The Herald

The Herald | Politics


New winter NHS plan targets delayed discharge as pressure builds across Scotland
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
8 Oct 2026 at 3:12pm
Scotland?s winter NHS plan will target delayed discharge, hospital flow and care closer to home as ministers prepare for increased pressure on health and social care services.


Why John Swinney?s ?lose our pensions? claim does not add up
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
8 Oct 2026 at 1:26pm
The row over pensions may not sound like the most exciting story, but it matters to everyone eventually. That is why politicians have a responsibility to give people accurate information.


Four of five Edinburgh Green female councillors standing down as local electi...
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
8 Oct 2026 at 9:44am
On Wednesday evening, the party announced that councillors Susan Rae, Jule Bandel, Claire Miller, and Kayleigh Kinross-O?Neill will not seek re-election.


SNP Aberdeen conference: Greens invite angers members
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
8 Oct 2026 at 5:00am
SNP grassroots members have reacted with fury to plans to give Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay a platform at the party's Aberdeen conference.


Cole-Hamilton denies Lib Dems have a problem with older women after Jardine a...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
8 Oct 2026 at 5:00am
Alex Cole-Hamilton has defended the process that led to Christine Jardine stepping down as Edinburgh West MP, insisting he never heard her age or gender raised.


Rural campaigners welcome maternity review after years of concern
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
8 Oct 2026 at 5:00am
Campaigners in Caithness and Wigtownshire have welcomed Scotland?s maternity review, saying rural families must finally see meaningful change.


Police Scotland issued 25 graffiti fines in 18 months ? and only 15 were paid
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
8 Oct 2026 at 5:00am
Police Scotland has handed out just 25 fixed penalty notices for graffiti since January 2024, totalling £1,000, of which only £600 has been collected.


Scottish Lib Dem leader says he holds the real power in Holyrood
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
8 Oct 2026 at 5:00am
Alex Cole-Hamilton says his ten-strong group holds unrivalled leverage over John Swinney's budget, sets four firm demands.


25,000-signature petition ramps up pressure for data centre plans pause
by Katrine Bussey
8 Oct 2026 at 12:01am
Scottish ministers face calls to pause hyperscale data centre applications as MSPs consider a 25,000-signature petition over energy and climate impacts.


Call for halt to Glasgow student flat blocks put to Swinney as beds could nea...
by donald.erskine@newsquest.co.uk | Donald Erskine
7 Oct 2026 at 5:59pm
Glasgow MSP Bob Doris calls on John Swinney to consider a PBSA moratorium as student accommodation could reach 40,000 beds amid local concerns.


Inside the top-secret operation to remove anti-migrant flags under cover of d...
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
7 Oct 2026 at 4:24pm
Documents obtained via Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation reveal that multiple contractors declined to take down the Saltires amid safety concerns.


Are TV shows now avoiding the elephant in the room with the former FM?
by Kathleen Nutt
7 Oct 2026 at 4:00pm
Nicola Sturgeon was not asked any questions about Operation Branchform or Peter Murrell - but instead we heard her views on independence.


John Swinney defends Flynn amid claims Transport Secretary is 'not on top of ...
by Craig Paton
7 Oct 2026 at 3:29pm
John Swinney defends Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn as Willie Rennie questions his handling of Alexander Dennis, island flights and Glen Sannox gas leak.


Civil servants to be offered 'eyewatering' exit deals under reform cuts
by Kathleen Nutt
7 Oct 2026 at 3:04pm
Senior civil servants are being offered lucrative pay offs under a voluntary exit scheme as the Scottish Government tries to make cuts to fill a £4.7 billion black hole in public finances.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Reform 'fanning the flames of division' over burqa ban debate
8 Oct 2026 at 10:27am

Stand Up To Racism accuses party of ?weaponising women?s lives?

The high-profile Labour MSP has strongly denied the claims, describing them as a ?work of fiction?

Warnings have been issued by the industry body that Scotland?s chance to lead the world on floating offshore wind is ?time-limited?.

Falkirk East and Linlithgow MSP Martyn Day said Andy Burnham had ?gone into hiding on the issue?.

Alex Cole-Hamilton said the videos had a ?serious message? but critics called them ?deeply misleading?

The Conservative leader is personally popular, but her party is not.

The family of Ethan Brown say Glasgow University?s failures were ?catastrophic?

Wings over Scotland

There May Be Justice
5 Oct 2026 at 12:40pm
In a little under three days, Phase 1 complete. Wings readers: still the best. But what now? A couple of people have asked about the “stretch target” on the website. That was something CrowdJustice asked for and the reason it’s so high is that that figure was our lawyers’ estimate of the total cost of …

The Love Of Big Brother
3 Oct 2026 at 1:24pm
We were trying to work out what this reminded us of. And the answer was in the same place it usually is. It all checks out. The SNP spend their time grooming your children and trying to make basic parenting a crime. They endorse “gender-affirming care” that sterilises them and will stop them ever having …

In The Eyes Of The Law
1 Oct 2026 at 2:15pm
Our fundraiser to bring a judicial review of Police Scotland’s decision not to charge anyone with embezzlement in the case of the SNP’s missing £700,000 indyref fund is now live, and can be reached by clicking on this image, or here. The target of £30,000 represents the cost of the initial application (with contingency for …

Whatever Can Have Happened?
30 Sep 2026 at 1:50pm
Yesterday afternoon John Swinney announced an independent review into the dual roles of Scotland’s main law officers, the Lord Advocate and the Solicitor General, which have been a subject of great controversy since the Scottish Parliament was re-convened in 1999. Wings welcomes this development unequivocally, albeit we’re slightly concerned that the former judge leading the …

The Turning Point
28 Sep 2026 at 1:10pm
We don’t have much to say about this graph that it doesn’t say for itself. The arrest of Peter Murrell on 5 April 2023, just a couple of weeks after his wife had realised the game was up and walked away before the cops came round and put a big blue tent up on their …

Cowering From Destiny
24 Sep 2026 at 11:29am
Alert readers will recall that last year the SNP convened a summit in Glasgow for the sole purpose of uniting the nation in preventing Nigel Farage becoming Prime Minister. The party also regularly tells us that to actually achieve independence, support would have to build to an overwhelming consensus into the 60-65% range, rather than …

His Majesty?s Loyal Sabre
21 Sep 2026 at 1:50pm
Funny how people change, isn’t it? That sounds a lot to us like “Bombs Not Bairns”. We watched the first episode of “The Wargame” at 2am this morning (it’s toe-curlingly bad, shot like a soft-focus corporate promo with three-second cuts, constant dramatic music and the politicians delivering wooden press-conference soundbites rather than any sense of …

A Thousand Islands In The Sea
16 Sep 2026 at 1:22pm
We’re getting so much correspondence from Police Scotland at the moment that we’re starting to feel like their guiltily-neglected penpal. This one, though, is slightly more involved than their usual two-paragraph brushoff. Don’t get too excited, though – it amounts to the same thing. This is self-evident gibberish. Nobody was prosecuted, let alone convicted, over …

Fear And Favour
15 Sep 2026 at 1:10pm
This is what it looks like, if you’ve ever wondered. It’s basically the police’s own version of a seven-hour “no comment” interview. Let’s take a moment to remind ourselves of that letter of 20 August, because it was a pretty significant and serious piece of professional correspondence to have been so casually tossed away in …

Like Responsible Citizens Do
14 Sep 2026 at 12:13pm
Given the refusal of Police Scotland to meaningfully answer our questions, we’ve been left with no alternative but to report Nicola Sturgeon for the crime of reset. We’re sure the matter will be handled with the exact same professional diligence and complete and fearless impartiality that it would be for any other accused person. The …

Craig Murray

Fatuous False Flags
2 Oct 2026 at 10:16am

Rather than abandoning the plainly nuts Fairford narrative, Burnham and his government are doubling down on the claim it is an Iranian terror plot. It remains quite possible the men were indeed fuel thieves, simply stealing fuel from farms. They appear to have been equipped for fuel theft and all they were carrying was petrol. …

Fatuous False Flags

Losing My Religion
29 Sep 2026 at 12:07pm

I have lost faith both in Western social democracy, and in the institutions of international law. As both have been fundamental to the work of my life, this is rather a blow as I approach 70. A number of deeply shocking things have happened this past three years, not as extraneous events, but as conscious …

Losing My Religion

Palestine Action Judicial Review
23 Sep 2026 at 4:51pm

On Friday we have our appeal against the suspension of the Palestine Action judicial review in Scotland. Our legal crowdfunder has been closed down by the card processors following Trump’s designation of Palestine Action as a global terrorist organisation. https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/scottish-challenge-to-proscription/dashboard/ If you can, please come to the Court of Session in Edinburgh for 10am. If …

Palestine Action Judicial Review

Four Days in Ekaterinburg
21 Sep 2026 at 1:26pm

I was surprised a few weeks ago to get an invitation from Yana Lantratova, Russian Federal Commissioner for Human Rights, to deliver a speech on human rights to the International Youth Festival in Ekaterinburg. It is approaching 20 years since I was last in Russia, and I tend to avoid invitations from governments. But on …

Four Days in Ekaterinburg

Dishonesty and Deceit
7 Sep 2026 at 7:31pm

UPDATE We got an expedited date to “reclaim” (appeal) against the suspension of the case, on 25 September. We shall also be reclaiming against the decision not to send the case straight to the Inner House. All parties seemed to agree there may just be time, if our appeal is successful, to finish the Scottish …

Dishonesty and Deceit

Nonsense Drones and Novichok
3 Sep 2026 at 2:14pm

Europe urgently needs to re-establish access to Russian oil and gas. Gas prices are high – as all UK energy consumers know – and German gas storage is at a record low for September. Gulf production is degraded, supplies are cut off and its long-term strategic stability undermined. German manufacturing already suffered a 9.5% production …

Nonsense Drones and Novichok

BBC Scotland

Reform MSPs accused of racism over burka ban debate at Holyrood
8 Oct 2026 at 3:46pm
John Swinney criticised the party after it suggested religious face coverings should be outlawed in public.

Watchdog and critics raise concerns over reliability of NHS medical records
8 Oct 2026 at 6:02am
Victims of disgraced brain surgeon Sam Eljamel are complaining of "significant gaps" in their records.

Swinney defends claims about Scots 'losing' pensions
6 Oct 2026 at 6:48pm
John Swinney has been accused of misleading MSPs after claiming Scots could lose their pensions under Labour plans.

'Clear human rights failures' in southern Scotland, report finds
7 Oct 2026 at 5:59am
A new study concludes basic human rights - including food, health and housing - are being denied.

Scottish government 'will do all it can' to secure Syngenta site's future
6 Oct 2026 at 5:06pm
Almost 400 jobs are at risk at chemical firm Syngenta's Grangemouth plant after it announced plans to close the site

Zionism is racist, says Scottish Green co-leader Ross Greer
6 Oct 2026 at 9:53am
The comments have been described as "disgusting and dangerous" by the Scottish Conservatives.

Glasgow City Council and Unison reach agreement in pay and grading row
5 Oct 2026 at 4:23pm
The local authority says this means it will not consider dismissing and rehiring its staff.

Radical change needed to cut Scottish child poverty, says charity
5 Oct 2026 at 6:35am
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation says Scotland is on course to miss legally-binding poverty targets "by a wide margin".

Scottish Tory leader Findlay says SNP's indy 'obsession' is dangerously irres...
4 Oct 2026 at 2:10pm
Russell Findlay tells the Conservative Party's UK conference that breaking up the United Kingdom would be "a gift to our enemies".

No more cereal at the end of the aisle? New rules in Scotland's supermarkets
2 Oct 2026 at 11:47am
Restrictions are being put on products with high sugar, fat and salt content, but the meal deal lives on.

PM warned Rosebank oil field could breach West Bank sanctions
1 Oct 2026 at 7:38pm
Campaigners and Green Party leader Zack Polanski raise concerns about Rosebank's ties to an Israeli firm.

Asylum hotel's contract to be cancelled this year, says MP
1 Oct 2026 at 5:18pm
The Cladhan in Falkirk was the site of demonstrations last summer involving pro and anti-immigration group.

Scot Goes Pop

Tories' plan to impose new nuclear power stations on Scotland means they have...
7 Oct 2026 at 2:39am
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.*  *  *If you'd like to help Scot Goes Pop to continue, please check out my Ko-Fi pa...

Watch out for ORCS! Rory Stewart thrillingly brings back "The Middleland", by...
4 Oct 2026 at 3:29pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.*  *  *If you'd like to help Scot Goes Pop to continue, please check out my Ko-Fi pa...

Burnham's TIME-BENDING hypocrisy: "It's fine for us to consider overturning t...
1 Oct 2026 at 1:35am
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.*  *  *If you'd like to help Scot Goes Pop to continue, please check out my Ko-Fi pa...

Burnham uses the loss of his father as an excuse for stripping Scotland of it...
29 Sep 2026 at 7:00pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.*  *  *If you'd like to help Scot Goes Pop to continue, please check out my Ko-Fi pa...

Is Robin McAlpine hallucinating, or is he trying to gaslight us?
26 Sep 2026 at 2:06am
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.*  *  *If you'd like to help Scot Goes Pop to continue, please check out my Ko-Fi pa...

YouGov MRP mega-poll shows SNP on course to hold the BALANCE OF POWER at West...
24 Sep 2026 at 2:58pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.*  *  *If you'd like to help Scot Goes Pop to continue, please check out my Ko-Fi pa...

HUGE milestone for Scottish independence as TENTH Norstat poll in a row shows...
22 Sep 2026 at 8:29pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.*  *  *If you'd like to help Scot Goes Pop to continue, please check out my Ko-Fi pa...

WHO KNEW that the Brit Nats would be SO triggered by the mere idea of a total...
21 Sep 2026 at 2:16pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.*  *  *If you'd like to help Scot Goes Pop to continue, please check out my Ko-Fi pa...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Tories would scrap inheritance tax on family homes, Badenoch says
7 Oct 2026 at 2:13pm
The Tory leader said she'd allow couples to leave behind an additional £1 million tax-free

Swinney calls for ?unity over division? on anniversary of October 7 attacks
7 Oct 2026 at 8:30am
The First Minister has called for ?long-lasting peace?.

Majority of firms say Scottish Government doesn?t understand business
6 Oct 2026 at 6:57am
Economists said the figures show an increasingly ?negative picture? in the relationship between business and government.

Swinney?s poverty rhetoric ?increasingly disconnected? from action, report warns
5 Oct 2026 at 12:07pm
In a highly critical report, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation warns the Government is on course to miss its legally-binding child poverty targets

Swinney announces £1m funding boost to help get low-income parents into work
5 Oct 2026 at 11:11am
The initiative will help parents on low incomes with travel costs linked to jobs, interviews and training

Minister announces 250 NHS placements to help tackle poverty
5 Oct 2026 at 8:03am
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said the NHS will offer a ?real route out of poverty?.

SNP independence talk ?dangerously irresponsible? in volatile world, says Rus...
4 Oct 2026 at 7:27pm
The Scottish Conservative leader spoke at the Tory party conference in Birmingham on Sunday

Kemi Badenoch says she won?t let FMs of Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland ...
4 Oct 2026 at 5:31pm
The Conservative leader made the comments during the first day of her party's conference in Birmingham

Kemi Badenoch says the Union is ?not safe? in Labour?s hands
2 Oct 2026 at 4:38pm
The Conservative leader believes Labour has taken Scotland closer to having more independence referendums

Serious concerns over Scottish Government plans to move social care under NHS...
2 Oct 2026 at 10:08am
Swinney stated in Holyrood that the NHS should be given greater control over social care to help free up hospital beds

Monica Lennon says ?hit job? bullying allegations have left her ?distressed?
1 Oct 2026 at 5:22pm
The Labour MSP has denied accusations she has bullied four former Labour staff members.

Swinney faces FMQs following Burnham speech and fire-and-rehire row
1 Oct 2026 at 2:01pm
The First Minister will take questions from opposition MSPs at Holyrood from 2pm

Flynn says failure of Alexander Dennis furlough scheme ?deeply disappointing?
30 Sep 2026 at 7:31pm
Economy Secretary Stephen Flynn said it was not possible to pay out £4m of cash from a furlough scheme set up by the Scottish Government.

Swinney to consider more powers for police to curb masked youths on e-bikes
30 Sep 2026 at 4:29pm
The First Minister was told communities are ?crying out for action? to tackle youths who ride the vehicles with their faces hidden

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

John Swinney slams 'deplorable' Reform UK as party calls for burqa ban in Sco...
8 Oct 2026 at 2:58pm
The First Minister accused Malcolm Offord of leading "a party that has brought racism" into the Scottish Parliament.

Scots urged to steer clear of cruel 'benefits advice' firms charging for appl...
8 Oct 2026 at 10:45am
Shirley-Anne Somerville, the Social Justice Secretary, is aware of the issue and has met with the charity to discuss how the Government can help.

Scots paying 'Putin Tax' as a result of Russia's 'unconventional' war on the UK
7 Oct 2026 at 3:37pm
A new report found there have been over 300 identified Russian-linked cyber incidents hitting UK companies since 2022.

A Kemi Badenoch government would boost the SNP, not strengthen the Union
7 Oct 2026 at 1:27pm
The Tory brand remains sullied after 14 dismal years in government and the unavoidable catastrophe that was Brexit, says Chris McCall

Scotland's top civil servant dragged into John Swinney pensions row
7 Oct 2026 at 10:52am
Joe Griffin, who heads up the civil service in Scotland, has been asked if the SNP leader deliberately ignored his guidance amid a growing row over the Triple Lock.

John Swinney calls for 'unity' on October 7 anniversary as Greens embroiled i...
7 Oct 2026 at 4:30am
The First Minister has previously accused the Israeli government of genocide following its military actions in Gaza.

Humza Yousaf calls for 'third party' to broker IndyRef2 deal for Scotland
7 Oct 2026 at 4:30am
The former first minister said he would "love to be part of a team that helps to build the institutions of an independent nation" in the future.

John Swinney 'desperately trying to cover his back' as pensions row deepens
6 Oct 2026 at 5:23pm
The FM's comments sparked outrage from opposition politicians who warned the veteran Nationalist has ?pushed out misinformation? on pensions.

SNP Government urged to take 'decisive action' to protect 400 Grangemouth jobs
6 Oct 2026 at 4:06pm
Syngenta plans to sack its entire Scottish workforce by the end of next year.

NHS Scotland spending on weight loss drugs soars as top medic issues warning ...
6 Oct 2026 at 12:54pm
Almost 100,000 prescriptions were issued to Scots patients last year for tirzepatide, the drug known by the brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound.

The National

The National | Politics

The UN determined 50 years ago that Zionism was racism
8 Oct 2026 at 3:00pm

WHY such a fuss about the Greens? attempt to rid their party of Zionism (which didn?t look too successful, with so many of its members still unable to see the connection with racism)? And what should be the attitude of the rest of us towards that alien political creed and nationalist movement?

SNP MSP defends Greens appearance at conference despite member backlash
8 Oct 2026 at 2:42pm

AN SNP MSP has defended plans to give the Scottish Greens a platform at the party's annual conference amid backlash from members ...

John Swinney draws cross-chamber applause after hitting back at burqa ban calls
8 Oct 2026 at 2:08pm

JOHN Swinney has drawn cross-chamber applause after accusing the Scottish Reform leadership of seeking to divide communities with calls for a burqa ban

'Can I finish my question?': Audience member clashes with Reform MSP in live ...
8 Oct 2026 at 1:25pm

A YOUNG audience member challenged Reform UK Scotland depute leader Thomas Kerr over wealth inequality during a heated exchange on Debate Night

Former Alba candidate and Alex Salmond adviser sues defunct party
8 Oct 2026 at 12:27pm

A FORMER Alba candidate is suing the defunct party in an employment tribunal ...

Man arrested after far-right disorder involving masked group in Glasgow
8 Oct 2026 at 10:22am

ONE man has been arrested following a far-right protest in Glasgow involving people wearing balaclavas ...

UK pulls staff from Jerusalem as Israel retaliates over settlement ban
8 Oct 2026 at 8:41am

THE UK has withdrawn staff and their families from its consulate in East Jerusalem after Israel said it would be closed in retaliation for the Government?s trade ban with illegal West Bank settlements.

?Zionism is racism? vote could well backfire in terms of global unity
8 Oct 2026 at 5:00am

IF you think this week?s vote by the Greens equating Zionism with racism is contentious, then I can assure you it almost pales in comparison to a controversy that gripped Israel almost exactly 10 years ago now

Inside a day of anger, grief and protest over Gaza at Edinburgh university
7 Oct 2026 at 7:00pm

HUNDREDS of students and staff members at Edinburgh University have called for the institute to ?immediately divest? from companies they allege are complicit in the genocide in Gaza ...

It?s hard to imagine many Scots backing these Tory policies
7 Oct 2026 at 6:30pm

OK, it is the conference season and politicians addressing the party faithful can make statements that are not properly though through. However, what we have heard from the Tories this week takes some beating.

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

John Swinney urged to condemn Ross Greer remarks on Zionism
8 Oct 2026 at 4:05pm
Malcolm Offord said the comments were "blatantly antisemitic", while the FM accused Reform of "bringing racism into the chamber"

More than 2,000 objections to plans for ?world?s largest? data centre
7 Oct 2026 at 3:25pm
Locals are concerned about the environmental impact of the project at an old nuclear power plant

Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer says 'Zionism is racism'
6 Oct 2026 at 6:20pm
Scottish Greens co-leader describes the creation of the state of Israel as an 'act of ethnic cleansing'

Scottish civil servants required to work two days a week in the office, accor...
6 Oct 2026 at 6:20pm
Civil servants will be required to use a new self-reporting tool to record where they are working from

John Swinney: 'I've nothing to explain to parliament' over pension comments
5 Oct 2026 at 4:09pm
John Swinney has been called on to "correct the record" and accused of "peddling misinformation" over his reaction to the comments made about the scrapping of the triple lock

Charity warns of ?increasing disconnect? over Scottish Government poverty action
5 Oct 2026 at 8:16am
JRF calls for 'radical action' for children

John Swinney accused of ?misrepresenting? Andy Burnham?s plans on pensions
1 Oct 2026 at 6:00pm
The first minister said pensions were 'under attack' as a result of the decision to scrap the triple lock

John Swinney: Jagtar Singh Johal release is a ?significant step?
1 Oct 2026 at 5:33pm
Death penalty threat remains despite bail, family warns

Monica Lennon says bullying claims are 'a work of fiction'
1 Oct 2026 at 1:05pm
Lennon is reported to have been accused of bullying by a number of former members of staff

?Slow pace? warning over Scottish Government offshore wind supply chain progr...
1 Oct 2026 at 8:00am
Stephen Gethins defends scheme's performance as watchdog report is published

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

UK politics live: Pat McFadden tells Labour activists they should not defend ...
27 Sep 2026 at 6:11pm
Work and pensions secretary says the current system is flawed because it consigns too many people to a life on benefits when they would be better off working?I can deliver?: Burnham pledges radical change on eve of Labour conferenceKuenssberg puts it to Burnham that, according to the Health Found...

New powerful synthetic opioids behind sharp rise in Scottish drug deaths
23 Sep 2026 at 2:12pm
Eleven per cent increase in fatalities last year partly down to presence of nitazenes in Scotland?s illicit drug marketNew forms of a powerful synthetic opioid have contributed to a sharp rise in Scottish drug deaths, with the latest data showing an 11% increase in fatalities last yearAnnual figu...

Scottish Labour?s new leader backs Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gasfields
19 Sep 2026 at 1:52pm
Michael Marra supports development of the North Sea sites, calling for a ?more rational? approach to energy policyScottish Labour?s new leader Michael Marra has backed the development of the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gasfields in the North Sea in one of his first acts after being elected, call...

Planning permission for new Scottish AI datacentres suspended for up to a year
16 Sep 2026 at 7:28pm
MSPs vote for strict environmental impact assessments and will delay decisions until national strategy is developedHolyrood has voted to pause planning applications for all new AI datacentres for up to a year until the Scottish government has developed a national strategy.On Wednesday, MSPs backe...

UK politics: Farage hints that Reform?s £72m donations may not be legal under...
14 Sep 2026 at 6:04pm
In an interview about the donations, he said they are compliant with the law ?today?Andy Burnham has cancelled engagements today and tomorrow following the death of his father Roy, who was suffering from Alzheimer?s, the Press Association reports.Burnham has spoken about his father?s illness whic...

Westminster?s time is coming to an end, say first ministers of UK?s Celtic na...
14 Sep 2026 at 2:21pm
Leaders in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland discuss independence and call for constitutional change at summitWestminster?s time is coming to an end, the first ministers of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have said at a summit aimed at putting the UK?s Celtic nations on the path to indepe...

UK politics: Andy Burnham pressed on borrowing costs and spending at first PM...
2 Sep 2026 at 5:36pm
Burnham faced questions from Kemi Badenoch and other MPs amid speculation over budgetIn the news release to mark the first anniversary of his election as the Green party?s leader, Zack Polanski highlighted what he described as 10 achievements during his first year in charge. For the record, this ...

Swinney sticks with pledge to cap prices on basic foods in Scotland
1 Sep 2026 at 5:52pm
First minister sets out his government?s agenda and defends policy described by industry groups as a ?potty gimmick?John Swinney insisted on Tuesday he still planned to introduce a legally binding price cap on bread, milk and other essential food items in Scotland despite fierce opposition from f...

Tuesday briefing: Scotland has promised on violence against women ? can it de...
1 Sep 2026 at 6:46am
In today?s newsletter: First minister John Swinney has pledged to put an end to violence against women and girls. But can he turn ambitious laws into real change?Good morning. Violence against women and girls, in all its myriad forms ? physical and mental, blatant and insidious ? is a global chal...

Channel 5 drama to examine how Nicola Sturgeon?s estranged husband stole SNP ...
26 Aug 2026 at 2:00pm
To Nicola, Love Peter will focus on couple?s relationship during 12-year period of embezzlement and fallout of caseChannel 5 is reuniting with the producers of Power: the Downfall of Huw Edwards for a drama about how Nicola Sturgeon?s estranged husband embezzled £400,000 from the Scottish Nationa...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Badenoch has killed off the once in a generation claim
7 Oct 2026 at 1:51pm
The Tories have officially ripped up the Vow to which they were signatories in 2014. This was the panicked promise made by the Better Together parties – one of which was the Conservatives – two days before the independence referendum which promised extensive new powers for Scotland, quasi-federal status, a guarantee that the Scottish Parliament …

The British right has Holyrood in its sights
6 Oct 2026 at 2:29pm
The Tories have crossed the Rubicon. Since the independence referendum of 2014, which Better Together won on the basis of false promises, not the least of which was the promise that the powers of the Scottish Parliament would never be clawed back by Westminster, the Westminster parties have largely attempted to maintain a fig leaf …

Labour?s gone from jam tomorrow to maybe jam eventually
5 Oct 2026 at 9:43am
One of the key promises of the Labour party in Scotland during the 2024 Westminster general election campaign was that a vote for Labour was a vote to save the jobs of the workers at the Grangemouth refinery which at that time was threatened with closure. As we all know, the refinery closed despite Labour’s …

Burnham pensions off two Better Together arguments
2 Oct 2026 at 12:41pm
One of the ways in which the Better Together campaign won the referendum in 2014 was to successfully scaremonger Scotland’s pensioners into believing that their state pensions would not be safe in an independent Scotland and that Scotland’s pensioners needed Westminster to guarantee their meagre state pensions. There were even disgraceful reports of Better Together …

Hysterical history revisited
1 Oct 2026 at 1:09pm
This is a revised version of a piece first published on this blog way back in April 2014, but I’ve republished it as it has become relevant again. Former Tory MP and erstwhile Conservative leadership candidate Rory Stewart’s unionist propaganda thinly disguised as a BBC history documentary, broadcast back in March and April 2014 during …

Burnham?s crude emotional manipulation reveals the poverty of Westminster?s case
30 Sep 2026 at 3:50pm
The only living politician mentioned by Andy Burnham during his jam tomorrow speech to the Labour party conference was John Swinney, and that was only in order to take a nasty, underhanded and emotionally manipulative dig at the First Minister in which Burnham linked the ‘hurt’ he’d felt at John Swinney calling him the last …

Hopey change and changey hope: Burnham?s conference speech
29 Sep 2026 at 3:35pm
Andy Burnham has given his first speech to the Labour party conference as Prime Minister. The speech was a whole lot of jam tomorrow, hopey change and changey hope. The only real difference from Starmer is the mood music, the substance remains much the same. Good vibes but little in the way of a concrete …

The threat to Scotland from the British far right remains urgent
28 Sep 2026 at 6:14pm
I’m still struggling to walk following the recent fall and have developed a massive bruise on my left leg. Due to the pain I’m not sleeping well, but things are definitely going in the right direction. It’s the Labour party conference this week. Delegates are basking in the relief that comes from having rid themselves …

What happened to the old consensus on an indyref trigger?
25 Sep 2026 at 6:57pm
I was supposed to have been going to Lochgilphead today to do an event for Aye Fyne, but here I am at home nursing a very painful ankle and hirpling gingerly about the house – but only when I have to – I’m trying to keep off my foot as much as possible. There has …

Illiberal and undemocratic, the Lib Dem and Labour approach to indyref2
23 Sep 2026 at 1:22pm
I don’t normally mention the Lib Dems in a blog piece, for much the same reason that I don’t mention the Monster Raving Loony Party, because they’re irrelevant, although unlike the Monster Raving Loony Party they are also insufferably self-important and talking about them only encourages them. However Tuesday’s vote in Holyrood on the inalienable …

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

57% of new social lets already go to homeless households, up from 36% ten yea...
8 Oct 2026 at 4:26pm
From STV today, the above and: Scotland could cut the most extreme homelessness by nearly half within just the next two years, a study has found. The number of Scots facing the worst forms of homelessness could be cut by 47% by 2028 if ministers made the right interventions, analysis by Heriot-Watt University for Crisis Scotland found. The researchers said three-quarters of the reduction could ...

Comparisons only newsworthy when they can be framed as unfavourable to Scotland
8 Oct 2026 at 12:01pm
By stewartb Are comparisons between the constituent parts of the UK only deemed newsworthy by the editors of public service broadcasters when they can be framed as unfavourable to Scotland? Beyond the news of health service delivery in Scotland ? as reported by BBC Scotland and on the front pages of the Unionist press that are aggregated and amplified daily on the Scotland page of the BBC News ...

Punished and not rewarded because we voted to stay
8 Oct 2026 at 11:05am
Here is another story linked to another UK party that, so far, the BBC have avoided on their website, yet as a situation it is shocking for Scotland and devolution, but it?s not surprising it?s being neglected by the BBC, as let?s not forget this is the BBC we are talking about (or writing about) and it also relates to the Tories. So firstly there is this: On the 1 October JK Rowling responded ...

BBC Scotland are yet again ?gunning for Swinney?
8 Oct 2026 at 10:56am
By Liz S Clearly the BBC are yet again ?gunning for Swinney? on behalf of a (pro) UK party (just as they also did , and still are doing, to former FM?s who were SNP leaders). That is their BBC 24/7 objective in Scotland. While surely the real issue here is the ending of the Triple lock Pension and why that decision was taken and so the possible potential consequences it may have for Scotland. (...

NHS Scotland treating 20% more in 12 weeks than NHS England in 12 weeks as th...
8 Oct 2026 at 9:54am
Across the BBC this morning and in the Telegraph, the above and: NHS waiting times will be twice as long as Labour promised by the next election, new analysis shows. The health service will fail to meet the 18-week waiting target that had been a flagship pledge of Sir Keir Starmer?s premiership, a report by the Health Foundation think tank predicts. Instead, it says, based on the rate of progre...

Take Your Brain For A Walk Down Reality Road
7 Oct 2026 at 11:46pm
By Mark E. Saunders of ?The Scottish Minuteman? https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=61575625542197 ?Great question from Claire Baker? they said. Really? I think there?s a pretty big hole in Claire?s question or at least in the argument that follows it. Apparently, in Bakernomics, using the pound sterling in an independent Scotland means having ?zero control over? our currency. Hold the pre...

Dear auld Glasgow toon sees plummeting violence but try telling that to this lot
7 Oct 2026 at 11:32pm
BBC Scotland’s Debate Night indulged in slagging off Glasgow based on no figures whatsoever and one old dear remembering fondly the period from the 1930s to the 1960s when the city and its razor gangs earned its mean reputation well, with violence levels many times those today. One of them, an old guy with lovely hair, compared it with other cities in the UK. See the facts below. Luckily, at be...

Overall satisfaction with Scottish schools rises to 72% and for family, 80%
7 Oct 2026 at 10:58pm
From Scottish Household Survey: Satisfaction with Schools 2025 statistics – Published 06 October 2026 The Scottish Household Survey: Satisfaction with Schools 2025 statistics, published today, contains the key findings of the question asked on satisfaction with local schools for all adults and service users. Adult satisfaction with local schools increased from 69% in 2024 to 72% in 2025. As wit...

More than 250 paid NHS placements will be made available to parents across Sc...
7 Oct 2026 at 10:56pm
From the Scottish Government today: More than 250 paid NHS placements will be made available to parents across Scotland as part of Scottish Government efforts to eradicate child poverty. The paid placements, covering roles such as porters, caterers, healthcare support workers, administration assistants, and assistant technical officers, will be available across 18 health boards. With paid place...

Once more NHS Scotland is resourced to carry out 98% of planned operations in...
7 Oct 2026 at 4:49pm
From Cancelled planned operations Month ending 31 August 2026 published today, the above graph and: There were 25,253 operations planned to take place across NHS Scotland. This is 1% more (+247) than the number planned in August 2025 (25,006). Over the course of the last 12 months, from September 2025 to August 2026 (308,558), there was a 5.9% increase (+17,320) compared to the previous 12 mont...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

Scotland has right to decide constitutional future, new Scottish Labour leade...
22 Sep 2026 at 8:00am
Scotland has right to decide constitutional future, new Scottish Labour leader says  BBC

Scottish independence referendum not on the table, minister insists after Bur...
4 Oct 2026 at 9:15am
Scottish independence referendum not on the table, minister insists after Burnham?s Brexit pledge  The Independent

Leaders of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland unite for self-determination - A...
14 Sep 2026 at 8:00am
Leaders of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland unite for self-determination  Al Jazeera

Ruth Davidson shares fear of 'unilateral declaration of Scottish independence...
7 Oct 2026 at 4:57pm
Ruth Davidson shares fear of 'unilateral declaration of Scottish independence'  The National Scot

Greens demand Findlay come clean on devolution policy chaos - Scottish Greens
7 Oct 2026 at 1:20pm
Greens demand Findlay come clean on devolution policy chaos  Scottish Greens

PM Andy Burnham says second Scottish independence referendum remains 'off lim...
10 Sep 2026 at 8:00am
PM Andy Burnham says second Scottish independence referendum remains 'off limits'  BBC

Andy Burnham?s EU rethink is a grenade-shaped puzzle for the SNP - The Times
6 Oct 2026 at 5:00pm
Andy Burnham?s EU rethink is a grenade-shaped puzzle for the SNP  The Times

Are TV shows now avoiding the elephant in the room with the former FM? - The ...
7 Oct 2026 at 11:11pm
Are TV shows now avoiding the elephant in the room with the former FM?  The Herald

Reform MSPs walk out of parliament in protest against independence debate - BBC
22 Sep 2026 at 8:00am
Reform MSPs walk out of parliament in protest against independence debate  BBC

Here?s how we could get around the block on an indy referendum - The National...
6 Oct 2026 at 6:37pm
Here?s how we could get around the block on an indy referendum  The National Scot

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

Catholic Parliamentary Office welcomes SNP withdrawal of abortion motion - Th...
8 Oct 2026 at 12:30pm
Catholic Parliamentary Office welcomes SNP withdrawal of abortion motion  The Catholic Herald

SNP decision to drop extreme abortion motion welcomed - www.christiantoday.com
8 Oct 2026 at 11:26am
SNP decision to drop extreme abortion motion welcomed  www.christiantoday.com

SNP members revolt over Green leader's slot at Aberdeen conference - The Herald
8 Oct 2026 at 5:38am
SNP members revolt over Green leader's slot at Aberdeen conference  The Herald

SNP MSP defends Greens appearance at conference despite member backlash - The...
8 Oct 2026 at 2:55pm
SNP MSP defends Greens appearance at conference despite member backlash  The National Scot

SNP public sector reform risks 'decade of distraction', warns Labour - The Sc...
8 Oct 2026 at 4:06pm
SNP public sector reform risks 'decade of distraction', warns Labour  The Scotsman

Top lawyer Dunlop joins blogger?s legal fight over SNP finances - The Times
6 Oct 2026 at 7:25pm
Top lawyer Dunlop joins blogger?s legal fight over SNP finances  The Times

Scotland: Catholic Parliamentary Office welcomes SNP decision to withdraw abo...
7 Oct 2026 at 4:02pm
Scotland: Catholic Parliamentary Office welcomes SNP decision to withdraw abortion motion  Independent Catholic News

Scotland ?one of safest places in world?, say BBC ? Scottish National Party -...
7 Oct 2026 at 4:57pm
Scotland ?one of safest places in world?, say BBC ? Scottish National Party  SNP

Banned words, Greggs raids and pea falafel: welcome to the SNP conference 202...
8 Oct 2026 at 6:54am
Banned words, Greggs raids and pea falafel: welcome to the SNP conference 2026  The Herald

Ireland?s pension boost shows what independent Scotland could do, say SNP - T...
7 Oct 2026 at 6:47pm
Ireland?s pension boost shows what independent Scotland could do, say SNP  The National Scot

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

Scotland has right to decide constitutional future, new Scottish Labour leade...
22 Sep 2026 at 8:00am
Scotland has right to decide constitutional future, new Scottish Labour leader says  BBC

Leaders of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland unite for self-determination - A...
14 Sep 2026 at 8:00am
Leaders of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland unite for self-determination  Al Jazeera

Scottish independence referendum not on the table, minister insists after Bur...
4 Oct 2026 at 9:15am
Scottish independence referendum not on the table, minister insists after Burnham?s Brexit pledge  The Independent

Wings Over Scotland raises £30k for SNP indyref fund court challenge - The He...
6 Oct 2026 at 4:37am
Wings Over Scotland raises £30k for SNP indyref fund court challenge  The Herald

PM Andy Burnham says second Scottish independence referendum remains 'off lim...
10 Sep 2026 at 8:00am
PM Andy Burnham says second Scottish independence referendum remains 'off limits'  BBC

Ruth Davidson shares fear of 'unilateral declaration of Scottish independence...
7 Oct 2026 at 4:57pm
Ruth Davidson shares fear of 'unilateral declaration of Scottish independence'  The National Scot

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland leaders unite behind independence push f...
14 Sep 2026 at 8:18pm
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland leaders unite behind independence push from UK  Courthouse News

John Swinney aiming for independence referendum by 2031 - BBC
14 Sep 2026 at 8:00am
John Swinney aiming for independence referendum by 2031  BBC

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland voice united calls for independence and ...
15 Sep 2026 at 8:00am
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland voice united calls for independence and a return to the EU  Eunews

Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish parties to hold independence summit - Le Mond...
14 Sep 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish parties to hold independence summit  Le Monde.fr