The Herald

The Herald | Politics


'Scandal' or 'gamechanger'? Public divided on civil servants working from home
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
1 May 2026 at 1:30pm
The topic of civil servants working from home has divided the country, with some describing as a scandal and others, gamechanging.


Will this Labour stronghold in Scotland's capital survive the Starmer slide?
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
1 May 2026 at 11:16am
Mr Johnson defeated incumbent SNP MSP Jim Eadie ten years ago, and increased his vote share by 10% five years later. 


Today's Herald cartoon from Steven Camley
1 May 2026 at 10:27am
You can purchase Steven Camley's cartoons by calling 0191 603 0178 or visiting thepicturedesk.co.uk


Sir David Murray says ?main gripe? with Government is ?waste in projects?
by Rachel Kennan
1 May 2026 at 8:17am
Sir David Murray gave a business leader?s perspective ahead of the Holyrood election


??Unspun Election Briefing: Whisky reprieve
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
1 May 2026 at 8:00am
With the Holyrood election under a week away, politicians are fighting over who takes the credit for Donald Trump's whisky reprieve.


John Swinney criticised over taking credit for Trump dropping whisky tariffs
by jody.harrison@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Jody Harrison
1 May 2026 at 7:39am
Politicians traded blows on social media over who should take the plaudits


'Administrative error' falsely recorded six hour wait at SNP's GP walk-in clinic
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
1 May 2026 at 6:00am
The NHS has said an 'administrative error' led to a six hour and 20 minute wait being recorded at Edinburgh's GP walk-in clinic.


Civil servants mock hybrid working policy as average daily attendance revealed
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
1 May 2026 at 5:30am
Civil servants have mocked the Scottish Government's hybrid working policy internally after figures revealed the average daily attendance rates.


'No single party has the answer': Frustration grows over Scotland's high streets
by scott.wright@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Scott Wright
1 May 2026 at 4:29am
Experts say politicians not treating the need to rejuvenate Scotland's high streets seriously enough


'Congratulations John': Trump's 'private message? to Swinney on whisky tariff...
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
1 May 2026 at 12:30pm
John Swinney says Donald Trump told him in a phone call his intervention played a ?very big part? in lifting whisky tariffs amid a UK Government row.


Scottish police investigating 'theft and offensive vandalism' of political signs
by donald.erskine@newsquest.co.uk | Donald Erskine
30 Apr 2026 at 8:47pm
Police are investigating the damage and theft of political signs in a Scottish community.


Reform UK claims 'mass illegal migration' is pushing Glasgow to 'anarchy'
by Katrine Bussey
30 Apr 2026 at 4:43pm
Reform UK wants all frontline police officers to be armed with Tasers at it claimed ?mass illegal migration? is pushing Scotland?s largest city to ?breaking point and anarchy?.


Starmer vows fast-track security laws after Golders Green terror stabbing
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
30 Apr 2026 at 4:07pm
Keir Starmer has said chants of ?globalise the intifada? should be prosecuted and promised sweeping new security powers after two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green.


Scotland's all-female Holyrood hustings sees politicians clash over key issues
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
30 Apr 2026 at 2:14pm
The Herald and Women in Public Affairs Scotland brought candidates from the six main political parties in Holyrood together.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Whisky spat intensifies as John Swinney says Labour Scottish secretary is 'un...
1 May 2026 at 12:59pm

Both the UK and Scottish governments are claiming credit after US President Donald Trump announced he would lift tariffs on imports of Scotch whisky.

Scottish Labour is not giving up on forming the next Scottish government.

In the latest in our series of leader interviews, The Scotsman has been learning just how geeky things get in the Scottish Greens.

The Holyrood election manifestos contain many pledges on how we travel - here are the main commitments

Three-way marginal is being fiercely fought over by the SNP, Greens and Labour

From independence to tactical voting and a low turnout, there is a lot to keep an eye on ahead of next Thursday?s election.

Wings over Scotland

Seven Days Too Long
30 Apr 2026 at 1:57pm
It’s nearly over, readers. Just one more week of this to endure. The most miserable election campaign of all time will end next Thursday with an election which will deliver Scotland’s most miserable devolved government of all time. Only the exact form, colour and shape of the misery remains to be determined. So as the …

Push The Button
25 Apr 2026 at 12:43pm
We’ve been thinking about this all morning, readers. To the point where we’d vote for any party pledging to implement it at once. It’s the best such moral-dilemma question we’ve ever seen, and the absolute key to the state of humankind as a species. It’s a near-perfect practical illustration of the concept of “suicidal empathy”, …

How To Get Away With Crimes
22 Apr 2026 at 6:03pm
After many years of vindictively, vexatiously and maliciously plaguing innocent people, it seemed in February this year that disgraced and deranged former policeman Lynsay Watson‘s campaign of terror might be finally beginning to draw to a close. ? Attending the Civic Justice Centre in Manchester as part of an ongoing attempt to persecute the feminist …

The Pit Of Vipers
19 Apr 2026 at 2:50pm
It’s hard to know where to start with the Sunday Mail’s lead story today. Especially if one doesn’t want sent to prison. So we hope you’ll forgive us if we’re extra-careful. The article contains things even we’d never read before. The Mail has redacted some of the names, but – well, we’re not going to …

The Narcissism Of No Differences
17 Apr 2026 at 3:29pm
So that’s the full set of manifestos in. You can download them all here in a oner, if you’re REALLY bored. But we don’t advise it, because we can just tell you what they say in a couple of minutes. SNP: “If you’re even reading this we know you’re absolute idiots, so here are a …

Happy Anniversary
16 Apr 2026 at 10:56am
It was exactly one year ago today that the Supreme Court delivered its judgment in the case of For Women Scotland Vs The Scottish Ministers, a judgment which has still not been implemented by the Scottish or UK governments, so it was quite bold of the SNP to choose it as the launch date for …

Do You Believe In The Westwood?
10 Apr 2026 at 12:27pm
As all alert readers will know, this site likes to keep a watchful eye on the shady and disturbing activities of paedophilia-plagued charity LGBT Youth Scotland. So we were naturally intrigued to hear that they’d hired a new convenor last month. And if you’re sitting there thinking, “Blimey, AI Christopher Walken looks very very ill”, …

Not So Octopus
9 Apr 2026 at 1:48pm
Alert readers will have noticed something of a minor furore in recent days around a boneheaded Scottish Greens candidate (as if there were any other kind) calling for the complete abolition of prisons. So far Kate Nevens – who on the latest polling has a very reasonable chance of being elected on the list – …

The quality of mercy
3 Apr 2026 at 1:09pm
Let’s just deal with this quickly. Because the truth is that we should all be quietly sending BBC Scotland bouquets in appreciation for doing the independence movement a favour for once. Belief in an independent Scotland IS as strong as ever, which is to say it’s pretty much where it’s been since 2014 – two …

Clocks And Calendars
30 Mar 2026 at 1:06pm
We think the lads at The Scotsman might have gotten a bit confused and/or carried away when it came to putting the clocks forward at the weekend. At 6am on Sunday morning they tweeted this: But the link was a 404. We checked the print edition of Scotland On Sunday but there was nothing there …

Craig Murray

An Inspiring Story
21 Apr 2026 at 7:54am

In 2018, at the height of the economic crisis in Venezuela through crippling sanctions, Kellogg’s announced the overnight closure of their Maracay factory with hundreds of redundancies – and massive knock-on effects in the local community. The workers refused to accept the closure and, with government assistance, restarted the factory. It is still running eight …

An Inspiring Story

Vote for the Alliance to Liberate Scotland
15 Apr 2026 at 12:48pm

It was not my intention to run for election to the Scottish parliament from a hospital bed in Caracas, but sometimes we have to take what life gives us. I went to a clinic a week ago feeling dizzy and was immediately rushed to hospital. My heart rate was fluttering and below 20 bpm. I …

Vote for the Alliance to Liberate Scotland

The Strait of Hormuz
8 Apr 2026 at 5:02pm

In international law, Tehran has every right to close the strait of Hormuz to nations with which it is in armed conflict. Two vital points: 1) States who permit attacks on Iran to be launched from their territory can be blocked 2) Iran can block neutral ships from trading with states with which it is …

The Strait of Hormuz

The Weight on Delcy Rodriguez
31 Mar 2026 at 1:16pm

As I was leaving the University of the Communes in Tocuyito, after a joyful and uplifting visit, an earnest young Professor came up to me and pulled me aside. Very quietly, he asked me what was going to happen. A number of the students were terrified there would be regime change and they, picked as …

The Weight on Delcy Rodriguez

The Caracas Metro
26 Mar 2026 at 6:46am

The extreme nature of sanctions against Venezuela made it very challenging to keep economic activity going. One example is Caracas’s impressive five-line Metro system, where for almost twenty years they had to keep things running with no spares or maintenance support from the train manufacturers. Yet resilience and ingenuity kicked in, and Venezuela actually reverse …

The Caracas Metro

The London Ambulances Attack: Of Course It Was A False Flag
24 Mar 2026 at 12:04pm

The notion that the Iranian state would discredit itself by choosing to attack an ambulance service in London is crazy. Iran has not even attacked any hospitals or ambulances in Israel. Iran has absolutely zero record of attacks on healthcare facilities. That is of course in stark contrast to Israel which specifically targets them in …

The London Ambulances Attack: Of Course It Was A False Flag

BBC Scotland

Whisky tariffs deal sparks political squabble over who claims credit
1 May 2026 at 4:34pm
Party leaders quickly changed their campaign plans after Donald Trump's announcement on the tariffs deal.

Will 'scunnered' voters decide Scotland's election?
1 May 2026 at 6:20am
Pollsters say there are plenty of undecided voters - but few have a positive view of politicians.

Trump to remove whisky tariffs after King's visit
1 May 2026 at 8:52am
The US president said he would lift restrictions on Scotland's ability to work with the state of Kentucky on whisky and bourbon.

The city caught in the middle of the big energy shift debate
30 Apr 2026 at 1:08am
Is the UK fumbling the shift away from oil and gas jobs?

'Stable marriage' the priority for Scottish Family Party
30 Apr 2026 at 6:01am
The party promotes marriage between heterosexual couples and opposes abortion in all but "very extreme" cases.

Reform's Scottish leader says he owns six houses, six boats and five cars
28 Apr 2026 at 10:30pm
Malcolm Offord was criticised as "entitled" during an STV leaders debate ahead of next week's election.

What did Scottish party leaders do before politics?
29 Apr 2026 at 2:26pm
Reform's Malcolm Offord bought six boats with a fortune made in banking - but other leaders had a life before politics too.

How the changing face of farming is reflected in Scotland's election
29 Apr 2026 at 6:01am
The rural vote is a significant, but often overlooked, constituency in the Scottish Parliament election.

Independence the priority for Alliance to Liberate Scotland
29 Apr 2026 at 6:02am
The party is hoping to maximise the number of pro-independence MSPs returned to Holyrood.

Scotland's population set to fall due to drop in migration
28 Apr 2026 at 1:30pm
The National Records of Scotland said the change is "mainly driven by migration falling from unusually high levels".

What impact do refugees have on housing in Glasgow?
28 Apr 2026 at 6:00am
BBC Verify examines claims made by political leaders about the impact of asylum and migration on housing.

Scotland's population is shifting - could it affect the election outcome?
24 Apr 2026 at 11:08pm
Changing populations mean that Scotland's electoral map has been redrawn - which could influence how parties campaign, and how the election plays out.

Scot Goes Pop

Which group of voters did Offord actually intend to impress with his boast ab...
1 May 2026 at 11:19am
Paul Hutcheon's contributions to this campaign have been somewhat less than constructive, but I did think he was absolutely correct when he said that Malcolm Offord's boasts about his wealth were m...

In a democracy, there has to be a route by which the most fundamental changes...
29 Apr 2026 at 9:20am
It's a reminder of just how comprehensively Somerset Stew has moved over to the other side that right in the middle of a Holyrood election campaign, he has approvingly tweeted an article from the p...

The Diffley difference: new poll tilts this election in the SNP's favour - an...
28 Apr 2026 at 11:19pm
Unlike our occasional commenter Declan, I'm not particularly given to punching the air upon seeing an opinion poll, but if I was ever going to do that, yesterday would have been the day.  There wer...

EXCLUSIVE SCOT GOES POP / FIND OUT NOW POLL: By a more than 2-1 majority, the...
27 Apr 2026 at 12:56pm
Labour's UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting was recently asked in an LBC interview whether there would be an independence referendum if the Scottish people vote in favour of holding one at the Scott...

Join me on YouTube at NOON as Wes "they're not having one!" Streeting faces h...
27 Apr 2026 at 10:06am
If you join the waiting zone, the video should automatically start playing when the clock strikes 12 for Streeting's HIGH NOON.  While you're waiting for the results, please check out the new Scot ...

It will soon be HIGH NOON for Wes Streeting in the Scot Goes Pop / Find Out N...
27 Apr 2026 at 8:30am
My latest constituency profile for The National is John Swinney's seat of Perthshire North.*  *  *If you've finding Scot Goes Pop poll useful, please consider donating to our new polling fundraiser...

Hammerblow for Brit Nat propaganda outfit "Scotland In Union" as their regula...
26 Apr 2026 at 9:38pm
As I said the other day, there's still more to come from the new Scot Goes Pop / Find Out Now poll - I had been planning to release another result on Friday, and then that slipped to yesterday, and...

More thoughts on the prospects for an SNP overall majority in the light of th...
24 Apr 2026 at 10:07am
Just to allow you to make up your own minds, I thought I'd draw your attention to the fact that the Stats for Lefties account picked up on the Scot Goes Pop / Find Out Now poll yesterday, and produ...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

John Swinney thanks Donald Trump ?personally? after US whisky tarrifs set to ...
1 May 2026 at 3:25pm
Swinney visited a whisky distillery on Friday after the US President announced he would drop the 10% levy

SNP leader John Swinney stands by food price cap policy despite industry crit...
1 May 2026 at 11:05am
Swinney said the policy was a matter of public health, despite the Scottish Retail Consortium branding it a 'potty gimmick'

Scottish Reform leader Malcolm Offord ?owns six houses, six boats and five cars?
29 Apr 2026 at 11:08am
Lord Malcolm Offord asked if the Greens wanted more or fewer people like him in Scotland

Party leaders engage in fiery final debate on STV
28 Apr 2026 at 9:13pm
The Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Greens, Scottish Labour, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party and Reform UK had the chance to grill each other in front of the nation

Watch Live: Scottish election leaders debate on STV
28 Apr 2026 at 7:06am
The STV Leaders? Debate will be broadcast live from Edinburgh?s Signet Library tonight at 7pm

Scotland?s political parties accused of ?lack of realism? over manifesto plans
27 Apr 2026 at 9:56pm
The Institute for Fiscal Studies said the parties running in the Holyrood election did not appreciate ?just how tough the fiscal challenges will be?.

Keir Starmer to face sleaze inquiry vote over Peter Mandelson job
27 Apr 2026 at 5:48pm
It's a similar series of events that led to Boris Johnson?s departure as prime minister in 2022

Parties lay out first 100 days in office as election day nears
27 Apr 2026 at 5:44pm
It's just ten days until the vote on May 7

Parties make policy promises with less than two weeks to election day
26 Apr 2026 at 10:48am
The vote on May 7 is a crucial test at the ballot box.

Polanski branded ?imbecile? after calls for Trump to be stripped of Scottish ...
25 Apr 2026 at 9:46am
The Green leader said the US president is ?enabling a genocide in Gaza?

Scotland Tonight: Non-violent criminals should not be sent to prison, says Gr...
24 Apr 2026 at 12:59pm
Ross Greer said he believes the current prison system doesn't work and community sentences would reduce reoffending

No 10 considered giving spin doctor diplomatic job despite paedophile council...
23 Apr 2026 at 8:25am
Lord Doyle campaigned for Sean Morton in 2017 after he had been charged over indecent images of children

Restrict ?forever chemicals? that hurt people and planet, MPs urge
23 Apr 2026 at 5:47am
The Environmental Audit Committee has released a report calling on the government to phase out PFAs from non-essential items.

Starmer to face PMQs amid pressure over Mandelson vetting scandal
22 Apr 2026 at 12:00pm
It comes after former Foreign Office chief Sir Olly Robbins said there was a ?dismissive approach? on vetting from No 10

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Donald Trump calls John Swinney after President agrees to ditch US tariffs on...
1 May 2026 at 2:54pm
The President spoke with the First Minister for nine minutes after the American leader handed the whisky industry a massive boost.

John Swinney blasts Douglas Alexander as government relations sour over whisky
1 May 2026 at 1:59pm
The SNP leader said Douglas Alexander was "clearly distressed" after the UK Government minister branded him a "liar".

SNP Government accused of breaking pledge to recruit 1,000 mental health workers
1 May 2026 at 4:30am
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said the SNP "never deliver" on mental health.

President Trump lifts whisky tariffs in major boost for Scotland
30 Apr 2026 at 8:10pm
The Republican President praised the role of the King and Queen as he announced the news on social media.

Malcolm Offord claims Scots 'want to be like me' after sharing pic of his 'bi...
30 Apr 2026 at 12:18pm
Offord told the Record he would not publish his tax returns but did admit he was paying the top rate of income tax in Scotland.

Malcolm Offord's yacht boast shows he is more of a Thatcherite than a Faragist
30 Apr 2026 at 11:49am
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says the row over Offord's riches reveals the true nature of his politics.

Reform candidate 'disgusted' with Scottish people over attacks on 'six boats'...
30 Apr 2026 at 9:00am
EXCLUSIVE: Audrey Dempsey also addressed the cleverness of voters while take a video of a Reform banner with the camera on the wrong setting.

Reform candidate does not 'care' about carbon dioxide in climate change row
30 Apr 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: Dr Tim Kelly was criticised for his comments at a health hustings.

Reform candidate warned Brexit left the NHS 'on its knees' and reduced UK to ...
30 Apr 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: Julie MacDougall dismissed the 2016 Brexit campaign as "a sales pitch in which the goods have never been delivered".

Scottish politics today: Anas Sarwar insists he is 'all for aspiration and su...
29 Apr 2026 at 5:00pm
The Record brings you its regular 5pm round-up of the day's top stories in Scottish politics.

The National

The National | Politics

Leading rape charity offers to meet Malcolm Offord over 'concerning 'comments
1 May 2026 at 4:40pm

A LEADING charity in Scotland has written to Scottish Reform UK leader Malcolm Offord and councillor Thomas Kerr to raise concerns over their comments on violence against women ...

Key points from all the 2026 Scottish election manifestos and how to read them
1 May 2026 at 4:00pm

The party's are all out on the campaign trail battling for your vote, here's the key points from all of their manifestos

Keir Starmer's niece standing as Labour candidate in safe London council ward
1 May 2026 at 3:56pm

KEIR Starmer?s niece was made a candidate in a safe Labour council ward over two sitting black female councillors, it has been reported.

Scottish Government told to release secret details of Israeli diplomat meeting
1 May 2026 at 2:59pm

THE Scottish Government has been ordered to release hidden details of Angus Robertson?s meeting with an Israel-diplomat.

SNP release full text from Donald Trump to First Minister John Swinney
1 May 2026 at 2:39pm

THE SNP have released the full message sent from US President Donald Trump to Scotland's First Minister John Swinney on the decision to end tariffs on Scotch whisky.

Aberdeenshire set for first Orange Order march in 25 years despite 500 compla...
1 May 2026 at 2:13pm

AN ORANGE Order march in Aberdeenshire has been allowed to go ahead for the first time in almost 25 years ? despite hundreds of locals expressing concerns about the event.

Expert gives verdict on Scottish Labour Holyrood campaign
1 May 2026 at 2:11pm

ANAS Sarwar's claims the polls are wrong about Labour "does not wash" and their Holyrood campaign messaging has "struggled", a leading political expert has said.

Anger as Kemi Badenoch uses Bloody Sunday footage to promote British Army
1 May 2026 at 1:29pm

KEMI Badenoch has been blasted for sharing a Conservative Party video message on British army veterans that uses footage of Bloody Sunday paratroopers.

John Swinney says Donald Trump 'thanked him for getting Scotch whisky deal done'
1 May 2026 at 12:26pm

JOHN Swinney has said Donald Trump thanked him for his contribution in getting the removal of tariffs on Scotch whisky over the line.

Met Police chief criticised for 'reckless' letter to Zack Polanski
1 May 2026 at 12:20pm

THE Metropolitan Police chief Mark Rowley has been criticised after blasting Green leader Zack Polanski for amplifying "inaccurate and misinformed commentary" about an arrest following the Golders Green attack.

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

AI is ?defining currency? of our age, says Liz Kendall
28 Apr 2026 at 5:22pm
The minister pledged to work with other ?middle power nations? on AI to improve global security

Morgan McSweeney: Mandelson revelations were a knife to my soul
28 Apr 2026 at 3:22pm
Prime minister's former chief-of-staff appears before Foreign Affairs Committee

UK Government will ?impose some form? of social media restrictions for children
28 Apr 2026 at 1:22pm
Ministers have stopped short of implementing a blanket ban

John Swinney vows to bring forward Holyrood vote in bid to secure second inde...
27 Apr 2026 at 4:39pm
The SNP leader pledged to 'hit the ground running' if his party remains in power after the election

SNP maintains lead in new Scottish election poll
27 Apr 2026 at 4:05pm
A single-party majority government is the most popular option for voters, research finds

Scottish university builds first simulated freight truck journey in UK
27 Apr 2026 at 12:39pm
It will help to improve understanding of the carbon footprint of goods that are shipped between road and air freight

To finally end Scotland's drugs deaths, we need to plan now for 2036
27 Apr 2026 at 7:00am
This is one area where we simply must work together to build the Scotland we all want in the future.

Former New Labour spin doctor compares Keir Starmer to George W Bush
27 Apr 2026 at 1:01am
Alastair Campbell also warned the UK would end up in "pretty dark place" if Labour did not turn things around

Former HIV Scotland chief and SNP adviser admits embezzlement
24 Apr 2026 at 4:33pm
Sentencing will take place in May

Zack Polanski: ?Outrageous? that pro-independence parliament would not secure...
24 Apr 2026 at 2:25pm
The GPEW leader put down his party's surge to ?resentment and anger at the Labour government?

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

End of Trump tariffs on whisky sparks row between Scottish parties over claim...
1 May 2026 at 3:33pm
First minister John Swinney says he played significant role but Labour rejects claim and accuses SNP of hypocrisyDonald Trump?s announcement that he will lift punishing US tariffs on scotch whisky has been overshadowed by a row between rival Scottish party leaders over claiming credit for the dec...

Will Reform dominate the local and devolved elections? ? podcast
30 Apr 2026 at 5:21pm
Pippa Crerar is joined by the election analyst Prof Rob Ford to look at the upcoming local and devolved elections. Will Reform dominate across England? Can the Greens remove Labour?s longstanding hold over London? And will the nationalists win in Scotland and Wales? Continue reading...

Polanski criticised for reposting comment suggesting police arresting Golders...
30 Apr 2026 at 4:55pm
Home Office minister says ?the Green Party has hit a new low? after party leader?s repost on X On BBC Radio Merseyside the presenter, Tony Snell, put it to Kemi Badenoch that Merseyside was a lost cause for the Tories. He said that Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, had been on the programme yes...

?Reform is an acute threat to Scottish self-government,? says John Swinney
30 Apr 2026 at 7:00am
Polling puts Reform, led in Scotland by former peer Malcolm Offord, neck and neck with Labour for second placeReform UK represents an acute threat to Scottish self government, John Swinney has warned, adding that nationalist victories in Scotland and Wales in May could ?irrevocably change? the dy...

Farage reported to parliament?s standards watchdog over undeclared £5m donati...
29 Apr 2026 at 5:33pm
Farage was given £5m by the Thai-based billionaire Christopher Harborne shortly before announcing he would stand in the 2024 general electionExclusive: Farage was given undisclosed £5m by crypto billionaire in 2024Here is the running order for PMQs.Nigel Farage was given £5m by the crypto billion...

Reform?s Scottish leader called ?tone deaf? after boasting about his houses, ...
29 Apr 2026 at 11:27am
SNP leader John Swinney suggests Malcolm Offord and other leaders should publish tax returns before 7 MayUK politics live ? latest updatesThe leader of Reform UK in Scotland, Malcolm Offord, has been dismissed as ?tone deaf? and ?entitled? after he boasted in a televised election debate about the...

No 10 publishes previously confidential memo to refute claim that Starmer mis...
27 Apr 2026 at 6:13pm
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle earlier confirmed that MPs will decide whether to let inquiry into Keir Starmer?s statements over Peter Mandelson proceedDowning Street has said that the UK is ?in a good position? to handle the global supply problems caused by the Iran war not being resolved.Speaking at...

Free bus travel to first-homes fund: what Scottish parties are promising on t...
27 Apr 2026 at 2:00pm
Advent of Reform has radically altered the dynamics of the campaign and parties are responding accordinglyPolls predict a gravity-defying fifth term at Holyrood for the Scottish National party ? albeit on a much reduced vote share ? but the advent of Reform UK has radically altered the dynamics o...

?This election is all to play for?: Can the Scottish Labour leader defy polit...
24 Apr 2026 at 6:00am
Anas Sarwar speaks to the Guardian about why he thinks the polls are wrong and how he hopes to end the SNP?s near 20-year dominance at HolyroodAnas Sarwar says he is certain he can pull off one of the greatest escape acts of modern British politics. It is 14 days until the Holyrood election, and ...

Global Counsel, lobbying firm set up by Mandelson, went bust owing £4.5m just...
23 Apr 2026 at 5:48pm
Firm went bust in February amid fallout from the scandal over Mandelson?s links to Jeffrey EpsteinLittle says in March she had a meeting when she asked to see the Foreign Office?s documentation about the decision to grant Mandelson vetting. She said she was asking because this was documentation c...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

George Monbiot is right, the Union has nothing good for Scotland
1 May 2026 at 3:03pm
In an interview with The National, environmental campaigner George Monbiot, perhaps the highest profile person on the English left to have come out in favour of Scottish independence during the 2014 independence referendum campaign, has said that there is “nothing in the Union” for Scotland. In 2014 independence campaigners constantly asked Better Together supporters for …

Six houses, five cars, six yachts and zero self-awareness
29 Apr 2026 at 8:39pm
I didn’t watch the STV leaders’ debate as we had visitors, which meant I missed the moment that Malcolm Offord torpedoed Reform UK’s “We’re the party which is opposed to the elite” schtick. It was always bollocks, but on Tuesday night Offord slipped up. When you are cos-playing as the party which is on the …

A new chapter in the quest for independence starts next week
27 Apr 2026 at 2:55pm
First Minister John Swinney has promised that on the first day the new Scottish Parliament is in session, a vote would be brought forward to “approve the development of a Section 30 Order to give Scotland the power to hold an independence referendum.” He also promised that a referendum bill would be introduced within the …

A tale of three polls which give hope for a pro-indy majority in May
26 Apr 2026 at 3:29pm
Three opinion polls came out over the weekend which were not asking about voting intention in the Holyrood election which is now only a week and a half away. Nevertheless, all these polls are instructive about the kind of country Scotland could be, and their trust in the various parties contesting the election, and that …

The anti-independence hysteria of Alex Cole-Hamilton
23 Apr 2026 at 8:30pm
I don’t normally blog about Alex Cole-Hamilton, partly that’s because in Scotland the Lib Dems are a minor regional party who only win representation because their support is concentrated in a few areas and whose importance in Scotland is boosted far beyond their true relevance as they are the Scottish branch of the UK party …

Sarwar and Starmer are on borrowed time
22 Apr 2026 at 8:20pm
When Labour came to power in Westminster in 2024, the party promised to put an end to the cronyism, chaos, sleaze, and corruption which characterised the last fourteen years of Conservative rule. How’s that working out then. Labour has continued all of them and added an unhealthy dose of lies and deceit. This week, Keir …

Labour?s Holyrood campaign lurches from one crisis to another
19 Apr 2026 at 2:26pm
There’s less than three weeks to go until the Holyrood election and the wheels have well and truly come off the Labour campaign. With the headlines being dominated by the Mandelson story – Anas Sarwar’s erstwhile old friend – and mounting speculation about how long Starmer can survive as Prime Minister, Sarwar, talking to the …

We can win an SNP majority despite the moral bankruptcy of the media
17 Apr 2026 at 3:21pm
The Scottish Parliament election campaign is now well underway. Yesterday (Thursday) saw the launch of the SNP manifesto. The response of the British media in Scotland to this, and to a defining event of the campaign earlier this week Reform’s Malcolm Offord blurting out that Anas Sarwar had bounced up to him and spoke of …

The overwhelming evidence that Labour is willing to do a deal with Reform
15 Apr 2026 at 3:12pm
Sometimes events happen which define an entire election campaign, last night Reform’s Malcolm Offord responded to Anas Sarwar’s assertion that he’d never do a deal with Reform because it fields racists by saying: ?This does not square with you coming up to me at the start of this campaign, bouncing up to me at Paisley …

Labour can?t be trusted not to do a deal with Reform
14 Apr 2026 at 9:43pm
I don’t usually pay too much attention to leaders’ debates in the run up to elections. They are invariably too shouty with the leaders vying to talk over the top of each other. Anas Sarwar is invariably the worst offender. On both the leaders’ debates so far, his behaviour has bordered on the offensive, he’s …

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

I bet they didn?t say ?administrative error? when it was an administrative error
1 May 2026 at 11:18am
The Herald a week ago and today, milking the story of one single appointment at the same GP walk-in clinic with a healthy dose of demonising John Swinney. He’s a busy man if he’s managing the appointment system in a clinic as well as being FM! It’s the inverted commas or speech marks the Herald hasn’t used on the first story but has on the second that get’s ‘me.’ In the second, the NHS has said...

Short video ? Violent crime in Scotland has fallen by 27% since 2008-09 with ...
1 May 2026 at 10:43am
Sources at: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/04/30/violent-crime-in-scotland-has-fallen-by-42-since-2008-09-with-30-000-fewer-scots-experiencing-it-every-year-after-two-decades-with-no-service-cutting-right-wing-government-and-the-snp-maintaining-24-m/

?Hard-pressed Scots? will be ?sick of it? if we distort the truth before they...
1 May 2026 at 8:30am
The Herald today rehashing a story they got from the Scottish Cons in March. If you can’t be bothered reading all this below, here’s a short video covering the key points: https://talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2026/03/13/short-video-on-are-hard-pressed-scots-sick-of-homeworking-hybrids/ Here’s the March 2026, response which still stands today The Herald today has: The Scottish Government faces a new...

Scotland?s model for pharmacy offers lessons for predicted ?Iran war? shortages
1 May 2026 at 8:05am
hours searching for stock of common medicines like antidepressants and HRT and government (UK) payments no longer cover the cost of some drugs. BBC Breakfast this morning has the above in a fuller report on the problem. Neither they nor the subsequent Reporting Scotland news, report what is happening in Scotland Here’s why. In the Guardian 29 March 2026: Britain sic is ?a few weeks away? from...

The Great Scottish Ferry Inconvenience Media War
30 Apr 2026 at 6:29pm
My latest column in Scots Independent: Lesley Riddoch in her early April 2026 podcast said on the ferries crisis (literally) I?ve got to say personally, I?m sick of hearing people on the mainland ?attack islanders? for simply expecting that they can be connected. Just to remind you we all live on an island, and it would be a bit like saying Scotland?s a bit too expensive to include in UK nation...

Rise in the value of agricultural output in Scotland by 8% to record high of ...
30 Apr 2026 at 5:13pm
From Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: March 2026 published today: Total income from farming is the official measure of the profit (output minus costs) of the agricultural industry in Scotland. Initial estimates for 2025 predict record high total income from farming around £1.5 billion. Higher output and stable costs compared to 2024 drove a higher profit margin in 2...

Level of domestic abuse incidents in Scotland unchanged since 2008 but now 11...
30 Apr 2026 at 5:03pm
From Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: March 2026 published today: There were 63,867 incidents of domestic abuse recorded by the police in 2023-24, an increase of 3% on 2022-23. In 2023-24, 38% of all incidents recorded by the police included the recording of at least one crime or offence. Source: https://www.gov.scot/publications/safer-communities-and-justice-statis...

Increase in crime clear up rate to 56% in Scotland far higher than in England...
30 Apr 2026 at 4:36pm
From Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: March 2026 published today: The clear up rate for all recorded crimes was 56.0% in 2024-25, up from 54.1% in 2023-24. Crimes against society (93.8%), non-sexual crimes of violence (68.4%) and sexual crimes (56.9%) continued to have higher clear up rates in 2024-25 than crimes of dishonesty (35.1%) and damage and reckless behavio...

Violent crime in Scotland has fallen by 27% since 2008-09 with 30 000 fewer S...
30 Apr 2026 at 4:34pm
From Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: March 2026 published today: Non-sexual crimes of violence recorded by the police increased by 5%, from 70,635 in the year ending December 2024 to 74,384 in the year ending December 2025. Common assault (up 5%) made up the clear majority (83%) of all non-sexual crimes of violence recorded in the year ending September 2025. The SC...

UK Labour aim to halve violence against women in 10 years but to a level stil...
30 Apr 2026 at 7:45am

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

The question of Scottish independence is alive but not kicking - The Economist
30 Apr 2026 at 1:48pm
The question of Scottish independence is alive but not kicking  The Economist

Swinney says Scottish independence referendum could be held in 2028 - BBC
12 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
Swinney says Scottish independence referendum could be held in 2028  BBC

Caught between the UK and EU: What?s next for young Scots? - France 24
27 Apr 2026 at 12:34pm
Caught between the UK and EU: What?s next for young Scots?  France 24

John Swinney to give speech on independence today ? how and when to watch - T...
1 May 2026 at 8:20am
John Swinney to give speech on independence today ? how and when to watch  The National Scot

Scotland?s parliamentary election 2026: what are the big economic choices? - ...
28 Apr 2026 at 2:31pm
Scotland?s parliamentary election 2026: what are the big economic choices?  Economics Observatory

The Scottish independence lie - The Spectator
29 Apr 2026 at 5:15am
The Scottish independence lie  The Spectator

Priorities of Scotland?s Gen Z voters in 2026 election - Channel 4 News | Sub...
30 Apr 2026 at 6:42pm
Priorities of Scotland?s Gen Z voters in 2026 election  Channel 4 News | Substack

SNP vows to push for new independence vote with or without a majority - Finan...
27 Apr 2026 at 3:12pm
SNP vows to push for new independence vote with or without a majority  Financial Times

Scotland political snapshot, Spring 2026 - YouGov
8 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
Scotland political snapshot, Spring 2026  YouGov

The pros and cons of Scottish independence - The Week
22 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
The pros and cons of Scottish independence  The Week

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

Scotland wants change, so why is the SNP ahead? - Sky News
1 May 2026 at 3:26am
Scotland wants change, so why is the SNP ahead?  Sky News

Starmer is defining the battle for Scotland - The Spectator
1 May 2026 at 5:00pm
Starmer is defining the battle for Scotland  The Spectator

Patrick Harvie: SNP's majority plan excludes parties that could help gain ind...
1 May 2026 at 3:29pm
Patrick Harvie: SNP's majority plan excludes parties that could help gain indy vote  The National Scot

Starmer, immigration and oil set to hand SNP victory in Scotland - The Telegraph
1 May 2026 at 3:21pm
Starmer, immigration and oil set to hand SNP victory in Scotland  The Telegraph

Greens urge SNP to match universal free childcare pledge - Scottish Greens
1 May 2026 at 8:25am
Greens urge SNP to match universal free childcare pledge  Scottish Greens

Scottish Greens urge SNP to match childcare pledge ahead of election - Yahoo ...
1 May 2026 at 9:04am
Scottish Greens urge SNP to match childcare pledge ahead of election  Yahoo News Malaysia

Shadow chancellor warns SNP food price plan could cause ?undersupply? issue -...
1 May 2026 at 3:55pm
Shadow chancellor warns SNP food price plan could cause ?undersupply? issue  Perspective Media

'Are the SNP prepared for what happens if they win next week? Short answer: N...
1 May 2026 at 4:01pm
'Are the SNP prepared for what happens if they win next week? Short answer: No'  The Herald

SNP vows to push for new independence vote with or without a majority - Finan...
27 Apr 2026 at 3:12pm
SNP vows to push for new independence vote with or without a majority  Financial Times

SNP food price cap could lead to 'rationing', says shadow chancellor - The Sc...
1 May 2026 at 4:22pm
SNP food price cap could lead to 'rationing', says shadow chancellor  The Scotsman

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

The question of Scottish independence is alive but not kicking - The Economist
30 Apr 2026 at 1:48pm
The question of Scottish independence is alive but not kicking  The Economist

Swinney says Scottish independence referendum could be held in 2028 - BBC
12 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
Swinney says Scottish independence referendum could be held in 2028  BBC

Scotland?s parliamentary election 2026: what are the big economic choices? - ...
28 Apr 2026 at 2:31pm
Scotland?s parliamentary election 2026: what are the big economic choices?  Economics Observatory

Caught between the UK and EU: What?s next for young Scots? - France 24
27 Apr 2026 at 12:34pm
Caught between the UK and EU: What?s next for young Scots?  France 24

SNP vows to push for new independence vote with or without a majority - Finan...
27 Apr 2026 at 3:12pm
SNP vows to push for new independence vote with or without a majority  Financial Times

SNP to demand new independence referendum ? even without a majority - The Times
26 Apr 2026 at 5:54pm
SNP to demand new independence referendum ? even without a majority  The Times

Scots back independence ? and say Holyrood majority is mandate for vote, poll...
27 Apr 2026 at 2:56pm
Scots back independence ? and say Holyrood majority is mandate for vote, poll finds  The National Scot

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

John Swinney vows to bring forward Holyrood vote in bid to secure second inde...
27 Apr 2026 at 3:40pm
John Swinney vows to bring forward Holyrood vote in bid to secure second independence referendum  Holyrood Website

Scotland political snapshot, Spring 2026 - YouGov
8 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
Scotland political snapshot, Spring 2026  YouGov