Anas Sarwar insists election isn't over despite SNP ...
9 Apr 2026 at 5:00pm
The Record brings you its regular 5pm round-up of the day's Scottish politics news.

John Swinney's cost of living response to the Gulf crisis is weak
9 Apr 2026 at 5:00pm
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says calling for Westminster to act is a lazy response from a politician who knows how to use devolved powers.

Locking up fewer people in prison will make Scotland safer, insists Ross Greer
9 Apr 2026 at 2:11pm
The Scottish Greens co-leader told the Record that "far more use of community sentencing, for non-violent offenders in particular, will make our communities safer".

Anas Sarwar says 'this is not over' after brutal Holyrood election opinion poll
9 Apr 2026 at 12:26pm
The Scottish Labour leader said a huge section of the electorate had not yet decided who to vote for on May 7th.

Anas Sarwar promises £100m cost of living package for Scots to 'fix' Presiden...
9 Apr 2026 at 10:12am
EXCLUSIVE: The Scottish Labour unveiled the measures amid continued uncertainty in the Middle East.

Scottish politics today: SNP way out in front as poll shows John Swinney crui...
8 Apr 2026 at 5:00pm
The Record brings you its regular 5pm round-up of the latest stories in Scottish politics.

John Swinney interrupted by heckler demanding Scotland 'gets off its knees' a...
8 Apr 2026 at 4:33pm
Liz Brown accused the First Minister of being ?on your knees? and ? wrongly ? described Scotland as an ?independent country?.

Scottish Conservatives leader Russell Findlay could lose seat at Holyrood ele...
8 Apr 2026 at 1:16pm
Findlay has chosen not to contest a constituency and is instead rely on being elected via the West region list.

SNP open up massive 24 point lead over Scottish Labour in Holyrood election poll
8 Apr 2026 at 12:23pm
A new poll shows John Swinney's party is on the cusp of winning a majority on May 7th.

The National

The National | Politics

Nicola Sturgeon reveals real reason for her split from husband Peter Murrell
9 Apr 2026 at 7:00pm

NICOLA Sturgeon has revealed the main reason for her separation from husband Peter Murrell in a candid interview with The Assembly

Nicola Sturgeon shares if she got special treatment when arrested
9 Apr 2026 at 7:00pm

NICOLA Sturgeon has shared whether she received special treatment when she was arrested last year while taking part in an episode of The Assembly

D?Hondt method is not some devious plot against the SNP
9 Apr 2026 at 6:30pm

MANY letters have appeared about the list vote in the forthcoming election. I would like to make three observations.

Sixty per cent of Scots believe North Sea oil revenue should be spent in Scot...
9 Apr 2026 at 6:10pm

Six in ten Scots believe that North Sea oil money should exclusively be spent on Scotland, a new survey has revealed...

Malcolm Offord shrugs off Reform candidate spreading 'antisemitic conspiracies'
9 Apr 2026 at 5:55pm

REFORM UK?s leader in Scotland has said he is not interested in whether his candidates have spread "antisemitic" conspiracy theories ...

Is Anas Sarwar?s unpopularity with voters tanking Scottish Labour?s election ...
9 Apr 2026 at 5:51pm

BEFORE their very public fallout, it was widely parroted that Keir Starmer?s unpopularity with voters was killing Anas Sarwar?s hopes of replacing John Swinney as First Minister ...

How Plaid Cymru's manifesto looks to Scotland and the SNP for inspiration
9 Apr 2026 at 5:30pm

PLAID Cymru?s manifesto for the Welsh elections has taken just a bit of inspiration from Scotland and the SNP.

US plans to automatically register men for military draft eligibility
9 Apr 2026 at 5:19pm

ELIGIBLE young men will be automatically registered for the US military draft from December, according to a proposal from a government agency

Meet the football-daft candidate hoping to keep Aberdeen Central for the SNP
9 Apr 2026 at 4:50pm

Football has taken a bit of a back seat during the election campaign, SNP candidate Jack Middleton says, as he puts his ?full whack? into trying to retain the Aberdeen Central constituency

So what if the Greens want to abolish prisons? Here's why that's not crazy
9 Apr 2026 at 4:47pm

WHAT kind of fool would call for the abolition of prisons? Well, a young Green candidate in Edinburgh, Kate Nevens, has done just that ...

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Local Authorities Guide: South Lanarkshire Council
9 Apr 2026 at 7:00am
Council leader Joe Fagan answers questions about local authority

Poll: Greens to become Scottish Parliament?s second biggest party
8 Apr 2026 at 6:00pm
Scottish Labour predicted to slump to worst-ever result

Scotland must act now on screen time for under-fives, says expert
8 Apr 2026 at 4:52pm
Many children aged five and below are exceeding the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for screen time

Conservative manifesto ?may not survive contact with reality?, think tank claims
8 Apr 2026 at 3:00pm
Doubts over Russell Findlay's 'costed and credible' plan

Holyrood editor shortlisted for Scottish Press Awards
8 Apr 2026 at 12:44pm
Mandy Rhodes is nominated in the Interviewer of the Year category

Local Authorities Guide: South Ayrshire Council
8 Apr 2026 at 7:00am
Council leader Brian Connolly answers questions about local authority

Opposition anger as Glen Sannox ferry pulled from service again
7 Apr 2026 at 1:04pm
CalMac blames engine troubles

Scottish Conservatives to launch manifesto focused on lowering income tax and...
7 Apr 2026 at 2:49am
The party will outline its plans today in Edinburgh, with its leader, Russell Findlay, expected to focus on the cost-of-living crisis

Scottish Child Payment must change to end child poverty, think tank says
2 Apr 2026 at 7:00am
The next Scottish Government must be 'clear-eyed' on the problem, it is claimed

Local Authorities Guide: Shetland Islands Council
2 Apr 2026 at 7:00am
Council leader Emma Macdonald answers questions about local authority

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

Four in 10 UK parents struggle to afford essentials for newborns, study says
9 Apr 2026 at 3:02pm
Exclusive: Survey of 2,000 people by Barnardo?s also finds almost half feel their child has missed opportunities due to costUK politics live ? latest updatesFour in 10 parents across the UK are struggling to afford essential items for the care of their newborn babies, according to research.The su...

UK politics: Starmer warns ?lot of work to do? to make ceasefire permanent at...
8 Apr 2026 at 6:00pm
PM will meet leaders in the region to discuss diplomatic efforts to support the ceasefire agreed between the US and IranOpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, is proposing the extension of the four-day working week, as a response to AI taking over some of the work done by humans. But for the Conserv...

Scottish Labour pledges £30m to top up artists? income to a living wage
8 Apr 2026 at 4:34pm
Anas Sarwar says scheme would be part of overhaul of arts funding in ScotlandLabour has pledged to spend £30m on giving Scottish artists and musicians a living wage, mirroring a similar scheme in Ireland guaranteeing artists a basic income.Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, said the scheme ...

UK politics: Farage says Trump?s Iranian ?civilisation will die? threats went...
7 Apr 2026 at 6:28pm
The Reform UK leader says he is ?shocked? by the remarks which were ?over the top in every single way?The Green party is backing resident doctors who are on strike. This morning the party issued a statement on the dispute from its co-deputy leader, Mothin Ali, saying:Rather than shifting goalpost...

?Seismic change?: how election wins for nationalists in Celtic nations could ...
7 Apr 2026 at 6:00am
With polls suggesting Plaid Cymru, the SNP and Sinn Féin could be in power after May vote, constitutional challenges may lie aheadIn four weeks, the shape of British politics is likely to change dramatically. For the first time, nationalists who aspire to break up the UK are expected to be in con...

UK politics Q&A, as it happened: Andrew Sparrow answers your questions on Sta...
2 Apr 2026 at 5:50pm
This blog is now closedQ: Do you agree with the Tories about wanting more oil and gas drilling from the North Sea?Davey says Kemi Badenoch claims she can get an extra £2.5bn in tax revenue by allowing more exploration in the North Sea. He says she is ?just lying?. He says everyone knows that that...

Reeves criticises Trump for starting Iran war with no ?clear plan? to get out...
1 Apr 2026 at 5:15pm
This blog is now closedStarmer says he understands why people are concerned about the cost of living.He says he has already set out a five-point plan to deal with the crisis.Just look at what?s happening today. Today your energy bills will be cut because of the action that we took at the budget. ...

Starmer pledges to tackle new cost of living crisis at May elections campaign...
30 Mar 2026 at 3:11pm
Prime minister says 7 May vote is coming at time of ?war on two fronts? as Labour braces for heavy losses at pollsUK politics live ? latest updatesThe 7 May elections are taking place against a backdrop of ?war on two fronts?, Keir Starmer has said, as he pledged action to tackle the resurgent co...

Glasgow arts hub tenants condemn ?unsustainable? rent rises by landlord
30 Mar 2026 at 8:17am
City Property, which manages buildings for council, accused of ?coercive and unfair? increases and issuing eviction noticesTenants at one of Glasgow?s leading cultural hubs are battling what they describe as ?unsustainable? rent increases, with critics describing the landlord responsible as a ?ro...

Reform busy firefighting in Scotland but may yet set Holyrood?s politics ablaze
26 Mar 2026 at 6:29pm
With Nigel Farage?s party neck and neck with Labour for second place behind the SNP, disruption seems likely Hope, change, progressive change, change with fairness at its heart ? from a harbour north of Edinburgh to a hipster arts venue in Glasgow?s Barras Market, Scotland?s political parties sp...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Daring to dream of an SNP majority
7 Apr 2026 at 11:35am
Yet another opinion poll has placed the SNP on track to win a majority in its own right in May’s Holyrood election, a majority which First Minister John Swinney has said would trigger a second independence referendum. The new poll, by Find Out Now for The National, projects the SNP to take 67 seats, giving …

Shettleston doesn?t need Reform?s racism, it needs to be part of an independe...
2 Apr 2026 at 1:10pm
On Wednesday, April Fool’s Day, Reform UK unveiled its racist and scaremongering advert for the Scottish election next month. It was appropriate that they did so on April Fool’s Day because they are taking the electorate for mugs. The consists of image showing apparent migrants crowded onto a small inflatable dinghy with text reading “Scotland …

It?s not just independence which is at stake in this election
31 Mar 2026 at 6:13pm
The weekend kicked off the election campaign with a well attended march and rally for independence held in Edinburgh on Saturday. I’m sure you all followed the reports about it on BBC Scotland, oh, right. It was far too busy talking about the ferries again wasn’t it. Every political party talks up its chances during …

The rapid implosion of Reform?s Scottish campaign
26 Mar 2026 at 3:05pm
As the saying goes, you’d need a heart of stone not to laugh. Within just a few days of Reform UK launching its Scottish election campaign to much fanfare and racist ‘jokes’ about tartan burqas, the wheels are already coming off Farage’s septic tank pumper wagon. The party has already lost no less than four …

James Dornan MSP looks back on his career
24 Mar 2026 at 1:49pm
A guest post by James Dornan MSP   Today veteran SNP MSP James Dornan makes his last speech in the Scottish Parliament, and steps down to retirement and to give way to a new generation. To mark the occasion, he has very kindly written a guest post for this blog in which he looks back …

Reform?s chaotic launch and the implications of the Iran war for May?s election
20 Mar 2026 at 8:53pm
Nigel Farage came to Scotland on Thursday to launch his party’s manifesto for the Scottish elections on 7 May and to introduce Reform UK’s almost half former Tory slate of totally well vetted candidates. Reform UK there, promising to fix Broken Britain with a slew of the former Conservatives who were responsible for breaking it …

Thoughts on the failure of the assisted dying bill
18 Mar 2026 at 2:46am
Back in 1998, after we had moved to Spain, my late husband Andy and I became very close friends with our new neighbour, a Norwegian woman called Ellie who had moved to Spain after retiring from a career on the Norwegian oil rigs in the North Sea. She was looking forward to spending her final …

Scotland: Too wee?
17 Mar 2026 at 9:11am
Is it time to look again at the long-debated theory that Scotland is ?too wee? to be a successful independent country? A guest post by Diane Izzett https://bsky.app/profile/dizzyscot.bsky.social With the yes voters taking a lead in recent polls, do the facts support this or is it just the final death throes of a coloniser losing …

Lessons from 2014 for next time round
14 Mar 2026 at 6:23pm
An important new academic book looking at the 2014 Scottish independence referendum has just been published. The snappily titled “Discourse, Voice, and the Politics of Participation in the Scottish Independence Referendum” by Dr Maike Dinger, a Lecturer in Communications, Media and Culture at the University of Stirling is available on Amazon for £104.99 hardback or …

So-called muscular unionism is a sign of Westminster?s fragility
12 Mar 2026 at 4:30pm
The Labour party has responded to the leak of a memo from Starmer to cabinet ministers in which he tells them not to be “deferential” to the devolved governments and not to hesitate to override them even on devolved matters. Starmer was questioned about the memo by SNP MP Stephen Gethins at Prime Minister’s Questions …

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

Why would there be an explosion at ?a dockyard in Fife? where the local Labou...
9 Apr 2026 at 5:37pm
From BBC Scotland: Edinburgh, Fife & East today: Firefighters tackling scrap metal blaze at Rosyth dockyard – Firefighters are tackling a scrap metal fire at a dockyard in Fife. The Scottish Fire Rescue service (SFRS) were called to the scene at the Port of Rosyth at about 03:00. Locals reported hearing an “explosion” and “loud bang” in the early hours of the morning on social media. https://ww...

CalMac ferries problems definitely not dominating real election campaign as t...
9 Apr 2026 at 5:21pm
BBC Scotland today and yesterday: CalMac ferries problems dominate election campaigning – Ferries and the problems besetting CalMac’s services have dominated many of the day’s exchanges on the election campaign. First Minister John Swinney travelled to Stornoway, where he announced a new SNP government would set up a £10m resilience fund to help communities and businesses affected by the recent...

Why do only 202 out of more than 5 423 Scottish GPs , 3.7% (!) ?fear patients...
9 Apr 2026 at 5:05pm
Sometimes I can’t believe they’d do it then they do. The Herald today has the above and: How many GPs are there in Scotland? 5 423. So, this survey has the responses of 285 or 5%. 5%! Was the sample constructed scientifically to be representative, as the pollsters do? No, is was self-selecting, ‘squeaky wheel’. Only those who could be bothered and 95% could not. 71% of the 285 said patient safe...

2 out of 30 ferry services cancelled, one for a day ? The Great Scottish Ferr...
9 Apr 2026 at 9:37am
So, above and below, this is what BBC Scotland correctly calls ‘widespread disruption across the West coast network‘ but which many call a ‘crisis’ and one ‘newspaper’ has compared to the Highland Clearances! Here’s the key to the symbols: The Oban-Colonsay cancellation is only for Thursday. The Mallaig-Lochboisdale-Oban cancellation is until Friday 17 April. The other 28 services, despite, acc...

A resident of Islay is frustrated despite services running normally because?t...
9 Apr 2026 at 9:11am
it’s redeploying the island’s new ferry to a different route, amid widespread disruption across the West coast network. The MV Isle of Islay only started serving the island’s route last week, but today it will be redeployed to Barra to restore a normal service there. The ferry operator says the MV Alfred will move to cover Islay as a second vessel alongside the MV Finlaggan from tomorrow aftern...

CalMac ?concerns? predicted to have almost no effect on Holyrood election res...
8 Apr 2026 at 2:05pm
The Ipsos poll published today has Public transport/roads 10th, with 18%, in the list of issues respondents say will affect their vote. Perhaps surprisingly, given the MSM obsession with them, no poll ever asks about ferries explicitly. An AI estimate, based on media coverage, of the breakdown is Potholes up to 50% of the 18% or 9%; CalMac 25-35% or 6%, A9 dualing 10-20% or 4% and others 10-15%...

Very short video ? So, rent controls, second home tax hikes, the child paymen...
8 Apr 2026 at 10:05am
More at – https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2025/10/01/so-rent-controls-second-home-tax-hikes-the-child-payment-free-prescriptions-free-tuition-why-would-anyone-in-their-right-mind-ever-want-a-labour-government-in-scotland-never-mind-reform-uk/

Things can only get better as SNP councils boost their income fairly with sec...
8 Apr 2026 at 10:01am

As Telegraph readers splurt into in their cornflakes this morning
8 Apr 2026 at 9:34am

Fantastic news as Telegraph accurately predicts its readers with second homes...
8 Apr 2026 at 9:30am
In the Telegraph yesterday, the above and: They were not wrong. Back in September last year, they had: Scotland plots uncapped council tax rises for second home owners ? Green Party?s ?pile on the costs? proposal will be ?gold standard? for tackling homelessness. Councils in Scotland are poised to be granted powers to penalise second home owners with uncapped council tax premiums. ‘Plots’ not ‘...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

Scotland political snapshot, Spring 2026 - YouGov
8 Apr 2026 at 10:34am
Scotland political snapshot, Spring 2026  YouGov

How to avoid an SNP majority and the endless drive for IndyRef2 it will bring...
9 Apr 2026 at 4:45pm
How to avoid an SNP majority and the endless drive for IndyRef2 it will bring  The Scotsman

How Plaid Cymru's manifesto looks to Scotland and the SNP for inspiration - T...
9 Apr 2026 at 5:35pm
How Plaid Cymru's manifesto looks to Scotland and the SNP for inspiration  Thenational Scot

Candidates divided over issue of Scottish independence though most in favour ...
9 Apr 2026 at 7:00am
Candidates divided over issue of Scottish independence though most in favour of greater autonomy for Shetland  Shetland Times

Highland Lib Dem candidate: 'Why I voted for Scottish independence' - The Herald
7 Apr 2026 at 5:53am
Highland Lib Dem candidate: 'Why I voted for Scottish independence'  The Herald

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

Scotland?s voting system is ripe for exploitation - Prospect Magazine
8 Apr 2026 at 9:02am
Scotland?s voting system is ripe for exploitation  Prospect Magazine

Will Plaid governing Wales boost or undermine the case for independence? - Na...
8 Apr 2026 at 8:19pm
Will Plaid governing Wales boost or undermine the case for independence?  Nation.Cymru

2026 Scottish parliament election: Key challenges next Holyrood government wi...
8 Apr 2026 at 3:32am
2026 Scottish parliament election: Key challenges next Holyrood government will face  Sky News

An independent Scotland would quickly be on a path to financial ruin - The Te...
7 Apr 2026 at 7:00am
An independent Scotland would quickly be on a path to financial ruin  The Telegraph

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

New 10K liquid SNP genotyping array for wax gourd - EurekAlert!
9 Apr 2026 at 3:24pm
New 10K liquid SNP genotyping array for wax gourd  EurekAlert!

SNP extend their lead while Scottish Labour support slumps - Ipsos
8 Apr 2026 at 9:33am
SNP extend their lead while Scottish Labour support slumps  Ipsos

Labour and SNP clash over nuclear power for Scotland amid Holyrood campaign -...
9 Apr 2026 at 3:09pm
Labour and SNP clash over nuclear power for Scotland amid Holyrood campaign  Energy Voice

SNP chief told of Linden complaints 10 years ago, says ex-official - BBC
6 Apr 2026 at 12:51pm
SNP chief told of Linden complaints 10 years ago, says ex-official  BBC

D?Hondt method is not some devious plot against the SNP - Thenational Scot
9 Apr 2026 at 6:49pm
D?Hondt method is not some devious plot against the SNP  Thenational Scot

'People want change': Why this Lib Dem says she can defeat the SNP in Edinbur...
9 Apr 2026 at 4:51pm
'People want change': Why this Lib Dem says she can defeat the SNP in Edinburgh  The Herald

How to avoid an SNP majority and the endless drive for IndyRef2 it will bring...
9 Apr 2026 at 4:45pm
How to avoid an SNP majority and the endless drive for IndyRef2 it will bring  The Scotsman

SNP: Higher Brent prices and gas sales offset lower hydrocarbon production in...
9 Apr 2026 at 6:46am
SNP: Higher Brent prices and gas sales offset lower hydrocarbon production in Q1 2026  TradingView

SNP calling, haplotype phasing and allele-specific analysis with long RNA-seq...
30 Mar 2026 at 8:00am
SNP calling, haplotype phasing and allele-specific analysis with long RNA-seq reads  Nature

SNP back Rosebank and Jackdaw: comment - Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit |...
7 Apr 2026 at 9:37am
SNP back Rosebank and Jackdaw: comment  Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit | ECIU

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

Scotland political snapshot, Spring 2026 - YouGov
8 Apr 2026 at 10:34am
Scotland political snapshot, Spring 2026  YouGov

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

John Swinney: There could be a referendum in 2028. I want to press on - The T...
4 Apr 2026 at 6:00pm
John Swinney: There could be a referendum in 2028. I want to press on  The Times

Susie McCabe: Why Scottish Labour are like a toxic ex - Thenational Scot
8 Apr 2026 at 6:47pm
Susie McCabe: Why Scottish Labour are like a toxic ex  Thenational Scot

John Swinney: Independence referendum could be in 2028 - The Herald
5 Apr 2026 at 11:39am
John Swinney: Independence referendum could be in 2028  The Herald

John Swinney says he wants to ?press on? with independence referendum in 2028...
5 Apr 2026 at 2:25pm
John Swinney says he wants to ?press on? with independence referendum in 2028  London Evening Standard

John Swinney wants to ?press on? with Scottish independence referendum if SNP...
5 Apr 2026 at 2:00pm
John Swinney wants to ?press on? with Scottish independence referendum if SNP wins majority in Holyrood elections  lbc.co.uk

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

John Swinney claims he will 'press on' with Scottish independence referendum ...
5 Apr 2026 at 11:05am
John Swinney claims he will 'press on' with Scottish independence referendum in 2028  Daily Record

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