The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Who is Jordan Linden, the former SNP rising star, and what is he convicted of?
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
6 May 2026 at 6:00am
Jordan Linden was considered a rising star in the SNP until the sexual misconduct allegations emerged. This is how the SNP reacted.


Thomas Kerr reveals the position he wants in Reform UK Scotland and forecasts...
6 May 2026 at 5:01am
Reform UK candidate Thomas Kerr has revealed he would like to be Malcolm Offord's deputy as he estimated the populist right-wing party could get more than 20 MSPs in Thursday's Holyrood election.


??Unspun: Election Briefing: Eve of poll. Detention centres in Pollokshields?
6 May 2026 at 8:01am
Good morning, and welcome to Unspun: Election Briefing. It's the final day of the campaign. Scotland heads to the polls tomorrow.


SNP MP calls for reversal of 'ban' on students from Sudan
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
5 May 2026 at 6:06pm
A Scottish MP has called for a reversal of a 'ban' on students from Sudan coming to Britain


Why the SNP's Holyrood majority lies in the hands of an Edinburgh barista
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
5 May 2026 at 4:53pm
While Mr Hyslop, a barista and SNP councillor, is currently the polling favourite, the Lib Dems see this seat as a premium pick-up opportunity.


Scottish election candidate says he 'will not be silenced' amid vandalism
by donald.erskine@newsquest.co.uk | Donald Erskine
5 May 2026 at 12:53pm
A Holyrood election candidate says he will "not be silenced" amid a spate of vandalism of his campaign materials in his constituency.


Sentencing delay for former SNP council leader Jordan Linden
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
5 May 2026 at 10:11am
Jordan Linden appeared for sentencing at Falkirk Sheriff Court, but it has been delayed.


Full list: Scottish Parliament election estimated declaration times
by Matthew George
5 May 2026 at 7:43am
Here's when it is expected the results of the election will be declared


Tragic murder of baby shows why The Promise needs urgent reform, ex charity b...
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
5 May 2026 at 5:30am
Nicole Blain was convicted of murdering her 19-day-old baby. Duncan Dunlop, the former chief of Who Cares? Scotland said prevention in the care system could've prevented it.


Swinney urged to reflect on notorious murder amid sex purchase ban plan
5 May 2026 at 5:00am
John Swinney is being urged to reflect on the murder of Emma Caldwell if the SNP is re-elected to power amid fears the work of a commission his government has set up will make sex workers more vulnerable to violence.


Farage ready to override Holyrood and build migrant detention centres in Scot...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
5 May 2026 at 5:00am
Reform UK has confirmed it is prepared to bypass Holyrood to build migrant detention facilities in Scotland, targeting Green constituencies.


Does having a missing tooth reduce your chances of becoming First Minister?
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
5 May 2026 at 2:27pm
Does a missing tooth cost you an election? Anas Sarwar?s remarks spark a wider look at why voters judge politicians on appearance as much as policy.


Sarwar rules out Lords seat and return to dentistry as election nears
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
5 May 2026 at 12:43pm
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar rules out a return to dentistry and a House of Lords seat as he urges voters to back his party ahead of the Holyrood election.


Reform's detention centres will not be concentration camps, says Offord
5 May 2026 at 5:01pm
Reform UK's immigration centres in Scottish Greens constituencies will not be 'concentration camps', according to Malcolm Offord.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Greens on course to oust SNP minister at Holyrood election, party says
5 May 2026 at 4:45pm

Angus Robertson is defending a majority of 4,732 in Edinburgh Central

The Scottish Conservatives say they have ?48 hours to save Scotland from an SNP majority?

Ross Greer, the Green co-leader, said the plans were ?evil? and ?genuinely wicked?

Check when all the Scottish Parliament election results are expected to be announced on Friday.

Amid a hostile campaign in a city renowned as being welcoming, Glasgow is set to be a key battleground as the SNP aim to reclaim public support lost two years ago in the UK general election

If Jackson Carlaw holds onto Eastwood, Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay may miss out on the West Scotland list.

Jimmy Main has been selling up to 10,000 ?haggisxinhas? a day

Constituency will choose a new MSP on May 7 as long-serving member retires

Parties on the left and right pledge to tackle law and order - here?s what they have to say

While some parties target parents online, others are focusing on interests in theatre and renewable power

The Scottish Liberal Democrats said people ?can no longer trust that an ambulance will be there on time when they need one?

Wings over Scotland

Anas Sarwar is a winner
6 May 2026 at 3:14am
Specifically, of the Single Most Toe-Curlingly, Face-Palmingly Cretinous Thing Said In The 2026 Holyrood Election Campaign, And Possibly Any Election Ever, Prize. We mean, wow. We could easily write a 1000-word article purely on the top 10 things that are fatuously, obviously idiotic about those three short sentences, and so could you. So imagine how …

Binfire Of The Vanities
4 May 2026 at 3:52pm
For a nation that prides itself on hating the Tories, this is very odd. And if you don’t see how, let us illustrate. If you simply combined the Tory and Reform votes from the latest poll, the election would be on a knife-edge, with the right-wing alliance just three points behind the SNP on the …

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Craig Murray

The Morass of Injustice
2 May 2026 at 11:24am

A vast cloying morass of injustice has visibly submerged the British legal systems in anything connected to Palestine. In a quite incredible series of linked and kinked events this week, the senior KC representing one of the Palestine Action activists in the Filton trial was in the Court of Appeal arguing against being found in …

The Morass of Injustice

An Inspiring Story
21 Apr 2026 at 7:54am

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

An Inspiring Story

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

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

Vote for the Alliance to Liberate Scotland

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

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

The Strait of Hormuz

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

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

The Weight on Delcy Rodriguez

The Caracas Metro
26 Mar 2026 at 6:46am

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

The Caracas Metro

BBC Scotland

Holyrood election outcome is anything but certain on final day of campaigning
6 May 2026 at 6:12am
In the volatile politics of 2026, it is probably best to prepare for a range of possible scenarios, writes BBC Scotland political editor Glenn Campbell.

Border politics - how similar jobs in the same firm deliver different tax bills
6 May 2026 at 6:25am
Workers in southern Scotland can find themselves paying more tax than colleagues who live south of the border.

Can Scotland's politicians really cut your energy bills?
6 May 2026 at 6:30am
BBC Verify has been assessing if any of the pledges to cut energy bills made in the Holyrood election campaign can actually be delivered.

New GP walk-in clinic treats 183 patients in five weeks
6 May 2026 at 6:31am
The facility at Lochee Med­ical Centre in Dundee is part of a network of clinics where patients have access to GP-led care without an appointment.

Council apology after envelopes say photo ID needed for election
5 May 2026 at 3:25pm
The envelopes incorrectly say photo identification will be needed to vote in the Scottish Parliament elections.

It's been a Holyrood election of disputed claims - BBC Verify fact-checked them
5 May 2026 at 6:09am
BBC Verify has been fact-checking the political parties and seen some questionable claims at the forefront of the debate.

Hundreds more prisoners released early but jails still full
4 May 2026 at 1:13pm
New data shows more than 600 prisoners have been released early from Scotland's jails since November but it has done little to ease overcrowding.

Parties hit the road for final week of campaigning
4 May 2026 at 2:19pm
On Thursday, voters will head to their polling stations to choose who they want to lead the next Scottish government.

Nature haven 'trashed' after four-year wait for protection decision
3 May 2026 at 9:14am
Activists claim developers are damaging the area while NatureScot considers whether or not to designate it a protected site.

SNP's free childcare plans branded a 'gimmick' in education debate
3 May 2026 at 1:11pm
Plans from the SNP to roll out more free childcare have been criticised by the Labour and Conservative parties.

The big issues and key flashpoints from Scotland's election campaign
2 May 2026 at 9:19am
BBC Scotland political editor Glenn Campbell examines what we have learned during the Holyrood election campaign.

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

Scot Goes Pop

Final YouGov MRP projection of the campaign suggests pro-independence parties...
5 May 2026 at 11:13pm
Thanks to Marcia for alerting me to YouGov's update (the second and almost certainly final one) of their MRP projection for Holyrood.  It leaves us none the wiser about the direction of travel beca...

SNP and Greens both improve their standing in the final More In Common MRP poll
5 May 2026 at 1:39am
I took a little bank holiday jaunt to the seaside earlier, and it suddenly struck me that I didn't see a single election poster anywhere on the journey.  You literally wouldn't know there was an el...

Alex Massie looks in the mirror and thinks he sees the true Scotland staring ...
3 May 2026 at 10:18pm
Alex Massie's basic problem is that he doesn't just disapprove of the Scottish Government and want it changed. He also disapproves of the Scottish voters and wants them changed. "The problem with S...

Scotland moves a step closer to independence as earth-shaking Norstat poll sh...
2 May 2026 at 8:44pm
See what I mean about the way in which the unionist media seeks to bury independence polling results these days?  This is clearly a hugely significant result - it's the eighth poll in a row from th...

Stonehaven REVELATION as "most accurate pollster" puts the SNP on course for ...
2 May 2026 at 9:11am
To be clear, the bit about "most accurate pollster" is Stonehaven's own self-description, but I always put that in because it upsets our resident unionist troll KC.  It was Stonehaven who, a few mo...

"Stew-pid. Just Stew-pid." The advice that controversial blogger "Stew" wou...
1 May 2026 at 10:14pm
The controversial Somerset-based blogger "Stew" seems to have had a screw loose ever since Kezia Dugdale psychologically damaged him by defeating his vanity libel case - a drubbing that not only br...

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

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

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

What could the May elections mean for Keir Starmer?
5 May 2026 at 12:45pm
Less than two days until the polls open, the mood in the Labour party is not good

Greens vow to examine Donald Trump?s wealth
3 May 2026 at 3:16pm
The party said it would open an inquiry into how the US president funded his Scottish golf courses if it wins next week?s election.

Scotland has suffered nearly 7,000 days of failure under SNP, Findlay says
3 May 2026 at 3:11pm
The Scottish Tory leader accused John Swinney?s party of having a ?reverse Midas touch?.

Only SNP vote can bring ?fresh start of independence? and block Farage ? Swinney
3 May 2026 at 3:10pm
First Minister John Swinney is expected to make the announcement later on Sunday in a visit to the Aberdeenshire area.

Sarwar vows to give NHS waiting lists ?the chop? as he visits karate dojo
3 May 2026 at 3:08pm
The Scottish Labour leader said the NHS ?is not safe with John Swinney and the SNP?.

Lib Dems to ?fight any attempt? by Reform to bring in fracking in Scotland
3 May 2026 at 3:05pm
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton made the commitment ahead of Thursday?s Holyrood election.

Reform aiming to become ?main opposition party? in Scotland
3 May 2026 at 3:05pm
Thomas Kerr said that a single MSP elected would be a "good result" for the party

Reform candidate ?attacked? while campaigning in Glasgow
2 May 2026 at 10:30am
Councillor Thomas Kerr is said to have been attacked while delivering leaflets in Shettleston on Friday.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

'All to play for' as undecided Scots voters will choose who wins the 'meh' Ho...
6 May 2026 at 4:30am
The SNP's dream of winning a majority is in a "precarious" position as many fed-up Scots remain undecided on who to vote for, with some constituencies too close to call as a result, says Chris McCa...

Scotland should vote for change - and a better Parliament to get our nation w...
6 May 2026 at 4:30am
The Daily Record's election editorial: Yes, John Swinney is on course to be re-elected as First Minister. But Scottish Labour and Anas Sarwar should have a vital role in fixing our country.

Anas Sarwar: Scottish Labour is the only route to reject Reform, beat SNP and...
6 May 2026 at 4:30am
Writing for the Record, Anas Sarwar says only his party offers a realistic alternative to the SNP winning power at Holyrood for a third decade.

Reform leader Malcolm Offord says candidate's airplane vapour conspiracy theo...
5 May 2026 at 3:59pm
Offord was asked about David McLennan's claim that Bill Gates was trying to cull the population.

Scots turn against Malcolm Offord after Reform leader brags of owning 'six ho...
5 May 2026 at 12:21pm
Polling found 44 per cent of voters felt the Reform leader's boast on STV reflected badly on him - while just 23 per cent said it reflected well on him.

Council apologies after claiming photo ID needed to vote in Holyrood election
5 May 2026 at 11:23am
EXCLUSIVE: A South Ayrshire Council spokesperson blamed an "error" by a "third party printer".

Top Reform candidate spouts "chemtrail" conspiracy theories in bizarre tweet
5 May 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: David McLennan has been branded a "crank conspiracy theorist" over the wild theory.

Reform's cranks, clowns and right wing nutters should be sent packing
5 May 2026 at 4:30am
Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says Reform have dragged the election campaign into the gutter with their appalling candidates.

Teenage killer of bus driver Keith Rollinson released from prison after just ...
4 May 2026 at 3:37pm
The release of the teenager was described as being typical of "the way decent Scots are treated with contempt by the SNP's weak justice system".

Reform UK candidate brands politicians without children as 'reckless' and 'ou...
4 May 2026 at 1:22pm
EXCLUSIVE: Otto Inglis also criticised same-sex marriages and once claimed "nature makes it much easier for mixed-sex couples to meet their children?s needs".

The National

The National | Politics

Anas Sarwar?s getting ready for his FM close-up despite story the polls tell
6 May 2026 at 5:00am

The overwhelmingly anti-independence Scottish media seems to be doing its utmost to downplay tomorrow?s election ...

John Curtice gives verdict on chances of SNP majority on eve of Scottish elec...
6 May 2026 at 10:02am

JOHN Curtice has given his verdict on whether the SNP will win an overall majority at the Holyrood election ...

Zack Polanski responds as comparisons made with Jeremy Corbyn
6 May 2026 at 9:56am

ZACK Polanski has said he and Jeremy Corbyn "are very different people" as comparisons are made between him and the ex-Labour leader.

Challenge to Keir Starmer's leadership 'not the answer' for Labour, top ally ...
6 May 2026 at 9:35am

A LEADERSHIP challenge to Keir Starmer would not be the answer to Labour?s problems, a key ally of the Prime Minister has said on the eve of elections across the UK.

Poll: Who are you voting for in the election? Have your say
6 May 2026 at 5:00am

SCOTLAND goes to the polls tomorrow to vote for who they want to run the country for the next five years.

Scots urged to 'slam door shut' on 'dangerous' Reform ahead of polls opening
6 May 2026 at 5:00am

Scots are being urged to 'slam shut? the door on Reform UK in Thursday?s Holyrood election ? with SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn insisting Nigel Farage is 'dangerous'

Scottish Labour seem to have squandered their chance to win in this seat
6 May 2026 at 5:00am

Our alphabetical odyssey through the 73 Scottish Parliament constituencies reaches its final destination at the letter U, because there is nothing left to come after Uddingston and Bellshill ...

Majority north and south of Irish border in favour of re-unification, poll finds
6 May 2026 at 5:00am

A MAJORITY of people on the island of Ireland would vote for Irish unity as part of the EU, according to a poll ...

John Swinney writes open letter to Scots on eve of Holyrood election ? read i...
6 May 2026 at 5:00am

The SNP are 'within touching distance' of winning an overall majority at Holyrood, John Swinney has insisted with just one day to go until polls open ...

Human rights groups blast Anas Sarwar over support for Israel-linked oil field
6 May 2026 at 9:48am

ANAS Sarwar is facing backlash from climate and human rights groups over his endorsement of the controversial Rosebank oil field ...

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

May elections: What?s at stake across England, Wales and Scotland?
6 May 2026 at 6:00am
Will Reform take Sunderland, or the Greens take Hackney? Can Plaid Cymru take a historic victory in Wales, and will Labour be forced into third place in Scotland? We examine the possible outcomes for election nightThe Scottish, Welsh, and local English elections on Thursday 7 May are a huge test ...

Labour?s nationwide collapse risks making Nigel Farage the face of the UK?s f...
6 May 2026 at 6:00am
Scottish and Welsh nationalism will be further radicalised if Reform UK sets the tone of debate over inclusion in the British stateKeir Starmer has neither a heartland nor a stronghold. That is the picture likely to emerge once all the votes in this week?s local and devolved elections have been c...

Badenoch defends seeking a ban on pro-Palestine marches but not Tommy Robinso...
5 May 2026 at 5:30pm
Tory leader says the protests are ?not the same?Kemi Badenoch has questioned whether the undisclosed £5m donation given to Nigel Farage by a crypto billionaire shows that he has been ?bought?.In an interview with the Today programme this morning, the Conservative leader asked whether the donation...

Next Scottish government faces ?really difficult? spending choices, economist...
5 May 2026 at 5:00am
Parties accused of ?fiscal denial? and failing to tell voters the scale of the challengeThe next Scottish government will need to make ?really difficult? spending decisions soon after taking power, including tackling its large public sector pay bill, senior economists have said.Economists with th...

Reform UK plan to set up migrant detention centres in Green-voting areas cond...
4 May 2026 at 5:10pm
Nigel Farage?s party proposed to place detention centres in places that vote for Green council leaders or MPsKeir Starmer has said that Europe has to face up to the fact that its alliance with the US is under strain.He made the remark in public comments during the plenary session at the European ...

Reform?s toxic thinking has infected Scottish politics ? this week?s Holyrood...
4 May 2026 at 10:00am
For so long, the Scottish government has made a point of welcoming migrants. But I now see troubling changes in my countryJasmeen Kanwal is an educator and writer who lives in EdinburghAs Scotland prepares to elect a new parliament on 7 May, immigration is dominating the political discourse as n...

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

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

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

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

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

Thomas Kerr, the Dumb Corleone of Scottish politics
5 May 2026 at 4:22pm
Reform’s opportunistic Thomas Kerr has completed his transformation from one nation liberal Tory to complete heid banging fascist. On Tuesday, Shettleston’s Dumb Corleone doubled down on his party’s exciting new election tactic of threatening the voters, proving that Reform UK struggles to grasp the difference between a democratic election and a protection racket. Kerr released …

Reform UK, the bastard offspring of Oswald Mosley and Coco the Clown
4 May 2026 at 5:17pm
  Reform has introduced a novel new campaigning tactic in the days leading up to the Holyrood election. Vote for us or we’ll put a concentration camp in your neighbourhood. It’s certainly a ‘bold’ move, but only if you define bold as utterly insane and disgustingly vile. On Monday Reform’s chairman Zia Yusuf, who is …

Shooting for the Moon on Thursday
3 May 2026 at 3:41pm
Shoot for the moon, as the saying goes, even if you miss, you’ll land amongst the stars. With that in mind that’s what independence supporters need to do on Thursday. An opinion poll by the traditionally No-friendly Norstat for the Sunday Times records a whopping 55% Yes response. The media in Scotland have been very …

Whisky, Labour?s leadership, and polling, fingers crossed for a record pro-in...
2 May 2026 at 4:09pm
We’re on the home straight now for the Scottish election on Thursday, and we are well into that nail biting phase when things seem to be going well but we are always aware of the uncanny ability of Scots to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The overwhelmingly anti-independence British media in Scotland is …

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Courier

[CaRP] Can't open remote newsfeed [403].
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

In the days before an election, BBC Scotland?s comparison only of tax bills d...
6 May 2026 at 9:23am
BBC UK yesterday has a report clearly meant to influence voters, with an analysis of the tax burden in Scotland and England, using two highly paid tax advisers and ignoring, until a wee bit at the very end for ‘balance’, every other factor, financial and other, in their lives. It allows them to start with – Senior tax manager Scott McIver (above), who lives in Dumfries, pays more tax than his c...

Latest polls says immigration 2nd in concerns for UK voters but only 7th for ...
6 May 2026 at 8:57am
BBC Scotland again telling us that immigration is one of those issues that most concern voters. It’s not true. In September 2025: Immigration & asylum climbing from March to June 2025 as an issue in Scotland after a summer of media frenzy amplifying a handful of tiny peaceful protests here had pushed it into poll respondents’ minds. Less than two weeks earlier one poll by the David Hume Institu...

Narrowing the schools attainment gap ? Be ready with this kind of thing today
6 May 2026 at 8:32am

Scotland?s shorter NHS waiting lists ? be ready with this kind of thing today
6 May 2026 at 8:29am

A Song for Holyrood 26 ? please share
5 May 2026 at 10:00pm
Lyrics: We?ll be singing, we?ll be singing If we get out and vote for our own We?ll be singing, we?ll be singing When we remember all we?ve sown Pulling thousands out of poverty Sending the same to learn for free Offering a hand to the weak and the sick We begin the path to the Scotland we want We?ll be singing, we?ll be singing If we get out and vote for our own We?ll be singing, we?ll be sing...

John Swinney is most popular leader in Europe ? not just fewer murders than D...
5 May 2026 at 2:21pm
Above from YouGov (https://x.com/YouGov/status/2051609021153415554/photo/1) with John Swinney added by me in top position, based on this from Ipsos Source: https://www.ipsos.com/en-uk/scots-unimpressed-holyrood-campaigns-give-snp-edge

Delayed discharges ? steady fall in beds ?blocked? for third month in a row, ...
5 May 2026 at 2:15pm
From Delayed discharges in NHS Scotland monthly Figures for March 2026, published today: The average number of beds occupied per day due to people delayed in hospital was 1,923 in March 2026. Compared to the previous three months, this is less than in February 2026 (1,984), January 2026 (1,973) and December 2025 (1,967). Source: https://www.publichealthscotland.scot/publications/delayed-dischar...

Scottish hospital operations climb almost to pre-pandemic levels with 98% eff...
5 May 2026 at 2:13pm
From Cancelled planned operations Month ending 31 March 2026 published today, the above and: There were 28,454 operations planned to take place across NHS Scotland. This is 12.8% higher (+3,228) than the number planned in March 2025 (25,226). Over the course of the last 12 months, from April 2025 to March 2026 (307,272), there was a 7.2% increase (+20,756) compared to the previous 12 months (28...

By any measure (four of them) crime really is way down under the SNP yet they...
5 May 2026 at 2:12pm
From Police officer quarterly strength statistics: 31 March 2026 published tody: Scotland’s Chief Statistician has published statistics on Police Officer Quarterly Strength, which gives the number of full-time equivalent police officers employed by Police Scotland. The key findings of the statistics are: there were 16,430 full-time equivalent (FTE) police officers in Scotland on 31 March 2026 a...

Remember on Thursday that Labour in Wales, after nearly 30 years in power run...
5 May 2026 at 7:55am

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

Holyrood election outcome is anything but certain on final day of campaigning...
6 May 2026 at 6:12am
Holyrood election outcome is anything but certain on final day of campaigning  BBC

Scottish independence - Institute for Government
1 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish independence  Institute for Government

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

John Swinney 'is lying about supporting Scottish independence', Malcolm Offor...
5 May 2026 at 7:59pm
John Swinney 'is lying about supporting Scottish independence', Malcolm Offord claims  The National Newspaper

Election poll puts SNP falling short of Holyrood majority - The Times
5 May 2026 at 8:45pm
Election poll puts SNP falling short of Holyrood majority  The Times

A fairer, greener and independent Scotland is in reach - Scottish Greens
3 May 2026 at 8:26am
A fairer, greener and independent Scotland is in reach  Scottish Greens

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

The great independence charade - Financial Times
16 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
The great independence charade  Financial Times

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

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

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

Former SNP council leader jailed for sexual offences against young men and bo...
6 May 2026 at 10:42am
Former SNP council leader jailed for sexual offences against young men and boys  The Guardian

Ex-SNP council leader Jordan Linden jailed for sex offences against young men...
6 May 2026 at 10:40am
Ex-SNP council leader Jordan Linden jailed for sex offences against young men and boys  Sky News

SNP ?within touching distance? of Holyrood majority, John Swinney says - Nati...
6 May 2026 at 10:20am
SNP ?within touching distance? of Holyrood majority, John Swinney says  Nation.Cymru

Election poll puts SNP falling short of Holyrood majority - The Times
5 May 2026 at 8:45pm
Election poll puts SNP falling short of Holyrood majority  The Times

France Télévisions first to deploy Imagine?s new SNP-XS - TVBEurope
6 May 2026 at 10:31am
France Télévisions first to deploy Imagine?s new SNP-XS  TVBEurope

SNP set to fall short of majority amid tactical voting, final YouGov poll fin...
6 May 2026 at 9:35am
SNP set to fall short of majority amid tactical voting, final YouGov poll finds  The Herald

SNP's free childcare plans branded a 'gimmick' in education debate - BBC
3 May 2026 at 1:11pm
SNP's free childcare plans branded a 'gimmick' in education debate  BBC

Holyrood election 2026: Election eve poll projects SNP to fall short on a maj...
6 May 2026 at 9:56am
Holyrood election 2026: Election eve poll projects SNP to fall short on a majority  The Scotsman

The essential tactical voting guide to FINALLY boot out the SNP amid expert?s...
5 May 2026 at 9:20pm
The essential tactical voting guide to FINALLY boot out the SNP amid expert?s ?major upset? claim ? check your area  The Scottish Sun

?Odds against? John Swinney?s SNP winning Holyrood majority, says polling exp...
6 May 2026 at 9:41am
?Odds against? John Swinney?s SNP winning Holyrood majority, says polling expert  The Independent

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

Holyrood election outcome is anything but certain on final day of campaigning...
6 May 2026 at 6:12am
Holyrood election outcome is anything but certain on final day of campaigning  BBC

Scottish independence - Institute for Government
1 May 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish independence  Institute for Government

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

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

SNP: We'll seek another independence referendum if we win majority in Scotlan...
3 May 2026 at 11:09am
SNP: We'll seek another independence referendum if we win majority in Scotland this week  Sky News

10 Better Together promises broken since 2014 independence referendum - The N...
5 May 2026 at 5:08am
10 Better Together promises broken since 2014 independence referendum  The National Newspaper

The great independence charade - Financial Times
16 Apr 2026 at 8:00am
The great independence charade  Financial Times

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

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

Will the Scots Get a Second Referendum? - Irish Border Poll
19 Apr 2026 at 7:05am
Will the Scots Get a Second Referendum?  Irish Border Poll