The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Reform candidate ?attacked? while campaigning in Glasgow
2 May 2026 at 8:02am
A Reform politician has allegedly been assaulted while campaigning for the party in Glasgow.


Civil servants warn SNP efficiency cuts will 'undermine' vital public services
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
2 May 2026 at 5:30am
The Scottish Government's planned efficiency job cuts will undermine workers and vital public services, it has been claimed.


New mega-poll predicts SNP majority as Labour fall to fourth behind Reform an...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
2 May 2026 at 5:00am
A final mega-poll ahead of next week's election projects an SNP majority and a Scottish Green surge, while Scottish Labour and the Tories face historic collapses, putting a second independence referendum back on the table.


'Reform appeals to a lot of hardcore unionists who are not fond of Scotland a...
by alison.rowat@theherald.co.uk | Alison Rowat
2 May 2026 at 6:01am
Historian Murray Pittock?s latest work runs to just 205 pages. There's never a dull moment, as you might expect from Scotland's History Boy. He talks to Alison Rowat about Scotland then and now, and how his career got off to a sticky start


Greens in Holyrood pledge to give basic income to care leavers
2 May 2026 at 5:00am
The Scottish Greens have made an electio pledge to roll out a basic income for all care leavers in a bid to ensure young people leaving the care system are given secure and regular financial support.


Why this Highland seat could become one of the most intriguing election battles
2 May 2026 at 6:30am
Kevin McKenna explores why the Inverness and Nairn seat is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing election battles, with voters raising concerns over roads, housing and trust.


'Scandal' or 'gamechanger'? Public divided on civil servants working from home
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
1 May 2026 at 1:30pm
The topic of civil servants working from home has divided the country, with some describing as a scandal and others, gamechanging.


Will this Labour stronghold in Scotland's capital survive the Starmer slide?
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
1 May 2026 at 11:16am
Mr Johnson defeated incumbent SNP MSP Jim Eadie ten years ago, and increased his vote share by 10% five years later. 


Today's Herald cartoon from Steven Camley
1 May 2026 at 10:27am
You can purchase Steven Camley's cartoons by calling 0191 603 0178 or visiting thepicturedesk.co.uk


Sir David Murray says ?main gripe? with Government is ?waste in projects?
by Rachel Kennan
1 May 2026 at 8:17am
Sir David Murray gave a business leader?s perspective ahead of the Holyrood election


??Unspun Election Briefing: Whisky reprieve
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
1 May 2026 at 8:00am
With the Holyrood election under a week away, politicians are fighting over who takes the credit for Donald Trump's whisky reprieve.


John Swinney criticised over taking credit for Trump dropping whisky tariffs
by jody.harrison@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Jody Harrison
1 May 2026 at 7:39am
Politicians traded blows on social media over who should take the plaudits


'Administrative error' falsely recorded six hour wait at SNP's GP walk-in clinic
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
1 May 2026 at 6:00am
The NHS has said an 'administrative error' led to a six hour and 20 minute wait being recorded at Edinburgh's GP walk-in clinic.


Civil servants mock hybrid working policy as average daily attendance revealed
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
1 May 2026 at 5:30am
Civil servants have mocked the Scottish Government's hybrid working policy internally after figures revealed the average daily attendance rates.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Future of GP partnership model in Scotland threatened by 'years of neglect'
2 May 2026 at 6:00am

The Royal College of General Practitioners said partners face ?enormous? pressures

Women members of the Community union said they tried to raise their concerns internally but faced threats of disciplinary action

All you need to know about the Edinburgh North Western constituency

The Scottish Labour leader talked pool and politics on a visit to Reardon?s Southside with The Scotsman.

Mel Stride said the move would see ?undersupply? in supermarkets

Several AI images have been shared online of John Swinney scaling Everest, walking on Mars, and taking Scotland to the football world cup.

Both the UK and Scottish governments are claiming credit after US President Donald Trump announced he would lift tariffs on imports of Scotch whisky.

Wings over Scotland

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Craig Murray

An Inspiring Story
21 Apr 2026 at 7:54am

In 2018, at the height of the economic crisis in Venezuela through crippling sanctions, Kellogg’s announced the overnight closure of their Maracay factory with hundreds of redundancies – and massive knock-on effects in the local community. The workers refused to accept the closure and, with government assistance, restarted the factory. It is still running eight …

An Inspiring Story

Vote for the Alliance to Liberate Scotland
15 Apr 2026 at 12:48pm

It was not my intention to run for election to the Scottish parliament from a hospital bed in Caracas, but sometimes we have to take what life gives us. I went to a clinic a week ago feeling dizzy and was immediately rushed to hospital. My heart rate was fluttering and below 20 bpm. I …

Vote for the Alliance to Liberate Scotland

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

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

The Strait of Hormuz

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

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

The Weight on Delcy Rodriguez

The Caracas Metro
26 Mar 2026 at 6:46am

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

The Caracas Metro

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

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

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

BBC Scotland

Whisky tariffs deal sparks political squabble over who claims credit
1 May 2026 at 4:34pm
Party leaders quickly changed their campaign plans after Donald Trump's announcement on the tariffs deal.

Will 'scunnered' voters decide Scotland's election?
1 May 2026 at 6:20am
Pollsters say there are plenty of undecided voters - but few have a positive view of politicians.

Trump to remove whisky tariffs after King's visit
1 May 2026 at 8:52am
The US president said he would lift restrictions on Scotland's ability to work with the state of Kentucky on whisky and bourbon.

The city caught in the middle of the big energy shift debate
30 Apr 2026 at 1:08am
Is the UK fumbling the shift away from oil and gas jobs?

'Stable marriage' the priority for Scottish Family Party
30 Apr 2026 at 6:01am
The party promotes marriage between heterosexual couples and opposes abortion in all but "very extreme" cases.

Reform's Scottish leader says he owns six houses, six boats and five cars
28 Apr 2026 at 10:30pm
Malcolm Offord was criticised as "entitled" during an STV leaders debate ahead of next week's election.

What did Scottish party leaders do before politics?
29 Apr 2026 at 2:26pm
Reform's Malcolm Offord bought six boats with a fortune made in banking - but other leaders had a life before politics too.

How the changing face of farming is reflected in Scotland's election
29 Apr 2026 at 6:01am
The rural vote is a significant, but often overlooked, constituency in the Scottish Parliament election.

Independence the priority for Alliance to Liberate Scotland
29 Apr 2026 at 6:02am
The party is hoping to maximise the number of pro-independence MSPs returned to Holyrood.

Scotland's population set to fall due to drop in migration
28 Apr 2026 at 1:30pm
The National Records of Scotland said the change is "mainly driven by migration falling from unusually high levels".

What impact do refugees have on housing in Glasgow?
28 Apr 2026 at 6:00am
BBC Verify examines claims made by political leaders about the impact of asylum and migration on housing.

Scotland's population is shifting - could it affect the election outcome?
24 Apr 2026 at 11:08pm
Changing populations mean that Scotland's electoral map has been redrawn - which could influence how parties campaign, and how the election plays out.

Scot Goes Pop

Stonehaven REVELATION as "most accurate pollster" puts the SNP on course for ...
2 May 2026 at 9:11am
To be clear, the bit about "most accurate pollster" is Stonehaven's own self-description, but I always put that in because it upsets our resident unionist troll KC.  It was Stonehaven who, a few mo...

"Stew-pid. Just Stew-pid." The advice that controversial blogger "Stew" wou...
1 May 2026 at 10:14pm
The controversial Somerset-based blogger "Stew" seems to have had a screw loose ever since Kezia Dugdale psychologically damaged him by defeating his vanity libel case - a drubbing that not only br...

Which group of voters did Offord actually intend to impress with his boast ab...
1 May 2026 at 11:19am
Paul Hutcheon's contributions to this campaign have been somewhat less than constructive, but I did think he was absolutely correct when he said that Malcolm Offord's boasts about his wealth were m...

In a democracy, there has to be a route by which the most fundamental changes...
29 Apr 2026 at 9:20am
It's a reminder of just how comprehensively Somerset Stew has moved over to the other side that right in the middle of a Holyrood election campaign, he has approvingly tweeted an article from the p...

The Diffley difference: new poll tilts this election in the SNP's favour - an...
28 Apr 2026 at 11:19pm
Unlike our occasional commenter Declan, I'm not particularly given to punching the air upon seeing an opinion poll, but if I was ever going to do that, yesterday would have been the day.  There wer...

EXCLUSIVE SCOT GOES POP / FIND OUT NOW POLL: By a more than 2-1 majority, the...
27 Apr 2026 at 12:56pm
Labour's UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting was recently asked in an LBC interview whether there would be an independence referendum if the Scottish people vote in favour of holding one at the Scott...

Join me on YouTube at NOON as Wes "they're not having one!" Streeting faces h...
27 Apr 2026 at 10:06am
If you join the waiting zone, the video should automatically start playing when the clock strikes 12 for Streeting's HIGH NOON.  While you're waiting for the results, please check out the new Scot ...

It will soon be HIGH NOON for Wes Streeting in the Scot Goes Pop / Find Out N...
27 Apr 2026 at 8:30am
My latest constituency profile for The National is John Swinney's seat of Perthshire North.*  *  *If you've finding Scot Goes Pop poll useful, please consider donating to our new polling fundraiser...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Reform candidate ?attacked? while campaigning in Glasgow
2 May 2026 at 10:30am
Councillor Thomas Kerr is said to have been attacked while delivering leaflets in Shettleston on Friday.

John Swinney thanks Donald Trump ?personally? after US whisky tariffs set to ...
1 May 2026 at 3:25pm
Swinney visited a whisky distillery on Friday after the US President announced he would drop the 10% levy

SNP leader John Swinney stands by food price cap policy despite industry crit...
1 May 2026 at 11:05am
Swinney said the policy was a matter of public health, despite the Scottish Retail Consortium branding it a 'potty gimmick'

Scottish Reform leader Malcolm Offord ?owns six houses, six boats and five cars?
29 Apr 2026 at 11:08am
Lord Malcolm Offord asked if the Greens wanted more or fewer people like him in Scotland

Party leaders engage in fiery final debate on STV
28 Apr 2026 at 9:13pm
The Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Greens, Scottish Labour, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party and Reform UK had the chance to grill each other in front of the nation

Watch Live: Scottish election leaders debate on STV
28 Apr 2026 at 7:06am
The STV Leaders? Debate will be broadcast live from Edinburgh?s Signet Library tonight at 7pm

Scotland?s political parties accused of ?lack of realism? over manifesto plans
27 Apr 2026 at 9:56pm
The Institute for Fiscal Studies said the parties running in the Holyrood election did not appreciate ?just how tough the fiscal challenges will be?.

Keir Starmer to face sleaze inquiry vote over Peter Mandelson job
27 Apr 2026 at 5:48pm
It's a similar series of events that led to Boris Johnson?s departure as prime minister in 2022

Parties lay out first 100 days in office as election day nears
27 Apr 2026 at 5:44pm
It's just ten days until the vote on May 7

Parties make policy promises with less than two weeks to election day
26 Apr 2026 at 10:48am
The vote on May 7 is a crucial test at the ballot box.

Polanski branded ?imbecile? after calls for Trump to be stripped of Scottish ...
25 Apr 2026 at 9:46am
The Green leader said the US president is ?enabling a genocide in Gaza?

Scotland Tonight: Non-violent criminals should not be sent to prison, says Gr...
24 Apr 2026 at 12:59pm
Ross Greer said he believes the current prison system doesn't work and community sentences would reduce reoffending

No 10 considered giving spin doctor diplomatic job despite paedophile council...
23 Apr 2026 at 8:25am
Lord Doyle campaigned for Sean Morton in 2017 after he had been charged over indecent images of children

Restrict ?forever chemicals? that hurt people and planet, MPs urge
23 Apr 2026 at 5:47am
The Environmental Audit Committee has released a report calling on the government to phase out PFAs from non-essential items.

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Scotland's crumbling classrooms as school sewage leaks reported on 300 occasions
2 May 2026 at 4:30am
The Lib Dems warned Scottish education is "already under heaps of pressure even without pipes and bathrooms causing chaos".

Scottish politics today: John Swinney toasts Donald Trump after whisky tariff...
1 May 2026 at 5:00pm
The Record brings you its regular 5pm round-up of the biggest stories in Scottish politics.

Donald Trump calls John Swinney after President agrees to ditch US tariffs on...
1 May 2026 at 2:54pm
The President spoke with the First Minister for nine minutes after the American leader handed the whisky industry a massive boost.

John Swinney blasts Douglas Alexander as government relations sour over whisky
1 May 2026 at 1:59pm
The SNP leader said Douglas Alexander was "clearly distressed" after the UK Government minister branded him a "liar".

SNP Government accused of breaking pledge to recruit 1,000 mental health workers
1 May 2026 at 4:30am
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said the SNP "never deliver" on mental health.

President Trump lifts whisky tariffs in major boost for Scotland
30 Apr 2026 at 8:10pm
The Republican President praised the role of the King and Queen as he announced the news on social media.

Malcolm Offord claims Scots 'want to be like me' after sharing pic of his 'bi...
30 Apr 2026 at 12:18pm
Offord told the Record he would not publish his tax returns but did admit he was paying the top rate of income tax in Scotland.

Malcolm Offord's yacht boast shows he is more of a Thatcherite than a Faragist
30 Apr 2026 at 11:49am
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says the row over Offord's riches reveals the true nature of his politics.

Reform candidate 'disgusted' with Scottish people over attacks on 'six boats'...
30 Apr 2026 at 9:00am
EXCLUSIVE: Audrey Dempsey also addressed the cleverness of voters while take a video of a Reform banner with the camera on the wrong setting.

Reform candidate warned Brexit left the NHS 'on its knees' and reduced UK to ...
30 Apr 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: Julie MacDougall dismissed the 2016 Brexit campaign as "a sales pitch in which the goods have never been delivered".

The National

The National | Politics

Mega-poll predicts SNP majority in 'thumping' landslide for pro-independence ...
2 May 2026 at 9:22am

A NEW mega-poll has predicted that pro-independence parties are set for a ?thumping? landslide victory in next week's Scottish parliamentary elections, putting ?indyref2 right back on the table? ...

US to withdraw 5000 troops from Germany after 'humiliation' by Iran remarks
2 May 2026 at 8:40am

THE United States will withdraw around 5000 troops from Germany after the country?s chancellor said the US had been ?humiliated? by Iran, the Pentagon has announced ...

It?s make or break in New York as global conflicts show need for treaty on nukes
2 May 2026 at 5:00am

The review of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is taking place in New York over the next three weeks, amidst a backdrop of several flashpoints

Donald Trump is 'ripping Scotland off' claims Greens as party pledges wealth ...
2 May 2026 at 5:00am

The Scottish Greens have pledged to open an inquiry into how Donald Trump has funded his Scottish golf courses.

Time for London to stop relying on the US to solve all our problems
1 May 2026 at 8:13pm

AMID much discussion about King Charles?s

Unionists' reaction to US whisky tariff deal is a masterclass in missing the ...
1 May 2026 at 5:25pm

UNIONIST politicians were quick to argue that anyone other than John Swinney should be able to take credit after Donald Trump removed tariffs on Scotch whisky.

What latest Holyrood polls reveal just 6 days away from Scottish election
1 May 2026 at 5:14pm

WHERE does the time go? The Holyrood campaign is rapidly nearing its conclusion with polling day less than a week away ...

Why interviewing George Monbiot made me optimistic about politics
1 May 2026 at 5:08pm

This week I was lucky enough to interview the acclaimed journalist and author George Monbiot at an event organised by the group Make Hope Possible ...

The SNP ?up?and?comer? hoping to replace Kate Forbes in key Holyrood seat
1 May 2026 at 4:43pm

Eilidh Munro admits that she has very big shoes to fill ...

Leading rape charity offers to meet Malcolm Offord over 'concerning 'comments
1 May 2026 at 4:40pm

A LEADING charity in Scotland has written to Scottish Reform UK leader Malcolm Offord and councillor Thomas Kerr to raise concerns over their comments on violence against women ...

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

AI is ?defining currency? of our age, says Liz Kendall
28 Apr 2026 at 5:22pm
The minister pledged to work with other ?middle power nations? on AI to improve global security

Morgan McSweeney: Mandelson revelations were a knife to my soul
28 Apr 2026 at 3:22pm
Prime minister's former chief-of-staff appears before Foreign Affairs Committee

UK Government will ?impose some form? of social media restrictions for children
28 Apr 2026 at 1:22pm
Ministers have stopped short of implementing a blanket ban

John Swinney vows to bring forward Holyrood vote in bid to secure second inde...
27 Apr 2026 at 4:39pm
The SNP leader pledged to 'hit the ground running' if his party remains in power after the election

SNP maintains lead in new Scottish election poll
27 Apr 2026 at 4:05pm
A single-party majority government is the most popular option for voters, research finds

Scottish university builds first simulated freight truck journey in UK
27 Apr 2026 at 12:39pm
It will help to improve understanding of the carbon footprint of goods that are shipped between road and air freight

To finally end Scotland's drugs deaths, we need to plan now for 2036
27 Apr 2026 at 7:00am
This is one area where we simply must work together to build the Scotland we all want in the future.

Former New Labour spin doctor compares Keir Starmer to George W Bush
27 Apr 2026 at 1:01am
Alastair Campbell also warned the UK would end up in "pretty dark place" if Labour did not turn things around

Former HIV Scotland chief and SNP adviser admits embezzlement
24 Apr 2026 at 4:33pm
Sentencing will take place in May

Zack Polanski: ?Outrageous? that pro-independence parliament would not secure...
24 Apr 2026 at 2:25pm
The GPEW leader put down his party's surge to ?resentment and anger at the Labour government?

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

End of Trump tariffs on whisky sparks row between Scottish parties over claim...
1 May 2026 at 3:33pm
First minister John Swinney says he played significant role but Labour rejects claim and accuses SNP of hypocrisyDonald Trump?s announcement that he will lift punishing US tariffs on scotch whisky has been overshadowed by a row between rival Scottish party leaders over claiming credit for the dec...

Will Reform dominate the local and devolved elections? ? podcast
30 Apr 2026 at 5:21pm
Pippa Crerar is joined by the election analyst Prof Rob Ford to look at the upcoming local and devolved elections. Will Reform dominate across England? Can the Greens remove Labour?s longstanding hold over London? And will the nationalists win in Scotland and Wales? Continue reading...

Polanski criticised for reposting comment suggesting police arresting Golders...
30 Apr 2026 at 4:55pm
Home Office minister says ?the Green Party has hit a new low? after party leader?s repost on X On BBC Radio Merseyside the presenter, Tony Snell, put it to Kemi Badenoch that Merseyside was a lost cause for the Tories. He said that Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, had been on the programme yes...

?Reform is an acute threat to Scottish self-government,? says John Swinney
30 Apr 2026 at 7:00am
Polling puts Reform, led in Scotland by former peer Malcolm Offord, neck and neck with Labour for second placeReform UK represents an acute threat to Scottish self government, John Swinney has warned, adding that nationalist victories in Scotland and Wales in May could ?irrevocably change? the dy...

Farage reported to parliament?s standards watchdog over undeclared £5m donati...
29 Apr 2026 at 5:33pm
Farage was given £5m by the Thai-based billionaire Christopher Harborne shortly before announcing he would stand in the 2024 general electionExclusive: Farage was given undisclosed £5m by crypto billionaire in 2024Here is the running order for PMQs.Nigel Farage was given £5m by the crypto billion...

Reform?s Scottish leader called ?tone deaf? after boasting about his houses, ...
29 Apr 2026 at 11:27am
SNP leader John Swinney suggests Malcolm Offord and other leaders should publish tax returns before 7 MayUK politics live ? latest updatesThe leader of Reform UK in Scotland, Malcolm Offord, has been dismissed as ?tone deaf? and ?entitled? after he boasted in a televised election debate about the...

No 10 publishes previously confidential memo to refute claim that Starmer mis...
27 Apr 2026 at 6:13pm
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle earlier confirmed that MPs will decide whether to let inquiry into Keir Starmer?s statements over Peter Mandelson proceedDowning Street has said that the UK is ?in a good position? to handle the global supply problems caused by the Iran war not being resolved.Speaking at...

Free bus travel to first-homes fund: what Scottish parties are promising on t...
27 Apr 2026 at 2:00pm
Advent of Reform has radically altered the dynamics of the campaign and parties are responding accordinglyPolls predict a gravity-defying fifth term at Holyrood for the Scottish National party ? albeit on a much reduced vote share ? but the advent of Reform UK has radically altered the dynamics o...

?This election is all to play for?: Can the Scottish Labour leader defy polit...
24 Apr 2026 at 6:00am
Anas Sarwar speaks to the Guardian about why he thinks the polls are wrong and how he hopes to end the SNP?s near 20-year dominance at HolyroodAnas Sarwar says he is certain he can pull off one of the greatest escape acts of modern British politics. It is 14 days until the Holyrood election, and ...

Global Counsel, lobbying firm set up by Mandelson, went bust owing £4.5m just...
23 Apr 2026 at 5:48pm
Firm went bust in February amid fallout from the scandal over Mandelson?s links to Jeffrey EpsteinLittle says in March she had a meeting when she asked to see the Foreign Office?s documentation about the decision to grant Mandelson vetting. She said she was asking because this was documentation c...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

George Monbiot is right, the Union has nothing good for Scotland
1 May 2026 at 3:03pm
In an interview with The National, environmental campaigner George Monbiot, perhaps the highest profile person on the English left to have come out in favour of Scottish independence during the 2014 independence referendum campaign, has said that there is “nothing in the Union” for Scotland. In 2014 independence campaigners constantly asked Better Together supporters for …

Six houses, five cars, six yachts and zero self-awareness
29 Apr 2026 at 8:39pm
I didn’t watch the STV leaders’ debate as we had visitors, which meant I missed the moment that Malcolm Offord torpedoed Reform UK’s “We’re the party which is opposed to the elite” schtick. It was always bollocks, but on Tuesday night Offord slipped up. When you are cos-playing as the party which is on the …

A new chapter in the quest for independence starts next week
27 Apr 2026 at 2:55pm
First Minister John Swinney has promised that on the first day the new Scottish Parliament is in session, a vote would be brought forward to “approve the development of a Section 30 Order to give Scotland the power to hold an independence referendum.” He also promised that a referendum bill would be introduced within the …

A tale of three polls which give hope for a pro-indy majority in May
26 Apr 2026 at 3:29pm
Three opinion polls came out over the weekend which were not asking about voting intention in the Holyrood election which is now only a week and a half away. Nevertheless, all these polls are instructive about the kind of country Scotland could be, and their trust in the various parties contesting the election, and that …

The anti-independence hysteria of Alex Cole-Hamilton
23 Apr 2026 at 8:30pm
I don’t normally blog about Alex Cole-Hamilton, partly that’s because in Scotland the Lib Dems are a minor regional party who only win representation because their support is concentrated in a few areas and whose importance in Scotland is boosted far beyond their true relevance as they are the Scottish branch of the UK party …

Sarwar and Starmer are on borrowed time
22 Apr 2026 at 8:20pm
When Labour came to power in Westminster in 2024, the party promised to put an end to the cronyism, chaos, sleaze, and corruption which characterised the last fourteen years of Conservative rule. How’s that working out then. Labour has continued all of them and added an unhealthy dose of lies and deceit. This week, Keir …

Labour?s Holyrood campaign lurches from one crisis to another
19 Apr 2026 at 2:26pm
There’s less than three weeks to go until the Holyrood election and the wheels have well and truly come off the Labour campaign. With the headlines being dominated by the Mandelson story – Anas Sarwar’s erstwhile old friend – and mounting speculation about how long Starmer can survive as Prime Minister, Sarwar, talking to the …

We can win an SNP majority despite the moral bankruptcy of the media
17 Apr 2026 at 3:21pm
The Scottish Parliament election campaign is now well underway. Yesterday (Thursday) saw the launch of the SNP manifesto. The response of the British media in Scotland to this, and to a defining event of the campaign earlier this week Reform’s Malcolm Offord blurting out that Anas Sarwar had bounced up to him and spoke of …

The overwhelming evidence that Labour is willing to do a deal with Reform
15 Apr 2026 at 3:12pm
Sometimes events happen which define an entire election campaign, last night Reform’s Malcolm Offord responded to Anas Sarwar’s assertion that he’d never do a deal with Reform because it fields racists by saying: ?This does not square with you coming up to me at the start of this campaign, bouncing up to me at Paisley …

Labour can?t be trusted not to do a deal with Reform
14 Apr 2026 at 9:43pm
I don’t usually pay too much attention to leaders’ debates in the run up to elections. They are invariably too shouty with the leaders vying to talk over the top of each other. Anas Sarwar is invariably the worst offender. On both the leaders’ debates so far, his behaviour has bordered on the offensive, he’s …

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

Innovative high capital cost projects commonly overrun in costs and time but ...
2 May 2026 at 11:01am
It’s been ages, two days, since the last ferry fiasco story, likely to affect the voting behaviour of almost no voters of course but you can be sure there will be a big one on Wednesday night, maybe even on the day of the vote? Look and laugh. What will you not hear? Well-known examples 1. Hinkley Point C (UK nuclear power) 2. Crossrail (London rail project) 3. Boeing 787 Dreamliner (aviation) ...

Youth unemployment far lower in Scotland ? short video
2 May 2026 at 10:03am
Sources: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/05/02/19-years-of-the-snp-in-charge-and-uk-youth-unemployment-is-shocking-55-higher-than-in-scotland-which-has-one-of-the-lowest-rates-in-western-europe/

Reposted as Anas Sarwar tries to save himself by blaming a whole health board...
2 May 2026 at 9:22am

19 years of the SNP in charge and UK youth unemployment is shocking 55% highe...
2 May 2026 at 8:50am
The above, presented as applying to the UK as a whole, formed part of a BBC Breakfast report this morning including these comments: Being out of work or education between the ages of 16 and 24 can have serious long-term consequences for people’s health, employment and finances later in life. A new study suggests that nearly one million young people are currently not in education, employment or ...

The Scotch Whisky Association on US tariffs: ?Scotch Whisky and US Whiskey sh...
1 May 2026 at 8:03pm
By stewartb I?m pleased that independent whisky distillers in Scotland will benefit from the removal of trade tariffs on their exports to the USA.  (As someone who greatly enjoys a single malt, I?ve long since shunned for the most part the brands of the big corporates in favour of Scotland?s burgeoning independent sector.) The role of FM Swinney in achieving this change in US policy seems to be...

I bet they didn?t say ?administrative error? when it was an administrative error
1 May 2026 at 11:18am
The Herald a week ago and today, milking the story of one single appointment at the same GP walk-in clinic with a healthy dose of demonising John Swinney. He’s a busy man if he’s managing the appointment system in a clinic as well as being FM! It’s the inverted commas or speech marks the Herald hasn’t used on the first story but has on the second that get’s ‘me.’ In the second, the NHS has said...

Short video ? Violent crime in Scotland has fallen by 27% since 2008-09 with ...
1 May 2026 at 10:43am
Sources at: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/04/30/violent-crime-in-scotland-has-fallen-by-42-since-2008-09-with-30-000-fewer-scots-experiencing-it-every-year-after-two-decades-with-no-service-cutting-right-wing-government-and-the-snp-maintaining-24-m/

?Hard-pressed Scots? will be ?sick of it? if we distort the truth before they...
1 May 2026 at 8:30am
The Herald today rehashing a story they got from the Scottish Cons in March. If you can’t be bothered reading all this below, here’s a short video covering the key points: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/03/13/short-video-on-are-hard-pressed-scots-sick-of-homeworking-hybrids/ Here’s the March 2026, response which still stands today The Herald today has: The Scottish Government faces a new...

Scotland?s model for pharmacy offers lessons for predicted ?Iran war? shortages
1 May 2026 at 8:05am
hours searching for stock of common medicines like antidepressants and HRT and government (UK) payments no longer cover the cost of some drugs. BBC Breakfast this morning has the above in a fuller report on the problem. Neither they nor the subsequent Reporting Scotland news, report what is happening in Scotland Here’s why. In the Guardian 29 March 2026: Britain sic is ?a few weeks away? from...

The Great Scottish Ferry Inconvenience Media War
30 Apr 2026 at 6:29pm
My latest column in Scots Independent: Lesley Riddoch in her early April 2026 podcast said on the ferries crisis (literally) I?ve got to say personally, I?m sick of hearing people on the mainland ?attack islanders? for simply expecting that they can be connected. Just to remind you we all live on an island, and it would be a bit like saying Scotland?s a bit too expensive to include in UK nation...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

The question of Scottish independence is alive but not kicking - The Economist
30 Apr 2026 at 1:48pm
The question of Scottish independence is alive but not kicking  The Economist

Mega-poll predicts SNP majority in 'thumping' landslide for pro-independence ...
2 May 2026 at 9:34am
Mega-poll predicts SNP majority in 'thumping' landslide for pro-independence parties  The National Scot

Caught between the UK and EU: What?s next for young Scots? - France 24
27 Apr 2026 at 12:34pm
Caught between the UK and EU: What?s next for young Scots?  France 24

Scotland?s parliamentary election 2026: what are the big economic choices? - ...
28 Apr 2026 at 2:31pm
Scotland?s parliamentary election 2026: what are the big economic choices?  Economics Observatory

Why the Tories are right to put opposition to Scottish independence at the he...
2 May 2026 at 6:00am
Why the Tories are right to put opposition to Scottish independence at the heart of their campaign  The Scotsman

Independence the priority for Alliance to Liberate Scotland - BBC
29 Apr 2026 at 6:02am
Independence the priority for Alliance to Liberate Scotland  BBC

The Scottish independence lie - The Spectator
29 Apr 2026 at 5:15am
The Scottish independence lie  The Spectator

SNP vows to push for new independence vote with or without a majority - Finan...
27 Apr 2026 at 3:12pm
SNP vows to push for new independence vote with or without a majority  Financial Times

Priorities of Scotland?s Gen Z voters in 2026 election - Channel 4 News | Sub...
30 Apr 2026 at 6:42pm
Priorities of Scotland?s Gen Z voters in 2026 election  Channel 4 News | Substack

Swinney says Scottish independence referendum could be held in 2028 - BBC
12 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
Swinney says Scottish independence referendum could be held in 2028  BBC

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

Scots responding to SNP?s positive message of hope, says Swinney - Radio News...
2 May 2026 at 6:21am
Scots responding to SNP?s positive message of hope, says Swinney  Radio News Hub

Mega-poll predicts SNP majority in 'thumping' landslide for pro-independence ...
2 May 2026 at 9:34am
Mega-poll predicts SNP majority in 'thumping' landslide for pro-independence parties  The National Scot

The big issues and key flashpoints from Scotland's election campaign - BBC
2 May 2026 at 9:19am
The big issues and key flashpoints from Scotland's election campaign  BBC

New mega-poll predicts SNP majority as Labour fall to fourth behind Reform an...
2 May 2026 at 5:04am
New mega-poll predicts SNP majority as Labour fall to fourth behind Reform and Greens  The Herald

Scotland wants change, so why is the SNP ahead? - Sky News
1 May 2026 at 3:26am
Scotland wants change, so why is the SNP ahead?  Sky News

SOUNDING OFF: Is voting SNP the best way to get Green things done? - Shetland...
2 May 2026 at 10:00am
SOUNDING OFF: Is voting SNP the best way to get Green things done?  Shetland Times

SNP vows to push for new independence vote with or without a majority - Finan...
27 Apr 2026 at 3:12pm
SNP vows to push for new independence vote with or without a majority  Financial Times

Starmer, immigration and oil set to hand SNP victory in Scotland - The Telegraph
1 May 2026 at 6:25pm
Starmer, immigration and oil set to hand SNP victory in Scotland  The Telegraph

Starmer is defining the battle for Scotland - The Spectator
1 May 2026 at 5:00pm
Starmer is defining the battle for Scotland  The Spectator

First Minister John Swinney?s speech on the SNP?s plan for the first 100 days...
27 Apr 2026 at 11:39am
First Minister John Swinney?s speech on the SNP?s plan for the first 100 days of the next parliament  snp.org

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

Scotland?s parliamentary election 2026: what are the big economic choices? - ...
28 Apr 2026 at 2:31pm
Scotland?s parliamentary election 2026: what are the big economic choices?  Economics Observatory

The question of Scottish independence is alive but not kicking - The Economist
30 Apr 2026 at 1:48pm
The question of Scottish independence is alive but not kicking  The Economist

Swinney says Scottish independence referendum could be held in 2028 - BBC
12 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
Swinney says Scottish independence referendum could be held in 2028  BBC

Caught between the UK and EU: What?s next for young Scots? - France 24
27 Apr 2026 at 12:34pm
Caught between the UK and EU: What?s next for young Scots?  France 24

SNP vows to push for new independence vote with or without a majority - Finan...
27 Apr 2026 at 3:12pm
SNP vows to push for new independence vote with or without a majority  Financial Times

SNP to demand new independence referendum ? even without a majority - The Times
27 Apr 2026 at 3:29pm
SNP to demand new independence referendum ? even without a majority  The Times

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

John Swinney vows to bring forward Holyrood vote in bid to secure second inde...
27 Apr 2026 at 3:40pm
John Swinney vows to bring forward Holyrood vote in bid to secure second independence referendum  Holyrood Website

Scotland political snapshot, Spring 2026 - YouGov
8 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
Scotland political snapshot, Spring 2026  YouGov

The pros and cons of Scottish independence - The Week
22 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
The pros and cons of Scottish independence  The Week