The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Scottish Government 'misrepresented' equality watchdog advice on Supreme Cour...
28 Jun 2025 at 5:00am
Equality watchdog says its guidance was misrepresented by Scottish Government officials following landmark Supreme Court ruling on legal definition of woman.


The land reform story at the heart of a new national Scottish archive
28 Jun 2025 at 10:00am
For a few decades Dunvegan on the west coast of Skye was an unlikely centre of national, technological innovation.


Rod Stewart backs Reform as he says 'we've got to give Nigel Farage a chance'
27 Jun 2025 at 7:00pm
Rod Stewart has thrown his weight behind Nigel Farage and Reform.


Starmer caves on welfare but Scottish Labour rebels hit out over 'two tier' s...
27 Jun 2025 at 10:15am
Sir Keir Starmer has scaled back key welfare changes after a Labour backbench revolt, but some MPs and charities say the concessions do not go far enough.


Lib Dems 'on the up' after securing victory in close Edinburgh by-election
27 Jun 2025 at 1:39am
The Liberal Democrats have gained a seat on Edinburgh Council after winning a by-election.


'Never seen anything like it': How a routine by-election became 'night of hig...
27 Jun 2025 at 12:47pm
The Lib Dems beat Labour in a close by-election race and could now seek to take control of Edinburgh Council.


'Everyone agrees we need reform:' Sarwar plays down Scottish Labour welfare s...
26 Jun 2025 at 5:31pm
Anas Sarwar says Labour must press ahead with welfare reform but insists changes must be fair, as party faces internal rebellion over PIP and Universal Credit plans.


Police Scotland boss explains reasoning behind new guidance on searching tran...
26 Jun 2025 at 4:28pm
Police Scotland?s chief constable has said it is hoped new interim guidance on searching transgender people will help protect officers against potential criminal allegations.


Swinney defends Gray Japan trip as opposition quiz FM on record cancer delays
26 Jun 2025 at 4:29pm
John Swinney insists his government is focused on improving cancer care after new figures show record-low treatment rates.


Calls for seagull summit as fears grow someone could be 'killed' in bird attack
26 Jun 2025 at 3:44pm
The Scottish Government has been told they must act quickly or risk someone dying


Imodium or wee red carrier bag? Shona Robison's Poop Cruise problem
26 Jun 2025 at 3:55pm
The Scottish Government faces a £5 billion black hole. Shona Robison?s options are grim.


Analysis: In all my Holyrood committee-watching years, I've never seen such a...
26 Jun 2025 at 2:36pm
Douglas Ross clashed with Dundee?s ex-principal and seabirds in one bruising day at Holyrood


Former University of Dundee principal says he's incompetent, not corrupt
26 Jun 2025 at 10:48am
The former head of the University of Dundee was torn apart in a fiery committee meeting at Holyrood, then refused to answer questions from the waiting media


'Cuckoo land': Ex-MSP Neil Findlay urges Labour MPs to rebel over benefit reform
26 Jun 2025 at 11:00am
?If MPs vote for the bill, there is no way it will enhance their chances of reelection," he said. "They are living in ?cuckoo land? and need to wake up."

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


18 fire stations across Scotland have no running water as firefighters treate...
28 Jun 2025 at 10:00pm

The Scottish Conservatives described the situation for firefighters as ?intolerable?.

Wings over Scotland

The Con Merchant
28 Jun 2025 at 2:11pm
Back in the 1980s and 1990s, before the internet, scammers used to have to work a bit harder to cheat people than they do now. A popular method was to advertise a “clearance sale” in the press. You’d see an ad in the Daily Record or a local paper for an event in a High …

The Art Of Noise
27 Jun 2025 at 12:37pm
Genuinely, can anyone tell us what the heck this actually means? ? Because to us, it’s just meaningless quacking to fill a void. It’s very short, so let’s transcribe the whole thing. “I want to do spectacularly well in the 2026 election, that’s what my sights are on.” Well, duh. And there was us thinking …

And it?s goodnight from he/him
26 Jun 2025 at 11:18am
And now for tonight’s headlines. Police Scotland have nevertheless denied that prisoners in their custody are being excessively pampered, following reports that a man was hustled out of St Leonard’s station in Edinburgh with an electric blanket over his head. Meanwhile, following the Supreme Court ruling in the For Women Scotland case, the force’s HQ …

But Don?t Give Yourself Away
25 Jun 2025 at 2:51pm
Seamus Logan, an SNP MP of whom it has often been said “Seamus who?”, has an article in The National today categorically ruling out Scotland achieving independence via a democratic vote in an event fully recognised by the UK government. That in itself shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to Wings readers, as this …

Anatomy Of A Lunatic
23 Jun 2025 at 10:00pm
Honestly, folks, I don’t even want to do this because almost nothing is more tedious for anyone else to read than two people having an internet beef – a lesson that I learned, ironically, from reading the site this post concerns, which does little else – but as well as reacting on a basic human …

A different school
23 Jun 2025 at 11:51am
Tommy Sheppard knows a John Swinney you don’t know. And who, conveniently, you’re not allowed to see. Traditionally, this is the opposite order to how things are done in politics: Normally, you tell people what you’re asking them to vote for BEFORE they actually vote. You don’t explain your plans AFTER the election, especially when …

Holiday Relief
17 Jun 2025 at 10:27am
We’re thinking of just handing over Wings to Grok for the summer so we can spend all our time feeding the swans, readers. Here’s what the Twitter artificial intelligence bot said when we asked it to assess today’s National front page. Sounds about right to us. We’re off for a walk.

Let?s Not Make Some Plans
13 Jun 2025 at 12:17pm
At first, this merely sounds like the worst day out ever. But for supporters of independence, in fact it’s even grimmer than that. Because if the above line-up of insomnia cures weren’t bad enough, wait until you hear what it is they’re going to be droning on to an audience of God-knows-who about. We know …

The Grand Tour
10 Jun 2025 at 6:50pm
Lacking anything better to do on a grey and cloudy day in Bath, we thought it might be a lark to go through every Holyrood constituency in Scotland and contemplate where it might go in next year’s election, based on the current state of polling. And just to make things interesting, compared to our last …

Two Of A Kind
9 Jun 2025 at 2:33pm
Humza Yousaf, March 2024: Actual result: Labour 37, SNP 9, Lib Dems 6, Tories 5. The two horses in the two-horse race finished second and fourth, and won just 19% of seats between them. And here’s John Swinney a week and a half ago: The two horses finished second and third. The matter of whether …

Craig Murray

Dystopia UK: Genocidal RAF Squadron Targeted by Palestine Action is Owned by ...
25 Jun 2025 at 6:58pm

If you thought RAF jets were owned by the RAF, think again. The RAF squadron targeted for a repaint by Palestine Action due to its involvement in supplying Israel’s genocide, does not in fact belong to the RAF at all. It belongs ultimately to Polygon Global Partners LLP, a Hedge Fund. Through a chain of …

Dystopia UK: Genocidal RAF Squadron Targeted by Palestine Action is Owned by a Hedge Fund

The Phantom Ceasefire
24 Jun 2025 at 10:58am

The Phantom Ceasefire is simply Trump’s off ramp. He announces a ceasefire and bows out, having been advised that regime change would only be achievable with extreme military commitment and massive cost in lives and treasure. You can never trust the Israelis – or indeed the Americans – with either a ceasefire or a negotiation. …

The Phantom Ceasefire

You Cannot Negotiate with the Zionist West
23 Jun 2025 at 12:40am

Israel and the USA have each attacked Iran in the middle of negotiations. Iran must not fall for it a third time. Negotiation is dead. Israel attacked Iran during negotiations between Iran and the US, with the next scheduled meeting just three days away – including assassinating the lead negotiator. Trump then gave Iran a …

You Cannot Negotiate with the Zionist West

War With Iran
20 Jun 2025 at 7:56pm

For 18 years, the Iranian nuclear programme has been one of the top 10 targeting objectives of the US intelligence services. In 2007 they first conducted a formal inter-agency review. It is done every year. This is not a minor process. A great deal of input is received from dozens of Washington stakeholders, led by …

War With Iran

Starmer and Lammy are Terrified
15 Jun 2025 at 3:37pm

Western governments’ abandonment of the very system of international law which they created was embodied in a tweet from the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which sought to justify the illegal Israeli attack on Iran as “Targeted strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities”. The former Director General of the International Atomic Energy Authority, Mohamed ElBaradei, was …

Starmer and Lammy are Terrified

The UK Rebukes the UN and Bows to the Israeli Embassy over ?Terrorism? Arrest...
28 May 2025 at 6:43am

There is a stunning contrast between the access given by the UK to the Israeli Embassy to influence prosecutions of anti-Genocide journalists and protestors, and the repudiation by the UK of United Nations querying such prosecutions. The UK has rebuked the UN for “outside interference”. I cannot state enough how unusual it is for the …

The UK Rebukes the UN and Bows to the Israeli Embassy over “Terrorism” Arrests of Journalists

BBC Scotland

New SQA chief named months before exams body scrapped
27 Jun 2025 at 4:24pm
The news comes less than 48 hours after the Scottish government passed legislation to replace the SQA.

What do UK welfare reforms mean for Scotland?
27 Jun 2025 at 1:57pm
The UK government is scaling back planned welfare reforms in a bid to fight off a backbench rebellion.

David Murray says sorry over disaster of Rangers sale
27 Jun 2025 at 12:37pm
The former Rangers owner says he regrets what happened to the club's staff and fans as he publishes his memoirs.

GPs in 'formal dispute' with ministers over funding
26 Jun 2025 at 6:50pm
BMA Scotland has told the Scottish government the next step would be to ballot doctors on disruptive action.

Tommy Sheridan loses social work job legal challenge
26 Jun 2025 at 5:33pm
Glasgow City Council said there was an "unacceptable level of risk" in hiring him as a social worker.

'Incompetent' former university boss considers returning £150,000 payout
26 Jun 2025 at 2:50pm
Prof Iain Gillespie was giving evidence to MSPs over the financial crisis at Dundee University

Council tax revaluation 'absolutely' needed, says minister
26 Jun 2025 at 5:12pm
Public finance minister Ivan McKee tells BBC news that there would "be winners and losers" from revaluation of council tax.

MSPs pass bill to scrap SQA for new Scottish exams body
26 Jun 2025 at 7:30am
Opposition parties raised concerns that the reforms were simply a "superficial rebrand".

Swinney apologises to travellers for 'Tinker Experiment'
25 Jun 2025 at 7:05pm
The first minister has said sorry to Gypsy Travellers who were forcibly resettled by Scottish authorities.

Global crisis poses defence dilemma for John Swinney
26 Jun 2025 at 6:20am
The first minister seems keen to avoid undermining the UK's positions on defence.

Over-running meeting webcasts cost council thousands
26 Jun 2025 at 8:43am
Aberdeen City Council looks to tackle the number of adjourned, reconvened and requisitioned meetings.

Consultation on scrapped national park cost £160,000
26 Jun 2025 at 6:18am
The consultation on the Galloway plan was the "largest and most challenging" ever held by NatureScot.

Scot Goes Pop

Now we've established that Stew doesn't want Holyrood to have any say on fore...
28 Jun 2025 at 7:57pm
As mentioned in the previous post, my devoted Somerset stalker "Stew" has been continuing to fire off tweets about me over recent days, faster than I can really keep up with, even though in some ca...

Crossbreak cornucopia as SNP stun rivals with epochal lead in Scottish subsam...
27 Jun 2025 at 10:07pm
GB-wide voting intentions (Find Out Now, 25th June 2025):Reform UK 30% (-1)Labour 22% (-1)Conservatives 18% (+2)Liberal Democrats 13% (+1)Greens 11% (-)SNP 3% (-)Plaid Cymru 1% (-)Scottish subsampl...

Scot Goes Pop puts Anas Sarwar ON THE SPOT
26 Jun 2025 at 5:06pm
Well, sort of.  I had a little cameo last night at the Holyrood Sources podcast recording in Edinburgh where both John Swinney and Anas Sarwar were questioned at length - albeit separately, they di...

Astounding YouGov MRP poll puts the SNP within eight seats of overtaking the ...
26 Jun 2025 at 8:59am
The title of yesterday's blogpost was 'Using an election to double as an independence referendum is the ONLY way independence can and will ever be won. Resisting it just delays the inevitable and c...

Using an election to double as an independence referendum is the ONLY way ind...
25 Jun 2025 at 11:29am
"The fact is that most Scots, pro-independence or not, accept without question our right to self-determination", says the SNP MP Seamus Logan in his latest column for The National."So for heaven's ...

Another week, another SUBSAMPLE SENSATION as SNP soar to twenty-point lead in...
24 Jun 2025 at 9:39pm
GB-wide voting intentions (YouGov / Sky News, 22nd-23rd June 2025):Reform UK 27% (-)Labour 23% (-)Conservatives 17% (-)Liberal Democrats 16% (+1)Greens 10% (-1)SNP 3% (-)Plaid Cymru 1% (-)Scottish ...

The SNP have now been in power for longer than the Thatcher/Major government
23 Jun 2025 at 10:37pm
Just a quick point that occurred to me the other day, and apologies if someone else has already pointed this out.  The longest-running UK government since the Second World War was the Thatcher/Majo...

The Stew-pot calling the Stew-kettle Snow White
23 Jun 2025 at 4:35pm
You may have noticed that this has been a recurring theme from Stew for several weeks now - whenever I point out the obvious fact that voting against independence is not the ideal strategy for winn...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Amazon leaders call on Scotland not to use illegal logging for world?s larges...
27 Jun 2025 at 5:19pm
The Green Volt project, located 80km off the Northeast coast of Scotland, was approved last year.

Starmer?s welfare U-turn doesn?t go far enough, warns Scottish charity
27 Jun 2025 at 11:45am
The UK Government confirmed on Friday that it will make major concessions to backbench Labour rebels over planned benefit reforms.

Holyrood committee calls for views on care experience legislation
27 Jun 2025 at 7:58am
The call for views will close on August 15.

Scottish Government warned someone could be killed by ?menacing gulls?
26 Jun 2025 at 5:02pm
An elderly couple are said to be too scared to leave their house because they are 'continually dive-bombed' by gulls.

GPs enter dispute with Scottish Government in first step towards strikes
26 Jun 2025 at 4:16pm
Scottish GPs have taken the first steps in preparation for a ballot on taking industrial action.

?Incompetent? former Dundee University principal considers returning £150,000...
26 Jun 2025 at 3:19pm
The First Minister was speaking after Professor Iain Gillespie was grilled by a Holyrood committee.

Investigation reports ?shocking? increase in private jet flights in Scotland
26 Jun 2025 at 1:09pm
Private flights to and from Prestwick jumped from 1,845 in 2023 to 2,437 in 2024.

John Swinney faces questions after Scotland?s cancer waiting times worst on r...
26 Jun 2025 at 11:51am
A report from Public Health Scotland on Tuesday revealed that waiting times are at an all-time high.

MSPs pass legislation to scrap SQA for new Scottish exams body
26 Jun 2025 at 9:27am
Opposition parties claimed the replacement organisation is 'little more than a rebrand'.

Former Dundee University principal apologises to staff and students
26 Jun 2025 at 9:02am
Investigation into the £35m financial crisis at the University continues on Thursday.

Ministers in talks over welfare concessions to head off growing Labour rebellion
26 Jun 2025 at 12:03am
Six more Labour MPs have added their names to an amendment that would halt the legislation in its tracks.

John Swinney apologises to Gypsy Traveller community for ?Tinker Experiment?
25 Jun 2025 at 3:22pm
The social experiment, which lasted from 1940 until 1980, saw children forcibly removed from their families.

Wendy Alexander ?asked to leave? Dundee University over ?uncomfortable questi...
25 Jun 2025 at 1:24pm
The former MSP said she chose to retire 'rather than accept the package and trips offered at that time.'

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner to defend welfare reforms at PMQs
25 Jun 2025 at 11:42am
Keir Starmer is attending a Nato summit at The Hague

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Police launch probe over "death to the IDF" calls at Bob Vylan's Glastonbury gig
28 Jun 2025 at 10:44pm
Bob Vylan, a punk duo consisting of singer and guitarist Bobby Vylan and drummer Bobbie Vylan, led crowds in chants of 'Free Palestine' and 'Death to the IDF' on Saturday afternoon, prompting fury ...

Kneecap fans boo Rod Stewart as band target him with "older than Israel" jibe
28 Jun 2025 at 7:05pm
Fans of the Belfast group jeered Rod?s name as Kneecap were performing at Glastonbury.

Kneecap lead foul-mouthed Keir Starmer chant before 'riot' speech at Glastonbury
28 Jun 2025 at 6:05pm
?Just to clarify, I don?t want anybody to start a riot"

Scots charity says Labour welfare cuts will 'rip gaping holes' in support for...
27 Jun 2025 at 2:21pm
Citizens Advice Scotland has criticised the welfare reforms as well as the last minute changes to the bill

John Swinney in funding threat to councils over flagship education policy
27 Jun 2025 at 9:20am
EXCLUSIVE: An exasperated First Minister has written to COSLA and accused councils of stalling on a deal to cut class contact time for teachers.

Everyone to get mobile phone alert as sirens sound for 10 seconds
27 Jun 2025 at 7:45am
The system was last used in January when it warned of the oncoming storm

Senior member of Anas Sarwar's shadow cabinet 'opposed' to Labour welfare cut...
26 Jun 2025 at 5:19pm
EXCLUSIVE: A senior party figure said Duncan-Glancy is angry about the cuts being proposed.

Calls for summit to tackle 'deadly' seagulls amid fears someone could be killed
26 Jun 2025 at 4:16pm
MSPs warned that Scots risk losing their lives over the ?growing problem? of ?nuisance? gulls during a debate at Holyrood on Thursday.

Anas Sarwar brands John Swinney 'captain of the Titanic' as he blasts 'failin...
26 Jun 2025 at 12:57pm
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said the NHS is "fighting for survival" under the First Minister's watch.

Alexander Dennis job losses in Scotland 'not a done deal' as firm urges incre...
26 Jun 2025 at 12:43pm
The bus firm said orders for up to 100 buses and changes to regulation are needed before the end of the year.

The National

The National | Politics

The UK?s definition of controversial is way off balance
28 Jun 2025 at 7:00pm

MIKE Small?s piece in the Sunday National (June 22) titled ?Weaponising morality? was excellent (as usual). Mike stated: ?The idea that Palestine Action ? people taking non-violent direct action against the weapons of genocide ? should be proscribed as a ?terrorist group? is a pitiful indictment of our current government?s complicity in atrocities

Angela Rayner called out over 'tone deaf' message about terminal illnesses
28 Jun 2025 at 11:57am

A TWEET about people battling terminal illnesses from the Deputy Prime Minister has been criticised as ?abhorrent? and ?tone deaf" .  

Israeli strikes kill at least 34 in Gaza overnight amid humanitarian crisis
28 Jun 2025 at 10:19am

AT LEAST 34 people were killed across Gaza by Israeli strikes, health staff say, as Palestinians face a growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza ...

Jamaican government to take fight for slavery reparations to King Charles
28 Jun 2025 at 10:08am

THE Jamaican government is set to take their fight for slavery reparations to the King with ministers saying attempts to seek justice over Britain's colonial past had entered ?another phase? ...

Pat Kane: Are you one of the doomscrollers? It?s time for us to focus on hope...
28 Jun 2025 at 8:08am

AM I a doomscroller?

Mhairi Black: Labour MPs swayed by Keir Starmer's U-turn are kidding themselves
28 Jun 2025 at 5:00am

BEING stressed, and even scared, about the state of the world today is a completely normal reaction ...

Will the SNP give more than warm words to help Scottish journalism?
27 Jun 2025 at 7:00pm

IT is easier to learn about Scotland?s green hydrogen industry from German television than from UK broadcasters ...

Wind, words, and willpower: Inside a pivotal week on Skye?s energy future
27 Jun 2025 at 6:40pm

Plans for more than 50 additional wind turbines in Skye have triggered fresh concern among residents and campaigners, as a public inquiry into a controversial repowering project concluded in Portree

Rod Stewart comes out in support of Reform UK and Nigel Farage
27 Jun 2025 at 6:32pm

SINGER Rod Stewart has said that Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is ?coming across well? and that voters have ?got to give him a chance? ...

Keir Starmer is having his Liz Truss moment with the Welfare row
27 Jun 2025 at 6:00pm

Keir Starmer is less obviously mad than Liz Truss. However, they share a key defining detail: both would happily dispense with democracy if given the chance

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Minister hails success as R100 scheme exceeds target
27 Jun 2025 at 5:17pm
In 2024/25 27,000 premises across the country were equipped with faster broadband via the scheme, exceeding government set targets

Keir Starmer: I regret 'island of strangers' speech
27 Jun 2025 at 12:42pm
Concessions to rebel MPs on welfare reform

Liam McArthur, Ash Regan and Graham Simpson among nominations for Holyrood Po...
26 Jun 2025 at 6:02pm
Liam McArthur, Ash Regan and Graham Simpson are shortlisted for MSP of the Year

Ian Murray: John Swinney is an analogue first minister in the digital age
26 Jun 2025 at 4:34pm
First Minister John Swinney?s pledge to revamp public services using technology comes too late, the Scottish Secretary has said

State-of-the-art?research hub set to transform global healthcare opens in Edi...
26 Jun 2025 at 4:00pm
The building will see more than 900 researchers, health and care providers and industry leaders, working together to tackle the most ressing healthcare challenges

John Swinney defends government record on cancer waits
26 Jun 2025 at 2:04pm
Opposition leaders criticised the government after figures showed one in three patients were waiting longer than 62 days

SQA to be scrapped as MSPs vote through education reforms
26 Jun 2025 at 8:11am
Bill passed in late-night vote

Public sector job cuts loom as Scottish Government faces ?2.6bn black hole
25 Jun 2025 at 6:36pm
Trade union leader predicts thousands of losses

Ex-Edinburgh Rape Crisis boss Mridul Wadhwa makes MSP bid for Scottish Greens
25 Jun 2025 at 5:15pm
Former CEO enters selection race one year after critical tribunal ruling

Glasgow City Council hit by cyber-attack ?
25 Jun 2025 at 2:27pm
Customer data may have been stolen in hit on Glasgow City Council

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

Starmer dismisses welfare cuts revolt as ?noises off? and defends his leaders...
25 Jun 2025 at 5:15pm
This live blog is now closed, you can read more on this story hereKemi Badenoch has said it would be ?pathetic? for Keir Starmer to postpone the vote on the UC and Pip bill. She posted this on social media, as a comment on the tweet from Kitty Donaldson. (See 11.22am.)This is pathetic. Starmer mu...

Peter Krykant obituary
20 Jun 2025 at 12:04pm
Drugs policy campaigner whose commitment to harm reduction led him to set up an overdose prevention serviceThe drugs policy campaigner Peter Krykant, who has died suddenly aged 48, advanced the cause of the harm reduction movement through a transformative act of civil disobedience.Fitting out a v...

DWP says transitional payments scheme for those losing Pip ?one of most gener...
18 Jun 2025 at 6:02pm
Department for Work and Pensions publishes text of bill cutting benefits and claims three-month transitional period is ?one of most generous ever?Angela Rayner, the deputy PM, will be taking PMQs shortly. And she will be up against Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary.When Kemi Badenoch became ...

MPs back bill to end criminal penalties for abortion in key vote ? as it happ...
17 Jun 2025 at 8:24pm
Parliament votes on biggest shake-up to reproductive rights in England and Wales in 60 yearsCasey says in the past government has talked relentlessly about the need for better data sharing between departments.But she says there is a need to consider making this mandatory.I was there when the trag...

Cooper says law on rape being tightened so adults cannot use consent as defen...
16 Jun 2025 at 6:01pm
Yvette Cooper tells parliament that Louise Casey audit found some cases were downgraded from rape to lesser charges ?because 13- to 15-year-old is perceived to have consented?Starmer launches new grooming gangs investigationIn his interview on the Sky News this morning Chris Philp, the shadow hom...

For Women Scotland group mulls more legal action after UK supreme court gende...
14 Jun 2025 at 1:36pm
Campaigners say they have spoken to Scottish government about lack of action on prisons and schools guidance amid focus on toiletsFor Women Scotland, the group responsible for April?s landmark supreme court ruling on biological sex, is considering further legal action against the Scottish governm...

?Disastrous?: John Swinney facing SNP backlash after Hamilton byelection loss
12 Jun 2025 at 9:45am
Leader hears demands for a clearer vision focused on independence ahead of next year?s Holyrood electionsSNP activists and senior figures have vented their frustrations at their leader, John Swinney, after a ?disastrous? byelection campaign that saw the party lose a pivotal Holyrood seat to Scott...

Winter fuel payments U-turn likely to lead to higher taxes or other welfare c...
9 Jun 2025 at 6:22pm
Treasury says move to restore the funding for most pensioners will cost around £1.25bnWinter fuel payments threshold to rise to £35,000The Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats are both trying to take credit for the winter fuel payments U-turn by the government.This is from Kemi Badenoch, the T...

The Guardian view on Scottish politics: Labour wins the seat but not ? yet ? ...
6 Jun 2025 at 5:44pm
A Tory collapse, the SNP?s slump and Reform?s rise signal a volatile shift ? and the return to deal-making after the next Holyrood electionLabour?s victory in the Holyrood byelection offers the UK government a rare political comfort but not, perhaps, the strategic breakthrough it might like to im...

Tory proposal to leave ECHR would put peace in Northern Ireland at risk, Labo...
6 Jun 2025 at 3:57pm
Labour dismisses Kemi Badenoch speech on European convention on human rights as an attempt to appease Reform UK and Robert Jenrick. This live blog is closedAs Jessica Elgot and Amelia Gentleman report, Downing Street is exploring new proposals for a digital ID card to crack down on illegal migrat...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Some good news for a change
27 Jun 2025 at 11:54am
In an increasingly dangerous and uncertain world in which the far right is on the rise, and war and death stalk increasingly large parts of the globe, it’s nice to be able to report a hopeful development for a change. God knows we need it. Democratic primaries in an American mayoral contest are not generally …

My mum
21 Jun 2025 at 2:45am
The inevitable has happened. On Friday evening my mum lost her battle with cancer. The past three weeks have been really tough on her and on my whole family. As I sit here trying to wrap my head around the new reality in which I find myself, with my mother, confidante, and biggest fan and …

The Scottish languages bill
19 Jun 2025 at 5:03pm
The Scottish Parliament has unanimously passed the Scottish Languages Bill. The bill will pass into law once it receives the formality of royal consent. The bill makes Gaelic and Scots official languages in Scotland and also introduces measures aimed at boosting the use and development of both languages. Making Gaelic and Scots legally the official …

My mum, an update
15 Jun 2025 at 4:33pm
I thought I should give an update on my mum. It’s fair to say that this past week has been the hardest our family has faced. My mum wasn’t just mother to myself and my brother and sisters, she also stepped in to look after her brother and sisters after her own mother died tragically …

Thoughts on that by election
8 Jun 2025 at 12:23pm
My mum is not doing any better. She’s not really conscious any more. They are giving her strong painkillers and sedatives to keep her comfortable but are no longer giving her any other treatment. We are going to see her this afternoon. I fear it’s only a matter of time now until she passes away. …

Making plans for Nigel
2 Jun 2025 at 5:38pm
I’ve been preoccupied with a family emergency involving my mother’s health, which has taken a sharp turn for the worse, so I’ve been too distracted to sit down and write a piece about recent political developments. However, on the basis that the best thing to do right now is find something else to focus on, …

A case for independence to break through the lies of the far right
29 May 2025 at 6:07pm
We are facing a serious political crisis. The next Westminster general election is four years away, given the size of Starmer’s majority in the Commons it would require a rebellion of unprecedented magnitude to unseat him. Despite the rumblings of discontent from Labour’s left wing old guard, there is little likelihood of there being enough …

Boldness is needed to challenge the far right and deliver independence
26 May 2025 at 8:48pm
We need to brace ourselves for the very real and alarming prospect that the frothing über-yoons of Reform UK come in second in next week’s Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse Holyrood by-election. I dislike the pejorative term yoon as a rule, but in the case of Reform UK it’s fully warranted. It’s less likely, but not …

Scottish child poverty can only be eliminated with independence
24 May 2025 at 4:58pm
The Guardian newspaper has reported that Labour’s “flagship child poverty policy” has been delayed until at least the autumn, pushing tens of thousands more children into poverty in the meantime. It was because this policy was supposed to be unveiled in a few months that the Labour party justified voting against an SNP motion in …

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 [Collective]

Reliability of nuclear energy takes another blow as France fears return to 20...
27 Jun 2025 at 7:58pm
Professor John Robertson OBA Frances McKie has just alerted me to this reserved report from Reuters on the Civaux 2 nuclear reactor in France: PARIS, June 11 (Reuters) – European power contracts jumped on Wednesday on concerns France might have to reduce its nuclear output after the industry regulator said it had identified “hints” of possible stress corrosion in a reactor. The ASNR watchdog sa...

Murder rate in Scotland falls to same level as in Denmark, one of the safest ...
27 Jun 2025 at 5:27pm
Professor John Robertson OBA Scotland’s media continue to utterly ignore the murder rate in Scotland falling to the lowest level ever in recorded history and 20% lower than in England and Wales. How does this compare with other European countries? Denmark’s population is 5.97 million, 9.7% greater than Scotland’s 5.44 million. In 2024/2025, there were 44 murders in Scotland and 48 in Denmark1, ...

Do Scots have little or no awareness of the scale of value of offshore oil an...
27 Jun 2025 at 11:10am
By stewartb I fear that a majority of the electorate in Scotland still have NO IDEA of ? (perhaps even conditioned to have no interest in?) ? Scotland?s indigenous energy assets and their potential significance for their own lives and those of their children and grandchildren. Little or no awareness of the scale of value of offshore oil & gas assets in the recent past (and still remaining) ? Sc...

The Herald?s Martin Williams campaigns both for and against nuclear energy on...
27 Jun 2025 at 10:38am
Professor John Robertson OBA Only 3 hours ago, the Herald’s Martin Williams had the above damning, newsworthy, piece but it hadn’t been in time for the front page, where he had this campaigning on behalf of the nuclear industry: It’s by no means the first example of the Scottish corporate media acting on behalf of corporations. The facts get no hearing in this debate. Here they are again on Lab...

The morning after Fiona Bruce?s barefaced lie about NHS Scotland, BBC Health ...
27 Jun 2025 at 9:54am
performing so poorly? Professor John Robertson OBA BBC Question Time last night and Fiona Bruce was in fast with the above uninformed claim to bias proceedings. The following morning BBC Health has: How is your hospital doing as NHS battles to bring down waiting times? and the opportunity to just enter your postcode and get performance on the 18 week waiting list. This is the key waiting list, ...

John Swinney does the decent thing
26 Jun 2025 at 7:42pm
By Liz S John Swinney does a decent thing. He apologised for something that others did. (this is now an expected act that other political parties expect from the SNP as do the media). He did this in his capacity as the current FM of the Scottish government. For that he should be commended as sometimes for those who are wronged in the past all they really want is recognition of that fact and the...

More adults in Scotland feel safe walking home than under Labour and emergenc...
26 Jun 2025 at 3:19pm
Professor John Robertson OBA From Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: June 2025 published today: The SCJS found that three-quarters (75%) of adults said that they felt very or fairly safe walking alone in their neighbourhood after dark in 2023-24. This is an increase from 66% in 2008-09 but has been stable since 2016-17. and: In 2023-24, there were 1,691 emergency hosp...

Scotland already produces 42% more electricity than it consumes, already has ...
26 Jun 2025 at 2:59pm
Professor John Robertson OBA From Energy Statistics for Scotland – Q1 2025 published today, the above graph showing the enormous and growing renewable electricity generation in Scotland, and: Scotland?s capacity for electricity generation from renewable sources has increased substantially over the past 10 years and currently stands at 17.7 GW ? a 13.9% increase compared to 15.5 GW at the end of...

Repeatedly ignoring national police force reports of English drug gangs opera...
26 Jun 2025 at 12:11pm
Professor John Robertson OBA Just looking at reports from the Police Scotland news pages for 2024 and 2025 (there many before going back to 2019), these reports explicitly referring to England or to English cities, have been ignored by BBC Scotland, STV and the so-called ‘quality’ (don’t laugh) press: From February 2024: From June 2024: Hostile environment? You’d need media support for that wou...

Why are ?Scottish media? not reporting murder rate in Scotland as it falls to...
26 Jun 2025 at 10:38am
Professor John Robertson OBA Think about that – 44 murders in Scotland last year, down from 58 the previous year, the lowest ever, ever, on record. There were more than twice as many, 95, in 2010/2011, only 3 years after Labour left government. It was 126 in 2002, nearly three times higher. Front page news surely? BBC Scotland only has this, from yesterday: Women arrested after alleged Invernes...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

Dozens of Scottish independence X accounts ?went dark? after Iranian internet...
25 Jun 2025 at 3:38pm
Dozens of Scottish independence X accounts ?went dark? after Iranian internet blackout  The Telegraph

Scottish Government responds to claims of 'Iranian pro-independence accounts'...
25 Jun 2025 at 3:22pm
Scottish Government responds to claims of 'Iranian pro-independence accounts'  TheNational.scot

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

Starmer says no independence referendum while he is prime minister - BBC
3 Jun 2025 at 8:00am
Starmer says no independence referendum while he is prime minister  BBC

In the UK, Scottish independence and Irish reunification have lost their appe...
10 Jan 2025 at 8:00am
In the UK, Scottish independence and Irish reunification have lost their appeal  Le Monde.fr

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

Tory MSP claims 'terrorist state of Iran' actively backing Scottish independe...
25 Jun 2025 at 3:12pm
Tory MSP claims 'terrorist state of Iran' actively backing Scottish independence  The Herald

ChatGPT blocks Iranian network pushing Scottish independence - The Times
26 Jun 2025 at 5:00am
ChatGPT blocks Iranian network pushing Scottish independence  The Times

Iranian pro-Scottish independence accounts go silent after Israel attacks - S...
25 Jun 2025 at 1:32pm
Iranian pro-Scottish independence accounts go silent after Israel attacks  Scottish Daily Express

Israeli strikes reveal Iranian cyber program pushing Scottish Independence - ...
27 Jun 2025 at 3:36pm
Israeli strikes reveal Iranian cyber program pushing Scottish Independence  GB News

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

Addicts slumped in doorways, discarded needles and more dealers, life beside ...
28 Jun 2025 at 5:57pm
Addicts slumped in doorways, discarded needles and more dealers, life beside SNP's drugs consumption room  Daily Mail

SNP leave brave firefighters with no running water at rundown stations - Scot...
28 Jun 2025 at 10:00pm
SNP leave brave firefighters with no running water at rundown stations  Scottish Daily Express

SNP to "learn lessons" as Labour wins crucial by-election - BBC
6 Jun 2025 at 8:00am
SNP to "learn lessons" as Labour wins crucial by-election  BBC

?Disastrous?: John Swinney facing SNP backlash after Hamilton byelection loss...
12 Jun 2025 at 8:00am
?Disastrous?: John Swinney facing SNP backlash after Hamilton byelection loss  The Guardian

Scottish Labour win by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse as SNP s...
6 Jun 2025 at 8:00am
Scottish Labour win by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse as SNP suffer shock defeat  Sky News

Scottish Labour wins Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election as SNP and...
6 Jun 2025 at 8:00am
Scottish Labour wins Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election as SNP and Reform suffer shock defeat  The Independent

Labour byelection win shows ?SNP?s balloon has burst?, says Anas Sarwar - The...
6 Jun 2025 at 8:00am
Labour byelection win shows ?SNP?s balloon has burst?, says Anas Sarwar  The Guardian

Scottish Labour wins pivotal Holyrood byelection, beating SNP and Reform UK -...
5 Jun 2025 at 8:00am
Scottish Labour wins pivotal Holyrood byelection, beating SNP and Reform UK  The Guardian

Hamilton by-election result: Live updates as Labour narrowly defeats SNP and ...
5 Jun 2025 at 8:00am
Hamilton by-election result: Live updates as Labour narrowly defeats SNP and Reform  BBC

SNP faces pressure to confront pacifists and embrace defence industry - The T...
28 Jun 2025 at 6:35pm
SNP faces pressure to confront pacifists and embrace defence industry  The Times

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

Scottish independence poll 2025 - Statista
23 Jun 2025 at 8:00am
Scottish independence poll 2025  Statista

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

Starmer says no independence referendum while he is prime minister - BBC
3 Jun 2025 at 8:00am
Starmer says no independence referendum while he is prime minister  BBC

Former Glagow MP announces support for second indy ref - The Herald
23 Jun 2025 at 8:19pm
Former Glagow MP announces support for second indy ref  The Herald

Seamus Logan: Using an election as plebiscite referendum is just not going to...
25 Jun 2025 at 5:04am
Seamus Logan: Using an election as plebiscite referendum is just not going to fly  TheNational.scot

Why is John Swinney talking about independence now? - BBC
17 Jun 2025 at 8:00am
Why is John Swinney talking about independence now?  BBC

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

In the UK, Scottish independence and Irish reunification have lost their appe...
10 Jan 2025 at 8:00am
In the UK, Scottish independence and Irish reunification have lost their appeal  Le Monde.fr

Scottish independence referendum: legal issues - The House of Commons Library
16 Sep 2024 at 8:00am
Scottish independence referendum: legal issues  The House of Commons Library

Lord Gove: Westminster must bow to Scottish referendum clamour - The Times
18 May 2025 at 8:00am
Lord Gove: Westminster must bow to Scottish referendum clamour  The Times