The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Anger as Constance sends junior minister to answer grooming gang correction q...
19 Nov 2025 at 6:06pm
Scottish ministers deny Angela Constance misrepresented Professor Alexis Jay?s comments as pressure grows for a fresh grooming gang inquiry.


North Sea giant posts $1.5bn profit amid acquisition spree
19 Nov 2025 at 5:00pm
North Sea heavyweight Ithaca Energy has increased its exposure to the West of Shetland basin as it works on plans for big oil field developments in the area.


Swinney: Starmer will not remain PM if SNP win majority in May election
19 Nov 2025 at 3:49pm
Keir Starmer will not survive as Prime Minister if the SNP win a majority in next year's Holyrood elections, according to John Swinney as he set out his demand for a new independence referendum.


MSPs in call for Steve Clarke to be made Sir Steve after Scotland's World Cup...
19 Nov 2025 at 3:45pm
Labour's Neil Bibby called for Steve Clarke to be knighted after Scotland qualified for their first men?s World Cup since 1998.


Scotland could gain a bonus bank holiday next year thanks to the Tartan Army
19 Nov 2025 at 3:05pm
Gillian Mackay has asked the Scottish Government to proclaim a bank holiday on the day of their opening World Cup match.


Revealed: Fife plant losing £1m a week as ExxonMobil chair attacks UK's energ...
19 Nov 2025 at 2:36pm
Starmer said the government had been involved in discussions with the Texas-based firm for the last six months.


Kieran Tierney gets shout-out from Prime Minister after Scotland heroics
19 Nov 2025 at 1:18pm
Scotland's qualification for the 2026 World Cup has been celebrated in the House of Commons, with Kieran Tierney getting a shout-out from the Prime Minister


'She trusted you implicitly' Ex-Scottish Tory council leader jailed for roman...
19 Nov 2025 at 11:27am
The former leader of East Dunbartonshire Council has been jailed for 22 months after a romance fraud that saw him steal £186,000 from a 72-year-old woman.


Politicians must 'rebuild trust' to meet child poverty targets
19 Nov 2025 at 5:30am
Save the Children has launched a report publishing a roadmap for improvement on child poverty.


Youth sentencing guidelines condemned as almost 3,000 under-18s accused of se...
19 Nov 2025 at 5:00am
Almost 3,000 under-18s have been accused of serious sex crimes in under two years, with SNP ministers warned to reform youth justice guidelines.


UK lacks plan to defend itself from military attack, warn MPs
19 Nov 2025 at 12:05am
The UK lacks a plan to defend itself from a military attack, MPs on the defence committee have warned amid growing concerns over a threat to Nato members from Russian President Vladmir Putin.


Scotland?s world cup qualifying triumph boosted moods, but will it change pol...
19 Nov 2025 at 2:01pm
After Scotland?s World Cup qualification, politicians tweeted in celebration but does national pride translate into political advantage for parties like the SNP?


Amnesty raises urgent concerns as Scotland debates prostitution laws
19 Nov 2025 at 5:00am
A warning Scotland?s proposed prostitution bill could endanger sex workers, ahead of key evidence from Scottish Government minister at Holyrood.


?Stop protecting yourselves?: Grooming gang survivor hits out at Scottish min...
19 Nov 2025 at 1:59pm
A Glasgow survivor says the Scottish Government has ?protected itself? after officials admitted the Justice Secretary misrepresented an abuse expert during a key debate.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Bias, climate alarmism, and why the BBC licence fee?s days are numbered
19 Nov 2025 at 5:59pm
As the BBC?s Royal Charter comes up for renewal, a review of the funding model is long overdue


COP30 summit: Why giving up on climate change is a luxury our children cannot...
19 Nov 2025 at 5:59pm
Ben Wilson, of the charity Sciaf, who is attending the COP30 summit in Brazil, explains why we cannot lose hope in the fight against global warming


John Swinney backs Steve Clarke for knighthood after Scotland World Cup quali...
19 Nov 2025 at 5:46pm

The First Minister said it would ?be a lovely idea? for the Scotland manager to be honoured for taking the men?s football team to next year?s World Cup.

The farming community in Scotland has set out five key priorities

The Scotsman takes a look at what you need to know about travelling to the US, Mexico and Canada for next year?s FIFA World Cup

The Scottish Government says it supports the principle of criminalising the buying of sex, but has concerns about the Bill MSPs are considering

Dan McGrail said the publicly-owned energy firm was only ?one actor that ?cannot solve a problem?

UK defence secretary John Healy has spoken about a Russian ship in Scottish waters

The UK Government has also confirmed it will not be stepping in to save 400 at risk jobs at the Fife site

Scotland is to receive just 7.78 per cent of the UK Government?s fishing fund, despite accounting for over 60 per cent of the UK?s fishing capacity and seafood exports.

Wings over Scotland

Reach For The Stars (And Stripes)
19 Nov 2025 at 8:49am
To be honest, we’re mainly putting these here so you don’t have to keep looking at that picture of Alan Cumming. But they also show what you can achieve, whether in football or politics, if you actually attack rather than being content to endlessly shuttle it all sideways and backwards until you get beaten without …

Over The Hill And Down The Slope
14 Nov 2025 at 1:15pm
We’ve just been leaked the SNP’s first poster roughs for Holyrood 2026. One more push, everyone!

Grift Away
8 Nov 2025 at 2:31pm
Oh good, another plan. Just three and a half years to wait. Should we, what’s the phrase, “Save The Date”? Rhetorical question, obviously. If you’re in a hurry, folks, just scroll down to the video and start there, because Believe In Scotland’s latest wheeze to get hold of your folding money and stash it in …

Rise Of The Machine
7 Nov 2025 at 11:49am
It’s Wings’ 14th birthday today, and to be entirely honest with you, readers, like a lot of teenagers we’re having a bit of an existential crisis. It’s quite difficult to see any point in being a Scottish political journalist for the next five years, because it’s just going to be one depressing Groundhog Day after …

How To Create Racists
29 Oct 2025 at 2:36pm
This really is an extraordinary headline, for multiple reasons. Because what actually IS “the rise of Reform”? ? The only thing “the rise of Reform” can possibly mean here is “more and more people choosing to vote for, or express their support for, a particular lawful political party in a democracy”. Why are we supposed …

Great news, everyone!
27 Oct 2025 at 11:04am
We?re important! Something to look forward to there, then.

The Music That Nobody Likes
24 Oct 2025 at 12:42pm
Perhaps the key graphic from last night’s by-election in Caerphilly is this one (green means Plaid Cymru in the context of Wales): In the end, Plaid won pretty comfortably in what had been predicted to be a very tight contest between them and Reform, with a majority of almost 4,000. But Plaid aren’t going to …

The Icarus Folly
22 Oct 2025 at 4:27pm
Last month, when half a football team of armed police ambushed and arrested comedy writer Graham Linehan at Heathrow Airport for a couple of tweets, we said this: Today, even more swiftly than we thought, this happened: Rarely can a hand have been overplayed so badly. Fans of free speech owe a huge vote of …

Courage Calls To None
17 Oct 2025 at 1:24pm
We should point out right at the start that a reader donated £12 back in the summer specifically to send us to Nicola Sturgeon’s book event in Bath last night. We assume it was someone we’d upset in some way. We arrived bang on 6.30, expecting to be among the first on the scene, but …

Your enemy?s mistakes
16 Oct 2025 at 5:03pm
So on the surface level this is just flat-out hilarious. Firstly because, as we showed you yesterday, the “significant proportion of Scotland’s population” which appears to have been won back to the SNP since John Swinney became its leader is… 1%. That’s all their vote has actually increased by as Scottish Labour have haemorrhaged support …

Craig Murray

UN Reform and Scottish Independence
14 Nov 2025 at 11:06am

Scottish Independence is an extremely attractive prospect to states at the United Nations, and for reasons that you might not expect. Every state knows that the current UN structure is outdated and indefensible, with five states – US, China, Russia, UK and France – having a permanent seat and a total veto on the Security …

UN Reform and Scottish Independence

The Four Mentors of King Charles
6 Nov 2025 at 3:40pm

As Godfather to Prince William, heir to the British throne, Prince Charles chose his close friend and adviser Laurens van der Post. A paedophile. Van der Post raped a 14 year old girl who had been given into his care for the sea voyage from South Africa to London. He then installed her in a …

The Four Mentors of King Charles

UK Government Opposes Application for Scottish Judicial Review of Palestine A...
30 Oct 2025 at 5:27pm

The UK government – in the undistinguished shape of Baroness Smith of Cluny, Labour party hack, youngest daughter of John Smith and Advocate-General for Scotland – has responded to the court in our request for a Scottish judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action. The Government asks that the judicial review be denied on …

UK Government Opposes Application for Scottish Judicial Review of Palestine Action Terrorist Proscription

Urgent ? We Need a Federal Your Party
29 Oct 2025 at 2:34pm

The draft Your Party constitution is for a highly centralised, London-based party which echoes the Labour Party. It “devolves” – they literally use the word – power from the centre to non-autonomous entities in Scotland and Wales. We need a Federal party – a completely different approach – where authority lies with the members, and …

Urgent – We Need a Federal Your Party

I Have Joined Your Party
27 Oct 2025 at 6:55pm

I am taking the plunge into Your Party. My worries remain about its centralist tendencies and lack of democracy, but I will work against those from within. Your Party is not a unionist party. It does not yet have a policy on Scottish Independence. I shall of course be striving for it actively to support …

I Have Joined Your Party

A Quick Intellectual Canter
20 Oct 2025 at 2:35pm

This is more video of me than anybody would ever want to see, but here are three interviews I did over the weekend. The first covers the legal action against the proscription of Palestine Action, Starmer’s summary courts for peaceful protestors charged with “terrorism”, UK and US efforts to legalise the Israeli occupation of Gaza …

A Quick Intellectual Canter

BBC Scotland

Starmer vows support for Mossmorran workers
19 Nov 2025 at 4:10pm
Hundreds of staff have been told their jobs are at risk as ExxonMobil prepares to close part of the site.

Ministers seek major changes to prostitution bill
19 Nov 2025 at 1:13pm
A bill to outlaw paying for sex looks likely to run out of time after ministers voiced concerns.

Scottish government drops heat pumps bill for second time
18 Nov 2025 at 5:08pm
The bill, aimed at driving the move from fossil fuel heating systems, has been delayed until next year.

Scottish ministers 'deeply concerned' about new UK asylum plans
17 Nov 2025 at 8:02pm
Most asylum seekers will have to wait 20 years to apply to settle permanently under new Home Office plans.

Sex case ruling will not harm victims' rights - lord advocate
17 Nov 2025 at 9:01am
Dorothy Bain KC says "safeguards remain firmly in place" which protect those giving evidence.

Thousands take to streets to highlight 'climate emergency'
15 Nov 2025 at 4:24pm
Demonstrators marched through Glasgow city centre on a day of global action to coincide with the COP30 climate talks in Brazil.

Scottish abortion law 'not fit for purpose', says expert group
14 Nov 2025 at 12:51pm
Currently, an abortion is only legal before 24 weeks when two doctors agree that certain grounds have been met.

UK government will not financially support Mossmorran
18 Nov 2025 at 9:43pm
Hundreds of staff have been told their jobs are at risk with the Fife Ethylene Plant in Mossmorran due to close in February.

Plan to allow voters to remove MSPs backed by parliament
13 Nov 2025 at 5:21pm
Unlike Westminster, Holyrood does not have a mechanism allowing constituents to recall their representatives.

Scottish government aiming to issue first bonds in 2026-27
13 Nov 2025 at 12:22pm
Scottish ministers wants to use bonds to raise money from investors to fund infrastructure projects.

What difference could bonds make to funding a future Scotland?
13 Nov 2025 at 4:59pm
Scottish ministers are to issue bonds for the first time but is that the best way for a country to borrow money?

Police chief says force will always record rapists as men
12 Nov 2025 at 4:28pm
Police Scotland has clarified its policy on how rapes and attempted rapes are registered on its system.

Scot Goes Pop

18th November 2025: WHAT A NIGHT to be Scottish, as the SNP rack up yet ANOTH...
19 Nov 2025 at 6:19am
As you may have seen, The National actually contacted YouGov and asked them for a reaction to my video from Monday, in which I pointed out that they seemed to have suppressed an independence poll i...

Support for independence SURGED in "secret YouGov poll in September" - so why...
17 Nov 2025 at 5:07pm
* .* .*With less than two months of the year left to go, the 2025 Scot Goes Pop fundraiser is still short of its target figure.  If you'd like to help keep the lights on during the several months i...

There is a YES MAJORITY in the average of all Scottish independence polls con...
17 Nov 2025 at 5:52am
* .* .*With less than two months of the year left to go, the 2025 Scot Goes Pop fundraiser is still short of its target figure.  If you'd like to help keep the lights on during the several months i...

Uncharted territory as party in favour of Scottish independence takes second ...
14 Nov 2025 at 1:32pm
* .* .*With less than two months of the year left to go, the 2025 Scot Goes Pop fundraiser is still short of its target figure.  If you'd like to help keep the lights on during the several months i...

Why independence would save money for HARD-WORKING SCOTTISH TAXPAYERS
13 Nov 2025 at 8:12pm
I hope you appreciate these, because it took about fifteen attempts before Grok gave me versions with only minimal spelling mistakes.  And yes, I know they're too wordy, but regard them as a work i...

Another week, another majestic SNP lead in YouGov's Scottish subsample
12 Nov 2025 at 2:46am
* .* .*With less than two months of the year left to go, the 2025 Scot Goes Pop fundraiser is still short of its target figure.  If you'd like to help keep the lights on during the several months i...

The Alba Party angrily denies allegations it has illegally nominated by-elect...
10 Nov 2025 at 9:57pm
As you may have seen on The National's website, the Alba Party is belatedly now a McEleny-free zone.  A whole six months after his expulsion from the party, Chris McEleny has been forcibly removed ...

Why the Believe in Scotland plan to win independence could be a GAME-CHANGER
10 Nov 2025 at 7:57am
When I first heard in vague terms what was in the new Believe in Scotland plan to win independence, I was sceptical, and I expected to be even more sceptical once I had read it in full - but I was ...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Mossmorran ExxonMobil plant ?currently losing £1m a week?, Prime Minister Kei...
19 Nov 2025 at 1:48pm
ExxonMobil announced that it is planning to close its plant in Fife, putting more than 400 jobs at risk.

Keir Starmer faces PMQs after announcing ?sweeping? asylum reforms
19 Nov 2025 at 11:14am
The UK home secretary introduced plans to completely overhaul the UK's asylum and returns policy on Monday.

Russian spy ship on edge of Scotland as defence secretary tells Putin ?we are...
19 Nov 2025 at 10:40am
Defence secretary John Healey directed a message to Putin, stating 'we are ready'.

Swinney warns Starmer and Reeves of ?risks? if Budget fails to end austerity
19 Nov 2025 at 7:06am
Scottish First Minister John Swinney said the ending of austerity was what people are ?desperately seeking?.

Teachers to be balloted on strike action over class contact time and ?excessi...
19 Nov 2025 at 6:32am
NASUWT warn the government's failure to reduce class contact time is leaving teachers 'burned out and overwhelmed'.

ExxonMobil to close Mossmorran plastics plant with 400 jobs at risk
18 Nov 2025 at 11:30am
The facility which produces key raw materials from ethane employs 180 staff, 200 contractors and dozens of others at the site in Fife.

?Nigel Farage can sod off?: Home Secretary defends asylum reform
17 Nov 2025 at 10:24pm
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood spoke to ITV News Political Editor Robert Peston after publishing her plans for a major overhaul of the UK's asylum system.

What are Westminster?s plans to reform the UK?s asylum system? 
17 Nov 2025 at 5:56pm
The home secretary said 'illegal migration is making this country a more divided place'.

Everything you need to know about the government?s asylum shake-up
17 Nov 2025 at 4:49pm
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has launched "the biggest package of reforms to the asylum system in modern history".

Young carer grant extended to support 19-year-olds, Scottish Government announce
17 Nov 2025 at 2:44pm
The annual payment of £390 was previously only available to carers aged 16 to 18.

Reform MSP Graham Simpson is ?a bit of a snowflake?, says Scottish Conservati...
17 Nov 2025 at 12:34pm
Findlay spoke out after Graham Simpson, who left the Tories for Reform, claimed a former party colleague would no longer look at him.

Keir Starmer ?not available for Budget meeting?, John Swinney claims
17 Nov 2025 at 11:56am
The First Minister claimed it was easier for him to meet Donald Trump than the Prime Minister.

Green infighting over after a ?difficult couple of years?, Greer insists
17 Nov 2025 at 7:33am
The Scottish Green co-leader said his party had ?firmly drawn a line under that?.

Human rights law overhaul planned as part of UK?s asylum reforms
16 Nov 2025 at 10:43pm
The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood plans to change the law so that multiple attempts to appeal against refusals for asylum will no longer be allowed.

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

SNP Justice Secretary snubs Holyrood over claims she 'misrepresented' groomin...
19 Nov 2025 at 5:36pm
Angela Constance was said to be travelling on government business after MSPs demanded answers on the row.

John Swinney backs calls for Steve Clarke to receive knighthood after leading...
19 Nov 2025 at 4:12pm
The First Minister told an audience in London he would consider calls for a bank holiday to mark Scotland's return to the world's biggest sporting event.

Keir Starmer claims closure-threatened Mossmorran plant losing £1m a week as ...
19 Nov 2025 at 2:58pm
Texas-based ExxonMobil announced it was pulling out of Mossmorran yesterday after 40 years in a move that could cost hundreds of jobs.

Call for Steve Clarke to receive knighthood after leading Scotland to first W...
19 Nov 2025 at 12:35pm
A motion lodged at the Scottish Parliament calls on MSPs to support the Tartan Army boss receiving royal recognition for his efforts.

Criminalising purchase of sex in Scotland could 'endanger women', MSPs warned
19 Nov 2025 at 10:56am
Siobhian Brown said the SNP Government had "significant concerns" over Ash Regan's Unbuyable Bill.

Nearly 3,300 children homeless in Glasgow weeks before Christmas as housing c...
19 Nov 2025 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: New figures also show the number of homeless people in temporary accommodation is at a high.

Dying grandad to lose out on funeral expenses over 'callous' end of insurance...
19 Nov 2025 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: 81 year old George Davies is one of many Scots pensioners affected by a decision by Maiden Life Försäkrings.

Crackdown on ticket touts to ban resale of live event briefs for more than th...
19 Nov 2025 at 4:30am
The new rules will mean ticket resale above face value will finally become illegal after years of campaigning by this newspaper.

SNP Justice Secretary urged to issue public apology after 'misrepresenting' g...
18 Nov 2025 at 9:59pm
EXCLUSIVE: A Government group had to clarify comments by Angela Constance about Professor Alexis Jay

Parents' satisfaction with Scots schools drops to record low with 'violence r...
18 Nov 2025 at 1:53pm
The Record previously reported how Scotland has the highest rate of violent injuries to teachers in the UK.

The National

The National | Politics

MoD plans to build bomb factory on Grangemouth site condemned
19 Nov 2025 at 8:15pm

THE Scottish Greens have slammed the Ministry of Defence (MoD) over its plans to develop an explosives factory on the site of the Grangemouth refinery.

All-women panel will discuss the impact of hard-right narratives
19 Nov 2025 at 6:30pm

CLYDEBANK Trade Union Council is determined to reclaim the slogan the far right is using ? protect our women and girls ? and has organised a public meeting to allow people to hear directly from an all-women panel about the impact the hard right and mainstream media narratives are having.

Letters criticising the SNP won't inspire anyone to back independence
19 Nov 2025 at 6:30pm

THE fundamental reason we did not win the referendum in 2014 was that we did not overcome the fears of many Scots that they would personally be worse off after independence.

John Swinney says knighthood for Steve Clarke is 'lovely idea' after Scotland...
19 Nov 2025 at 6:08pm

JOHN Swinney has said it would be a ?lovely idea? for Steve Clarke to be knighted for taking Scotland to its first World Cup in 28 years.

Labour plot to slash electricity prices for AI companies while families struggle
19 Nov 2025 at 5:51pm

LABOUR are planning to cut electricity prices for tech companies while energy bills continue to leave families struggling, The National can reveal.

Three Scottish sites considered for new arms factories after Labour blunder
19 Nov 2025 at 5:27pm

Three areas in Scotland are being considered by the Labour Government for new munitions factories

People from 'outside Scotland' stirring up anti-migrant protests, says John S...
19 Nov 2025 at 5:09pm

JOHN Swinney has said he believes people from ?outside Scotland? are travelling around the country drumming up anti-migrant protests.

'I'm a hungover happy man': Watch Scots react to Scotland's World Cup qualify...
19 Nov 2025 at 4:08pm

THERE will have been many sore heads this morning after Scotland?s historic win at Hampden last night ...

Ex-Tory council leader jailed over £188k romance fraud
19 Nov 2025 at 2:27pm

Shamed ex-Tory council leader Andrew Polson, who compared himself to the Tinder Swindler amid a £188,000 romance fraud, has been jailed for 22 months

Calls for bank holiday after Scotland secure historic World Cup spot
19 Nov 2025 at 2:56pm

The Scottish Government is being urged to give Scots an extra bank holiday following Scotland's historic qualification in the World Cup

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Angela Constance not present to answer question on grooming gangs
19 Nov 2025 at 6:21pm
Constance said during a debate in September that the child protection expert did not support further?inquiries?into child sexual abuse

Removing Keir Starmer could boost independence chances, John Swinney claims
19 Nov 2025 at 3:51pm
The FM said that he believes Starmer will be ousted if the SNP is successful in achieving a majority next year

Everyone?s a target: The importance of cybersecurity in a fast changing world
19 Nov 2025 at 3:49pm
As the Scottish Government updates its cybersecurity framework, the message is clear that everyone is at risk of an attack

John Swinney picks favourite Scotland goal from World Cup qualifier
19 Nov 2025 at 3:31pm
First minister praises 'audacious' strike as Denmark are defeated 4-2

WHO warns against AI usage in healthcare
19 Nov 2025 at 12:31pm
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is happening without the basic legal safety nets needed to protect patients and health workers

Ex-Conservative council leader jailed for romance scam
19 Nov 2025 at 11:57am
Andrew Polson denied defrauding his partner and a Christian radio station

UK and Scottish Governments announce major investment in offshore wind farm
19 Nov 2025 at 1:00am
National Wealth Fund, Great British Energy and the Scottish National Investment Bank will each put up to ?50m towards the project

Scottish Government launches updated digital strategy ?
18 Nov 2025 at 3:45pm
The Scottish Government has launched an updated National Digital Strategy in an effort to transform Scotland?s digital landscape

Anger over jobs risk as Exxon Mobil prepares to shut part of Scottish site
18 Nov 2025 at 1:17pm
Hundreds of staff warned their jobs could go when the US multinational makes cuts in February

Eight firms under investigation over online pricing practices?
18 Nov 2025 at 1:03pm
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced a major investigation into eight businesses that it suspects have violated consumer laws around pricing

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

Uk politics: Streeting defends asylum policy, but says he?s not ?comfortable?...
19 Nov 2025 at 5:31pm
Health secretary still maintains that forced removals are ?right thing to do for the country?Healey is now taking questions.Q: How close are are we to war?It is Labour that is the party of defence. Continue reading...

Starmer stands by McSweeney and says he has been ?assured no briefings agains...
13 Nov 2025 at 6:06pm
This blog has now closed, you can read more on this story herePA Media has more on what the monthly performance figures from NHS England show. PA says:The data shows 180,329 people in England had been waiting more than a year to start routine hospital treatment at the end of September, down from ...

Scotland plans to issue £1.5bn of its own bonds ? ?kilts? rather than gilts
13 Nov 2025 at 12:48pm
Announcement by first minister John Swinney comes after Moody?s and S&P give country same credit rating as UKThe Scottish first minister John Swinney has said Edinburgh is on track to issue its own government bonds, nicknamed ?kilts?, after the country was given the same credit rating as the UK.T...

The Guardian view on Scottish land reform: vast estates remain feudal in scal...
9 Nov 2025 at 5:25pm
Half of the country?s privately owned countryside is held by just 421 owners. New legislation suggests democrats still fear powerful interestsNo other European country has such a narrow base of proprietorship as Scotland. Half of all privately owned rural land is held by 421 people or entities. T...

Nicola Sturgeon: I understand why people doubt my ignorance of alleged SNP em...
7 Nov 2025 at 3:20pm
?Trust me, I had no idea? about potential wrongdoing in Scottish National party, says former first ministerNicola Sturgeon on leadership, scandal and trolling the trolls ? podcastNicola Sturgeon has said she fully understands why many people find it hard to believe she had no idea about alleged e...

Nicola Sturgeon on leadership, scandal and trolling the trolls ? podcast
7 Nov 2025 at 5:00am
In a special, bonus episode of Politics Weekly, Pippa Crerar and Kiran Stacey sit down with Scotland?s former first minister Nicola Sturgeon for a frank conversation about her time in office and the future of nationalist politics.Nothing is off the table: her leadership, Covid, the gender row tha...

Lammy says he was not ?equipped with the details? when facing questions on mi...
6 Nov 2025 at 5:22pm
This live blog is now closed, you can read more on this story hereDavid Lammy, the deputy PM and justice secretary, has welcomed the fact that Billy Smith is back in custody, but described the spike in release mistakes as ?unacceptable?.According to PA Media, Lammy said:William Smith is back in c...

Met police issue statement with more information about missing Algerian priso...
5 Nov 2025 at 6:18pm
This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story hereDavid Lammy starts by saying the PM is in Brazil.He says the thoughts of all MPs are still with the victims of the appalling attacks in Huntingdon and Peterborough, where, he says, he was at school for seven years. Continue reading...

Reeves says she should have checked rental licence had been obtained as letti...
30 Oct 2025 at 6:50pm
No 10 releases redacted emails between Reeves? husband and letting agentRachel Reeves? rental error: standards adviser looking at new informationRobert Peston, ITV?s political editor, says he thinks it is a mistake for the Conservatives to be saying Rachel Reeves should have to resign over the re...

MPs vote down Farage?s proposal for UK to leave ECHR ? as it happened
29 Oct 2025 at 5:20pm
This blog is now closed, you can read more of our UK political coverage hereMark Sedwill, the former cabinet secretary and former national security adviser, goes next. He is now a peer, and a member of the committee.He says the deputy national security adviser, Matthew Collins, thought there was ...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

A Labour vote in Scotland is a vote not to matter
19 Nov 2025 at 5:01pm
You’ve got to hand it to the Labour party, they are certainly consistent, consistent in their shafting of Scottish workers. It’s almost as though, despite Labour’s protestations to the contrary, Scottish votes don’t matter to the Labour party and its strategists. We’ve seen a party which campaigned on the slogan vote Labour to save Grangemouth …

Starmer?s Labour enables fascism
17 Nov 2025 at 6:58pm
When the race baiting far right criminal Stephen Yaxley-Lennon and the hard right Reform UK are praising Labour’s policies, you know that something has gone profoundly wrong in a party which purports to be on the centre-left. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced a set of measures which are aimed at making the lives of …

Just get your boots off our necks, Westminster
14 Nov 2025 at 3:23pm
In an interview with The National newspaper, the actor Alan Cumming, who currently hosts the US version of the popular show The Traitors and who is outspoken in his support for Scottish independence, demanded “Get just get your boots off our necks, Westminster.” He made the powerful call for Scottish self-determination in connection with the …

No, independence supporters? compaints about BBC bias are nothing like Trump
12 Nov 2025 at 3:01pm
There is certainly no love lost between supporters of Scottish independence and the BBC. It is however egregious I’m-not-a-nationalist-I’m-British bollocks to suggest, as former Labour party hack Carlos Alba writes in Wednesday’s Herald newspaper, that Yes supporters are now on the side of Donald Trump as he threatens the Corporation with a billion dollar lawsuit …

Believe in Scotland?s path to independence, the routemap we need
10 Nov 2025 at 7:25pm
I have previously blogged about my view that the UK is entering a terminal phase crisis which it is unlikely to survive in its current form. The pro-independence campaign group Believe in Scotland is of a similar opinion and believes that this crisis provides Scotland and Wales with a unique opportunity to seize independence and …

Labour?s doomed attempt to paint the SNP as a threat to national security
6 Nov 2025 at 3:34pm
The oil is running out, all the banks will leave, you won’t have a pension, you can’t use the pound, the EU won’t let you back in, and now we have – the SNP are a threat to national security. This wasn’t an off the cuff remark from a harried Labour minister being put under …

The need for iGERS
4 Nov 2025 at 5:13pm
The pro-independence campaign group Believe in Scotland has proposed a replacement for the discredited GERS (Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland) figures which are published every year to the delight of British nationalists up and down the land. These statistics, which as Professor of Accountancy Practice Richard Murphy regularly points out, are based on unreliable and …

Migrant hysteria, the lie driving the rise of the far right
31 Oct 2025 at 6:30pm
The far right is on the rise, and it’s on the rise due to an artificial panic manufactured by rich and powerful interests in order to distract public attention from the greed and avarice of the wealthiest in society, a tiny segment which has hoarded ever greater wealth over the past few decades even as …

Rising support for independence and the end of the so-called Union
27 Oct 2025 at 7:58pm
There have been some mixed messages recently from opinion polling about the SNP’s chances of winning a majority at next year’s Holyrood election. Over the weekend The National published a report of an analysis of recent polling which suggested that the SNP could win a majority in its own right. This contrasts with other polling …

The lessons of Caerffili for Holyrood 2026
24 Oct 2025 at 3:04pm
Some great news from Wales today. Plaid Cymru has smashed over 100 years of Labour domination and swept its way to victory in the Caerffili Senedd by election, taking 47% of votes cast. Although pollsters and bookies had fancied Reform UK to take the seat, in the end, Plaid left Reform in the dust, far …

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 'Albatraz'

Looking for a song-writing collaborator
19 Nov 2025 at 4:44pm
I’m looking for a song-writing collaborator. I’d do lyrics on mostly political, social, historical themes. Ideally looking for someone already singing, pubs, small clubs, covering other songwriters or traditional who might add music and perform. Probably folk, Country, maybe rock? Have a think and if any one fits ask them to get in touch. John jupitergreen61@gmail.com Thanks

300 000 patients should not be on Scottish Labour?s ?1 in 6? double or triple...
19 Nov 2025 at 12:02pm
Professor John Robertson OBA From Public Health Scotland on 26 August 2025 (latest figures): There was estimated to be 639,579 individuals on at least one new outpatient, inpatient or day case waiting list at 30 June 2025. This equates to 1 in 9 of Scotland?s population (mid-2024 population estimates Scotland).1 On the 27th May, from the same source, we heard: This equates to 1 in 9 of Scotland...

Factcheck ? 20 000 NOT ON NHS waiting list in Scotland because they DO live i...
19 Nov 2025 at 10:52am
Professor John Robertson OBA From Public health Scotland: As of the month ending 31 August 2025 (based on the most recent Public Health Scotland monthly data release on 28 October 2025, which includes historical figures up to August), the total number of ongoing waits for elective care in Scotland?encompassing new outpatient appointments, inpatient admissions, and day case treatments?stands at ...

People attracted to Scotland after 18 years but repulsed by England after jus...
19 Nov 2025 at 10:05am
Professor John Robertson OBA The Telegraph, still loyal to the Cons, suggests 257 000 Brits fled the threat of higher Labour taxes , in 2024. Unionist politicians and media commentators have argue the same will happen to Scotland after SNP taxation changes. Has it so far? From the National Records of Scotland in August 2025: Main Points Source: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/publications/migrati...

1 of 6 UK oil refineries to close and 1 of 6 UK Ethylene plants to close ? wh...
19 Nov 2025 at 9:18am
Professor John Robertson OBA Today, BBC Scotland and the Scotsman, have the above, and: The UK government has said it will not offer financial support to keep the Exxon Mobil plant at Mossmorran open. Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday evening, Business Minister Chris McDonald said there was no realistic business plan to go with investment. He said ExxonMobil’s chairman Paul Greenwood ...

Why as BBC UK focus on shoplifting today BBC Scotland is not (2):
19 Nov 2025 at 8:35am

Why as BBC UK focus on shoplifting today BBC Scotland is not (1):
19 Nov 2025 at 8:32am

Overall satisfaction with Scottish schools 31% higher than in Labour-run Wales
18 Nov 2025 at 4:11pm
Professor John Robertson OBA The above graph from Scottish Household Survey: Satisfaction with Schools, 2024, published today, shows a fall in the overall satisfaction satisfaction with Scottish schools by those adults who use them to 81%. https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-household-survey-satisfaction-with-schools-2024/pages/satisfaction-with-schools/ There is no direct equivalent pub...

Further evidence of Scotland?s reducing inequality as second homes plummet by...
18 Nov 2025 at 2:48pm
Professor John Robertson OBA There are, of course, serious constraints to the extent in which Scotland can move toward the more equal societies in Northern Europe and to enjoy their correlated benefits of longer healthier lives, extremely low crime, drug abuse, mental health diagnoses and so on but the SNP has made some progress with lower rents and council tax, more social and affordable housi...

So much worse together as Brexit hurt Scotland?s trade surplus economy and be...
18 Nov 2025 at 12:26pm
Professor John Robertson OBA With only a 1969 SCE Higher in Economics, bare C pass, I’m deferring entirely to Grok AI on this one. If you’re capable, please enlighten me on any problems with his (Grok) analysis. Grok – Was Brexit even more damaging for Scotland with its trade surplus than rest of UK? Conclusion Yes, Brexit was more damaging to Scotland’s trade surplus than to the rest of the UK...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

Scottish political snapshot, November 2025 - YouGov
17 Nov 2025 at 11:03am
Scottish political snapshot, November 2025  YouGov

Letters criticising the SNP won't inspire anyone to back independence - TheNa...
19 Nov 2025 at 6:35pm
Letters criticising the SNP won't inspire anyone to back independence  TheNational.scot

The new hero of Scottish independence? Nigel Farage - politico.eu
13 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
The new hero of Scottish independence? Nigel Farage  politico.eu

Swinney sets out latest plan for an independence referendum - BBC
4 Sep 2025 at 8:00am
Swinney sets out latest plan for an independence referendum  BBC

Twenty-five years of data shows how link between identity and views on Scotti...
9 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
Twenty-five years of data shows how link between identity and views on Scottish independence has grown stronger  The Conversation

Scotland casts fresh eye on independence vote as UK's political landscape shi...
24 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
Scotland casts fresh eye on independence vote as UK's political landscape shifts  Courthouse News

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

Border Telegraph letters round-up: Autumn leaves and Scottish independence - ...
18 Nov 2025 at 8:00am
Border Telegraph letters round-up: Autumn leaves and Scottish independence  Border Telegraph

Removing Keir Starmer could boost independence chances, John Swinney claims -...
19 Nov 2025 at 3:59pm
Removing Keir Starmer could boost independence chances, John Swinney claims  holyrood.com

Scottish independence paper sets out defence and NATO plans - UK Defence Journal
4 Nov 2025 at 8:00am
Scottish independence paper sets out defence and NATO plans  UK Defence Journal

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

Development of a cost-effective, multifunctional SNP panel and analysis workf...
19 Nov 2025 at 1:16pm
Development of a cost-effective, multifunctional SNP panel and analysis workflow for Wolf monitoring in Finland  Nature

Letters criticising the SNP won't inspire anyone to back independence - TheNa...
19 Nov 2025 at 6:35pm
Letters criticising the SNP won't inspire anyone to back independence  TheNational.scot

Scottish political snapshot, November 2025 - YouGov
17 Nov 2025 at 11:03am
Scottish political snapshot, November 2025  YouGov

The SNP have crossed the line on abortion - The Spectator
18 Nov 2025 at 3:53pm
The SNP have crossed the line on abortion  The Spectator

SNP hands £1.3m in taxpayer cash to pro-abortion group with ?extreme agenda? ...
19 Nov 2025 at 6:35pm
SNP hands £1.3m in taxpayer cash to pro-abortion group with ?extreme agenda?  The Telegraph

SNP majority at Holyrood will end Starmer?s time at Number 10, claims Swinney...
19 Nov 2025 at 4:43pm
SNP majority at Holyrood will end Starmer?s time at Number 10, claims Swinney  The Independent

UK government funding for Scotland's fishing industry is an 'insult', says SN...
18 Nov 2025 at 3:32pm
UK government funding for Scotland's fishing industry is an 'insult', says SNP minister Mairi Gougeon  Sky News

Swinney: Starmer will not stay PM if SNP win majority in Holyrood election - ...
19 Nov 2025 at 3:50pm
Swinney: Starmer will not stay PM if SNP win majority in Holyrood election  The Herald

Heat in Buildings: a pathetic capitulation from the SNP - Scottish Greens
18 Nov 2025 at 3:04pm
Heat in Buildings: a pathetic capitulation from the SNP  Scottish Greens

More than 4,000 WASPI women in Scotland died without compensation - Central F...
19 Nov 2025 at 4:38pm
More than 4,000 WASPI women in Scotland died without compensation  Central Fife Times

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

Scottish political snapshot, November 2025 - YouGov
17 Nov 2025 at 11:03am
Scottish political snapshot, November 2025  YouGov

Swinney sets out latest plan for an independence referendum - BBC
4 Sep 2025 at 8:00am
Swinney sets out latest plan for an independence referendum  BBC

Scotland casts fresh eye on independence vote as UK's political landscape shi...
24 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
Scotland casts fresh eye on independence vote as UK's political landscape shifts  Courthouse News

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

The new hero of Scottish independence? Nigel Farage - politico.eu
13 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
The new hero of Scottish independence? Nigel Farage  politico.eu

Independence supporters ?wasting time? on legal routes to second vote, MSPs t...
14 Nov 2025 at 9:50am
Independence supporters ?wasting time? on legal routes to second vote, MSPs told  Nation.Cymru

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

First Minister John Swinney sets out latest plan for independence referendum ...
4 Sep 2025 at 8:00am
First Minister John Swinney sets out latest plan for independence referendum  Sky News

John Swinney says right-wing politics 'not welcome' in Scotland - Scottish Da...
19 Nov 2025 at 4:29pm
John Swinney says right-wing politics 'not welcome' in Scotland  Scottish Daily Express

One Cause, Many Voices: Scotland?s Divided Independence Movement Strategy - A...
4 Sep 2025 at 8:00am
One Cause, Many Voices: Scotland?s Divided Independence Movement Strategy  Australian Institute of International Affairs