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.

Professor Sir John Curtice

Exclusive John Curtice: Farage's Reform is a bigger threat to Labour in Scotland
In an exclusive interview with The Steamie podcast, we take a look at what to expect in the 2026 Holyrood election.
Rachel Amery

The UK's GDP figures for April to June should shed more light on whether Labour's policies are the right ones for the economy (Picture: Peter Cziborra/WPA pool)

Labour right to talk Britain up after some good news on the economy Scotsman comment

Work on the MV Glen Rosa is not now expected to be completed until spring next year (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

Ferry fiasco approaching cost of one of most expensive ocean liners Scotsman comment

Farmers protest over Labour's changes to inheritance tax on the Edinburgh city bypass (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

How Keir Starmer can escape damaging family farm tax row Alistair Carmichael

Keir Starmer's Reform-like rhetoric on immigration could play into John Swinney's hands (Picture: Andy Buchanan)

Why Starmer is a gift to SNP – and how Swinney could waste it Joyce McMillan

Rachel Reeves and Shona Robison

SNP to receive less than half the funds to cover NI hike

Politics

Jenny Gilruth and Douglas Ross

Minister defends SNP campaigning instead of answering school questions

The Education Secretary has defended campaigning for the SNP instead of taking questions on school v...

UK in talks over 'return hubs' for failed asylum seekers, Starmer says

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the plans around ‘return hubs’ on Thursday.

John Swinney accused of 'deeply concerning answer' over ferry fiasco

First Minister challenged to confirm the two ferries’ cost has increased to £460 million.

Why Scotland's offshore wind industry must get on a war footing

Jeremy Grant

Analysis The UK economy's growth is great news for Labour - but there's a catch

The UK economy figures showing a rise in GDP in the first three months of 2025 were published Thursd...

SNP bill for 'humiliating' Supreme Court defeat over gender revealed

The bill for the Scottish Government’s lost Supreme Court case over the definition of a woman has be...

Scottish Independence

First Minister John Swinney says independence will be central to the SNP’s 2026 election campaign.

Independence to be 'central' to SNP's 2026 election campaign

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

Here's why John Swinney is talking about Scottish independence again

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

A “secret weapon” is being developed and could be used by Royal Navy technicians to search for Russian submarines. Pictured: HMS Tyne with Russian Kilo-class submarine Krasnodar in the background.

"Secret weapon" being tested for Royal Navy to hunt Russia submarines

Liam McArthur’s assisted dying legislation will be subject to amendments

Explainer The amendments that could be made to Scotland's assisted dying laws

The MV Glen Rosa was launched last year but now won't be ready until April next year at the earliest (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

Massive symbol of SNP failure to loom large over Holyrood election Scotsman comment

The move includes a new energy campus in Aberdeen

Civil service jobs moving to Scotland in UK Government shake-up

History as assisted dying legislation passes first stage in Scotland

Protesters outside the Scottish Parliament ahead of the vote

Assisted dying Scotland: How every MSP voted on the Bill

Old College at the University of Edinburgh

Exclusive Visa changes ‘deeply damaging’ to Scottish universities, minister says

Restaurateur, broadcaster and cookery writer Prue Leith shakes hands with Liam McArthur MSP as she lends her support to his bill to legalise assisted dying in Scotland (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

The cases both for and against Scotland's Assisted Dying Bill Professor June Andrews and Liam McArthur

As Reform UK's popularity continues to rise, other parties are starting to sound like Nigel Farage (Picture: Chris J Ratcliffe)

Reform UK is on the rise, but don't dismiss Starmer as one-term PM Brian Monteith

Soldiers of the Bundeswehr, the German armed forces, take part in a training exercise (Picture: Alexander Koerner)

How Germany has gone from hated world war foe to indispensible ally Dr Bernhard Blumenau

Female Care Worker In Uniform Bringing Meal On Tray To Senior Woman Sitting In Lounge At Home

Exclusive Immigration crackdown on care sector that will 'see homes close'

McGlynn was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh. Pic: Ian Georgeson

Ex-council employee who embezzled over £1m ordered to repay £165k

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?