The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Sturgeon criticised for missing Holyrood questions about Union Corner fire
13 Mar 2026 at 5:02am
Nicola Sturgeon has been criticised for failing to appear in the Holyrood chamber during discussions about the Glasgow fire.


Tory candidate in contest for Edinburgh seat censured by standards panel
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
12 Mar 2026 at 5:28pm
Morningside councillor Marie-Clair Munro, of the Scottish Conservatives, was reprimanded by the Commission.


Fire service insists missing high-reach engines did not affect Union Street r...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
12 Mar 2026 at 4:50pm
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has confirmed that both of Glasgow?s high-reach fire engines were unavailable during Sunday?s major Union Corner blaze but has strongly refuted "alarmist" claims that it lacked the resources needed to tackle the...


Scotland's new child poverty plan is 'timid' and will 'leave too many behind'
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
12 Mar 2026 at 4:17pm
Scotland's new child poverty action plan has been described as 'timid' as charities warn legally binding targets will be missed, leaving thousands of children behind.


Ex-QUEH nursing chief in 'Disneyland' row resigns from police authority role
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
12 Mar 2026 at 2:18pm
Fiona McQueen allegedly questioned why the NHS had not offered the families affected by the scandal ?50 grand? or a ?trip to Disneyland?.


MSP hits out at ?profiteering cowboys? and asks for help as heating oil price...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
12 Mar 2026 at 2:14pm
Heating oil prices across Scotland have more than doubled in weeks, leaving off-grid households facing sudden bill shocks. Ministers are urging UK action as regulators investigate claims some suppliers may be profiteering from the crisis.


Peter Mandelson should return £75,000 severance pay off, Anas Sarwar says
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
12 Mar 2026 at 1:59pm
Peter Mandelson faces calls to return the £75,000 severance pay he received following his exit as ambassador to the US.


Mould growth found in cancer ward at QEUH, Health Secretary confirms
by Rachel Keenan
12 Mar 2026 at 1:51pm
Mould growth has been found in a cancer ward at a flagship hospital which was partially closed due to mould and dirty water ingress, the Health Secretary has confirmed.


Both of Glasgow?s high-rise fire engines were unavailable during Union Street...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
12 Mar 2026 at 12:44pm
Questions are mounting after the Union Street fire in Glasgow as it emerged both of the city?s high-rise fire engines were unavailable during the blaze. The incident, which threatened Central Station and the Central Hotel, is now intensifying scrutiny of fire service capacity, cuts and resilience.


Scottish ministers to prepare funding package for Glasgow after crippling fire
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
12 Mar 2026 at 12:23pm
The board will support the city?s efforts to rebuild Union Corner and 'oversee the development of a support package'.


Scotland's Reform leader admits he was 'uncomfortable' over Farage's Glasgow ...
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
12 Mar 2026 at 11:46am
Malcolm Offord, Reform's leader in Scotland has admitted he was 'uncomfortable' with comments Nigel Farage made about immigration and Glasgow.


Holyrood forced into rare Friday sitting after assisted dying row erupts
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
12 Mar 2026 at 9:56am
MSPs will sit on Friday to continue debating Scotland?s assisted dying bill after a bitter dispute over Holyrood?s timetable. Critics warn the legislation ? one of the most consequential in years ? risks being rushed in the final days of the parliamentary session.


John Swinney: Voters can judge me in 2031 if I miss child poverty target
by Craig Paton
12 Mar 2026 at 8:08am
The Government has already missed its interim target of reducing the rate to 18% by 2023-24


Scottish Government faces 'secrecy' row over civil servants working from home
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
12 Mar 2026 at 6:00am
The Scottish Government faces a new transparency row over civil servants working from home.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


UK minister tells SNP to 'step up' and back Iran war effort as Scottish defen...
12 Mar 2026 at 6:55pm

The UK government has announced a £50m defence growth deal for Scotland - and is calling on SNP ministers to put forward funding.

A consultation has found overwhelming support among parents and staff for banning mobile phones in Edinburgh secondary schools.

Fiona McQueen has quit after ?disgusting? comments about the families of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital infections scandal.

The UK government has vowed to allow a section 104 order to be agreed - ensuring any assisted dying legislation from Holyrood is legally competent.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said the blaze must act as a ?wake up call?

The disgraced peer is under pressure to repay his £75,000 pay-out after he was sacked as UK ambassador

Substance found in bone marrow transplant ward at hospital at centre of national inquiry amid deaths and infections linked to water and ventilation

The polling guru said the only party not suffering from the rise of Reform UK in Scotland ahead of the Holyrood election is the SNP

Politicians to sit late into the night as final vote looms

Malcolm Offord said other political parties are ?closing ranks? against Reform UK, which is something he wants to ?disrupt? at the upcoming Holyrood election.

Wings over Scotland

Looking up at the stars
10 Mar 2026 at 6:24pm
A fascinating line from the BBC this evening: The number of parties who got MSPs elected at the last election is? five. (Though in fairness there are now six, Reform having a single MSP after Graham Simpson defected from the Tories. The Lib Dems are even outnumbered by independents, of whom there are seven.) Also …

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 …

Craig Murray

Fighting Back Against Zionist Control of the UK
12 Mar 2026 at 8:06am

I today met our legal team and instructed them to submit an application for interim relief in the Scottish judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action. If successful this will immediately lift the proscription in Scotland, pending the review. Scores of people in Scotland face imminent conviction for terrorist offences simply for exercising free …

Fighting Back Against Zionist Control of the UK

Metro Workers of Caracas
10 Mar 2026 at 6:39am

President Nicolás Maduro is a working-class man, a bus driver who worked his way to office through the trade union movement. Compare that to the Western “elite”. In Caracas I joined a rally of his fellow Metro workers, many of whom know him personally, demanding his release after kidnap by the US. I intend to …

Metro Workers of Caracas

Joy at Death and Destruction
7 Mar 2026 at 12:39pm

The United States and Israel are both revelling in inflicting the maximum possible death and suffering on Iran. After the genocide in Gaza, on a far larger field in Iran, those in power in Israel and the USA have a lust to kill and they revel in impunity. The Epstein files reveal the same dynamic. …

Joy at Death and Destruction

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

BBC Scotland

Watchdog says he 'can't trust ministers' with Sturgeon inquiry files
12 Mar 2026 at 8:12pm
The information commissioner has threatened the government with more legal action over the release of files.

Parliament staff report 84 cases of bullying and harassment in five years
12 Mar 2026 at 7:10pm
A Holyrood review found 45 reports of bullying, 25 of harassment and 14 of sexual harassment since 2021.

Swinney seeks UK meeting over US military use of Prestwick Airport
12 Mar 2026 at 4:15pm
Three American military refuelling aircraft that previously stopped at the airport are believed to be supporting US-Israeli airstrikes.

'Highly dangerous' remains of Glasgow fire building to be demolished
12 Mar 2026 at 5:58pm
Glasgow City Council said the decision was made due to public safety concerns.

Ex-chief nurse steps down from police role after 'Disneyland' row
12 Mar 2026 at 12:25pm
Fiona McQueen was criticised over alleged comments about families affected by a hospital infection scandal.

I've lost friends since joining Reform, says Offord
12 Mar 2026 at 10:12am
The ex-Conservative peer says he has made a "sacrifice" to join Nigel Farage's party as its leader in Scotland.

Glen Sannox ferry needs £3.2m repairs after one year in service
11 Mar 2026 at 1:58pm
MSPs have been told the troubled CalMac vessel needs new propellors as part of multi-million pound repairs.

Starmer said ministers can go against wishes of Welsh and Scottish government...
10 Mar 2026 at 5:15pm
The memo was obtained by Plaid Cymru, which has accused Labour of turning its back on devolution.

MSPs back six-month amendment to assisted dying bill
10 Mar 2026 at 10:24pm
Holyrood members will wade through about 300 proposed changes to the law before a final vote.

Government rules out changes to lord advocate dual role
10 Mar 2026 at 3:53pm
Opposition politicians criticised Dorothy Bain after it emerged she had briefed the first minister on the Peter Murrell case.

Cole-Hamilton defends Labour support plan for Holyrood election
10 Mar 2026 at 5:01pm
Alex Cole-Hamilton says he would rather resign as party leader than allow John Swinney to return to Bute House.

Grieving Dunblane dad says gun laws are still too lax
10 Mar 2026 at 6:37am
Mick North, whose daughter was shot dead in 1996, wants UK ministers to be more aware of firearms dangers.

Scot Goes Pop

This election is not a game. As yet another fringe pro-indy party starts bru...
12 Mar 2026 at 9:23pm
Until today, when he suddenly left the party after an angry tirade, Allan Petrie was the designated Nominating Officer of the "Alliance to Liberate Scotland".  (Indeed he technically still is, beca...

GB-wide YouGov poll: Greens STAY AHEAD of Labour, and SNP lead by 8 in Scotland
11 Mar 2026 at 11:02pm
Later in this video, I also provide some more information / offer some thoughts on why YouGov may be systemically underestimating independence support in their full-scale Scottish polls.

Questions mount over Stew's "I'm a fearsome journalist, can make mincemeat of...
10 Mar 2026 at 7:06pm
 But yeah, Allan, it *was* actually pretty rude of you to make Stew's involvement a condition of you taking part if you hadn't even bothered to check with him whether he was willing to do it.  Hope...

IT'S ON! Breakthrough as Allan Petrie of Barrhead Boy's "Liberate" faction A...
10 Mar 2026 at 11:41am
Allan, I understand why my post hit a raw nerve, given that you are an officer of Barrhead Boy's party, putting you in alliance with the far-right. If you want to ask me silly questions, I'll make ...

Barrhead Boy v Tommy Sheridan: who will win the battle of the egos for contro...
9 Mar 2026 at 9:36pm
You might remember that Barrhead Boy wrote a furious rant about me a few months ago, simply because he was so angered that I had pointed out the inescapable truth that his "Liberate Scotland" allia...

Why the dissolution of the Alba Party is GOOD NEWS for the independence movement
8 Mar 2026 at 9:23pm

The Alba Party: it's over. MacAskill sends Christina Hendry's wannabe Junta ...
8 Mar 2026 at 2:01pm
Kenny MacAskill's latest email to Alba party members:"Dear FriendI refer to my two previous communications detailing the financial crisis afflicting our party following a fraud perpetrated on it, a...

Alba are now so synonymous with vote-rigging and corruption that even vote-ri...
8 Mar 2026 at 11:01am
I literally burst out laughing a few minutes ago after clicking a link on the MSN homepage which read "Labour receives formal complaint over claims of voter irregularities in Holyrood selection con...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Rare Friday sitting at Holyrood as MSPs debate assisted dying Bill amendments
13 Mar 2026 at 6:56am
MSPs are seeking to conclude debating more than 300 amendments lodged to the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill.

Scots have growing confidence in SNP, claims Swinney ahead of conference
13 Mar 2026 at 6:37am
Delegates will meet in Edinburgh for the one-day event on Saturday

More than 80 unreported cases of bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct a...
12 Mar 2026 at 6:24pm
The findings come from a Dignity at Work survey of all staff who work for MSPs, or for the Parliamentary Corporate Body

?Not enough? in new child poverty plan to meet 2030 target, warns charity
12 Mar 2026 at 6:21pm
Social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville described the plan as a ?catalyst? to bring poverty rates down

Tories challenge John Swinney to discuss ?pubs crisis? over a pint
12 Mar 2026 at 6:21pm
Conservative leader Russell Findlay urged the First Minister to join him and a publican who could be forced to close

Anas Sarwar accused of ?inaccurate? information over lack of fire fighting re...
12 Mar 2026 at 6:11pm
The first high-reach appliance was on the scene within 19 minutes, the fire service said

MSPs back powers to withdraw free travel from badly behaved bus passengers
12 Mar 2026 at 12:18pm
The new rules will apply to anyone using concessionary travel schemes but come in the wake of pressure over youth behaviour

John Swinney to face FMQs following Glasgow fire and Old Firm violence
12 Mar 2026 at 12:11pm
The First Minister will be taking questions from the opposition

I?ve lost friends for joining Reform, says Scottish leader Malcolm Offord
12 Mar 2026 at 10:18am
The former Tory minister said it was a ?sacrifice? he had to make ?if I believe in the cause of what I?m trying to do?

Swinney intervenes as Holyrood debates amendments to assisted dying Bill
11 Mar 2026 at 9:57pm
The First Minister spoke out as MSPs debated hundreds of amendments to legislation brought forward by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur

Further improvements in care required at Skye House, says minister
11 Mar 2026 at 4:48pm
A BBC documentary last year alleged a ?culture of cruelty? at the Glasgow mental health unit for young people

Ferguson Marine to expand apprentice programme after vessel announcement
11 Mar 2026 at 12:41pm
Deputy first minister Kate Forbes last week outlined plans to directly award the shipyard contracts for four vessels

Prime Minister to face questions as first Peter Mandelson files to be published
11 Mar 2026 at 10:49am
The Prime Minister has insisted Lord Mandelson 'lied repeatedly' to No 10 about his relationship with Epstein

No 10 set to release first tranche of Mandelson files on Wednesday
11 Mar 2026 at 8:43am
Downing Street will release documents related to Lord Peter Mandelson?s appointment as ambassador to Washington, reports have suggested.

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Scottish politics today: Swinney pledges financial support to fire-hit Glasgo...
12 Mar 2026 at 5:00pm
The Record brings you its regular 5pm round-up of the day's politics news.

SNP Government urged to launch investigation into fire service cuts after Gla...
12 Mar 2026 at 2:54pm
Scottish Labour Anas Sarwar hit out at cuts to the fire service over the years.

Anas Sarwar demands 'traitor' Peter Mandelson hands back £75,000 exit payment
12 Mar 2026 at 1:51pm
The Scottish Labour leader hit out at the disgraced peer for pocketing an exit payment.

John Swinney pays emotional tribute to Dunblane massacre victims on 30th anni...
12 Mar 2026 at 12:23pm
John Swinney and other political leaders made speeches three decades on from the deadliest mass shooting in British history.

Labour would stage nuclear power investment summit days after Holyrood election
12 Mar 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: Energy Consumers Minister Martin McCluskey said the SNP Government is ?cutting ourselves off? from the rest of the world by opposing nuclear power.

Anas Sarwar should come up with a plan to reform Westminster as well as Holyrood
12 Mar 2026 at 4:30am
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says the Scottish Labour leader cannot pretend Westminster sleaze is not a major issue for voters.

Scottish politics today: Peter Mandelson comes back to haunt Labour again
11 Mar 2026 at 5:00pm
The Record brings you its regular 5pm round-up of the day's politics news.

Tackle poverty to curb deaths as drugs and alcohol rolled together
11 Mar 2026 at 4:30am
Record View says all governments and parties, councils, Holyrood and Westminster need to make economic growth and reducing extreme poverty the No1 priority.

SNP Health Secretary accused of 'shameful' NHS failures in his own backyard
11 Mar 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: NHS Lanarkshire's performance on GP numbers and accident and emergency waiting times have been blasted by Labour MP Imogen Walker.

Scottish politics today: Marathon debate on assisted dying Bill begins
10 Mar 2026 at 5:00pm
The Daily Record brings you its regular 5pm round-up of the day's politics news.

The National

The National | Politics

John Swinney reflects on his son?s birth on the day of Dunblane tragedy
13 Mar 2026 at 5:00am

FIRST Minister John Swinney has reflected on the ?contrast? he will ?never, ever forget? with the Dunblane tragedy and the birth of his son on the same day 30 years ago

Campaigners faced ?death threats? over push to ban handguns after Dunblane
13 Mar 2026 at 5:00am

Campaigners faced death threats and bomb scares as they pushed for a ban on handguns in the wake of the Dunblane massacre, the chairwoman of the Gun Control Network (GCN) has recalled

Donald Trump must be stopped from using our airports
13 Mar 2026 at 5:00am

If ever there was a time for the Scottish Government to take action and kick Trump?s troops out of Prestwick, it is now, writes Gillian Mackay

Members 'quit' Your Party in Scotland over Holyrood 'uncertainty'
12 Mar 2026 at 8:25pm

Scottish Your Party members are quitting due to uncertainty around the upcoming Holyrood elections, figures north of the Border have said

NHS England urged to axe Palantir contract over 'serious risks'
12 Mar 2026 at 7:16pm

NHS England has been urged to axe its contract with a controversial US surveillance firm alleged to be 'profiting from genocide' in Gaza as well as assisting ICE operations in America

It?s wrong to slander all Christians because of Trump's latest stunt
12 Mar 2026 at 6:30pm

THE comments about Christianity in Peter Kerr?s letter regarding pastors praying round Trump are offensive to the majority of Peter?s Christian neighbours. The image of Donald Trump surrounded by praying pastors maybe reflective

If Keir Starmer thinks 'now is not the time' to go, when will it be?
12 Mar 2026 at 6:30pm

I HAVE heard it said many times that Sir Keir is a decent man. If this is the case then he should be resigning. He is way beyond apologising or trying to salvage his job. I heard a government minister on Times Radio on Thursday morning trying to defend the indefensible. Even a rotten-to-the-core Tory would have resigned. Mind you, they would have sent in the men in grey suits.

Alex Cole-Hamilton's words about 'nationlists' are misleading
12 Mar 2026 at 6:30pm

I READ, with some annoyance, the comments of Alex Cole-Hamilton (Warning of ?anti-English hate? led MSP to carry attack alarm) in The National on Wednesday. I can assure Mr Cole-Hamilton that being a ?nationalist? in no way means I hate English people or anyone else.

Mandelson files leave Keir Starmer's excuses in tatters ? but the spin goes on
12 Mar 2026 at 5:54pm

LABOUR?S excuses for the appointment of Peter Mandelson lie in tatters.

Union Street fire site could become 'five-star hotel', says Glasgow council c...
12 Mar 2026 at 5:52pm

"WE should be ambitious" about the future of the fire-ravaged Glasgow building, the city's council leader has said.

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Local Authorities Guide: Fife Council
13 Mar 2026 at 6:00am
Council leader David Ross answers questions about local authority

Scottish Government ?can?t be trusted? with Salmond files, information commis...
12 Mar 2026 at 10:34pm
David Hamilton said he had been met with a series of 'excuses' from the government that were 'preposterous and unacceptable'?

Glasgow fire is ?wake-up call? to service cuts, says Anas Sarwar
12 Mar 2026 at 1:08pm
The Scottish Labour leader also called for an ?urgent investigation? into whether reductions to capacity may have had an impact

Local Authorities Guide: East Renfrewshire Council
12 Mar 2026 at 6:00am
Council leader Owen O'Donnell answers questions about local authority

UK Government releases first Mandelson files
11 Mar 2026 at 3:39pm
The disgraced peer demanded ?547,000 after being sacked as US ambassador

Techscaler programme helps raise more than ?250m for Scottish start-ups
11 Mar 2026 at 10:11am
Begun in 2022, Techscaler seeks to connect fledgling companies with investors and customers.

From connectivity to capability: enabling Scotland?s next phase of digital he...
11 Mar 2026 at 6:00am
Every health board, regardless of its current digital maturity, should have access to tools and support that enable it to move forward confidently and at pace to build a connected and capable health and care future for Scotland.

MPs reject Australian-style social media ban for under-16s
10 Mar 2026 at 1:42pm
MPs have backed flexible ministerial powers that could restrict or ban children of certain ages from accessing social media services or chat bots

Scottish Government publishes lord advocate dual role report
10 Mar 2026 at 12:00pm
There have been calls for the two roles to be separated

Scottish study shows AI increases cancer detection by more than 10 per cent
10 Mar 2026 at 10:00am
The evaluation found that the technology has the potential to reduce the workload of healthcare workers by more than 30 per cent compared to the current clinical process?

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

Glasgow?s only high-ladder fire engine unavailable during office block inferno
12 Mar 2026 at 2:12pm
Revelation prompts questions over Scottish fire service?s capacity to deal with large fires after 2023 cutsConcerns have been raised about the capacity of Scotland?s fire service to deal with large fires like the one that gutted a Victorian office block in Glasgow as it emerged that the city?s on...

Starmer warned cabinet against ?overly deferential? relations with devolved g...
11 Mar 2026 at 10:46am
Leaked memo dates from shortly after Labour Senedd members raised alarm devolution is being rolled backUK politics live ? latest updatesKeir Starmer warned his cabinet against an ?overly deferential? approach to the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish governments, according to a leaked memo.In the...

Alba party to wind up and not contest Scottish election
8 Mar 2026 at 8:28pm
Pro-independence party formed by Alex Salmond in 2021 had suffered membership fall and financial crisisThe Alba party has announced that it will wind up and not field any candidates for the 2026 Scottish parliament election.The pro-independence party was formed in 2021 by the late Alex Salmond as...

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...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

So-called muscular unionism is a sign of Westminster?s fragility
12 Mar 2026 at 4:30pm
The Labour party has responded to the leak of a memo from Starmer to cabinet ministers in which he tells them not to be “deferential” to the devolved governments and not to hesitate to override them even on devolved matters. Starmer was questioned about the memo by SNP MP Stephen Gethins at Prime Minister’s Questions …

Devolution has run out of road
10 Mar 2026 at 6:48pm
This always happens, every time I decide to take a bit of time off, a big news story breaks and it’s back to the keyboard. On Tuesday, a Labour government memo was leaked which proves that Keir Starmer is hell bent on undermining the devolution settlement. In the memo, sent to all members of the …

What the end of Alba means for May?s election and the broader independence mo...
9 Mar 2026 at 5:35pm
Well that’s it. The Alba party has gone and will not be contesting the Holyrood election in May, or indeed any elections in the future. Unlike some, I am not gloating about the party’s demise even though I was never a supporter of it. I kept my thoughts about Alba largely to myself despite coming …

Labour?s dangerous plans for NHS Scotland
8 Mar 2026 at 4:33pm
The Holyrood elections are just eight weeks away. This will be a critical election for Scotland’s future and it is more important than ever that Scotland returns a pro-independence majority, ideally an SNP majority to the Scottish Parliament. It’s not just the future of hopes for independence which is at stake. This election is also …

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 …

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

Independence will end poverty
12 Mar 2026 at 7:40pm
By Liz S Independence for Scotland can in the future, with the right government, at least hopefully be able to prioritise ordinary people over other supposed priorities that both the current and the past UK governments have spent way too much time , energy and money upon. Indeed these other priorities do little to help people in the here and now, as instead they actually do the opposite. Nuclea...

Independence is a vision but that vision has to be spelt out along with the s...
12 Mar 2026 at 7:30pm
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 By G Caldow With less than two months to go to the next Holyrood election, the invigorating yet factual debates have been enthusing the public, where healthy and respectful debate between polar ...

What is Jackie Baillie?s beef with private healthcare in Scotland?
12 Mar 2026 at 7:21pm
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 By Liz S ?Patients and campaigners have been raising concerns about Palantir?s creeping involvement with the NHS for years based on concerns about ethics, outsourcing, and privacy?.. Palantir a ...

Major research funded by Conservative Government in 2020 reveals ?home workin...
12 Mar 2026 at 1:01pm
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 The Herald today has: The Scottish Government faces a new transparency row over civil servants working from home as statistics are set to be withheld until after the Holyrood election. Pressure ...

County lines gang members who ?have been through the justice system in Englan...
12 Mar 2026 at 1:00pm
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 BBC Leicestershire today, the above and: A youth worker has warned girls in a market town are being lured into drug running by gangs operating across county lines. Kate Champneys has worked...

Mandelson case and Palantir?s NHS England contract ?opens door to government ...
12 Mar 2026 at 10:32am
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 Guardian today: Palantir?s NHS contract opens the door to the Big Brother-style data-sharing that Reform UK would use for a version of US immigration raids, health bosses have been told. ...

Do BBC Scotland?s unnamed ?anti-poverty charities? doubting that John Swinne...
12 Mar 2026 at 9:37am
if he misses the Government’s child poverty reduction target. The Scottish Government is publishing its ‘Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan for the next five years. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said the Government’s plans will focus on ‘tackling the root causes of child poverty. Anti-poverty charities say progress ahs been made but there is still significant distance betwe...

Higher Education student debt in the ?UK? ? a student nurse in England owes £...
12 Mar 2026 at 8:56am
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 BBC UK today: An inquiry into student loans is being launched by MPs amid “widespread dissatisfaction” over repayment terms. The Treasury Committee will examine whether the recent decision ...

Why the London lads at the IFS are regurgitating the unreliable 2022 Pisa res...
11 Mar 2026 at 4:27pm
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 Many thanks to cuckooshoe for reminding us of the above and seeing through what the London-based IFS is up to in this election period. Source: https://www.sqainternational.org.uk/sqa/114509.html...

BBC Wales reveals Labour?s attack on devolution while BBC Scotland hides it f...
11 Mar 2026 at 4:20pm
BBC Wales and BBC Scotland at 4pm 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 By Liz S For any ?normal rational being? then ?Glen Sannox ferry needs £3.2m repairs after one year in service? , as an article, would not be their top story to...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland - BBC
2 Mar 2026 at 8:00am
Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland  BBC

UK 'heads in sand over independence may mean Brexit-style chaos', top Green w...
12 Mar 2026 at 1:41pm
UK 'heads in sand over independence may mean Brexit-style chaos', top Green warns  Thenational Scot

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

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

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

Nightmare poll for John Swinney as support for the UK soars and Scots give gr...
12 Mar 2026 at 10:00pm
Nightmare poll for John Swinney as support for the UK soars and Scots give grim verdict on FM's performance  Scottish Daily Express

Twenty-five years of data shows how link between identity and views on Scotti...
9 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
Twenty-five years of data shows how link between identity and views on Scottish independence has grown stronger  The Conversation

A Fresh Start with Independence - The Scottish Government
8 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
A Fresh Start with Independence  The Scottish Government

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

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

The SNP?s Oil Executive Holyrood Candidate - DeSmog
12 Mar 2026 at 4:05pm
The SNP?s Oil Executive Holyrood Candidate  DeSmog

Jeane Freeman, SNP health secretary during Covid who gave televised briefings...
13 Mar 2026 at 6:00am
Jeane Freeman, SNP health secretary during Covid who gave televised briefings with Nicola Sturgeon  The Telegraph

Scottish Labour MSP left red-faced over inaccurate attack on SNP tax policy -...
12 Mar 2026 at 9:20pm
Scottish Labour MSP left red-faced over inaccurate attack on SNP tax policy  Thenational Scot

How the SNP has turned its fortunes around under John Swinney - The Scotsman
13 Mar 2026 at 6:00am
How the SNP has turned its fortunes around under John Swinney  The Scotsman

SNP candidate stands down after benefits fraud claim - BBC
4 Mar 2026 at 8:00am
SNP candidate stands down after benefits fraud claim  BBC

Preparing for prescribed burns inside SNP - cbs19news.com
12 Mar 2026 at 8:45pm
Preparing for prescribed burns inside SNP  cbs19news.com

SNP maintain polling lead in Scotland but four in ten say they may change the...
4 Mar 2026 at 12:16pm
SNP maintain polling lead in Scotland but four in ten say they may change their minds  Ipsos

Managing Legacy Data in a Cloud-First World With SNP - ERP Today
11 Mar 2026 at 7:38pm
Managing Legacy Data in a Cloud-First World With SNP  ERP Today

Donate to our Scottish Election Appeal - snp.org
11 Mar 2026 at 3:00pm
Donate to our Scottish Election Appeal  snp.org

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

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland - BBC
2 Mar 2026 at 8:00am
Why independence is still a political dividing line in Scotland  BBC

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

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

Independence vote would be Swinney?s 'priority' if SNP win majority - The Herald
8 Mar 2026 at 11:30am
Independence vote would be Swinney?s 'priority' if SNP win majority  The Herald

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

The new hero of Scottish independence? Nigel Farage - politico.eu
13 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
The new hero of Scottish independence? Nigel Farage  politico.eu

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

Scottish political snapshot, November 2025 - YouGov
17 Nov 2025 at 8:00am
Scottish political snapshot, November 2025  YouGov

Scotland casts fresh eye on independence vote as UK?s political landscape shi...
24 Oct 2025 at 8:00am
Scotland casts fresh eye on independence vote as UK?s political landscape shifts  Courthouse News