The Herald

The Herald | Politics


'Electorate needs parties to be honest about hard choices' facing government
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
20 Feb 2026 at 9:40am
A major pre-election analysis from the Fraser of Allander Institute and the Wales Governance Centre warns Scotland is heading into the 2026 Holyrood vote with an underlying deficit, rising NHS and social care pressures, public sector pay strains and little room for manoeuvre.


Boost for Chancellor as UK finances improve with record result
by jody.harrison@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Jody Harrison
20 Feb 2026 at 8:25am
Tax receipts were billions greater than borrowing in January


Strathclyde University boss rejects claims its governing body is a 'secret so...
20 Feb 2026 at 5:00am
The principal and vice chancellor of the University of Strathclyde Professor Stephen McArthur has told MSPs his organisation "is fully compliant" with legal requirements after its governing body was accused of being a "secret society".


Tory MP insists party will outperform poor Holyrood poll predictions
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
20 Feb 2026 at 5:00am
Scottish Conservative MP Harriet Cross says her party can overturn grim Holyrood polling and remain the SNP?s main challenger. Speaking before conference, she argues voters will ultimately choose the Tories over Reform UK when faced with the reality of the ballot paper.


'Volatile and uncertain': Scotch whisky giant reveals struggles in key markets
by scott.wright@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Scott Wright
20 Feb 2026 at 4:30am
Pernod Ricard, owner of Dumbarton-based Chivas, reports 'soft' trading in key US market


'This is attempt to undermine faith schools' - Leading Catholics' fears over ...
20 Feb 2026 at 10:00am
More than a century after the 1918 Education Act, which provided for state Catholic schools in Scotland, the debate about their future has re-emerged. Kevin McKenna reports.


Starmer tells Swinney he will be 'sighted on security issues' after Marinera row
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
19 Feb 2026 at 6:12pm
John Swinney has received assurances from Sir Keir Starmer after a bitter dispute over the seizure of the Venezuela-linked Bella-1 tanker in Scottish waters.


Dorothy Bain to update MSPs 'as soon as possible' on Peter Murrell row
19 Feb 2026 at 5:15pm
Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain has pledged to update MSPs after opposition leaders accused her of misleading Parliament over when details of charges against former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell became public.


More than 400 new teachers left profession last year, Lib Dems say
19 Feb 2026 at 4:29pm
More than 400 recent graduates left teaching last year, according to new figures obtained by the Scottish Lib Dems. 


Analysis: Why Murrell email row is prompting calls to shake up Lord Advocate ...
19 Feb 2026 at 4:16pm
A row over an email sent by Lord Advocate to the First Minister informing him of the details of charges faced by the former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has reignited a debate on whether the role should be reformed.


Fears all jobs lost as firm founded by Peter Mandelson collapses into adminis...
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
19 Feb 2026 at 3:37pm
A number of high-profile clients, including Barclays, Tesco, and Klarna, withdrew from contracts with Global Counsel.


John Swinney has 'absolute confidence' in Lord Advocate amid Murrell memo row
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
19 Feb 2026 at 1:42pm
John Swinney has backed the Lord Advocate as she faces scrutiny over her decision to share details of the legal case against Peter Murrell with the First Minister.


Scotland's Just transition progress ?falling short?, report warns
by jody.harrison@heraldandtimes.co.uk | Jody Harrison
19 Feb 2026 at 8:05am
The report card on Scotland's 'Just transition' plan is in - and it's not good


Trade union defends civil servants after office attendance figures revealed
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
19 Feb 2026 at 6:00am
A trade union has defended civil servants in Scotland after office attendance figures were revealed by The Herald.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Economists attack SNP for 'can-kicking strategy' over looming public pay crisis
20 Feb 2026 at 6:01am

SNP ministers have been accused of putting off tough budget decisions until after May?s Holyrood election

The Lib Dems believe they can deny the SNP a Holyrood majority that John Swinney insists will spark another independence referendum.

The ecocide legislation was backed overwhelmingly by MSPs in its first two weeks ago and is being supported by the SNP government.

Wings over Scotland

When the law breaks the law
19 Feb 2026 at 1:33pm
There is a not particularly funny joke that is sometimes told in legal circles about why a law student failed to finish his coursework ? because he had no conviction. With rare exceptions lawyers aren?t renowned for their sense of humour but I can?t help thinking someone, at the highest levels of our justice system, …

The Future Is Yesterday
18 Feb 2026 at 2:10pm
So on the one hand there’s obviously very little point paying attention to the SNP’s regional list candidates for May’s Holyrood election, because as this website has comprehensively demonstrated over recent months, the chances of the SNP having any list MSPs elected are remote. However, nothing is impossible, so let’s take a look at the …

Scotland In Numbers
17 Feb 2026 at 11:30pm
Cost of keeping vital rape crisis services in Glasgow operating: £500,000. Amount of money wasted by the Scottish Government fighting and losing court cases to try to remove women’s rights: £1.14 million. Angry yet?

The Longest Road
16 Feb 2026 at 1:23pm
As the six-year fight for justice for Alex Salmond continues, we thought you might like to see this clip from this morning’s Mike Graham Show, interviewing Paul McManus, the businessman and drummer in Glasgow rock band Gun who’s stepped up to fund the Salmond family’s case against the Scottish Government despite disagreeing with much of …

The Modern Politician
10 Feb 2026 at 5:17pm
A play in three acts: And you thought ours were spineless. Poor old Anas, though. If 24 hours is a long time in politics these days, a week is forever. And a month hardly even bears thinking about. As for a year and a half, well, the less said the better.

A Dumber Nation
9 Feb 2026 at 3:52pm
In politics, readers, evil and stupidity aren’t the same thing. But nor are they exclusive. Before we ask you to consider which of the terms applies to the Scottish Government led by John Swinney, we’d like you to read this letter sent to Wings by the auntie of two women imprisoned in Scottish jails. “I …

Echoes of history
8 Feb 2026 at 5:26pm
The Sunday National’s front page today elicited a sigh of “So what?” from most. We’ve already GOT a “pro-indy” majority at Holyrood and have done for the last 10 years, for all it’s been worth. But to be fair there was a paragraph in the article that at least raised a quizzical eyebrow. Because, y’know, …

A Stitch In Timing
5 Feb 2026 at 4:09pm
Readers will probably be aware that literally as you read this, the Scottish Government is in court trying to defend its policy of letting male murderers be housed in women’s prisons by arguing that the Equality Act 2010 (as ruled on by the Supreme Court in the For Women Scotland case) is incompatible with the …

The Marshalling Plan
2 Feb 2026 at 1:25pm
Another month has passed, so we suppose it must be time for the third of our polling-analysis pieces for the Scottish Parliament election in May. (Last time round we assessed the grotesque rank idiocy of voting SNP on the list if you want a pro-indy majority, and the time before that we considered the possible …

Shield Of The Phantom
26 Jan 2026 at 1:02pm
Well, we gave it a go. It seems that it’s fine to farm important judgments out to mysterious shadowy figures who just make important chunks of them up out of thin air, and then issue them in your own name. Back in your boxes, plebs.

Craig Murray

Two Little Caracas Videos
17 Feb 2026 at 6:34am

I hope to write a serious article shortly about the position of Venezuela, which is rather that of a hostage with a gun to their head, attempting to appease a psychopath. But for now here are a couple of small videos illustrating that it is a lie that the country is failed, starving or repressive. …

Two Little Caracas Videos

Postpone The Celebrations
14 Feb 2026 at 7:46am

On the face of it the English High Court ruling that the Palestine Action proscription is unlawful makes the decision that the proscription remains in place pending appeal utterly illogical. But what if the High Court ruling is deliberately designed to fail at appeal? I believe that it is. They chose an extremely narrow path …

Postpone The Celebrations

Is The USA Controlling Venezuela
7 Feb 2026 at 5:54pm

My first video report from Venezuela: My being here reporting is entirely possible due, as is all my journalism and activism, to your individual subscriptions and donations. We now have a Venezuela reporting crowdfunder. I have simply edited the Lebanese GoFundMe crowdfunder, because that took many weeks to be approved and I don’t want to …

Is The USA Controlling Venezuela

Filton Acquittals Demolish Starmer and Cooper Lies About Palestine Action
5 Feb 2026 at 6:49pm

As the trial finished at Woolwich Crown Court of the six Palestine Action activists who entered the Filton factory to destroy Israeli killer drones, Starmer, Cooper, Lammy and Mahmood are left bereft of a single guilty verdict in the case on which they relied heavily to label Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. I could …

Filton Acquittals Demolish Starmer and Cooper Lies About Palestine Action

Trump, Pirate of the Caribbean
3 Feb 2026 at 11:14am

I have now been here a week and I think that I have absorbed enough to attempt a little analysis, as opposed to the simple impressions I gave shortly after arrival. Those impressions remain valid however: this is not a repressive state. I was on the Randy Credico show live on WBAI New York on …

Trump, Pirate of the Caribbean

Palestine Action Judicial Review
29 Jan 2026 at 6:59pm

I attach the full text of Lord Young’s decision granting the Scottish judicial review of the proscription of Palestine. A few points. Judicial Review can only be granted where the judge believes it has a realistic chance of success. Lord Young evidently believes that we have a realistic chance of success on our three grounds …

Palestine Action Judicial Review

BBC Scotland

Scottish Lib Dems 'squeezed every penny' out of budget deal, says Cole-Hamilton
20 Feb 2026 at 1:22pm
He says an agreement with SNP ministers will see £300m of Holyrood money funding his party's priority issues.

Swinney backs lord advocate after corruption claim
19 Feb 2026 at 3:44pm
The accusation which involves Dorothy Bain was repeated during exchanges at First Minister's Questions in Holyrood.

Double-digit council tax rises proposed for second year in a row
19 Feb 2026 at 1:59pm
Aberdeenshire and Moray councils are both considering 10% council tax increases.

Healthy life expectancy falls across Scotland
19 Feb 2026 at 12:07pm
New figures show people in Scotland are spending a greater proportion of their life in poor health than previously.

Swinney was told of Murrell charges weeks before they became public
18 Feb 2026 at 3:43pm
Former SNP chief executive Murrell is accused of embezzling £459,000 from the party over a 12-year period.

'No guarantee' bus driver's killer will have free pass removed
17 Feb 2026 at 1:22pm
MSPs are demanding assurances Keith Rollinson's attacker will not get concessionary travel upon his release.

Free tuition under threat without revenue boost, report warns
17 Feb 2026 at 6:42am
Scotland's more generous benefits and public policies may have to be reconsidered, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

Officers call for police cars to be equipped with guns
16 Feb 2026 at 2:38pm
The Scottish Police Federation wants the country to follow New Zealand in allowing officers to quickly access weapons in emergencies.

New adverts urge boys not to share sexist content online
16 Feb 2026 at 11:54am
The Scottish government campaign highlights the hurt that online misogyny can cause to women and girls.

Desperate times are behind Sarwar's PM resignation call
14 Feb 2026 at 9:14am
Anas Sarwar's demand for Sir Keir Starmer's resignation may look disloyal but it was borne of fear and frustration.

Scotland's top law officer not considering position over Murrell memo
18 Feb 2026 at 6:57pm
The lord advocate has been grilled by MSPs over her email about a criminal charge against the ex-SNP chief executive.

Ministers deny involvement in delay to Murrell court hearing
17 Feb 2026 at 4:33pm
A preliminary hearing which was scheduled to take place this Friday has been moved to 25 May.

Scot Goes Pop

Drama as yet more details of the rigged 2023 Alba NEC election emerge: key Sa...
19 Feb 2026 at 6:27am
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Analysis of new More In Common poll showing the SNP on course for big victory
18 Feb 2026 at 4:09pm
Just a quick note to let you know that I have a new article at The National about the freshly-released More In Common poll, which has the SNP on course for 64 seats - the same as in 2021, but on a ...

REVEALED: The secret results of Alba's rigged 2023 NEC elections, and the hig...
17 Feb 2026 at 7:14pm

"Harken, brothers, what is that irritatingly persistent yet strangely compell...
16 Feb 2026 at 4:03pm

REVEALED AT LAST: What Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh NEVER wanted you to know - the "s...
14 Feb 2026 at 3:36pm
In October 2023, Alex Salmond took to the stage of Alba's 2023 conference in Glasgow, theatrically brandishing what he claimed was a "black dossier" containing unspecified evidence of unspecified w...

REVEALED: It was the Alba Party's acting Chair, DEBBIE EWEN, who was behind t...
12 Feb 2026 at 6:52pm

BREAKING: Alba takes another major step towards total disintegration, as the ...
12 Feb 2026 at 3:53pm
It shows you the level of (justified) paranoia within the ultra-Stalinist Alba party that three different people (who as far as I know are all unconnected with each other) have contacted me about a...

"The joke is over": Now even the SALMOND FAMILY have turned their backs on th...
11 Feb 2026 at 3:28pm
Today brings the news of the resignation of Gail Hendry, Alex Salmond's sister, from the Alba NEC, and indeed after making the video below I was told that several other NEC members (plus at least o...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Be honest about scale of financial challenges ahead of Holyrood election, pol...
20 Feb 2026 at 6:33am
The Fraser of Allander Institute's report warns of the need for stark choices by whoever takes power.

John Swinney vows ?absolute confidence? in Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain amid ro...
19 Feb 2026 at 3:38pm
Dorothy Bain KC has been accused of giving the SNP leader political advantage with a minute about the case against Peter Murrell

Award launched to ?commemorate life and values? of late SNP minister Christin...
19 Feb 2026 at 6:31am
Christina McKelvie died last year after receiving treatment for secondary breast cancer.

May elections: Scotland?s pensioners have their say on the issues facing Scot...
19 Feb 2026 at 6:31am
The NHS, housing, rising living costs and immigration are among the top concerns when it comes to older voters in Scotland

Lord Advocate denies giving First Minister ?political advantage? in Murrell case
18 Feb 2026 at 6:14pm
Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC faced questions over why details of the charge were given to John Swinney

John Swinney vows to respect court ?independence? amid Peter Murrell charge q...
18 Feb 2026 at 12:42pm
The First Minister declined to comment on why he was given sight of the indictment weeks before it was made public

Calls for answers about Lord Advocate?s email to FM on Peter Murrell charge
18 Feb 2026 at 8:59am
The Conservatives say the First Minister received a ?private warning? about the charges against the former SNP chief executive

From the mines to the North Sea: Workers fear history is repeating itself 
18 Feb 2026 at 6:33am
Workers in the energy industry believe the transition to renewables is pushing the sector towards collapse

Displaced workers scheme could create 30,000 hours of social care each month
18 Feb 2026 at 6:33am
The scheme helps employers recruit international workers who are already in the UK, but who have lost their sponsored employment.

Holyrood backs FOI reform but any changes will be after May election
17 Feb 2026 at 9:37pm
While the Scottish Government did not support the Bill, MSPs voted by 85 votes to 30 with eight abstentions.

Scottish Government denies involvement in delay to Peter Murrell court appear...
17 Feb 2026 at 5:19pm
The next hearing for the former SNP chief executive has been moved to after the Holyrood election

?No guarantee? teen who killed bus driver will have free travel pass removed
17 Feb 2026 at 1:39pm
The boy who killed Keith Rollinson could be released within weeks after two years in secure accommodation

Scotland may need to cut free university and benefits amid budget strain, thi...
17 Feb 2026 at 6:19am
A think tank has warned the Scottish Government may need to find ways to collect more tax to keep certain benefits

?We?re struggling and nobody?s listening?: Families lose hope ahead of Holyro...
17 Feb 2026 at 6:19am
Parents tell STV News they don't have a political home as the cost of living crisis forces sacrifices

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Peter Murrell case row raises serious questions but will have no impact on th...
19 Feb 2026 at 5:00pm
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says voters are fascinated by the Murrell case, but will fall asleep over the Lord Advocate row.

John Swinney comments on arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
19 Feb 2026 at 1:21pm
Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested and is in custody.

Swinney defends Lord Advocate over Murrell briefing amid corruption claim
19 Feb 2026 at 12:33pm
The First Minister said he was "disgusted" at the behaviour of the leader of Scottish Conservatives leader after he suggested Dorothy Bain was corrupt.

Bus driver's widow hits out over killer's free travel pass amid calls for it ...
19 Feb 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: Sue Rollinson, whose husband Keith died after being attacked by a thug, has criticised Agriculture and Connectivity Minister Jim Fairlie for refusing to guarantee the killer will not hav...

Reform UK continue to delay announcement of Holyrood candidates with weeks to...
19 Feb 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: The Reform website says their candidates are "to be announced" - despite the other parties announcing their own hopefuls.

Trump U-turns again on Chagos Islands and attacks Starmer over deal
18 Feb 2026 at 8:36pm
Donald Trump has once again reversed his position on the UK?s Chagos Islands deal, attacking Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the lease of the strategic Diego Garcia military base just weeks after ...

Lord Advocate denies being corrupt after John Swinney briefed on Peter Murrel...
18 Feb 2026 at 5:55pm
Dorothy Bain faced questions from MSPs following the revelation she had emailed the First Minister with details of the charge against Peter Murrell.

Scottish politics today: John Swinney refuses to comment on Lord Advocate 'ti...
18 Feb 2026 at 5:00pm
The Record brings you its daily 5pm briefing of the top stories in Scottish politics.

SNP close in on Holyrood majority despite 'voter disillusionment' with Nats' ...
18 Feb 2026 at 2:00pm
John Swinney is on course to remain as First Minister despite the Nationalists facing a "clear sense of voter disillusionment after nearly two decades in office".

John Swinney 'tipped off' over Peter Murrell trial as Lord Advocate called be...
18 Feb 2026 at 12:42pm
Dorothy Bain reportedly emailed the First Minister on January 19 with information regarding the charges against Peter Murrell.

The National

The National | Politics

Labour minister 'falsely linked journalists to Russian propaganda' in emails ...
20 Feb 2026 at 12:10pm

A LABOUR minister has been accused of naming journalists to UK intelligence officials and falsely linking them to pro-Russian propaganda, it has been reported.

Devolution traps Scotland in an endless loop of false choices
20 Feb 2026 at 12:00pm

THE latest Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) report, warning that Scotland?s ?funding advantage? is shrinking and that policies like free university tuition and generous benefits may need reconsideration, is nothing more than thinly veiled Unionist propaganda from a London think tank wedded to neoliberal austerity.

Majority of Scots would vote for independence in new vote, exclusive poll shows
20 Feb 2026 at 12:00pm

THE majority of Scots would vote for independence if a referendum were to be held tomorrow, a fresh poll has found ...

Police continue search of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former home for second...
20 Feb 2026 at 10:20am

Detectives are continuing their searches of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor?s former home in Berkshire following his release from custody after he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office

Labour minister laughed at on Question Time in denial of two-child cap U-turn
20 Feb 2026 at 9:44am

LABOUR minister Heidi Alexander was laughed at by the Question Time studio audience as she tried to suggest the UK Government did not U-turn on the two-child cap.

Brian Leishman becomes first Scottish Labour MP on The National's podcast
20 Feb 2026 at 9:09am

BRIAN Leishman has become the first Scottish Labour MP to be interviewed on The National?s podcast

Board of Peace hears plan to turn Gaza into 'Mediterranean Riviera' with '200...
20 Feb 2026 at 8:56am

Donald Trump's so-called 'Board of Peace' has heard plans to turn Gaza into a 'Mediterranean Riviera' with '200 hotels'

Like it or not, the Greens bring hope to our politics
20 Feb 2026 at 5:00am

We were tired of watching the rich grow richer, while bills spiral out of control and the planet burns, but we didn?t opt to simply watch and wait for things to get better of their own accord, writes Gillian Mackay

There?s no longer any place for the monarchy to hide after this historic arrest
20 Feb 2026 at 5:00am

I never thought I would live to see the day when Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor would be arrested and taken into police custody, writes Richard Walker

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor released under investigation after 'misconduct' ar...
19 Feb 2026 at 7:30pm

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has left police custody after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

EDF power solutions UK - Removing barriers, unlocking opportunity
20 Feb 2026 at 6:00am
Delivering on these priorities will remove critical barriers and unlock the investment necessary to secure Scotland?s long-term energy independence and drive down costs for consumers.

John Swinney defends lord advocate over Peter Murrell memo
19 Feb 2026 at 1:40pm
The first minister said he had ?absolute confidence? in Dorothy Bain KC

Turning the Tide ? Scotland?s? Preventative ?Healthcare Journey
19 Feb 2026 at 6:00am
The return on investment is immediate and compounding: every percentage point reduction in diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, dementia and obesity frees up tens of millions of pounds that can be reinvested into frontline care.

Lack of ?just transition? progress risks Grangemouth repeat, expert commissio...
19 Feb 2026 at 5:00am
'There is no just path to net zero through deindustrialisation'

SNP one seat short of majority, new poll finds
18 Feb 2026 at 2:00pm
John Swinney has said a majority could lead to another referendum on Scottish independence

Demand for answers after John Swinney ?tipped off? about Peter Murrell case
18 Feb 2026 at 1:02pm
Details of the charges were made public on 13 February ? but the first minister was made aware on 19 January

National Crime Agency: War on online child abuse is becoming tougher
18 Feb 2026 at 10:48am
Tech firms and regulator must do more, NCA says

All to play for: Scottish games industry unveils election asks
17 Feb 2026 at 4:57pm
Chris van der Kuyl: 'The global industry is changing rapidly, and we cannot stand still'

Douglas Ross:?Peter Murrell adjournment ?stinks?
17 Feb 2026 at 3:14pm
SNP minister says government did not intervene on scheduling

Techscaler sets sights on New York as programme expands
17 Feb 2026 at 5:00am
Kate Forbes announces investment drive

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

The Guardian view on Scotland?s housing crisis: supply has failed to keep pac...
18 Feb 2026 at 6:25pm
The country?s homelessness legislation is ambitious and humane. But too many people are still sleeping on the streets or in temporary accommodationRough sleeping in Scotland has risen by 106% over the past three years. Record numbers of children are now living in temporary accommodation, official...

?It?s betrayal?: Shetland?s scallop fishers brace for arrival of UK?s largest...
17 Feb 2026 at 12:00pm
Huge project by Norwegian-owned Scottish Sea Farms gets go-ahead amid concerns over the environmental cost of fish farming and threat to traditional way of lifeAt Collafirth, north Shetland, Sydney Johnson is unloading two-dozen bags of scallops by throwing them over his head like medicine balls ...

Tuesday briefing: The factors that will shape the future of Scotland
17 Feb 2026 at 7:55am
In today?s newsletter: As Scottish voters prepare to go to the polls, how can Labour, Reform and the Conservatives capitalise on weakening trust in the SNP?Good morning. The SNP has been in government since 2007, a phenomenal 19-year run, but polling suggests Scottish voters? trust in its ability...

Mick Duncan obituary
16 Feb 2026 at 8:39pm
My friend and fellow architect Mick Duncan, who has died aged 86, imbued his architecture with human scale and proportion, whether for the extensive buildings for Stirling University, at Victoria Quay housing the Scottish Executive in Leith, or in the modest yet stately headquarters for United Di...

Scottish Labour leader says he doesn?t regret calling for Starmer to quit ? U...
13 Feb 2026 at 4:30pm
Anas Sarwar said that he stood by what he said when he announced on Monday that he wanted the prime minister to stand downThe Equality and Human Rights Commission has welcomed a high court ruling defending the interim guidance it issued to organisations about the implications of the supreme court...

Jeane Freeman obituary
12 Feb 2026 at 5:57pm
SNP politician who served as Scottish health secretary and led the government?s response to the covid pandemicJeane Freeman, who has died aged 72, held two critical roles in the SNP government at Holyrood, leading the Scottish government?s response to the Covid pandemic alongside Nicola Sturgeon ...

Anas Sarwar says Starmer can campaign in Scotland after calling for him to quit
11 Feb 2026 at 5:59pm
Scottish Labour leader agrees PM can support party?s effort to win May?s Holyrood election in abrupt about-faceThe Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, has agreed that Keir Starmer can campaign for the party in the Holyrood elections just days after calling for the prime minister to resign.In a m...

Anas Sarwar says Starmer welcome to campaign for Labour in Scotland, days aft...
11 Feb 2026 at 5:56pm
Two days ago, the Scottish Labour leader said he wanted the prime minister to avoid Scotland during the election campaign because of his deep unpopularity with votersFamilies of nurses and carers have said they fear being torn apart under an immigration crackdown condemned as ?an act of economic ...

No 10 confident Sarwar acted alone in call for Starmer to go
10 Feb 2026 at 8:17pm
Downing Street initially feared Scottish Labour leader?s move was part of a wider leadership challenge Downing Street is increasingly confident that Anas Sarwar?s call for Keir Starmer to stand down was not part of a coordinated plot by a leadership rival to bring down the prime minister, the Gua...

Starmer says he ?will never walk away? as Burnham joins Labour figures backin...
10 Feb 2026 at 6:12pm
This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story hereKemi Badenoch has said that Keir Starmer just received a ?stay of execution? yesterday. Speaking to reporters on a visit this morning, she said:Starmer is in a very dangerous place. The Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said the quie...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Labour Together: the authoritarian right wing rot at the heart of Starmer?s p...
20 Feb 2026 at 1:09pm
Having had personal encounters with people on the right of the Labour party the left wing comedian and Corbyn supporter Alexei Sayle said: “The right of the Labour Party are some of the most fucking horrible, vile, gruesome people. I’ve never met such awful people as those on the right of the Labour Party.” After …

Yes United and Independence Forum Scotland : Putting the band back together
19 Feb 2026 at 8:45pm
Please note that tickets for the daytime conference are now sold out, but tickets are still available for the evening event. Frustration at the lack of progress to secure better lives for current and future generations of Scots has raised the number of independence campaign groups working outside party politics. Campaigns focus on all sectors …

Corruption Westminster style
19 Feb 2026 at 1:16pm
The biggest news story today is one we can only talk around, not directly about. The King’s brother, the allegedly sweat free Andrew, will be sweating buckets today, after being arrested and taken into custody by Thames Valley Police on charges of misconduct in public office. This is a serious offence, and if found guilty …

The choice facing Scotland is independence or fascism.
18 Feb 2026 at 5:13pm
A major new poll was published on Wednesday which confirms other recent polls in showing that Scots are on track to elect a pro-independence majority to Holyrood in May’s election. Even better, this new poll, carried out by More in Common, shows that the SNP are within striking distance of winning an absolute majority in …

Westminster?s great Scottish energy rip off
17 Feb 2026 at 3:07pm
In news that hasn’t appeared anywhere on BBC Scotland to my shock and surprise, that’s shock and surprise as in “I was shocked and surprised to learn that the Pope believes in god.” A majority of MSPs have backed a campaign calling for an end to rip off energy bills in Scotland. Despite Scotland being …

Fundraiser update and a look to the election in May
14 Feb 2026 at 12:54pm
I thought I’d publish an update on the progress so far of the 2026 Wee Ginger Dug annual fundraiser. This is always an anxious time of the year as I ask other people to put their money where my mouth is. The blog is free to read for all and eschews advertising, paid content or …

Billionaire tax evader blames poor people for Britain?s problems
13 Feb 2026 at 1:05pm
73 year old billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, the UK’s own racist granddad, moved to the tax haven of Monaco in 2020 in order to avoid paying his fair share of taxes. He’s doubtless one of those English people living abroad who considers himself an ‘expat’ and not an immigrant. It’s equally likely that he doesn’t speak …

Labour?s real problem in Scotland is that Sarwar and Starmer are the same.
12 Feb 2026 at 9:10am
It’s hard to overstate just how much of a shambles the Labour party in Scotland has got itself into. On Wednesday The Herald was reporting that branch manager Anas Sarwar had doubled down on his call for Keir Starmer to stand down as Prime Minister while at the very same time The Guardian’s Scottish correspondent …

Labour sleaze and its dangerous association with Palantir
11 Feb 2026 at 2:35pm
To paraphrase Shakespeare, Oh what a revolting web we weave when we mire ourselves in sleaze. Labour’s self inflicted paedophile adjacent chaos continues. Starmer has now belatedly removed the Labour whip from Labour peer Matthew Doyle, who served as Starmer’s chief of communications until March last year. Doyle was given a peerage by Starmer on …

Starmer and Sarwar, the Tweedledum and Tweedledumber of political arrogance
10 Feb 2026 at 1:26pm
If you’re having a bad day today, console yourself with the thought that Anas Sarwar is having a much worse day than you are, cue the world’s tiniest violin. Sarwar can’t do anything right, not even lay claim to the title of Scotland’s leading self-important nepo-baby, Fergus Ewing has got that one sewn up. In …

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

Many thanks to the 233 of 1 600 Talking-up Scotland subscribers who have con...
20 Feb 2026 at 9:55am
Help Talking-up Scotland keep posting the truth we all need to see at: Direct bank transfer – Sort Code 08-91-04 Account – 12266421 Name – JOHN ROBERTSON or Crowdfunder still short of target, at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotland

A message for Scotland?s voters as Labour double down on nuclear ? Researcher...
20 Feb 2026 at 9:43am
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON The Blackwater, Crouch, Roach and Colne Estuaries Marine Conservation Zone in Essex (see map below) was designated a MCZ in December 2013 on account, primarily, of its native oyster beds. The MC...

How under Scottish Labour, hospitals were ?death traps? of hospital acquired ...
20 Feb 2026 at 9:16am
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above.Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON Michael Marra of ?Scottish? Labour had a rant on BBC Scotland?s Debate Night, tow days ago, of such hysterical dishonesty and fear for the near extinction event they face in May. Here, just one ...

Second tragic Sepsis case in only three months in NHS England draws attention...
20 Feb 2026 at 9:07am
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON From BBC England today, the above and: After 32 weeks in hospital, several cardiac arrests and a quadruple amputation, sepsis survivor Manjit Sangha has finally returned home. Despite medics th...

Looking at NHS Scotland A&E performance around Christmas peak pressure suggest...
19 Feb 2026 at 4:55pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON Generally, I’d caution against using weekly data on NHS performance but comparing how A&E copes on special weeks such as the one around Christmas is suggestive of meaningful change. Above, the ...

Healthy live expectancy falls across Scotland but it might have been even worse
19 Feb 2026 at 4:53pm
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON From BBC Scotland today, the above and: People in Scotland are spending a greater proportion of their life in poor health than in previous years, new figures from the National Records of Scotla...

How can there be an affordable housing ?crisis? in Scotland when we beat the...
19 Feb 2026 at 9:26am
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON Under a tasteless example of a poverty porn photograph of a street beggar, the Guardian editorial has: Rough sleeping in Scotland has risen by 106% over the past three years. Record numbers of ...

NHS England?s troubled maternity units already paying to settle negligence la...
19 Feb 2026 at 9:11am
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON In the Guardian today, the above and: The NHS will have to spend more money settling lawsuits involving negligence during childbirth after a supreme court ruling that lawyers said puts right a ...

Skye House ?abuse? ? This media feeding frenzy in a psychiatric unit for adol...
19 Feb 2026 at 8:46am
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON I?ve held back from commenting on the sad reports from the Skye House psychiatric unit for 11-18 year-olds, in Glasgow, but it?s clear that the media are in a sickening feeding frenzy on the re...

Absolutely appalling ? Michael Marra?s frothing, fearful, false rant on the b...
19 Feb 2026 at 8:40am
Please Support Talking-up Scotland at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-talking-up-scotlandClick on the above. Or direct bank transfer at Sort Code 08-91-04 Account - 12266421 Name - JOHN ROBERTSON I know it has a tiny audience, but Michael Marra of ‘Scottish’ Labour had a rant on BBC Scotland’s Debate Night, of such hysterical dishonesty and fear for the near extinction event they face i...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

Scottish independence is sneaking up on Westminster - New Statesman
20 Feb 2026 at 6:03am
Scottish independence is sneaking up on Westminster  New Statesman

Majority of Scots would vote for independence in new vote, exclusive poll sho...
20 Feb 2026 at 12:01pm
Majority of Scots would vote for independence in new vote, exclusive poll shows  TheNational.scot

Scottish independence - Institute for Government
26 Jan 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish independence  Institute for Government

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

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

Scottish first minister says a May majority means new independence push - Reu...
18 Jan 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish first minister says a May majority means new independence push  Reuters

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

If Sarwar really puts Scotland first, why won't he back our right to leave? -...
18 Feb 2026 at 6:34am
If Sarwar really puts Scotland first, why won't he back our right to leave?  The Herald

X feature exposes Iranian-run pro-Scottish independence accounts - UKDJ - ???...
24 Nov 2025 at 8:00am
X feature exposes Iranian-run pro-Scottish independence accounts - UKDJ  ????? ??????????

New book charts writer?s role in thwarting Scottish independence - gatescambr...
3 Feb 2026 at 10:32am
New book charts writer?s role in thwarting Scottish independence  gatescambridge.org

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

SNP drive to fix Fife roads and give £150k to Dunfermline - Central Fife Times
19 Feb 2026 at 10:21pm
SNP drive to fix Fife roads and give £150k to Dunfermline  Central Fife Times

Economists attack SNP for 'can-kicking strategy' over looming public pay cris...
20 Feb 2026 at 6:00am
Economists attack SNP for 'can-kicking strategy' over looming public pay crisis  The Scotsman

Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell accused of embezzling £459,000 over ...
13 Feb 2026 at 5:57pm
Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell accused of embezzling £459,000 over 12-year period  BBC

SNP unveil every regional list candidate for Holyrood election - TheNational....
18 Feb 2026 at 1:28pm
SNP unveil every regional list candidate for Holyrood election  TheNational.scot

Sun Chemical Taps SNP?s Kyano Platform to Drive Global SAP S/4HANA Transforma...
18 Feb 2026 at 6:35pm
Sun Chemical Taps SNP?s Kyano Platform to Drive Global SAP S/4HANA Transformation  ERP Today

'This is attempt to undermine faith schools' - Leading Catholics' fears over ...
20 Feb 2026 at 10:00am
'This is attempt to undermine faith schools' - Leading Catholics' fears over SNP bill  The Herald

SNP one seat short of majority, new poll finds - Holyrood Website
18 Feb 2026 at 2:08pm
SNP one seat short of majority, new poll finds  Holyrood Website

John Swinney accused of SNP ?waffle? on Cambo, Rosebank and jobs ?cliff edge?...
19 Feb 2026 at 5:12pm
John Swinney accused of SNP ?waffle? on Cambo, Rosebank and jobs ?cliff edge?  Energy Voice

SNP Government accused of 'killing' female-led businesses over 'unworkable' b...
20 Feb 2026 at 1:03pm
SNP Government accused of 'killing' female-led businesses over 'unworkable' beauty bill  Scottish Daily Express

BPCE bumps return above 4% to lure buyers into SNP duration - GlobalCapital
19 Feb 2026 at 6:09pm
BPCE bumps return above 4% to lure buyers into SNP duration  GlobalCapital

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

Scottish independence is sneaking up on Westminster - New Statesman
20 Feb 2026 at 6:03am
Scottish independence is sneaking up on Westminster  New Statesman

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

Scottish independence - Institute for Government
26 Jan 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish independence  Institute for Government

Scottish first minister says a May majority means new independence push - Reu...
18 Jan 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish first minister says a May majority means new independence push  Reuters

Why Alberta?s push for independence pales in comparison to Scotland?s in 2014...
27 May 2025 at 8:00am
Why Alberta?s push for independence pales in comparison to Scotland?s in 2014  The Conversation

In the United Kingdom, prime minister rejects possibility of Scotland indepen...
3 Jun 2025 at 8:00am
In the United Kingdom, prime minister rejects possibility of Scotland independence referendum  ConstitutionNet

Scottish independence views 'like belief in God', says Alex Cole-Hamilton - T...
15 Feb 2026 at 11:03am
Scottish independence views 'like belief in God', says Alex Cole-Hamilton  TheNational.scot

Scottish independence could 'reduce energy bills by more than a third', First...
8 Dec 2025 at 8:00am
Scottish independence could 'reduce energy bills by more than a third', First Minister John Swinney says  Sky News

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

Swinney sets out latest plan for an independence referendum - BBC
4 Sep 2025 at 8:00am
Swinney sets out latest plan for an independence referendum  BBC