Politics

Latest politics news and opinion from expert Scotsman journalists and contributors. The latest from Holyrood, Westminster and a global outlook from a Scottish perspective.

Nicola Sturgeon and Val McDermid hosting their Books & Banter show during Glasgow International Comedy Festival at King's Theatre, Glasgow. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Sturgeon thanks supporters in comedy debut after being cleared
She was appearing at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow as part of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival
Craig Paton

In the 1980s, Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government was desperate to keep unemployment below three million, so encouraged people to claim disability benefit instead (Picture: Tim Graham)

Disability culture began when Thatcher tried to rig jobless figures Brian Wilson

The UK needs to increase its defence capabilities, but it's wrong to cut benefits to do so (Picture: Leon Neal)

German example shows UK didn't have to cut benefits to boost defence Stephen Gethins

Gregor Poynton MP in the House of Commons

Whole generation of men could be lost to toxic influencers, MP warns

Exclusive GB Energy can turn Scottish Labour’s polling around - minister

Given the seriousness of our times, it may not be possible to retain the RAF Red Arrows display team, seen performing over Athens last year (Picture: Theophile Bloudanis)

Best in the world? Why the British Army makes US officials want to cry Stephen Jardine

Politics

Exclusive Russell Findlay claims SNP ministers should review net zero target

Russell Findlay’s backing of his UK leader’s ne zero opposition comes after a surge in support for N...

How Brexit fan Putin is pushing the UK and EU closer together

War in Europe was the original spur for the creation of what’s now the EU and Putin’s invasion of Uk...

As the SNP prevaricates, UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting has already acted on some of the recommendations made by an independent review into the recording of sex data by public bodies (Picture: James Manning)

Why gender ideology could have ‘fatal consequences’ for trans people

A new independent review spells out why it is important for public bodies, like the NHS and the police, to record people’s biological sex

Heathrow shutdown shows how vulnerable UK is to an array of threats Scotsman comment

Swinney defends income tax gap with England after 'humiliating rebuke'

First Minister John Swinney has argued the higher tax bracket in Scotland has struck the ‘right bala...

Swinney: I look forward to Sturgeon campaigning for SNP ahead of 2026

The First Minister said he ‘very much’ welcomed Ms Sturgeon’s participation in campaigning

Scottish Independence

Officers from Police Scotland outside the SNP headquarters in Edinburgh following the arrest of former chief executive Peter Murrell in April 2023. Mr Murrell was later released without charge, pending further enquiries. Picture: PA

Ex-SNP treasurer arrested under Branchform probe bids to stand again

Salmond wanted to build a new town called 'Independence' - Alba ally

First Minister John Swinney (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Swinney wants Northern Ireland-style trigger for independence poll

Scottish independence supporters on the march. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

Exclusive Last indy strategy damaged 'credibility', Pete Wishart says

Keir Starmer's plans to bulldoze through housing and infrastructure construction ─ including the relentless march of wind turbines ─ may not go down well with voters (Picture: Chris Radburn)

Labour's disastrous start is setting up a 2029 independence showdown John McLellan

Any decision to scrap independence spending from the Scottish Budget next month could have consequences

SNP must not axe independence spending in Budget, say Greens

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump dances at a campaign rally at Greensboro Coliseum (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Swinney backs Harris for president after Trump opposes independence

More Scotsman politics

Greens MSP announced as rector of crisis-hit university

Ewing will not stand for SNP in 2026 - but may run as an independent

Exclusive CBI boss urges SNP ministers to close income tax gap with England

John Swinney should realise that higher income taxes in Scotland make it harder for businesses to recruit skilled staff (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

Swinney needs to take business complaints about income tax seriously Scotsman comment

Prince William meets Estonian President Alar Karis in Tallinn, Estonia (Picture: Suzanne Plunkett/WPA pool)

Why Prince William's visit to Estonia is diplomatic rebuff to Trump Scotsman comment

John Swinney can't escape his track record as deputy to Nicola Sturgeon (Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis Nicola Sturgeon cleared by police will be a huge relief for the SNP

Like these zombie enthusiasts, populists seem to keep coming back from the dead (Picture: Sean Gallup)

Populist right-wingers are turning into an undefeatable undead army Joyce McMillan

Swinney blamed over Ferguson Marine’s ‘uncertain future’

Nicola Sturgeon speaks to media outside her house near Glasgow. Picture: John Devlin

Sturgeon: Never a 'scrap of evidence' against me in SNP police probe

What we know so far about the police investigation into SNP finances

Doncaster MP and Net Zero secretary Ed Miliband believes in a green transition

Labour told to 'come clean' as documents show net-zero 10% economy hit

Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney have spoken about the former first minister being cleared in the SNP finances probe

Sturgeon's 'vindication' as Swinney says SNP in 'clearer position'

Police officers outside the home of Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell as part of Operation Branchform.

John Curtice: Operation Branchform could hit SNP's election spending

The 6 key things learned from 'jaw-dropping' Dundee University hearing

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaking during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons

SNP record on youth homelessness ‘appalling’, Sir Keir Starmer says

The Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood in Edinburgh. Picture: PA

Worries of non-fatal strangulation law being deprioritised

The cover of Nicola Sturgeon's upcoming memoir

Nicola Sturgeon reveals cover and title of her upcoming memoir

Ineos announced the closure of its oil refinery in Grangemouth last year

Grangemouth: Project Willow report unveils plans for 800 jobs

Catchment changes may be required for Boroughmuir High School in the long term, officials say

Edinburgh schools face catchment changes and temporary classrooms

Brexit

Even ardent Remainers know the SNP's Brexit stance makes no sense Murdo Fraser

First Minister Humza Yousaf will rally against Brexit during an address in London.

Humza Yousaf accuses Labour and Tories of being in denial over Brexit

Brexiteers and Scottish nationalists are united by an enthusiasm for censorship Euan McColm

Brexit supporters celebrate as the United Kingdom exits the EU on January 31, 2020 (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Brexit myths created 'Schrodinger’s Britain' but the reality is very different

First Minister and SNP Leader Humza Yousaf who will make the case for righting the "historic wrong" of Brexit as he delivers a speech on independence. PIC: Jane Barlow/PA Wire