The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Mother petitions Parliament calling for paid breastfeeding breaks
by jody.harrison@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Jody Harrison
2 Oct 2026 at 8:18am
Entrepreneur Rachael Bews is calling on the UK Government to change the law to help breastfeeding mothers who have returned to work.


Pension contributions at Sanjeev Gupta's Lochaber smelter unpaid since July
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
1 Oct 2026 at 5:42pm
Workers at Sanjeev Gupta's Lochaber aluminium smelter have not received employer or employee pension contributions since July, The Herald can reveal.


Call for action to make Water of Leith and Wardie Bay safe for Edinburgh resi...
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
1 Oct 2026 at 4:48pm
Speaking at Holyrood on Thursday, Liberal Democrat MSP Sanne Dijkstra-Downie called on ministers to commit to funding feasibility studies.


Swinney says pensions are ?under attack? and rejects BMA criticism of NHS reform
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
1 Oct 2026 at 2:52pm
John Swinney rejected BMA criticism of his NHS shake-up as FMQs also saw clashes over pension reforms, welfare spending and Scotland?s finances.


Euro Human rights chief: Poverty in Scotland ?very disturbing?
by jody.harrison@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Jody Harrison
1 Oct 2026 at 1:59pm
A chief international human rights watchdog has said the level of poverty he witnessed in Scotland is ?very disturbing?.


Scotland extends bluetongue restriction zone across entire country
by g.barclay@thesf.co.uk | Glen Barclay
1 Oct 2026 at 2:10pm
Scotland?s bluetongue Restricted Zone will cover the whole country from October 3, removing movement licences for susceptible livestock.


Here's why defence lawyers believe Murrell's legal aid was withdrawn
by Kathleen Nutt
1 Oct 2026 at 2:00pm
Senior defence lawyers have explained why former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell is likely to have had his entitlement to legal aid withdrawn.


?It?s totally untrue?: Monica Lennon tearfully denies bullying claims
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
1 Oct 2026 at 1:42pm
Monica Lennon has tearfully denied bullying allegations at Holyrood, saying the claims are untrue as Labour leader Michael Marra confirmed no complaints.


McKee signals end to two decade Scottish public sector compulsory redundancy ban
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
1 Oct 2026 at 1:06pm
Ivan McKee has seemingly signalled the end of a near two-decade ban on compulsory redundancies in the Scottish public sector, telling MSPs the measure could be used as a last resort for workers who cannot be redeployed.


Helensburgh councillor suspended by party after 'domestic assault' charge
by tristan.s-robertson@newsquest.co.uk | Tristan Stewart-Robertson
1 Oct 2026 at 11:23am
A Helensburgh councillor denies alleged assault and bail breaches. The suspended Lib Dem will stand trial at Dumbarton Sheriff Court in November.


Michael Marra says Labour has not received bullying complaints against Monica...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
1 Oct 2026 at 10:52am
Michael Marra confirmed Scottish Labour has received no complaints over bullying allegations against Monica Lennon, but declined to say whether she retains his full confidence.


Swinney says triple-lock changes could cost Scots pensioners £4bn
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
1 Oct 2026 at 10:43am
John Swinney says planned changes to the state pension triple lock could leave Scottish pensioners £4bn a year worse off by 2050.


Poll: Scottish Labour would hold onto most of its MPs if PM promises to rejoi...
by Kathleen Nutt
1 Oct 2026 at 10:21am
Scottish Labour would hold onto most of the 37 Westminster seats it won in the 2024 if the Prime Minister pledges to rejoin the EU at the next General Election, according to a new study.


Energy price cap rise of 4 per cent takes effect from today
by Josie Clarke
1 Oct 2026 at 8:11am
There are warnings of a 16% New Year increase on top ....

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Scotland's Maternity Crisis: Commissioner proposes key changes
2 Oct 2026 at 6:00am

?Robust? and ?independent? assurance needed

Health secretary says cases identified by The Scotsman are ?deeply concerning?

The STUC says there has been ?a concerning lack of engagement? with workers on proposed legislation.

Syngenta, which has placed 377 jobs at risk, has started a formal consultation with trade unions and and workers over closing the site.

Jagtar Singh Johal had been granted bail last month, and has now been released from prison.

John Swinney says Scottish pensioners will be worse off if Andy Burnham?s end of the triple lock goes ahead

Wings over Scotland

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Long Hard Think
11 Sep 2026 at 3:37pm
More than three months ago now, we sent Police Scotland a Freedom Of Information request. A few minutes ago we finally received a response. Brace yourselves. That is, um… interesting. Retaining gifts you know were bought with embezzled money is the common-law crime of reset in Scots law, under the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act …

Anything But That
1 Sep 2026 at 1:04pm
The SNP really really don’t want to have another independence referendum, but if somebody somehow FORCES them into one, they DEFINITELY don’t want to have it in circumstances where they’d be starting the campaign with a 16-point lead. (We must conclude from all this, incidentally, that John Swinney LOVES the Tories, because he had no …

Craig Murray

Fatuous False Flags
2 Oct 2026 at 10:16am

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

Fatuous False Flags

Losing My Religion
29 Sep 2026 at 12:07pm

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

Losing My Religion

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

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

Palestine Action Judicial Review

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

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

Four Days in Ekaterinburg

Dishonesty and Deceit
7 Sep 2026 at 7:31pm

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

Dishonesty and Deceit

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

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

Nonsense Drones and Novichok

BBC Scotland

Hundreds of jobs under threat at Grangemouth chemical plant
2 Oct 2026 at 7:05am
Syngenta said its Grangemouth operation was no longer 'competitive' due to increasing competition from overseas.

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

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

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

Doctors say radical plan to merge Scotland's health boards should be scrapped
1 Oct 2026 at 3:08pm
BMA Scotland says there is no evidence that reducing the number of health boards from 14 to two will improve patient care.

Bullying claims a 'work of fiction', Labour MSP Monica Lennon says
1 Oct 2026 at 4:11pm
The Glasgow politician has described allegations about her as a "media hit job" and "vexatious".

Moray councillor continues to carry out council duties after moving to Egypt
1 Oct 2026 at 11:37am
Independent councillor Neil McLennan has held a seat in the Buckie and Findochty ward since May 2022.

Glasgow City Council begins fresh pay talks with union and Gilruth
1 Oct 2026 at 12:39pm
On Wednesday a council statement said talks had broken down and suggested Unison members could face being sent letters over fire and rehire.

More than half of Scotland's universities spend more than they earn - report
1 Oct 2026 at 9:43am
The situation could get worse if expected income from international students does not arrive, a new report says.

Swinney to introduce misogyny education in every school in Scotland
30 Sep 2026 at 12:38pm
The first minister says he wants to challenge misogynistic behaviour in young boys and strengthen and support young girls.

Peter Murrell's legal aid withdrawn after embezzlement conviction
30 Sep 2026 at 12:21pm
The former SNP chief executive had been receiving government-funded support since last year.

Burnham's plan to end pension triple lock a bad idea, Swinney says
30 Sep 2026 at 2:24pm
Scotland's first minister has also renewed calls for an independence referendum after Burnham's conference speech.

Scot Goes Pop

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

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

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

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

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

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

Labour slump to THIRD PLACE in Scottish subsample as Burnham's YouGov horror ...
16 Sep 2026 at 1:53pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.*  *  *If you'd like to help Scot Goes Pop to continue, please check out my Ko-Fi pa...

Burnham U-turns on the U-turn: after just 24 hours, he reverts to the previou...
11 Sep 2026 at 5:01pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.*  *  *If you'd like to help Scot Goes Pop to continue, please check out my Ko-Fi pa...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

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

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

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

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

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

Anas Sarwar says Andy Burnham?s Swinney comments weren?t an attack at Labour ...
30 Sep 2026 at 11:58am
The former Scottish Labour leader also admitted he had failed in his bid to become First Minister, but has a new focus now

Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell?s legal aid withdrawn
30 Sep 2026 at 10:46am
The Scottish Legal Aid Board confirmed it has withdrawn funding for Murrell, who was sentenced for embezzlement in June

?Absolutely not? a link between Lord Advocate review and Murrell case ? minister
30 Sep 2026 at 8:47am
The independent review will be led by Lord Boyd

Swinney hits back after Burnham reveals ?last UK PM? jibe was made on day his...
29 Sep 2026 at 6:11pm
The First Minister renewed calls for the Prime Minister to allow indyref2 if he is determined to prove him wrong

How John Swinney inspired Andy Burnham?s first Labour conference speech as Pr...
29 Sep 2026 at 4:37pm
The Prime Minister drew inspiration from two men for his first speech which had some cabinet ministers in tears

Burnham sets out plan to reform triple lock to pay for social care
29 Sep 2026 at 3:23pm
Addressing the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, he also said low-income pensioners would not have to pay income tax during this Parliament

Too much of The Promise to young people in care remains ?on paper?, report warns
29 Sep 2026 at 2:49pm
The Oversight Board for The Promise said there is a ?real and narrowing opportunity? for MSPs to improve the lives of young people in this Parliament

Museums sector chief warns of ?decades of underinvestment? amid closures risk
29 Sep 2026 at 11:53am
A new survey shows 17% of museum organisations believe their facility is at risk of closure in the next 12 months

?Vital? landlords understand new law on mould and damp in homes, housing mini...
29 Sep 2026 at 7:42am
The new regulations for landlords come into force on October 6.

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Andy Burnham urged to take control of troubled Scots steelworks and save jobs
2 Oct 2026 at 10:44am
The Dalzell plate mill in Motherwell has lain idle for more than six years with staff furloughed or employed on a care and maintenance basis.

'Desperate' John Swinney 'misrepresenting' Andy Burnham over pensions triple ...
1 Oct 2026 at 4:26pm
The Prime Minister used a landmark speech in Liverpool this week to announce he would modify the device used to calculate the annual increase to the state pension.

Hundreds of Scots jobs at risk as chemical manufacturer announces plans to qu...
1 Oct 2026 at 2:58pm
Syngenta plans to end production in Grangemouth and axe almost 400 jobs as a result.

Doctors' chiefs warn Swinney that axing heath boards won't improve care for S...
1 Oct 2026 at 1:54pm
The BMA wants SNP ministers "to withdraw and rethink its whole approach" to healthcare reform.

SNP orders for new buses leaves 'Beijing buzzing' while 115 Scots jobs are sl...
1 Oct 2026 at 11:58am
Alexander Dennis is shutting one of its two factories in Falkirk and plans to slash jobs while it focuses on chassis work in Scotland instead of completing full vehicles.

SNP-led Glasgow City Council reissues threat to sack 23,000 workers after uni...
1 Oct 2026 at 7:53am
Scotland's largest local authority faces effective bankruptcy unless it can finally resolve an equal pay row that has dragged on for more than a decade.

Peter Murrell committed 'real betrayal and treachery', says former SNP leader
1 Oct 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: Humza Yousaf said he felt "frustration" his time as first minister coincided with the ramping up of Operation Branchform, which ultimately led to the jailing of Peter Murrell.

'Affluent crook' Peter Murrell loses legal aid after being jailed for 5 years...
30 Sep 2026 at 11:03am
The Scottish Legal Aid Board faced a backlash after the Record first reported that Murrell was receiving taxpayers' cash to fund his defence.

Peter Murrell case 'absolutely not' linked to review of Lord Advocate role, c...
30 Sep 2026 at 9:08am
Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband was jailed for five years in June following the biggest scandal in Scottish politics of recent times.

John Swinney claims Andy Burnham repeating mistakes made by Keir Starmer on p...
29 Sep 2026 at 5:20pm
The SNP leader said he thought Mr Burnham was ?getting off on the wrong footing? by removing the pensions triple lock.

The National

The National | Politics

UK Government addresses panic over diesel supplies as Donald Trump pressure g...
2 Oct 2026 at 9:42am

People should not worry about diesel shortages, the Government has said, amid pressure from the US for European countries to use their reserves

SNP vote share falls as Conservatives hold key council seat in by-election
2 Oct 2026 at 9:21am

THE Scottish Conservatives have held the Forth and Endrick seat on Stirling Council after a council by-election that saw the SNP's vote share fall by almost five percentage points

Talks collapse as Drumcree march row heads back to court
2 Oct 2026 at 9:03am

TALKS aimed at resolving the Drumcree march dispute have broken up without agreement, as a legal appeal over the contentious march is scheduled for Monday

Suella Braverman accused of being ?racist against herself? in Question Time c...
2 Oct 2026 at 8:51am

REFORM UK MP Suella Braverman was accused of "reinforcing the racist argument" and even "being racist against herself" during a fiery exchange on BBC Question Time after she said she does not consider herself English despite being born in London

Only radical change can truly build a just nation for all
2 Oct 2026 at 5:00am

PRO-SOVEREIGNTY trade unionists from Wales, Scotland, and the Basque Country will gather at the Plaid Cymru conference in Llandudno this weekend to chart a new path forward for their respective nations and to forge deeper international co-operation.

Highland activists hit out at Andy Burnham?s GB Grid plan
2 Oct 2026 at 5:00am

ACTIVISTS battling massive pylon and transmission line developments across the Scottish Highlands ? as well as expected huge incoming energy bills for homes and businesses ? are challenging Prime Minister Andy Burnham?s new proposal for a UK Government-controlled energy system called

Iris Duane: Community should matter so much more than skin
2 Oct 2026 at 5:00am

THIS parliamentary session, there are seven black and minority ethnic politicians out of 129, including me ....

Robin McAlpine: A National subscription is an investment in Scotland's future
2 Oct 2026 at 5:00am

There are two different things I sometimes hear from the independence movement

Celtic Alliance 'more than a symbol,' DFM says ahead of key Plaid Cymru speech
1 Oct 2026 at 8:31pm

CELTIC Alliance ?more than a symbol,? Scotland?s Deputy First Minister has said ahead of her key speech at Plaid Cymru?s annual conference ...

Sixth man arrested in connection with suspected RAF Fairford terror plot
1 Oct 2026 at 7:50pm

A DUAL UK-Iranian national has become the sixth person to be arrested in connection with the suspected RAF Fairford terror plot ...

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

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

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

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

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

Scottish Green MSP calls for rejection of data centre at former nuclear plant
30 Sep 2026 at 3:22pm
Plans lodged for south of Scotland facility

Scottish biometrics commissioner renews live facial recognition call
30 Sep 2026 at 12:47pm
Legislate now, Brian Plastow urges ministers

Ex-Arnold Clark boss calls for action over cyber attacks
30 Sep 2026 at 11:49am
Scottish Parliament event hears of 'significant' harm

Scottish Government announces review of law officers
29 Sep 2026 at 5:03pm
First Minister John Swinney informed the Scottish Parliament that the review will be chaired by Lord Boyd of Duncansby

Andy Burnham: I will not be the last prime minister of the UK
29 Sep 2026 at 4:39pm
The PM used his conference speech to say he would "fight with everything I?ve got to keep it together"

OpenAI shelves plans to release new model over safety concerns
29 Sep 2026 at 1:04pm
The system, known as GPT-6.1 Astra, "didn't quite meet the bar" of the company's standards, according to OpenAI's head of safety systems, Saachi Jain

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

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

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

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

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

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

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

The settled will of the people of Scotland is for a second indyref
22 Sep 2026 at 1:51pm
As far as wanting another independence referendum is concerned, Scotland is definitely in settled will of the people territory. A new poll carried out by Norstat for the campaign group Believe in Scotland has found that 55.6% of Scots want another referendum within the next ten years while a further 12.6% believe there should be …

Err a Marra oan ra barra
20 Sep 2026 at 12:12am
I’m typing this in bed. Yesterday I had a nasty fall. Due to the stroke in 2020, I have very poor sensation and no spatial awareness in the left side of my body. This means I only know where my left foot is if I am looking at it. Yesterday when navigating some steps in …

Labour?s lying reply to Believe in Scotland?s petition
16 Sep 2026 at 2:57pm
You’ve probably never heard of Elaine Stewart. She’s my local MP, one of the least distinguished Labour MPs out of the undistinguished bunch of careerists and lobby fodder elected to Westminster in July 2024, supposedly to represent Scottish constituencies. Stewart features amongst the six Labour MPs representing Scottish constituencies who appear in list compiled by …

The positive case for the Union will be along shortly, this time they mean it.
15 Sep 2026 at 2:49pm
The flag waving We’re not nationalists we’re British brigade are seriously rattled by the Celtic Alliance, although of course they’d never admit to it, they’re currently doing their best impression of the Catherine Tate character Lauren, screaming, “Lookit my face am I bovvered?” as they go red white blue and puce in their ostensibly unbovvered …

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

If there is a crisis in Scotland?s maternity wards why are negligence pay-out...
2 Oct 2026 at 10:27am
The Scotsman is desperately trying to build a reputation on death and despair in maternity wards. So far, it’s shoddy, fail, do not resubmit, leave the course. In classic churnalist mode, they’ve just added up incidents treating unlike things as if they were the same type of incident because the boards themselves do not use one shared set of terms, to get a big number for the headline. A seriou...

New Scottish food promotion rules announcement was ignored by media for two w...
2 Oct 2026 at 9:43am
Help Talking-up Scotland keep goingCrowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-goingOr by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code ? 08-91-04 Account ? 12266421 Today BBC Scotland deign to report the Scottish Government’s Food promotion rules in Scotland, announced and reported here nearly two weeks ago. It’s a simple description with no investi...

If they try to tell you ?UK care reforms could net Scotland £1bn?, here?s you...
1 Oct 2026 at 4:28pm
Here’s the Herald just passively accepting another wee London-based thinktank commentator’s claim that the Barnett formula will compensate us for loss of the triple lock pension to sort England’s care service and to generate another Andy-friendly headline. First, says who? David Phillips, a ‘leading’ economist with the IFS. To get a job as a university lecturer in Economics, you?d need a PhD an...

England running scared of independence, THEIR independence that is as UK Parl...
1 Oct 2026 at 4:27pm
Important: This a UK-wide petition sent all constituency offices across the UK. Launched on 9 June 2026, nearly 4 months ago, the above UK Parliament approved petition reveals some enthusiasm for English Independence but only really in Scotland. What are they afraid of? By Liz S A petition online that someone has created for a ?Referendum on English Independence?. What is especially delicious i...

If England has ?more than TWO MILLION homes at risk of flooding? how many wil...
1 Oct 2026 at 4:25pm
In the Guardian today: More than two million people in England are unaware their properties are at risk of flooding, as the UK braces for a wet and stormy start to the winter, according to the Environment Agency. Experts say the next three months are more likely than usual to be wet and windy ? due to a combination of large-scale weather patterns and the ?subtle? impact of a supercharged El Niñ...

To ?address the UK-wide challenge of county lines drug dealing? in Scotland, ...
1 Oct 2026 at 4:24pm
?My advice to the Scottish Parliament continues to be that Police Scotland should have proportionate and equitable access to such technologies in the future.? He added: ?This will be important in responding to the threats posed by serious and organised crime groups, for counterterrorism purposes, to address the UK-wide challenge of county lines drug dealing, and as part of a strategic policing ...

Healthy food ? If they try to tell you it?s just the same in English schools,...
1 Oct 2026 at 9:18am
As Glasgow Live and BBC Scotland announce the above, they will not be telling you this: Shocking healthy school food breaches in 3 out of 4 schools in England but Scotland?s schools stick to rules after legal ruling and integrated inspections In the Guardian 24 August 2026, the above and: Three-quarters of secondary schools in England are breaking the rules on food offered to pupils by serving ...

When they tell you there?s no evidence for Swinney?s radical plan to merge Sc...
1 Oct 2026 at 9:05am
On BBC Scotland, today, the above headline claim and: Leading doctors are calling on the Scottish government to withdraw its plans to drastically reduce the number of health boards. The new chairwoman of BMA Scotland, Dr Nora Murray-Cavanagh, said the proposal to cut the number from 14 to just two would be costly and time consuming – and that there was no clear evidence it would benefit patient...

If they tell you there?s ?sheer terror? in Scotland too, here?s your answer
1 Oct 2026 at 8:13am
Across the BBC in the UK today, the above warnings but all quiet in the media operating in Scotland. So, if someone tells you it’ll be just the same in Scotland or if, as is common, they think the above covers Scotland two, tell them: First, more than ten times as many, per head, early release prisoners were being recalled in England & Wales due to half the ‘probation officer’ staffing in Scotl...

Crowdfunder thanks
30 Sep 2026 at 9:45pm
Talking-up Scotland Crowdfunder September 2026 I?ll leave the crowdfunder open but, with some considerable personal relief, I won?t be pushing it in your faces again, in blog or social media posts, until next February. I?m really grateful to the 260 or so who have helped and, in particular, for the many kind, heart-warming and morale-boosting comments. I know that many of the 15 000 or so who f...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

Scottish independence - Politics.co.uk
2 Oct 2026 at 9:24am
Scottish independence  Politics.co.uk

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

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

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

Inside historic independence meeting that left US strategist saying: ?You wil...
1 Oct 2026 at 5:30pm
Inside historic independence meeting that left US strategist saying: ?You will win?  The National Scot

Why Scotland should only hold an independence referendum at 60 Yes - The Herald
29 Sep 2026 at 6:52am
Why Scotland should only hold an independence referendum at 60 Yes  The Herald

Scottish independence: Nigel Farage addresses claims he is a threat to the un...
28 Sep 2026 at 1:19pm
Scottish independence: Nigel Farage addresses claims he is a threat to the union  The Scotsman

Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland to demand UK allow independence referendum ...
13 Sep 2026 at 8:00am
Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland to demand UK allow independence referendum  The Jerusalem Post

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

A Voluntary Union? The Scottish Independence Movement at a Legal Impasse - mi...
20 Aug 2026 at 8:00am
A Voluntary Union? The Scottish Independence Movement at a Legal Impasse  mironline.ca

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

Union fury as SNP minister signals end of compulsory job loss ban - The Times
1 Oct 2026 at 8:27pm
Union fury as SNP minister signals end of compulsory job loss ban  The Times

Ex-SNP chief executive Peter Murrell's legal aid withdrawn after embezzlement...
30 Sep 2026 at 11:30am
Ex-SNP chief executive Peter Murrell's legal aid withdrawn after embezzlement conviction  Sky News

NanoTS: a deep learning tool for accurate SNP calling in nanopore long-read t...
22 Sep 2026 at 8:00am
NanoTS: a deep learning tool for accurate SNP calling in nanopore long-read transcriptome data  Nature

SNP vote share falls as Conservatives hold key council seat in by-election - ...
2 Oct 2026 at 9:34am
SNP vote share falls as Conservatives hold key council seat in by-election  The National Scot

Burnham IndyRef blunders expose his own fear & hypocrisy ? Scottish National ...
1 Oct 2026 at 4:52pm
Burnham IndyRef blunders expose his own fear & hypocrisy ? Scottish National Party  snp.org

Exclusive: Trade unions locked out of SNP government discussions on the futur...
2 Oct 2026 at 6:00am
Exclusive: Trade unions locked out of SNP government discussions on the future of buses  The Scotsman

Pressure grows on SNP government after Rosyth-France ferry collapse - thecour...
2 Oct 2026 at 6:01am
Pressure grows on SNP government after Rosyth-France ferry collapse  thecourier.co.uk

SNP fails to confirm cost of free school bags 'gimmick' - The Herald
30 Sep 2026 at 6:59am
SNP fails to confirm cost of free school bags 'gimmick'  The Herald

Identification of Individual Fish by SNP Genotyping of emCells - Wiley Online...
5 Jun 2026 at 8:00am
Identification of Individual Fish by SNP Genotyping of emCells  Wiley Online Library

Peter Murrell's legal aid withdrawn after embezzlement conviction - BBC
30 Sep 2026 at 10:25am
Peter Murrell's legal aid withdrawn after embezzlement conviction  BBC

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

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

Scottish independence - Politics.co.uk
2 Oct 2026 at 9:24am
Scottish independence  Politics.co.uk

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

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

PM would consider independence referendum if 'clear consensus' emerges - BBC
9 Sep 2026 at 8:00am
PM would consider independence referendum if 'clear consensus' emerges  BBC

Why Scotland should only hold an independence referendum at 60 Yes - The Herald
29 Sep 2026 at 6:52am
Why Scotland should only hold an independence referendum at 60 Yes  The Herald

Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish leaders unite in push to leave UK - ABC Ne...
14 Sep 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish leaders unite in push to leave UK  ABC News & Headlines ? Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Unite in Calls for Independence and EU R...
18 Sep 2026 at 6:35am
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Unite in Calls for Independence and EU Return  politicstoday.org

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

Scotland and Wales renew push for independence ? using Burnham?s own rhetoric...
14 Sep 2026 at 8:00am
Scotland and Wales renew push for independence ? using Burnham?s own rhetoric  Financial Times