The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Andy Burnham to offer John Swinney deal to 'hand more power to Scotland's reg...
by donald.erskine@newsquest.co.uk | Donald Erskine
15 Oct 2026 at 10:30pm
Andy Burnham is set to offer John Swinney a deal to empower Scotland?s regions, shifting power from Westminster and Holyrood to boost jobs and growth.


'Devolution's not a religion' Badenoch raises prospect of nuclear Holyrood po...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
15 Oct 2026 at 4:41pm
Kemi Badenoch has raised the prospect of rewriting the Scotland Act to end what she calls the SNP's use of planning rules to veto reserved energy policy, while branding John Swinney a broken record with no answers on drug deaths or education.


The SNP's internal independence divide won't disappear after party conference
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
15 Oct 2026 at 3:47pm
This article appears as part of the Unspun: Scottish Politics newsletter.


'A significant moment for Edinburgh': Capital to host G20 finance meeting nex...
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
15 Oct 2026 at 11:28am
Finance ministers and central bank governors will meet at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on July 8 and 9.


World faces big challenges but ?we can be better?, Obama tells Glasgow audience
by Danyel VanReenen
15 Oct 2026 at 7:54am
Barack Obama has told an audience in Glasgow that hope is worth fighting for despite the big challenges facing the modern world.


Reform UK candidate resigns over claims of ?nepotism, cronyism and bullying?
by donald.erskine@newsquest.co.uk | Donald Erskine
15 Oct 2026 at 6:30am
Former Reform UK candidate Paul Bennie resigns, accusing its Scottish leadership of "nepotism, cronyism and bullying" while questioning deputy leader Thomas Kerr?s "fitness for his role".


Council plans £23.5m hygiene facilities overhaul after EHRC single-sex guidance
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
15 Oct 2026 at 6:00am
According to the local authority, improvements to the public hygiene facilities could cost as much as £23.5 million in capital funding over a ten-year span.


Scotland's hybrid working crackdown for civil servants is 'unworkable', union...
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
15 Oct 2026 at 5:00am
The Scottish Government has been told its hybrid working crackdown for civil servants is unworkable, according to a trade union chief.


?No standing ovation?: What Greens expect from Gillian Mackay at SNP conference
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
15 Oct 2026 at 5:00am
Scottish Greens were surprised by Gillian Mackay?s SNP conference invite, with one source admitting they do not expect a ?standing ovation?.


Teachers doubt Scotland can meet 2030 child poverty target amid rising pupil ...
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
15 Oct 2026 at 5:00am
Scottish teachers report rising child poverty, hunger and financial stress among pupils, while only 34% trust ministers to meet 2030 targets.


Unions urge Andy Burnham to reject controversial Rosebank oil development
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
15 Oct 2026 at 12:01am
A group of 10 national unions have signed an open letter to Andy Burnham urging him not to approve the Rosebank oil field


SNP MP warns Aberdeen could be 'decimated' ahead of North Sea conference clash
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
15 Oct 2026 at 2:41pm
Kirsty Blackman warns Aberdeen could be "decimated" without a better energy transition as she pressures the SNP and UK Government over the North Sea.


Scotland could crackdown on e-bikes and balaclavas amid crime fears
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
15 Oct 2026 at 4:31pm
Scotland considers balaclava exclusion zones as Neil Gray backs action on masked gangs, e-bike crime and calls for off-road vehicle licensing schemes.


Sally Rooney books no longer to be sold in UK over Palestine Action support
by Sean O'Grady
14 Oct 2026 at 8:49pm
Sally Rooney?s books can no longer be sold in the UK after her support for banned group Palestine Action, with Faber citing legal risks following July 5 2025.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


SNP conference day one: Balaclava ban, election call, and polls apart
15 Oct 2026 at 6:30pm

The SNP conference has kicked off in Aberdeen, with the focus on independence strategy and oil and gas policy

Neil Gray said the Scottish government is looking at what has been done in Nottingham

She was speaking during a visit to Edinburgh

Andy Burnham is more popular in Scotland than John Swinney, according to new polling.

Andy Burnham has insisted he wants to reindustrialse every part of the UK - with focus on Aberdeen?s oil and gas sector.

Mr Yousaf said the UN could be called in, or a third party country trusted by both the Scottish and UK Governments

As the SNP begins its annual party conference, a new poll suggests the nationalists are on track to be the biggest party in Scotland at the next general election.

Five new North Sea oil and gas projects are awaiting Andy Burnham?s government to approve Rosebank and Jackdaw in order to further ramp up drilling.

Wings over Scotland

The fight about to come
14 Oct 2026 at 3:20pm
The obvious question is “Why haven’t you made a bigger one in all that time?” Did it not seem important until now? Was there nothing significant going on? Or were they just a little short of cash for some unknowable reason? Still, Keith’s going to make a “launch” speech. He makes it every year. It’ll …

Still Time To Save Her
9 Oct 2026 at 2:32pm
We’ve just had an extraordinary email from Police Scotland, readers. Here it is. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the real-life Timecops. Operation Branchform was closed on 20 March 2025. Nicola Sturgeon gave her infamous interview to Laura Kuenssberg – stating that she would not be handing back any of the items gifted to her by Peter …

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Craig Murray

The Unjust State
15 Oct 2026 at 2:06pm

“Forget justice, it’s much too expensive and time consuming. Plus if you take the government to court, you will have to spend your own money, and we are saving you from that”. That is a fair summary of the judgement by Lords Pentland and Troy and Lady Wise in our appeal against the suspension of …

The Unjust State

Does the Act of Union Still Apply?
12 Oct 2026 at 10:29am

Tomorrow at 10am we get the judgement in our appeal against the suspension of the Scottish judicial review of the proscription of Palestine Action. We cannot have won as the appeal – held by “urgent process” – was intended to allow a judicial review before the Supreme Court meets in the Ammori case on 4 …

Does the Act of Union Still Apply?

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

BBC Scotland

Burnham to urge Swinney to work with him on devolution during Scottish visit
15 Oct 2026 at 10:59pm
The prime minister will speak on his first substantive trip to Scotland since moving into Downing Street.

'Bring it on': Flynn challenges Burnham on independence referendum
15 Oct 2026 at 3:08pm
The SNP's Stephen Flynn tells his party's conference independence supporters are "winning the argument".

What does Andy Burnham have up his sleeve as he crashes SNP conference?
15 Oct 2026 at 6:18am
The prime minister's first substantive visit to Scotland coincides with the SNP's conference in Aberdeen.

Fewer than 800 Scots have received jabs for weight loss on NHS, BBC finds
15 Oct 2026 at 6:17am
Only five of Scotland's 14 health boards currently offer the treatment specifically for weight loss, it has emerged.

Obama says drift towards extremism 'not inevitable'
15 Oct 2026 at 11:51am
More than 12,000 people filled a major venue in the city to hear the former US president's take on the challenges the world is facing. .

I do not have confidence UK is safe from Russian threats - Swinney
14 Oct 2026 at 5:57pm
The first minister speaks to BBC Scotland News ahead of the SNP's annual conference in Aberdeen.

Burnham - Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas decisions coming 'shortly'
14 Oct 2026 at 3:13pm
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has urged the prime minister to stop "faffing about" with the North Sea oil and gas fields.

Swimmer Archie Goodburn thanks prime minister as brain cancer review announced
14 Oct 2026 at 8:04pm
The Scottish athlete, who has inoperable brain tumours, previously made a tearful plea for more investment in brain cancer research on BBC Breakfast.

John Cleese urges St Andrews students not to elect Q Manivannan as rector
13 Oct 2026 at 5:29pm
The actor and former rector of St Andrews says the MSP has understated the psychological effects of rape.

Burnham to visit Scotland during SNP conference
13 Oct 2026 at 11:29am
The prime minister is expected to head to the central belt while SNP members gather in Aberdeen.

Shetland MSP defends hiring artist with public money
12 Oct 2026 at 6:30pm
Hannah Mary Goodlad says she is using language and culture to reach the public across her islands constituency.

No probe into claims Swinney misled Holyrood
12 Oct 2026 at 5:47pm
The first minister is facing no investigation into his comments on plans to adjust the pension triple lock.

Scot Goes Pop

52% support for independence - 14-point lead for SNP - new Scottish poll is C...
15 Oct 2026 at 10:35pm

I'm standing in this week's SNP internal elections - I believe we have a duty...
14 Oct 2026 at 12:57pm
An audio podcast version of the above video can be heard HERE, and will soon be available on Apple Podcasts HERE.

Nick Robinson and the dehumanisation of Palestinians demanded by official BBC...
11 Oct 2026 at 8:42am
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...

Sky News goes full Pravda in its coverage of the Holborn & St Pancras by-elec...
9 Oct 2026 at 1:04pm
Holborn & St Pancras by-election result (8th October 2026):Labour 45.2% (-3.7)Greens 32.8% (+22.4)Conservatives 7.1% (-0.1)Reform UK 5.9% (-0.2)Liberal Democrats 3.4% (-2.4)Restore Britain 2.5% (n/...

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

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

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

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

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Burnham to offer to work with Swinney on shifting power to councils during Sc...
15 Oct 2026 at 10:30pm
The Prime Minister?s Lanarkshire visit comes as the SNP gathers for its national conference in Aberdeen.

Public sector reforms could be ?building blocks of independent state? ? minister
15 Oct 2026 at 5:06pm
Public service reform seretary Ivan McKee spoke out during a fringe meeting at the SNP conference

Time ahead the greatest challenge ever for independence movement, says Flynn
15 Oct 2026 at 1:18pm
Economy secretary Stephen Flynn addressed the SNP conference on Thursday

Burnham urged to ?bring it on? and allow second Scottish independence vote
15 Oct 2026 at 7:40am
Economy Secretary Stephen Flynn will make the demand as the SNP conference gets under way in Aberdeen on Thursday.

Reform councillors told to resign after ?chilling? ITV investigation
14 Oct 2026 at 9:04pm
Labour chair Bridget Phillipson said anyone found to have made "such despicable comments" must be made to leave Reform UK "immediately". 

Decision on North Sea?s Jackdaw gas field ?imminent?, Energy Secretary says
14 Oct 2026 at 5:37pm
The UK Government is considering whether to grant permission for two projects

Archie Goodburn thanked as ministers announce plans to improve brain cancer care
14 Oct 2026 at 5:22pm
The Scottish swimmer, 25, has been praised for his advocacy work

First Minister John Swinney backs second Brexit vote ahead of SNP conference
14 Oct 2026 at 4:48pm
The First Minister also highlighted a poll commissioned by the SNP, which shows a majority support for independence

Former US President Barack Obama touches down in Glasgow for Hydro event
14 Oct 2026 at 4:21pm
An Evening with President Barack Obama will be held at the OVO Hydro on Wednesday evening

Swinney: I will use every opportunity to challenge Badenoch devolution push
14 Oct 2026 at 6:58am
It comes after reports Tory leader Kemi Badenoch would review devolution if her party wins the keys to Downing Street in 2029.

Swinney will not be investigated over claims he misled Parliament over pensions
12 Oct 2026 at 3:52pm
The First Minister said he had been informed by his independent advisers that ?no investigation is required?

More than half think Scotland ?heading in wrong direction?, poll finds
12 Oct 2026 at 7:02am
Ipsos Scotland said the figure of 51% will be a concern for John Swinney, as it has increased from 45% in May.

Corridor care ?not acceptable?, Constance says ahead of NHS winter period
11 Oct 2026 at 3:11pm
The Health Secretary said she would have a ?laser focus? on building capacity for healthcare in the community.

Scottish Government urging public to ?ask for help? this World Mental Health Day
10 Oct 2026 at 1:39pm
World Mental Health Day is celebrated on October 10.

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Andy Burnham offers to work with John Swinney to push power out of Holyrood a...
15 Oct 2026 at 10:30pm
The Prime Minister will use a speech in Lanarkshire to emphasise the Scottish Government is one of the most centralised devolved administrations in Europe.

Fed-up SNP members tell party bosses to spend 'less time fixating on Westmins...
15 Oct 2026 at 7:15pm
In a rare example of dissent, SNP activists gathered away from the party conference to discuss how to kick-start the stalled campaign for ending the Union.

Half of Scots view SNP as incompetent with majority branding party 'out of to...
15 Oct 2026 at 1:10pm
The Nationalists are preparing to launch another push for independence since 2014 at a time many voters are turning their back on the party.

John Swinney denies he faces a 'rammy' with unions as 20,000 workers face 'un...
15 Oct 2026 at 12:45pm
The SNP leader said he wanted to achieve "consensus" on plans to axe councils health boards and denied he faced a "rammy" with unions over inevitable job cuts.

"My partner died begging for help - then system failed my kids" Mum in desper...
15 Oct 2026 at 4:30am
Luke Henderson died by suicide after begging for help in December 2017 - then his two children were rejected from CAMHS.

John Swinney warned against pushing through 'barbarous' public sector job cuts
15 Oct 2026 at 4:30am
The First Minister will arrive in Aberdeen for the SNP's annual conference amid mounting concerns over his plans to radically reform the NHS and local government.

John Swinney branded 'clueless' on achieving independence as 'depressed' SNP ...
15 Oct 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: A veteran Nationalist said there was "utter depression" among ordinary party members over the performance of the Scottish Government.

Andy Burnham urged to 'help' Glasgow as Reform accused of 'exploiting' public...
14 Oct 2026 at 1:56pm
Labour MP Maureen Burke said there was now an urgent need for an "honest discussion" on the pressures facing Glasgow.

Commandos build underground hospital near Glasgow to combat drones on battlef...
14 Oct 2026 at 12:10pm
The subterranean hospital, which was inspired by the war in Ukraine, took six days to build.

Andy Burnham trying to 'steal the limelight' from SNP conference with Scotlan...
14 Oct 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: A senior SNP minister said the PM's planned visit north of the Border showed he was "lacking in confidence about his message to Scots".

The National

The National | Politics

'Don't fear us': Inside the launch of the SNP's new independence pressure group
15 Oct 2026 at 8:07pm

AN SNP splinter group, an internal pressure group, a simple forum for discussion?

Donald Trump scraps plans to livestream firing squad execution after backlash
15 Oct 2026 at 7:12pm

US President Donald Trump has said the Pentagon will no longer livestream the firing squad execution of Fort Hood gunman Nidal Malik Hasan, after the announcement faced bipartisan criticism and vice president JD Vance said he would not watch it.

It's time to ban balloon releases and sky lanterns in Scotland
15 Oct 2026 at 7:00pm

IT was less than a hundred years ago that people began releasing helium balloons as a means to celebrate. Since then, balloon releases have expanded to nearly every special occasion

SNP pressure group launches with five demands for John Swinney on independence
15 Oct 2026 at 6:53pm

SNP members have officially launched a new internal pressure group with a demand for John Swinney ahead of his speech at the party's conference ...

Andy Burnham can?t see the Unionist open goal right in front of him
15 Oct 2026 at 6:30pm

THE Labour establishment might be hailing Andy Burnham as some kind of political messiah brought in to save the party from oblivion, but the reality is a lot simpler. Burnham is a remarkably ordinary politician who happened to get lucky.

Kemi Badenoch fails to rule out stripping Holyrood of powers if she becomes PM
15 Oct 2026 at 5:38pm

KEMI Badenoch has failed to rule out stripping Holyrood of its powers if she becomes prime minister.

Scottish Government pledges £10 million for two specialist defence colleges
15 Oct 2026 at 5:18pm

THE Scottish Government has confirmed £10 million of funding ? allowing two new specialist defence colleges to be established north of the border ...

The clues to the SNP's new independence strategy from first day of conference
15 Oct 2026 at 5:16pm

THE SNP conference is now in full swing ? but it had not even begun when the party appeared to quietly rewrite its independence strategy ...

Conservatives ban The National from Kemi Badenoch's Scottish press event
15 Oct 2026 at 5:00pm

THE Conservative Party have today banned The National from attending a press meeting with Kemi Badenoch during her visit to Scotland ? despite condemning Reform UK ...

Glasgow pupil speaks out on 'annoying' moment Thomas Kerr cut him off on Deba...
15 Oct 2026 at 4:53pm

A DEBATE Night audience member has spoken of the "frustrating" moment a Reform MSP cut him off and says young people need to have their political voice heard

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Dave Doogan has a secret defence plan for an independent Scotland
15 Oct 2026 at 11:00pm
He also admitted to harbouring an ambition to be the defence secretary

Dave Doogan: A plan to defend an independent Scotland is ?not an ambition, it...
15 Oct 2026 at 7:54pm
Doogan warned that ?the threats are there? and Scotland must have a plan for defence in the buildup to independence

Polling: SNP on track to be in ?most powerful position at Westminster in our ...
14 Oct 2026 at 4:26pm
The deputy first minister reacted to new polling suggesting the SNP could receive 34 per cent of the vote at the next general election

Andy Burnham: Manchester-style approach can clean up Glasgow
14 Oct 2026 at 3:59pm
Pledge to MP during Prime Minister's Questions

Majority of Scots back ?pragmatic? North Sea approach
14 Oct 2026 at 6:00am
Over two-thirds of Scots agree decisions on oil and gas should be made on a case-by-case basis

AI ?supercharging? cyber threats, MI5 chief warns
13 Oct 2026 at 5:00pm
MI5 has launched a new AI Threat Assessment Centre

Prime minister to visit Scotland during SNP conference
13 Oct 2026 at 12:22pm
The prime minister will be north of the border to discuss his plans to devolve more powers to local authorities

John Swinney will not be investigated over claims he misled parliament with p...
12 Oct 2026 at 4:49pm
The first minister said independent advisers had decided that "no investigation is required"

John Swinney urged to condemn Ross Greer remarks on Zionism
8 Oct 2026 at 6:00pm
Malcolm Offord said the comments were "blatantly antisemitic", while the FM accused Reform of "bringing racism into the chamber"

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

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

Burnham v Swinney: will the UK PM overshadow the SNP?s conference?
15 Oct 2026 at 7:00am
Prime minister presents new kind of challenge for SNP, and his Scottish visit will loom large over its big eventThis year, even Andy Burnham is invited to the Scottish National party conference. But by the time John Swinney stands up to address members on Saturday afternoon in Aberdeen to reinvig...

Burnham tells Zelenskyy?s UK?s support for Ukraine ?will not change? ? as it ...
14 Oct 2026 at 6:06pm
Zelenskyy says he will be discussing intelligence sharing ?difficulties? and Starlink access with BurnhamPMQs is about to start.Here is the list of MPs down to ask a question.After @genevieve_holl reported this last night, various sources in the Trump administration who are supportive of Farage s...

MI5 chief Ken McCallum confirms Russia did interfere in Brexit referendum but...
13 Oct 2026 at 5:23pm
He argued there was no evidence to suggest the result of the Brexit vote had been swayed as a result of the effortAndy Burnham promises ?serious dialogue? over UK?s relationship with EUZia Yusuf, Reform UK?s home affairs spokesperson, has said he does not agree with his colleague Suella Braverman...

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 ...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

SNP conference, day 1 and the Choose Scotland campaign
15 Oct 2026 at 2:46pm
It’s sod’s law. Just as the SNP party conference gets underway and the biggest push for independence in a decade has been announced, WordPress, the platform this blog uses, has implemented an update which has run into some glitches and is preventing many people from being able to post comments or replies. If you are …

Emily Thornberry?s EU English exceptionalism
14 Oct 2026 at 3:53pm
Labour MP Emily Thornberry has suggested that the UK could rejoin the EU without another referendum to overturn the result of the 2016 Brexit referendum. Speaking to Sky News, she said the majority agree that Brexit was a disaster and the UK should just rejoin the EU, another referendum is not necessary in her view. …

The SNP is right to maintain its boycott of the Lords
13 Oct 2026 at 3:08pm
Last week, the SNP’s former Westminster leader Ian Blackford, speaking to The National newspaper’s podcast, suggested that the party’s refusal to take any seat in Westminster?s upper chamber was a weakness as it left them with “no way of affecting legislation in that House”. While insisting that he accepts the long standing SNP policy of …

Sticking with the status quo isn?t working
12 Oct 2026 at 2:53pm
Andy Burnham has decided to reopen the question of the UK’s relationship with the EU, telling MPs on Monday that it is time to “face up to the reality that Brexit has done more harm than good” and “the status quo is not good enough for Britain,” and that and “the status quo isn’t working …

America?s moral turpitude is infesting British politics
10 Oct 2026 at 2:58pm
I don’t usually blog about America unless it directly affects or involves Scotland, but for the latest example of how far that once great country has fallen into moral turpitude under Trump, I’ll make an exception. The very same people who had a collective meltdown over the sight of a Black mermaid or Black Helen …

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

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

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

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

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

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

YouGov?s naked bias still using the thousands who have passed since 2014 to m...
15 Oct 2026 at 7:14pm
The pollster YouGov above today still trying to tell us we don’t want independence. Below, telling with unerring regularity the same story in the face of a powerful trend telling us the opposite. It?s not just the last four or five YouGov polls, going back years they almost never get a Yes lead. YouGov is of course, Tory-owned. So how might they be doing this. Have a look at the way they have a...

Too few people are ready yet to really go for it
15 Oct 2026 at 5:47pm
Lesley Riddoch above telling viewers that the SNP leadership is too comfortable in their jobs and that ‘to too many people, they look like they’re behind an ivory tower.’ I know, there are those in the SNP leadership a bit too comfortable but I remain convinced that the party heads inevitably toward independence and I see little evidence for Riddoch’s claims. There is evidence from polls that v...

Reform UK candidates will be vetted
15 Oct 2026 at 5:26pm
By Liz S Calling Malcolm Offord & Thomas Kerr to ask them if they watched last night?s ITV news report on the racist & sexist comments made by Reform UK Councillors and Candidates in England (is it only there though ?). Reminds me of when the BBC reported on Reform UK on their BBC website in March 2026 via this headline ?Reform UK suspends Scotland candidate over financial allegations? . That a...

Why UK Labour?s risky nuclear changes are just like Trump?s ?pro-cancer? age...
15 Oct 2026 at 1:32pm
In the Scotsman, yesterday, in a sequence of anti-SNP pieces recently, the above from the woman below: Melanie Ward has worked for several charities, including Christian Aid, and ActionAid UK. For a time she chaired The Circle, which is a charity that Annie Lennox founded to empower women. By December 2015, Ward was the associate director of policy and advocacy for International Rescue Committe...

Scotland?s drug deaths crisis IS a human rights scandal but it is also a fund...
15 Oct 2026 at 12:56pm
From Third Force yesterday, the above, and: The Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) chair has challenged ministers over their response to the continuing drugs’ death toll, insisting the loss of life is neither acceptable nor inevitable. Professor Angela O’Hagan’s intervention follows figures showing 1,133 people died from drugs in Scotland during 2025 ? an increase of 116 on the previous ye...

Sadly the Herald is not the only media outlet where failures, even war crimin...
15 Oct 2026 at 11:51am
I’ve sworn off and of Kev many times then find myself angrily coming back for more. WTF is he talking about now? This is clearly a case for AI. I have better things to do, like wipe my……………. Here you are, 34 seconds of Grok: Are there prominent demonstrably failed political figures in the UK or beyond who are then or later rewarded? Yes. There are multiple prominent examples in the UK (and a si...

Fighting obesity with drugs ? BBC Scotland?s one-sided, unbalanced reporting ...
15 Oct 2026 at 10:37am
effective since 2023. BBC Scotland‘s insert in BBC Breakfast this morning tell us that the weight loss drug ‘jabs’ (sic) Wegovy and Mounjaro are only being prescribed free, on the NHS, for ‘fewer than 800′ Scots, that at least 300 000 are accessing them privately, that this discriminates against the obese and that they have been approved as ‘safe and cost effective.‘ In some ways strangely, giv...

As twice as many wait more than 12 hours in NHS England?s A&E, Jackie Baillie...
14 Oct 2026 at 5:30pm
Scottish Labour’s unhealthy spokesperson seem to be a columnist at the Unhealthy Scotsman these days. Today, further riding the Scotsman off its readership cliff, she has: The shocking figures that reveal how bad Scotland’s A&E crisis has got under SNP ? Jackie Baillie Emergency departments in two flagship hospitals can sometimes be forced to deal with more than double or triple the number of p...

There has been a massive but unreported reduction in the number of children o...
14 Oct 2026 at 5:20pm
In the Herald, today, the above and: and: Nowhere in this report is the question ‘Why is there an increase?’ even considered never mind answered. The answer is in existing MSM reports: First, there is a huge surge in child exploitation ? carrying drugs in body cavities and sexual abuse ? by English county lines drug gangs in Scotland From Human Trafficking NRM referrals re county lines ? 10yrs ...

Half the recorded rape offence rate but more funding in Scotland ? THE News?
14 Oct 2026 at 10:42am
because of a funding shortage. Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis has launched an urgent appeal to raise more money in the next four weeks. It comes amid a series of protests about cuts to similar services across the country when the number of sexual crimes recorded here reached its highest since the 1970s. BBC Scotland leading off today, as often before, with a story not fully worked out on its web...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

The SNP's internal independence divide won't disappear after party conference...
15 Oct 2026 at 4:11pm
The SNP's internal independence divide won't disappear after party conference  The Herald

Stephen Flynn warns of 'greatest challenge' for Scottish independence movemen...
15 Oct 2026 at 10:38pm
Stephen Flynn warns of 'greatest challenge' for Scottish independence movement yet  The National Scot

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

Badenoch challenges Burnham to rule out Scottish referendum - The Telegraph
15 Oct 2026 at 9:02pm
Badenoch challenges Burnham to rule out Scottish referendum  The Telegraph

'Bring it on': Flynn challenges Burnham on independence referendum - BBC
15 Oct 2026 at 3:08pm
'Bring it on': Flynn challenges Burnham on independence referendum  BBC

Flynn urges Burnham to ?bring it on? and call a second Scottish independence ...
15 Oct 2026 at 5:20pm
Flynn urges Burnham to ?bring it on? and call a second Scottish independence referendum  Morning Star | The People?s Daily

New polls undermine John Swinney?s independence claims - The Times
15 Oct 2026 at 6:15pm
New polls undermine John Swinney?s independence claims  The Times

Path to Scottish independence back in spotlight at SNP conference - Financial...
14 Oct 2026 at 5:00am
Path to Scottish independence back in spotlight at SNP conference  Financial Times

SNP says it is launching biggest Scottish independence campaign since referen...
15 Oct 2026 at 5:00am
SNP says it is launching biggest Scottish independence campaign since referendum  The Scotsman

Dave Doogan: I am an operative charged with delivering Scotland?s independenc...
15 Oct 2026 at 1:00am
Dave Doogan: I am an operative charged with delivering Scotland?s independence  Holyrood Website

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

Burnham v Swinney: will the UK PM overshadow the SNP?s conference? - The Guar...
15 Oct 2026 at 9:52am
Burnham v Swinney: will the UK PM overshadow the SNP?s conference?  The Guardian

The SNP's internal independence divide won't disappear after party conference...
15 Oct 2026 at 4:11pm
The SNP's internal independence divide won't disappear after party conference  The Herald

SNP back calls to ban anti-LGBT conversion practices - The National Scot
15 Oct 2026 at 5:01pm
SNP back calls to ban anti-LGBT conversion practices  The National Scot

Scotland political snapshot, October 2026 - YouGov
15 Oct 2026 at 9:57am
Scotland political snapshot, October 2026  YouGov

Path to Scottish independence back in spotlight at SNP conference - Financial...
14 Oct 2026 at 5:00am
Path to Scottish independence back in spotlight at SNP conference  Financial Times

Our Right to Decide Has Been Won in Principle. Now We Must Win It in Practice...
15 Oct 2026 at 4:58pm
Our Right to Decide Has Been Won in Principle. Now We Must Win It in Practice. ? Scottish National Party  SNP

SNP conference day one: Balaclava ban, election call, polls apart - The Scotsman
15 Oct 2026 at 6:30pm
SNP conference day one: Balaclava ban, election call, polls apart  The Scotsman

What does Andy Burnham have up his sleeve as he crashes SNP conference? - BBC
14 Oct 2026 at 10:58pm
What does Andy Burnham have up his sleeve as he crashes SNP conference?  BBC

Even the SNP is showing up Burnham?s ineptitude - The Telegraph
15 Oct 2026 at 12:24pm
Even the SNP is showing up Burnham?s ineptitude  The Telegraph

Andy Burnham: Power too centralised in Scotland under SNP - Holyrood Website
15 Oct 2026 at 6:04pm
Andy Burnham: Power too centralised in Scotland under SNP  Holyrood Website

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

'Bring it on': Flynn challenges Burnham on independence referendum - BBC
15 Oct 2026 at 3:08pm
'Bring it on': Flynn challenges Burnham on independence referendum  BBC

Flynn urges Burnham to ?bring it on? and call a second Scottish independence ...
15 Oct 2026 at 5:20pm
Flynn urges Burnham to ?bring it on? and call a second Scottish independence referendum  Morning Star | The People?s Daily

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

The SNP's internal independence divide won't disappear after party conference...
15 Oct 2026 at 4:11pm
The SNP's internal independence divide won't disappear after party conference  The Herald

Path to Scottish independence back in spotlight at SNP conference - Financial...
14 Oct 2026 at 5:00am
Path to Scottish independence back in spotlight at SNP conference  Financial Times

SNP says it is launching biggest Scottish independence campaign since referen...
15 Oct 2026 at 5:00am
SNP says it is launching biggest Scottish independence campaign since referendum  The Scotsman

Majority of Scots support independence as SNP hail ?emphatic? poll - The Nati...
14 Oct 2026 at 5:19pm
Majority of Scots support independence as SNP hail ?emphatic? poll  The National Scot

The SNP launches a major campaign to pressure Burnham and achieve a second re...
15 Oct 2026 at 4:25pm
The SNP launches a major campaign to pressure Burnham and achieve a second referendum for Scotland  Diari ARA

SNP to launch ?biggest independence campaign? since 2014 referendum - London ...
15 Oct 2026 at 10:48am
SNP to launch ?biggest independence campaign? since 2014 referendum  London Evening Standard

Scottish First Minister: 'Rethink Brexit? Rethink independence!' - Sky News
14 Oct 2026 at 4:32pm
Scottish First Minister: 'Rethink Brexit? Rethink independence!'  Sky News