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.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (centre) with supporters during a visit to Ramsgate in Kent. Picture: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

SNP retain council seat, but Reform fire warning shot with vote surge
The SNP claimed the seat, but it was Reform that emerged as real winners from the by-election vote count
Allan Crow

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar

Analysis Anas Sarwar: Labour and SNP need to counter Reform to win election

A demonstration for trans rights outside the UK Government Office at Queen Elizabeth House in Edinburgh in 2023

Exclusive Harvie: Transphobia now 'worse' than homophobia in '80s and '90s

Maggie Chapman MSP

Maggie Chapman to face vote to oust her from Holyrood committee

Scottish Green co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater with former first minister Nicola Sturgeon after signing the Bute House Agreement in 2021.

Analysis Bute House Agreement: What has been ditched one year on

The aftermath of a 'massive' Russian missile strike on a residential area of Ukrainian capital Kyiv

Trump's reaction to missile strike adds to fears he'll abandon Ukraine Scotsman comment

Politics

Jackie Baillie and Katy Loudon

Scottish Labour demands apology from SNP by-election candidate

Deputy leader Jackie Baillie begins Labour campaign for key contest with attack on nationalist candi...

Net-zero firms are growing nine times faster than the rest

Net zero-related businesses and industries grew by 9 per cent last year, compared to barely 1 per ce...

Vladimir Putin's regime has banned Alistair Carmichael MP from entering Russia (Picture: Alexey Danichev/pool)

I've just been barred from Russia. Farage's ban must have been mislaid

As Donald Trump attacks Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky again on social media, it’s never been more important to stand by Ukraine and against Putin’s Russia

Why Lulu and Wark should make Scotland want to 'shout' – in a good way Scotsman comment

Scotsman comment

John Swinney accused of overseeing teacher recruitment 'crisis'

John Swinney has admitted there are “challenges” in recruiting teachers in some subjects.

Trump condemns Russia attacks as MPs warn no concessions on territory

It follows comments made by the US President on social media

Scottish Independence

Donald Dewar and David Steel arrive at the opening of the Scottish Parliament in July 1999 (Picture: Ian Stewart)

Old unionist champions are gone, creating chance for independence push Stephen Gethins

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

Alex Salmond and Chris McEleny

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

More Scotsman politics

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Exclusive Fraud minister Lord Hanson outlines plans to ban Sim farms

The family of Emma Caldwell arrive to meet First Minister John Swinney and the Justice Secretary

Caldwell family welcomes 'formidable' Scottish judge for inquiry

First Minister John Swinney

Swinney urged to 'bring to an end era of divisive gender politics'

Glasgow could pause taking in asylum seekers. Credit: Getty Images

Exclusive Glasgow Council warned people will sleep on streets if asylum paused

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - APRIL 23: The body of Pope Francis lies in state at the Basilica St Peter on April 23, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. On the third day since the death of Pope Francis was announced by the Vatican, his body is transferred from the Chapel of Santa Marta to the Basilica St Peter. He will lie in state in a simple wooden coffin until his funeral, which will be held on Saturday, 26th April 2025. (Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images)

The surprise Scottish figure to attend Pope Francis's funeral

Swimmer Duncan Scott has warned about the dangers of closing Scotland's pools (Picture: Zac Goodwin)

Why Scotland must take 'generation can't swim' warning seriously Scotsman comment

The MPs raised concerns for workers in the North Sea

Fate of North Sea workers 'hangs in the balance'

John Swinney reads a book called 'How to Make a Story' during a visit to Edinburgh's Wardie Primary School (Picture: Jane Barlow)

Why book festivals and politicians both do and don't go together Scotsman comment

The amendments would see more taxes for holiday let owners.

Scottish holiday let owners to face tax hikes under new proposals

If you are already living on very little, it does not take much more pressure on your income to lose your home (Picture: Phil Wilkinson)

We cannot allow voices of homeless people to become white noise Ewan Aitken

Susan Smith, left, and Marion Calder, directors of For Women Scotland, cheer as they leave the Supreme Court in London following the landmark ruling against the Scottish Government

Why political mainstream has switched sides for good in trans debate Paul Wilson

The Trump administration has been interfering in UK affairs in a way that suggests our 'special relationship' with the US is over (Picture: Andrew Harnik)

Why UK needs to stand up to Trump – not fund his tax cuts Henry McLeish

John Swinney and Anas Sarwar

John Swinney criticised at far right summit for SNP 'failures'

A young Palestinian boy sits amid the debris of a bombed building in Gaza City in March (Picture: Omar Al-Qattaa)

Why Israel must let food and medicine into Gaza for its own sake Ian Johnston

Nigel Farage retains a Stalin-like grip on control of power within his Reform UK party (Picture: Carl Court)

How Farage has made clear that voting Reform will help SNP Murdo Fraser

The Prime Minister u-turned on his previous support

Starmer backtracks on ‘trans women are women’ claim

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer delivering his keynote speech during the Labour Party Conference. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Sir Keir Starmer does not believe trans women are women - No.10

Chancellor Rachel Reeves found positives in the forecasts

SNP say Labour must ‘wake up’ after IMF slashes growth forecasts

Jamie Greene and Alex Cole-Hamilton

SNP loses control of Holyrood agenda after Jamie Greene defection

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

Humza Yousaf: Independence can "right historic wrong" of Brexit

The clock face of Elizabeth Tower, known after the bell Big Ben, shows the hands at 11 o'clock as a Union Flag flies in front of it in London. Picture Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images

Committee on cost-of-living would 'waste taxpayers money’, UK Government say

Has the UK Government turned into a 'Just Say No' machine?