The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Lord Advocate 'wasn't aware' she told Swinney about Murrell case last year
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
25 Feb 2026 at 7:09pm
Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain has said she was 'not aware' John Swinney had details of Peter Murrell's legal case almost a year ago.


SNP budget officially approved by MSPs after pubs deal with Lib Dems
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
25 Feb 2026 at 6:51pm
Alex Cole-Hamilton?s party backed the government after securing a £300 million funding package for Scotland's pubs.


'This stinks': MacAskill says threats to Salmond show Sturgeon probe was 'cov...
25 Feb 2026 at 5:30pm
Kenny MacAskill has said an ethics inquiry into Nicola Sturgeon was a "cover up" after files were published which revealed Alex Salmond feared prosecution if he presented key evidence to it.


Alba Party accounts revealed amid claims Alex Salmond left party in 'black hole'
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
25 Feb 2026 at 4:00pm
A senior party source has revealed the Alba Party accounts for 2024 amid claims Alex Salmond left the party in a deficit.


Douglas Ross suspended from Scottish Parliament after presiding officer row
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
25 Feb 2026 at 2:13pm
Douglas Ross has been suspended from the Scottish Parliament for a day after refusing to leave the chamber after being asked to do so by the presiding officer


Support for SNP among Scottish Christians 'collapsing' ahead of Holyrood elec...
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
25 Feb 2026 at 2:20pm
Growing numbers of Christian Scots are ?politically homeless? ?  with 42% reporting they were unsure who to vote for in the next Holyrood election. 


Energy Secretary urges Westminster to scrap windfall tax for North Sea oil firms
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
25 Feb 2026 at 1:41pm
The Scottish Government minister wrote to her energy counterpart Ed Milliband and Chancellor Rachel Reeves to ask them to scrap the tax.


'Huge victory for girls': Survivors force ministers to order grooming gang in...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
25 Feb 2026 at 1:27pm
The Scottish Government has announced a statutory public inquiry into group-based child sexual abuse, led by Professor Alexis Jay. After months of hesitation, ministers say urgency and survivor testimony have forced a decisive shift.


Revealed: Scottish economy performed better than UK
by ian.mcconnell@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Ian McConnell
25 Feb 2026 at 1:15pm
The economy in Scotland outperformed the UK as a whole, the GDP figures reveal today


Seventh Aberdeenshire councillor defects to Farage's party over 'child poverty'
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
25 Feb 2026 at 12:59pm
Alan Simpson Buchan, who previously sat as an independent, announced he had joined the right-wing party, STV News reports.


Scotland?s benefits bill surges as watchdog warns of hard choices for next go...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
25 Feb 2026 at 12:18pm
Scotland?s benefits spending has risen nearly four times faster than the rest of the budget, the Scottish Fiscal Commission has warned, raising fresh questions ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election about tax, public sector pay, and how ministers will fund climate and child poverty pledges.


Salmond feared prosecution if he shared evidence with Hamilton probe into Stu...
25 Feb 2026 at 12:02pm
Former First Minister Alex Salmond feared he and his lawyers would be prosecuted if they disclosed key evidence to the Hamilton inquiry into Nicola Sturgeon, newly released files reveal.


Maternity Services: Do they deliver? All stories from our latest investigation
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
25 Feb 2026 at 12:00pm
The Herald launches a four-day investigation into Scotland?s maternity services, examining safety, staffing pressures and access to care nationwide.


'We are the canary in the coalmine': Campaigners warning over centralised car...
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
25 Feb 2026 at 11:00am
Campaigners have warned that maternity provision in one of Scotland?s most remote communities is placing women at risk as a retired GP claims the area's service model could spread elsewhere.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Consultation on Edinburgh schools mobile phone ban sees more responses than t...
25 Feb 2026 at 5:16pm

Edinburgh council's consultation on banning mobile phones in schools has produced more responses than the recent consultation on the city's proposed North-South tramline.

Education secretary Jenny Gilruth said lives have been ruined by child sexual abuse in Scotland

Douglas Ross has been suspended for a day after refusing to leave the chamber on the presiding officer?s orders.

Visitors coming to Scotland from places like Europe, Australia, Canada and the US will be affected by the changes.

Shetland Isles Council convener owed HMRC when business went into liquidation

The first MRP poll predicts the SNP will win 67 seats, and Scottish Labour support is collapsing.

Alexandra Depledge, who advises Chancellor Rachel Reeves on entrepreneurship, says the smart money is in fast growing tech scale-ups

Wings over Scotland

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Stitch In Timing
5 Feb 2026 at 4:09pm
Readers will probably be aware that literally as you read this, the Scottish Government is in court trying to defend its policy of letting male murderers be housed in women’s prisons by arguing that the Equality Act 2010 (as ruled on by the Supreme Court in the For Women Scotland case) is incompatible with the …

The Marshalling Plan
2 Feb 2026 at 1:25pm
Another month has passed, so we suppose it must be time for the third of our polling-analysis pieces for the Scottish Parliament election in May. (Last time round we assessed the grotesque rank idiocy of voting SNP on the list if you want a pro-indy majority, and the time before that we considered the possible …

Shield Of The Phantom
26 Jan 2026 at 1:02pm
Well, we gave it a go. It seems that it’s fine to farm important judgments out to mysterious shadowy figures who just make important chunks of them up out of thin air, and then issue them in your own name. Back in your boxes, plebs.

Craig Murray

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

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

Rival Demonstrations in Caracas

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

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

Two Little Caracas Videos

Postpone The Celebrations
14 Feb 2026 at 7:46am

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

Postpone The Celebrations

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

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

Is The USA Controlling Venezuela

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

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

Filton Acquittals Demolish Starmer and Cooper Lies About Palestine Action

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

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

Trump, Pirate of the Caribbean

BBC Scotland

Scottish government orders public inquiry into grooming gangs
25 Feb 2026 at 5:02pm
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth says the government will "act decisively" to protect children from harm.

Scottish Budget passed after Greens and Lib Dems lend support
25 Feb 2026 at 8:08pm
Shona Robison's spending plans for the next year were approved by the Scottish Parliament.

Will walk-in GP clinics deliver one million extra appointments?
25 Feb 2026 at 6:18am
The first of 16 new walk-in clinics across Scotland is now open but it is not clear when a target of them delivering one million appointments will be hit.

Ross banned from Holyrood chamber after refusing to leave
25 Feb 2026 at 3:05pm
The presiding officer called in security in a bid to remove the Tory MSP after he questioned her impartiality.

Why did the lord advocate brief Swinney on Murrell charge?
25 Feb 2026 at 6:48am
It was the most politically sensitive out of 30 cases that the Crown Office has informed first ministers about over the last 22 years.

Scotland's plan to install heat pumps 'too slow' - climate advisers
25 Feb 2026 at 6:29am
Independent climate change advisors say the Scottish government needs to ramp up the rollout of heat pumps immediately.

Top law officer told Swinney of Murrell charge nearly a year ago
24 Feb 2026 at 9:28pm
Documents show the lord advocate first informed John Swinney that Peter Murrell had been charged with embezzlement in March.

Sturgeon accused Salmond of 'revenge mission' against her government
24 Feb 2026 at 6:04pm
Sturgeon made the remark during an interview when she was being investigated over claims she misled parliament.

Domestic abuse and indecent messages on the rise in Scotland
24 Feb 2026 at 1:49pm
Crimes reported to police in Scotland rose by 3% between 2024 and 2025, according to new government data.

MSPs reject plan to allow voters to remove them
24 Feb 2026 at 7:29pm
The legislation was voted down by the SNP and the Greens, while the Scottish Conservatives abstained.

Scotland's attainment gap wider than before the pandemic
24 Feb 2026 at 5:12pm
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said the government had already invested £1.75bn but admitted that the new data showed there was more to do.

'Ukraine will always be home - but Scotland is now home too'
24 Feb 2026 at 6:16am
After moving because of the war, Ukrainian students describe how Scotland became their second home.

Scot Goes Pop

Analysis of the MRP mega-poll suggesting the SNP are on course for a single-p...
25 Feb 2026 at 5:31pm
So a couple of 'quick notes' for you today, because I have two new articles on The National's website.  First up is the constituency profile of Aberdeen Donside, which you can read HERE.  I've also...

Another week, another TOTAL WIPEOUT FOR LABOUR IN SCOTLAND signalled by YouGo...
25 Feb 2026 at 3:20am
 The second in my series of Holyrood constituency profiles for The National is Aberdeen Deeside & North Kincardine, and it can be read HERE.

Introducing your daily constituency profiles for the 2026 Scottish Parliament...
24 Feb 2026 at 2:38am
Later in this video I also make an offer to Sara Salyers of a video debate, given that she and her supporters suddenly seem to have such an almighty bee in their bonnet about me.  But I strongly su...

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

Typical Alba: They can't even abolish themselves without it turning into a to...
22 Feb 2026 at 7:40am

The Alba Party's final betrayal of its own members: having justified a DOUBLI...
21 Feb 2026 at 1:23pm
This is the email Kenny MacAskill has just sent to Alba members, who yet again have been made total mugs of by a self-appointed and self-serving party elite - "Dear friendLet me, firstly, thank you...

The SETTLED WILL KLAXON is sounding across Scotland this morning as yet ANOTH...
21 Feb 2026 at 4:56am

Drama as yet more details of the rigged 2023 Alba NEC election emerge: key Sa...
19 Feb 2026 at 6:27am
p>

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Lord Advocate faces accusations of ?misleading? Holyrood with Murrell memos
25 Feb 2026 at 8:17pm
Dorothy Bain KC answered questions from MSPs about a memo sent in March 2025 to John Swinney regarding an embezzlement charge facing Peter Murrell.

Robison urges her successor to be ?bold and ambitious? as Holyrood backs Budget
25 Feb 2026 at 7:24pm
The Scottish Budget for 2026-27 was passed by the Scottish Parliament

Scottish Government announces grooming gangs inquiry
25 Feb 2026 at 3:52pm
Professor Alexis Jay who wrote the damning report that revealed mass abuse in Rotherham will lead the investigation

Tory MSP Douglas Ross barred from chamber after clash with Presiding Officer
25 Feb 2026 at 2:40pm
Alison Johnstone ordered him to leave after he questioned her impartiality

Peter Mandelson complains to journalists about news coverage of his arrest
25 Feb 2026 at 1:17pm
A spokesperson said the former Labour spin doctor's arrest 'was prompted by a baseless suggestion that he was planning to leave the country'.

Speaker says he gave information to police about Lord Mandelson ahead of arrest
25 Feb 2026 at 12:11pm
The Times reported that Hoyle told officers he had been informed Mandelson was allegedly planning to flee Britain for the British Virgin Islands.

Scottish Government looks set to announce grooming gangs inquiry
25 Feb 2026 at 11:56am
The SNP has faced pressure from victims and opposition parties for months

Keir Starmer to face first PMQs since Mandelson arrest
25 Feb 2026 at 11:48am
The Prime Minister has faced criticism over his decision to appoint Mandelson as US ambassador

MSPs to back Holyrood Budget that Shona Robison says will ?make lives better?
25 Feb 2026 at 7:04am
She spoke out ahead of the final vote on Holyrood?s Budget on Wednesday evening

First Minister was told of Peter Murrell?s SNP embezzlement charge nearly a y...
24 Feb 2026 at 4:51pm
Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband is accused of embezzling £460,000 from the SNP

Scottish Government releases thousands of Nicola Sturgeon inquiry files
24 Feb 2026 at 3:54pm
The SNP Government had missed two deadlines to release files from an ethics investigation

Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ to be regulated by Ofcom in UK
24 Feb 2026 at 1:12pm
The biggest streaming services will be brought under ?enhanced regulation? by the watchdog

Scottish Government rejects Flamingo Land plans for Loch Lomond
24 Feb 2026 at 11:25am
The long-running saga has seen the controversial proposals scrapped and revived

Martin Lewis apologises to Kemi Badenoch for ?gate crashing? GMB interview
24 Feb 2026 at 9:00am
Badenoch said she loves a ?feisty debate? and is looking forward to seeing Lewis again soon

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

The surge of Reform and the Greens is an existential crisis for Labour
25 Feb 2026 at 4:52pm
Regardless of the result in the Gorton and Denton by-election, the currents of UK politics spell trouble for Labour.

Grooming gang victim's mum welcomes public inquiry on 'incredibly emotional day'
25 Feb 2026 at 4:06pm
EXCLUSIVE: The mother of "Taylor" said the inquiry announced by the SNP Government must "mean more than words" and "uncover the truth".

Tory MSP Douglas Ross barred from chamber after clash with Presiding Officer
25 Feb 2026 at 3:55pm
The former Tory leader has clashed several time with Alison Johnstone in recent months.

John Swinney claims Alex Salmond files 'speak for themselves'
25 Feb 2026 at 3:01pm
The SNP Government dumped 5,000 heavily redacted documents on its website following a court ruling.

John Swinney defends Lord Advocate over Peter Murrell court briefing
25 Feb 2026 at 2:54pm
Swinney had already faced questions from opposition leaders at Holyrood after it emerged Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain had briefed him on the matter in January this year.

Grooming gangs public inquiry announced for Scotland by SNP Government
25 Feb 2026 at 1:24pm
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth confirmed the probe during a statement at the Scottish Parliament.

John Swinney warned World Cup bank holiday 'gimmick' would not guarantee time...
25 Feb 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: A briefing paper prepared for SNP ministers pointed to the example of St Andrews Day as a bank holiday already widely ignored.

The 'Salmond files' lay bare the most toxic feud in Scottish political history
24 Feb 2026 at 5:00pm
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says the publication of thousands of pages underlines the need for the SNP to move on from the Sturgeon-Salmond wars.

Alex Salmond claimed Nicola Sturgeon was 'calm and collected' during bombshel...
24 Feb 2026 at 4:41pm
In an interview only now published, the former first minister describes his shock after the SNP Government refused a mediation process after complaints were levelled against him by civil servants.

Nicola Sturgeon says Alex Salmond warned of 'floodgates' opening after claims...
24 Feb 2026 at 3:38pm
The so-called "Salmond files" include Sturgeon talking about her deep unease at the allegations levelled against Alex Salmond by women.

The National

The National | Politics

Scottish Budget passes Holyrood vote as Scottish Labour and Greens abstain
25 Feb 2026 at 7:00pm

HOLYROOD has voted to pass the Scottish Government?s Budget.

Lord Advocate says she forgot about 2025 Peter Murrell memo to First Minister
25 Feb 2026 at 6:56pm

SCOTLAND?S most senior law officer has said she did not remember sending the First Minister details of the charges against former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell ...

Why the Scottish Government bonds plan will lose us £175 million
25 Feb 2026 at 6:40pm

By issuing wholesale rather than retail bonds, the Scottish Government has decided to strip around £175 million from the Scottish economy ...

Alba members are very clear ? we must not let our party fold
25 Feb 2026 at 6:30pm

IT is shortly after 9.15pm and I have just returned from a meeting of Fife Local Alba Campaign Unit. This was supposed to be the AGM, but because of recent events it was transposed into a ?What?s next?? discussion session.

Bizarre 'Englishman's castle' policy aims to repeal Scottish legislation
25 Feb 2026 at 5:51pm

FAILED Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe has launched yet another bizarre policy paper for his obscure Restore Britain venture.

LibDem accuses Scottish Tory of switching to Reform UK with colourful jibe
25 Feb 2026 at 5:45pm

A SCOTTISH Liberal Democrat councillor has apologised after accusing a Conservative councillor of potentially switching to Reform UK because of the colour of his tie

UK Government can appeal against decision that Palestine Action ban was unlawful
25 Feb 2026 at 5:14pm

THE Home Office will be allowed to challenge the High Court?s ruling that the decision to ban Palestine Action was unlawful

Aberdeen-based firm 'must rule out joining new Israeli bid for Palestinian gas'
25 Feb 2026 at 5:00pm

A SCOTTISH-BASED firm has been urged to rule out joining a potential new Israeli bid to extract gas from Palestinian waters ...

Why have the Greens made an advert in Urdu for Gorton and Denton by-election?
25 Feb 2026 at 4:46pm

THE Green Party have released by-election material in Urdu and Bangla ? sending their opponents in Reform UK and Labour into a spin.

Flamingo Land has been rejected. But locals say Balloch still needs change
25 Feb 2026 at 4:34pm

The Scottish Government have rejected plans for a Flamingo Land holiday park. But how do locals feel? We went to Balloch to find out

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Grooming gangs inquiry to be launched in Scotland, government announces
25 Feb 2026 at 3:52pm
The probe will be led by child sex abuse expert Prof Alexis Jay

SNP on track for majority thanks to tactical voting, according to new polling
25 Feb 2026 at 1:00pm
The first MRP poll for the Holyrood election found that a collapse in support for Scottish Labour

Douglas Ross apologises to presiding officer over ?bias? row
25 Feb 2026 at 12:43pm
This is not the first time Ross and Johnstone have disagreed in the chamber

Local Authorities Guide: Angus Council
25 Feb 2026 at 10:38am
Council leader George Meechan answers questions about the local authority

Unlocking Scotland?s offshore wind potential
25 Feb 2026 at 6:00am
The Highlands and Islands will be right at the heart of this national energy transition and efforts to achieve Scotland?s ambition for up to 40GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040. The task may be daunting, but opportunities like this come once in a lifet

Jenni Minto: I understand why some women have felt dismissed
25 Feb 2026 at 5:00am
The Scottish Government?s Women?s Health Plan can help right systemic wrongs, minister says

Long-term climate targets still at ?significant risk?
25 Feb 2026 at 1:00am
The Climate Change Committee has raised concern about the lack of a home heating plan and the reliance on new emission-reducing technologies

Lord Advocate gave John Swinney information on Peter Murrell case 10 months a...
24 Feb 2026 at 4:25pm
Bain wrote to Swinney in March 2025, telling him that Murrell had been charged with embezzling around ?460,000 from the SNP between 2010 and 2023

Scottish Government releases Salmond files
24 Feb 2026 at 3:53pm
Thousands of pages spanning 18 batches are now available

Reddit hit with ?14.5m fine over children's privacy failures
24 Feb 2026 at 2:47pm
The social media platform said it intended to appeal the decision from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

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...

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 ...

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

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

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

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

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

Scottish Labour leader says he doesn?t regret calling for Starmer to quit ? U...
13 Feb 2026 at 4:30pm
Anas Sarwar said that he stood by what he said when he announced on Monday that he wanted the prime minister to stand downThe Equality and Human Rights Commission has welcomed a high court ruling defending the interim guidance it issued to organisations about the implications of the supreme court...

Jeane Freeman obituary
12 Feb 2026 at 5:57pm
SNP politician who served as Scottish health secretary and led the government?s response to the covid pandemicJeane Freeman, who has died aged 72, held two critical roles in the SNP government at Holyrood, leading the Scottish government?s response to the Covid pandemic alongside Nicola Sturgeon ...

Anas Sarwar says Starmer can campaign in Scotland after calling for him to quit
11 Feb 2026 at 5:59pm
Scottish Labour leader agrees PM can support party?s effort to win May?s Holyrood election in abrupt about-faceThe Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, has agreed that Keir Starmer can campaign for the party in the Holyrood elections just days after calling for the prime minister to resign.In a m...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

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 …

New polling and Reform may have peaked
21 Feb 2026 at 1:47pm
I’ve been blogging a lot this week, which is what happens when there’s nothing on the telly except the Winter Olympics. All power to those who enjoy that sort of thing, but watching people sliding down a mountain in the snow with two planks strapped to their feet leaves me cold, pun intended. So my …

Labour Together: the authoritarian right wing rot at the heart of Starmer?s p...
20 Feb 2026 at 1:09pm
Having had personal encounters with people on the right of the Labour party the left wing comedian and Corbyn supporter Alexei Sayle said: “The right of the Labour Party are some of the most fucking horrible, vile, gruesome people. I’ve never met such awful people as those on the right of the Labour Party.” After …

Yes United and Independence Forum Scotland : Putting the band back together
19 Feb 2026 at 8:45pm
Please note that tickets for the daytime conference are now sold out, but tickets are still available for the evening event. Frustration at the lack of progress to secure better lives for current and future generations of Scots has raised the number of independence campaign groups working outside party politics. Campaigns focus on all sectors …

Corruption Westminster style
19 Feb 2026 at 1:16pm
The biggest news story today is one we can only talk around, not directly about. The King’s brother, the allegedly sweat free Andrew, will be sweating buckets today, after being arrested and taken into custody by Thames Valley Police on charges of misconduct in public office. This is a serious offence, and if found guilty …

The choice facing Scotland is independence or fascism.
18 Feb 2026 at 5:13pm
A major new poll was published on Wednesday which confirms other recent polls in showing that Scots are on track to elect a pro-independence majority to Holyrood in May’s election. Even better, this new poll, carried out by More in Common, shows that the SNP are within striking distance of winning an absolute majority in …

Westminster?s great Scottish energy rip off
17 Feb 2026 at 3:07pm
In news that hasn’t appeared anywhere on BBC Scotland to my shock and surprise, that’s shock and surprise as in “I was shocked and surprised to learn that the Pope believes in god.” A majority of MSPs have backed a campaign calling for an end to rip off energy bills in Scotland. Despite Scotland being …

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

No liberal democracy ANYWHERE has EVER closed the school attainment gap yet i...
25 Feb 2026 at 4:55pm
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 BBC Scotland yesterday bypassed evidence of the attainment gap closing slightly between 2023/2024 and 2024/2015, to shame their own folk, once again with: The attainment gap between Scotland’s r...

NHS Scotland maintains lower bed occupancy than NHS England as called for by ...
25 Feb 2026 at 4:52pm
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 Public Health Scotland, Acute hospital activity and NHS beds information (quarterly) Quarter ending 30 September 2025 published today: There were on average 13,446 available staffed beds pe...

Murder cases fall again to 22% lower than pre-pandemic and well below half th...
25 Feb 2026 at 4:50pm
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 BBC Scotland yesterday respond to the latest crime statistics, with: Crimes reported to police in Scotland rose by 3% last year, according to new government data. The crimes that increased the m...

For 8 years now Scotland?s ?universal and generous? IVF system costs nothing ...
25 Feb 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 IVF waiting times in Scotland Quarter ending 31 December 2025 published yesterday: During the quarter ending 31 December 2025, 313 patients were screened. The 90% standard was met, with all...

NHS Scotland increases diagnostic testing to reduce waiting list by 22 000!
25 Feb 2026 at 4:47pm
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 NHS waiting times – diagnostics Waits for key diagnostic tests published yesterday: The total waiting list size (number of ongoing waits) for the eight key diagnostic tests combined was 123...

Attainment gap narrows and nine out of ten young people in positive destinations
25 Feb 2026 at 9:04am
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 BBC Scotland today manage to pluck a negative out of the latest school leavers figures, with: While the gap between those leavers with one or more qualification at National 5 level reduced sligh...

Quarter of a million languish on an NHS waiting list in England because of le...
25 Feb 2026 at 6:34am
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON From Pubic Health Scotland yesterday: At 31 January 2026, there were an estimated 586,859 individuals on at least one new outpatient, inpatient or day case waiting list. This is equivalent to ar...

NHS Scotland makes ?undeniable progress? with 50% or more, cuts in longer wai...
25 Feb 2026 at 5:56am
Above, the plummeting ongoing waits after 52 weeks in NHS Scotland, for new outpatients and, on the right, for inpatients and day cases. These are dramatic, around 50%, and surely ‘newsworthy’, but: 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 ROBER...

Why we should not get carried away with the latest Times MRP poll predicting ...
25 Feb 2026 at 5:35am
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 As soon as I saw this Times piece above, I’m sorry to say, I immediately had serious reservations. I hope I’m wrong but, straight off, I thought: However, let’s concentrate on the scientific, ob...

NHS Grampian had its first case of measles for 12 years after 80% of Scotlan...
24 Feb 2026 at 6:44pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON From BBC Scotland today: NHS Grampian is urging people to get vaccinated against measles after its first confirmed case of the illness in more than a decade. Measles is a highly contagious disea...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

Major new poll puts SNP on course for all-important majority at May election ...
25 Feb 2026 at 10:25am
Major new poll puts SNP on course for all-important majority at May election  TheNational.scot

'Nonsense' to claim independence would reduce energy bills by a third, says L...
25 Feb 2026 at 10:44am
'Nonsense' to claim independence would reduce energy bills by a third, says Labour minister  The Scotsman

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

'Scottish independence? Yes - but make it egalitarian' - The Herald
21 Feb 2026 at 4:32am
'Scottish independence? Yes - but make it egalitarian'  The Herald

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

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

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

SNP on track for majority thanks to tactical voting, according to new polling...
25 Feb 2026 at 12:30pm
SNP on track for majority thanks to tactical voting, according to new polling  Holyrood Website

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

Poll shows 'independence now there to be won' as SNP on course for majority -...
25 Feb 2026 at 1:48pm
Poll shows 'independence now there to be won' as SNP on course for majority  TheNational.scot

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

John Swinney set to trigger new indy push as 'mega-poll' predicts SNP majorit...
25 Feb 2026 at 12:17pm
John Swinney set to trigger new indy push as 'mega-poll' predicts SNP majority  The Herald

SNP on track for majority thanks to tactical voting, according to new polling...
25 Feb 2026 at 12:30pm
SNP on track for majority thanks to tactical voting, according to new polling  Holyrood Website

Major new poll puts SNP on course for all-important majority at May election ...
25 Feb 2026 at 10:25am
Major new poll puts SNP on course for all-important majority at May election  TheNational.scot

The SNP needs the rich, but it wants to drive them out of Scotland - The Times
25 Feb 2026 at 5:22pm
The SNP needs the rich, but it wants to drive them out of Scotland  The Times

Scottish Nationalists Set for Majority at Election, Poll Shows - Bloomberg.com
25 Feb 2026 at 10:12am
Scottish Nationalists Set for Majority at Election, Poll Shows  Bloomberg.com

AMD Posts Linux Patches For SEV-SNP BTB Isolation - Phoronix
25 Feb 2026 at 1:44am
AMD Posts Linux Patches For SEV-SNP BTB Isolation  Phoronix

Poll: SNP on track for historic Holyrood majority thanks to tactical voting -...
25 Feb 2026 at 8:55am
Poll: SNP on track for historic Holyrood majority thanks to tactical voting  The Scotsman

Scottish Budget passed after Greens and Lib Dems lend support - BBC
25 Feb 2026 at 8:08pm
Scottish Budget passed after Greens and Lib Dems lend support  BBC

Scottish grooming gangs inquiry announced after SNP ?shamed? into U-turn - Th...
25 Feb 2026 at 5:19pm
Scottish grooming gangs inquiry announced after SNP ?shamed? into U-turn  The Scottish Sun

Scottish Budget passes Holyrood vote as Scottish Labour and Greens abstain - ...
25 Feb 2026 at 7:15pm
Scottish Budget passes Holyrood vote as Scottish Labour and Greens abstain  TheNational.scot

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

Major new poll puts SNP on course for all-important majority at May election ...
25 Feb 2026 at 10:25am
Major new poll puts SNP on course for all-important majority at May election  TheNational.scot

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

John Swinney set to trigger new indy push as 'mega-poll' predicts SNP majorit...
25 Feb 2026 at 12:17pm
John Swinney set to trigger new indy push as 'mega-poll' predicts SNP majority  The Herald

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

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

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

Why Alberta?s push for independence pales in comparison to Scotland?s in 2014...
27 May 2025 at 8:00am
Why Alberta?s push for independence pales in comparison to Scotland?s in 2014  The Conversation

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

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

First Minister John Swinney sets out latest plan for independence referendum ...
4 Sep 2025 at 8:00am
First Minister John Swinney sets out latest plan for independence referendum  Sky News