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.

High Peak MP backs decriminalising abortion in landmark vote in Parliament.

The 9 Scottish Labour MPs set to rebel over disability cuts
The cuts to disability payments by Sir Keir Starmer’s government are estimated to push 250,000 people into relative poverty.
Rachel Amery

The NHS Scotland app will launch later this year.

The long-delayed NHS Scotland app that will launch with one service

US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Starmer to pledge 5% defence spending as Israel-Iran ceasefire agreed

Staff on an NHS hospital ward

NHS is 'dying before our eyes', warns doctors' union

Dwight D Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of Allied forces in Europe during the Second World War and later US President, understood the value of international law (Picture: Fox Photos)

West's leaders must be as committed to international law as Eisenhower Scotsman comment

Tour of new £500m Amazon fulfilment centre on outskirts of Leeds. Workers pictured in the factory. Picture taken by Yorkshire Post Photographer Simon Hulme

Amazon announces £40bn UK investment including thousands of jobs

Politics

Increasing taxes is not the way to create a more prosperous future (Picture: Henry Nicholls)

Why targeting wealthy non-doms means we'll all pay higher taxes

Be it Scotland or the UK, capital flight is a real and present danger to the economy

Industrial strategy 'will drive tens of thousands of jobs in Scotland'

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the plan marks a ‘turning point for Britain’s economy’.

Sir Brian Souter (left) and Jack Irvine from the 'Keep the Clause' campaign.

LGBT+ community 'strengthened' by fighting against section 28

Scotland on Saturday marked 25 years since laws prohibiting the promotion of homosexuality in schools were repealed.

Challenges ahead to build a strong, sustainable workforce fit for future

Michael McLaughlin

Nigel Farage's Robin Hood-style tax policy for non-doms

The proposals would see non-doms paying a one-off fee to avoid paying taxes in the UK.

7.5 billion barrels of oil and gas 'still recoverable' in North Sea

A new study says the additional production could add £165 billion in economic value

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

More Scotsman politics

Fergus Ewing

Fergus Ewing: SNP will 'throw everything' into trying to stop me

Shell and Scottish Power are bringing forward the MarramWind proposals

Exclusive Crunch talks as Acorn project and wind chiefs to wrestle over seabed

Less Scots are having babies.

Why are less Scots having babies? The answer is very obvious. Rachel Amery

The report for councillors said that they intended for the £1.7m spend to be replenished from income from the city’s upcoming visitor levy.

Councillors told 'take back control' over £1.7m Tour de France spend

First Minister John Swinney addressing the Scotland 2050 conference in Edinburgh.

‘Bloated’ civil service in Scotland hits record size

Fergus Ewing, pictured in the Scottish Parliament

Analysis Can Fergus Ewing beat the SNP and win as an independent?

Nicola Sturgeon (left) leaves the UK Covid Inquiry hearing at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre last year, after admitting to deleting WhatsApp messages.

WhatsApp removed from Scottish Government phones after Covid backlash

Fergus Ewing

Fergus Ewing on the 'scunner' factor and going independent

Veteran SNP MSP Fergus Ewing has refused to be cowed by rules on speaking out in public against his party (Picture: John Devlin)

Ewing to stand as an independent in 2026 Scottish election

The Scottish Parliament.

Holyrood body admits causing 'upset' amid calls for trans WCs U-turn

The Grangemouth complex is one of the biggest single sources of climate-harming greenhouse gases in Scotland, belching out around three million tonnes of emissions each year

SNP will 'not ask the impossible' as weakened climate aims revealed

There is a drive to reskill North Sea oil and gas workers to undertake renewables work.

North Sea oil and gas fields could be approved under new guidelines

Dundee University

University bosses quit after 'devastating' report into cash crisis

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth

Exclusive Scottish schools told to wait for guidance on single-sex toilets

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes at the Scotland 2050 event in Edinburgh

Kate Forbes opens up on 'exhausting' online abuse

Scottish independence supporters on the march

Swinney: Scotland given 'poison pills' and policy scraps from UK table

Sir Keir Starmer’s Government was looking at potentially fast-tracking the return of prisoners to their home countries - and now talks have been held with the Scottish Government

'Error' to wipe trans murderer's criminal record, says SNP minister

The document aims to tackle rising levels of violence in Scottish schools.

Give schools the tools to end pupil violence, ministers told

Children enjoying playing on swings in a park.

Date set for the two-child benefit cap to be scrapped in Scotland

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?