The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Government ?putting ever more rocks into the retail sector?s rucksack?
4 Mar 2026 at 5:42pm
In the wake of yesterday's Spring Statement, Scottish business leaders say firms need more help to navigate the cost of doing business.


Key takeaways from The Herald's Spring Statement business breakfast event
4 Mar 2026 at 4:52pm
Yesterday's statement from the Chancellor was widely hailed as "boring", but there was plenty of food for thought this morning


Joani Reid company received £20k from husband accused of spying for China
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
4 Mar 2026 at 5:18pm
Labour MP Joani Reid's consultancy company received more than £20k in interest free loans from two of her husband's businesses


Scottish college launches new Guide to Scots Law for refugees and asylum seekers
4 Mar 2026 at 5:00pm
Students at North College Lanarkshire have helped to update the advice, which the Former Lord Advocate of Scotland says is 'much needed'.


Assisted dying bill could 'place vulnerable individuals at risk', senior doct...
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
4 Mar 2026 at 4:45pm
188 leading doctors and nurses from across Scotland have spoken out against the legislation as currently amended.


Is Scotland dangerously dependent on Beijing?s goodwill?
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
4 Mar 2026 at 4:41pm
A Westminster spying probe has reignited questions about Britain?s relationship with China. Is Scotland especially exposed?


Questions raised as SNP candidate steps down amid benefit investigation
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
4 Mar 2026 at 4:20pm
Sally Donald will not run in the Holyrood election amid a Social Security Scotland investigation into her Adult Disability Payment claims.


Nearly 100 children waiting more than a year for mental health treatment
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
4 Mar 2026 at 4:19pm
The data also revealed that 200 individuals have been waiting between nine months and a year for treatment.


Legalising assisted dying is 'overwhelming will' of Scots, new poll suggests
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
4 Mar 2026 at 3:23pm
Passage of the member?s bill is on a knife's edge, with several MSPs pulling their support for the legislation in recent weeks. 


Humza Yousaf to publish 'deeply personal' memoir
by craig.williams@newsquest.co.uk | Craig Williams
4 Mar 2026 at 3:05pm
Literary non-fiction imprint The Bridge Street Press has acquired Under Fire: My Family?s Escape from Gaza and The Cost of Leadership


US military plane uses Prestwick Airport before flying to the Middle East
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
4 Mar 2026 at 2:58pm
'Clear answers' have been demanded after a U.S military plane stopped at Prestwick Airport on the way to the Middle East amid the ongoing war with Iran


Joani Reid issues statement as Labour MP's husband is arrested in China spy p...
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
4 Mar 2026 at 2:50pm
An address in East Kilbride was raided as part of an investigation into an alleged spy ring, with the partner of a Labour MP arrested


Poll shows Reform surge stalling as Labour retakes second place
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
4 Mar 2026 at 12:39pm
A new Ipsos poll suggests the SNP remains firmly on course to remain the largest party at Holyrood ? but Labour has surged back into second place ahead of Reform UK as Scotland?s election campaign approaches.


Sarwar: Farage and Badenoch have chosen 'the politics of the enemy'
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
4 Mar 2026 at 12:03pm
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has accused Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch of choosing ?the politics of the enemy? over Iran.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Why the war in the Middle East has me googling airline flight paths
4 Mar 2026 at 4:45pm
Janet Christie worries about how her daughter will get home from Indonesia if the war continues in the Middle East


Scotland's benefits bill not a 'drag', says chief economist
4 Mar 2026 at 4:45pm

Gary Gillespie rejected suggestions of a ?fiscal hole?

Former first minister says book will tell story of the ?four most difficult weeks of my life?

Sally Donald has stood down after being investigated for benefit fraud

Joani Reid said has ?never seen anything to make me suspect my husband has broken any law.?

The new poll says the SNP is on course to win the Holyrood election - but will fall short of the majority John Swinney wants.

Monica Lennon has been left ?profoundly disappointed? that her ecocide legislation has been shelved, warning it is ?a missed opportunity to protect Scotland?s environment?.

Fife Council is due to meet with the affected tenants on Saturday.

Sally Donald is currently subject to a Social Security Scotland probe

Readers of The Scotsman are being invited to the conversation about Scotland?s future

The hustings is your chance to grill politicians on the issues that matter to you

Wings over Scotland

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 …

The Tactics Of Suicide
26 Feb 2026 at 1:48pm
Sorry, readers, we’ve been too busy boiling with rage at revolting, cretinous Americans for the last few days to trust ourselves with writing a full-length article, but we’ve just about calmed down enough in time for this month’s polling analysis. Which is handy, because today is also the day of the Gorton and Denton by-election …

When the law breaks the law
19 Feb 2026 at 1:33pm
There is a not particularly funny joke that is sometimes told in legal circles about why a law student failed to finish his coursework ? because he had no conviction. With rare exceptions lawyers aren?t renowned for their sense of humour but I can?t help thinking someone, at the highest levels of our justice system, …

The Future Is Yesterday
18 Feb 2026 at 2:10pm
So on the one hand there’s obviously very little point paying attention to the SNP’s regional list candidates for May’s Holyrood election, because as this website has comprehensively demonstrated over recent months, the chances of the SNP having any list MSPs elected are remote. However, nothing is impossible, so let’s take a look at the …

Scotland In Numbers
17 Feb 2026 at 11:30pm
Cost of keeping vital rape crisis services in Glasgow operating: £500,000. Amount of money wasted by the Scottish Government fighting and losing court cases to try to remove women’s rights: £1.14 million. Angry yet?

The Longest Road
16 Feb 2026 at 1:23pm
As the six-year fight for justice for Alex Salmond continues, we thought you might like to see this clip from this morning’s Mike Graham Show, interviewing Paul McManus, the businessman and drummer in Glasgow rock band Gun who’s stepped up to fund the Salmond family’s case against the Scottish Government despite disagreeing with much of …

The Modern Politician
10 Feb 2026 at 5:17pm
A play in three acts: And you thought ours were spineless. Poor old Anas, though. If 24 hours is a long time in politics these days, a week is forever. And a month hardly even bears thinking about. As for a year and a half, well, the less said the better.

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

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

Craig Murray

The War for Greater Israel
1 Mar 2026 at 2:21pm

There has scarcely been an attempt to pretend any justification in international law for the attack on Iran and murder of its leader. The response of the UK government, focusing almost entirely on condemning Iran for exercising its legitimate right of self-defence, takes the Starmer dishonesty meter further off the scale. The RAF has been …

The War for Greater Israel

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

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

Rival Demonstrations in Caracas

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

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

Two Little Caracas Videos

Postpone The Celebrations
14 Feb 2026 at 7:46am

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

Postpone The Celebrations

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

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

Is The USA Controlling Venezuela

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

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

Filton Acquittals Demolish Starmer and Cooper Lies About Palestine Action

BBC Scotland

Scottish Labour MP says husband has not broken law, after arrests over China ...
4 Mar 2026 at 6:39pm
The Met Police suspect three men of assisting Chinese intelligence services in the UK.

SNP candidate stands down after benefits fraud claim
4 Mar 2026 at 5:18pm
Sally Donald, who was selected to stand for the party in May's election, has denied any wrongdoing.

Teachers vote to strike over class contact time
4 Mar 2026 at 8:07pm
The EIS wants to cut the maximum time each teacher spends in front of a class by 90 minutes a week.

Ferguson shipyard to be given contracts to build four new ships
3 Mar 2026 at 5:09pm
The Clyde yard is to be commissioned to construct two small ferries and two fisheries research and protection vessels.

Scotland needs new approach to deal with feral pigs, report says
4 Mar 2026 at 10:48am
Researchers say there are "tensions" around whether they are a pest or should be left to roam free.

Ardrossan harbour to be taken into public ownership
3 Mar 2026 at 3:07pm
Scottish government-owned ports body CMAL is expected the finalise the purchase by the end of the month.

Four homeless deaths in Scotland a week, data suggests
3 Mar 2026 at 3:42pm
The new data was a slight decrease on the previous year's figures but "not statistically significant".

Scottish government increases funding for culling Uist geese
3 Mar 2026 at 11:17am
The birds are blamed for damaging crops and grazing in parts of the Western Isles.

Sir John Curtice: Which issues will decide the elections in Scotland and Wales?
2 Mar 2026 at 6:28am
A poll carried out for the BBC examines the issues which will influence how people plan to vote on 7 May.

Sarwar rejects father's tribute to Iran's supreme leader
2 Mar 2026 at 6:23pm
Former Scottish Labour MP Mohammad Sarwar praised Ayatollah Khamenei as a martyr after he was killed in a US-Israeli strike.

Alba members call on leader to 'fight election or resign'
1 Mar 2026 at 2:42pm
The Alba Continuation Group demands that leader Kenny MacAskill stand down after he said it was unlikely the party would contest May's Scottish parliament election.

Tribute from Jeane Freeman's 'soulmate' at memorial service
28 Feb 2026 at 3:16pm
A thanksgiving service followed the private cremation of the 72-year-old who died on 7 February, just 25 days after being diagnosed with cancer.

Scot Goes Pop

Greens OVERTAKE Labour in sensational Britain-wide YouGov poll - and SNP have...
3 Mar 2026 at 8:34pm
In the second half of this video, I also take a look at the story in the Daily Record about a nameless former member of the Alba Party's Finance and Audit Committee, who suggests the party wasted £...

Alba's self-appointed Continuity Junta is accused of "lying" about its claim ...
2 Mar 2026 at 8:13pm
The dam has well and truly burst with Alba - over the last few days I've been receiving emails containing nuggets of information from multiple different sources within the party, including some I h...

244 people have pledged loyalty so far to the Alba Continuity Junta - and onl...
2 Mar 2026 at 4:47pm
As regular viewers of my YouTube channel will recall, the little-known Alba businessman Abdul Majid has an exciting habit of doing things in bulk.  In 2023, he was one of the five clear beneficiari...

Profound shock in Alba ranks after Susan MacAskill, the spouse of party leade...
1 Mar 2026 at 4:55pm
I was contacted earlier today by a member of the Alba Party, who I think was genuinely quite shocked that a controversial fellow member and convicted criminal called Dave Llewellyn had posted on Fa...

Corri Wilson, straight-talking, totally unfiltered, on why the Alba Party mus...
1 Mar 2026 at 1:17am
I've been sent an audio recording of Corri Wilson, matriarch of Alba's Corri Nostra faction and also the party's "Director of Operations", addressing what appears to be some sort of internal party ...

Popular factional matriarch Corri Wilson sends tidings of great joy to local ...
28 Feb 2026 at 4:34pm
It's the puzzler that has gripped and perplexed fashionable salons like no other since the Schleswig Holstein Question: are Alba branches accounting units in their own right?  Does their money belo...

"From this day forth, it's DNA, NOT DEMOCRACY": Christina Hendry stakes her "...
28 Feb 2026 at 8:56am
I've rarely before had much sympathy for the views of the self-styled "straight-talking totally unfiltered independent woman" Shannon Cullen (formerly Donoghue), but I checked her Twitter account l...

"Things are even worse now than when I told you the party was dead" says Alba...
27 Feb 2026 at 5:51pm
Hot off the press, here is Kenny MacAskill's latest email to Alba members, in which he gives short shrift to the presumptuous notion of the self-appointed provisional "Junta" (ie. Christina "Of The...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Teachers across Scotland vote for strike action over ?excessive workloads?
4 Mar 2026 at 5:31pm
The education secretary said she hoped negotations would find a solution

Edinburgh SNP candidate quits race amid benefits investigation
4 Mar 2026 at 4:44pm
Sally Donald had been selected to run in Edinburgh Southern, but told local members on Wednesday she had ?regrettably? decided to stand down

Husband of Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid among three men arrested on suspicio...
4 Mar 2026 at 12:42pm
Joani Reid's spouse David Taylor, 39, was taken into custody on Wednesday

Reform falls behind Labour in Scottish Parliament election, poll shows
4 Mar 2026 at 12:03pm
The SNP remains set to be the largest party at Holyrood, 20 points ahead of Nigel Farage's party

Keir Starmer to face grilling amid fallout with Donald Trump over Iran
4 Mar 2026 at 11:47am
The US president said 'this is not Winston Churchill that we?re dealing with'

Scottish Government to directly award four ship contracts to Ferguson Marine
3 Mar 2026 at 9:46pm
The Scottish Government rescued the yard from administration in 2019.

?Many uncertainties? over cost of introducing assisted dying, MSPs told
3 Mar 2026 at 9:05pm
Health Secretary Neil Gray faced questions over what the cost could be if MSPs back a Bill to introduce assisted dying for terminally ill Scots.

Clarity sought on whether aircraft used in Iran operations stopped in Scotland
3 Mar 2026 at 5:09pm
The Scottish Government is seeking clarity from the UK Government as some airports in the country are used as stopover points for air forces

New records set for longest waits at Scottish hospital A&E departments
3 Mar 2026 at 10:30am
The Scottish Government said accident and emergency departments were 'facing sustained pressures'

What is the spring statement and why is this one different?
3 Mar 2026 at 6:31am
On Tuesday Chancellor Rachel Reeves will deliver her spring statement to parliament, where she'll update MPs on the economy.

Christian leaders urge MSPs to vote against assisted dying Bill
2 Mar 2026 at 8:46pm
In a joint letter, the leaders said legalising assisted dying would open people to coercion, amid other complications.

Iran attack ?against international system?, says Swinney
2 Mar 2026 at 8:31pm
The US and Israel attacked Iran over the weekend, killing its supreme leader.

Anas Sarwar condemns father for praising ?brutal? Iranian Ayatollah
2 Mar 2026 at 2:02pm
The Scottish Labour leader said his father, a former Labour MP and governor of Punjab, was ?wrong? to pay tribute to the Islamist dictator

Scottish Labour would build Glasgow Airport rail link
2 Mar 2026 at 10:09am
Party leader Anas Sarwar said a government he leads would back the link ?once and for all?

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Scottish politics today: Joani Reid insists 'I have never been to China' as h...
4 Mar 2026 at 5:00pm
The Daily Record brings you its daily 5pm briefing of the top stories in Scottish politics.

SNP Holyrood candidate Sally Donald quits amid benefits allegations
4 Mar 2026 at 3:51pm
Donald stood down amid questions about her claims on the public purse.

Anas Sarwar backs Labour over 'irregularities' claim in selection of Holyrood...
4 Mar 2026 at 3:02pm
The Scottish Labour leader said he had not seen any "legitimate claims" of "wrongdoing" over the selection of Irshad Ahmad.

Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid 'not part of China spying investigation' after ...
4 Mar 2026 at 2:37pm
Reid was first elected at the 2024 general election and is the granddaughter of the late trade unionist Jimmy Reid.

Husband of Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid arrested in China spying investigation
4 Mar 2026 at 2:25pm
Police Scotland carried out a search of a property in East Kilbride on behalf of counter-terrorism cops as part of a spying probe.

John Swinney insists Queen Elizabeth University Hospital is safe despite canc...
4 Mar 2026 at 1:04pm
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde previously admitted a number of rooms in a ward had been closed ?in line with agreed recognised processes?.

Boost for Anas Sarwar as Scottish Labour climbs in poll after calling for Kei...
4 Mar 2026 at 12:15pm
Support for Labour is on the rise in the latest survey of Scots' voting intentions.

SNP candidate who joked about joining the 'gravy bus' investigated over benef...
4 Mar 2026 at 9:29am
Sally Donald faces a probe from Social Security Scotland after a complaint was raised about her eligibility to receive the Adult Disability Payment.

Gordon Brown 'helped save' Keir Starmer after Anas Sarwar called for PM to quit
4 Mar 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: The former Labour PM used his influence to support Starmer as he faced calls to quit.

Scottish politics today: Kate Forbes has 'confidence' in Ferguson Marine to b...
3 Mar 2026 at 5:00pm
The Daily Record brings you its daily 5pm briefing of the top stories in Scottish politics.

The National

The National | Politics

Supporting Iranian citizens while opposing war is not a contradiction
4 Mar 2026 at 6:30pm

JAMES Murphy (Letters, Mar 3) asks when parts of the British left lost the ability to recognise a brutal regime when it is staring them in the face. The short answer is: they didn?t.

Labour say 'abuse' means visas must be paused. But are they telling the truth?
4 Mar 2026 at 6:08pm

Shabana Mahmood's claim visas must be paused amid asylum 'abuse', fact checked

US attacks on Iran are 'part of Donald Trump's anti-China campaign', expert says
4 Mar 2026 at 4:58pm

The US-Israeli war on Iran must be seen as part of Donald Trump?s broader battle for supremacy over China, an expert has said

Revealed: Scotland's highest MSP expense claimants of 2025/2026 so far
4 Mar 2026 at 5:00pm

I?M always excited to hear it?s MSP expenses reveal day ? you simply never know what you?re going to find ...

Would more drilling in the North Sea lower energy bills amid Middle East crisis?
4 Mar 2026 at 4:42pm

Calls are being made for more drilling, but what would it achieve?

Scottish Greens co-leaders to speak at independence rally next month
4 Mar 2026 at 4:16pm

THE Scottish Greens co-leaders will address an independence rally alongside the First Minister five weeks before the Scottish Parliament elections

Pete Hegseth pledges 'death and destruction all day long' in Iran as death to...
4 Mar 2026 at 3:52pm

THE US Secretary of War has promised "death and destruction all day long" as Iran's death toll reportedly reached more than a thousand.

Hague Group measures against Israel to be weighed up by 40 countries
4 Mar 2026 at 3:46pm

A GROUP of 40 countries are considering a package of measures to hold Israel accountable for its genocide in Gaza.

SNP Holyrood candidate stands down after allegations over benefits
4 Mar 2026 at 3:42pm

AN SNP candidate for the Holyrood election is standing down after allegations about her eligibility for disability payments ...

Rachel Reeves is blowing the Labour trumpet, but who is she kidding?
4 Mar 2026 at 3:00pm

ROTTEN Rachel delivered her Spring Statement, blowing a large trumpet telling all and sundry how great she was doing and that good times would be coming. She must think we are all numpties!

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Husband of Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid arrested on China spy claims
4 Mar 2026 at 5:00pm
Counter-terrorism police arrest three under the National Security Act

SNP candidate steps down amid investigation into benefit claim
4 Mar 2026 at 4:00pm
Sally Donald is reportedly facing a probe by Social Security Scotland?regarding?alleged fraud

?No place in Scotland? for live facial recognition, charity warns police force
4 Mar 2026 at 3:44pm
Amnesty International has warned that implementing the technology would show an ?alarming disregard for fundamental human rights?

SNP maintains lead but Labour beats Reform in new poll
4 Mar 2026 at 1:24pm
But four in ten voters say they might change their mind

Public health approach to online harm needed to protect children, expert says
4 Mar 2026 at 10:00am
Scottish ministers urged to use their powers relating to education, justice and health to help ?secure a safe digital world?

Local Authorities Guide: Dumfries and Galloway Council
4 Mar 2026 at 6:00am
Council leader Stephen Thompson answers questions about local authority

Four ferry building contracts to be awarded to Ferguson Marine shipyard
3 Mar 2026 at 3:36pm
Ministers hope this will help the yard return to the private sector in the future

John Swinney: US and Israel actions on Iran ?do not suggest? adherence to int...
2 Mar 2026 at 11:00pm
The first minister said he is ?deeply concerned? at the escalation of the conflict in the region, following ?pre-emptive? strikes carried out by the US and Israel on Iran on Saturday morning

Situation in Middle East ?deeply concerning?, says Angus Robertson
1 Mar 2026 at 11:00pm
The external affairs minister said the Scottish Government has been in contact with the UK Government and is being updated on the situation as the conflict in the Middle East has escalated over the weekend

?Hold your nose? and vote Labour, Anas Sarwar says
27 Feb 2026 at 3:28pm
The Scottish Labour leader made an appeal to would-be Reform and independence voters

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

Scotland becomes first UK country to legalise water cremations
2 Mar 2026 at 3:24pm
Hydrolysis uses alkaline and water to break down body in a few hours and is part of demand for more sustainable funeralsScotland has become the first part of the UK to legalise hydrolysis, an environmentally friendly alternative to cremation or burial, reflecting increasing demand for more sustai...

PM vows to ?keep fighting? after Greens sweep past Labour and Reform to win b...
27 Feb 2026 at 5:57pm
This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story here:Report: Labour MPs demand Starmer change directionAnalysis: clock is ticking for StarmerProfile: who is Hannah Spencer, new Green MP?Reform activists are ?hearing Matt Goodwin has all but conceded defeat to the Greens?, the UK poll agg...

Sarwar gambles on break with Starmer as Labour support slumps
26 Feb 2026 at 10:03am
Scottish Labour leader hopes distancing himself from PM will shift focus to SNP?s record, but voters remain unconvinced?People look at Holyrood and think: ?Lets give them all a bloody nose?,? says Alex, a betting shop manager. Speaking in a focus group of people who voted Labour at the 2024 gener...

Foreign Office denies minister?s claim the Chagos Islands deal has been pause...
25 Feb 2026 at 5:30pm
This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story hereThe Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has published figures showing that local authorities in England dealt with 1.26m flytipping incidents in 2024/25 ? 9% increase on the previous year.And there was an 11% increase in ...

Role of Scotland?s top law officer questioned after ?bombshell? over Peter Mu...
25 Feb 2026 at 2:52pm
Lord advocate Dorothy Bain informed first minister of embezzlement charges against former SNP chief executive a year before they were made publicSerious doubts have been raised about the dual role of Scotland?s top law officer after it emerged that the first minister was informed of criminal char...

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

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

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

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

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

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

The BBC?s odd indy poll, more polls, and BBC Scotland?s double standards
4 Mar 2026 at 3:38pm
There are some very odd things going on with the BBC’s Savanta poll on Scottish independence. An analysis of the polling data by Independent Voices, @indyvoices.bsky.social on BlueSky, also pointed out by the regular poster Statgeek in the comments section of this blog, notes that the poll reports a peculiarly high percentage of those who …

Humiliation for BBC Scotland as its own poll shows a Yes majority
3 Mar 2026 at 3:26pm
BBC Scotland has done one of its pre-election polls to tell us what Scotland “really thinks” as we go into the Scottish election in nine weeks time. On Tuesday, BBC Scotland unveiled its findings on the crucial question of independence. Despite the BBC’s very own poll finding that support for independence is in the majority, …

Reform?s election denial is a cancer on democracy
3 Mar 2026 at 11:47am
Nigel Farage is not taking the electoral humiliation dished out to by the voters of Gorton and Denton at all well. Farage lied multiple times at his press conference on the Monday after the vote which saw his hand picked candidate trounced by the Greens. Farage claimed that no-one who voted Green in Gorton and …

Starmer?s support for Trump?s Epstein war may be the final blow to Labour in ...
1 Mar 2026 at 11:50am
America has gone to war in the Middle East at the behest of Netanyahu again, when Trump attacked Iran in June last year and assured us that Iran’s nuclear weapons programme had been completely destroyed it hadn’t really been completely destroyed at all. Trump lied. I’m shocked I tell you, shocked. I’m no fan of …

Goodwin ? Bad Loser, lessons from Gorton & Denton for Scotland
27 Feb 2026 at 2:23pm
Imagine being called Goodwin but being such a bad loser. This week’s by-election in Gorton and Denton in Manchester was initially portrayed in the British media as being a contest between Labour and Reform UK, with the expectation that Reform UK would coast to an easy victory. In recent days as the Greens pulled ahead …

57% support for independence in the most recent poll
26 Feb 2026 at 1:50pm
There has been another poll on voting intention in a Scottish independence referendum. The poll from Stonehaven polling for The Times newspaper which I reported on yesterday also included a question on independence. This poll had fantastic news for the SNP, reporting that an SNP majority is possible. It also has fantastic news for the …

Second poll in a month puts the SNP on track for a majority in Holyrood
25 Feb 2026 at 2:10pm
  In this bin-fire of a UK it’s nice to be able to report a glimmer of hope for a change. For the second time within a month, an opinion poll has put the level of support for the SNP at a level which would allow it to win an outright majority in its own …

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

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

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

The Courier

[CaRP] Can't open remote newsfeed [403].
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

US State makes the case for Scotland?s nuclear-free renewables strategy unans...
4 Mar 2026 at 4:26pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON From the Tennessee Lookout, yesterday, a tragic account of one US states horrific experience of coal-fired power generation and an awareness that nuclear is not the answer to its needs: Tennesse...

Sturgeon and Clinton ? does being a woman any woman trump (sic) her war crime...
4 Mar 2026 at 4:24pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON In the Herald, yesterday: Nicola Sturgeon has praised former US presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton as a ?class act? and said the world would have been better if she had defeated Donald Trump. ...

As the deal is done to buy Ardrossan harbour, how these Tory ministers sold i...
4 Mar 2026 at 4:22pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON From STV yesterday: Negotiations to bring Ardrossan Harbour into public ownership have been completed, the Transport Secretary has said.The facility is currently owned by Peel Ports, but has bee...

UK unemployment to worsen from 40% higher than in Scotland but Scotland?s far...
4 Mar 2026 at 4:21pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON The Guardian today, has: Unemployment set to hit 5.3% this year amid ?worrying? rise in young jobless. OBR raises forecast from 4.9% and downgrades UK?s growth prospects for 2026 ? while also wa...

Despite 1 320 more referrals, Scotland?s Child and Adolescent Mental Health S...
3 Mar 2026 at 10:32pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON The Child, adolescent, and psychological therapies national dataset (CAPTND) Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Report published today, does not cover waiting times targets, so I used t...

Major reduction in hospital delayed discharge times
3 Mar 2026 at 10:31pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON From Delayed discharges in NHS Scotland monthly Figures for January 2026 published yesterday: The average (median) length of delay for people delayed at the January 2026 census was 23 days. This...

Psychological therapies ? 82.1% of people started treatment within 18 weeks o...
3 Mar 2026 at 10:29pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON From Psychological therapies waiting times Quarter ending December 2025, published yesterday, the above and: 82.1% of people started treatment within 18 weeks of referral, which is an increase f...

NHS Scotland ready to do 97% of more than 25 000 ops every month despite stea...
3 Mar 2026 at 10:28pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON From Cancelled planned operations Month ending 31 January 2026 published yesterday, the above, and: There were 25,766 operations planned to take place across NHS Scotland. This is 7.7% higher (+...

Short video ? Why NHS Scotland Emergency departments are not just a wee bit b...
3 Mar 2026 at 6:59pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON Facts – https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/03/03/in-january-2026-nhs-scotlands-type-1-emergency-departments-treated-an-extra-21-000-patients-within-4-hours-30-more-than-nhs-england-would-have...

Bitter thegither? Another plague courtesy of brutal gangs from England into s...
3 Mar 2026 at 4:48pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON From BBC Tayside and Central today, the above and: Police Scotland has targeted a number of suspected brothels across Stirling and Falkirk as part of a national strategy to address prostitution ...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

SNP maintain polling lead in Scotland but four in ten say they may change the...
4 Mar 2026 at 10:16am
SNP maintain polling lead in Scotland but four in ten say they may change their minds  Ipsos

Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland - BBC
2 Mar 2026 at 11:02pm
Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland  BBC

Scottish Greens co-leaders to speak at independence rally next month - TheNat...
4 Mar 2026 at 4:36pm
Scottish Greens co-leaders to speak at independence rally next month  TheNational.scot

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

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

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

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

Swinney sets out latest plan for an independence referendum - BBC
4 Sep 2025 at 8:00am
Swinney sets out latest plan for an independence referendum  BBC

Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland - AOL.com
2 Mar 2026 at 11:43pm
Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland  AOL.com

Reform falls behind Labour in Scottish Parliament election, poll shows - STV ...
4 Mar 2026 at 3:38pm
Reform falls behind Labour in Scottish Parliament election, poll shows  STV News

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

Exclusive: SNP Holyrood candidate investigated over benefits claims - The Sco...
4 Mar 2026 at 6:00am
Exclusive: SNP Holyrood candidate investigated over benefits claims  The Scotsman

SNP candidate stands down after benefits fraud claim - BBC
4 Mar 2026 at 5:18pm
SNP candidate stands down after benefits fraud claim  BBC

SNP maintain polling lead in Scotland but four in ten say they may change the...
4 Mar 2026 at 10:16am
SNP maintain polling lead in Scotland but four in ten say they may change their minds  Ipsos

Concerns raised in party as election candidate steps down amid benefit probe ...
4 Mar 2026 at 5:02pm
Concerns raised in party as election candidate steps down amid benefit probe  The Herald

SNP candidate steps down amid investigation into benefit claim - Holyrood Web...
4 Mar 2026 at 4:15pm
SNP candidate steps down amid investigation into benefit claim  Holyrood Website

Linux Preps IBPB-On-Entry Feature For AMD SEV-SNP Guest VMs - Phoronix
4 Mar 2026 at 1:25pm
Linux Preps IBPB-On-Entry Feature For AMD SEV-SNP Guest VMs  Phoronix

SNP candidate investigated for benefits fraud over autism claims - The Telegraph
4 Mar 2026 at 4:34pm
SNP candidate investigated for benefits fraud over autism claims  The Telegraph

SNP MP Urges Waitrose to Rethink ?Misguided? Mackerel Boycott - The Fishing D...
4 Mar 2026 at 1:00pm
SNP MP Urges Waitrose to Rethink ?Misguided? Mackerel Boycott  The Fishing Daily

SNP Holyrood candidate stands down after allegations over benefits - TheNatio...
4 Mar 2026 at 3:47pm
SNP Holyrood candidate stands down after allegations over benefits  TheNational.scot

Sally Donald quits as SNP candidate over alleged benefit fraud - The Times
4 Mar 2026 at 8:30pm
Sally Donald quits as SNP candidate over alleged benefit fraud  The Times

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland - BBC
2 Mar 2026 at 11:02pm
Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland  BBC

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

Swinney sets out latest plan for an independence referendum - BBC
4 Sep 2025 at 8:00am
Swinney sets out latest plan for an independence referendum  BBC

Report: 'Scotland needs mechanism to trigger independence referendum' - The H...
27 Feb 2026 at 7:41am
Report: 'Scotland needs mechanism to trigger independence referendum'  The Herald

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

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

Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland - AOL.com
2 Mar 2026 at 11:43pm
Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland  AOL.com

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

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

legal mechanism for triggering an independence referendum ? The NEN - North E...
27 Feb 2026 at 2:00pm
legal mechanism for triggering an independence referendum ? The NEN  North Edinburgh News