The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Who is standing in Edinburgh council by-elections after SNP resignations?
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
3 Aug 2026 at 3:59pm
The contests will be a key test for the SNP, as they are likely to face stiff challenges from the Scottish Greens and Labour.


BP exit should 'serve as wake-up call' for Burnham as North Sea fears grow
by scott.wright@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Scott Wright
3 Aug 2026 at 3:45pm
Prime Minister Andy Burnham urged to capitalise on value of Rosebank and Jackdaw projects


Nicola Sturgeon's brutal takedown of Swinney shows she has turned her back on...
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
3 Aug 2026 at 2:35pm
John Swinney has always been Nicola Sturgeon's fixer - the man she turned to for help. So why is she attacking his SNP leadership?


SNP says written constitution must include method for leaving union
3 Aug 2026 at 1:57pm
A written constitution for the UK must include a method for leaving the union, the SNP has said.


Prime Minister to face protests over Palestine 'genocide' comments at Fringe ...
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
3 Aug 2026 at 11:45am
The Prime Minister?s sold-out Fringe event, scheduled for 12.15pm on August 19, is to take place at The Stand Comedy Club on York Place.


Sandie Peggie appeal against NHS Fife takes step forward after judge decision
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
3 Aug 2026 at 11:27am
Sandie Peggie's employment tribunal appeal against NHS Fife has taken a step forward after a judge ruled there were 'reasonable grounds' for challenge.


Katy Clark rules herself out of Scottish Labour leadership contest
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
3 Aug 2026 at 10:14am
Katy Clark has ruled herself out of standing in the Scottish Labour leadership contest to replace Anas Sarwar.


Iran war to cost Scots half a billion pounds as energy prices soar
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
3 Aug 2026 at 7:14am
The Iran war has cost Scots households more than £200million since it began in February, a new analysis has found


Care home operators resist FOI law change backed by families and carers
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
3 Aug 2026 at 5:00am
Scotland's care home providers have urged ministers to exempt them from Freedom of Information law but families and unpaid carers who responded to a government consultation backed transparency by a two-to-one margin.


MP calls for SNP to back dedicated cohesion strategy after Glasgow far-right ...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
3 Aug 2026 at 5:00am
Glasgow South West MP Dr Zubir Ahmed says Scotland's failure to build a community cohesion strategy backed by funding and ministerial accountability left cities exposed before July 25's far-right violence at Glasgow Green.


'Woeful progress? being made on NHS waits as thousands still face year?plus d...
by Nick Forbes
3 Aug 2026 at 12:01am
Labour has accused the Scottish Government of making ?woeful progress? on bringing down NHS waiting lists, as figures show targets from as long ago as 2022 have still not been met.


Scottish Labour's leadership contest 'reeks of misogyny and male entitlement'
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
3 Aug 2026 at 12:01am
Monica Lennon has accused the party of misogyny as she struggles to secure enough nominations to reach the ballot, with frontrunner Michael Marra and Joe Fagan both understood to be comfortably ahead.


Swinney vows ?strongest personal leadership? to tackle male violence against ...
2 Aug 2026 at 5:42pm
John Swinney has said he will give his ?strongest personal leadership? to tackling male violence against women.


What does Nicola Sturgeon say about Peter Murrell in the new foreword of her ...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
2 Aug 2026 at 5:31pm
In a new 6,000-word foreword to her memoir, Nicola Sturgeon says her estranged husband exposed her to suspicion and humiliation.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Anas Sarwar's comms chief working on Joe Fagan's leadership campaign
3 Aug 2026 at 3:04pm

Oliver Milne, who was Scottish Labour?s head of media until recently, is helping Mr Fagan is his bid to replace Mr Sarwar.

Sandie Peggie earned a partial victory at her employment tribunal against NHS Fife last year but will now appeal the unsuccessful outcomes

?8 to 12 metres of unrestrained masonry... unstable stonework... lintels have failed?

There will be no shortage of political debate taking place in Scotland?s Capital next month.

Katy Clark has said she will not run to replace Anas Sarwar - but demanded that candidates push for more public ownership.

The SNP is calling for the UK Government and Ofcom to investigate the disparities in targets.

Monica Lennon, who is at risk of being excluded from the race, said Labour is operating like a ?private members? club?

Analysis by Scottish Labour showed the SNP is still failing to deliver on NHS targets going as far back as 2022.

Whoever wins the contest will have to deal with a Scottish Labour even more factional than it was before the race started.

Wings over Scotland

Or Something
3 Aug 2026 at 9:37am
We have today sent the following email to the Crown Office. – 3 August 2026 Thank you for your letter of 30 July. I offer one last chance to reconsider. I do so having, once again, taken advice from the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates. On 1 July, you wrote to me saying inter …

The Deaf Eyes
2 Aug 2026 at 12:03pm
This email actually came in a couple of days ago, but we’ve been too dumbstruck to respond to it until now. Because, like, wow. Firstly, let’s take a moment to note the weird font change halfway through that central paragraph, as though someone else entirely butted in. Which in a sense they have, as the …

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Craig Murray

The Hard Right Packing of the UK Supreme Court
2 Aug 2026 at 7:00pm

Unlike the USA, where it is obsessively watched, the UK has no political culture of scrutinising the political composition of its Supreme Court. This is a big mistake. The UK Supreme Court has been deliberately and openly, even ostentatiously, packed with hard-right judges selected on the specific criterion that they will not oppose the will …

The Hard Right Packing of the UK Supreme Court

Scottish Independence: Set the Date!
29 Jul 2026 at 6:30pm

  The Scottish Government urgently needs a bold and radical approach to achieving Independence in spite of the firm London veto on a referendum. It is plain that there is no plan at present. The Scottish Parliament has a pro-Independence majority and government. This is how to achieve Independence consistent with international law and practice. …

Scottish Independence: Set the Date!

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

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

Narratives of Moral Conflict: Karim Khan and Delcy Rodriguez

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

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

Where Are We Going?

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

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

Extreme Unionism and Res Judicata

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

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

The Ditching of Nigel Farage

BBC Scotland

Nominations open in Scottish Labour leadership contest
3 Aug 2026 at 10:23am
Candidates in the race to replace Anas Sarwar have two weeks to secure the support needed to reach the ballot.

Amnesty apologises to JK Rowling's sexual violence support centre
31 Jul 2026 at 6:50pm
The centre, funded by the Harry Potter author, had threatened Amnesty with legal action after it was labelled "anti-rights".

Scotland MP Joani Reid readmitted into Labour Party after suspension
31 Jul 2026 at 7:39am
She voluntarily suspended herself after her husband was arrested on suspicion of spying for China but no further action is being taken against her

Burnham says he 'can't ignore resource' of North Sea oil and gas
30 Jul 2026 at 5:19pm
Andy Burnham says he told the US president he couldn't ignore North Sea resources when people are struggling.

Which MSPs believe they can turn Scottish Labour's fortunes around?
29 Jul 2026 at 4:45pm
Nominations to be the next leader of Scottish Labour officially open on Monday.

Joe Fagan becomes third MSP to join Scottish Labour leadership race
28 Jul 2026 at 8:12pm
The South Scotland MSP said that Prime Minister Andy Burnham's recent by-election victory demonstrated that Labour could "win back trust".

GP walk-in clinics see low attendance leading to accusations of failure
28 Jul 2026 at 3:44pm
Scotland's health secretary says it's early days for the scheme and she is enouraged "thus far" - but critics say it should be scrapped.

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

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

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

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

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

Scot Goes Pop

The Craig Murray and Xander Elliards blueprints for securing Scottish indepen...
30 Jul 2026 at 9:20pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.I currently have fourteen regular monthly Ko-Fi supporters.  I reckon if I could get...

John Swinney's strong denunciation of Burnham's outrageous "off-limits" comme...
27 Jul 2026 at 7:37pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.I'm delighted to say I now have fourteen regular monthly Ko-Fi supporters, as a resu...

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

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

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

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

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

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

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

MSP Clark rules herself out of Scottish Labour contest as nominations open
3 Aug 2026 at 10:47am
Katy Clark has urged the eventual winner to push for the selection of a more diverse range of candidates

Scottish Government making ?woeful progress? on bringing down waiting lists, ...
3 Aug 2026 at 7:06am
Scottish Labour said figures show there were 3,239 ongoing waits of two years or more across outpatient, inpatient and day case lists

Swinney pledges ?personal leadership? on domestic abuse after scale ?laid bare?
2 Aug 2026 at 12:09pm
It comes after two women, Vikki Soloman and Stcey Mair, were both allegedly killed by their ex-partner and husband respectively

Prime Minister Andy Burnham: UK offering Spain ?what help we can? to deal wit...
1 Aug 2026 at 1:41pm
The Prime Minister said he had spoken with Pedro Sanchez after around 60,000 migrants breached the border of its territory in north Africa

Nicola Sturgeon: Women expected to ?carry the can for the behaviour of a man?
30 Jul 2026 at 9:45pm
Ms Sturgeon also said Prime Minister Andy Burnham has a ?very southern view of what it means to be northern?.

Joani Reid readmitted to Labour Party after investigation into husband
30 Jul 2026 at 8:59pm
The East Kilbride and Strathaven MP was formally suspended following the arrest of her partner David Taylor

When will the Scottish Labour leadership election begin?
30 Jul 2026 at 1:58pm
Nominations will open on August 3, but three MSPs have already signalled their plans to run for leader

£8.4 billion investment in UK?s Dreadnought nuclear submarines
30 Jul 2026 at 10:50am
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said tens of thousands of jobs will be supported with the money

Can the SNP learn from Andy Burnham?s social care reforms?
29 Jul 2026 at 4:58pm
New Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced plans to reform the care sector

I get policy ideas from speaking to people in Greggs and pubs, Andy Burnham t...
29 Jul 2026 at 2:45pm
The new Prime Minister told This Morning on STV that he is about to get around the country to 'chat to people'

Hitman who targeted Scottish Conservative leader in acid attack to be release...
29 Jul 2026 at 11:08am
In December 2015, the MSP, who was investigations editor of the Scottish Sun at the time, had sulphuric acid thrown in his face by a hitman

SNP attacks Burnham for leaving party out of talks on English social care
29 Jul 2026 at 10:40am
The party said it was unfair to be left out of discussions if they result in UK-wide taxes

Who cares who leads Scottish Labour?
29 Jul 2026 at 6:56am
Anas Sarwar has stepped down as leader of Scottish Labour for a seat in the House of Lords and a job in Andy Burnham's UK Government

GP walk-in clinics see low attendance with some receiving only three patients...
28 Jul 2026 at 2:29pm
The Scottish Government launched the pilot with the promise of a million extra doctors appointments

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Scots distillery redundancies could 'damage' rural communities as Diageo set ...
3 Aug 2026 at 3:18pm
More than 170 distillery workers in the Highlands and islands are at risk of redundancy as part of Diageo's plans to slash costs.

Scottish Labour stuck in 'doom loop' if party ignores constitutional question...
3 Aug 2026 at 2:39pm
David Linden accused Labour of failing to "contend with the reason" it had failed to win a Holyrood election since 2003.

Nicola Sturgeon is the irritating back-seat driver John Swinney cannot shake off
3 Aug 2026 at 1:16pm
In an opinion piece, Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says the First Minister's loyalty to Sturgeon is being tested.

Nicola Sturgeon 'more Green than SNP' after ex-FM blasts John Swinney's elect...
3 Aug 2026 at 12:17pm
EXCLUSIVE: A veteran Nationalist insisted the ex-FM was "wrong" to think "more woke policies" would have boosted the SNP's 2026 election campaign.

Left wing MSP says she will not be a candidate in Scottish Labour leadership ...
3 Aug 2026 at 9:00am
Katy Clark confirmed she will not try to succeed Anas Sarwar in a statement this morning.

Councillor set for court showdown in free speech battle after teacher cuts row
3 Aug 2026 at 4:30am
Fiona Higgins has cross-party support for the judicial review she has launched against an ethics watchdog.

Peter Murrell sentencing filming bid rejected by top judge over meme fears
3 Aug 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: Files released under freedom of information legislation reveal the internal discussions in the judiciary.

Scottish Labour leadership frontrunner urged to apologise for 'boring' Holyro...
3 Aug 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: Marra is also facing questions about his attacks on the size of the public sector, which has staff represented by Labour-supporting trade unions

Glasgow councillor 'deserves support' in free speech battle over cuts
3 Aug 2026 at 4:30am
Fiona Higgins was correct to question public cuts, says Record View.

Scots trans campaigner vows to use 'as many female toilets as possible'
3 Aug 2026 at 4:30am
Sophie Molly made the comments as new guidance on single-sex spaces comes into force.

The National

The National | Politics

How accurate is Nicola Sturgeon's warning for the SNP?
3 Aug 2026 at 5:29pm

THE SNP have shifted their position on oil and gas in recent years, calling for the windfall tax ? also known as the Energy Profits Levy ? to be axed for North Sea producers, under John Swinney?s leadership.

Are Monica Lennon's pro-trans views tanking her Scottish Labour leadership ho...
3 Aug 2026 at 4:46pm

THE Scottish Labour leadership race has already been plagued by accusations of a ?stitch up? and "misogyny" ...

Scotland Office staff ?running for exit? amid £400k severance bill
3 Aug 2026 at 4:40pm

Scotland Office staff are 'running for the exit' under Douglas Alexander, the SNP have said, after it emerged that the department paid out nearly £400,000 in severance payments

Scottish Government blocks historic island 'guga hunt' from going ahead
3 Aug 2026 at 3:50pm

The Scottish Government?s environment agency has officially blocked the centuries-old Western Isles 'guga hunt' from going ahead this year

UK constitution 'fundamentally flawed' without exit route from Union, Labour ...
3 Aug 2026 at 2:45pm

Any UK constitution which does not establish a route out of the Union will be 'fundamentally flawed', Andy Burnham has been warned

Mhairi Black on why you should subscribe to The National today
3 Aug 2026 at 2:15pm

Writing for The National is a privilege, especially knowing how much work goes on behind the scenes.

Sunday Times journalist Rod Liddle dies aged 66
3 Aug 2026 at 2:05pm

SUNDAY Times and Sun columnist Rod Liddle has died aged 66 after a short illness, News UK said.

Scottish FA urged to oppose re-election of 'shameless' Fifa boss Gianni Infan...
3 Aug 2026 at 1:54pm

The Scottish FA has been urged to follow in the footsteps of Wales and oppose Gianni Infantino's bit to continue his leadership of Fifa

Sandie Peggie employment tribunal appeal to proceed
3 Aug 2026 at 12:10pm

SANDIE Peggie's appeal against the findings of an employment tribunal against NHS Fife has been allowed to proceed, her legal team has said.

Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice under investigation over 'Israel debate'
3 Aug 2026 at 10:52am

REFORM UK?s deputy leader is now being investigated by a Westminster watchdog for allegedly failing to declare a financial interest ...

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Action call as BP announces North Sea sell-off
31 Jul 2026 at 1:53pm
The Scottish Government has urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to take ?urgent action? to save jobs after BP announced plans to sell its North Sea operations

Joani Reid has Labour whip restored
31 Jul 2026 at 12:50pm
The MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven voluntarily stepped back from the party over the arrest of her husband David Taylor on suspicion of spying for China

Sovereignty, AI and Matthew Broderick
30 Jul 2026 at 7:00am
In the modern business landscape, there is no option to sit this out.

Joe Fagan announces intention to run in Labour leadership election
29 Jul 2026 at 11:20am
Joe Fagan has said that Prime Minister Andy Burnham?s by-election win in Makerfield showed that the party can ?win back trust? when it is ?serious about changing people?s lives?

Michael Marra and Monica Lennon emerge as Scottish Labour frontrunners
28 Jul 2026 at 3:02pm
Timetable for contest agreed

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

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

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

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

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

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

UK politics: Tories? Philp rejects French claim that shots fired from naval b...
28 Jul 2026 at 6:01pm
Shadow minister says there was no warning and ?it looked and sounded like deliberate intimidation?Conservative MP accuses French navy of firing shots near him in ChannelIt is not just the Russians firing on Brits in the English Channel; Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, has accused a French...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Burnham?s mini bounce
1 Aug 2026 at 1:39pm
Our visitors have left now. It was lovely to see them. As far as the blog is concerned I’m able to type again. There was a problem with the keyboard on my laptop which has now been repaired. Top tip, don’t spill tea on your laptop. So it’s back to blogging as usual. Andy Burnham …

Why you should subscribe to The National
1 Aug 2026 at 1:15pm
The National’s summer sale is running until Thursday 6 August. During this limited time period you can purchase an annual subscription to Scotland’s only pro-independence newspaper for the bargain price of £20. You might not agree with everything published by The National, but that’s inevitable in a publication which carries the weight of an entire …

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Courier

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Scottish Politics News From Holyrood and Westminster | The Courier

Could Rosyth-Europe ferry set sail thanks to Brexit reset?
27 May 2025 at 6:01am
Hopes have been raised for a simple solution to a cross-border problem.

Kirkcaldy MP demands pro-suicide forum is torn down
26 May 2025 at 6:01am
Around 100 suicides have been linked to the sickening forum which provides guidance to people on ending their life.

UHI Perth aviation students warn of ?unsettling times? after training firm?s ...
26 May 2025 at 6:00am
Worried Samuel Hughes, 19, is among students sharing their fears at a time of crisis for Perth College.

Fresh Dundee University strike begins over compulsory Levehulme Centre job cuts
26 May 2025 at 6:00am
University staff are taking five days of industrial action as the institution pushes ahead with plans to axe the forensic research hub.

NHS Fife nurse at centre of controversial trans tribunal suing her own trade ...
25 May 2025 at 2:32pm
A&E medic Sandie Peggie is now taking legal action against the Royal College of Nursing.

EXCLUSIVE: Dundee University still to strike rescue deal with government
23 May 2025 at 5:46pm
Opposition MSPs have expressed concern at the time taken to agree a deal almost a month after the fresh recovery plan was unveiled.

6 senior figures who left Dundee University during financial crisis
23 May 2025 at 5:10pm
Several university chiefs have moved on since £30m financial black hole emerged.

Dundee University activist artist leads degree show protest over financial cr...
23 May 2025 at 4:45pm
Duncan of Jordanstone student Finn Millar says he wants to play a part in "keeping the university alive".

John Swinney admits constituents have expressed Perth leisure concerns to him
23 May 2025 at 6:01am
The first minister wants further talks between both sides of Perth leisure debate.

EXCLUSIVE: Dundee University chief operating officer Jim McGeorge quits
22 May 2025 at 1:58pm
Dr Jim McGeorge ? who was responsible for good governance - had been on a period of extended leave.

Talking up Scotland

The 'Unstoppable' Talking-up Scotland

Environment body admits Dounreay (Caithness) decades-long nuclear leak cannot...
3 Aug 2026 at 6:07pm
The above, which I missed 15 years ago, popped up in social media recently to shock me with the candour of the headline. More on it below, after this. Last October 2025 we had: Inspectors raise Scottish nuclear plant with excess child leukaemia risk to an ?enhanced level of regulatory attention for safety because of unsatisfactory site performance across numerous areas? with 300 years to go unt...

A ?Box of Frogs? plan for Scottish Independence
3 Aug 2026 at 5:46pm
By Mark E. Saunders of ?The Scottish Minuteman? https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=61575625542197 And Now For Something Completely Different A number of the anti-Scottish Independence media outlets have started reporting on a recent ?proposal? by former UK ambassador and Scottish independence campaigner Craig Murray.  Murray?s plan, described by some political pundits as ?sinister?, sugge...

As wildfire approaches Suffolk nuclear power station, the heatwave starts to ...
31 Jul 2026 at 11:02am
Thanks to Frances McKie for alerting us to this. Electricité de France (EDF) shut down the Golfech-2 nuclear reactor in southern France amid a heat wave pushing temperatures toward 40°C in parts of Europe. This is the latest in a record number of heat-related outages for France?s nuclear fleet this summer, reducing output from a key part of Europe?s electricity system. EDF also warned that the ...

As Labour?s Joani Reid MP sneaks back in under a media fog a reminder of what...
31 Jul 2026 at 9:18am

As media today try to blame SNP for wildfires, how they have increased firefi...
31 Jul 2026 at 9:04am

Reposted as media headline a prison video in a desperate effort to fan the dy...
31 Jul 2026 at 8:46am

Prisons in England and Wales with only half the probation officers, releasing...
31 Jul 2026 at 8:35am
Thanks to Dottie for alerting us to this. From the Parole Board for Scotland Annual Report 2024/2025 (2025/2026 not yet released), 2 386 prisoners were released. Of these, 282 were recalled to prison within 12 months, an 11.8% recidivism rate overall. https://scottishparoleboard.scot/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Annual-Report-2024-2025.pdf All things being equal in terms of influencing facts such...

The supposed £22m SNP tax blunder is not true but Labour?s £48 billion tax av...
30 Jul 2026 at 1:43pm
Details at: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/07/30/how-the-snps-22m-tax-blunder-is-not-certain-but-pm-andy-burnhams-up-to-48bn-tax-avoidance-is/

Now this Suffolk wildfire only 3 miles away, across a tinder-dry nature reser...
30 Jul 2026 at 12:48pm
The wildfire at Dunwich Heath is in an area of coastal lowland just south of the village of Dunwich in Suffolk. It is about 25 miles (40km) north-east from the county town of Ipswich but less than 3 miles from Sizewell B Nuclear Power Station. The sites are separated by the Minsmere nature reserve area, with Sizewell B (and the adjacent Sizewell A/C sites) to the south. The Minismere area was i...

How the ?SNP?s £22m tax blunder? is not certain but PM Andy Burnham?s up to £...
30 Jul 2026 at 10:01am
From reader derekscott1953, the above, and: A rounding error, possibly, if people bother to read the Dan Neidle report. An earlier Dan Neidle report drew attention to the billions (not a mere £22m) being lost annually to the UK through tax evasion. From How Andy Burnham could raise £15bn ? without a tax rise, published 1 July 2026: It?s the UK?s biggest and least discussed tax problem. There?s ...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

Written constitution must include method to leave union, says SNP - Nation.Cymru
3 Aug 2026 at 2:06pm
Written constitution must include method to leave union, says SNP  Nation.Cymru

UK?s Burnham tells Scotland new independence vote is off limits - Al Jazeera
23 Jul 2026 at 8:00am
UK?s Burnham tells Scotland new independence vote is off limits  Al Jazeera

Former diplomat unveils Scottish independence plan that could trigger war wit...
31 Jul 2026 at 2:29pm
Former diplomat unveils Scottish independence plan that could trigger war with UK  The National Scot

Thomas Heald: The Irish lesson for Scotland is not independence. It is growth...
3 Aug 2026 at 11:00am
Thomas Heald: The Irish lesson for Scotland is not independence. It is growth  Conservative Home

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

Nicola Sturgeon: United Ireland more likely than new independence vote - thet...
31 Jul 2026 at 12:20pm
Nicola Sturgeon: United Ireland more likely than new independence vote  thetimes.com

Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause? -...
4 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause?  The Conversation

New Scottish independence referendum ?off limits,? UK prime minister tells Sc...
23 Jul 2026 at 8:00am
New Scottish independence referendum ?off limits,? UK prime minister tells Scottish leader  Anadolu Ajans?

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

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

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

SNP leaders are good ?friends? to North Sea oil industry - Socialist Worker
3 Aug 2026 at 4:50pm
SNP leaders are good ?friends? to North Sea oil industry  Socialist Worker

Written constitution must include method to leave union, says SNP - Nation.Cymru
3 Aug 2026 at 2:06pm
Written constitution must include method to leave union, says SNP  Nation.Cymru

Are the SNP losing voters to the Greens over position on North Sea oil and ga...
3 Aug 2026 at 5:35pm
Are the SNP losing voters to the Greens over position on North Sea oil and gas?  The National Scot

Nicola Sturgeon's brutal takedown of Swinney shows she has turned her back on...
3 Aug 2026 at 4:13pm
Nicola Sturgeon's brutal takedown of Swinney shows she has turned her back on SNP  The Herald

SNP Government 'woeful' on NHS waiting times as seven targets missed in four ...
3 Aug 2026 at 6:00am
SNP Government 'woeful' on NHS waiting times as seven targets missed in four years  The Scotsman

Scotland's papers: Body in suitcase probe and SNP tax 'hike' - bbc.com
30 Jul 2026 at 6:32am
Scotland's papers: Body in suitcase probe and SNP tax 'hike'  bbc.com

?A third of Scots? voted to oust SNP in Holyrood election - thetimes.com
1 Aug 2026 at 5:00pm
?A third of Scots? voted to oust SNP in Holyrood election  thetimes.com

Nicola Sturgeon warns John Swinney SNP policy shift driving voters to Scottis...
3 Aug 2026 at 11:08am
Nicola Sturgeon warns John Swinney SNP policy shift driving voters to Scottish Greens  The National Scot

Who is standing in Edinburgh council by-elections after SNP resignations? - T...
3 Aug 2026 at 4:06pm
Who is standing in Edinburgh council by-elections after SNP resignations?  The Herald

SNP knew £2bn hospital was unaffordable before election - thetimes.com
2 Aug 2026 at 4:31pm
SNP knew £2bn hospital was unaffordable before election  thetimes.com

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

UK?s Burnham tells Scotland new independence vote is off limits - Al Jazeera
23 Jul 2026 at 8:00am
UK?s Burnham tells Scotland new independence vote is off limits  Al Jazeera

Former diplomat unveils Scottish independence plan that could trigger war wit...
31 Jul 2026 at 2:29pm
Former diplomat unveils Scottish independence plan that could trigger war with UK  The National Scot

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

New Scottish independence referendum ?off limits,? UK prime minister tells Sc...
23 Jul 2026 at 8:00am
New Scottish independence referendum ?off limits,? UK prime minister tells Scottish leader  Anadolu Ajans?

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

Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause? -...
4 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Does the Scottish election result advance or hinder the independence cause?  The Conversation

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

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

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

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