The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Israel is ethnically cleansing the West Bank says its former Prime Minister
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
18 Jun 2026 at 7:16pm
A former Prime Minister of Israel says the nation is waging a "state-funded campaign of ethnic cleansing" against Palestinians in the West Bank


Boston and Glasgow to become twin cities after Tartan Army take over
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
18 Jun 2026 at 6:39pm
Glasgow is set to formally twin with Boston following a World Cup takeover by the Tartan Army. More than 20,000 Scottish fans transformed the US host city, emptying beer pumps and winning praise from the mayor.


Scottish Government to review child poverty targets amid warnings they will b...
18 Jun 2026 at 6:02pm
The Scottish Government will review the way it measures its legally-binding targets to reduce poverty amid warnings they will be missed, the Social Justice Secretary has said


A 'significant barrier for wheelchair users' remains in most Edinburgh green...
by rose.moncur@newsquest.co.uk | Rose Moncur
18 Jun 2026 at 4:04pm
New calls have been made to improve wheelchair access in Edinburgh's parks, with proposals to introduce mats or mesh pathways across grassy areas.


Restricting media access in Holyrood damages Scottish Parliament's reputation
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
18 Jun 2026 at 3:33pm
Holyrood?s so-called ?media pen? is not just a misstep, it is an embarrassment to a Parliament that has long claimed to value transparency and democracy.


Transparency row as Holyrood restricts journalists to 'media pen' when quizzi...
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
18 Jun 2026 at 1:11pm
The Scottish Parliament faces a transparency row over decisions to restrict journalists who are questioning politicians after First Minister's Questions.


Controversial food price caps 'cannot come at the expense of farmers', Swinne...
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
18 Jun 2026 at 10:30am
The First Minister pledged that the Scottish Government would continue to engage with producers about the policy.


Voters go to the polls to choose new MPs in two Scottish by-elections
by Craig Paton
18 Jun 2026 at 7:27am
The elections come after Stephen Flynn and Stephen Gethins left the Commons following their election to Holyrood last month


Hundreds of homeless families removed from Edinburgh as Fringe deepens crisis
18 Jun 2026 at 5:00am
Edinburgh City Council paid to send hundreds of homeless families out of the city last year, with figures showing the Fringe worsens the crisis.


Why a newly elected SNP minister had to return a £1,000 campaign donation
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
18 Jun 2026 at 5:00am
Newly elected Glasgow Central MSP and SNP minister Alison Thewliss was forced to return a £1,000 election donation after it was deemed impermissible. The cash was returned a fortnight after the Holyrood vote.


Starmer faces backlash on under-16s social media ban as 200k sign petition
18 Jun 2026 at 1:21pm
Keir Starmer is facing a backlash over banning under 16s from using social media after more than 200,000 people signed a Commons petition against the move.


First Minister pressed to guarantee safe maternity care for all women in Scot...
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
18 Jun 2026 at 5:17pm
John Swinney has been pressed to guarantee safe maternity care for women and babies across Scotland after concerns over delays, adverse events and family involvement.


'Sorry': SNP MSP apologises after mistakenly backing Reform housing motion
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
18 Jun 2026 at 1:03pm
An SNP MSP has apologised after accidentally backing a Reform UK motion on housing and immigration, prompting a swift public clarification.


'Sit down, hen': Councillor says sexism in politics left her ?powerless and a...
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
18 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Fife councillor Aude Boubaker-Calder says sexism, abuse and intimidation in local politics have left her feeling powerless, as a new report reveals widespread misogyny

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Transparency row as Holyrood 'corrals' journalists in media pen
18 Jun 2026 at 12:48pm

The Scottish Conservatives called the decision ?shocking?

Brother of Scot reveals they have not been able to speak for seven months

Offshore Energies UK believe extra North Sea oil and gas investment could allow the UK government to eradicate fuel poverty

However, the MyCare app will not be fully developed until 2030

Edinburgh demands halt to hyperscale data centres over energy and water concerns

The Tories insisted the stakes ?really could not be higher? in Aberdeen South

Wings over Scotland

Response Level Upgrade
12 Jun 2026 at 12:48pm
Our first letter was answered/dismissed by “Service Adviser 1989847”, so this reply to our second one, while it doesn’t say much, definitely feels like a step up. Our KC has offered all possible assistance to the Cyber and Fraud Unit in relation to the matter, and we’ll keep you posted with any developments, readers.

Wider Than A Mile
10 Jun 2026 at 1:06pm
In this scene, John Swinney is portrayed by Stewie Griffin (the baby), and the faithful membership of the SNP is portrayed by Brian Griffin (the dog). ? We’re not sure any words are needed after that, but what the heck, we’re here now. Because it’s really, really difficult to overstate the blind idiot gullibility of …

The Ever-Changing Lie
9 Jun 2026 at 12:28pm
We have an update, folks. Because they don’t even care about keeping their bullshit straight. So the full sequence now runs: (1) “The money isn’t missing, it’s all still there and ringfenced for a second indyref. Anyone who says otherwise is a loony conspiracy theorist.” (Feb 2020) (2) “Okay, it’s not ringfenced, it’s woven in …

The Massive Face Of Truth
7 Jun 2026 at 11:01am
If you?d like to watch a 21-minute video of me banging on about Operation Branchform and whatnot to the Scottish Sun, click the image below. If you?d rather not watch that, best not to click it.

In pursuit of clarity
6 Jun 2026 at 11:12am
Wings has today sent the following emails. - The Chief Constable Police Scotland 5 Fettes Avenue Edinburgh EH4 1RB 6 June 2026 Thank you for your (very swift) reply to my letter. However, I am afraid that it leaves more questions than answers. Firstly, you state that Police Scotland ?have been advised? that the information …

The Interesting Words Round
5 Jun 2026 at 7:42pm
We received two emails today, just a few minutes apart. There are a couple of notable things about them. The first came from Claire Somebody at the Crown Office. The second one, even more thrillingly, came from Service Advisor 1989847 at Police Scotland, which we assume is some sort of advanced crime-fighting robot. In one …

The Lord Of The Rings
5 Jun 2026 at 12:14pm
John Swinney knows the rules. He can’t pretend he doesn’t. ? So let there be no mistake about this: if Police Scotland and the Crown Office refuse to investigate the First Minister’s open public confirmation this week that a serious crime was committed by the SNP over the “ring-fenced” fundraiser money from 2017 and 2019, …

The Aims Of Justice
4 Jun 2026 at 5:59pm
Wings has today sent the following letter to the named recipients. – The Chief Constable Police Scotland 5 Fettes Avenue Edinburgh EH4 1RB Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service 25 Chambers Street Edinburgh EH1 1LA 4 June 2026 . Dear Chief Constable and Crown Office, RE: REQUEST FOR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION ? ALLEGED MISAPPROPRIATION OF RING-FENCED …

For Me, But Not For Thee
4 Jun 2026 at 1:00pm
Huh. Well, that’s nice, isn’t it? The SNP are hoping to make out like bandits from Peter Murrell’s conviction. Despite Swinney’s admission yesterday that the party stole £700,000 from donors to two “ring-fenced” fundraisers, it stands to pocket a surprise bonus of £400,000 from recovering his criminal proceeds (on top of Swinney’s boasted “significant increase” …

Kings Of Crisis Management
4 Jun 2026 at 10:18am
If you subscribe to the theory that it’s better to fight 100 duck-sized horses than a single horse-sized duck, the SNP is knocking it out of the park today. Because the papers just can’t make their minds up about the biggest story with which to attack John Swinney’s beleaguered party. While the Sun leads with …

Craig Murray

The UK Joins the Pirates
15 Jun 2026 at 1:21pm

I was genuinely surprised by the Starmer regime’s refusal to state that the Israeli boarding of the Global Sumud flotilla on the High Seas was illegal. I did not realise it was because the UK was planning to undertake similar illegal seizure itself. The Gaza Flotilla seizure was illegal: while for obvious reasons freedom of …

The UK Joins the Pirates

Sentencing the Innocent
13 Jun 2026 at 4:41pm

Judge Johnson had proved his fascist credentials through rulings much earlier in the Filton trial than his vicious sentencing. Indeed, he had arguably already shown them when he released Tommy Robinson from a prison sentence, or when as a barrister he had chosen to work for the intelligence services and Ministry of Defence. But in …

Sentencing the Innocent

The Joy of Resistance
6 Jun 2026 at 9:51am

Just a quick note to say that I am very aware that lately I have been rather bitter, which is not good for anybody, especially me. The disappointments and state outrages have been no worse than usual; my frustration at my poor health, and the subsequent constraint of my ability to fight back, has rather …

The Joy of Resistance

The Power of the UK State Over Scotland
28 May 2026 at 7:50am

I went through yesterday’s preliminary hearing in the Scottish judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action with a sense of mounting horror. We had the same judge as at the permission hearing, Lord Young. We had exactly the same arguments and the same case law being deployed again by the UK government as at …

The Power of the UK State Over Scotland

Palestine Action Scottish Judicial Review ? Stitch-Up Incoming?
27 May 2026 at 12:58am

The proscription of Palestine Action was sold to MPs and the media on the basis of a deliberate campaign of lies, fronted by Yvette Cooper, then Home Secretary, and Mark Rowley, Commissioner of the Metropolitan police. Both have deep commitment to Israel. Cooper is owned by the Israel lobby. What is worse, they then attempted …

Palestine Action Scottish Judicial Review – Stitch-Up Incoming?

Dr Manivannan
14 May 2026 at 6:00pm

The furore around the election of Dr Manivannan to the Scottish Parliament is deeply troubling. There is no argument whatsoever that they were eligible to stand for election. The law was changed specifically in order for those on temporary visas to be able to stand in Scottish parliamentary elections. I confess I am not sure …

Dr Manivannan

BBC Scotland

Holyrood restricts media access to politicians after FMQs
18 Jun 2026 at 7:12pm
A designated area for journalists was set out by the Scottish parliament on Thursday.

Voters in Scotland head to the polls for Westminster by-elections
18 Jun 2026 at 12:08pm
Residents in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry are choosing new members of parliament.

Ruth Charteris KC named as Scotland's next top law officer
16 Jun 2026 at 3:10pm
Charteris will replace Dorothy Bain KC as lead of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and chief legal adviser to the Scottish government.

Commissioner 'disappointed' by social media ban for children
15 Jun 2026 at 12:51pm
Nicola Killean warned that a ban "may inadvertently push children to less regulated or riskier parts of the internet".

Scotland on front line in fight against Russia - MP
14 Jun 2026 at 1:29pm
Graeme Downie's comments came as British armed forces boarded a sanctions-busting Russian oil tanker in the English Channel.

Israeli tech firm accused of targeting First Minister in election
12 Jun 2026 at 2:18pm
Accounts linked to tech firm BlackCore are alleged to have carried out 'digital interference operations' against John Swinney.

Investigation into Scotland's maternity units to start in autumn
11 Jun 2026 at 5:11pm
Bereaved families say they are angry that the same issues have been reoccurring for years.

Scotland's councils face budget shortfalls. How bad is it in your area?
11 Jun 2026 at 6:39am
The Accounts Commission has warned local authorities that their funding plans are not keeping pace with rising costs.

Arbroath and Broughty Ferry: A tale of two high streets
11 Jun 2026 at 6:10am
The fortunes of both high streets will be one of the big topics to be considered by the constituency's new MP, following next week's election.

Scottish Parliament rejects call for Peter Murrell inquiry
10 Jun 2026 at 8:48pm
SNP and Greens MSPs have instead backed a wider inquiry into how political parties are financed.

No reprimand for Scottish Secretary over meeting with Mandelson firm
10 Jun 2026 at 3:06pm
Sir Keir Starmer says the Scottish secretary "acted appropriately" despite an "administrative oversight".

Mobile phones to be banned in all Edinburgh secondary schools
9 Jun 2026 at 2:58pm
From August, pupils will have to put their devices in magnetically sealed pouches throughout the school day, including during breaks and lunchtime.

Scot Goes Pop

Burnham still in the danger zone in Makerfield by-election, say two out of th...
17 Jun 2026 at 7:49am
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos: New low for BBC as they abuse Scottish World Cup coverage as a ...

New low for BBC as they abuse Scottish World Cup coverage as a licence fee en...
14 Jun 2026 at 3:01pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos: BOMBSHELL as French Government reveals there was Israeli interf...

BOMBSHELL as French Government reveals there was Israeli interference in the ...
12 Jun 2026 at 7:10pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos: Of course Good Morning Britain should apologise for its anti-Sc...

Of course Good Morning Britain should apologise for its anti-Scottish chauvin...
10 Jun 2026 at 1:49pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos: Sparkling YouGov subsample puts spring in SNP's step as crucial...

Sparkling YouGov subsample puts spring in SNP's step as crucial by-elections ...
9 Jun 2026 at 8:16pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos: BIG BOOST for independence support in pre-election YouGov poll ...

The Scot Goes Popcast is now available on Apple Podcasts
8 Jun 2026 at 1:47am
I hope this will be of some use to someone, because it's taken me days of torture to get to this point.  Apple may be one of the largest companies in the world, but its website is a baffling, bug-r...

BIG BOOST for independence support in pre-election YouGov poll that no-one se...
7 Jun 2026 at 1:56pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE. Other recent videos: If this Makerfield by-election poll is accurate, it's the end of the road for Keir Starmer as PMRUPERT LOWE could...

An examination of the latest Hullaba-Stew
6 Jun 2026 at 6:36pm
Never one to resist an exercise in utter futility, the controversial Somerset-based "Stew" blogger has attempted to resuscitate a correspondence with the Chief Constable and the Crown Office that h...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

John Swinney speaks of ?distress? after ?disorder? in Glasgow
18 Jun 2026 at 9:09pm
Those involved in disorder in Scotland last week after a knife attack in Belfast ?must be held accountable? John Swinney has insisted

Scottish Government underspent budget by £358m last year
18 Jun 2026 at 5:52pm
Public finance minister Hannah Mary Goodlad told MSPs the underspend only amounted to 0.6% of the Government?s overall budget

John Swinney: Farmers will be protected as food price cap is brought in
18 Jun 2026 at 3:15pm
It comes as the First Minister announced a new task force to ensure locally produced food is used in schools and hospitals

Voters go to the polls to choose new MPs in two Scottish by-elections
18 Jun 2026 at 7:16am
It came after Stephen Flynn and Stephen Gethins left the Commons following their election to Holyrood last month.

?We know where you live?: Female councillors subjected to threats and intimid...
18 Jun 2026 at 6:34am
Study finds 'endemic' levels of misogyny directed at women in local government, with many experiencing harassment, threats and intimidation.

Offshore oil and gas at the heart of the fight for Aberdeen South
17 Jun 2026 at 6:42am
Voters will head to the polls in a constituency once represented by Donald Dewar, where the future of the industry isn't far from people's minds

Far-right has no place on our streets, says Swinney after Glasgow demo
16 Jun 2026 at 5:56pm
The Scottish First Minister condemned the behaviour of balaclava-clad demonstrators ?doing Nazi salutes?

What do this week?s by-elections mean for Starmer?
16 Jun 2026 at 4:52pm
Voters in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry go to the polls to elect new MPs on Thursday

Who are the candidates in Thursday?s by-elections in Aberdeen, Abroath, Broug...
16 Jun 2026 at 4:51pm
Seats up for grabs are Makerfield in Greater Manchester, Aberdeen South in north-east Scotland, and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry in eastern Scotland

Scotland?s new top law officer ?exceptionally well qualified?, John Swinney says
16 Jun 2026 at 3:29pm
Ruth Charteris KC is being promoted from solicitor general to Lord Advocate

Tories would give Aberdeen oil industry ?kiss of life? says Badenoch
16 Jun 2026 at 6:40am
The Conservative leader is visiting the constituency on Tuesday

Somerville hails ?momentous opportunity? to improve working with third sector
16 Jun 2026 at 6:40am
The Scottish Government announced it is to create a new formal partnership with the third sector in February

John Swinney to visit Kentucky for whisky talks during US visit
15 Jun 2026 at 6:42am
The Scottish First Minister will meet bourbon business leaders in the state after attending the World Cup in Boston

Israeli tech firm accused of interfering in Scottish election
12 Jun 2026 at 5:32pm
Hundreds of accounts targeted John Swinney and the SNP on social media, France's disinformation watchdog said

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Scots college bosses slammed after spending £14,000 on New York Tartan Week t...
18 Jun 2026 at 3:42pm
The EIS took aim at the City of Glasgow College for spending thousands so bosses could jet out to attend the 2026 Tartan Week without resolving an industrial dispute.

SNP MSP left red faced after mistakenly backing Reform UK call for immigratio...
18 Jun 2026 at 12:57pm
Clare Adamson clarified the error in an X post.

John Swinney urged to keep '100 days' election promise and introduce £2 cap o...
18 Jun 2026 at 11:19am
Bus operators fear the pledge to introduce a £2 cap on fares so soon after May's election was "a short-term political announcement" that could "prove unsustainable".

Aberdeen South by-election will show if voters punish the SNP over Peter Murr...
18 Jun 2026 at 4:30am
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says Aberdeen South is too close to call, with the SNP and Tories both displaying weaknesses in a fractious campaign.

Keir Starmer yet to meet John Swinney after Holyrood election as Downing Stre...
17 Jun 2026 at 5:22pm
Downing Street said it was "categorically untrue that the Prime Minister and First Minister agreed to meet to discuss a referendum on independence".

Council bans Scotland tops and saltires after World Cup joy
17 Jun 2026 at 4:02pm
Derek Milligan, Labour's leader on Midlothian council, said the ban was "political correctness gone daft".

Reform UK accused of 'giving up' in Scottish by-elections for Westminster
17 Jun 2026 at 3:13pm
An email shows Reform prioritising Makerfield over the seats in the North East of Scotland.

SNP target to build 110,000 affordable Scots homes could be scuppered by skil...
17 Jun 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: Nationalist ministers have been accused of having "no clue" over the size of the workforce needed to end Scotland's ongoing housing emergency.

'Dangerous' Reform MSP accused of peddling 'conspiracy theories' over covid j...
17 Jun 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: David Kirkwood also peddled false claims that President Trump won the 2020 US election.

Thieving Peter Murrell spent stolen SNP cash to treat himself on his birthday
16 Jun 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: The original indictment also claimed Murrell spent nicked SNP cash on the day of his late father's funeral, but this claim was later dropped.

The National

The National | Politics

The beautiful game still belongs to the people that built it
18 Jun 2026 at 7:03pm

For many of us football has deep-rooted connection and importance in our lives

LIVE: Updates as voters decide crucial by-elections in Scotland and Makerfield
18 Jun 2026 at 6:18pm

Follow our live coverage as voters go to the polls in three pivotal Westminster by-elections ? Makerfield in England as well as two high-stakes Scottish contests in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry

Is John Swinney asleep at the wheel amid AI data centre boom in Scotland?
18 Jun 2026 at 5:58pm

ARE we sleepwalking into an AI data centre disaster in Scotland ...

John Swinney 'won't apologise' to Elon Musk after trillionaire's 'misinformat...
18 Jun 2026 at 3:43pm

JOHN Swinney has insisted he will ?make no apology? to Elon Musk after last year accusing the trillionaire of spreading misinformation about an incident in which a 12-year-old girl was seen with a knife and axe.

What Scottish Labour spent on doomed Holyrood campaign in Glasgow and Edinburgh
18 Jun 2026 at 3:29pm

SCOTTISH Labour didn?t hold back financially in Glasgow during the Holyrood election ? especially when it came to their leader ...

SNP MSP apologises for mistakenly backing 'inhumane' Reform UK motion
18 Jun 2026 at 3:12pm

AN SNP MSP has apologised for any ?upset or offence? they may have caused after mistakenly backing an ?inhumane? Reform UK motion ...

John Swinney refuses to halt AI data centres amid 'free-for-all'
18 Jun 2026 at 2:40pm

JOHN Swinney has refused to hit pause on AI data centre applications after the Greens raised fears of a "free-for-all" flurry of proposals in Scotland.

John Swinney brands Tories 'bunch of skivers' in scathing FMQs verdict
18 Jun 2026 at 2:47pm

John Swinney has branded the Scottish Conservatives a "bunch of skivers" in a scathing verdict during First Minister's Questions

MP to meet with UK Government over 'shocking' treatment of Scottish flotilla ...
18 Jun 2026 at 2:11pm

An MP has secured a meeting with the Foreign Office over Israel's 'shocking' treatment of a Scottish activist taking part in a flotilla to Gaza

Transparency row as Holyrood restricts journalists to 'media pen' after FMQs
18 Jun 2026 at 1:49pm

A TRANSPARENCY row has broken out at Holyrood after it was announced journalists will be restricted to a ?media pen? to ask questions after FMQs ...

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Scottish Parliament in transparency row for ?inhibiting? access to MSPs
18 Jun 2026 at 5:41pm
The introduction of a barrier risks undermining scrutiny, parliament has been warned

Let the public shape digital systems to avert ?polycrisis?, expert urges
18 Jun 2026 at 5:39pm
Legitmacy is at risk, it is claimed

Anas Sarwar calls for guarantee over women and babies? safety in maternity wards
18 Jun 2026 at 4:13pm
John Swinney said his government was working with health boards to ensure any recommendations from the inspections were acted on

Shortlist announced for Holyrood?s Showcasing Scotland awards
18 Jun 2026 at 12:26pm
Now in its second year, the event was set up to recognise Scotland's best MPs

Brexit is a ?tragedy for young people?, Scottish Europe minister says
18 Jun 2026 at 7:00am
Stephen Gethins to mark a decade since the UK voted to leave the EU

Health app can be downloaded onto phones for first time
17 Jun 2026 at 3:42pm
The MyCare.Scot app allows users to check their own medical information online

MPs ?unconvinced? UK Government will meet community energy target
17 Jun 2026 at 7:00am
The Energy Security and Net Zero Committee has urged ministers to designate community-owned projects as a strategic priority

Ruth Charteris named as next lord advocate
16 Jun 2026 at 3:25pm
She replaces Dorothy Bain who announced she was standing down last month

Kemi Badenoch: Aberdeen South byelection could give 'the kiss of life' to oil...
16 Jun 2026 at 1:01am
Kemi Badenoch is expected to visit Aberdeen South today, ahead of polling day on Thursday

UK will ban social media access for under-16s, Starmer confirms
15 Jun 2026 at 11:05am
PM vows to 'move at speed', with ban possible from early 2027

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

?No friends to the oil and gas industry?: Aberdeen South, the byelection wher...
17 Jun 2026 at 3:00pm
Peter Murrell affair may feature, but contest seen as straight fight between SNP and Tories over energy policyThe contest for Aberdeen South, a constituency that spans urban social housing and detached homes with sculpted gardens, has been dominated by one topic: the future of North Sea oil and g...

UK defence spending plan ?well short of what?s required? and harder choices n...
16 Jun 2026 at 6:08pm
Ex-defence secretary John Healey and ex-defence minister Al Carns have given resignation statements to MPsSpeaking to reporters at the G7, Keir Starmer also defended the defence investment plan (DIP) draft that led to John Healey?s resignation as defence secretary last week. Starmer confirmed tha...

France accuses Israeli firm of interfering in Scottish elections and targetin...
12 Jun 2026 at 3:00pm
Cyber agency says BlackCore targeted John Swinney, as well as interfering in New York and French electionsFrance?s cybersecurity agency has accused the Israeli tech company BlackCore of interfering in the Scottish elections earlier this year by targeting the first minister, John Swinney.The disin...

Dan Jarvis named new defence secretary as Al Carns quits government ? UK poli...
11 Jun 2026 at 10:53pm
Government confirms Jarvis?s move from role as security minister to replace John HealeyRyan Henderson, assistant chief constable for the Police Service of Northern Ireland, is about to hold a press conference about last night?s rioting.Andy Burnham is facing criticism after saying that he thinks ...

Starmer to meet Henry Nowak?s family this afternoon, No 10 says ? as it happened
4 Jun 2026 at 5:33pm
This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story hereKemi Badenoch has posted a message on social media saying she met Henry Nowak?s father, mother and stepmother this morning. She praises their courage, and says:Henry?s family do not want anger to tear communities apart. They are a famil...

A new elephant in Nicola Sturgeon?s room | Brief letters
2 Jun 2026 at 5:38pm
Murrell?s motorhome | Hooked on Alan Rickman | Football fans | Nine times table | Beauty of maths | It all adds upFollowing Nicola Sturgeon?s bravura performance on BBC One?s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme (Nicola Sturgeon: I feel as if I?m serving a sentence for a crime I did not commit,...

Starmer says he ?felt sick? watching video of Henry Nowak?s arrest ? as it ha...
2 Jun 2026 at 5:32pm
The prime minister said: ?I have seen the body cam footage, it?s harrowing, and I have to say, as a father of a 17-year-old boy, I felt sick watching it.?BBC Scotland has more details of the Peter Murrell hearing this morning on its live blog. And, on its live blog, Sky News has pictures of some ...

Motorhome bought by Murrell with stolen SNP money was driven only 4 miles, co...
2 Jun 2026 at 1:29pm
High court in Edinburgh hears £125K vehicle was described as a van in faked invoice and stocked with luxury goodsThe luxury motorhome that Peter Murrell bought using money stolen from the Scottish National party was driven for only four miles, sitting unused for more than two years.Murrell, then ...

Mandelson described Starmer?s No 10 operation as ?beleaguered and bereft? in ...
1 Jun 2026 at 6:18pm
Peter Mandelson?s unfiltered remarks to cabinet officials are made public in hundreds of pages of documents relating to his appointment as US ambassador Mandelson files show no mitigation of security concernsAt the Downing Street lobby briefing the PM?s spokesperson said the release of the Mandel...

The Guardian view on the Aberdeen South byelection: the politics of energy ta...
31 May 2026 at 5:30pm
While Westminster?s attention is focused on Andy Burnham and Makerfield, another pivotal byelection is taking place in Scotland?s north-eastThe coming byelection in Makerfield, from where Andy Burnham aspires to make rapid progress towards Downing Street, is perhaps the most consequential in Brit...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

The world?s crappiest whodunnit
17 Jun 2026 at 12:20pm
I’ve had my cataract operation, the op was a couple of days early as there was a cancellation. The recovery period is four weeks, but I already notice a massive improvement in my eyesight. The fog has lifted and I’m now able to read much more comfortably. I’m hugely relieved it’s over. Right now, there’s …

Sarwar learns the law of unintended consequences
11 Jun 2026 at 11:52am
Anyone with two functioning braincells knows that the only reason the anti-independence parties and the SNP’s enemies are so keen on an inquiry into the Murrell scandal is because they seek to make political capital out of it, damage a party that keeps defeating them at the ballot box, and with it hinder progress to …

Westminster goes Trumpian and the media in Scotland jumps the SNPbad shark
7 Jun 2026 at 7:26pm
At the behest of Tory MP Andrew Six Chips Bowie, Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee is to vote next week on whether to hold an inquiry into the finances of the SNP. Bowie is of course only interested in good governance and looking after the best interests of the SNP members whose money was stolen by …

The historic failure of the media in Scotland
4 Jun 2026 at 1:28pm
The issues in my left eye, my better eye, seem to be getting a bit better so I’m only half blind now. Many thanks to everyone who left kind messages of support. Hopefully after 16 June when I have the cataract operation my eyesight will improve markedly. The Murrell scandal is of course still rumbling …

Seeing the path ahead clearly
31 May 2026 at 2:45pm
I’m not going to be blogging so much over the next couple of weeks. For the past year or so I’ve had a cataract in my right eye, which has rapidly worsened over recent months such that at an eye test at the opticians last week I found to my horror that I could not …

The first salvos have been fired in the latest stage of the independence camp...
27 May 2026 at 4:20pm
On Tuesday, the first working day of a new Scottish Parliament, with a record pro-independence majority, the fourth such majority in a row, MSPs voted by 72 to 55, a majority of 17 to adopt a motion calling on the Westminster government “to make a Section 30 order under the Scotland Act 1998 to devolve …

Explaining a parliamentary mandate for the staunch of hearing
26 May 2026 at 3:16pm
Today Holyrood gets the ball rolling on putting into action the pro-independence mandate given to it by the people of Scotland at the recent election, which as we all know by now resulted in the largest ever majority of pro-independence MSPs in the history of the Scottish Parliament. I’ll blog about the debate and vote …

Branchform?s over and the SNP is still standing
25 May 2026 at 1:41pm
Well, after five long years, murder tents, and over £2 million in police costs, it’s all over bar the inevitable shouting, and of course the not insignificant matter of what is likely to be a substantial custodial sentence. Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party. …

The supposed ?Once in a generation? pledge is a Westminster myth
23 May 2026 at 12:31pm
On Thursday evening’s edition of BBC Reform Time, Fiona Bruce, the completely unbiased and neutral right wing unionist host, editorialised in aid of Tory MP Harriet Cross who had insisted that the question of independence had been “settled” in 2014 and attempts to revisit the matter “have to end, they have to end.” Bruce interjected …

John Swinney fires the starting gun on independence push
22 May 2026 at 1:30pm
He’s not mucking about. On the back of Holyrood’s record pro-independence majority, John Swinney has announced that there will be a debate and vote in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday on securing a Section 30 order for an independence referendum. With 72 pro-independence MSPs in the chamber, the motion will pass easily despite the predictable …

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

Why does BBC UK report an English drug gang terrorising Aberdeen but BBC Scot...
18 Jun 2026 at 3:04pm
From the Scottish Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service yesterday: Victor Kihu, 24, recruited men from deprived areas in England to sell and supply Class A drugs from several properties in a cross-border county lines illicit practice known as cuckooing.  Prosecutors from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) gathered evidence which showed Kihu exercised control over multip...

The real drug gangs plague in Scotland ? Media still keeping quiet on drug ga...
18 Jun 2026 at 3:03pm
Images – Police Scotland Forget the Daniels and Lyons Scottish drug gangsters so beloved of the media operating in Scotland. They’re at a global level. They’re not dealing to your kids. This lot are, in a hundred locations from Thurso to Dumfries. From BBC Scotland: NE, Orkney & Shetland, yesterday: Eight men have been arrested and charged after police in Aberdeen seized drugs with a street val...

Unemployment in England 19% higher than in Scotland after nearly 20 years of ...
18 Jun 2026 at 3:01pm
In the Guardian today and from the ONS, above, but getting no BBC coverage: Unemployment fell and wages increased in April, official figures showed, putting pressure on the Bank of England to raise interest rates despite a peace deal in the Middle East. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed UK unemployment slipped to 4.9% in the three months to April from 5% ...

Scotland?s pharmacy scheme ?the model for England? may reduce shortages problems
18 Jun 2026 at 2:59pm
In the Guardian today: Britons sic are facing some of the ?most severe? shortages of NHS medicines on record including common painkillers, epilepsy drugs and HRT, health leaders have warned, even forcing some patients with impaired digestive systems to skip meals. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has warned that medicine shortages pose a ?serious risk to patient safety?. The Royal Coll...

TORY OIL AND GAS PROMISES IN ABERDEEN SOUTH: EMPTY RHETORIC FROM A PARTY OF W...
18 Jun 2026 at 11:13am
By JimMennie As Aberdeen South goes to the polls today, Tories are still attempting to pitch themselves as the saviours of North Sea jobs. Their candidate and national figures claim they alone will ?get Britain drilling? and reverse decline. The reality is starker. The long-term drop in oil and gas employment has been driven primarily by global markets, a maturing North Sea basin with smaller, ...

UK Labour deny England?s under-22?s the ?transformative benefit? of Scotland?...
18 Jun 2026 at 9:01am
From Transport Scotland yesterday, the above and: Children and young people in Scotland have now made over 300 million free bus journeys since the Scottish Government introduced free travel for under-22s. Since January 2022, the scheme continues to transform how young people are traveling by bus, saving people money, supporting greener travel, and boosting the economy by opening up access to ed...

Calls for a public inquiry as Scottish Labour spend 60% more for Anas to lose...
18 Jun 2026 at 8:49am
In the Herald today, clearly now giving up entirely on Anas: Labour ploughed thousands into Anas Sarwar’s doomed bid to win a constituency seat, according to receipts filed with the Returning Officer in Glasgow. Despite the cash boost, the party leader still lost heavily to the SNP?s Zen Ghani. and: So, £3.36 is £1.25 more than £2.11, 59.24%. We need a public inquiry into Scottish Labour embezz...

After two decades of SNP Government far fewer per head young Scots are not in...
18 Jun 2026 at 8:21am
BBC Breakfast today had the above headline story of 1 012 000 16 to 24 year-olds not in employment, education and training. All things being equal, with 8% of the population, you’d expect the figure in Scotland to be around 81 000. Scotland does not publish a single official NEET figure for the full 16?24 age group using the same definition as the UK-wide Labour Force Survey (LFS). Instead, it ...

On by-election day BBC Scotland ask Scottish Government to comment on a surve...
18 Jun 2026 at 7:57am
for patients across Scotland, according to the Royal College of Radiologists. 60% of cancer centre and radiology department leaders who responded to their report said that staff shortages are causing patients’ conditions to worsen. The president of the Royal College said the findings should be causing alarm bells. The above story is another direct feed to Reporting Scotland, not being covered i...

Survey reveals nearly three times more Scots trust the SNP Government than tr...
17 Jun 2026 at 2:28pm
From the Scottish Social Attitudes Survey 2025: Core module published today: In 2025, 46% of people trusted the Scottish Government to work in Scotland?s best interests, in line with the 47% reported in 2023. Over the last ten years this has declined from 72% in 2015. Trust in the UK Government to act in Scotland?s best long-term interest remains lower than this at 18%, in line with 21% in 2023...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause? -...
4 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause?  The Conversation

Scottish Parliament endorses SNP call for independence referendum - BBC
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish Parliament endorses SNP call for independence referendum  BBC

Scottish Independence: More show. Less tell - Enlighten - Scotland's Independ...
16 Jun 2026 at 4:02am
Scottish Independence: More show. Less tell  Enlighten - Scotland's Independent Think Tank

Is Scotland still divided on independence? - The Week
28 May 2026 at 8:00am
Is Scotland still divided on independence?  The Week

Pro-independence MSPs respond to 'decolonise Scotland' letter - The National ...
17 Jun 2026 at 4:59pm
Pro-independence MSPs respond to 'decolonise Scotland' letter  The National Scot

EU expert gives verdict on Scottish European relations ten years after Brexit...
16 Jun 2026 at 8:05am
EU expert gives verdict on Scottish European relations ten years after Brexit vote  The Herald

Ipsos Polling confirms Holyrood26 as the ?loveless election? in Scots minds -...
3 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Ipsos Polling confirms Holyrood26 as the ?loveless election? in Scots minds  Ipsos

Caught between the UK and EU: What?s next for young Scots? - France 24
27 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
Caught between the UK and EU: What?s next for young Scots?  France 24

Scottish Parliament backs move for new independence vote - CTV News
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish Parliament backs move for new independence vote  CTV News

UK Government rejects Scottish parliament's call for new independence referen...
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
UK Government rejects Scottish parliament's call for new independence referendum  The Brussels Times

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

Voters in Scotland head to the polls for Westminster by-elections - BBC
18 Jun 2026 at 12:08pm
Voters in Scotland head to the polls for Westminster by-elections  BBC

?No friends to the oil and gas industry?: Aberdeen South, the byelection wher...
17 Jun 2026 at 3:01pm
?No friends to the oil and gas industry?: Aberdeen South, the byelection where one topic dominates  The Guardian

How former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell spent the £400,000 he embezzled ...
1 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
How former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell spent the £400,000 he embezzled  BBC

Nicola Sturgeon denies any knowledge of items husband Peter Murrell bought wi...
25 May 2026 at 8:00am
Nicola Sturgeon denies any knowledge of items husband Peter Murrell bought with embezzled £400,000  Sky News

SPICe general election Scotland 2026 results and analysis - SPICe Spotlight
9 May 2026 at 8:00am
SPICe general election Scotland 2026 results and analysis  SPICe Spotlight

Final YouGov MRP of the 2026 Holyrood election shows the SNP falling short of...
6 May 2026 at 8:00am
Final YouGov MRP of the 2026 Holyrood election shows the SNP falling short of a majority  YouGov

Former Scottish National Party chief pleads guilty to embezzling $540,000 - R...
25 May 2026 at 8:00am
Former Scottish National Party chief pleads guilty to embezzling $540,000  Reuters

Final Survation Holyrood Poll of the 2026 Elections - Survation
6 May 2026 at 8:00am
Final Survation Holyrood Poll of the 2026 Elections  Survation

Big salaries, a motorhome and SNP accounts: The Nicola Sturgeon interview unw...
1 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Big salaries, a motorhome and SNP accounts: The Nicola Sturgeon interview unwrapped  BBC

Sturgeon defends 'no comment' police interview after SNP funds probe arrest -...
27 May 2026 at 8:00am
Sturgeon defends 'no comment' police interview after SNP funds probe arrest  BBC

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause? -...
4 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause?  The Conversation

Scottish Parliament endorses SNP call for independence referendum - BBC
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish Parliament endorses SNP call for independence referendum  BBC

Scottish Bonds to Create ?Financial Referendum? on Independence - Bloomberg.com
15 Jun 2026 at 9:16am
Scottish Bonds to Create ?Financial Referendum? on Independence  Bloomberg.com

Is Scotland still divided on independence? - The Week
28 May 2026 at 8:00am
Is Scotland still divided on independence?  The Week

UK Government rejects Scottish parliament's call for new independence referen...
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
UK Government rejects Scottish parliament's call for new independence referendum  The Brussels Times

Ipsos Polling confirms Holyrood26 as the ?loveless election? in Scots minds -...
3 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Ipsos Polling confirms Holyrood26 as the ?loveless election? in Scots minds  Ipsos

Scottish Parliament backs move for new independence vote - CTV News
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish Parliament backs move for new independence vote  CTV News

Downing Street rejects Holyrood call for independence referendum - The Nation...
26 May 2026 at 8:00am
Downing Street rejects Holyrood call for independence referendum  The National Scot

The next Scottish and Welsh governments are likely to put constitutional chan...
6 May 2026 at 8:00am
The next Scottish and Welsh governments are likely to put constitutional change back on the agenda  Institute for Government

EU expert gives verdict on Scottish European relations ten years after Brexit...
16 Jun 2026 at 8:05am
EU expert gives verdict on Scottish European relations ten years after Brexit vote  The Herald