The Herald

The Herald | Politics


Who can replace John Swinney? The SNP has no convincing answer
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
21 Sep 2026 at 4:26pm
The SNP's succession problem is becoming harder to ignore as Stephen Flynn and Mairi McAllan struggle to prove they are ready for the top job.


Inside the private SNP meeting where John Swinney hit out at independence cri...
by rebecca.mccurdy@newsquest.co.uk | Rebecca McCurdy
21 Sep 2026 at 1:55pm
A tense SNP meeting has exposed divisions over Scottish independence, with activists accusing the leadership of ignoring the grassroots.


Scottish amputee football team urged to withdraw from game against Israeli team
by gaby.mckay@newsquest.co.uk | Gabriel McKay
21 Sep 2026 at 12:58pm
Scotland's amputee football team has been urged not to compete in a match against an Israeli side, due to the country's actions in Gaza


First Minister defends near £20,000 flights to America for World Cup
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
21 Sep 2026 at 12:44pm
John Swinney has defended spending almost £18,000 on business-class flights to the World Cup, saying the travel let him fulfil Holyrood duties.


Increased scrunity of tax recovery efforts approved following Herald investig...
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
21 Sep 2026 at 11:14am
Councillor Miller paid tribute to investigations by The Herald which uncovered the scale of alleged tax avoidance by tenants at 110 Princes Street.


Standards watchdog hits back at Edinburgh councillors following no confidence...
by Josh.Pizzuto-Pomaco@newsquest.co.uk | Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco
21 Sep 2026 at 10:29am
The Standards Commission for Scotland was pilloried by all five of City of Edinburgh Council?s political parties during the debate on Thursday.


Scotland can't track hip patients going private as waits top seven months
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
21 Sep 2026 at 5:00am
Scotland has no reliable national figure for hip patients leaving NHS waiting lists for private care, as median waits reach 229 days.


Projects vital for Scotland's economy 'being cancelled' due to planning holdups
by Kathleen Nutt
21 Sep 2026 at 5:00am
Businesses are cancelling plans to invest in sectors critical to the country's economy such as housing and energy after facing years of waiting for planning decisions, according to a major new report by CBI Scotland


SNP MSP asks King if he will pay higher council tax on Balmoral and Holyroodh...
by Katrine Bussey
21 Sep 2026 at 12:01am
An SNP MSP has written to the King ?seeking clarity? on whether he will pay higher council tax rates on royal properties in Scotland.


The rise of AI warfare has now become a threat beyond human control
by david.pratt@heraldandtimes.co.uk | David Pratt
20 Sep 2026 at 6:15am
Across global conflicts AI is determining how targets are identified, how quickly decisions are made, and who holds power over life and death writes Foreign Editor David Pratt


Inside QMU?s forensic nurse course as concerns grow over sexual offence exami...
by hannah.brown@newsquest.co.uk | Hannah Brown
20 Sep 2026 at 5:00am
Only 29 nurses have graduated from Scotland's specialist sexual offence examiner programme, prompting fresh scrutiny of workforce plans.


Who are Scotland's richest MSPs? Inside their property and business fortunes
by Kathleen Nutt
20 Sep 2026 at 5:00am
Scotland's richest MSPs hold fortunes worth millions in property, shares and business interests, according to a Herald analysis of Holyrood's register.


John Curtice: Michael Marra's problem is that half of Scotland wants independ...
by andrew.learmonth@newsquest.co.uk | Andrew Learmonth
20 Sep 2026 at 5:00am
Michael Marra takes charge of Scottish Labour knowing his party's revival depends as much on Andy Burnham's fortunes as his own.


Oh come on, Piddington?s ?independence? to stop migrants is a national embarr...
by Dani Garavelli
20 Sep 2026 at 6:15am
A GENERATION or so ago, the village of Piddington in Oxfordshire would have been prime Barbara Pym territory: a place of jam and Jerusalem, of flower arranging and village fetes, and a paternalistic do-gooding attitude towards those in need.

The Scotsman

The Scotsman Politics


Airlines hit out at air traffic control system after cancelled flights and de...
21 Sep 2026 at 6:27pm

National Air Traffic Services blamed a ?connectivity issue?

Scotland?s 32 local councils could be replaced by between six and 10 mainland regional authorities.

The party has to be relevant, it has to be strategic, and it has to be policy focused

The four part docudrama follows a fictional Russian attack on UK soil in the near future.

The Scottish Government will lead a debate on Tuesday on ?Scotland?s right to decide?.

Aberdeenshire Council introduced a 200 per cent premium on second homes

The former prime minister also warns about the potential increase in nuclear weapons and AI?s influence on global conflicts.

The new Scottish Labour leader says Holyrood must break its ?consensus of silence? on education.

Wings over Scotland

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

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

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

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

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

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

Haven?t had a dream in a long time
31 Aug 2026 at 8:43pm
These are strange days, readers. It’s getting hard to tell who’s on which side. To be honest, we’d take George Foulkes’ offer in a heartbeat. It’s not ideal, because there should be no limits on democracy, but the UK government can perfectly lawfully deny another indyref indefinitely anyway (and seem entirely inclined to), so we’d …

The Shortest Day
29 Aug 2026 at 1:07pm
Something rather extraordinary happened yesterday, dearest readers. Very briefly, we absolutely genuinely thought someone in a position of some influence in the SNP had taken a meaningful step towards being serious about independence. We are not being sarcastic. Look: here it is. (Transcript at bottom of article.) ? Dave Doogan is the SNP’s leader at …

The Slowest Dawning
28 Aug 2026 at 1:44pm
Now, readers, it’s not much of a secret that anyone who’s still supporting the SNP in the hopes that they’ll deliver Scottish independence is – and let’s put this as gently and kindly as possible – a bit thick. From a membership high of 125,000 in the run-up to the 2021 Holyrood election, fully 60% …

Spot The Problem
27 Aug 2026 at 12:19pm
See if you can identify why this isn’t an ideal way to run a justice system. We’ve put a couple of clues in for the slower folk. Answer below. Still, the Crown Office IS at least theoretically accountable to Parliament, so as long as the governing party is full of strong, independent, fair-minded MSPs willing …

Craig Murray

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

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

Four Days in Ekaterinburg

Dishonesty and Deceit
7 Sep 2026 at 7:31pm

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

Dishonesty and Deceit

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

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

Nonsense Drones and Novichok

Dr David Halpin and David Kelly
29 Aug 2026 at 12:26pm

Dr David Halpin, a redoubtable campaigner over the murder of Dr David Kelly, and a friend of this blog for over twenty years, has died. He will be missed. His sister Mary was for many years an invaluable commenter here and occasional researcher for me. Unfortunately about ten years ago I banned her for comments …

Dr David Halpin and David Kelly

Of Judges, Juries and Fascism
25 Aug 2026 at 5:50pm

We still don’t have a decision on whether the Scottish judicial review of Palestine Action can proceed. Lord Young is thinking about it. Last Thursday’s hearing went about as well as it could go. The UK government produced no written argument and barely seemed to be trying. They moved in court for the Scottish judicial …

Of Judges, Juries and Fascism

Scottish Judicial Review Hearing Tomorrow
19 Aug 2026 at 10:05pm

After eight months of obstructionism from the Labour Friends of Israel government of the UK, tomorrow is the day on which the Scottish Court of Session will finally decide whether to go ahead with the judicial review it granted in January, or kowtow to Downing St. I publish below two of the three main papers …

Scottish Judicial Review Hearing Tomorrow

BBC Scotland

Scotland's 32 councils could be cut to six under government plan
21 Sep 2026 at 4:34pm
Reforms could involve the creation of six to 10 regional authorities, as well as more than 100 community bodies.

The deadly new drugs making Scotland's fight against addiction even harder
20 Sep 2026 at 9:04am
Experts warn potent new substances are making an already deadly crisis more dangerous.

Michael Marra announced as new Scottish Labour leader
19 Sep 2026 at 11:59am
Anas Sarwar's replacement has been announced as the MSP for the North East region.

Tugs plan offers short-term lifeline for Ferguson Marine shipyard
17 Sep 2026 at 7:16pm
Ministers have agreed to provide financial backing for construction of the small vessels.

MSP considered taking own life over chronic pain
18 Sep 2026 at 6:01pm
Cara McKee MSP is preparing to return to Holyrood next week after undergoing brain surgery for trigeminal neuralgia.

Minister defends MSP colleague after Transport Scotland blunder
17 Sep 2026 at 9:56am
Collette Stevenson, who is on the transport committee, asked a meeting whether government body Transport Scotland was a registered charity.

Delay to neonatal reform is putting babies at risk, warn doctors
17 Sep 2026 at 6:04am
The plan to cut the number of neonatal intensive care units from eight to three was announced in 2017.

Irish president meets Swinney at start of four-day visit to Scotland
16 Sep 2026 at 6:32pm
John Swinney was joined by his wife as he greeted Catherine Connolly and her husband before a meeting at Bute House.

No consent for large AI data centres before Christmas, MSPs told
16 Sep 2026 at 5:52pm
The growth of AI is happening at lightning pace, so what are the advantages and disadvantages of Scotland being at the forefront?

ScotRail app problems may not be fixed by end of the year, MSPs hear
16 Sep 2026 at 3:49pm
The rail operator admitted the launch of the app had "not been good enough" but could not say when the problems would be rectified.

GPS tracking of bailed suspects to start next year, says Swinney
15 Sep 2026 at 5:19pm
A pilot scheme in Tayside, Central and Fife is expected to start in 2027, the first minister has announced.

Building more data centres could push up electricity prices, Holyrood committ...
15 Sep 2026 at 1:16pm
Scotland has been identified as a key location for building hyperscale AI data centres because of the high potential for renewable energy.

Scot Goes Pop

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

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

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

Burnham's REVOLUTIONARY U-turn as he accepts Scotland can have an independenc...
10 Sep 2026 at 1:09pm
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 suffers more Scottish poll MISERY as SNP enjoy 17-point lead in YouGo...
9 Sep 2026 at 1:15pm
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...

A de facto referendum on independence would self-evidently not be "bonkers" -...
7 Sep 2026 at 11:01am
There has been just one occasion in history in which an integral part of the United Kingdom became an independent country, and it did not happen as the result of a 2014-style agreed referendum.  In...

"Well THAT one was worth waiting for!": SNP have DOUBLE Labour's support in d...
2 Sep 2026 at 11:38pm

RevStew can squeal but *of course* the SNP have done the right thing by rulin...
31 Aug 2026 at 9:19am
The most dispiriting aspect of the controversy surrounding Dave Doogan is that it's given the controversial Somerset-based "Stew" blogger an excuse to yet again trot out his barking mad fantasy abo...

STV Politics News

Latest Politics News | STV News

Michael Marra: Scotland has the right to decide its own future, says Scottish...
21 Sep 2026 at 5:49pm
Michael Marra was elected on Saturday to replace Anas Sarwar, who quit Holyrood for the House of Lords. 

Swinney: Flying business class to World Cup allowed me to fulfil Holyrood duties
21 Sep 2026 at 1:05pm
The First Minister?s flight cost about £18,000 when he could have flown with the Scottish Football Association for £1,000

Swinney calls on MSPs to unanimously back Scotland?s ?right to decide?
20 Sep 2026 at 12:32pm
The First Minister claimed Westminster?s position of vetoing democracy was unsustainable.

New Scottish Labour leader presses Swinney to set up commission on child poverty
20 Sep 2026 at 10:02am
Michael Marra has written to John Swinney and the other party leaders at Holyrood, urging them to back a new commission to tackle the problem.

Michael Marra announced as new Scottish Labour leader
19 Sep 2026 at 11:34am
The North East Scotland MSP defeated rival Joe Fagan by 4,266 votes to 2,485.

Tories launch new campaign aimed at keeping Scotland in the UK
18 Sep 2026 at 1:57pm
The campaign came as Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth said she was ?confident? independence campaigners would win if there is another referendum

One million new voters must be able to decide their future in indyref, says G...
18 Sep 2026 at 6:59am
The deputy first minister said a new generation of Scots should be allowed to have their say on independence

Insight: The constitution is back at the forefront of the political agenda
17 Sep 2026 at 5:52pm
A Unionist fight back meeting has been held in Edinburgh, on the eve of the anniversary of indyref

Scrap ?net zero? phrase, MPs urge government
17 Sep 2026 at 9:05am
MPs believe the rising cost of living and soaring gas prices have made people increasingly view the net zero agenda with animosity

MSPs reject moratorium on data centres as minister vows new guidance in weeks
16 Sep 2026 at 8:34pm
Public finance minister Hannah Mary Goodlad made the commitment as Holyrood rejected a Green motion

Large-scale data centres will require environmental assessment, Scottish Gove...
16 Sep 2026 at 12:39pm
The change will affect plans for all new data centres with a power capacity exceeding 50 megawatts

Domestic abusers on bail to be GPS-tracked from next year, Swinney announces
15 Sep 2026 at 6:35pm
Swinney said the pilot would begin next year in the Tayside, Central and Fife sheriffdom.

Insight: Scotland?s defence sector is facing a looming jobs crisis
15 Sep 2026 at 4:52pm
A report from the Scottish Affairs Committee moves quickly to highlight crucial warnings facing Scotland?s defence sector ? and urges both the UK and Scottish governments to step up

First Minister to lead debate on ending violence against women and girls
15 Sep 2026 at 3:16pm
The First Minister previously announced plans to launch a multi-year, public health campaign to challenge misogynistic attitudes in boys and young men

Daily Record

Daily Record - Politics

Nicola Sturgeon warns against 'alpha-male mentality' in dreary TV series The ...
21 Sep 2026 at 5:39pm
Most Scots already know the UK is ill-prepared for a major military attack from an aggressive foreign power. Perhaps Russia could be bored into submission by making them watch this dreary new reali...

John Swinney defends spending £18,000 on flight to watch Scotland at World Cup
21 Sep 2026 at 12:59pm
The SNP leader was offered a much cheaper option of flying to the US for the tournament.

Michael Marra faces 'monumental challenge' in rebuilding Scottish Labour as e...
21 Sep 2026 at 11:22am
Scottish Labour named Marra in the top job on Saturday following a two-way contest with Joe Fagan.

Michael Marra unveils education plan to stop SNP ministers 'marking their own...
21 Sep 2026 at 4:30am
EXCLUSIVE: Marra, who took charge of Labour on Saturday, wants Scotland's education system to be restored to "world class" status after a report found it lagging behind England.

Ethics watchdog could face Holyrood free speech probe after judge's ruling
20 Sep 2026 at 4:30am
The Standards Commission was found to have acted unlawfully in Fiona Higgins case - and now faces questions over document destruction.

SNP told health board of Monklands super-hospital axe hours before Holyrood s...
20 Sep 2026 at 4:30am
Health Secretary Angela Constance confirmed to NHS Lanarkshire the Monklands Hospital replacement project was being pulled in an email on June 25.

Who is Michael Marra? The proud Dundonian now leading Scottish Labour
19 Sep 2026 at 2:14pm
The new Scottish Labour leader is an unknown figure to many Scots. The Record takes a look at his views on some of the big issues.

Scots don't want independence referendum 'right now', insists Michael Marra
19 Sep 2026 at 1:29pm
The new Scottish Labour leader accused John Swinney of "trying to move the goal posts" on an IndyRef2 after the SNP failed to win a majority of MSPs at May's election.

Michael Marra named Scottish Labour leader after seeing off challenge from Jo...
19 Sep 2026 at 11:11am
Marra becomes Scottish Labour's 11th permanent leader of the devolution era after Anas Sarwar quit to take up a peerage.

Scottish Labour to announce new leader after Anas Sarwar quit to join House o...
19 Sep 2026 at 4:30am
The party, which suffered its worst ever result at a Holyrood election in May, must undergo another attempt to rebuild after losing more ground to the Nationalists.

The National

The National | Politics

Can Scottish Labour rediscover their soul under a new leader?
21 Sep 2026 at 8:30pm

I NOTE that, in the recent election for the leader of Scottish Labour, the total number of votes cast was

FM responds as Michael Marra accepts 'Scotland has right to decide its own fu...
21 Sep 2026 at 8:02pm

FIRST Minister John Swinney has responded to the Scottish Labour leader, ?accepting? that Scotland has the right to decide its own future saying, ?we now need to turn that principle into an opportunity? ...

'Scotland has right to decide its own future,' new Scottish Labour leader says
21 Sep 2026 at 6:46pm

THE people of Scotland have the right to decide their own future, the new leader of Scottish Labour has said ...

£500m airport investment is 'massive boost' to economy, says John Swinney
21 Sep 2026 at 6:14pm

A £500 MILLION investment in Edinburgh Airport represents a ?massive boost? for Scotland?s economy, John Swinney has said ...

John Swinney urged to probe £21m NHS contract linked to illegal Israeli settl...
21 Sep 2026 at 6:00pm

THE First Minister had been urged to investigate and end an ongoing NHS contract with a firm whose parent company is linked to illegal Israeli settlements ...

Scotland's amputee team urged to boycott Israel match amid Gaza genocide
21 Sep 2026 at 5:56pm

SCOTLAND?S amputee football team has been urged not to play in a match against an Israeli side due to the genocide in Gaza ...

Independence campaigners react to SNP's £100k 'hearts and minds' fund
21 Sep 2026 at 5:48pm

LEADING pro-independence campaigners have delivered their verdicts on the SNP?s plans for a £100,000 ?hearts and minds? fund to win over voters to independence.

Watch as Scots struggle to guess the name of Scottish Labour's new leader
21 Sep 2026 at 5:27pm

MICHAEL Marra has been elected as the new Scottish Labour leader ? taking over from now Lord Anas Sarwar ...

Nicola Sturgeon Wargame show 'spreading panic and a distraction' amid backlash
21 Sep 2026 at 5:27pm

THE makers of the new Wargame TV show starring Nicola Sturgeon and Michael Gove have been accused of causing ?panic? amid a flurry of warnings about ?World War Three?.

Major local government shake-up could see 160 new 'community authorities' cre...
21 Sep 2026 at 4:39pm

SCOTLAND'S current 32 council structure could be scrapped and replaced with a two-tier system of regional and more local bodies under new Government proposals.

Holyrood Magazine

Holyrood Website

Scottish Government reveals council reform proposals
21 Sep 2026 at 4:19pm
Reorganisation plan includes larger regional authorities

Scottish flights delayed after air traffic control problem
21 Sep 2026 at 1:00pm
The fault occurred at the?Nats?s?second control?centre?at Prestwick

A heartfelt appeal
21 Sep 2026 at 7:00am
As World Heart Day 2026 approaches, BHF Scotland urges Scottish ministers not to ?miss a beat? by putting in place a national plan to strengthen cardiology services

Michael Marra announced as Scottish Labour leader
20 Sep 2026 at 12:00pm
Marra described it as the ?honour of my life? to lead the party

John Swinney named MSP of the Year at Holyrood Political Awards
18 Sep 2026 at 12:00am
The first minister was among those in attendance from across Scottish politics at the event which took place at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Malcolm Offord accuses John Swinney of attending ?pretendy summit? instead of...
17 Sep 2026 at 3:58pm
The first minister said his government has made ?significant progress? on the priorities he set out when entering office

Minister defends Transport Scotland gaffe MSP
17 Sep 2026 at 3:12pm
Questions raised over committee appearance

Watchdog raises transparency questions over ScotWind millions
17 Sep 2026 at 7:00am
Scottish Government claims vindication as opposition accuse ministers of 'shambolic' management

Scottish Government adds environmental check to?new data centre applications?
16 Sep 2026 at 7:00pm
The announcement coincides with a Scottish Greens vote scheduled for today, calling for a moratorium on new AI data centres

MSPs reject Scottish Green bid to halt the construction of new AI data centres
16 Sep 2026 at 6:27pm
MSPs instead backed amendments put forward by public finance minister Hannah Mary Goodlad and Scottish Labour MSP Daniel Johnson

Guardian - Scottish Politics

Scottish politics | The Guardian

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

?Never seen this level of objection?: Scotland pushes back against datacentre...
25 Aug 2026 at 6:00am
Holyrood ?inching towards moratorium? amid concerns over massive proposed developments in Auchtertool and beyondIn a village 21 miles north of Edinburgh, a real estate consultancy plans to build a datacentre larger than the village itself ? 35 metres high, with an area larger than 100 football pi...

Police Scotland warns ?robust security? needed to stop attacks on AI datacentres
14 Aug 2026 at 5:05pm
?A great deal of public opposition is likely? to a proposed datacentre near Edinburgh, the force saysPolice in Scotland have issued a stark warning about the need for ?robust security measures? to stop proposed AI datacentres from being attacked by protesters.There has been mounting opposition to...

Wee Ginger Dug

Wee Ginger Dug

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

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

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

The Cardiff Agreement marks a new chapter in the path to independence
14 Sep 2026 at 7:06pm
On Monday there was a historic meeting in Cardiff, the first time ever that pro-independence First Ministers from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland met and agreed a common framework for the pursuit of self-determination for their respective nations. The meeting was a sharp rebuke to UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham, telling him that self-determination can …

Burnham?s expected reverse ferret
10 Sep 2026 at 7:23pm
Andy Burnham has replied to John Swinney after the latter wrote to him asking for a meeting to put the process for triggering a Scottish independence referendum on a legal basis after Burnham replied to a question from SNP MP Chris Law at PMQs on Wednesday asking him about that process detailed in the Good …

The independence cat is out of the bag
10 Sep 2026 at 2:43pm
Speaking to The National this week after Andy Burnham – perhaps inadvertently – set out the conditions for Scotland to hold an independence referendum, polling expert Professor John Curtice acknowledged that if an independence referendum were to be held tomorrow, Scotland would most likely vote Yes. He stated that a vote is going to be …

Burnham?s crack in the constitutional dam
9 Sep 2026 at 3:17pm
In PMQs on Wednesday, Andy Burnham was asked by SNP MP Chris Law about the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) and the trigger for an Irish unification referendum, and after Burnham stated that he was aware of every word in the Good Friday Agreement, Law asked: “So he Burnham will therefore know that the Northern Ireland …

BBC Scotland?s educational F grade
8 Sep 2026 at 8:28pm
BBC Scotland’s latest ‘Scotland is shite’ story is to tell us that Scottish educational performance has fallen behind that of England. This finding is based on Pisa rankings. However BBC Scotland, ahem, ‘forgot’ to mention a critical piece of information in its rush to let viewers know how terrible Scottish education is. That information is …

The smokiest of smoking guns
4 Sep 2026 at 4:36pm
If there are smoking guns, Channel 4 and Verbatim’s undercover sting on Reform UK is a slow motion video of the bullet exiting the barrel and hitting its target. If you haven’t seen the report it’s available on catch up or YouTube. It is very, very bad for Farage who was already in deep trouble …

The BBC?s clutching pearls are in aisle three
3 Sep 2026 at 3:43pm
You might have thought that any measure aimed at helping struggling households during a cost of living crisis would be welcome, particularly at a time when there’s an ever widening gap between the richest and the poorest. The Scottish Government has proposed to introduce a price cap on essential basic grocery items in order to …

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

Scotland's First and biggest Rebuttal Service -Talking-up Scotland

Agricultural support payments ? 81% paid in Scotland and ?extreme cashflow di...
21 Sep 2026 at 5:05pm
Help Talking-up Scotland keep goingCrowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-goingOr by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code ? 08-91-04 Account ? 12266421 From the Scottish Government today at 10.30am but getting no coverage even on the BBC Business site. More than £296 million in agricultural support has been paid out to Scottish farmers ...

4 176 impressions on x/twitter and 1 600 readers on Talking-up Scotland but o...
21 Sep 2026 at 1:12pm
1 600 readers yesterday but only 200 much appreciated donors. Please support if you can.Help Talking-up Scotland keep going at:https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-goingor by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSONSort Code ? 08-91-04Account 12266421 John

New Scottish food promotion rules ignored by media as they wait instead drool...
21 Sep 2026 at 10:53am
Help Talking-up Scotland keep goingCrowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-goingOr by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code ? 08-91-04 Account ? 12266421 From Food promotion rules in Scotland from 1 October 2026 – Changes to support healthier choices, published this morning, the above reaction from the media operating in Scotland. Watch t...

How Scotland went from being the murder capital of Europe to one of the safes...
21 Sep 2026 at 8:10am
From the BBC’s Latin America service and on the BBC Future site but kept away from the main BBC UK site, far less BBC Scotland, the above, and: Help Talking-up Scotland keep goingCrowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-goingOr by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code ? 08-91-04 Account ? 12266421 How Scotland went from being the murder ca...

More and more ops done, tens of thousands more appointments and waiting times...
21 Sep 2026 at 7:35am
Help Talking-up Scotland keep goingCrowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-goingOr by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code ? 08-91-04 Account ? 12266421 For ‘medics at NHS Lanarkshire’ in the Daily Mail front page above, read trade union reps pursuing ‘their members’ interests’, of course, as they should do. From Number of NHS operations...

Massive improvement in rape conviction rate in Scotland and rape offences up ...
21 Sep 2026 at 7:13am
Help Talking-up Scotland keep goingCrowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-goingOr by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code ? 08-91-04 Account ? 12266421 From BBC UK, the above, and: Specialist courts to handle cases of rape and other sexual offences will be introduced across England and Wales over the next two years, the prime minister h...

Scotland?s drug deaths are expected to rise to maintain the reputation BBC Sc...
21 Sep 2026 at 6:53am
official figures are published on Wednesday. BBC Scotland seem to know already that drug-related deaths will be up on Wednesday coming, and that their ‘Scotland is drug death capital of Europe’ line will be still available to them. Help Talking-up Scotland keep goingCrowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-goingOr by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBE...

Deaths in England attributed to nitazenes have nearly quadrupled since 2023.
21 Sep 2026 at 6:52am
By stewartb Once again, the way BBC Scotland reports on issues of importance and serious concern smacks of a preference to gaslight voters in Scotland ? and in the process undermine the government in Edinburgh ? rather than ?educate?/inform by providing context, perspective and relevant comparative analysis. Help Talking-up Scotland keep goingCrowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help...

Step We Gaily Over The Line?
20 Sep 2026 at 4:46pm
By Mark E. Saunders of ?The Scottish Minuteman? https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=61575625542197 Help Talking-up Scotland keep goingCrowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-goingOr by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code ? 08-91-04 Account ? 12266421 Reports in today?s Sunday newspapers are suggesting that Gordon Brown was taking a...

Labour?s Alan Milburn says more English Neets want to work but won?t learn fr...
20 Sep 2026 at 4:45pm
Help Talking-up Scotland keep goingCrowdfunder at: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-talking-up-scotland-keep-goingOr by direct bank transfer to: JOHN WATSON ROBERTSON Sort Code ? 08-91-04 Account ? 12266421 The Guardian today (Is that getting boring?): The ideas that Neets (young people not in education, employment or training) simply aren?t trying hard enough to find a job, or don?t want o...

Scotland and Independence

"scotland independence -guardian" - Google News

Leaders of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland unite for self-determination - a...
14 Sep 2026 at 7:34pm
Leaders of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland unite for self-determination  aljazeera.com

Inside the private SNP meeting where John Swinney hit out at independence cri...
21 Sep 2026 at 6:49pm
Inside the private SNP meeting where John Swinney hit out at independence critics  The Herald

'A dangerous distraction' - SNP blasted for wasting more Holyrood time debati...
21 Sep 2026 at 3:00am
'A dangerous distraction' - SNP blasted for wasting more Holyrood time debating Scottish independence  scotsman.com

SNP to launch £100,000 push to win 'hearts and minds' on independence - The N...
21 Sep 2026 at 5:07am
SNP to launch £100,000 push to win 'hearts and minds' on independence  The National Scot

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland leaders unite behind independence push f...
14 Sep 2026 at 8:08pm
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland leaders unite behind independence push from UK  Courthouse News

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

School politics class: Scotland and Wales renew push for independence ? using...
20 Sep 2026 at 10:53pm
School politics class: Scotland and Wales renew push for independence ? using Burnham?s own rhetoric  Financial Times

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

Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland to demand UK allow independence referendum ...
13 Sep 2026 at 12:08pm
Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland to demand UK allow independence referendum  The Jerusalem Post

Scottish independence referendum 'a million miles away' - Offord - bbc.com
4 Sep 2026 at 8:00am
Scottish independence referendum 'a million miles away' - Offord  bbc.com

SNP

"SNP" - Google News

Fury at SNP's 'cynical spin' over timing of Monklands Hospital project axe - ...
21 Sep 2026 at 12:02pm
Fury at SNP's 'cynical spin' over timing of Monklands Hospital project axe  Scottish Daily Express

SNP 'dog's dinner' council reforms show why we could never trust them to laun...
21 Sep 2026 at 7:47pm
SNP 'dog's dinner' council reforms show why we could never trust them to launch a separate Scotland  Scottish Daily Express

Sturgeon has not spoken to Murrell since he was jailed for embezzling SNP fun...
8 Aug 2026 at 8:00am
Sturgeon has not spoken to Murrell since he was jailed for embezzling SNP funds  BBC

New DDRop Attack Breaks Intel TDX and AMD SEV-SNP Confidential Computing - Th...
14 Sep 2026 at 6:00pm
New DDRop Attack Breaks Intel TDX and AMD SEV-SNP Confidential Computing  The Hacker News

?Burnham will be the last PM of the UK?: Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland...
14 Sep 2026 at 4:54pm
?Burnham will be the last PM of the UK?: Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?s leaders sign independence pact  The Independent

Read in full: SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin sign joint memorandum of underst...
14 Sep 2026 at 11:52am
Read in full: SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin sign joint memorandum of understanding  The Herald

SF, SNP, Welsh leaders sign deal pushing for independence - RTE.ie
14 Sep 2026 at 6:00am
SF, SNP, Welsh leaders sign deal pushing for independence  RTE.ie

Sturgeon's criticisms of Swinney reveal tensions in SNP ranks - BBC
6 Aug 2026 at 8:00am
Sturgeon's criticisms of Swinney reveal tensions in SNP ranks  BBC

SNP write-off value of Murrell motorhome in party accounts - BBC
6 Aug 2026 at 8:00am
SNP write-off value of Murrell motorhome in party accounts  BBC

SNP MSP asks King if he'll pay 300% council tax rise on Scottish properties -...
21 Sep 2026 at 1:04pm
SNP MSP asks King if he'll pay 300% council tax rise on Scottish properties  Sky News

Referendum (Google News)

"Scotland referendum -guardian -telegraph" - Google News

Leaders of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland unite for self-determination - a...
14 Sep 2026 at 7:34pm
Leaders of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland unite for self-determination  aljazeera.com

John Swinney aiming for independence referendum by 2031 - bbc.com
14 Sep 2026 at 3:47pm
John Swinney aiming for independence referendum by 2031  bbc.com

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

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

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland leaders unite behind independence push f...
14 Sep 2026 at 8:08pm
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland leaders unite behind independence push from UK  Courthouse News

Independence referendum ?not off the table? amid meeting between Scotland, Wa...
13 Sep 2026 at 3:17pm
Independence referendum ?not off the table? amid meeting between Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland  Yahoo News New Zealand

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland voice united calls for independence and ...
15 Sep 2026 at 10:18am
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland voice united calls for independence and a return to the EU  Eunews

Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish leaders unite in push to leave UK - ABC Ne...
14 Sep 2026 at 6:33pm
Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish leaders unite in push to leave UK  ABC News & Headlines ? Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Why Scotland?s democratic right is unassailable ? Scottish National Party - s...
21 Sep 2026 at 4:40pm
Why Scotland?s democratic right is unassailable ? Scottish National Party  snp.org

Scotland Independence: Can Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Legally Leave...
13 Sep 2026 at 8:00am
Scotland Independence: Can Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Legally Leave the UK?  Diplomacy and Law