The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Braveheart features in bizarre White House war film amid ongoing strikes on Iran
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
6 Mar 2026 at 5:13pm
Scottish national hero William Wallace, or rather a famous portrayal of him, appeared in a White House propaganda video relating to the war with Iran.


How Joani Reid and East Kilbride got caught up in a Chinese 'spying' scandal
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
6 Mar 2026 at 5:00pm
It must be said west-central Scotland isn't the first location which comes to mind when one thinks about international espionage


Fair trade in Paisley gives food for thought on International Women's Day
6 Mar 2026 at 1:47pm
International Women?s Day is the perfect opportunity to shine a light on global food producers who are linked to Paisley social enterprise True Origin


Reform leader in Scotland denies organised patrol group he joined were 'vigil...
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
6 Mar 2026 at 12:31pm
Malcolm Offord, Reform UK's leader in Scotland, has rejected claims an organised group he joined on the streets of Glasgow were 'vigilantes'.


Royal Family member travelled with man arrested on suspicion of spying for China
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
6 Mar 2026 at 11:54am
A man who was arrested for allegedly spying for China travelled through south-east Asia with a member of the Royal Family


SNP candidate who quit election race 'told to repay £20,000 in benefits'
by craig.williams@newsquest.co.uk | Craig Williams
6 Mar 2026 at 11:11am
Donald quit the race ahead of May?s election after reports emerged she was being investigated over her claiming of benefits.


Glasgow Alba group lodges vote of no confidence in Kenny MacAskill
by craig.williams@newsquest.co.uk | Craig Williams
6 Mar 2026 at 10:45am
The ALBA Party Local Campaign Unit for Glasgow has lodged a vote of no confidence in party leader Kenny MacAskill.


Scottish council 'could be facing bankruptcy' according to leader
6 Mar 2026 at 10:20am
West Dunbartonshire Council could be facing bankruptcy according to the council leader who proposed a 7.8% council tax hike to help close the £9.2 million deficit. 


SNP accused of 'betraying' women as thousands facing 'indefensible' equal pay...
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
6 Mar 2026 at 6:00am
SNP ministers have been accused of 'betraying' women as equal pay disputes are stalled by 'indefensible' delays, a union has warned.


Inside Reform's bizarre Holyrood event as Malcolm Offord returns to Greenock ...
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
6 Mar 2026 at 4:03pm
Analysis: Malcolm Offord launches his Reform UK Holyrood bid in Greenock, but questions over vigilante patrols, tax cuts and low public recognition follow.


Stephen Boyd: 'Virtuous cycle is the model for Scotland's welfare policy'
6 Mar 2026 at 10:00am
In a speech last year, Kemi Badenoch argued that the UK is ??becoming a welfare state, with an economy attached. 28 million people in Britain are now working to pay the wages and benefits of 28 million others


Police say they do not condone Glasgow patrol group after Offord claims
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
6 Mar 2026 at 1:09pm
Police Scotland say they ?do not endorse, condone or encourage? a Glasgow street patrol group after Reform UK?s Malcolm Offord claimed the volunteers operate with ?police permission?.


'Worst week of my life': Joani Reid resigns Labour whip following husband's a...
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
5 Mar 2026 at 9:04pm
Joani Reid has resigned the Labour whip after her husband was arrested and later bailed on suspicion of spying for China


Scottish Labour MP chaired Westminster drop-in with China spy accused think tank
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
5 Mar 2026 at 5:55pm
The company which employed a man arrested on suspicion of spying for China held a drop-in session at the House of Commons chaired by a Scottish Labour MP

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Police Scotland slaps down Reform leader over Glasgow 'street patrols'
6 Mar 2026 at 1:39pm

Malcolm Offord said a group he joined on patrol acted with the permission of the police

There are significant hikes in council tax across the whole of Scotland this year.

Two UK government ministers say the entire Labour Party still wants to see Anas Sarwar becoming the next First Minister, despite calling for the Prime Minister to resign.

David Hamilton, the Scottish Information Commission (SIC), said he kept finding new authorities and regulators "that I never even knew existed".

Sally Donald has been told she owes Social Security Scotland £20,000 in benefits

Wings over Scotland

Scotland?s Most Frightened
4 Mar 2026 at 5:52pm
This was just two months ago. (Longer version here.) ? And we’ll bet you anything you like he’s already wishing he hadn’t said it. Because a recent study suggested that Swinney might just achieve the impossible task he set for himself, and if he does then he’s REALLY screwed. Now, we don’t actually think that’ll …

Two Men Unalike
28 Feb 2026 at 1:41pm
So Cathy Newman of Channel 4 News got herself a scoop last night. And to be honest, readers, we were a bit confused. “Gender critical views” are not only lawful things to hold and express, they’re one of a small subset of opinions that are explicitly protected as such in law. And why would a …

The Tactics Of Suicide
26 Feb 2026 at 1:48pm
Sorry, readers, we’ve been too busy boiling with rage at revolting, cretinous Americans for the last few days to trust ourselves with writing a full-length article, but we’ve just about calmed down enough in time for this month’s polling analysis. Which is handy, because today is also the day of the Gorton and Denton by-election …

When the law breaks the law
19 Feb 2026 at 1:33pm
There is a not particularly funny joke that is sometimes told in legal circles about why a law student failed to finish his coursework ? because he had no conviction. With rare exceptions lawyers aren?t renowned for their sense of humour but I can?t help thinking someone, at the highest levels of our justice system, …

The Future Is Yesterday
18 Feb 2026 at 2:10pm
So on the one hand there’s obviously very little point paying attention to the SNP’s regional list candidates for May’s Holyrood election, because as this website has comprehensively demonstrated over recent months, the chances of the SNP having any list MSPs elected are remote. However, nothing is impossible, so let’s take a look at the …

Scotland In Numbers
17 Feb 2026 at 11:30pm
Cost of keeping vital rape crisis services in Glasgow operating: £500,000. Amount of money wasted by the Scottish Government fighting and losing court cases to try to remove women’s rights: £1.14 million. Angry yet?

The Longest Road
16 Feb 2026 at 1:23pm
As the six-year fight for justice for Alex Salmond continues, we thought you might like to see this clip from this morning’s Mike Graham Show, interviewing Paul McManus, the businessman and drummer in Glasgow rock band Gun who’s stepped up to fund the Salmond family’s case against the Scottish Government despite disagreeing with much of …

The Modern Politician
10 Feb 2026 at 5:17pm
A play in three acts: And you thought ours were spineless. Poor old Anas, though. If 24 hours is a long time in politics these days, a week is forever. And a month hardly even bears thinking about. As for a year and a half, well, the less said the better.

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, …

Craig Murray

The War for Greater Israel
1 Mar 2026 at 2:21pm

There has scarcely been an attempt to pretend any justification in international law for the attack on Iran and murder of its leader. The response of the UK government, focusing almost entirely on condemning Iran for exercising its legitimate right of self-defence, takes the Starmer dishonesty meter further off the scale. The RAF has been …

The War for Greater Israel

Rival Demonstrations in Caracas
23 Feb 2026 at 8:28am

There are two things which are extremely difficult to find in Venezuela – government repression and opposition support. I am pretty long in the tooth and very experienced in understanding politics and people around the world, and I have found it difficult to locate either. I would particularly warn you against accepting the political prisoners …

Rival Demonstrations in Caracas

Two Little Caracas Videos
17 Feb 2026 at 6:34am

I hope to write a serious article shortly about the position of Venezuela, which is rather that of a hostage with a gun to their head, attempting to appease a psychopath. But for now here are a couple of small videos illustrating that it is a lie that the country is failed, starving or repressive. …

Two Little Caracas Videos

Postpone The Celebrations
14 Feb 2026 at 7:46am

On the face of it the English High Court ruling that the Palestine Action proscription is unlawful makes the decision that the proscription remains in place pending appeal utterly illogical. But what if the High Court ruling is deliberately designed to fail at appeal? I believe that it is. They chose an extremely narrow path …

Postpone The Celebrations

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

BBC Scotland

Labour MP 'voluntarily suspends herself' amid China spy probe
5 Mar 2026 at 8:35pm
Joani Reid said she had temporarily stood down from the party after her husband was arrested on suspicion of spying for China.

Reform's Scottish leader denies fuelling racial tensions over stabbing
6 Mar 2026 at 4:57pm
Malcolm Offord has faced criticism after linking the incident in Edinburgh to an "insurge" of migration.

Why is Scotland seeing big council tax rises again?
6 Mar 2026 at 6:25am
Councils are seeking new ways to raise money and make savings - but big tax rises are coming too.

Families of cancer patients raise infection concerns with first minister
5 Mar 2026 at 9:28pm
Charly's dad says the public inquiry is not going to give patients and families the answers they are looking for.

SNP candidate stands down after benefits fraud claim
4 Mar 2026 at 5:18pm
Sally Donald, who was selected to stand for the party in May's election, has denied any wrongdoing.

Teachers vote to strike over class contact time
4 Mar 2026 at 8:07pm
The EIS wants to cut the maximum time each teacher spends in front of a class by 90 minutes a week.

Ferguson shipyard to be given contracts to build four new ships
3 Mar 2026 at 5:09pm
The Clyde yard is to be commissioned to construct two small ferries and two fisheries research and protection vessels.

Scotland needs new approach to deal with feral pigs, report says
4 Mar 2026 at 10:48am
Researchers say there are "tensions" around whether they are a pest or should be left to roam free.

Ardrossan harbour to be taken into public ownership
3 Mar 2026 at 3:07pm
Scottish government-owned ports body CMAL is expected the finalise the purchase by the end of the month.

Four homeless deaths in Scotland a week, data suggests
3 Mar 2026 at 3:42pm
The new data was a slight decrease on the previous year's figures but "not statistically significant".

Scottish government increases funding for culling Uist geese
3 Mar 2026 at 11:17am
The birds are blamed for damaging crops and grazing in parts of the Western Isles.

Sir John Curtice: Which issues will decide the elections in Scotland and Wales?
2 Mar 2026 at 6:28am
A poll carried out for the BBC examines the issues which will influence how people plan to vote on 7 May.

Scot Goes Pop

Huge poll breakthrough for the SNP as they surge to their highest regional li...
5 Mar 2026 at 11:18pm
My latest constituency profile for The National is Ayr, and it can be read HERE.

WAA WAA BRAHP AHOOGAH SCREEEEEEEECH - "All right, all right, you've made your...
4 Mar 2026 at 11:43pm
My latest constituency profile for The National is Argyll & Bute, and it can be read HERE.

Greens OVERTAKE Labour in sensational Britain-wide YouGov poll - and SNP have...
3 Mar 2026 at 8:34pm
In the second half of this video, I also take a look at the story in the Daily Record about a nameless former member of the Alba Party's Finance and Audit Committee, who suggests the party wasted £...

Alba's self-appointed Continuity Junta is accused of "lying" about its claim ...
2 Mar 2026 at 8:13pm
The dam has well and truly burst with Alba - over the last few days I've been receiving emails containing nuggets of information from multiple different sources within the party, including some I h...

244 people have pledged loyalty so far to the Alba Continuity Junta - and onl...
2 Mar 2026 at 4:47pm
As regular viewers of my YouTube channel will recall, the little-known Alba businessman Abdul Majid has an exciting habit of doing things in bulk.  In 2023, he was one of the five clear beneficiari...

Profound shock in Alba ranks after Susan MacAskill, the spouse of party leade...
1 Mar 2026 at 4:55pm
I was contacted earlier today by a member of the Alba Party, who I think was genuinely quite shocked that a controversial fellow member and convicted criminal called Dave Llewellyn had posted on Fa...

Corri Wilson, straight-talking, totally unfiltered, on why the Alba Party mus...
1 Mar 2026 at 1:17am
I've been sent an audio recording of Corri Wilson, matriarch of Alba's Corri Nostra faction and also the party's "Director of Operations", addressing what appears to be some sort of internal party ...

Popular factional matriarch Corri Wilson sends tidings of great joy to local ...
28 Feb 2026 at 4:34pm
It's the puzzler that has gripped and perplexed fashionable salons like no other since the Schleswig Holstein Question: are Alba branches accounting units in their own right?  Does their money belo...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Scottish Labour MP suspended after husband accused of spying for China
5 Mar 2026 at 8:07pm
This comes as the party confirmed they were investigating the East Kilbride and Strathaven MP following the arrest of her partner David Taylor.

Scottish Labour MP being investigated by party after husband accused of spyin...
5 Mar 2026 at 2:00pm
David Taylor, the husband of East Kilbride and Strathaven MP Joani Reid, was arrested by counter-terrorism officers

Benefits probe into SNP candidate shows system is working, Swinney claims
5 Mar 2026 at 1:06pm
Sally Donald stepped down as the candidate for Edinburgh Southern on Wednesday

John Swinney faces questions after teachers back strike action
5 Mar 2026 at 12:03pm
The education secretary said she hoped negotations would find a solution

Husband of Labour MP Joani Reid released on bail after arrest on suspicion of...
5 Mar 2026 at 9:38am
David Taylor, 39, whose wife is Joani Reid, was taken into custody on Wednesday

Husband of Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid questioned after arrest on suspicion...
5 Mar 2026 at 8:17am
David Taylor, 39, whose wife is Joani Reid, was taken into custody on Wednesday

MPs dance with Strictly stars as Middle East ?on brink of World War Three?
4 Mar 2026 at 8:58pm
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle danced with Rippon after welcoming the celebrities from the BBC programme to Westminster to promote the advantages of dance for the nation?s health and wellbeing.

Teachers across Scotland vote for strike action over ?excessive workloads?
4 Mar 2026 at 5:31pm
The education secretary said she hoped negotations would find a solution

Edinburgh SNP candidate quits race amid benefits investigation
4 Mar 2026 at 4:44pm
Sally Donald had been selected to run in Edinburgh Southern, but told local members on Wednesday she had ?regrettably? decided to stand down

Husband of Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid among three men arrested on suspicio...
4 Mar 2026 at 12:42pm
Joani Reid's spouse David Taylor, 39, was taken into custody on Wednesday

Reform falls behind Labour in Scottish Parliament election, poll shows
4 Mar 2026 at 12:03pm
The SNP remains set to be the largest party at Holyrood, 20 points ahead of Nigel Farage's party

Keir Starmer to face grilling amid fallout with Donald Trump over Iran
4 Mar 2026 at 11:47am
The US president said 'this is not Winston Churchill that we?re dealing with'

Scottish Government to directly award four ship contracts to Ferguson Marine
3 Mar 2026 at 9:46pm
The Scottish Government rescued the yard from administration in 2019.

?Many uncertainties? over cost of introducing assisted dying, MSPs told
3 Mar 2026 at 9:05pm
Health Secretary Neil Gray faced questions over what the cost could be if MSPs back a Bill to introduce assisted dying for terminally ill Scots.

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Scottish politics today: Malcolm Offord backs use of voluntary 'street patrol...
6 Mar 2026 at 5:00pm
The Record brings you its regular 5pm round-up of the day's politics news.

Millionaire Reform leader Malcolm Offord launches bid to become Greenock MSP ...
6 Mar 2026 at 12:08pm
Offord, a former Conservative member of the House of Lords, told an audience in Inverclyde that Glasgow "isn't as safe as it used to be".

Former SNP candidate who joked about joining 'gravy bus' ordered to repay £20...
6 Mar 2026 at 9:29am
Sally Donald was due to contest the Edinburgh Southern constituency for John Swinney's party.

Wes Streeting accuses SNP of refusing NHS patient app for 'narrow nationalist...
6 Mar 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: The Labour Health Secretary said he would he happy for Scots to benefit from the England app as he laid in to the SNP's record on the NHS.

Wes Streeting says Anas Sarwar is his 'own man' after calling for Keir Starme...
5 Mar 2026 at 9:32pm
EXCLUSIVE: The Health Secretary defended the Scottish Labour after his controversial call for the PM to go.

Scots MP Joani Reid suspended by Labour after husband arrested over China 'sp...
5 Mar 2026 at 7:46pm
The East Kilbride and Strathaven MP said the move came after the "the worst week of my life" over the controversy.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting defends Scots Labour MP facing suspension afte...
5 Mar 2026 at 5:40pm
EXCLUSIVE: Streeting suggested it was unfair to judge Reid based on the situation facing her husband.

'Spying' scandal is the last thing Labour needs in the run up to the Holyrood...
5 Mar 2026 at 5:00pm
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon analyses the latest national security row for the UK.

Cancer ward at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital upgraded to red alert leve...
5 Mar 2026 at 2:17pm
The £1 billion super hospital has been rocked by a series of infection scandals.

SNP Government forced to take down part of Alex Salmond Files over 'shambolic...
5 Mar 2026 at 1:53pm
It comes amid fears over the handling of the 5,000 documents that were suddenly dumped online with little warning on February 25.

The National

The National | Politics

UK Government must clarify Middle East involvement and publish legal advice
6 Mar 2026 at 9:03pm

A WEEK into the US-Israeli war on Iran, a familiar pattern has emerged ? overwhelming military force, followed by spurious, retrospective legal arguments used to prop up a false, immoral narrative that shifts attention away from civilian harm

Charity sends Home Secretary 'bigger picture' jigsaw after 'hostile' asylum c...
6 Mar 2026 at 8:34pm

A SCOTTISH charity has sent the UK Home Secretary a "special delivery" in response to a week of several asylum system policy changes

Huge anti-immigration protest takes place in Edinburgh after stabbing
6 Mar 2026 at 7:27pm

A large anti-immigration protest took place at Sighthill in Edinburgh, following an incident on Monday in which two people were injured

Who are North2South? The group claiming to patrol the streets to keep women safe
6 Mar 2026 at 4:53pm

A GROUP of people claiming to patrol the streets at night has hit the headlines after Reform's Scotland leader shared he had joined one of their nightly patrols

Westminster is baying for blood as Labour inch towards war in Iran
6 Mar 2026 at 5:41pm

KEMI Badenoch thinks Keir Starmer is too focused on ?catching arrows rather than stopping the archer?.

What we learned from this week's Scottish elections polls
6 Mar 2026 at 5:00pm

WITH the 2026 Holyrood election campaign heating up, it is polling mad at the minute ...

Jeremy Corbyn blasts UK 'obedience' to US amid Iran attacks row
6 Mar 2026 at 4:13pm

BRITAIN is letting America ?draft the terms of our obedience?, it has been claimed after it emerged that officials helped the White House draft a request to use UK bases to attack Iran.

'No deal with Iran except unconditional surrender', Donald Trump says
6 Mar 2026 at 3:38pm

THERE will be ?no deal? with Iran except ?unconditional surrender?, US president Donald Trump has said in a social media post.

Former Conservative councillor stalked woman for nearly five years
6 Mar 2026 at 3:18pm

A former Conservative councillor got a chocolate Easter egg delivered to a fellow local politician during a near-five year stalking campaign against her.

Police Scotland slaps down Reform Scotland leader 'street patrol' claim
6 Mar 2026 at 3:17pm

POLICE Scotland has rejected claims by Reform?s Scotland leader that a ?street patrol? group ? who he insisted were "not vigilantes? ? were endorsed by the force.

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Malcolm Offord refuses to apologise for ?racist? knife incident comments
6 Mar 2026 at 11:58am
The Reform Scotland leader was announced as the candidate for Inverclyde

Joani Reid ?voluntarily suspends herself? from Labour Party amid China spy probe
5 Mar 2026 at 9:54pm
Reid's husband, David Taylor, was one of three men arrested by police on Wednesday

China spying arrest ?deeply concerning? says Anas Sarwar
5 Mar 2026 at 2:05pm
One of the men arrested is married to Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid

SNP candidate?s alleged benefits fraud shows system ?open to abuse?
5 Mar 2026 at 1:09pm
The Scottish Tory leader raised the case of Sally Donald at FMQs

China spy suspects released on bail
5 Mar 2026 at 12:02pm
Husband of Joani Reid MP and two others were arrested by counter-terror police

Reform UK receives millions more from crypto investor
5 Mar 2026 at 10:23am
Labour donations revealed as Electoral Commission publishes 2025 quarter 4 records

Mental health warning over psychiatrists shortage
5 Mar 2026 at 6:00am
Tom Arthur says Scottish Government is 'making progress'

Local Authorities Guide: East Lothian Council
5 Mar 2026 at 6:00am
Council leader Norman Hampshire answers questions about local authority

Husband of Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid arrested on China spy claims
4 Mar 2026 at 5:00pm
Counter-terrorism police arrest three under the National Security Act

SNP candidate steps down amid investigation into benefit claim
4 Mar 2026 at 4:00pm
Sally Donald is reportedly facing a probe by Social Security Scotland?regarding?alleged fraud

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

Scotland becomes first UK country to legalise water cremations
2 Mar 2026 at 3:24pm
Hydrolysis uses alkaline and water to break down body in a few hours and is part of demand for more sustainable funeralsScotland has become the first part of the UK to legalise hydrolysis, an environmentally friendly alternative to cremation or burial, reflecting increasing demand for more sustai...

PM vows to ?keep fighting? after Greens sweep past Labour and Reform to win b...
27 Feb 2026 at 5:57pm
This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story here:Report: Labour MPs demand Starmer change directionAnalysis: clock is ticking for StarmerProfile: who is Hannah Spencer, new Green MP?Reform activists are ?hearing Matt Goodwin has all but conceded defeat to the Greens?, the UK poll agg...

Sarwar gambles on break with Starmer as Labour support slumps
26 Feb 2026 at 10:03am
Scottish Labour leader hopes distancing himself from PM will shift focus to SNP?s record, but voters remain unconvinced?People look at Holyrood and think: ?Lets give them all a bloody nose?,? says Alex, a betting shop manager. Speaking in a focus group of people who voted Labour at the 2024 gener...

Foreign Office denies minister?s claim the Chagos Islands deal has been pause...
25 Feb 2026 at 5:30pm
This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story hereThe Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has published figures showing that local authorities in England dealt with 1.26m flytipping incidents in 2024/25 ? 9% increase on the previous year.And there was an 11% increase in ...

Role of Scotland?s top law officer questioned after ?bombshell? over Peter Mu...
25 Feb 2026 at 2:52pm
Lord advocate Dorothy Bain informed first minister of embezzlement charges against former SNP chief executive a year before they were made publicSerious doubts have been raised about the dual role of Scotland?s top law officer after it emerged that the first minister was informed of criminal char...

The Guardian view on Scottish Labour: Keir Starmer needs Anas Sarwar?s act of...
22 Feb 2026 at 5:30pm
The leader of Scottish Labour will use its spring conference to demonstrate that he is his own man. Ironically, the prime minister?s survival may depend on his successAt Scottish Labour?s spring conference last year, Sir Keir Starmer bullishly addressed mounting discontent at his government?s per...

The Guardian view on Scotland?s housing crisis: supply has failed to keep pac...
18 Feb 2026 at 6:25pm
The country?s homelessness legislation is ambitious and humane. But too many people are still sleeping on the streets or in temporary accommodationRough sleeping in Scotland has risen by 106% over the past three years. Record numbers of children are now living in temporary accommodation, official...

?It?s betrayal?: Shetland?s scallop fishers brace for arrival of UK?s largest...
17 Feb 2026 at 12:00pm
Huge project by Norwegian-owned Scottish Sea Farms gets go-ahead amid concerns over the environmental cost of fish farming and threat to traditional way of lifeAt Collafirth, north Shetland, Sydney Johnson is unloading two-dozen bags of scallops by throwing them over his head like medicine balls ...

Tuesday briefing: The factors that will shape the future of Scotland
17 Feb 2026 at 7:55am
In today?s newsletter: As Scottish voters prepare to go to the polls, how can Labour, Reform and the Conservatives capitalise on weakening trust in the SNP?Good morning. The SNP has been in government since 2007, a phenomenal 19-year run, but polling suggests Scottish voters? trust in its ability...

Mick Duncan obituary
16 Feb 2026 at 8:39pm
My friend and fellow architect Mick Duncan, who has died aged 86, imbued his architecture with human scale and proportion, whether for the extensive buildings for Stirling University, at Victoria Quay housing the Scottish Executive in Leith, or in the modest yet stately headquarters for United Di...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

A personal milestone and yet more good polling news
5 Mar 2026 at 4:19pm
I’m going to start on a personal note. Almost eight years after we got married and over ten years that we have been together, my husband has finally become a British, or should I say Scottish citizen. It’s been a long, expensive, and stressful journey, but we got there, and now we are immune to …

The BBC?s odd indy poll, more polls, and BBC Scotland?s double standards
4 Mar 2026 at 3:38pm
There are some very odd things going on with the BBC’s Savanta poll on Scottish independence. An analysis of the polling data by Independent Voices, @indyvoices.bsky.social on BlueSky, also pointed out by the regular poster Statgeek in the comments section of this blog, notes that the poll reports a peculiarly high percentage of those who …

Humiliation for BBC Scotland as its own poll shows a Yes majority
3 Mar 2026 at 3:26pm
BBC Scotland has done one of its pre-election polls to tell us what Scotland “really thinks” as we go into the Scottish election in nine weeks time. On Tuesday, BBC Scotland unveiled its findings on the crucial question of independence. Despite the BBC’s very own poll finding that support for independence is in the majority, …

Reform?s election denial is a cancer on democracy
3 Mar 2026 at 11:47am
Nigel Farage is not taking the electoral humiliation dished out to by the voters of Gorton and Denton at all well. Farage lied multiple times at his press conference on the Monday after the vote which saw his hand picked candidate trounced by the Greens. Farage claimed that no-one who voted Green in Gorton and …

Starmer?s support for Trump?s Epstein war may be the final blow to Labour in ...
1 Mar 2026 at 11:50am
America has gone to war in the Middle East at the behest of Netanyahu again, when Trump attacked Iran in June last year and assured us that Iran’s nuclear weapons programme had been completely destroyed it hadn’t really been completely destroyed at all. Trump lied. I’m shocked I tell you, shocked. I’m no fan of …

Goodwin ? Bad Loser, lessons from Gorton & Denton for Scotland
27 Feb 2026 at 2:23pm
Imagine being called Goodwin but being such a bad loser. This week’s by-election in Gorton and Denton in Manchester was initially portrayed in the British media as being a contest between Labour and Reform UK, with the expectation that Reform UK would coast to an easy victory. In recent days as the Greens pulled ahead …

57% support for independence in the most recent poll
26 Feb 2026 at 1:50pm
There has been another poll on voting intention in a Scottish independence referendum. The poll from Stonehaven polling for The Times newspaper which I reported on yesterday also included a question on independence. This poll had fantastic news for the SNP, reporting that an SNP majority is possible. It also has fantastic news for the …

Second poll in a month puts the SNP on track for a majority in Holyrood
25 Feb 2026 at 2:10pm
  In this bin-fire of a UK it’s nice to be able to report a glimmer of hope for a change. For the second time within a month, an opinion poll has put the level of support for the SNP at a level which would allow it to win an outright majority in its own …

Cruelty built on lies, Reform?s immigration plans
23 Feb 2026 at 3:35pm
On Monday Reform UK’s home affairs spokes bigot the millionaire Zia Yusuf announced his party’s plans for the immigration system should we be unfortunate enough to see Reform UK take power after the next Westminster general election, which due to Westminster’s corrupt and undemocratic first past the post voting system could allow Farage and his …

Rejoining the EU looks set to get much easier for an independent Scotland
22 Feb 2026 at 2:52pm
According to former SNP MP and MEP Alyn Smith, who is well informed about developments within the EU, joining the EU looks set to become a whole lot easier for an independent Scotland. The EU Commission is proposing to revamp and speed up the process through which states which are candidates for EU membership accede …

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

Short video ? What has the SNP ever done for you? How about stopping private ...
6 Mar 2026 at 4:04pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON Full version at: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/03/06/what-has-the-snp-ever-done-for-you-how-about-stopping-private-companies-using-nhs-facilities-nhs-equipment-and-nhs-staff-to-enable-th...

15 years of SNP government and significant increases in employment across alm...
6 Mar 2026 at 4:01pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON From Industry statistics published today: https://www.gov.scot/publications/industry-statistics/ You’ll see in the table above there have been fairly large increases in employment across almost ...

Da da da ta da da ta da diddle etc?.We can now drive one hundred miles to fal...
6 Mar 2026 at 3:59pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON From Cheaper bus travel for Highland communities published yesterday: People across the Highlands and Islands are set to benefit from more affordable public transport as £2 capped bus fares are ...

BBC Scotland wildfires report ignores the role of the big private grouse esta...
6 Mar 2026 at 3:58pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON In a BBC Scotland report yesterday: Scotland facing escalating threat from wildfires – report https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx28wez183eo There’s not a word criticising the big grouse estat...

Astonishing attempt to cover up Glasgow Labour?s decades of betrayal and abus...
6 Mar 2026 at 3:57pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON In the Herald today: SNP ministers have been accused of ?betraying? women as the public sector equal pay row continues with thousands of claims facing ?indefensible delays?. Leading trade union ...

What has the SNP ever done for you? How about stopping private companies usin...
6 Mar 2026 at 3:54pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON From our regular and much-valued, non-Russian spy, France McKie, from Every Doctor, the campaign against NHS privatisation, yesterday: I wouldn?t be surprised if you hadn?t heard of ?NHS in-sour...

One woman moved to a ?lovely? care home within one region headlines while a w...
6 Mar 2026 at 11:25am
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON In Scotland, to allow proper care, a young woman is moved to another care home, on a temporary basis, within the same region. Iona said the care home and its staff were “lovely”, but she wants t...

400 fully researched posts all Talking-up Scotland, 97 000 visitors reading 2...
6 Mar 2026 at 10:09am
Many thanks to those who have supported the Talking-up Scotland crowd-funder directly and, of course, those less-visible who have done so via direct bank transfer. The crowd-funder finishes in 10 days. Details below: John Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 122...

The evidence suggests that Reform UK seem unlikely to be ?main threat? in Ayr
5 Mar 2026 at 5:33pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON Analyst James Kelly in the National Today, has: Reform UK could be main threat to SNP in Ayr. Well maybe, maybe not. I’d be a fool to say it could never happen but the evidence so far says Refor...

12 hour A&E waits ? TWICE as common in NHS Wales than in NHS Scotland and not ...
5 Mar 2026 at 5:31pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON This was researched by stewartb. I’ve just framed it a bit. Here’s what stewartb sent me: Dr Fiona Hunter, RCEM Vice President for Scotland is quoted in a press statement (March 3) headed: ?Scot...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland - BBC
3 Mar 2026 at 6:16am
Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland  BBC

Brian Cox to speak at Scottish independence rally this month - Thenational Scot
6 Mar 2026 at 10:04am
Brian Cox to speak at Scottish independence rally this month  Thenational Scot

SNP maintain polling lead in Scotland but four in ten say they may change the...
4 Mar 2026 at 10:16am
SNP maintain polling lead in Scotland but four in ten say they may change their minds  Ipsos

Scottish independence ? The NEN - North Edinburgh News
5 Mar 2026 at 1:00pm
Scottish independence ? The NEN  North Edinburgh News

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

Scottish independence is sneaking up on Westminster - New Statesman
20 Feb 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish independence is sneaking up on Westminster  New Statesman

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

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

'Scottish independence? Yes - but make it egalitarian' - The Herald
21 Feb 2026 at 8:00am
'Scottish independence? Yes - but make it egalitarian'  The Herald

Nicola Sturgeon to deliver keynote lecture in Ireland next week - BreakingNew...
6 Mar 2026 at 7:31pm
Nicola Sturgeon to deliver keynote lecture in Ireland next week  BreakingNews.ie

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

Scotland's papers: SNP candidate benefits row and Hogg 'honour axed' - BBC
6 Mar 2026 at 6:47am
Scotland's papers: SNP candidate benefits row and Hogg 'honour axed'  BBC

SNP maintain polling lead in Scotland but four in ten say they may change the...
4 Mar 2026 at 10:16am
SNP maintain polling lead in Scotland but four in ten say they may change their minds  Ipsos

Stop SNP Congestion Charges - Scottish Conservatives
6 Mar 2026 at 8:13pm
Stop SNP Congestion Charges  Scottish Conservatives

Ex-SNP Holyrood candidate told to repay £20,000 in benefits - Thenational Scot
6 Mar 2026 at 8:35am
Ex-SNP Holyrood candidate told to repay £20,000 in benefits  Thenational Scot

Ex-SNP Holyrood candidate 'told to repay £20k in benefits' - The Herald
6 Mar 2026 at 1:50pm
Ex-SNP Holyrood candidate 'told to repay £20k in benefits'  The Herald

SNP Schneider-Neureither & Partner SE: Release according to Article 40, Secti...
6 Mar 2026 at 4:25pm
SNP Schneider-Neureither & Partner SE: Release according to Article 40, Section 1 of the WpHG the German Securities Trading Act with the objective of Europe-wide distribution  TradingView

'Gravy bus' ex-SNP candidate Sally Donald 'told to repay £20,000' in benefits...
6 Mar 2026 at 6:00am
'Gravy bus' ex-SNP candidate Sally Donald 'told to repay £20,000' in benefits  The Scotsman

SNP candidate stands down after benefits fraud claim - BBC
4 Mar 2026 at 5:18pm
SNP candidate stands down after benefits fraud claim  BBC

Scotland's papers: SNP candidate benefits row and Hogg 'honour axed' - Yahoo ...
6 Mar 2026 at 6:47am
Scotland's papers: SNP candidate benefits row and Hogg 'honour axed'  Yahoo News Canada

SNP candidate investigated for benefits fraud over autism claims - The Telegraph
4 Mar 2026 at 4:34pm
SNP candidate investigated for benefits fraud over autism claims  The Telegraph

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland - BBC
3 Mar 2026 at 6:16am
Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland  BBC

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

Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland - AOL.com
5 Mar 2026 at 2:05pm
Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland  AOL.com

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

Part Two: What an independent Scotland could look like - A Fresh Start with I...
8 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
Part Two: What an independent Scotland could look like - A Fresh Start with Independence  The Scottish Government

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

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

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