The Herald

The Herald | Politics


'Not everything needs a Saltire': SNP veteran urges Scotland to adopt English...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
16 Sep 2026 at 1:59pm
A new report by former SNP health secretary Alex Neil, ex-Labour MSP Dr Richard Simpson and a Nairn GP calls for Scotland to adopt the English NHS app, scrap GP walk-in centres and establish a cross-party commission to reform health and social care by 2035.


'We let our passengers down': ScotRail chief apologises over app
by donald.erskine@newsquest.co.uk | Donald Erskine
16 Sep 2026 at 1:49pm
ScotRail?s managing director has apologised to travellers for difficulties with its new app, admitting to MSPs it ?hasn?t been good enough?.


Greens urge MSPs to vote for moratorium on hyperscale data centres
by Katrine Bussey
16 Sep 2026 at 7:40am
Campaigners have raised concerns about the environmental impact of such centres


Today's cartoon from Steven Camley - on Nicola Sturgeon's acting career
by Camley's Cartoons
16 Sep 2026 at 7:19am
You can find Steven Camley in The Herald and online at heraldscotland.com


Scottish Government was warned World Cup bank holiday would have 'high impact...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
16 Sep 2026 at 5:00am
The Scottish Government was warned that the extra bank holiday for the World Cup would have a "high impact" on the country's accident and emergency departments.


Girls as young as 15 seeking help over strangulation in Scotland amid reporte...
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
16 Sep 2026 at 5:00am
Glasgow & Clyde Rape Crisis says nine in 10 women and girls under 35 it supports report experiences linked to non-fatal strangulation.


'Why shouldn't Glasgow be up there with the best European cities?'
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
16 Sep 2026 at 5:00am
Ricky Bell, Glasgow's new SNP council leader, defends the city against its critics, demands new planning powers to tackle vape shops and derelict buildings, and vows the redevelopment of the centre will make the disruption worthwhile.


Growing alliance? Why is the Irish President visiting Scotland for four days?
by Kathleen Nutt
16 Sep 2026 at 5:00am
When Catherine Connolly arrives in Edinburgh it will be her first official visit to Scotland and the first time an Irish President has visited the country in ten years. So why now?


Irish President visits Scotland days after 'Celtic Alliance' agreement
by Kathleen Nutt
16 Sep 2026 at 12:05am
The President of Ireland Catherine Connolly has arrived in Scotland where she begins a four-day official visit with a meeting with First Minister John Swinney.


MSPs set for crunch vote on controversial AI data centre plans
by Katrine Bussey
16 Sep 2026 at 12:01am
Holyrood will vote on whether there should be a moratorium on new hyperscale data centres ? with Scottish Greens insisting the move is needed to halt a ?big tech free-for-all?.


One in two salmon died at Scottish fish farm before site was fallowed
by Peter Urpeth
15 Sep 2026 at 9:02pm
by Peter Urpeth, Local Democracy Reporter


Ed Sheeran breaks silence after Macklemore dropped from tour after Gaza comment
by donald.erskine@newsquest.co.uk | Donald Erskine
15 Sep 2026 at 6:36pm
Ed Sheeran has broken his silence after criticism over the removal of rapper Macklemore from his upcoming North American tour dates, insisting he is "not complicit" and saying promoters and venues ultimately made the decision, not him.


Nicola Sturgeon says abolishing monarchy would 'free' Prince George
by donald.erskine@newsquest.co.uk | Donald Erskine
15 Sep 2026 at 6:02pm
Nicola Sturgeon says abolishing the monarchy would spare Prince George the 'burden' of kingship.


Scotland can review domestic abuse deaths. But is that enough?
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
15 Sep 2026 at 4:47pm
Scotland now reviews domestic abuse deaths, but Demi Hannaway?s family says a crucial gap remains. What would Demi?s Law change - and why does it matter?

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


SNP should consider abstaining from Westminster 'if impasse isn't broken', sa...
16 Sep 2026 at 1:15pm

Steven Bonnar said the Nationalists should think about copying Sinn Fein abstentionist policy - if the UK government continues to block an independence referendum

The increased size of the Scottish government?s civil service comes as the workforce south of the border reduced for the first time since 2021.

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was looking to ?reduce the pressure? on Scotland?s biggest city in housing asylum seekers.

Survivors and the families of women who suffered at the hands of abusive partners called for the justice system to be totally overhauled, as they say it ?favours the perpetrators? at every turn.

The First Minister confirmed new legislation will be brought forward to help protect women and girls from violence.

The education committee heard the stark reality of trying to implement The Pro

There are dozens of planning applications to built hyperscale AI data centres in Scotland.

Wings over Scotland

A Thousand Islands In The Sea
16 Sep 2026 at 1:22pm
We’re getting so much correspondence from Police Scotland at the moment that we’re starting to feel like their guiltily-neglected penpal. This one, though, is slightly more involved than their usual two-paragraph brushoff. Don’t get too excited, though – it amounts to the same thing. This is self-evident gibberish. Nobody was prosecuted, let alone convicted, over …

Fear And Favour
15 Sep 2026 at 1:10pm
This is what it looks like, if you’ve ever wondered. It’s basically the police’s own version of a seven-hour “no comment” interview. Let’s take a moment to remind ourselves of that letter of 20 August, because it was a pretty significant and serious piece of professional correspondence to have been so casually tossed away in …

Like Responsible Citizens Do
14 Sep 2026 at 12:13pm
Given the refusal of Police Scotland to meaningfully answer our questions, we’ve been left with no alternative but to report Nicola Sturgeon for the crime of reset. We’re sure the matter will be handled with the exact same professional diligence and complete and fearless impartiality that it would be for any other accused person. The …

A Long Hard Think
11 Sep 2026 at 3:37pm
More than three months ago now, we sent Police Scotland a Freedom Of Information request. A few minutes ago we finally received a response. Brace yourselves. That is, um… interesting. Retaining gifts you know were bought with embezzled money is the common-law crime of reset in Scots law, under the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act …

Anything But That
1 Sep 2026 at 1:04pm
The SNP really really don’t want to have another independence referendum, but if somebody somehow FORCES them into one, they DEFINITELY don’t want to have it in circumstances where they’d be starting the campaign with a 16-point lead. (We must conclude from all this, incidentally, that John Swinney LOVES the Tories, because he had no …

Haven?t had a dream in a long time
31 Aug 2026 at 8:43pm
These are strange days, readers. It’s getting hard to tell who’s on which side. To be honest, we’d take George Foulkes’ offer in a heartbeat. It’s not ideal, because there should be no limits on democracy, but the UK government can perfectly lawfully deny another indyref indefinitely anyway (and seem entirely inclined to), so we’d …

The Shortest Day
29 Aug 2026 at 1:07pm
Something rather extraordinary happened yesterday, dearest readers. Very briefly, we absolutely genuinely thought someone in a position of some influence in the SNP had taken a meaningful step towards being serious about independence. We are not being sarcastic. Look: here it is. (Transcript at bottom of article.) ? Dave Doogan is the SNP’s leader at …

The Slowest Dawning
28 Aug 2026 at 1:44pm
Now, readers, it’s not much of a secret that anyone who’s still supporting the SNP in the hopes that they’ll deliver Scottish independence is – and let’s put this as gently and kindly as possible – a bit thick. From a membership high of 125,000 in the run-up to the 2021 Holyrood election, fully 60% …

Spot The Problem
27 Aug 2026 at 12:19pm
See if you can identify why this isn’t an ideal way to run a justice system. We’ve put a couple of clues in for the slower folk. Answer below. Still, the Crown Office IS at least theoretically accountable to Parliament, so as long as the governing party is full of strong, independent, fair-minded MSPs willing …

This Other Earth
26 Aug 2026 at 2:22pm
We’ve had another email from the Crown Office. Stand by for a surprise! Well, that seems fair enough: other than the fact that almost £700,000 in “ringfenced” fundraiser money is (still) visibly missing, and the fact that the First Minister of the country and the leader of the party the money was entrusted to has …

Craig Murray

Dishonesty and Deceit
7 Sep 2026 at 7:31pm

UPDATE We got an expedited date to “reclaim” (appeal) against the suspension of the case, on 25 September. We shall also be reclaiming against the decision not to send the case straight to the Inner House. All parties seemed to agree there may just be time, if our appeal is successful, to finish the Scottish …

Dishonesty and Deceit

Nonsense Drones and Novichok
3 Sep 2026 at 2:14pm

Europe urgently needs to re-establish access to Russian oil and gas. Gas prices are high – as all UK energy consumers know – and German gas storage is at a record low for September. Gulf production is degraded, supplies are cut off and its long-term strategic stability undermined. German manufacturing already suffered a 9.5% production …

Nonsense Drones and Novichok

Dr David Halpin and David Kelly
29 Aug 2026 at 12:26pm

Dr David Halpin, a redoubtable campaigner over the murder of Dr David Kelly, and a friend of this blog for over twenty years, has died. He will be missed. His sister Mary was for many years an invaluable commenter here and occasional researcher for me. Unfortunately about ten years ago I banned her for comments …

Dr David Halpin and David Kelly

Of Judges, Juries and Fascism
25 Aug 2026 at 5:50pm

We still don’t have a decision on whether the Scottish judicial review of Palestine Action can proceed. Lord Young is thinking about it. Last Thursday’s hearing went about as well as it could go. The UK government produced no written argument and barely seemed to be trying. They moved in court for the Scottish judicial …

Of Judges, Juries and Fascism

Scottish Judicial Review Hearing Tomorrow
19 Aug 2026 at 10:05pm

After eight months of obstructionism from the Labour Friends of Israel government of the UK, tomorrow is the day on which the Scottish Court of Session will finally decide whether to go ahead with the judicial review it granted in January, or kowtow to Downing St. I publish below two of the three main papers …

Scottish Judicial Review Hearing Tomorrow

A Tide in the Affairs of Men
7 Aug 2026 at 9:20pm

Between ten and five years ago, specifically in the light of Brexit, it was not in the least unusual for Scottish Independence supporters to discuss a declaration of Independence as the way forward. Debate more often centred on who should make the declaration – the Scottish parliament or some form of national convention or assembly. …

A Tide in the Affairs of Men

BBC Scotland

MSPs asked to pause Scotland's AI data centre boom
16 Sep 2026 at 12:40pm
The growth of AI is happening at lightning pace, so what are the advantages and disadvantages of Scotland being at the forefront?

ScotRail app problems may not be fixed by end of the year, MSPs hear
16 Sep 2026 at 3:49pm
The rail operator admitted the launch of the app had "not been good enough" but could not say when the problems would be rectified.

GPS tracking of bailed suspects to start next year, says Swinney
15 Sep 2026 at 5:19pm
A pilot scheme in Tayside, Central and Fife is expected to start in 2027, the first minister has announced.

Building more data centres could push up electricity prices, Holyrood committ...
15 Sep 2026 at 1:16pm
Scotland has been identified as a key location for building hyperscale AI data centres because of the high potential for renewable energy.

UK could 'unlock' 100 more oil and gas projects, say North Sea bosses
15 Sep 2026 at 7:45am
The UK could supply half of its oil and gas needs without imports if the government showed more support for the sector, an OEUK report claims.

Swinney aiming for independence referendum by 2031
14 Sep 2026 at 3:47pm
The FM has signed an agreement with other nationalist leaders predicting "Westminster's time is coming to an end".

Tributes to former Labour MSP Cathie Craigie who died after short illness
12 Sep 2026 at 2:56pm
The Scottish Labour MSP represented Cumbernauld and Kilsyth between 1999 and 2011.

Proceeds of crime action against former SNP chief Murrell delayed
11 Sep 2026 at 12:17pm
The court action will determine how much he will repay of the £400,000 he embezzled from the party.

PM says second Scottish independence referendum remains 'off limits'
10 Sep 2026 at 9:34pm
Andy Burnham clarifies remarks he made in the House of Commons and says his focus is on economic growth and the cost of living.

Watchdog warns Scotland's colleges face increasing financial pressure
10 Sep 2026 at 1:13pm
A new report says the country's 19 colleges had an overall deficit of £5.6m in 2024/25 - up from £1.9m.

FM warns police will pursue anyone spreading lies about fire-hit flats
8 Sep 2026 at 5:11pm
Housing association NG Homes said rumours that the flats would be used to house asylum seekers were false.

Lord Advocate 'concerned' as domestic abuse charges rise by 14%
8 Sep 2026 at 3:25pm
Lord Advocate Ruth Charteris KC said protecting women and girls from abusive men would be a priority during her time in office.

Scot Goes Pop

Labour slump to THIRD PLACE in Scottish subsample as Burnham's YouGov horror ...
16 Sep 2026 at 1:53pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.*  *  *If you'd like to help Scot Goes Pop to continue, please check out my Ko-Fi pa...

Burnham U-turns on the U-turn: after just 24 hours, he reverts to the previou...
11 Sep 2026 at 5:01pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.*  *  *If you'd like to help Scot Goes Pop to continue, please check out my Ko-Fi pa...

Burnham's REVOLUTIONARY U-turn as he accepts Scotland can have an independenc...
10 Sep 2026 at 1:09pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.*  *  *If you'd like to help Scot Goes Pop to continue, please check out my Ko-Fi pa...

Burnham suffers more Scottish poll MISERY as SNP enjoy 17-point lead in YouGo...
9 Sep 2026 at 1:15pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.*  *  *If you'd like to help Scot Goes Pop to continue, please check out my Ko-Fi pa...

A de facto referendum on independence would self-evidently not be "bonkers" -...
7 Sep 2026 at 11:01am
There has been just one occasion in history in which an integral part of the United Kingdom became an independent country, and it did not happen as the result of a 2014-style agreed referendum.  In...

"Well THAT one was worth waiting for!": SNP have DOUBLE Labour's support in d...
2 Sep 2026 at 11:38pm

RevStew can squeal but *of course* the SNP have done the right thing by rulin...
31 Aug 2026 at 9:19am
The most dispiriting aspect of the controversy surrounding Dave Doogan is that it's given the controversial Somerset-based "Stew" blogger an excuse to yet again trot out his barking mad fantasy abo...

The refusal to allow a debate and vote on independence strategy at the SNP co...
29 Aug 2026 at 10:15am
I initially assumed that the timing of the publication of a draft indyref bill was directly connected to the news having just broken that this year's SNP conference is being effectively blocked fro...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Large-scale data centres will require environmental assessment, Scottish Gove...
16 Sep 2026 at 12:39pm
The change will affect plans for all new data centres with a power capacity exceeding 50 megawatts

Domestic abusers on bail to be GPS-tracked from next year, Swinney announces
15 Sep 2026 at 6:35pm
Swinney said the pilot would begin next year in the Tayside, Central and Fife sheriffdom.

Insight: Scotland?s defence sector is facing a looming jobs crisis
15 Sep 2026 at 4:52pm
A report from the Scottish Affairs Committee moves quickly to highlight crucial warnings facing Scotland?s defence sector ? and urges both the UK and Scottish governments to step up

First Minister to lead debate on ending violence against women and girls
15 Sep 2026 at 3:16pm
The First Minister previously announced plans to launch a multi-year, public health campaign to challenge misogynistic attitudes in boys and young men

Andy Burnham cancels engagements following death of father 
14 Sep 2026 at 1:46pm
Burnham has previously spoken about his father?s Alzheimer's diagnosis, which meant that he did not know his son had become Prime Minister.

Burnham will be last Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, says Swinney
14 Sep 2026 at 1:15pm
Scotland?s First Minister says a Scottish independence referendum should take place within the next five years

Westminster?s time is coming to an end ? SNP, Plaid and Sinn Féin leaders
14 Sep 2026 at 11:34am
John Swinney has said Scots must be able to express their view on whether to remain in the UK

SNP, Plaid and Sinn Féin leaders expected to sign joint agreement in Cardiff
14 Sep 2026 at 8:51am
They will meet in their capacity as party leaders, rather than as officials in their respective governments

Donald Trump to save Scottish independence thoughts for ?another day?
13 Sep 2026 at 4:24pm
On Saturday, Trump said he 'would love to see' Ireland unified, adding 'it?s going to happen eventually.'

Devolved First Ministers to sign independence declaration
13 Sep 2026 at 1:32pm
SNP leader John Swinney, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth and Sinn Féin vice president Michelle O?Neill will meet in Cardiff on Monday

Andy Burnham ?knows he would lose? second independence vote, says Jenny Gilruth
11 Sep 2026 at 3:11pm
Scottish deputy first minister Jenny Gilruth said the Prime Minister was ?scared? to agree a mechanism for a second independence vote.

Peter Murrell to return to court as Crown lawyers try to recover embezzeled f...
11 Sep 2026 at 10:31am
Crown lawyers will attempt to recover assets that the former SNP CEO seized illegally from the political party

Independent Scotland in EU would make Scots £3,000 a year richer, claims SNP
11 Sep 2026 at 7:01am
The party said the 'independence dividend' would come as a result of the economic cost of Brexit.

Andy Burnham tells John Swinney again that indyref2 is ?off limits?
10 Sep 2026 at 7:55pm
The Scottish First Minister had claimed remarks from the Prime Minister earlier this week showed a ?big shift? in his stance.

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Young Scots wearing balaclavas while driving e-bikes are 'terrifying' communi...
16 Sep 2026 at 12:32pm
An SNP MSP warned young men were roaming Scots communities "dressed in black, wearing face coverings, terrifying people".

Alex Salmond legal action against SNP Government postponed as both sides prep...
16 Sep 2026 at 10:07am
Millionaire businessman Paul McManus is funding the action after the ex-SNP leader's widow Moira agreed to transfer the legal rights of the case.

SNP reduced to 'gimmicks' to sell independence to voters as Cardiff summit br...
16 Sep 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: Professor James Mitchell rubbished John Swinney's prediction that Andy Burnham would be the last Prime Minister of the UK - and said the case for independence had not been moved forward ...

Domestic abuse victims warn more women could be killed by men unless SNP Gove...
15 Sep 2026 at 5:14pm
Helen Simpson, whose daughter Demi Hannaway died in 2021, said: "Perpetrators need to understand - no more. You're not getting away with it."

Nicola Sturgeon complaint over 'handling stolen goods' is latest chapter in a...
15 Sep 2026 at 4:21pm
Stuart Campbell first raised questions about the SNP's finances six years before Peter Murrell pled guilty to embezzlement.

Irish PM says Sinn Fein working with SNP and Plaid Cymru won't help reunifica...
15 Sep 2026 at 2:09pm
The Taoiseach said his party had "never embroiled Northern Ireland in British politics. We?ve always identified the north as exceptional."

DUP to meet Orange Order in Scotland as Unionists fight back against Cardiff ...
15 Sep 2026 at 10:11am
Stormont politician Phillip Brett said the event in Scotland would show "the next generation of Unionism is stepping forward".

SNP supporters hesitant to accept IndyRef2 in short term 'as they might not win'
15 Sep 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: Professor John Curtice told the Record that support for an immediate referendum in Scotland was low.

Nicola Sturgeon reported to Police Scotland for 'handling stolen goods'
14 Sep 2026 at 3:34pm
Stuart Campbell, who runs the Wings over Scotland website, announced today he had filed a complaint with cops as he had been "left with no alternative".

John Swinney's Cardiff summit answers none of the difficult questions about S...
14 Sep 2026 at 1:11pm
Scots voters deserve clear answers on what exactly the SNP is proposing when it comes to building a new Scottish state. But photo calls with other nationalist leaders won't provide them, says Chris...

The National

The National | Politics

Canada deal shows Scotland 'can get back in EU with independence', say SNP
16 Sep 2026 at 2:22pm

A PROPOSED deal to make Canada an associate member of the EU shows Scotland "can get back into the EU with independence", the SNP have said.

SNP should abstain from Westminster if referendum block continues, former MP ...
16 Sep 2026 at 1:48pm

The SNP have been urged to consider abstaining from Westminster if the UK Government continues to block a second independence referendum

John Swinney responds to DUP?s criticism Celtic Alliance self-determination pact
16 Sep 2026 at 1:45pm

The First Minister of Scotland has responded to the DUP?s criticism of Monday?s meeting of pro-independence parties in Cardiff

Fury as Reform UK launch 'vile' small boats mobile 'game' amid party finance ...
16 Sep 2026 at 1:36pm

REFORM UK have sparked fury after the party launched a ?vile? mobile game that aims to stop small boats reaching Britain with a Royal Navy vessel ...

Irish president meets John Swinney in Edinburgh as Scotland visit gets underway
16 Sep 2026 at 10:57am

Ireland?s President Catherine Connolly has been greeted by John Swinney at his official residence in Edinburgh, as her visit to Scotland begins

How media around the world reacted to historic Celtic Alliance meeting
16 Sep 2026 at 10:55am

The historic Celtic Alliance meeting ? which saw the three devolved leaders sign an agreement to put pressure on Westminster over independence ? has not been without reaction ...

Huge row emerges in Holborn by-election as George Galloway confirmed to run
16 Sep 2026 at 10:32am

A ROW has emerged after George Galloway announced he would stand as a candidate in the by-election for Keir Starmer?s former seat in order to oppose Green leader Zack Polanski ...

Scottish Government issues new rules for data centres ahead of key debate
16 Sep 2026 at 10:25am

The Scottish Government has announced tighter rules for AI data centre applications ahead of a vote on a moratorium on the projects

Oxfam presses SNP over Scotland?s Israel boycott ahead of Holyrood vote
16 Sep 2026 at 10:20am

OXFAM has called on Scottish ministers to explain how they are preventing public money from supporting companies linked to serious violations of international law ? including Israel ...

Live updates as Scotland debates AI data centre moratorium
16 Sep 2026 at 10:13am

The Scottish Parliament is debating whether there should be a moratorium on new hyperscale data centres

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Innovation activity of Scottish businesses falls behind?UK average ?
16 Sep 2026 at 2:13pm
Scotland ranks in the bottom quartile of UK regions and countries in terms of its share of businesses that were innovation active

Scottish Government adds environmental check to?new data centre applications?
16 Sep 2026 at 11:56am
The announcement coincides with a Scottish Greens vote scheduled for today, calling for a moratorium on new AI data centres

One in five Brits use AI to follow the news?
15 Sep 2026 at 1:13pm
Ofcom found that?13 per cent of adults have used ChatGPT to?access the news?in the last year

Trump condemns AI slowdown as MPs and Lords call for new?law to protect?human...
14 Sep 2026 at 5:10pm
Dario Amodei,?head of AI company Anthropic, called for a slowdown in the speed of AI development

John Swinney: Andy Burnham will be the last prime minister of the United Kingdom
14 Sep 2026 at 1:54pm
PM reaffirms commitment to the union as first ministers meet

ScotlandIS appoints Professor Gordon Morison as new chair ?
14 Sep 2026 at 1:28pm
Morison?takes on the role after four years as a member of the ScotlandIS board.?

In full: The SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn F?in memorandum of understanding
14 Sep 2026 at 12:27pm
Leaders meet in Wales

John Swinney meets nationalist leaders of Northern Ireland and Wales in Cardiff
14 Sep 2026 at 1:01am
Leaders of SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Fein call on UK Government to prepare for constitutional change

Scots pupils falling behind England a ?national emergency?, says Reform
10 Sep 2026 at 4:36pm
John Swinney said Pisa was only ?one part of the dataset? and insisted he was ?proud? of his government?s record

John Swinney apologises to two women amid call for miscarriage care to be rev...
10 Sep 2026 at 4:06pm
Labour's Jackie Baillie said the first minister must ensure "women?s voices are heard"

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

UK politics: Farage hints that Reform?s £72m donations may not be legal under...
14 Sep 2026 at 6:04pm
In an interview about the donations, he said they are compliant with the law ?today?Andy Burnham has cancelled engagements today and tomorrow following the death of his father Roy, who was suffering from Alzheimer?s, the Press Association reports.Burnham has spoken about his father?s illness whic...

Westminster?s time is coming to an end, say first ministers of UK?s Celtic na...
14 Sep 2026 at 2:21pm
Leaders in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland discuss independence and call for constitutional change at summitWestminster?s time is coming to an end, the first ministers of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have said at a summit aimed at putting the UK?s Celtic nations on the path to indepe...

UK politics: Andy Burnham pressed on borrowing costs and spending at first PM...
2 Sep 2026 at 5:36pm
Burnham faced questions from Kemi Badenoch and other MPs amid speculation over budgetIn the news release to mark the first anniversary of his election as the Green party?s leader, Zack Polanski highlighted what he described as 10 achievements during his first year in charge. For the record, this ...

Swinney sticks with pledge to cap prices on basic foods in Scotland
1 Sep 2026 at 5:52pm
First minister sets out his government?s agenda and defends policy described by industry groups as a ?potty gimmick?John Swinney insisted on Tuesday he still planned to introduce a legally binding price cap on bread, milk and other essential food items in Scotland despite fierce opposition from f...

Tuesday briefing: Scotland has promised on violence against women ? can it de...
1 Sep 2026 at 6:46am
In today?s newsletter: First minister John Swinney has pledged to put an end to violence against women and girls. But can he turn ambitious laws into real change?Good morning. Violence against women and girls, in all its myriad forms ? physical and mental, blatant and insidious ? is a global chal...

Channel 5 drama to examine how Nicola Sturgeon?s estranged husband stole SNP ...
26 Aug 2026 at 2:00pm
To Nicola, Love Peter will focus on couple?s relationship during 12-year period of embezzlement and fallout of caseChannel 5 is reuniting with the producers of Power: the Downfall of Huw Edwards for a drama about how Nicola Sturgeon?s estranged husband embezzled £400,000 from the Scottish Nationa...

?Never seen this level of objection?: Scotland pushes back against datacentre...
25 Aug 2026 at 6:00am
Holyrood ?inching towards moratorium? amid concerns over massive proposed developments in Auchtertool and beyondIn a village 21 miles north of Edinburgh, a real estate consultancy plans to build a datacentre larger than the village itself ? 35 metres high, with an area larger than 100 football pi...

Police Scotland warns ?robust security? needed to stop attacks on AI datacentres
14 Aug 2026 at 5:05pm
?A great deal of public opposition is likely? to a proposed datacentre near Edinburgh, the force saysPolice in Scotland have issued a stark warning about the need for ?robust security measures? to stop proposed AI datacentres from being attacked by protesters.There has been mounting opposition to...

Polls open in Clacton, where Farage spent more than £10,000 in byelection aga...
13 Aug 2026 at 3:54pm
The Reform UK leader resigned as the MP for Clacton at the start of July and forced a byelectionThe number of patients in England being cared for in hospital corridors or makeshift areas has remained above 3,000 a day for the second month in a row, as the NHS experiences a ?summer surge?, the Pre...

UK politics: Burnham urges retailers to stop selling disposable barbecues aft...
12 Aug 2026 at 7:10pm
PM warns extreme heat conditions ?could be with us fo some time yet?Just 20 staff are working on climate adaptation within the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the part of government tasked with protecting the environment and maintaining food security, a freedom of information ...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Labour?s lying reply to Believe in Scotland?s petition
16 Sep 2026 at 2:57pm
You’ve probably never heard of Elaine Stewart. She’s my local MP, one of the least distinguished Labour MPs out of the undistinguished bunch of careerists and lobby fodder elected to Westminster in July 2026, supposedly to represent Scottish constituencies. Stewart features amongst the six Labour MPs representing Scottish constituencies who appear in list compiled by …

The positive case for the Union will be along shortly, this time they mean it.
15 Sep 2026 at 2:49pm
The flag waving We’re not nationalists we’re British brigade are seriously rattled by the Celtic Alliance, although of course they’d never admit to it, they’re currently doing their best impression of the Catherine Tate character Lauren, screaming, “Lookit my face am I bovvered?” as they go red white blue and puce in their ostensibly unbovvered …

The Cardiff Agreement marks a new chapter in the path to independence
14 Sep 2026 at 7:06pm
On Monday there was a historic meeting in Cardiff, the first time ever that pro-independence First Ministers from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland met and agreed a common framework for the pursuit of self-determination for their respective nations. The meeting was a sharp rebuke to UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, telling him that self-determination can …

Burnham?s expected reverse ferret
10 Sep 2026 at 7:23pm
Andy Burnham has replied to John Swinney after the latter wrote to him asking for a meeting to put the process for triggering a Scottish independence referendum on a legal basis after Burnham replied to a question from SNP MP Chris Law at PMQs on Wednesday asking him about that process detailed in the Good …

The independence cat is out of the bag
10 Sep 2026 at 2:43pm
Speaking to The National this week after Andy Burnham – perhaps inadvertently – set out the conditions for Scotland to hold an independence referendum, polling expert Professor John Curtice acknowledged that if an independence referendum were to be held tomorrow, Scotland would most likely vote Yes. He stated that a vote is going to be …

Burnham?s crack in the constitutional dam
9 Sep 2026 at 3:17pm
In PMQs on Wednesday, Andy Burnham was asked by SNP MP Chris Law about the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) and the trigger for an Irish unification referendum, and after Burnham stated that he was aware of every word in the Good Friday Agreement, Law asked: “So he Burnham will therefore know that the Northern Ireland …

BBC Scotland?s educational F grade
8 Sep 2026 at 8:28pm
BBC Scotland’s latest ‘Scotland is shite’ story is to tell us that Scottish educational performance has fallen behind that of England. This finding is based on Pisa rankings. However BBC Scotland, ahem, ‘forgot’ to mention a critical piece of information in its rush to let viewers know how terrible Scottish education is. That information is …

The smokiest of smoking guns
4 Sep 2026 at 4:36pm
If there are smoking guns, Channel 4 and Verbatim’s undercover sting on Reform UK is a slow motion video of the bullet exiting the barrel and hitting its target. If you haven’t seen the report it’s available on catch up or YouTube. It is very, very bad for Farage who was already in deep trouble …

The BBC?s clutching pearls are in aisle three
3 Sep 2026 at 3:43pm
You might have thought that any measure aimed at helping struggling households during a cost of living crisis would be welcome, particularly at a time when there’s an ever widening gap between the richest and the poorest. The Scottish Government has proposed to introduce a price cap on essential basic grocery items in order to …

The branch office?s stagnant talent puddle
2 Sep 2026 at 4:42pm
The Labour party in Scotland has got itself into a hopeless mess on the topic of another independence referendum. Actually, that previous sentence could just have stopped at the word mess. The two contenders for the position of Labour’s Scottish branch manager, Michael Marra and Jackie Baillie’s wee pet Joe Fagan, had an embarrassing car …

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

Scotland's First and biggest Rebuttal Service -Talking-up Scotland

English single malt whisky fails the test
16 Sep 2026 at 8:28am
Help Talking-up Scotland keep goin Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code ? 08-91-04 Account ? 12266421 By Liz S The Herald posted the above yesterday, mainly I suspect , because the video they attached to their post was of a UK politician , Wendy Chamberlain, highlighting this in the HOC...

As Police Scotland confiscate more of this ?preferred transport for [English...
16 Sep 2026 at 8:14am
e-bikes and e-scooters were taken off Scotland’s streets in 2025. Help Talking-up Scotland keep goin Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code ? 08-91-04 Account ? 12266421 The Daily Record, four days ago, put its finger on the underlying factor in the above surge of e-bike police confisca...

Near-Shore Underwater Data Centres with Waste Heat Recovery ? A Distinctly Sc...
16 Sep 2026 at 7:54am
I sense danger here for the Scottish Government, the SNP and the wider movement as the media operating in Scotland increasingly focus on the debate over large data centres and see opportunities to divide it within itself. A growing grass roots opposition and Scottish Greens campaigning for a ‘pause’ is get increasing attention and putting the SNP Government on the back foot. Help Talking-up Sco...

For at least 8 years now ? English drug gangs bringing misery to Scotland fro...
15 Sep 2026 at 6:05pm
Help Talking-up Scotland keep goin Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code ? 08-91-04 Account ? 12266421 From the Sun today, the above and: A COUNTY lines gang leader who flooded communities in Scotland with heroin has been jailed for more than six years. Lee Campbell ran the county lines ...

Tell me Grok my AI familiar ? Why is Talking-up Scotland little referenced in...
15 Sep 2026 at 3:32pm
Tell me Grok my AI familiar – Why is Talking-up Scotland little referenced in MSM or by politicians on both sides in Scotland? Help Talking-up Scotland keep goin Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code ? 08-91-04 Account ? 12266421 Talking-up Scotland is a long-running, data-heavy pro-inde...

Kevin McKenna ? ?I spent an afternoon on the stump of Burnbank with the most ...
15 Sep 2026 at 3:31pm
Help Talking-up Scotland keep goin Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code ? 08-91-04 Account ? 12266421 By Liz S I think McKenna?s real gripe is simply that he absolutely hates the SNP and so he is determined to convince others to also hate them as well. However he is choosing to express ...

How families of UK workers find it impossible to sue for cancer deaths in nuc...
15 Sep 2026 at 3:29pm
Help Talking-up Scotland keep goin Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code ? 08-91-04 Account ? 12266421 From the Tri-City Herald (Washington State) two days ago: The estate of a delivery driver who died of complications of cancer is suing the federal government for $10 million, saying it ...

Two 900-megawatt reactors on the French coast came off the grid before return...
15 Sep 2026 at 3:28pm
Help Talking-up Scotland keep goin Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code ? 08-91-04 Account ? 12266421 Thanks again to Frances McKie for alerting us to this. From autoNotion two days ago, the above and: An automatic reactor trip is the safety system doing its job, and it?s arguably the m...

Talking-up Scotland to continue despite sobering figures
15 Sep 2026 at 9:46am
170 supporters of Talking-up Scotland have made donations via the crowdfunder app or by direct bank transfer. Many of these have been, to my mind, particularly generous. I’m very grateful to them all and they can be sure that we will continue for them and for those who I know were not able to donate. The 170 represent 10% of the TuS subscribers who get an email link for every post and around 1%...

Only 8% of the population but 82% of the oil and gas yet ?UK? gets 20 times t...
15 Sep 2026 at 9:44am
BBC Reporting Scotland in BBC Breakfast today and on their website, below: Help Talking-up Scotland keep goin Crowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-going Or by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code ? 08-91-04 Account ? 12266421 In the text, ‘Scot’ appears only once in the 700 plus word report, 17 paragraphs down: Both projects had alrea...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

Leaders of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland unite for self-determination - A...
14 Sep 2026 at 7:34pm
Leaders of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland unite for self-determination  Al Jazeera

John Swinney aiming for independence referendum by 2031 - bbc.com
14 Sep 2026 at 3:47pm
John Swinney aiming for independence referendum by 2031  bbc.com

Is the UK heading toward a ?breakup?? - Global Times
16 Sep 2026 at 1:51pm
Is the UK heading toward a ?breakup??  Global Times

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland leaders unite behind independence push f...
14 Sep 2026 at 8:08pm
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland leaders unite behind independence push from UK  Courthouse News

United Kingdom?s unity threatened by pact between Wales, Scotland and Norther...
14 Sep 2026 at 6:01pm
United Kingdom?s unity threatened by pact between Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland  AP News

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland join in Celtic independence push - The W...
15 Sep 2026 at 4:39am
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland join in Celtic independence push  The Washington Post

Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland to sign joint declaration demanding self-de...
13 Sep 2026 at 12:08pm
Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland to sign joint declaration demanding self-determination - report  The Jerusalem Post

Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish leaders unite in push to leave UK - ABC Ne...
14 Sep 2026 at 6:33pm
Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish leaders unite in push to leave UK  ABC News & Headlines ? Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Scotland Independence: Can Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Legally Leave...
14 Sep 2026 at 5:24am
Scotland Independence: Can Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Legally Leave the UK?  Diplomacy and Law

PM says second Scottish independence referendum remains 'off limits' - BBC
10 Sep 2026 at 12:56pm
PM says second Scottish independence referendum remains 'off limits'  BBC

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

The SNP says the EU's Canada proposal proves an independent Scotland could re...
16 Sep 2026 at 4:02pm
The SNP says the EU's Canada proposal proves an independent Scotland could rejoin Europe. Here's the case they're making (with video)  Plataforma Media

SNP should abstain from Westminster if referendum block continues, former MP ...
16 Sep 2026 at 2:18pm
SNP should abstain from Westminster if referendum block continues, former MP urges  The National Scot

SNP should consider abstaining from Westminster 'if impasse isn't broken', sa...
16 Sep 2026 at 1:15pm
SNP should consider abstaining from Westminster 'if impasse isn't broken', says MSP  The Scotsman

Tuesday briefing: How to understand Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?s jo...
15 Sep 2026 at 6:47am
Tuesday briefing: How to understand Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?s joint call for change  The Guardian

Proceeds of crime action against former SNP chief Murrell delayed - bbc.com
11 Sep 2026 at 12:17pm
Proceeds of crime action against former SNP chief Murrell delayed  bbc.com

The SNP is obsessed with a referendum. It has forgotten how to win one - The ...
16 Sep 2026 at 8:00am
The SNP is obsessed with a referendum. It has forgotten how to win one  The Herald

New DDRop Attack Breaks Intel TDX and AMD SEV-SNP Confidential Computing - Th...
14 Sep 2026 at 6:00pm
New DDRop Attack Breaks Intel TDX and AMD SEV-SNP Confidential Computing  The Hacker News

Growing public scepticism over the UK?s long-term survival as leaders of Plai...
14 Sep 2026 at 4:27pm
Growing public scepticism over the UK?s long-term survival as leaders of Plaid, SNP and Sinn Féin meet  Ipsos

In full: The SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin memorandum of understanding - Hol...
14 Sep 2026 at 11:27am
In full: The SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin memorandum of understanding  Holyrood Website

SNP MSPs urged to follow party members and back Greens? AI data centre pause ...
15 Sep 2026 at 10:50am
SNP MSPs urged to follow party members and back Greens? AI data centre pause  Scottish Greens

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

Leaders of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland unite for self-determination - A...
14 Sep 2026 at 7:34pm
Leaders of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland unite for self-determination  Al Jazeera

John Swinney aiming for independence referendum by 2031 - bbc.com
14 Sep 2026 at 3:47pm
John Swinney aiming for independence referendum by 2031  bbc.com

Is the UK heading toward a ?breakup?? - Global Times
16 Sep 2026 at 1:51pm
Is the UK heading toward a ?breakup??  Global Times

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland leaders unite behind independence push f...
14 Sep 2026 at 8:08pm
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland leaders unite behind independence push from UK  Courthouse News

Independence referendum ?not off the table? amid meeting between Scotland, Wa...
13 Sep 2026 at 3:17pm
Independence referendum ?not off the table? amid meeting between Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland  Yahoo News New Zealand

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland join in Celtic independence push - The W...
15 Sep 2026 at 4:39am
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland join in Celtic independence push  The Washington Post

PM says second Scottish independence referendum remains 'off limits' - BBC
10 Sep 2026 at 12:56pm
PM says second Scottish independence referendum remains 'off limits'  BBC

Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish leaders unite in push to leave UK - ABC Ne...
14 Sep 2026 at 6:33pm
Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish leaders unite in push to leave UK  ABC News & Headlines ? Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish parties to hold independence summit - lemonde.fr
14 Sep 2026 at 12:25am
Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish parties to hold independence summit  lemonde.fr

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Signed an Independence Pact. Westminster...
15 Sep 2026 at 7:14pm
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Signed an Independence Pact. Westminster Still Holds Every Legal Card  Modern Diplomacy