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The SNP’s planned Scottish Budget continues the trend of increasing taxes and imposing cuts on cash-strapped councils, writes Murdo Fraser.

The Labour-Liberal coalition and the early SNP governments can point to some achievements, but after 13 years in power the Nationalists are out of ideas, writes Murdo Fraser MSP.

The closeness of the referendum vote to leave the European Union means that triumphalism by Brexiteers would be inappropriate, writes Murdo Fraser

Jackson Carlaw has displayed the passion, energy, good humour and clear message that can take the Tory party forward in Scotland, writes Murdo Fraser.

Scotland needs a Budget that will help grow the economy, so Finance Secretary Derek Mackay should shun the Scottish Green Party and work with the Scottish Conservatives instead, writes Murdo Fraser MSP.

The idea of relocating the House of Lords to York shows the Conservative Government is prepared to think radically about the constitution, writes Murdo Fraser.

Former First Minister Alex Salmond should tell all about the circumstances in which one of Scotland’s wealthiest people, Jim McColl, and his team took over the Ferguson shipyard, writes Murdo Fraser.

Plans to turn the A9 into a dual carriageway would result in part of the site of the Battle of Killiecrankie covered by tons of concrete and earthworks, writes Murdo Fraser.

Anti-English sentiment does not seem as common as it did in the 1970s and the SNP deserves credit for its ‘civic nationalism’, a movement that includes members born in England and other parts of the world, but the party still needs to take care over rhetoric about ‘Westminster rule’, writes Murdo Fraser.

The message of Christmas is one of eternal life, salvation and unconditional love, writes Murdo Fraser.

SNP hysteria does not make the case for another independence referendum but just adds to the uncertainty that is holding back investment. Now is the time for constitutional stability, writes Murdo Fraser.

Tactical voting about the Union and the prospect of a second independence referendum will decide the general election in Scotland, not the personalities of Boris Johnson and co, writes Murdo Fraser.

Party political canvassers deserve some sympathy as they engage in a noble pursuit that is part of our democracy, writes Murdo Fraser.

A new report comparing education systems around the world makes dismal reading for those concerned about schooling in Scotland, writes Murdo Fraser MSP.

While some traditional Conservatives who are opposed to Brexit and unenthusiastic about Boris Johnson are swithering about which party to support, the Scottish Tories are benefiting from tactical voting by unionists, writes Murdo Fraser.

Council by-elections and polls suggest Labour risks going the way of the dinosaurs as traditionally left-wing voters hold their noses to back the Tories because of fears over the Union or in the hope that the party will pick a more moderate leader after a big defeat, writes Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser.

There have been failures in the delivery of SNP’s Curriculum for Excellence policy that are particularly affecting pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. After a period of denial, at least there are now signs that the Scottish Government is starting to realise the need for a rethink, writes Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser.

Predictions of a Scottish Tory wipeout in the general election will prove unfounded, but Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party could ironically end up stopping the UK from leaving the EU, writes Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser.

Last week’s survey for Progress Scotland, the campaign group fronted by the former SNP deputy leader Angus Robertson, gave some encouraging news for unionists, with its revelation that 25 per cent of those who voted Yes to independence in 2014 had changed their mind, whilst only 12 per cent of former No voters had switched to Yes.