The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Scottish Labour MPs back Keir Starmer despite Anas Sarwar resignation calls
10 Feb 2026 at 6:22pm
Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out resigning as Prime Minister less than 24 hours after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar urged him to stand down.


Sorry, Matt, so much of Talk radio is just doom scrolling these days
by teddy.jamieson@theherald.co.uk | Teddy Jamieson
10 Feb 2026 at 5:44pm
It feels like once again we?re back in a moment where Westminster is in ?cats fighting in a bag? mode. We seem to have spent most of the last decade in ?cats fighting in a bag? mode, first with the Tories and now Labour.


Sarwar suspends Duncan-Glancy over sex offender ties
10 Feb 2026 at 5:42pm
Anas Sarwar has suspended MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy after a former PM aide Matthew Doyle had the whip removed in the Lords due to links to a Scottish sex offender.


Ex-Starmer adviser who campaigned for Scots paedophile has Labour whip removed
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
10 Feb 2026 at 5:10pm
Lord Matthew Doyle was admitted to the House of Lords in January, despite concerns over his relationship with disgraced Labour councillor Sean Morton.


Is Labour facing a leadership crisis? Starmer, Sarwar and a turbulent week ex...
by joe.donnelly2@newsquest.co.uk | Joe Donnelly
10 Feb 2026 at 5:00pm
Despite calls from some corners to stand down, Keir Starmer remains defiant - what is the state of play right now, and is the Labour Party facing a leadership crisis?


New bid to remove 'illegal' Saltires in Aberdeen after council staff threatened
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
10 Feb 2026 at 4:25pm
The move by Aberdeen City Council comes amid rising tension over the presence of the Saltires on the city?s lampposts. 


While Labour men argue, violence against women is overlooked
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
10 Feb 2026 at 4:00pm
The bitter clash between Labour?s UK and Scottish leadership has become irresistible political theatre. But as attention fixes on authority and discipline, campaigners warn the real issue ? violence and abuse against women ? is being pushed aside.


Neil Gray dodges questions over 'bribe' allegations in QEUH infections probe
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
10 Feb 2026 at 2:39pm
Neil Gray has dodged questions over allegations Fiona McQueen, former chief nursing officer, offered bribes to grieving families at QEUH.


Baillie denies Sarwar isolated after Starmer resignation call despite lack of...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
10 Feb 2026 at 2:17pm
Dame Jackie Baillie has insisted Anas Sarwar has not been left ?out on a limb? by his party after the Scottish Labour leader?s bid to depose Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister faltered.


Jim Wallace remembered as man of 'sincerity and humility' at packed Orkney fu...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
10 Feb 2026 at 1:22pm
Jim Wallace was remembered as a man of integrity, humility and deep kindness as family, political leaders and islanders gathered at St Magnus Cathedral in Orkney to honour the former deputy first minister?s life and legacy.


Labour crisis deepens as second Scottish MP calls for Keir Starmer to resign
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
10 Feb 2026 at 11:24am
A second Scottish Labour MP has called for Sir Keir Starmer to quit as the Labour crisis deepens.


Scottish ministers settle £392,500 legal bill after For Women Scotland court ...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
10 Feb 2026 at 11:17am
For Women Scotland has confirmed it has secured almost £400,000 in legal costs after its landmark Supreme Court victory against the Scottish Government.


Scottish National Investment Bank to make loss as Aberdeen firm sold in pre-p...
by scott.wright@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Scott Wright
10 Feb 2026 at 10:43am
Trojan Energy appointed administrators after failing to secure funding to support long-term plans


Funeral of former deputy first minister Lord Wallace to take place today
by Neil Pooran
10 Feb 2026 at 7:27am
Lord Wallace died at the end of January after suffering complications from surgery

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


How Labour and the Tories are playing politics like losers in the online game...
10 Feb 2026 at 5:37pm
If Labour and the Tories simply ignore the growing strength of Reform UK, Nigel Farage?s party are going to win


How the tiny number of shoplifting convictions in Scotland shows the SNP just...
10 Feb 2026 at 5:36pm
Only a fraction of shoplifting offences end up in a conviction


Jailed for three years, out in ten months or less: SNP's prison policy is a d...
10 Feb 2026 at 5:36pm
The SNP?s response to prison overcrowding and their stance over trans women in female prison will cost them votes in the coming Holyrood election


New prison guidance 'gift to criminals' says MSP who received death threats
10 Feb 2026 at 3:37pm

Stephen Kerr MSP said his wife was left ?terrified? by the death threats, which saw the man jailed

In his first public comments since Mr Sarwar called for him to quit, Sir Keir hit out at infighting within Labour and insisted he would lead the party into the next general election.

For Women Scotland says it has received the ?full and final settlement? from the Scottish Government.

Figures from across the political spectrum have paid tribute in recent weeks.

The biggest political move of Anas Sarwar?s career could have ended his already-slim hopes of becoming the next first minister of Scotland

Wings over Scotland

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.

Yelling at the tide
21 Jan 2026 at 9:26am
We figured someone had to at least try. So in the light of this, we’ve sent a letter. - TO: Judge Susan Walker, President, Employment Tribunal (Scotland) Dear Madam President, I read with considerable dismay and alarm your response to a recent complaint from a Mr Ewan Kennedy regarding the conduct of Employment Judge Alexander …

The Secondhand Amendment
19 Jan 2026 at 12:04am
We’re really not sure this makes things any better with regard to the incredible tale that’s unfolded around the judgment in Sandie Peggie vs NHS Fife. In fact, on any interpretation we can think of, quite the reverse. But we’d better give you some context. The quote in the image above comes from the reply …

Learning Insanity
14 Jan 2026 at 4:29pm
This clip was broadcast on ITV News Wales this week. ? It’s a staggeringly obvious mess for a whole raft of reasons – a number of completely spurious, illogical and unsupported claims are accepted as facts without any sort of challenge or balancing voice (which has been standard practice on ITV News for a while …

Governing For Beginners
12 Jan 2026 at 2:31pm
My first ever real experience of politics was playing Dictator. Originally written by Don Priestley for the Sinclair ZX81 in 1982, it was a simple text-based game which subsequently came to other formats including the Commodore 64, BBC Micro, Elan Enterprise and the ZX Spectrum, which is where I encountered it. (Its legacy very much …

Craig Murray

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

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

Is The USA Controlling Venezuela

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

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

Filton Acquittals Demolish Starmer and Cooper Lies About Palestine Action

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

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

Trump, Pirate of the Caribbean

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

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

Palestine Action Judicial Review

Being There ? In Venezuela
26 Jan 2026 at 9:46am

I have now been in Caracas for 48 hours and the contrast between what I have seen, and what I had read in the mainstream media, could not be more stark. I drove right through Caracas, from the airport through the city centre and up to posh Las Mercedes. The next morning I walked all …

Being There – In Venezuela

Resisting the Respectable Opinion on Iran
15 Jan 2026 at 3:13pm

Iraq. Libya. Egypt. Syria. Gaza. Somalia. No CIA- and Mossad-constructed regime change operation in the Middle East has ever made life better for the ordinary people of the country, nor even delivered the promised increase in personal and political freedoms. The only limited improvement that might be gained comes from the lifting of Western sanction …

Resisting the Respectable Opinion on Iran

BBC Scotland

Scottish Labour suspends MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy
10 Feb 2026 at 7:35pm
The MSP has had the party whip removed in the Scottish Parliament over her friendship with sex offender Sean Morton

Starmer claims 'huge respect' for Sarwar despite resignation call
10 Feb 2026 at 5:08pm
It comes after the Scottish Labour leader called for the prime minister to quit at a dramatic press conference on Monday.

Lord Wallace remembered at funeral for 'integrity, sincerity and humility'
10 Feb 2026 at 2:11pm
The former Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, who was Scotland's first deputy first minister, died last month at the age 71.

Ministers pay out £400k after losing Supreme Court gender case
10 Feb 2026 at 2:48pm
The Scottish government has settled a £392,500 legal bill with campaign group For Women Scotland.

Sarwar makes his biggest political gamble - but can it pay off?
9 Feb 2026 at 9:38pm
The call for Sir Keir Starmer to resign is a defining moment in Sarwar's leadership of Scottish Labour.

Cabinet ministers rally round PM as Sarwar urges him to quit
10 Feb 2026 at 8:17am
The Scottish Labour leader says No 10 has "not been good enough" but Sir Keir insists he will not resign.

Can solar panels turn around one of Scotland's most deprived communities?
10 Feb 2026 at 6:12am
A community energy scheme is expected to raise about £1m which will be spent on projects in the Wallacetown area of Ayr.

Mandelson appointment 'ignored warnings' - Brian Wilson
8 Feb 2026 at 1:41pm
The former Labour MP says evidence was disregarded in the decision to make Mandelson ambassador to the US.

Former Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman dies aged 72
7 Feb 2026 at 12:46pm
The SNP politician was a key figure in the Scottish government's response to the Covid pandemic.

Ministers urged to rethink jail sentences of less than two years
6 Feb 2026 at 4:08pm
If recommendations go ahead, judges would have to provide reasons why jailing someone for two years or less was the only option.

NHS budget plans rely on ambitious efficiency savings, warns think tank
6 Feb 2026 at 3:01pm
Spending strategy assumes hospitals and the ambulance service can make efficiency savings, says the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

Chief nurse's 'Disney trip' suggestion for bereaved families 'shameful' - Sarwar
5 Feb 2026 at 1:26pm
Scotland's ex-chief nursing officer has been criticised over remarks she allegedly made about bereaved families.

Scot Goes Pop

Which leader did Anas Sarwar just bring down - was it Keir Starmer, or himself?
10 Feb 2026 at 4:27am
There aren't many outlets that report Scottish polling accurately and without unionist bias.  If you value the service Scot Goes Pop provides, you currently have a thrilling opportunity to help wit...

Nigel Farage, so long the favourite to be the next Prime Minister, has slumpe...
7 Feb 2026 at 1:54pm
This video also contains more information about the More In Common independence polling I mentioned yesterday.   There aren't many outlets that report Scottish polling accurately and without unioni...

"Well, they're certainly keeping quiet about THAT bit!": More In Common poll ...
6 Feb 2026 at 3:14pm
There aren't many outlets that report Scottish polling accurately and without unionist bias.  If you value the service Scot Goes Pop provides, you currently have a thrilling opportunity to help wit...

My appearance on the "Two Davies" show
5 Feb 2026 at 5:55pm
Earlier today, I took part in a live stream on the "Two Davies" YouTube channel, and we all answered viewers' questions about quite a wide variety of subjects, including the current polling situati...

Gosh, I wonder if Stew has ever demonstrated quite so unwittingly and vividly...
4 Feb 2026 at 1:17am
Quite a number of years ago now, I got into a mildly bizarre email debate with someone who shall remain nameless, but who is widely regarded in Scotland as bona fide journalistic royalty.  Basicall...

Why is YouGov under-representing Yes-voting Glaswegians in its independence p...
3 Feb 2026 at 4:06pm
Towards the end of this video, I also give my reaction to the Scottish Government's welcome announcement that they will not be supporting Ash Regan's private member's bill, which seeks to introduce...

Stew's "ten-year masterplan" nears its petty climax: how Somerset's most cont...
2 Feb 2026 at 4:47pm
Incidentally, I recorded this video before I saw Campbell's latest "I luv Nige" fanboy blogpost, so the similarity of titles is just a coincidence - albeit an extremely telling coincidence in the c...

Sizzling YouGov numbers put pro-independence parties on course for 53% of sea...
30 Jan 2026 at 5:11pm
There aren't many outlets that report Scottish polling accurately and without unionist bias.  If you value the service Scot Goes Pop provides, you currently have a thrilling opportunity to help wit...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

PM?s former spin doctor Lord Doyle apologises over paedophile councillor links
10 Feb 2026 at 5:22pm
Lord Doyle campaigned for Sean Morton in 2017 after he had been charged over indecent images of children

Lord Wallace remembered as ?man of sincerity and humility? at Orkney funeral
10 Feb 2026 at 1:49pm
The funeral service for the former deputy first minister was held at St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall

Court battles over definition of ?woman? costs Scottish Government more than ...
10 Feb 2026 at 12:35pm
It comes after the UK's highest court determined 'woman' in the Equality Act referred to biological women

Sir Keir Starmer still ?determined? Anas Sarwar should be Scotland?s next fir...
10 Feb 2026 at 10:04am
It comes after the Scottish Labour leader called for the Prime Minister to step down

Starmer tells MPs he will not ?walk away? amid calls for his resignation
9 Feb 2026 at 9:05pm
The Prime Minister addressed a packed meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) in Westminster on Monday.

Keir Starmer must resign over Mandelson Epstein scandal, says Scottish Labour...
9 Feb 2026 at 1:28pm
Anas Sarwar says the 'distraction needs to end' following the scandal of Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador.

First two phases of Scottish grooming gangs review to take up to 18 months
9 Feb 2026 at 1:24pm
The Scottish Government announced a review in December following pressure to call a public inquiry

Stephen Flynn urges Prime Minister Keir Starmer to ?do the right thing and re...
9 Feb 2026 at 12:25pm
The Prime Minister has faced increased pressure in recent days over the appointment of Peter Mandelson

Greenland to be presented with own tartan in MPs? visit
9 Feb 2026 at 6:38am
The visit follows months of threats from President Donald Trump?s administration on the country?s status

Your Party to stand in 2026 Holyrood election
8 Feb 2026 at 4:42pm
The announcement was made the Your Party Scotland conference in Dundee, where 69.8% of members voted in favour of the move

Morgan McSweeney steps down as Starmer?s chief of staff amid Mandelson row
8 Feb 2026 at 3:02pm
The Prime Minister?s right-hand man has been blamed for pushing the appointment of Mandelson as ambassador to the US

Anas Sarwar would push for NFL game in Scotland if elected
8 Feb 2026 at 11:46am
The NFL regularly plays games overseas, with nine due to take place this year

Holyrood parties urged to commit to St Andrew?s Day national holiday
8 Feb 2026 at 10:13am
St Andrew?s Day was named a bank holiday in 2007

Brown says Starmer leadership crisis is ?serious? but PM is ?man of integrity?
7 Feb 2026 at 2:33pm
Former prime minister Gordon Brown said he felt ?betrayed and let down? by Mandelson?s alleged actions

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Scottish Labour MSP suspended over ties to serial paedophile Sean Morton
10 Feb 2026 at 7:08pm
EXCLUSIVE: Scottish Labour acted after new information came to light which is being investigated.

Keir Starmer spin doctor who backed Scots paedophile suspended by Labour
10 Feb 2026 at 5:01pm
The move was taken against Lord Doyle amid concerns over his previous ties with sex offender Sean Morton.

Paedophile with ties to senior Labour figures was jailed for deleting his Wha...
10 Feb 2026 at 5:00pm
EXCLUSIVE: Sean Morton was jailed last year after he wiped his messages.

Scottish politics today: Keir Starmer supports Anas Sarwar '100%' despite res...
10 Feb 2026 at 4:55pm
The Record brings you its daily 5pm briefing of the top stories in Scottish politics.

SNP Health Secretary refuses to comment on nursing chief who 'offered grievin...
10 Feb 2026 at 2:52pm
Fiona McQueen reportedly made the cash offer during a phone call to discuss the tragic death of Sophia Smith at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in 2017.

Keir Starmer has no 'grudge' against Anas Sarwar and wants him to become Firs...
10 Feb 2026 at 10:26am
Douglas Alexander, the co-chair of Scottish Labour's Holyrood election campaign, insisted the party was still united in its battle to unseat the SNP.

Anas Sarwar demands Starmer quits LIVE as PM says he has 'huge respect' for S...
10 Feb 2026 at 9:33am
A split between the Labour group in the Scottish Parliament and the party's high command in London has opened up after Anas Sarwar's dramatic intervention on Monday.

Scottish Labour MPs to hold 'emergency' summit after Anas Sarwar demands Keir...
9 Feb 2026 at 5:56pm
EXC: The unplanned meeting will take place on Tuesday.

Inside Anas Sarwar's decision to call for Keir Starmer to quit as Prime Minister
9 Feb 2026 at 5:22pm
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says Anas Sarwar has gone for broke after calculating he cannot win the Holyrood election with Keir Starmer in charge.

Scottish politics today: Anas Sarwar drops bombshell as Keir Starmer rallies ...
9 Feb 2026 at 5:00pm
The Record brings you its daily 5pm briefing of the top stories in Scottish politics.

The National

The National | Politics

Anas Sarwar suspends Pam Duncan-Glancy over convicted paedophile ties
10 Feb 2026 at 7:52pm

ANAS Sarwar has suspended MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy following mounting pressure on the Scottish Labour leader after Keir Starmer?s former media chief had the whip removed due to his links with the same convicted-paedophile.

?SNP 1&2? strategy will result in less pressure to act on independence
10 Feb 2026 at 6:30pm

CAMPBELL Anderson in Tuesday?s paper explains why I didn?t vote SNP 1&2 last time and won?t be this time either. It has occurred to me that the reason for the ?vote SNP 1&2? from the SNP hierarchy is that it DOESN?T produce a good majority for independence.

Anas Sarwar attacked the weakest man in UK politics ... and still lost
10 Feb 2026 at 6:30pm

IT is amazing to what extent Anas Sarwar?s call for the Prime Minister to quit has backfired. He led his troops over the top, only to find a handful of foot soldiers behind him, with the vast majority of MSPs and MPs preferring to stay in the trenches.

William dodges questions about Andrew and Epstein links during Saudi Arabia v...
10 Feb 2026 at 6:27pm

THE Prince of Wales has been challenged over Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor during his trip to Saudi Arabia, as the royal family continued to be dogged by the Jeffrey Epstein scandal ...

Inside Scottish Labour as party activists react to Anas Sarwar?s failed revolt
10 Feb 2026 at 5:48pm

ANAS Sarwar went for the nuclear option yesterday.

Stephen Flynn hits back at Murdo Fraser's 'hypocrisy' dig over World Cup plans
10 Feb 2026 at 5:17pm

STEPHEN Flynn has hit back at Murdo Fraser after the Scottish Conservative MSP accused the SNP of ?hypocrisy? over the MPs plans to support Scotland at the World Cup in the United States ...

What does Anas Sarwar's intervention mean for Holyrood 26? A pollster explains
10 Feb 2026 at 5:00pm

A TOP pollster has said he is "not convinced" Anas Sarwar can shrug off the "branch office" tag that has haunted Scottish Labour for years despite his attempts to draw a line between himself and Keir Starmer.

Keir Starmer's former media chief suspended over links to Scottish sex offender
10 Feb 2026 at 4:53pm

KEIR Starmer?s former media chief has been suspended from Labour over his links to a convicted sex offender, according to reports ...

Douglas Alexander gags MPs as Scottish Labour in turmoil over Anas Sarwar split
10 Feb 2026 at 4:43pm

DOUGLAS Alexander deployed his aides to guard a meeting of Scottish Labour MPs in an apparent attempt to prevent media briefings as his party sought to resolve a schism over the Prime Minister?s position.

Petition for probe into pro-Israel influence in UK politics hits huge milestone
10 Feb 2026 at 4:26pm

A PETITION calling for a public inquiry into pro-Israel influence on politics and democracy in the UK has gathered almost 30,000 signatures in less than a fortnight.

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Pass new law to protect Scottish transport staff, union urges MSPs
10 Feb 2026 at 3:49pm
'People who look after the public transport network should be safe'

Keir Starmer: I will never walk away
10 Feb 2026 at 3:10pm
The prime minister said the ?fight? his party should be having it not with itself

Anas Sarwar calls for Keir Starmer to step down
9 Feb 2026 at 1:58pm
It follows a row over the appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the US, despite having known links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Morgan McSweeney quits as PM?s adviser amid Mandelson scandal
8 Feb 2026 at 4:49pm
McSweeney said he accepted ?full responsibility? for the appointment with police now investigating Mandelson over his links with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, who died in 2019.

Tributes paid following the death of Jeane Freeman
8 Feb 2026 at 10:30am
Tributes have been paid from across Scottish politics following the death of former health secretary Jeane Freeman at the age of 72.

Jack McConnell calls for ?complete reset? in Labour leadership
6 Feb 2026 at 2:53pm
The former first minister said somebody in Labour needed to 'step up' and take over

Scotland?s prisons approach needs fundamental reform, according to watchdog r...
6 Feb 2026 at 10:33am
The report has called for stronger rehabilitation in prison, earlier release with enhanced community supervision, and long-term planning to reduce Scotland?s prison population to around the European average

John Swinney accuses Anas Sarwar of ?shameful? interference in hospitals inquiry
5 Feb 2026 at 4:00pm
The Scottish Labour leader said the FM had told parliament a "blatant untruth"

John Swinney: I stayed with Mandelson on Trump trip to save money
5 Feb 2026 at 1:51pm
Starmer says no one in government knew 'depth and darkness' of former ambassador's Epstein friendship

Set out Mandelson links, SNP urges Scottish Labour
4 Feb 2026 at 5:22pm
SNP claims are 'morally bankrupt', Scottish Labour hits back

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

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...

Starmer says he ?will never walk away? as Burnham joins Labour figures backin...
10 Feb 2026 at 6:12pm
This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story hereKemi Badenoch has said that Keir Starmer just received a ?stay of execution? yesterday. Speaking to reporters on a visit this morning, she said:Starmer is in a very dangerous place. The Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said the quie...

Starmer survives ? but for how long? ? podcast
10 Feb 2026 at 3:00am
Helen Pidd follows the twists and turns on Monday as the prime minister fought to keep his jobOn Monday morning, the prime minister was preparing to reset relations with MPs after the resignation of his chief aide, Morgan McSweeney.Just before midday, news broke that Tim Allen, Keir Starmer?s dir...

Starmer tells Labour MPs he is ?not prepared to walk away? after call for him...
9 Feb 2026 at 9:50pm
Prime minister addresses parliamentary Labour party amid Mandelson scandal falloutScottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar calls on Keir Starmer to stand downTim Allan said he was standing down to allow Keir Starmer the opportunity to build a new team.In a statement, he said:I have decided to stand dow...

Sarwar has shown his ruthless streak. But will his swipe at Starmer mean anyt...
9 Feb 2026 at 4:20pm
Scottish Labour leader is gambling that by declaring his loyalty to Scotland, the electorate will rally behind himAnas Sarwar calls for Keir Starmer to stand downAnas Sarwar has shown he has a ruthless streak. Once one of Keir Starmer?s staunchest cheerleaders and allies, the Scottish Labour lead...

Scottish Labour leader calls for Keir Starmer to resign as PM ? video
9 Feb 2026 at 3:51pm
Anas Sarwar, the leader of the Labour party in Scotland, called on Monday for Keir Starmer to resign, saying the government's failures had 'drowned out' its accomplishments. Calls for the prime minister's resignation have been growing this week after new Epstein files revelations about Peter Mand...

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar calls on Keir Starmer to stand down
9 Feb 2026 at 3:40pm
Sarwar tells press conference: ?The distraction has to end and the leadership in Downing Street has to change?Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, has called on Keir Starmer to stand down, throwing the prime minister?s leadership of the country into serious peril.At a hastily arranged press c...

Wealthy use loophole to conceal value of £300m in Scottish land sales
7 Feb 2026 at 7:00am
Prices paid for large estates not being disclosed on official register, land reform advocates sayLand reform campaigners are alarmed at the increasing use of a legal loophole that allows landowners to conceal the price paid for Highland estates from the public register.Andy Wightman, a land refor...

Blanket rule on trans women in men?s prisons would deny their identity, says ...
5 Feb 2026 at 5:06pm
SNP?s lawyer argues the ?mental health and rehabilitation? of prisoners is more important than their biological sexA blanket rule to house transgender women in men?s prisons, even when they pose no risk to others, would be a ?fundamental denial? of their identity, the Scottish government has argu...

Starmer faces rising anger over Mandelson as MPs agree to release files to se...
4 Feb 2026 at 8:24pm
Starmer faces criticism from MPs on all sides of the CommonsThis liveblog is now closed. Read the politics team?s report on today?s developments herePMQs is starting soon. Here is the list of MPs down to ask a question.The Reform UK MP Lee Anderson has dismissed claims that his party?s plan to su...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Starmer and Sarwar, the Tweedledum and Tweedledumber of political arrogance
10 Feb 2026 at 1:26pm
If you’re having a bad day today, console yourself with the thought that Anas Sarwar is having a much worse day than you are, cue the world’s tiniest violin. Sarwar can’t do anything right, not even lay claim to the title of Scotland’s leading self-important nepo-baby, Fergus Ewing has got that one sewn up. In …

Keir Starmer gets bitten by his soon to be neutered Scottish poodle
9 Feb 2026 at 4:23pm
I’m not going to lie, I never expected that in 2026 I’d have “Excitedly awaiting a press conference from Anas Sarwar” on my bingo card. Due to the rapidly unfolding Mandelson scandal, in the space of 24 hours Keir Starmer has lost his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and his director of communications Tim Allan. …

Starmer, Corbyn, and implications for May?s Scottish elections
9 Feb 2026 at 11:55am
The big political story of the moment is of course the psychodrama enveloping Keir Starmer and the Labour party over the fallout from Starmer’s decision to appoint serial sleaze magnet Peter Mandelson to the high profile position as British ambassador to the USA despite Mandelson’s close ties to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and decades long …

it?s not John Swinney who must be held to account for Mandelson, it?s Starmer...
8 Feb 2026 at 1:56pm
Certain individuals such as the execrable Russell Findlay, the soon to be electorally humbled branch manager of the Tories in Scotland, and Mandy Rhodes, the editor of Holyrood Magazine, a publication with considerably fewer readers than this blog, are attempting to make political capital out of the fact that when on an official visit to …

YouGov?s independence polls are comfort blankets for Unionists
6 Feb 2026 at 12:28pm
This is an expanded and revised version of a piece I wrote for The National newspaper earlier this week. Since writing it further information has come to light which casts even greater doubt on the validity of a YouGov poll on Scottish independence which was published last week, a poll which was received with immense …

Mandelson, the sleazy heart of Starmer?s right wing Labour party
5 Feb 2026 at 3:13pm
Keir Starmer’s leadership of the Labour party and his position as Prime Minister have been on a shoogly peg for some time. After being elected in July 2024 with a landslide victory in the Commons, albeit on a mere one third of the popular vote, Labour MPs were looking forward to settling down to a …

The independence movement must commit to a Scottish republic
4 Feb 2026 at 2:02pm
It’s well known that people in Scotland are less enamoured with the self-promoting antics of the Windsor family than people in other parts of the UK. Large royal events with all their pomp and pageantry paid for at public expense are typically met in Scotland with widespread apathy, if not anger and ridicule. The street …

What happens in the Welsh election could be key to Scotland too
2 Feb 2026 at 4:27pm
The well known traditional curse, “May you live in interesting times” is often ascribed to an ancient Chinese text, although there is no evidence for this. Be that as it may, it cannot be denied that we are cursed with living through interesting times. Keir Starmer was elected to head a Labour government with a …

BBC Scotland?s look at nuclear through Labour Rose tinted glasses
31 Jan 2026 at 1:39pm
The bias of the BBC, particularly BBC Scotland, against the SNP Scottish Government in particular and the wider Scottish independence movement in general is well documented by pro-independence campaigners, but ignored by the Scottish media which is itself overwhelmingly biased against Scottish independence, the somewhat less than half of the Scottish population which opposes independence …

Wee Ginger Annual Fundraiser 2026 part 2
30 Jan 2026 at 6:08pm
Unfortunately when I published the previous post about this year’s fundraiser, I pressed publish too quickly and omitted the full details for donating via PayPal or Ko-fi. Here they are now and here is the link again to the GoFundMe fundraiser. Many thanks for supporting my work. It’s greatly appreciated.   https://www.gofundme.com/f/wee-ginger-dug-annual-fundraiser-2026   I?ve added …

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

Glasgow?s Superhospital is not really troubled but its namesake in Norfolk su...
10 Feb 2026 at 6:23pm
Details at: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/02/10/a-tale-of-two-queen-elisabeth-hospitals-stay-away-from-the-one-in-norfolk/

A Tale of Two Queen Elisabeth hospitals ? stay away from the one in Norfolk
10 Feb 2026 at 6:02pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. From Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratios (HSMR) October 2024 to September 2025 published today, we can see below, that the regularly but unfairly criticised Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, is not just as safe as any other in Scotland but is, in fact, safer than...

Research reveals Scotland?s free bus travel has positive impacts on health an...
10 Feb 2026 at 6:00pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. From Why buses matter for health and reducing transport poverty, research published today: Bus use has positive impacts on health and mental wellbeing through access to services, physical activity and social inclusion. Bus passengers may be exposed to air pollution, noise and inj...

Today Scottish Government commits firmly to free higher education tuition for...
10 Feb 2026 at 12:21pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. The Times Higher Education, read only by some academics, has this below but as you can see above this important news is being hidden from the electorate: ?We?re looking at all parts of the system ? except tuition fees? https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/were-looking-all-pa...

Road deaths halve and offences fall by a third as ?SNP? [sic] Road Safety Fr...
10 Feb 2026 at 11:54am
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. In the Edinburgh Reporter yesterday based on a Sunday Mail report: Scotland?s roads are becoming deadlier amid rising fatalities and surging traffic offences, latest figures reveal. Police Scotland say 92 people were killed in car, motorcycle and cycling collisions between April ...

Why is the wettest part of the UK, North-east Scotland coping so well? Scott...
10 Feb 2026 at 9:08am
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. Look at that Met Office map above and note how awesomely wet January was for Scotland’s north-east. I suppose that photograph must there too. No, it’s Somerset. What is the Guardian saying about that? The Guardian view on heavy rain: England?s flood defences are not strong enough...

As Labour Wales still fails on Sepsis deaths, how under Scottish Labour, hosp...
10 Feb 2026 at 8:30am
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. Headlining on BBC UK TV broadcasts too, the above story makes these damning comments: A BBC investigation has found sepsis awareness training is still not mandatory at most hospitals in Wales, and Bethan’s parents fear that what happened to their daughter could still happen to ot...

Nothing in Scotland looks anything like the mass child grooming rape gangs in...
9 Feb 2026 at 6:12pm
No tasteless, exploitative images here. Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. The Herald today: The SNP has been accused of dragging its feet on tackling grooming gangs, after watchdogs set out an 18-month timetable for a national review that would only then inform a decision on whether a full public inquiry is requi...

Spending on schools across Scotland has increased by more than £1 billion but...
9 Feb 2026 at 6:11pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. Above the complete media coverage of a major Scottish Government announcement on school funding, 16 hours after it was first posted. They have no time as they feast on that unattractive figure, Anas Sarwar, who has just turned snarling and biting at the wounded figure of his form...

Since the crowdfunder started only 9 days ago, nearly 15 thousand distinct re...
9 Feb 2026 at 11:15am
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. Sobering feedback that? I know, TuS gets lots of kindly and encouraging words but only 1 in 100 rate it worth even £1. 14 937 discrete visitors in February 2026 but only 139 make a contribution to the crowd funder, 0.9%, less than 1 in a 100? I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t wonde...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

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

Your Party Scotland votes to officially become pro-independence party - TheNa...
8 Feb 2026 at 7:22pm
Your Party Scotland votes to officially become pro-independence party  TheNational.scot

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

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

No independence referendum if SNP wins majority, Reeves says - BBC
27 Nov 2025 at 8:00am
No independence referendum if SNP wins majority, Reeves says  BBC

Scottish independence polls & surveys - YouGov
30 Jan 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish independence polls & surveys  YouGov

Your Party Scotland conference votes for radical vision - Socialist Worker
8 Feb 2026 at 10:24pm
Your Party Scotland conference votes for radical vision  Socialist Worker

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

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 leader John Swinney says SNP winning majority in May election would ...
17 Jan 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish leader John Swinney says SNP winning majority in May election would be green light for indyref2  Sky News

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

?SNP 1&2? strategy will result in less pressure to act on independence - TheN...
10 Feb 2026 at 6:35pm
?SNP 1&2? strategy will result in less pressure to act on independence  TheNational.scot

SNP Schneider-Neureither & Partner SE: Release according to Article 40, Secti...
10 Feb 2026 at 1:58pm
SNP Schneider-Neureither & Partner SE: Release according to Article 40, Section 1 of the WpHG the German Securities Trading Act with the objective of Europe-wide distribution  TradingView

SNP spent more than £1m of taxpayer money on defending gender self-ID - The T...
10 Feb 2026 at 7:12pm
SNP spent more than £1m of taxpayer money on defending gender self-ID  The Telegraph

How the tiny number of shoplifting convictions in Scotland shows the SNP just...
10 Feb 2026 at 6:00pm
How the tiny number of shoplifting convictions in Scotland shows the SNP just does not care  The Scotsman

Taxpayers landed with £1m bill for gender self-ID court cases - The Times
10 Feb 2026 at 7:30pm
Taxpayers landed with £1m bill for gender self-ID court cases  The Times

'It is called doing their day job. I hope the Scottish electorate remember th...
10 Feb 2026 at 6:32am
'It is called doing their day job. I hope the Scottish electorate remember that'  The Herald

Former Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman dies aged 72 - BBC
7 Feb 2026 at 12:46pm
Former Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman dies aged 72  BBC

Scottish Conservatives accuse SNP of worsening housing crisis - Property118
10 Feb 2026 at 9:18am
Scottish Conservatives accuse SNP of worsening housing crisis  Property118

Jeane Freeman: SNP politician who led Covid response - BBC
7 Feb 2026 at 8:52am
Jeane Freeman: SNP politician who led Covid response  BBC

SNP Health Secretary refuses to comment on nursing chief who 'offered grievin...
10 Feb 2026 at 3:55pm
SNP Health Secretary refuses to comment on nursing chief who 'offered grieving family £20,000 bribe'  Daily Record

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

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

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

Independence referendum is 'Scotland?s choice', Jeremy Corbyn tells conferenc...
8 Feb 2026 at 10:52am
Independence referendum is 'Scotland?s choice', Jeremy Corbyn tells conference  TheNational.scot

Independence referendum is Scotland?s choice, says Jeremy Corbyn - London Eve...
8 Feb 2026 at 7:38pm
Independence referendum is Scotland?s choice, says Jeremy Corbyn  London Evening Standard

Jeremy Corbyn says it is for Scotland to decide on independence referendum - ...
8 Feb 2026 at 12:49pm
Jeremy Corbyn says it is for Scotland to decide on independence referendum  Yahoo News UK

David Cameron - Scottish Referendum, 2015 Election, Brexit - Britannica
27 Jan 2026 at 8:00am
David Cameron - Scottish Referendum, 2015 Election, Brexit  Britannica

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

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

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