The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Glasgow's Union Street fire sparks questions over the safety of vape stores
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
9 Mar 2026 at 3:49pm
There are big questions following the Glasgow fire that devastated historic city centre buildings ? and one of them must be whether rules and regulations on vape shops are anywhere near tight enough.


Scotland?s assisted dying bill on a knife edge as Russell Findlay pulls support
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
9 Mar 2026 at 11:19am
Scotland?s assisted dying legislation has been thrown into fresh uncertainty after Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay withdrew his backing. With MSPs divided and the final vote looming, even a handful of defections could decide the bill?s fate.


University chiefs accused of 'circumventing governing structures' in savings bid
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
9 Mar 2026 at 6:30am
Sources told The Herald that they fear senior leaders are attempting to ?circumvent? a key requirement in a bid to make £12m in savings. 


Few resources and many commitments: fiscal reality for next Parliament
9 Mar 2026 at 4:30am
Elections are about choices but choices must be understood within the fiscal environment in which they will be made


Swinney: Sectarianism 'not significant in society' but seen on football terraces
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
9 Mar 2026 at 2:40pm
First Minister John Swinney says sectarianism is 'not significant' in wider Scottish society but remains visible on football terraces after weekend match violence.


Swinney says multi-million pound Glasgow recovery package 'very much' an option
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
9 Mar 2026 at 11:26am
John Swinney says a multi-million pound recovery fund for Glasgow is ?very much an option? after a ?colossal? fire near Central Station, as he confirms no serious injuries have been reported.


SNP candidate quit Holyrood election after 'complaint of alleged misconduct' ...
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
8 Mar 2026 at 7:38pm
Stefan Hoggan had cited mental and physical challenges for his decision to step away from the contest, but The Courier reports that he quit the SNP altogether.


Scottish Labour MP hopes to capture Mamdani magic after picking brain of top ...
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
8 Mar 2026 at 5:15pm
Glasgow South's Gordon McKee sat down with Morris Katz, one of the top aides behind Mr Mamdani?s shock victory in November.


Famed naturalist and TV presenter backs bill to ban greyhound racing in Scotland
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
8 Mar 2026 at 2:06pm
Mr Packham said that a ban on the practice ?would be a tremendous result for animal welfare, for dogs and for Scotland?.


?I needed to put myself first?: SNP candidate steps down over mental health
8 Mar 2026 at 12:54pm
The SNP has lost its candidate in a key Holyrood battleground after they stepped down from the race citing mental health concerns.


John Swinney says he is ?deeply sorry? after QEUH families dispute apology claim
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
8 Mar 2026 at 12:00pm
John Swinney has said he is ?deeply sorry? for the suffering linked to Glasgow?s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital after families challenged his claim that he had already apologised during a meeting about the long-running infection scandal.


Independence vote would be Swinney?s 'priority' if SNP win majority
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
8 Mar 2026 at 11:06am
John Swinney says securing another referendum on Scottish independence would be his top priority if the SNP wins a majority at the next Holyrood election. The First Minister argues polling now shows sustained support for leaving the UK.


US military flights on way to Iran could be banned from Scottish airport
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
8 Mar 2026 at 10:34am
First Minister John Swinney says he could ban US military flights from using Prestwick Airport if they are linked to offensive operations against Iran. The warning comes as the Middle East conflict escalates and pressure grows on the UK over its role.


'The NHS lost a doctor and a nurse': Sandie Peggie's sympathy for Beth Upton
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
8 Mar 2026 at 9:42am
Nurse Sandie Peggie says NHS Fife?s handling of the row with transgender doctor Beth Upton cost the health board ?a doctor and a nurse?.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Two Tory MSPs ask a fifth of all written questions in Holyrood
9 Mar 2026 at 6:00am

The two MSPs say they will ?never apologise? for holding the Scottish Government to account

Both former first ministers are due to stand down from frontline politics at the upcoming Scottish Parliament election.

Tensions are continuing to escalate in the Middle East, as US President Donald Trump hits out at Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer

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

Joy at Death and Destruction
7 Mar 2026 at 12:39pm

The United States and Israel are both revelling in inflicting the maximum possible death and suffering on Iran. After the genocide in Gaza, on a far larger field in Iran, those in power in Israel and the USA have a lust to kill and they revel in impunity. The Epstein files reveal the same dynamic. …

Joy at Death and Destruction

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

BBC Scotland

Alba Party to be wound down amid 'dire financial plight'
8 Mar 2026 at 4:51pm
Leader Kenny MacAskill says the party's membership had haemorrhaged and its income has plummeted.

Families challenge Swinney over hospital apology claim
8 Mar 2026 at 3:35pm
Relatives of patients infected at Glasgow's flagship hospital say they did not receive a formal apology during a meeting with the first minister.

Swinney would 'consider' US military plane ban from Prestwick Airport
7 Mar 2026 at 5:38pm
The first minister says he wants clarity from the UK government about whether the planes were involved in the US-Israeli action in the Middle East.

Teachers could strike in mid-March as workload talks continue
7 Mar 2026 at 11:54am
The EIS union has issued formal notice of strike plans as ministers have not yet delivered a pledge to reduce classroom time for teachers.

Labour MP 'voluntarily suspends herself' amid China spy probe
5 Mar 2026 at 8:35pm
Joani Reid said she had temporarily stood down from the party after her husband was arrested on suspicion of spying for China.

Reform's Scottish leader denies fuelling racial tensions over stabbing
6 Mar 2026 at 4:57pm
Malcolm Offord has faced criticism after linking the incident in Edinburgh to an "insurge" of migration.

Why is Scotland seeing big council tax rises again?
6 Mar 2026 at 6:25am
Councils are seeking new ways to raise money and make savings - but big tax rises are coming too.

Families of cancer patients raise infection concerns with first minister
5 Mar 2026 at 9:28pm
Charly's dad says the public inquiry is not going to give patients and families the answers they are looking for.

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.

Scot Goes Pop

Why the dissolution of the Alba Party is GOOD NEWS for the independence movement
8 Mar 2026 at 9:23pm

The Alba Party: it's over. MacAskill sends Christina Hendry's wannabe Junta ...
8 Mar 2026 at 2:01pm
Kenny MacAskill's latest email to Alba party members:"Dear FriendI refer to my two previous communications detailing the financial crisis afflicting our party following a fraud perpetrated on it, a...

Alba are now so synonymous with vote-rigging and corruption that even vote-ri...
8 Mar 2026 at 11:01am
I literally burst out laughing a few minutes ago after clicking a link on the MSN homepage which read "Labour receives formal complaint over claims of voter irregularities in Holyrood selection con...

Huge poll breakthrough for the SNP as they surge to their highest regional li...
5 Mar 2026 at 11:18pm
My latest constituency profile for The National is Ayr, and it can be read HERE.

WAA WAA BRAHP AHOOGAH SCREEEEEEEECH - "All right, all right, you've made your...
4 Mar 2026 at 11:43pm
My latest constituency profile for The National is Argyll & Bute, and it can be read HERE.

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...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

John Swinney announces £5.8m for child poverty groups
9 Mar 2026 at 11:57am
The funding announcement came on Monday

Internal polling convinced me to quit as first minister, Humza Yousaf says
9 Mar 2026 at 6:32am
The former SNP leader also suggested 'the men in grey kilts would have come' to force him out after election if he had not resigned when he did.

Alba Party to wind up and de-register amid financial crisis
8 Mar 2026 at 4:48pm
The pro-independence party, which was launched by Alex Salmond in 2021, announced the decision on Sunday.

Late MSP ?believed in women before they believed in themselves?
8 Mar 2026 at 10:40am
Christina McKelvie died in March 2025 from secondary breast cancer after having served as an MSP since 2007.

Scottish Labour MP suspended after husband accused of spying for China
5 Mar 2026 at 8:07pm
This comes as the party confirmed they were investigating the East Kilbride and Strathaven MP following the arrest of her partner David Taylor.

Scottish Labour MP being investigated by party after husband accused of spyin...
5 Mar 2026 at 2:00pm
David Taylor, the husband of East Kilbride and Strathaven MP Joani Reid, was arrested by counter-terrorism officers

Benefits probe into SNP candidate shows system is working, Swinney claims
5 Mar 2026 at 1:06pm
Sally Donald stepped down as the candidate for Edinburgh Southern on Wednesday

John Swinney faces questions after teachers back strike action
5 Mar 2026 at 12:03pm
The education secretary said she hoped negotations would find a solution

Husband of Labour MP Joani Reid released on bail after arrest on suspicion of...
5 Mar 2026 at 9:38am
David Taylor, 39, whose wife is Joani Reid, was taken into custody on Wednesday

Husband of Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid questioned after arrest on suspicion...
5 Mar 2026 at 8:17am
David Taylor, 39, whose wife is Joani Reid, was taken into custody on Wednesday

MPs dance with Strictly stars as Middle East ?on brink of World War Three?
4 Mar 2026 at 8:58pm
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle danced with Rippon after welcoming the celebrities from the BBC programme to Westminster to promote the advantages of dance for the nation?s health and wellbeing.

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

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Scottish politics today: John Swinney considering support package after 'colo...
9 Mar 2026 at 5:00pm
The Daily Record brings you its regular 5pm round-up of the day's politics news.

MSP behind assisted dying Bill is proposing to reduce jail sentences for coer...
9 Mar 2026 at 4:23pm
EXCLUSIVE: Liam McArthur has tabled the amendments after advice from the Scottish Government.

Old Firm violence at weekend match "utterly unacceptable? says First Minister...
9 Mar 2026 at 11:41am
Swinney hit out after fans of Rangers and Celtic spilled onto the pitch and clashed after Martin O'Neill's team won on penalties.

John Swinney says 'enormous' damage caused by vape shop blaze next to Glasgow...
9 Mar 2026 at 11:23am
The First Minister also attended the scene early on Monday afternoon.

Scotland's top trade unionist warns 'perilous' state of Royal Mail is Holyroo...
9 Mar 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer contacted the UK Government amid mounting trade union concern about the looming ballot.

John Swinney: 'I won't rest until child poverty is eradicated in Scotland'
9 Mar 2026 at 4:30am
In his Daily Record column, First Minister John Swinney says he will today unveil further steps to tackle child poverty.

Keir Starmer and the UK benefit from saying no to President Trump
8 Mar 2026 at 5:00pm
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says the Prime Minister is correct to be more sceptical of US foreign policy interventions than his predecessors.

Alba Party to be wound up after party bosses decide to call it a day
8 Mar 2026 at 2:38pm
Alba will not contest the Holyrood election amid crippling financial difficulties.

John Swinney apologies to families affected by Glasgow hospital deaths scandal
8 Mar 2026 at 11:57am
The First Minister clarified that he was "deeply" sorry" after the families questioned whether he had apologised at a meeting with him.

MSPs charge taxpayers for toilet rolls, maps and bottles of water
7 Mar 2026 at 5:00pm
Taxpayers coughed-up almost £900,000 to support MSPs doing their jobs in a three-month period last year.

The National

The National | Politics

Why do so many of Glasgow's historic buildings seem to end up in flames?
9 Mar 2026 at 4:21pm

ON Sunday night, the sky glowed as flames tore through the Union Corner building beside Glasgow Central station ...

Lesley Riddoch set to address Scottish independence rally in Edinburgh
9 Mar 2026 at 4:00pm

Scottish broadcaster, journalist and columnist for The National, Lesley Riddoch, is set to address a Believe in Scotland rally later this month

Clip shows King Charles heckled over Andrew-Epstein 'cover-up by royals'
9 Mar 2026 at 3:40pm

KING Charles was met with chants of ?What did you know?? as protesters gathered outside Westminster Abbey on Monday

Blow for Scottish assisted dying bill as Tory Holyrood leader U-turns on support
9 Mar 2026 at 3:06pm

SCOTTISH assisted dying proposals have been dealt a blow after the Tories? Holyrood leader U-turned on his support for the bill

Jeremy Corbyn elected Your Party's leader in Westminster
9 Mar 2026 at 2:56pm

JEREMY Corbyn has been elected as the parliamentary leader of Your Party.

UK 'must deliver emergency support' amid new cost-of-living crisis, SNP say
9 Mar 2026 at 2:16pm

THE Labour Government must bring in an emergency cost-of-living support package to help people deal with food and fuel price rises sparked by the US-Israel war in the Middle East, the SNP have said ...

Drivers urged to consider cutting 'non-essential journeys' as oil price spikes
9 Mar 2026 at 1:49pm

DRIVERS are being urged to consider cutting out ?non-essential journeys? because fuel prices are expected to rise as the cost of oil soars.

Alba members can't 'just pay a direct debit' and rejoin SNP, John Swinney says
9 Mar 2026 at 1:02pm

ALBA members cannot ?just fill in a direct debit? and re-join the SNP, John Swinney has said ...

'Colossal incident': John Swinney responds after devastating Glasgow Central ...
9 Mar 2026 at 12:43pm

JOHN SWINNEY has described the fire at a building next to Glasgow Central station as a "colossal incident" ...

Top Glasgow councillor raises concerns over city vape shops after fire
9 Mar 2026 at 12:11pm

A SENIOR member of Glasgow City Council has raised concerns about vape shops after a blaze which has consumed part of the country?s biggest railway station.

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

John Swinney signals ?willingness? to support council financially in dealing ...
9 Mar 2026 at 3:13pm
The first minister visited the site of the fire beside Glasgow Central station today, describing it as a ?colossal incident?

Malcolm Offord refuses to apologise for ?racist? knife incident comments
6 Mar 2026 at 11:58am
The Reform Scotland leader was announced as the candidate for Inverclyde

Joani Reid ?voluntarily suspends herself? from Labour Party amid China spy probe
5 Mar 2026 at 9:54pm
Reid's husband, David Taylor, was one of three men arrested by police on Wednesday

China spying arrest ?deeply concerning? says Anas Sarwar
5 Mar 2026 at 2:05pm
One of the men arrested is married to Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid

SNP candidate?s alleged benefits fraud shows system ?open to abuse?
5 Mar 2026 at 1:09pm
The Scottish Tory leader raised the case of Sally Donald at FMQs

China spy suspects released on bail
5 Mar 2026 at 12:02pm
Husband of Joani Reid MP and two others were arrested by counter-terror police

Reform UK receives millions more from crypto investor
5 Mar 2026 at 10:23am
Labour donations revealed as Electoral Commission publishes 2025 quarter 4 records

Mental health warning over psychiatrists shortage
5 Mar 2026 at 6:00am
Tom Arthur says Scottish Government is 'making progress'

Local Authorities Guide: East Lothian Council
5 Mar 2026 at 6:00am
Council leader Norman Hampshire answers questions about local authority

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

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

Alba party to wind up and not contest Scottish election
8 Mar 2026 at 8:28pm
Pro-independence party formed by Alex Salmond in 2021 had suffered membership fall and financial crisisThe Alba party has announced that it will wind up and not field any candidates for the 2026 Scottish parliament election.The pro-independence party was formed in 2021 by the late Alex Salmond as...

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...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Labour?s dangerous plans for NHS Scotland
8 Mar 2026 at 4:33pm
The Holyrood elections are just eight weeks away. This will be a critical election for Scotland’s future and it is more important than ever that Scotland returns a pro-independence majority, ideally an SNP majority to the Scottish Parliament. It’s not just the future of hopes for independence which is at stake. This election is also …

A personal milestone and yet more good polling news
5 Mar 2026 at 4:19pm
I’m going to start on a personal note. Almost eight years after we got married and over ten years that we have been together, my husband has finally become a British, or should I say Scottish citizen. It’s been a long, expensive, and stressful journey, but we got there, and now we are immune to …

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 …

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

Two minute video ? Three reasons why QEUH will never have a Grenfell-like ?to...
9 Mar 2026 at 4:20pm
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 Full story with evidence at: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/03/09/three-reasons-why-qeuh-will-never-have-a-grenfell-like-towering-inferno/

More than 68 000 freedom of information requests in 10 years costing you the ...
9 Mar 2026 at 4:19pm
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 Largest number of Freedom of Information requests made by a single person in one day: FOI release, published today: For the year 2023, the largest amount of FOI?s made to the Scottish Gover...

Shock as proportionally 4 times as many children in England & Wales face dome...
9 Mar 2026 at 4:18pm
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 Guardian today: A proposed law to restrict paedophiles? parental rights in England and Wales is too weak because it does not protect children of theirs born after their conviction, parlia...

One third of English patients using private dentists because they have only h...
9 Mar 2026 at 4:17pm
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 Guardian today: Almost a third of people in England now use private dentistry, with a sharp rise in the number of poorer households forced to pay for fillings and extractions. The scarcit...

Why NHS Scotland has not had to wait for Martha?s rule to deal with Labour?s ...
9 Mar 2026 at 4:16pm
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 Guardian today: More than 400 lives may have been saved as a result of Martha?s rule, which lets NHS patients request a review of their care, official figures reveal. Helplines received m...

Scotland?s job market no doubt ?challenging but not ?floundering? as in ?Brit...
9 Mar 2026 at 11:05am
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 Guardian today: Britain?s job market ?floundering? as companies remain cautious about hiring. Data shows labour market is still in a fragile position due to economic uncertainty, with few...

Three reasons why QEUH will never have a Grenfell-like ?towering inferno?
9 Mar 2026 at 10:06am
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 Daily Record today, has the above and: Robert Menzies, an architect who worked on the super-hospital, slammed the refusal of Scottish ministers to replace discredited Kingspan K15 cladding. ...

England?s Pisa scores are based only on a tiny selective sample of higher ach...
9 Mar 2026 at 9:02am
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 Paul O’Kane Labour MSP and former head boy, seems delighted to be suggesting that Scotland’s schools education system is worse than England’s, with the above, from those other head boys at the I...

14% more NHS England consultants quitting ?like rats on sinking ship?
8 Mar 2026 at 3:58pm
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 today, based on an interview with Dr Joanna Bredski, Consultant Psychiatrist in Borders Region, formerly in Yorkshire, chair of the BMA Scotland Consultant’s committee, this crazed...

Why is Amnesty International UK, in London, having a go at Scotland when ther...
8 Mar 2026 at 2:57pm
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 I used to be an Amnesty International activist in a small way, 20 years ago, writing to authoritarian governments on behalf of political prisoners until thoroughly pissed of by the chair’s suppo...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland - BBC
3 Mar 2026 at 6:16am
Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland  BBC

Lesley Riddoch set to address Scottish independence rally in Edinburgh - Then...
9 Mar 2026 at 4:05pm
Lesley Riddoch set to address Scottish independence rally in Edinburgh  Thenational Scot

SNP maintain polling lead in Scotland but four in ten say they may change the...
5 Mar 2026 at 9:33am
SNP maintain polling lead in Scotland but four in ten say they may change their minds  Ipsos

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

Scottish independence ? The NEN - North Edinburgh News
5 Mar 2026 at 1:00pm
Scottish independence ? The NEN  North Edinburgh News

Scottish independence is sneaking up on Westminster - New Statesman
20 Feb 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish independence is sneaking up on Westminster  New Statesman

Independence vote would be Swinney?s 'priority' if SNP win majority - The Herald
8 Mar 2026 at 11:30am
Independence vote would be Swinney?s 'priority' if SNP win majority  The Herald

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

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

A Fresh Start with Independence - The Scottish Government
8 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
A Fresh Start with Independence  The Scottish Government

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

SNP maintain polling lead in Scotland but four in ten say they may change the...
5 Mar 2026 at 9:33am
SNP maintain polling lead in Scotland but four in ten say they may change their minds  Ipsos

UK 'must deliver emergency support' amid new cost-of-living crisis, SNP say -...
9 Mar 2026 at 2:34pm
UK 'must deliver emergency support' amid new cost-of-living crisis, SNP say  Thenational Scot

Scotland's papers: SNP candidate benefits row and Hogg 'honour axed' - BBC
6 Mar 2026 at 6:47am
Scotland's papers: SNP candidate benefits row and Hogg 'honour axed'  BBC

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

Narrating the Nationalist Breakthrough of the Sixties and Seventies - Bella C...
9 Mar 2026 at 3:01pm
Narrating the Nationalist Breakthrough of the Sixties and Seventies  Bella Caledonia

Stop SNP Congestion Charges - Scottish Conservatives
6 Mar 2026 at 10:09pm
Stop SNP Congestion Charges  Scottish Conservatives

SNP calls for emergency cost-of-living support as prices expected to rise - T...
9 Mar 2026 at 2:14pm
SNP calls for emergency cost-of-living support as prices expected to rise  The Independent

Women?s rights being ?trampled on? by ruling party, says Nugent - Shetland Times
9 Mar 2026 at 1:40pm
Women?s rights being ?trampled on? by ruling party, says Nugent  Shetland Times

SNP candidate quit Holyrood election after 'complaint of alleged misconduct' ...
8 Mar 2026 at 7:40pm
SNP candidate quit Holyrood election after 'complaint of alleged misconduct' made  The Herald

Alba members can't 'just pay a direct debit' and rejoin SNP, John Swinney say...
9 Mar 2026 at 1:02pm
Alba members can't 'just pay a direct debit' and rejoin SNP, John Swinney says  Yahoo News UK

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland - BBC
3 Mar 2026 at 6:16am
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

Independence vote would be Swinney?s 'priority' if SNP win majority - The Herald
8 Mar 2026 at 11:30am
Independence vote would be Swinney?s 'priority' if SNP win majority  The Herald

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

Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland - AOL.com
4 Mar 2026 at 5:36pm
Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland  AOL.com

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

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

Swinney says SNP win would trigger new Scotland referendum | Daily Sabah - Da...
18 Jan 2026 at 8:00am
Swinney says SNP win would trigger new Scotland referendum | Daily Sabah  Daily Sabah

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

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