The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Labour splits deepen over Starmer?s future after Sarwar's dramatic intervention
by politics@theherald.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth and Kathleen Nutt
9 Feb 2026 at 6:34pm
Anas Sarwar has become the most senior Labour figure yet to urge Keir Starmer to step aside ? but his dramatic intervention was swiftly brushed off by Downing Street as Cabinet ministers closed ranks amid the Mandelson scandal.


Wes Streeting accuses PM of briefing against him over Sarwar statement
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
9 Feb 2026 at 6:23pm
The Scottish Labour leader said that Starmer had been a "distraction" ahead of May's Holyrood election.


The inside story of Anas Sarwar?s big gamble
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
9 Feb 2026 at 5:51pm
Anas Sarwar?s decision to call on Sir Keir Starmer to quit was, a senior Scottish Labour source insists, something the Holyrood leader had been ?wrestling with? for some time,


Former Herald political editor sworn into House of Lords as Labour peer
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
9 Feb 2026 at 5:24pm
Catherine MacLeod was among the 25 nominations appointed to the chamber by Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the end of 2025.


'If this was the Thames': SNP criticises UK Government over Glasgow games TV ...
by Angelina Nayar
9 Feb 2026 at 3:12pm
The SNP accuses the UK Government of locking fans out of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games by allowing live coverage only on paid platforms.


Furious Sarwar tells Starmer to quit as Mandelson scandal deepens
9 Feb 2026 at 2:35pm
An angry Anas Sarwar has called for Keir Starmer to quit as he attacked the Prime Minister amid a deepening scandal over Peter Mandelson.


Scandal that will last years: What Mandelson saga means for Scotland
9 Feb 2026 at 1:24pm
With Keir Starmer on the brink as Prime Minister what impact will the crisis at Number Ten have on Scottish politics and on Scottish Labour?


Anas Sarwar reprimanded after calling for Keir Starmer to stand down as PM
9 Feb 2026 at 1:15pm
Anas Sarwar has called for Keir Starmer to step down as PM in Glasgow city centre this afternoon.


Ministers slammed as watchdogs outline 18-month review before grooming gangs ...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
9 Feb 2026 at 1:00pm
The SNP faces mounting criticism after watchdogs confirmed an 18-month national review into grooming gangs ? a process that will only then inform whether a full public inquiry is held.


Starmer's top spin doctor resigns days after chief of staff exit
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
9 Feb 2026 at 11:16am
Downing Street is reeling after the sudden exits of Sir Keir Starmer?s chief of staff and his most senior communications aide. As questions swirl over Peter Mandelson?s appointment, Labour figures fear the crisis is eroding trust, authority and momentum at the top of government.


John Swinney: Dualling A9 ?remains a priority for this Government?
by jody.harrison@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Jody Harrison
9 Feb 2026 at 7:41am
The First Minister was speaking ahead of a visit to see work to dual a section of road between Tomatin and Moy


Scottish Government to develop formal partnership with third sector
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
9 Feb 2026 at 5:00am
The Scottish Government will develop a formal partnership with charities and voluntary organisations to protect the third sector


Scottish Labour MPs ramp up calls for Starmer to quit after McSweeney resigna...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
9 Feb 2026 at 5:00am
Scottish Labour MPs have openly questioned Keir Starmer?s future after the dramatic resignation of his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney. With Holyrood elections looming and polls collapsing, insiders warn the damage may already be fatal.


Reform to tackle housing crisis by charging international students council tax
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
9 Feb 2026 at 12:01am
Ahead of May?s Holyrood election, Reform has pledged to ?prioritise Scottish people on housing lists? and charge international students council tax.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


?Build more prisons? is a snappy slogan that won't make Scotland safer. Here'...
9 Feb 2026 at 5:32pm
Investing earlier in crime prevention ? in education, mental health, addiction support and life chances ? will lead to fewer victims and more people contributing economically and socially


Why Anas Sarwar's attack on Keir Starmer was delusional and hypocritical
9 Feb 2026 at 5:32pm
Both Keir Starmer and Anas Sarwar have made bad errors of misjudgment about Peter Mandelson


How Do Labour Elect A New Leader? Here's what happens if Keir Starmer quits -...
9 Feb 2026 at 3:33pm

Is Keir Starmer?s time as Prime Minister coming to an end?

In a major intervention, the Scottish Labour leader said the ?distraction needs to end?

Sir Keir Starmer has faced increased pressure in recent days over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador.

Morgan McSweeney has fallen on his sword to save the Prime Minister?s job - but is it enough?

Temporary accommodation described as ?important safety net?

Wings over Scotland

A Dumber Nation
9 Feb 2026 at 3:52pm
In politics, readers, evil and stupidity aren’t the same thing. But nor are they exclusive. Before we ask you to consider which of the terms applies to the Scottish Government led by John Swinney, we’d like you to read this letter sent to Wings by the auntie of two women imprisoned in Scottish jails. “I …

Echoes of history
8 Feb 2026 at 5:26pm
The Sunday National’s front page today elicited a sigh of “So what?” from most. We’ve already GOT a “pro-indy” majority at Holyrood and have done for the last 10 years, for all it’s been worth. But to be fair there was a paragraph in the article that at least raised a quizzical eyebrow. Because, y’know, …

A Stitch In Timing
5 Feb 2026 at 4:09pm
Readers will probably be aware that literally as you read this, the Scottish Government is in court trying to defend its policy of letting male murderers be housed in women’s prisons by arguing that the Equality Act 2010 (as ruled on by the Supreme Court in the For Women Scotland case) is incompatible with the …

The Marshalling Plan
2 Feb 2026 at 1:25pm
Another month has passed, so we suppose it must be time for the third of our polling-analysis pieces for the Scottish Parliament election in May. (Last time round we assessed the grotesque rank idiocy of voting SNP on the list if you want a pro-indy majority, and the time before that we considered the possible …

Shield Of The Phantom
26 Jan 2026 at 1:02pm
Well, we gave it a go. It seems that it’s fine to farm important judgments out to mysterious shadowy figures who just make important chunks of them up out of thin air, and then issue them in your own name. Back in your boxes, plebs.

Yelling at the tide
21 Jan 2026 at 9:26am
We figured someone had to at least try. So in the light of this, we’ve sent a letter. - TO: Judge Susan Walker, President, Employment Tribunal (Scotland) Dear Madam President, I read with considerable dismay and alarm your response to a recent complaint from a Mr Ewan Kennedy regarding the conduct of Employment Judge Alexander …

The Secondhand Amendment
19 Jan 2026 at 12:04am
We’re really not sure this makes things any better with regard to the incredible tale that’s unfolded around the judgment in Sandie Peggie vs NHS Fife. In fact, on any interpretation we can think of, quite the reverse. But we’d better give you some context. The quote in the image above comes from the reply …

Learning Insanity
14 Jan 2026 at 4:29pm
This clip was broadcast on ITV News Wales this week. ? It’s a staggeringly obvious mess for a whole raft of reasons – a number of completely spurious, illogical and unsupported claims are accepted as facts without any sort of challenge or balancing voice (which has been standard practice on ITV News for a while …

Governing For Beginners
12 Jan 2026 at 2:31pm
My first ever real experience of politics was playing Dictator. Originally written by Don Priestley for the Sinclair ZX81 in 1982, it was a simple text-based game which subsequently came to other formats including the Commodore 64, BBC Micro, Elan Enterprise and the ZX Spectrum, which is where I encountered it. (Its legacy very much …

Grandpa John?s Nightmare
7 Jan 2026 at 12:17pm
It’s almost – almost – worth voting SNP in May because of this: ? Because it would be at least momentarily absolutely hilarious watching Swinney try to explain why his “100% guaranteed” second indyref didn’t happen if the SNP actually did get a majority on 30% of the vote (which is narrowly feasible on current …

Craig Murray

Is The USA Controlling Venezuela
7 Feb 2026 at 5:54pm

My first video report from Venezuela: My being here reporting is entirely possible due, as is all my journalism and activism, to your individual subscriptions and donations. We now have a Venezuela reporting crowdfunder. I have simply edited the Lebanese GoFundMe crowdfunder, because that took many weeks to be approved and I don’t want to …

Is The USA Controlling Venezuela

Filton Acquittals Demolish Starmer and Cooper Lies About Palestine Action
5 Feb 2026 at 6:49pm

As the trial finished at Woolwich Crown Court of the six Palestine Action activists who entered the Filton factory to destroy Israeli killer drones, Starmer, Cooper, Lammy and Mahmood are left bereft of a single guilty verdict in the case on which they relied heavily to label Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. I could …

Filton Acquittals Demolish Starmer and Cooper Lies About Palestine Action

Trump, Pirate of the Caribbean
3 Feb 2026 at 11:14am

I have now been here a week and I think that I have absorbed enough to attempt a little analysis, as opposed to the simple impressions I gave shortly after arrival. Those impressions remain valid however: this is not a repressive state. I was on the Randy Credico show live on WBAI New York on …

Trump, Pirate of the Caribbean

Palestine Action Judicial Review
29 Jan 2026 at 6:59pm

I attach the full text of Lord Young’s decision granting the Scottish judicial review of the proscription of Palestine. A few points. Judicial Review can only be granted where the judge believes it has a realistic chance of success. Lord Young evidently believes that we have a realistic chance of success on our three grounds …

Palestine Action Judicial Review

Being There ? In Venezuela
26 Jan 2026 at 9:46am

I have now been in Caracas for 48 hours and the contrast between what I have seen, and what I had read in the mainstream media, could not be more stark. I drove right through Caracas, from the airport through the city centre and up to posh Las Mercedes. The next morning I walked all …

Being There – In Venezuela

Resisting the Respectable Opinion on Iran
15 Jan 2026 at 3:13pm

Iraq. Libya. Egypt. Syria. Gaza. Somalia. No CIA- and Mossad-constructed regime change operation in the Middle East has ever made life better for the ordinary people of the country, nor even delivered the promised increase in personal and political freedoms. The only limited improvement that might be gained comes from the lifting of Western sanction …

Resisting the Respectable Opinion on Iran

BBC Scotland

Cabinet ministers rally round PM as Sarwar urges him to quit
9 Feb 2026 at 10:29pm
The Scottish Labour leader says No 10 has "not been good enough" but Sir Keir insists he will not resign.

Mandelson appointment 'ignored warnings' - Brian Wilson
8 Feb 2026 at 1:41pm
The former Labour MP says evidence was disregarded in the decision to make Mandelson ambassador to the US.

Can solar panels turn around one of Scotland's most deprived communities?
9 Feb 2026 at 11:02pm
A community energy scheme is expected to raise about £1m which will be spent on projects in the Wallacetown area of Ayr.

Former Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman dies aged 72
7 Feb 2026 at 12:46pm
The SNP politician was a key figure in the Scottish government's response to the Covid pandemic.

Ministers urged to rethink jail sentences of less than two years
6 Feb 2026 at 4:08pm
If recommendations go ahead, judges would have to provide reasons why jailing someone for two years or less was the only option.

NHS budget plans rely on ambitious efficiency savings, warns think tank
6 Feb 2026 at 3:01pm
Spending strategy assumes hospitals and the ambulance service can make efficiency savings, says the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

Chief nurse's 'Disney trip' suggestion for bereaved families 'shameful' - Sarwar
5 Feb 2026 at 1:26pm
Scotland's ex-chief nursing officer has been criticised over remarks she allegedly made about bereaved families.

Asylum seeker barracks plans could face further delays
6 Feb 2026 at 6:16am
The Home Office may need planning permission before using Cameron Barracks as accommodation.

New rules for botox and Brazilian butt lifts backed by MSPs
5 Feb 2026 at 5:19pm
The Scottish Parliament has provisionally approved regulations for non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

Suicide risk if trans prisoners are put in jails based on sex at birth, court...
5 Feb 2026 at 3:08pm
Lawyers for the Scottish government say moving trans woman prisoners to male-only jails would create an unacceptable safety risk.

Plan to jail bosses of major polluters passes Holyrood vote
5 Feb 2026 at 5:18pm
The ecocide bill would allow for people to be jailed for up to 20 years for damaging the environment.

MSP behind assisted dying bill backs change to eligibility rules
4 Feb 2026 at 2:42pm
The proposals would restrict assisted dying in Scotland to people with six months or less left to live.

Scot Goes Pop

Nigel Farage, so long the favourite to be the next Prime Minister, has slumpe...
7 Feb 2026 at 1:54pm
This video also contains more information about the More In Common independence polling I mentioned yesterday.   There aren't many outlets that report Scottish polling accurately and without unioni...

"Well, they're certainly keeping quiet about THAT bit!": More In Common poll ...
6 Feb 2026 at 3:14pm
There aren't many outlets that report Scottish polling accurately and without unionist bias.  If you value the service Scot Goes Pop provides, you currently have a thrilling opportunity to help wit...

My appearance on the "Two Davies" show
5 Feb 2026 at 5:55pm
Earlier today, I took part in a live stream on the "Two Davies" YouTube channel, and we all answered viewers' questions about quite a wide variety of subjects, including the current polling situati...

Gosh, I wonder if Stew has ever demonstrated quite so unwittingly and vividly...
4 Feb 2026 at 1:17am
Quite a number of years ago now, I got into a mildly bizarre email debate with someone who shall remain nameless, but who is widely regarded in Scotland as bona fide journalistic royalty.  Basicall...

Why is YouGov under-representing Yes-voting Glaswegians in its independence p...
3 Feb 2026 at 4:06pm
Towards the end of this video, I also give my reaction to the Scottish Government's welcome announcement that they will not be supporting Ash Regan's private member's bill, which seeks to introduce...

Stew's "ten-year masterplan" nears its petty climax: how Somerset's most cont...
2 Feb 2026 at 4:47pm
Incidentally, I recorded this video before I saw Campbell's latest "I luv Nige" fanboy blogpost, so the similarity of titles is just a coincidence - albeit an extremely telling coincidence in the c...

Sizzling YouGov numbers put pro-independence parties on course for 53% of sea...
30 Jan 2026 at 5:11pm
There aren't many outlets that report Scottish polling accurately and without unionist bias.  If you value the service Scot Goes Pop provides, you currently have a thrilling opportunity to help wit...

Spectacular full-scale Scottish poll from YouGov shows the SNP and Greens on ...
29 Jan 2026 at 6:48pm
I will record a video about this poll at some point, but as I'm on a bus right now, I'll go retro and briefly give you the results in text form for the time being.Should Scotland be an independent ...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Starmer tells MPs he will not ?walk away? amid calls for his resignation
9 Feb 2026 at 9:05pm
The Prime Minister addressed a packed meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) in Westminster on Monday.

Keir Starmer must resign over Mandelson Epstein scandal, says Scottish Labour...
9 Feb 2026 at 1:28pm
Anas Sarwar says the 'distraction needs to end' following the scandal of Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador.

First two phases of Scottish grooming gangs review to take up to 18 months
9 Feb 2026 at 1:24pm
The Scottish Government announced a review in December following pressure to call a public inquiry

Stephen Flynn urges Prime Minister Keir Starmer to ?do the right thing and re...
9 Feb 2026 at 12:25pm
The Prime Minister has faced increased pressure in recent days over the appointment of Peter Mandelson

Greenland to be presented with own tartan in MPs? visit
9 Feb 2026 at 6:38am
The visit follows months of threats from President Donald Trump?s administration on the country?s status

Your Party to stand in 2026 Holyrood election
8 Feb 2026 at 4:42pm
The announcement was made the Your Party Scotland conference in Dundee, where 69.8% of members voted in favour of the move

Morgan McSweeney steps down as Starmer?s chief of staff amid Mandelson row
8 Feb 2026 at 3:02pm
The Prime Minister?s right-hand man has been blamed for pushing the appointment of Mandelson as ambassador to the US

Anas Sarwar would push for NFL game in Scotland if elected
8 Feb 2026 at 11:46am
The NFL regularly plays games overseas, with nine due to take place this year

Holyrood parties urged to commit to St Andrew?s Day national holiday
8 Feb 2026 at 10:13am
St Andrew?s Day was named a bank holiday in 2007

Brown says Starmer leadership crisis is ?serious? but PM is ?man of integrity?
7 Feb 2026 at 2:33pm
Former prime minister Gordon Brown said he felt ?betrayed and let down? by Mandelson?s alleged actions

Former Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman dies aged 72
7 Feb 2026 at 10:25am
Ms Freeman's partner announced in a statement that she had died after receiving a cancer diagnosis in January

Keir Starmer says ?significant volume of material? to be reviewed over Lord M...
6 Feb 2026 at 9:15pm
Parliament's security watchdog will assess which documents can be released

First Minister pledges to ?secure bright future? for Scotland?s farmers
6 Feb 2026 at 7:33am
Mr Swinney will deliver a keynote speech to the NFU Scotland Conference.

MSPs back plans to improve regulation of Botox and Brazilian butt lifts
5 Feb 2026 at 6:26pm
The Bill cleared its first hurdle in the Scottish Parliament after it was passed at stage one on Thursday

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Scottish Labour MPs to hold 'emergency' summit after Anas Sarwar demands Keir...
9 Feb 2026 at 5:56pm
EXC: The unplanned meeting will take place on Tuesday.

Inside Anas Sarwar's decision to call for Keir Starmer to quit as Prime Minister
9 Feb 2026 at 5:22pm
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says Anas Sarwar has gone for broke after calculating he cannot win the Holyrood election with Keir Starmer in charge.

Scottish politics today: Anas Sarwar drops bombshell as Keir Starmer rallies ...
9 Feb 2026 at 5:00pm
The Record brings you its daily 5pm briefing of the top stories in Scottish politics.

Anas Sarwar calls for Keir Starmer to resign LIVE as PM says he will not 'wal...
9 Feb 2026 at 2:11pm
Downing Street has insisted Keir Starmer will not resign despite Anas Sarwar's dramatic intervention.

Anas Sarwar calls for Keir Starmer to resign as Prime Minister
9 Feb 2026 at 1:41pm
The close working relationship between Anas Sarwar and Keir Starmer was shattered today as the Scottish Labour leader called on the PM to quit.

Stephen Flynn calls on Keir Starmer to resign as PM is 'lame duck leader who ...
9 Feb 2026 at 12:43pm
The PM is under intense pressure after he agreed to the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador last year.

Scottish Labour MPs in public squabble as tensions rise over Keir Starmer
9 Feb 2026 at 12:07pm
Alison Taylor urged Brian Leishman to "please stop" "give it a break? after he called on the PM to walk over the Peter Mandelson scandal.

The case for Anas Sarwar breaking ranks and calling for Keir Starmer to quit
9 Feb 2026 at 11:50am
Dailly Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says Anas Sarwar may have no choice but to call for Keir Starmer to resign.

Keir Starmer Government in 'meltdown' after second key figure quits amid Pete...
9 Feb 2026 at 11:28am
Tim Allan said he wished the Prime Minister and his team "every success".

Anas Sarwar urged by Scottish Labour figures to call for Keir Starmer to quit
9 Feb 2026 at 10:08am
EXCLUSIVE: The party figures want Sarwar to intervene as they believe Starmer's resignation is inevitable.

The National

The National | Politics

Contrast the approach to searching homes of two political Peters
9 Feb 2026 at 6:30pm

I AM writing to comment on the recent article comparing the policing and media response to the searches of the homes of Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell with those reportedly involving Peter Mandelson (thenational.scot, Feb 6).

John Swinney pans 'opportunist' Anas Sarwar over call for Keir Starmer to quit
9 Feb 2026 at 5:39pm

JOHN Swinney has branded Anas Sarwar ?an opportunist? after he called for Keir Starmer to resign as Prime Minister ...

Radiohead star demands cuts after music 'used on Melania film without permiss...
9 Feb 2026 at 4:40pm

A RADIOHEAD star and one of the world?s most acclaimed directors have issued a joint call for their music to be removed from the propaganda film 'Melania'

John Curtice gives verdict as Anas Sarwar calls for Keir Starmer to resign
9 Feb 2026 at 4:20pm

PROFESSOR John Curtice has given his verdict after Anas Sarwar called for Keir Starmer to quit as Prime Minister.

Who is running Downing Street now that Morgan McSweeney is gone?
9 Feb 2026 at 4:18pm

MORGAN McSweeney?s dramatic departure from Downing Street has sent the UK Government into chaos.

'Idiocy': Labour figures round on Anas Sarwar after he calls for Keir Starmer...
9 Feb 2026 at 3:27pm

ANAS Sarwar has triggered enormous backlash after calling for Keir Starmer to resign

Red-faced Anas Sarwar set to face a big 'we told you so' from Scottish media
9 Feb 2026 at 3:27pm

ON Monday lunchtime reporters across Scotland cancelled their breaks as Anas Sarwar threw out a grenade in the shape of an emergency press conference ...

See full list of MPs and MSPs calling for Keir Starmer to resign as Prime Min...
9 Feb 2026 at 3:23pm

KEIR Starmer is facing growing pressure within Labour to resign as Prime Minister following the latest twists in the Peter Mandelson scandal ...

Will Keir Starmer address the nation as resignation calls grow?
9 Feb 2026 at 3:08pm

Late on Sunday night, it was reported that Keir Starmer was set to address the nation

Repeating Reform?s polarising language serves the interests of fascism
9 Feb 2026 at 3:00pm

PROBABLY most independence supporters would agree with John Baird (Letters, Feb 7) that the SNP should be ?bolder? in setting out a vision for independence ahead of the Holyrood election. Where I would disagree with John is in adopting the simplistic, fear-engendering and polarising language of Reform UK to convince the SNP leadership to be more assertive and to openly commit to a strategy that...

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Anas Sarwar calls for Keir Starmer to step down
9 Feb 2026 at 1:58pm
It follows a row over the appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the US, despite having known links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Morgan McSweeney quits as PM?s adviser amid Mandelson scandal
8 Feb 2026 at 4:49pm
McSweeney said he accepted ?full responsibility? for the appointment with police now investigating Mandelson over his links with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, who died in 2019.

Tributes paid following the death of Jeane Freeman
8 Feb 2026 at 10:30am
Tributes have been paid from across Scottish politics following the death of former health secretary Jeane Freeman at the age of 72.

Jack McConnell calls for ?complete reset? in Labour leadership
6 Feb 2026 at 2:53pm
The former first minister said somebody in Labour needed to 'step up' and take over

Scotland?s prisons approach needs fundamental reform, according to watchdog r...
6 Feb 2026 at 10:33am
The report has called for stronger rehabilitation in prison, earlier release with enhanced community supervision, and long-term planning to reduce Scotland?s prison population to around the European average

John Swinney accuses Anas Sarwar of ?shameful? interference in hospitals inquiry
5 Feb 2026 at 4:00pm
The Scottish Labour leader said the FM had told parliament a "blatant untruth"

John Swinney: I stayed with Mandelson on Trump trip to save money
5 Feb 2026 at 1:51pm
Starmer says no one in government knew 'depth and darkness' of former ambassador's Epstein friendship

Set out Mandelson links, SNP urges Scottish Labour
4 Feb 2026 at 5:22pm
SNP claims are 'morally bankrupt', Scottish Labour hits back

Edinburgh Council refuses planning permission for AI data centre
4 Feb 2026 at 3:35pm
Planning officers had recommended the project be approved

Anas Sarwar backs child social media ban
4 Feb 2026 at 1:00am
The UK Government announced last month it was consulting on such a measure

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

Starmer survives ? but for how long? ? podcast
10 Feb 2026 at 3:00am
Helen Pidd follows the twists and turns on Monday as the prime minister fought to keep his jobOn Monday morning, the prime minister was preparing to reset relations with MPs after the resignation of his chief aide, Morgan McSweeney.Just before midday, news broke that Tim Allen, Keir Starmer?s dir...

Starmer tells Labour MPs he is ?not prepared to walk away? after call for him...
9 Feb 2026 at 9:50pm
Prime minister addresses parliamentary Labour party amid Mandelson scandal falloutScottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar calls on Keir Starmer to stand downTim Allan said he was standing down to allow Keir Starmer the opportunity to build a new team.In a statement, he said:I have decided to stand dow...

Sarwar has shown his ruthless streak. But will his swipe at Starmer mean anyt...
9 Feb 2026 at 4:20pm
Scottish Labour leader is gambling that by declaring his loyalty to Scotland, the electorate will rally behind himAnas Sarwar calls for Keir Starmer to stand downAnas Sarwar has shown he has a ruthless streak. Once one of Keir Starmer?s staunchest cheerleaders and allies, the Scottish Labour lead...

Scottish Labour leader calls for Keir Starmer to resign as PM ? video
9 Feb 2026 at 3:51pm
Anas Sarwar, the leader of the Labour party in Scotland, called on Monday for Keir Starmer to resign, saying the government's failures had 'drowned out' its accomplishments. Calls for the prime minister's resignation have been growing this week after new Epstein files revelations about Peter Mand...

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar calls on Keir Starmer to stand down
9 Feb 2026 at 3:40pm
Sarwar tells press conference: ?The distraction has to end and the leadership in Downing Street has to change?Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, has called on Keir Starmer to stand down, throwing the prime minister?s leadership of the country into serious peril.At a hastily arranged press c...

Wealthy use loophole to conceal value of £300m in Scottish land sales
7 Feb 2026 at 7:00am
Prices paid for large estates not being disclosed on official register, land reform advocates sayLand reform campaigners are alarmed at the increasing use of a legal loophole that allows landowners to conceal the price paid for Highland estates from the public register.Andy Wightman, a land refor...

Blanket rule on trans women in men?s prisons would deny their identity, says ...
5 Feb 2026 at 5:06pm
SNP?s lawyer argues the ?mental health and rehabilitation? of prisoners is more important than their biological sexA blanket rule to house transgender women in men?s prisons, even when they pose no risk to others, would be a ?fundamental denial? of their identity, the Scottish government has argu...

Starmer faces rising anger over Mandelson as MPs agree to release files to se...
4 Feb 2026 at 8:24pm
Starmer faces criticism from MPs on all sides of the CommonsThis liveblog is now closed. Read the politics team?s report on today?s developments herePMQs is starting soon. Here is the list of MPs down to ask a question.The Reform UK MP Lee Anderson has dismissed claims that his party?s plan to su...

Campaigners challenge Scottish policy on transgender inmates in female prisons
3 Feb 2026 at 2:45pm
For Women Scotland objects to use of individual risk assessments, saying it is contrary to supreme court rulingFemale prisoners are paying the price for an ?Orwellian? Scottish government policy that allows some transgender inmates to be housed in female prisons, Scotland?s highest civil court ha...

Lord Wallace of Tankerness obituary
1 Feb 2026 at 5:39pm
Influential Liberal and Lib Dem politician who served as Scotland?s deputy first minister from the outset of devolutionJim Wallace, Lord Wallace of Tankerness, who has died aged 71 following complications after surgery, was an influential Liberal figure who achieved the extremely rare distinction...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Keir Starmer gets bitten by his soon to be neutered Scottish poodle
9 Feb 2026 at 4:23pm
I’m not going to lie, I never expected that in 2026 I’d have “Excitedly awaiting a press conference from Anas Sarwar” on my bingo card. Due to the rapidly unfolding Mandelson scandal, in the space of 24 hours Keir Starmer has lost his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and his director of communications Tim Allan. …

Starmer, Corbyn, and implications for May?s Scottish elections
9 Feb 2026 at 11:55am
The big political story of the moment is of course the psychodrama enveloping Keir Starmer and the Labour party over the fallout from Starmer’s decision to appoint serial sleaze magnet Peter Mandelson to the high profile position as British ambassador to the USA despite Mandelson’s close ties to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and decades long …

it?s not John Swinney who must be held to account for Mandelson, it?s Starmer...
8 Feb 2026 at 1:56pm
Certain individuals such as the execrable Russell Findlay, the soon to be electorally humbled branch manager of the Tories in Scotland, and Mandy Rhodes, the editor of Holyrood Magazine, a publication with considerably fewer readers than this blog, are attempting to make political capital out of the fact that when on an official visit to …

YouGov?s independence polls are comfort blankets for Unionists
6 Feb 2026 at 12:28pm
This is an expanded and revised version of a piece I wrote for The National newspaper earlier this week. Since writing it further information has come to light which casts even greater doubt on the validity of a YouGov poll on Scottish independence which was published last week, a poll which was received with immense …

Mandelson, the sleazy heart of Starmer?s right wing Labour party
5 Feb 2026 at 3:13pm
Keir Starmer’s leadership of the Labour party and his position as Prime Minister have been on a shoogly peg for some time. After being elected in July 2024 with a landslide victory in the Commons, albeit on a mere one third of the popular vote, Labour MPs were looking forward to settling down to a …

The independence movement must commit to a Scottish republic
4 Feb 2026 at 2:02pm
It’s well known that people in Scotland are less enamoured with the self-promoting antics of the Windsor family than people in other parts of the UK. Large royal events with all their pomp and pageantry paid for at public expense are typically met in Scotland with widespread apathy, if not anger and ridicule. The street …

What happens in the Welsh election could be key to Scotland too
2 Feb 2026 at 4:27pm
The well known traditional curse, “May you live in interesting times” is often ascribed to an ancient Chinese text, although there is no evidence for this. Be that as it may, it cannot be denied that we are cursed with living through interesting times. Keir Starmer was elected to head a Labour government with a …

BBC Scotland?s look at nuclear through Labour Rose tinted glasses
31 Jan 2026 at 1:39pm
The bias of the BBC, particularly BBC Scotland, against the SNP Scottish Government in particular and the wider Scottish independence movement in general is well documented by pro-independence campaigners, but ignored by the Scottish media which is itself overwhelmingly biased against Scottish independence, the somewhat less than half of the Scottish population which opposes independence …

Wee Ginger Annual Fundraiser 2026 part 2
30 Jan 2026 at 6:08pm
Unfortunately when I published the previous post about this year’s fundraiser, I pressed publish too quickly and omitted the full details for donating via PayPal or Ko-fi. Here they are now and here is the link again to the GoFundMe fundraiser. Many thanks for supporting my work. It’s greatly appreciated.   https://www.gofundme.com/f/wee-ginger-dug-annual-fundraiser-2026   I?ve added …

Wee Ginger Annual Fundraiser 2026
30 Jan 2026 at 1:33pm
It’s that time of the year again, when I ask readers of this blog to make a contribution, big or small, to keeping this blog running for another year. As we approach the Holyrood elections, I have been increasing the frequency of new posts on the blog from theprevious two or three per week to …

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

Nothing in Scotland looks anything like the mass child grooming rape gangs in...
9 Feb 2026 at 6:12pm
No tasteless, exploitative images here. Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. The Herald today: The SNP has been accused of dragging its feet on tackling grooming gangs, after watchdogs set out an 18-month timetable for a national review that would only then inform a decision on whether a full public inquiry is requi...

Spending on schools across Scotland has increased by more than £1 billion but...
9 Feb 2026 at 6:11pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. Above the complete media coverage of a major Scottish Government announcement on school funding, 16 hours after it was first posted. They have no time as they feast on that unattractive figure, Anas Sarwar, who has just turned snarling and biting at the wounded figure of his form...

Since the crowdfunder started only 9 days ago, nearly 15 thousand distinct re...
9 Feb 2026 at 11:15am
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. Sobering feedback that? I know, TuS gets lots of kindly and encouraging words but only 1 in 100 rate it worth even £1. 14 937 discrete visitors in February 2026 but only 139 make a contribution to the crowd funder, 0.9%, less than 1 in a 100? I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t wonde...

Assisted dying ? Rural hospice staff shortages for palliative care will be UK...
9 Feb 2026 at 10:45am
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. In BBC Scotland‘s short insert in BBC Breakfast, several times this morning: Hospice leaders say Scotland must must address a severe shortage of end-of-life care for those living with terminal illnesses in rural communities. Next month MSPs face a final vote on assisted dying leg...

Why giving your second vote to a small pro-independence party will not increa...
9 Feb 2026 at 9:47am
Full version with working and sources – https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/02/09/why-giving-your-second-vote-to-a-small-pro-independence-party-will-not-increase-the-overall-number-of-pro-independence-parties-in-scotland-and-risks-even-increasing-number-of-unionist-msps-so-both-v/

Why giving your second vote to one of the small pro-independence parties will...
9 Feb 2026 at 9:27am
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. This is an almost entirely AI report. I trust it more than I would any assessment by human beings with the unavoidable biases and predispositions we all possess me too and which, even unconsciously, direct what we think is our conscious thinking. Yes I know AI can be, and has b...

Charity says worst form of homelessness in Scotland is about half as high as ...
9 Feb 2026 at 8:34am
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. The Daily Record‘s Dan Vevers has been out in the streets of Glasgow finding out what it’s like for rough-sleepers. Ironically, the story is part of a long-running Labour campaign. Why would Labour, the party of the better-off for a few years now, be interested in rough-sleepers?...

Social housing satisfaction levels 12% higher in Scotland as crisis strikes E...
9 Feb 2026 at 8:09am
a basic decent standard, and the pace of improving them is far too slow, according to a group of MPs…….The Government said it was taking action to drive up… Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. BBC Breakfast today, on the condition of social housing in England. They don’t mention any survey results on tenant satisfa...

?Intelligence would have briefed No. 10 on vulnerabilities? ? It?s not just S...
8 Feb 2026 at 4:32pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. The Times in 2009 noting the closeness of PM Brown and his Business Minister. In comments reported by The Times, Brown stated: ?Peter is doing an excellent job. He has shown it was a good decision to invite him to come back from Brussels and join the Government.? He added: ?We ar...

Selective media reading of research report to hide Scotland?s stronger suppor...
8 Feb 2026 at 10:52am
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. In the Guardian and other UK media today: UK?s ?unsung army? of full-time unpaid carers needs more support, report says – Resolution Foundation finds one in three carers from poorer families unable to work because of responsibilities. A growing ?unsung army? of 1 million people w...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

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

Scottish first minister says a May majority means new independence push - Reu...
18 Jan 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish first minister says a May majority means new independence push  Reuters

Your Party Scotland votes to officially become pro-independence party - TheNa...
8 Feb 2026 at 7:22pm
Your Party Scotland votes to officially become pro-independence party  TheNational.scot

No independence referendum if SNP wins majority, Reeves says - BBC
27 Nov 2025 at 8:00am
No independence referendum if SNP wins majority, Reeves says  BBC

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

Your Party Scotland conference votes for radical vision - Socialist Worker
8 Feb 2026 at 10:24pm
Your Party Scotland conference votes for radical vision  Socialist Worker

Scottish independence polls & surveys - YouGov
30 Jan 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish independence polls & surveys  YouGov

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

Independence referendum is Scotland?s choice, says Jeremy Corbyn - The Indepe...
8 Feb 2026 at 6:35pm
Independence referendum is Scotland?s choice, says Jeremy Corbyn  The Independent

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

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

'If this was the Thames?: SNP slams UK Government over Glasgow games paywall ...
9 Feb 2026 at 3:59pm
'If this was the Thames?: SNP slams UK Government over Glasgow games paywall  The Herald

Anas Sarwar calls for PM to quit to stop SNP win in May elections - The Times
9 Feb 2026 at 9:20pm
Anas Sarwar calls for PM to quit to stop SNP win in May elections  The Times

How community-powered trust accelerates D-SNP enrollment growth - Fierce Heal...
9 Feb 2026 at 11:43pm
How community-powered trust accelerates D-SNP enrollment growth  Fierce Healthcare

Former Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman dies aged 72 - BBC
7 Feb 2026 at 12:46pm
Former Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman dies aged 72  BBC

Jeane Freeman: SNP politician who led Covid response - BBC
7 Feb 2026 at 8:52am
Jeane Freeman: SNP politician who led Covid response  BBC

Jeane Freeman, 1953-2026 - snp.org
7 Feb 2026 at 11:34am
Jeane Freeman, 1953-2026  snp.org

Pete Wishart: Why SNP supporters should give the party both votes - TheNation...
9 Feb 2026 at 6:22am
Pete Wishart: Why SNP supporters should give the party both votes  TheNational.scot

Poll: Gap between SNP and Reform UK narrows, but nationalists on track to win...
6 Feb 2026 at 9:30am
Poll: Gap between SNP and Reform UK narrows, but nationalists on track to win in Scotland  The Scotsman

SNP housing secretary: Temporary accommodation figures hit record high - Morn...
9 Feb 2026 at 12:11am
SNP housing secretary: Temporary accommodation figures hit record high  Morning Star | The People?s Daily

Development of a cost-effective, multifunctional SNP panel and analysis workf...
19 Nov 2025 at 8:00am
Development of a cost-effective, multifunctional SNP panel and analysis workflow for Wolf monitoring in Finland  Nature

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

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

Scottish first minister says a May majority means new independence push - Reu...
18 Jan 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish first minister says a May majority means new independence push  Reuters

No independence referendum if SNP wins majority, Reeves says - BBC
27 Nov 2025 at 8:00am
No independence referendum if SNP wins majority, Reeves says  BBC

Independence referendum is 'Scotland?s choice', Jeremy Corbyn tells conferenc...
8 Feb 2026 at 10:52am
Independence referendum is 'Scotland?s choice', Jeremy Corbyn tells conference  TheNational.scot

Independence referendum is Scotland?s choice, says Jeremy Corbyn - The Indepe...
8 Feb 2026 at 6:35pm
Independence referendum is Scotland?s choice, says Jeremy Corbyn  The Independent

David Cameron - Scottish Referendum, 2015 Election, Brexit - Britannica
27 Jan 2026 at 8:00am
David Cameron - Scottish Referendum, 2015 Election, Brexit  Britannica

Scottish leader John Swinney says SNP winning majority in May election would ...
17 Jan 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish leader John Swinney says SNP winning majority in May election would be green light for indyref2  Sky News

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

Independence referendum is Scotland?s choice, says Jeremy Corbyn - Yahoo News UK
8 Feb 2026 at 10:38am
Independence referendum is Scotland?s choice, says Jeremy Corbyn  Yahoo News UK

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