The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Scottish Labour sets out leadership contest timetable as Marra enters the race
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
27 Jul 2026 at 6:38pm
Monica Lennon, Michael Marra and potentially Katy Clark are vying to replace Anas Sarwar, with nominations open from August 3 and a Special Conference set for September 19.


'Apocalyptic' Cairngorms wildfire scorches 25 sq km as 70 firefighters still ...
by donald.erskine@newsquest.co.uk | Donald Erskine
27 Jul 2026 at 5:50pm
A wildfire that has been ongoing for nearly two weeks in the Cairngorms has scorched around 25 square kilometres, with 70 firefighters still on scene and "progress has been made" in tackling it.


Financial services plea for stability from new Scottish and UK governments
by kristy.dorsey@newsquest.co.uk | Kristy Dorsey
27 Jul 2026 at 5:00pm
Sandy Begbie of Scottish Financial Enterprise says greater policy coordination and collaboration are needed to maintain and boost the sector's growth


Swinney condemns Glasgow protest as ?demonstration of far-right hatred? amid ...
27 Jul 2026 at 3:32pm
A protest in Glasgow which has resulted in 15 arrests so far has been branded a ?demonstration of far-right hatred? by First Minister John Swinney.


Scotland taxed its highest earners more and may have ended up with less
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
27 Jul 2026 at 3:10pm
Tax expert Dan Neidle's analysis of the first full year of HMRC data suggests Scotland's 48p top rate may have cost around £22m in lost revenue reigniting debate about where the Laffer curve peaks for Scottish taxpayers


Chinook crash families urge new PM to back fresh review into 1994 tragedy
by Danyel VanReenen
27 Jul 2026 at 6:40am
The families of those killed in the 1994 Mull of Kintyre Chinook crash have urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to meet them within his first 100 days in office and order a fresh, independent review into the 1994 tragedy.


Amnesty UK in new 'serious' investigation over JK Rowling anti-rights row
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
27 Jul 2026 at 5:00am
Amnesty International has admitted a new 'serious' issue is under investigation following the anti-rights row involving JK Rowling.


Barack Obama to return to Scotland for live show on future of democracy
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
27 Jul 2026 at 5:00am
Former US president Barack Obama will return to Scotland for a live Glasgow show on democracy and leadership, almost five years after his COP26 address.


Scottish Government to cover cost of social care worker PVG disclosure checks
27 Jul 2026 at 12:01am
The Scottish Government will cover the cost of disclosure checks for social care workers from August, saying the move will help fill vacancies faster.


Peter Murrell news, interviews and updates on the former SNP chief executive
by The Herald
16 Sep 2025 at 11:59am
Peter Murrell is the SNP's former chief executive from 1999 to 2023.


John Swinney news, interviews and updates on the First Minister
by The Herald
16 Sep 2025 at 11:54am
John Swinney became Scotland's First Minister in May 2024.


Nicola Sturgeon news, interviews and updates on the former first minister
by The Herald
16 Sep 2025 at 11:51am
Nicola Sturgeon is a former first minister of Scotland who served from 2014 to 2023.


Grangemouth Oil Refinery news, interviews and updates on the industrial site
by The Herald
16 Sep 2025 at 11:56am
All the latest news, interviews and updates from Grangemouth Oil Refinery.


New witness prompts further Police Scotland investigation into Al Fayed
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
26 Jul 2026 at 4:57pm
Police Scotland is pursuing further inquiries into an alleged 1991 attack at Mohamed Al Fayed?s Highland estate after a new witness came forward.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


The joke's on John Swinney as Laffer Curve sees Scotland raise less money fro...
27 Jul 2026 at 4:45pm
Malcolm Offord was mocked when he advocated tax cuts to reverse Scotland?s economic decline


Amid anger about Sarwar, Labour needs to focus on getting a passionate fighte...
27 Jul 2026 at 12:18pm
The Scottish people want to see a fighter who will work night and day to improve their lives as their next Labour leader


Monica Lennon: Sir Keir Starmer was a 'selfish and stubborn' Prime Minister
27 Jul 2026 at 2:11pm

Monica Lennon says many senior women around Sir Keir Starmer warned him and they were ?sacked and briefed against?.

The UK Government will now cover the costs of dealing with the emergency in the former coal mining town.

Katy Clark is understood to be actively considering running to replace Anas Sarwar.

The wildfire in the Cairngorms has now been burning for 13 days.

Promises thrown out on socials require far more than ?good vibes? to keep

The Chinook Justice Campaign group has written to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, as well as the defence secretary and victims minister.

Wings over Scotland

The Nobodies
27 Jul 2026 at 5:10pm
Apologies for the slightly shonky quality of this video, readers, which is due to the fact that ITV are such monumental self-sabotaging clowns that it’s not actually possible to screencap any sort of digital broadcast of theirs – screw YOU, viral content! – so we had to do this by videoing our iPad with our …

Ain?t it funny how things change?
22 Jul 2026 at 11:29am
Then, and now. (Click pic to enlarge.) Scottish politics: where repeated catastrophic failure is just another way to succeed.

The Wheels Of Industry
20 Jul 2026 at 2:49pm
Last Friday’s edition of The National ran this guff: And as we often are, we were put in mind of the greatest politics book ever written. We’d really need to quote a much longer section to fully convey the point – ideally just read all of the piece linked above – but this passage will …

Progressing To Oblivion
19 Jul 2026 at 3:21pm
It’s now more than three years since this site drew attention to the curious case of Progress Scotland, the zombie “polling company” run by the SNP’s Angus Robertson that had no employees and hadn’t published any polls since October 2020, but was apparently still accepting, and soliciting, donations from subscribers, and appeared to have disposed …

These Words Are My Own
17 Jul 2026 at 9:59pm
It’s been another fabulous day on the front pages for Nicola Sturgeon. The stories were triggered by a speech in the House Of Commons from Tory MP Sir David Davis, which you can watch below. ? (It was meant to be a much longer speech, but Davis had to truncate it on the hoof from …

A Matter Of Declinature
15 Jul 2026 at 5:05pm
Our solicitor has this afternoon written to the Deputy Chief Constable. We’ll await his response with interest.

The Invisible Rabbit
15 Jul 2026 at 11:30am
Further to Monday’s letter from the Deputy Chief Constable, we’ve now submitted the following Freedom Of Information request to Police Scotland, as per his suggestion. - To: FOI <foi@scotland.police.uk> 15 July 2026 This week I received a letter from DCC Stuart Houston. It notes in part: “During this time, Police Scotland utilised financial investigators, financial …

Blue In The Face
14 Jul 2026 at 1:13pm
Before we start, let’s note that this took 37 days. As you’re about to read, it says almost nothing other than “Please go away now”. It takes quite a long time to say it, but nevertheless those four words are pretty much the sum total of the actual content. It does not in any way …

The Unstoppable Lie Machine
13 Jul 2026 at 7:00pm
Six weeks ago, Nicola Sturgeon said this: Today, on her behalf, her perpetually furious lawyer said this: So she was lying. Imagine literally nobody’s surprise. “I have nothing to hide, but I’m going to hide it anyway” is flawlessly in character. (Though we must take a moment to note that the idea of anyone bothering …

Step One
12 Jul 2026 at 3:05pm
Today’s Sunday Mail leads for the second weekend in a row on questions about the finances of Yes Scotland. But there’s a paragraph in the online version of the story that doesn’t make the print edition, and it’s a shame, because it’s a very telling one. This is it, from Yes Scotland’s former marketing director …

Craig Murray

Narratives of Moral Conflict: Karim Khan and Delcy Rodriguez
26 Jul 2026 at 6:09am

Social media is not conducive to nuance. In the interest of reach, cut and dried positions are more effective and binary moral judgement expected. This leads to over-simplification of complex issues, and to skipping over facts inconvenient to your chosen narrative. There are issues affecting two high-profile people where it is worth considering the detail …

Narratives of Moral Conflict: Karim Khan and Delcy Rodriguez

Where Are We Going?
20 Jul 2026 at 1:25pm

An advert for the RNLI caught my attention because it indicated that the majority of their income comes from bequests in wills. The pitch was that, after you provide for your loved ones, you should leave money to the RNLI. I have no problem with this, having generations of lifeboatmen in my ancestry, but it …

Where Are We Going?

Extreme Unionism and Res Judicata
14 Jul 2026 at 5:02pm

Unsurprisingly, today at the Court of Session Lord Young refused to lift his suspension or “sist” of the Scottish judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action. He did however grant us leave to appeal against this decision. What was surprising was an extreme extension of the UK government’s argument. The UK government stated that …

Extreme Unionism and Res Judicata

The Ditching of Nigel Farage
11 Jul 2026 at 8:36am

Nigel Farage is the most consequential British politician of the 21st century. Certainly a more important historic figure than any of the last eight Prime Ministers. Tony Blair is the only realistic rival. Without Farage, the UK would never have left the European Union. Farage’s role in forcing the issue to the top of the …

The Ditching of Nigel Farage

Palestine Action Proscription: We Fight Back
1 Jul 2026 at 12:50pm

I publish below in full the Note we have submitted to Court today to re-establish the separate Scottish judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action. Not only is the state doubling down on prosecution of pro-Palestine activists, a new National Security State Threats Bill is being fast tracked through parliament to extend the attack …

Palestine Action Proscription: We Fight Back

The Middle East, Hormuz and the New Mercantilism
29 Jun 2026 at 9:50am

The provisional surrender document signed by Donald Trump appeared to represent a triumph for Iran and indeed for the world; but neither the USA nor Israel has the slightest sense of honour and they cannot be trusted to negotiate in good faith. Iran knows this – after all, the USA twice attacked Iran actually during …

The Middle East, Hormuz and the New Mercantilism

BBC Scotland

Michael Marra joins race to become Scottish Labour leader
27 Jul 2026 at 7:40pm
It comes as the party confirmed they will have a new leader in place by its conference on 19 September.

Minister defends decision to reject UK military help to fight wildfire
27 Jul 2026 at 2:42pm
Neil Gray said the military was unable to fulfil a "specific request" to send waterbombing helicopters to the Cairngorms.

Lennon launches Scottish Labour leadership bid
26 Jul 2026 at 5:03pm
The incoming West of Scotland MSP said her party was in the "last chance saloon" and needed "radical and fast change".

Scottish councils 'starved of cash and powers' by SNP, says Alexander
24 Jul 2026 at 11:46am
The Scottish Secretary also said he wanted "mutual respect" between governments at Holyrood and Westminster.

Burnham tells Swinney independence is 'off limits' at Commonwealth Games meeting
23 Jul 2026 at 6:49pm
The heads of the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments came together ahead of the opening of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar 'delighted' to accept trade minister job
23 Jul 2026 at 8:50am
Sarwar will leave the Scottish Parliament and his leader role, and take up a seat in the House of Lords.

Scottish Labour at a crossroads again as Sarwar jumps ship
22 Jul 2026 at 11:41pm
Anas Sarwar has never made a secret of his desire to hold high office, but where does it leave Scottish Labour?

Who could be the new Scottish Labour leader?
22 Jul 2026 at 2:06pm
The party are still reeling from their worst Holyrood election result in Scottish Parliament history.

Swinney says Scottish and UK relations 'haemorrhaged' with Douglas Alexander
22 Jul 2026 at 3:50pm
Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced on Monday that Douglas Alexander would remain as Scottish Secretary in his government.

Chris Mason: Sarwar ministerial role sees promotion of another Starmer critic
22 Jul 2026 at 6:22am
Months after calling on Keir Starmer to quit, the Scottish Labour leader is set to become a minister in Burnham's government, the BBC's political editor writes.

Who is Anas Sarwar? The Scottish Labour leader returning to UK politics
22 Jul 2026 at 12:05pm
The Glasgow MSP is expected to be confirmed for role in Andy Burnham's government after taking a seat in the house of Lords.

New PM Burnham tells John Swinney 'agree to disagree' on Scottish independence
21 Jul 2026 at 12:18pm
Scotland's first minister raised the issue of Scottish independence during a phone call with Andy Burnham on Tuesday morning, in the hopes of advancing the debate.

Scot Goes Pop

No. 10 North: How Burnham is signalling with his choice of name that "England...
26 Jul 2026 at 1:56pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.More people have become Ko-Fi supporters of my content over the last twenty-four hou...

Scottish poll DISASTER for Burnham: SNP have massive lead in his first YouGov...
25 Jul 2026 at 12:33pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Many thanks to the several people who became Ko-Fi supporters of my content yesterda...

Scotland is now in a FORCED union, not a "voluntary" one: Burnham makes it of...
24 Jul 2026 at 1:35pm
There is no unambiguous outcome to yesterday's readers' poll about the future of Scot Goes Pop as the result currently stands - so far traditional text-blogging is somewhat more popular than videos...

A poll for Scot Goes Pop readers and viewers - please respond if you can
23 Jul 2026 at 11:59am
So I'm completely stumped, to be honest.  Just over a year ago, I switched my focus from conventional blogging to YouTube videos in the hope that I would no longer be lurching from mini-crisis to m...

The case for optimism that the next general election WILL be used as a de fac...
21 Jul 2026 at 2:51pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos:Scottish independence could now be just one or two years away fr...

A progress report on the Scot Goes Pop video channel - plus a question for it...
21 Jul 2026 at 12:40am
I was planning to make a video tonight about Andy Burnham's first day as Prime Minister, but then I thought back to how hilariously off-beam some of the reactions to Liz Truss and Keir Starmer were...

On the day Andy Burnham becomes Prime Minister, Scottish independence could n...
20 Jul 2026 at 11:10am
If you'd like to support my YouTube channel and help it to grow further, please visit my Ko-Fi page, where you can either make a one-off donation of any amount you choose, or set up a small recurri...

Not "hatred" or "bigotry" after all: in stunning turnaround, the British esta...
17 Jul 2026 at 12:42pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.Other recent videos:"Self-Determination for the Falklands but NOT for Scotland!" - W...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Former US President Barack Obama to visit Glasgow on upcoming speaking tour
27 Jul 2026 at 11:30am
The 44th President of the United States will discuss the future of America as it celebrates its 250th anniversary

Monica Lennon to stand in Scottish Labour leadership contest
26 Jul 2026 at 7:04pm
The former MSP, who is set to return to Holyrood, is the first politician to enter the race to succeed Anas Sarwar.

Burnham must go further and faster on cost of living, says SNP
25 Jul 2026 at 11:43am
In his inaugural Cabinet meeting, Andy Burnham told ministers they would be a 'cost-of-living Government'

Andy Burnham says he wants to ?get Britain hoping again? as he opens No 10 North
24 Jul 2026 at 6:38pm
The PM is expected to work at Heron House in Manchester once a week during his premiership

Burnham meets Swinney for first time as Prime Minister
23 Jul 2026 at 5:13pm
It?s the first in-person meeting between the Scottish and UK leaders since Burnham became Prime Minister on Monday.

Burnham to meet Swinney for first time as Prime Minister during Scotland visit
23 Jul 2026 at 7:39am
It?s the first in-person meeting between the Scottish and UK leaders since Burnham became Prime Minister on Monday.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar made lord and UK minister
23 Jul 2026 at 6:55am
Lord Sarwar was among the first to call for Sir Keir Starmer to stand down in February

Is Anas Sarwar?s House of Lords promotion failing upwards?
22 Jul 2026 at 12:41pm
The Scottish Labour leader is about to be announced as the latest ministerial appointment in Andy Burnham's Cabinet

Wes Streeting apologises for joke about prisoner releases caught on microphone
22 Jul 2026 at 7:13am
The defence secretary was caught making the joke about his newly appointed colleague, Justice Secretary Alex Norris.

Anas Sarwar set to step down as Scottish Labour leader to become Burnham mini...
21 Jul 2026 at 9:11pm
He hailed Andy Burnham for his ?bold Labour vision? as he entered No 10 this week

Andy Burnham?s Government ?will meet international defence commitments?, chan...
21 Jul 2026 at 12:02pm
John Healey unexpectedly emerged as Andy Burnham's chancellor after quitting as defence secretary under Keir Starmer

?Honour? for Douglas Alexander to stay as Scottish secretary under Burnham
21 Jul 2026 at 10:32am
Alexander was appointed by Sir Keir Starmer, and held on despite the new PM purging a number of leading figures from the Cabinet

Burnham scraps VAT on electricity bills in first major policy announcement as PM
21 Jul 2026 at 5:20am
Burnham and his new Chancellor John Healey announced that VAT will be removed from domestic electricity bills from October 1 to give families "breathing space".

Man, 28, charged with murder of former MP Ann Widdecombe
20 Jul 2026 at 6:56pm
Joshua Kerry, from Rotherham, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates? Court on Tuesday

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Michael Marra announces bid to become Scottish Labour leader after resignatio...
27 Jul 2026 at 6:00pm
EXCLUSIVE: The North East MSP said Scottish Labour had to "learn" and "change" after another Holyrood election defeat.

Monica Lennon rejects Scottish Labour breaking away from UK party and calls f...
27 Jul 2026 at 11:25am
Lennon, who is bidding to replace Anas Sarwar as Scottish Labour leader, admitted "the status quo simply isn?t working" - but stopped short of calling for the party to sever its ties with London.

Doorstep acid attacker William 'Basil' Burns set to be released from prison a...
27 Jul 2026 at 10:03am
Russell Findlay, the now leader of the Scottish Conservatives, was attacked on his own doorstep in Glasgow by Burns in 2015.

Scottish Labour is facing an existential crisis and needs to ask itself searc...
27 Jul 2026 at 4:30am
In an article for the Record, a Labour MSP says his party needs to be clear on who, and what, it is for.

Senior Labour MSP says time is "running out" to save his struggling party
27 Jul 2026 at 4:30am
Daniel Johnson said the crushing loss raised ?existential? questions for Scottish Labour.

John Swinney: Glasgow stepped up and saved Commonwealth Games
27 Jul 2026 at 4:30am
"It?s been a tough few years for a lot of people but we should all try to see ourselves as others see us."

John Swinney told to speed up £2 bus fares rollout despite Westminster cash u...
26 Jul 2026 at 4:30am
The SNP government has pledged a £2 fares cap by 2031 but in England, Andy Burnham will bring it in from January 1.

Monica Lennon's Scottish Labour leader bid launch as she vies to succeed Anas...
26 Jul 2026 at 4:30am
Lennon told the Sunday Mail her party faces ?oblivion? without ?radical and fast change? and said she will put herself forward for the job.

Scots pro-Gaza campaign's bank account frozen for a year 'without explanation'
26 Jul 2026 at 4:30am
The Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign has been blocked since last June from accessing more than £20,000 of funds.

Andy Burnham: "I will tackle the cost of living crisis faced by Scots and giv...
25 Jul 2026 at 4:30am
Writing exclusively for the Daily Record, Prime Minister Andy Burnham also paid tribute to Glasgow for hosting the Commonwealth Games.

The National

The National | Politics

Scottish Labour confirm full leadership race timetable as two candidates conf...
27 Jul 2026 at 6:53pm

SCOTTISH Labour will remain leaderless for three weeks after Holyrood returns from recess ...

Police statement as Nigel Farage calls for Zack Polanski to be arrested
27 Jul 2026 at 6:38pm

POLICE are looking into a post shared by Green Party chief Zack Polanski after Reform complained it was inciting violence against their leader Nigel Farage.

Nigel Farage calls for Zack Polanski to be arrested over 'guillotine' Instagr...
27 Jul 2026 at 6:23pm

REFORM UK leader Nigel Farage has suggested that his rival party leader Zack Polanski should be arrested over a post on Instagram featuring a guillotine ...

Calls for rent freeze hit key milestone as campaign set to ramp up
27 Jul 2026 at 6:03pm

CALLS for an immediate rent freeze in Scotland have hit a key milestone after more than 1000 people backed a campaign urging the Scottish Government to intervene over rising housing costs.

Glasgow delivery driver speaks out after disturbing cone attack by far-right ...
27 Jul 2026 at 6:03pm

A DELIVERY driver in Glasgow who was forced to flee after far right thugs launched a traffic cone at him has spoken out ? highlighting the fear and anxiety he has felt since ...

Warning of ?eerie echoes of early Hitler? as latest protest targets journalists
27 Jul 2026 at 5:25pm

THERE are ?eerie echoes? of Adolf Hitler?s rise to power playing out in far- and extreme-right protests on the streets of Scotland, an expert in the Nazi leader has said.

Reform UK blasted for not sacking councillor who spoke at Glasgow 'fascist ra...
27 Jul 2026 at 5:00pm

REFORM UK have been condemned for not taking any action against a councillor who spoke at a recent far-right rally in Glasgow ...

Trans rights group 'should be proscribed as terrorists', peer says
27 Jul 2026 at 3:49pm

A PRO-TRANS campaign group should be proscribed as a terrorist organisation, the former UK Government adviser who called for a ban on Palestine Action has said ...

Andy Burnham's ministers 'failing to show leadership on Israel', expert warns
27 Jul 2026 at 3:26pm

ANDY Burnham and his Cabinet minister Louise Haigh have been accused of "failing to show leadership" on Israel by an expert as aggression intensifies in the occupied West Bank ...

Why Andy Burnham's pub snacks TikTok is no PR masterclass
27 Jul 2026 at 3:13pm

Is Andy Burnham trying too hard with his TikTok?

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Andy Burnham appoints eight Scottish MPs to enhanced PPS roles
27 Jul 2026 at 4:00pm
The prime minister has given 16 Scottish MPs government jobs

Daniel Johnson: Time is running out for Scottish Labour
27 Jul 2026 at 12:10pm
MSP endorses Michael Marra for leader

Scottish businessman Sir Ian Wood dies aged 84
27 Jul 2026 at 12:00pm
Sir Ian Wood's family confirmed he died ?peacefully at home, surrounded by his family? on Sunday evening at his home in Aberdeen

John Swinney says he will continue independence push despite Downing Street s...
23 Jul 2026 at 8:15pm
The first minister met Andy Burnham in Glasgow on Thursday afternoon

Anas Sarwar 'delighted' to become trade minister
23 Jul 2026 at 8:41am
Andy Burnham appoints more Scottish MPs to UK Government

Who could be Scottish Labour?s 11th leader since devolution?
22 Jul 2026 at 6:18pm
With Anas Sarwar set to quit so he can take up a post in the Lords, that leaves the party once more on the lookout for someone to take over the helm

Outdated technology impeding economic crime investigations, researchers warn
22 Jul 2026 at 11:35am
Poor data-sharing arrangements are hampering intelligence gathering

Anas Sarwar to be made minister in Burnham government
22 Jul 2026 at 8:22am
He is expected to stand down as Scottish Labour leader and head to the Lords

Almost two-thirds of Scottish businesses adopt AI
22 Jul 2026 at 7:00am
While the survey found adoption was widespread, most were not using the technology intensively

Building Inclusive Games That Reflect Their Communities
22 Jul 2026 at 7:00am
The most inclusive events aren?t those that become accessible over time. They?re the ones that reflect their communities from the moment they are created.

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

Poll shows Labour ahead of Reform UK for first time since Burnham became PM ?...
27 Jul 2026 at 5:45pm
New PM says he ?wouldn?t get carried away? by latest polling but says he is pleased if he has ?connected with people?I have already posted lines from Andy Burnham?s BBC interview on reforming social care (see 9.03am), making council tax fairer (see 10.03am), and ruling out an early election (see ...

Evacuated villagers in Cairngorms allowed home after wildfire threat lifts
25 Jul 2026 at 11:08pm
Scottish first minister thanks Nethy Bridge residents and aid workers after earlier requesting UK military aid to fight 10-day fireResidents of Nethy Bridge have been told they can return to their homes after a large fire broke out in the Cairngorms national park.Supt Judy Hill of Police Scotland...

Scottish Labour?s rivals decry ?chancer? Anas Sarwar for resigning to join An...
22 Jul 2026 at 11:17pm
New prime minister has made Sarwar ? the first senior Labour figure to call for Keir Starmer?s resignation ? a peerScottish Labour?s rivals in Holyrood have slammed Anas Sarwar?s shock decision to resign as leader to sit in Andy Burnham?s new government, calling him a ?chancer? and accusing him o...

Celtic leaders doubt Burnham?s devolution drive will go beyond England?s borders
6 Jul 2026 at 4:00pm
Would-be prime minister has made basic missteps in pitches to Wales, Scotland and Northern IrelandAndy Burnham?s devolution promises are yet to impress sceptical Celtic administrations hoping for a reset with Westminster, sources in Cardiff and Edinburgh have said.Burnham, who is expected to take...

Celtic nations begin to plan for breakup of UK in event of Reform election win
4 Jul 2026 at 7:00am
Politicians brace for constitutional turmoil if Nigel Farage?s party ends up in government ? or even as a strong oppositionThe rise of Nigel Farage has prompted political leaders across Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to game the unthinkable: the breakup of the United Kingdom.Unioni...

Badenoch urges Burnham to condemn defence investment plan as No 10 says fundi...
1 Jul 2026 at 6:00pm
Minister and MPs have raised concerns that his ?poisoned chalice? plan will take cash from much-needed road projectsMinister and MP ?furious? over cuts to road projects to fund defence planDan Sabbagh is the Guardian?s defence and security editor.Andy Burnham is a ?true patriot? who will provide ...

The Guardian view on the politics of Scotland: like Labour, the SNP is in nee...
23 Jun 2026 at 6:25pm
The sentencing of Peter Murrell brings limited closure to a major scandal. But John Swinney?s government faces new challenges in a changing landscapeThe Scottish National party (SNP) is accustomed to presenting Westminster dysfunction as a boost to its case for independence. But the political dra...

Peter Murrell jailed for five years after embezzling £400,000 from SNP
23 Jun 2026 at 2:29pm
Estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon is sentenced for stealing from party over 12-year periodMontblanc pens to Le Creuset ramekins: police photos show Peter Murrell?s spending habitPeter Murrell has been sentenced to five years and three months in jail after he admitted embezzling more than £400,...

Montblanc pens to Le Creuset ramekins: police photos show Peter Murrell?s spe...
23 Jun 2026 at 1:37pm
Haul is only a fraction of what the former SNP chief executive bought using embezzled party moneyPeter Murrell jailed for five years after embezzling £400,000 from SNPThe white police evidence tags on the unused Montblanc pens, picnic sets, Le Creuset ramekins and the chrome Alessi teapot tell a ...

?This changes everything?: how Brexit altered Scotland?s political landscape
21 Jun 2026 at 12:00pm
Former party leaders reflect on the turbulence that followed the referendum in which most Scottish voters backed the losing sideThe decision to quit the EU bolstered support for Scottish independence, which a decade after the Brexit referendum is at near record levels, according to Scottish Labou...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Lord Sarwar of Brass Neck
21 Jul 2026 at 9:59pm
It seems to be a law of Scottish politics, or perhaps it’s more likely it’s just a personal curse, but whenever I try and take some time off from the blog a big story breaks and it’s back to the keyboard. What is most definitely a law of Scottish politics is that I’m not nationalist …

Silly season politics
17 Jul 2026 at 4:01pm
With Friday’s coronation of Andy Burnham as leader of the Labour party and his official accession to Ten Downing Street on Monday, the UK is now on its seventh prime minister in ten years. Meanwhile the man who wants to become prime minister after the next general election is fighting a by election with a …

Reform UK?s attack on Scottish languages
14 Jul 2026 at 4:44pm
It’s the greatest attempted Westminster assault on Scottish culture since the Jacobite wars. Reform UK has proposed an amendment to the UK Government’s elections bill which would criminalise the use of any languages other than English or Welsh on electoral material and impose a punishment of up to six months in prison and/or a fine. …

Ich bin ein Bin liner
12 Jul 2026 at 6:08pm
Last week, Nigel Farage announced that he was going to resign as the MP for Clacton in order to fight a by election to become the MP for Clacton. In a pity political broadcast from Reform UK headquarters which was broadcast live by the BBC and Sky News, Farage railed at the media for unfairly …

Alister Jack?s colonialism remains a threat to Scotland
9 Jul 2026 at 5:15pm
The former colonial governor of the northern province, Alister Jack, who was given a peerage by Rishi Sunak as part of a back room deal. Jack rejected an earlier nomination by Boris Johnson in 2023 to avoid triggering a by-election while he was still an MP, only later to stand down for the 2024 General …

The Farage facade cracks
7 Jul 2026 at 6:53pm
Poor Nigel Facade, sorry Farage, the wee lamb has had an almighty hissy fit at the sheer audacity of the media daring to subject him to a tiny fraction of the scrutiny that is par for the course for the SNP. It was all very Trumpian. In a self-pitying Reform UK party political broadcast during …

The junkies and their dealers
5 Jul 2026 at 4:40pm
A number of peculiar developments have taken place in Scotland since the Holyrood election in May. These have been disguised by the anti-SNP media feeding frenzy which took place after the conviction of Peter Murrell for the crime of embezzlement, a crime whose victim was the SNP, despite the efforts of the British media in …

Labour?s attempted theft of the Holyrood election is being aided by the media
3 Jul 2026 at 3:32pm
Something is seriously wrong with democracy in Scotland, but the media has told us vastly more about Peter Murrell’s cruet sets than it has about what can only be described as an attempt by the Labour party to steal the Holyrood election. In fact the attempted subversion of the result of the recent election has …

Labour?s nuclear power, an offer we can refuse
2 Jul 2026 at 3:30pm
It’s an offer we can refuse. The Labour government has identified a number of sites across Scotland on which it would like to build new nuclear power plants. A report was published this week by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the political ashtray Michael Shanks, the most disappointing MP in a …

Burnham, the GB Energy of devolution
29 Jun 2026 at 9:06pm
Andy Burnham’s big plan for the UK is still lacking in detail, but it’s already looking suspiciously like another of Westminster’s power grabs at the expense of the Scottish and Welsh parliaments. Burnham’s big speech on Monday during which he unveiled his plans for a Number Ten North. No, Scotland, not THAT north, Burnham’s north. …

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

The 'Unstoppable' Talking-up Scotland

Scottish Government accused of being too late to plan for soaring house price...
27 Jul 2026 at 6:12pm
Happened upon this forecast for rainfall in August, beginning next week and couldn’t help seeing that dark blue blob and wider dark green area encompassing the Cairngorms and Nethy Bridge which suggests significantly higher-than-average rainfall there. What are the locals, well just three of the 670, the local Tory MP and the media going to do now? Suggestions wanted in the comments section bel...

Surely that should read ?Charities call on Burnham to ?build like the Scottis...
27 Jul 2026 at 4:46pm
I’m guessing that Scotland News Editor Neil Pooran is less informed on this than he should be or he wouldn’t be hurting us this way, informed as we are, in our ribs. He writes, under that rib-tickly headline: Homeless Network Scotland, which is made up of 40 organisations in the sector, wants to see at least 15,700 quality affordable homes completed each year in order to end the housing emergen...

SNP Government accused of not predicting which way the wind blows as local sh...
27 Jul 2026 at 3:28pm
By Alasdair Macdonald BBC ?Scotland?, some unionist politicians, most of the ?Scottish? newspapers, and other UK media, probably via the Press Association have given the Cairngorms wildfire extensive coverage, but as well as than reporting on tackling the fire they have used vox pops from two people in the Nethy Bridge area to ?slam? the Scottish Government and Scottish Fire and Rescue. The cha...

Over 55% of Scots to pay less income tax than if they lived in England ? Conf...
27 Jul 2026 at 3:27pm
From Scottish tax payers comparison to English counterparts: FOI release, published last Friday: On Tuesday 13th January 2026, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government whilst addressing Holyrood stated that: “As a result, even more people in Scotland can expect to pay less tax than if they lived in England, Northern Ireland or Wales. That?s over 55 per cent of Scots set to pay les...

270 000 at risk in Bordeaux but everyone of 670 back home in Nethy Bridge
27 Jul 2026 at 3:26pm
Above, Cairngorm News images at 5 to 6 miles (8-10km) from Nethy Bridge (pop 680), two hours ago. Today, 7 miles from Bordeaux (pop 270 000) today: Which one is being blamed on the local governmnt? You know.

MoD admits it had no firefighting aircraft capable of helping with Cairngorm ...
27 Jul 2026 at 9:05am
See the video at: https://www.viory.video/en/videos/a3032_23072026/it-s-a-long-spray-to-tipperary-irish-air-corps-helicopter-pounds-slievenamon-mountain-blaze-with-repeated-water-drops By stewartb Something for the unhappy residents of Nethy Bridge to reflect upon? From The National (July 26): ?UK fails to provide wildfire water?bombing support for Cairngorms fire?. ? ?John Swinney said the Sco...

Still challenged but Scotland?s care system is years ahead of any plans Burnh...
27 Jul 2026 at 8:17am
As the new PM is pressed on England’s failing social care system, we sometimes hear, not on BBC Scotland of course, that though still challenged, Scotland system after nearly 20 years of centre-left government by the SNP is well ahead. What’s the evidence? What has the SNP done differently? In Scotland, there is free personal care for all adults assessed as needing it. This was introduced for o...

Largs community councillor and Herald really taking the p***, in the gutter, ...
26 Jul 2026 at 8:30pm
In the Herald today: A community councillor has renewed calls to reopen public toilets in Largs, warning that long ferry queues are leading to people urinating in nearby streets. Andy Adair, 85, said the issue had been raised previously but that he was advised to report incidents of public urination to police rather than seek a wider solution. As I remember, there’s a big toilet block near the ...

The wildfires in Europe and in Scotland are a world apart
26 Jul 2026 at 4:00pm
Details at: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/?s=wildfire

How Alex Salmond fought to prevent and to get justice for 600 000 war dead in...
26 Jul 2026 at 2:50pm
In 2003, as 1 million in London and 100 000 in Glasgow (me limping in at 99 990) marched against the US/UK plans to bomb and to invade Iraq, only one major party leader stood on the platform to denounce it – Alex Salmond, SNP leader at the time. One year later: Still with the courage he needed, in July 2016: Why do I say courage? He had the courage to oppose a war sanctioned by Parliament and d...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

UK?s Burnham tells Scotland new independence vote is off limits - Al Jazeera
23 Jul 2026 at 7:12pm
UK?s Burnham tells Scotland new independence vote is off limits  Al Jazeera

New Scottish independence referendum ?off limits,? UK prime minister tells Sc...
23 Jul 2026 at 7:20pm
New Scottish independence referendum ?off limits,? UK prime minister tells Scottish leader  Anadolu Ajans?

Andy Burnham would oppose second Scottish independence referendum - BBC
6 Jul 2026 at 8:00am
Andy Burnham would oppose second Scottish independence referendum  BBC

Scottish leader John Swinney calls for independence to thwart Reform - RNZ
10 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish leader John Swinney calls for independence to thwart Reform  RNZ

UK Prime Minister Burnham has ruled out the possibility of a new referendum o...
24 Jul 2026 at 12:53am
UK Prime Minister Burnham has ruled out the possibility of a new referendum on Scottish independence  ?????????? ??????????? ?????? (???)

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

Burnham: Scottish independence is ?off limits? - The Telegraph
23 Jul 2026 at 9:33pm
Burnham: Scottish independence is ?off limits?  The Telegraph

Andy Burnham 'won't overrule devolution' ? but says referendum 'off limits' -...
23 Jul 2026 at 8:26pm
Andy Burnham 'won't overrule devolution' ? but says referendum 'off limits'  The National Scot

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

Indyref: Democracy can't be 'off limits' - Scottish Greens
23 Jul 2026 at 7:37pm
Indyref: Democracy can't be 'off limits'  Scottish Greens

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

SNP income tax rise ?cost Scotland £22m? - The Telegraph
27 Jul 2026 at 2:36pm
SNP income tax rise ?cost Scotland £22m?  The Telegraph

Scottish Labour 'must accept SNP are default choice to protect Scotland', MSP...
27 Jul 2026 at 2:26pm
Scottish Labour 'must accept SNP are default choice to protect Scotland', MSP says  The National Scot

Scottish councils 'starved of cash and powers' by SNP, says Alexander - BBC
24 Jul 2026 at 11:46am
Scottish councils 'starved of cash and powers' by SNP, says Alexander  BBC

The SNP's confused message on oil and gas has already cost votes - Holyrood W...
27 Jul 2026 at 5:01am
The SNP's confused message on oil and gas has already cost votes  Holyrood Website

SNP ?obstructed police? in Peter Murrell investigation, insider claims - The ...
25 Jul 2026 at 8:00pm
SNP ?obstructed police? in Peter Murrell investigation, insider claims  The Times

There is a better future for Scotland away from Westminster control ? Scottis...
27 Jul 2026 at 3:37pm
There is a better future for Scotland away from Westminster control ? Scottish National Party  snp.org

Struggling Scottish pubs need Andy Burnham?s business rates relief, SNP told ...
25 Jul 2026 at 8:50am
Struggling Scottish pubs need Andy Burnham?s business rates relief, SNP told  The Herald

SNP backs national data center moratorium in Scotland - Data Center Dynamics
8 Jul 2026 at 11:35am
SNP backs national data center moratorium in Scotland  Data Center Dynamics

There?s little love for the SNP ? so why does the party look set to win in Sc...
6 May 2026 at 8:00am
There?s little love for the SNP ? so why does the party look set to win in Scotland?  The Conversation

Dani Garavelli · Short Cuts: Stealing from the SNP - London Review of Books
9 Jul 2026 at 8:00am
Dani Garavelli · Short Cuts: Stealing from the SNP  London Review of Books

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

UK?s Burnham tells Scotland new independence vote is off limits - Al Jazeera
23 Jul 2026 at 7:12pm
UK?s Burnham tells Scotland new independence vote is off limits  Al Jazeera

New Scottish independence referendum ?off limits,? UK prime minister tells Sc...
23 Jul 2026 at 7:20pm
New Scottish independence referendum ?off limits,? UK prime minister tells Scottish leader  Anadolu Ajans?

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 leader John Swinney calls for independence to thwart Reform - RNZ
10 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish leader John Swinney calls for independence to thwart Reform  RNZ

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

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

Andy Burnham would oppose second Scottish independence referendum - BBC
6 Jul 2026 at 8:00am
Andy Burnham would oppose second Scottish independence referendum  BBC

UK Prime Minister Burnham has ruled out the possibility of a new referendum o...
24 Jul 2026 at 12:53am
UK Prime Minister Burnham has ruled out the possibility of a new referendum on Scottish independence  ?????????? ??????????? ?????? (???)

Scottish independence - Institute for Government
29 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish independence  Institute for Government

Scotland's head of government vows to hold another independence referendum - ...
11 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scotland's head of government vows to hold another independence referendum  ConstitutionNet