Scottish National Party

The latest Scottish National Party news and opinion from expert Scotsman journalists and contributors

Former Scotland first minister and current Alba Party leader Alex Salmond has died aged 69.

Tributes for 'monumental figure' Alex Salmond pour in

There are plans to build another gas-fired power station next to the existing one at Peterhead. (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Swinney accused of 'absurd' defence in ministerial code breach row

A protestor holds a sign reading "independence" during a demonstration last year marking the sixth anniversary of a self-determination referendum organised by Catalan separatists despite being banned by the courts, in Barcelona.

Why have independence movements around the world seen a decline in support?

If Labour wins the next general election, Keir Starmer will have a task on his hands to persuade Scots not to support independence (Picture: Peter Summers/Getty Images)

Here's what Labour needs to do if it wants to save the Union

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at a party rally in Rutherglen ahead of the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election. Picture date: Friday September 29, 2023.

Labour Party Conference 2023: When is Sir Keir’s speech? How to watch

A spokesperson for the Scottish rock band confirmed the Canadian died on Tuesday night - Credit: Getty

Runrig lead singer Bruce Guthro dead at 62

A spokesperson for the Scottish rock band confirmed the Canadian died on Tuesday night - Credit: Getty

Runrig lead singer Bruce Guthro dead at 62

Home Secretary Suella Braverman. Picture: Getty

SNP bid to decriminalise drugs would do ‘untold damage’ says Braverman

"There has been no question of Nicola’s talents as a first-rate political communicator and election winner and – having been there – I feel for her personally on the day of her resignation... There are two questions for the future. One is that the movement has been left with no clear strategy for independence. The previously accepted referendum route has been closed and the de facto referendum/election proposal is now, at best, up in the air. Secondly there is no obvious successor."

14 Politician quotes in response to when Nicola Sturgeon resigned

Nicola Sturgeon will resign as the longest-serving and first female First Minister since the creation of the Scottish Parliament in 1999.

Nicola Sturgeon resignation: Watch a career in pictures

SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have clashed in a heated exchange in the Commons following the Supreme Court ruling.

Watch: Ian Blackford and Rishi Sunak clash in heated PMQs

Vladimir Putin has an interest in bogging down European countries in years of wrangling about independence for places like Scotland, Catalonia and northern Italy (Picture: Wang Zhao/AFP via Getty Images)

SNP are playing into Russia's hands as Putin plots to break up Europe

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon plans to share her vision for IndyRef2 soon (Picture: Andrew Matthews - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Readers Letters: Sturgeon has not earned right to Indyref2

Politics, in its purest form is about helping people (Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA)

Council elections are a chance to elect politicians who will actually listen

A Ukrainian refugee is comforted by a journalist at Zahony train station in Hungary (Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Scottish nationalists must not exploit Ukrainians' suffering – Murdo Fraser

Boris Johnson and Douglas Ross.

Boris Johnson praises leadership of Douglas Ross as he seeks to build bridges

Nicola Sturgeon announced in the Programme for Government last year that civil servants would resume work on a plan for how Scotland would look outside the UK

Labour call for civil service chief to step in over independence prospectus

Nicola Sturgeon speaks to the media at Whitelee Wind Farm ahead of launch of the SNP's annual conference (Picture: Russell Cheyne/pool/Getty Images)

Renewed indy campaign must not distract from good governance – Scotsman says

Scottish Independence: John Swinney says it could be years before Scotland gets its own currency after independence.

John Swinney says it could be years before Scotland gets its own currency

Voters, rather than parties, could be given the power to decide who comes top of the regional lists in Scottish Parliament elections (Picture: Robert Perry)

How voters could be given more power over who becomes an MSP – Joyce McMillan

Proper management of the seas could enable fish populations to recover, allowing more to be caught, while protecting marine habitats and reducing carbon emissions (Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images)

Fishing industry must join fight against climate change – Nick Underdown

David Alexander is managing director of DJ Alexander

Don’t lock the market into a rent control ‘straitjacket’ - David Alexander

Scotland's first citizens' assembly published 60 recommendations including more powers for the Scottish Parliament

Permanent citizens' assembly needed to 'embed real people power in politics'

Former prime minister Gordon Brown warned of 50 years of conflict between England and Scotland.

Gordon Brown warns of ‘50 years of conflict’ between Scotland and England

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon appearing on the BBC1 current affairs programme, The Andrew Marr Show from her home in Glasgow.

Analysis: So is this an 'independence election' or not?

Leaseholders in properties with dangerous cladding face up to £100k bills - here’s how your MP voted on motion to hold developers liable (Photo: Shutterstock)

Leaseholders in properties with dangerous cladding face up to £100k bills - here...

There are 129 MSPs (Getty Images)

Full list of Scottish MSPs

Scots go to the polls on May 6, 2021 (Getty Images)

2021 Scottish Parliament election: voting date, will it go ahead during pandemic...

Scottish independence supporters march through Glasgow last January

Could Scotland stage indyref2 without UK approval? What the law says

The 1979 devolution referendum split the Scottish electorate in half.

Scotland in the 1970s: The decade's pivotal political moments

The deep fried Mars Bar is a Scottish favourite.

Jacob Rees-Mogg confesses love of deep fried Mars Bar

Boris Johnson lacks the humility to even try to understand the appeal of the SNP and support for independence (Picture: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire)

Johnson's lack of concern for devolved nations may end Union – Joyce McMillan

Sir Keir Starmer has labelled Boris Johnson the “single biggest threat to UK”.

Sir Keir Starmer calls Boris Johnson ‘single biggest threat to UK’

Picture credit: Matt Cardy

Scot Gov are considering contingency plan to postpone elections

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Sturgeon warns Holyrood hopefuls to expect abuse

If SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon misplaces their trust, she will be very harshly judged by the Scottish electorate

TV Covid briefings should be kept politics-free - Lesley Riddoch

Nicola Sturgeon delivers the Programme For Government in the Scottish Parliament. (Picture: Andy Buchanan/pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Nicola Sturgeon must focus on Covid, not independence – Scotsman comment

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard during a visit to Summerhall, Edinburgh. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

'Inappropriate' for UK Labour to oust Leonard

Nicola Sturgeon is backing John Swinney (Photo by Fraser Bremner - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Sturgeon hypocritical over Swinney and results – Letters

Independence Square. Ukraine.

Revealed: Scottish firms loom large in Ukraine dirty money blacklist

Hawick and Hermitage councillor Davie Paterson is to remain independent.

Hawick councillor to remain in state of independence

Former Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said it was "never in doubt" that she would avoid skinny dipping in Loch Ness. Picture: PA

Ruth Davidson narrowly avoids skinny dipping in Loch Ness
Former Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said it was "never in doubt" that she would avoid skinny dipping in Loch Ness.

How did your MP score? (Photo: Shutterstock)

Every UK MP has been ranked from best to worst in new ‘People-Power Index’ - thi...

Old rivals John Lamont and Calum Kerr going head to head for third time for Bord...

Nicola Sturgeon waves after delivering her speech at the annual SNP conference (Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images)

Scottish independence: A most important message from Nicola Sturgeon – leader co...

Travel search site travelmarket.com removed a line in its guide to Scotland that referred to parts of the country harbouring anti-English sentiments. Picture: TSPL

Danish travel website under fire after branding parts of Scotland 'very anti-Eng...

Voters will vote in the European Elections on Thursday (Photo: Shutterstock)

European elections in Scotland: How and when to vote and a full list of candidat...

It would be mean-minded not to be glad for Prince Harry and Meghan over the birth of their son Archie (Picture: Chris Allerton/SussexRoyal via Getty Images)

Joyce McMillan: What royal baby worship tells us about Britain

Andrew Neil breached broadcasting rules. Picture: BBC

BBC breached broadcasting rules in interview with Alex Salmond

British MPs try again to chart a new Brexit path. Picture: Getty

MPs vote on alternatives to Theresa May’s EU withdrawal deal

The SNP needs to convince both modern-day romantic Jacobites and hard-headed pragmatists (Picture: Neil Hanna)

Why no-deal Brexit is a threat to Scottish independence – Joyce McMillan

Theresa May. Picture: Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA Wire

Theresa May ‘would have majority’ in snap election, says poll

Council leader Shona Haslam at Scottish Borders Council's Newtown headquarters.

Borders council leader rules out workplace car park tax

Council leader Shona Haslam at Scottish Borders Council's Newtown headquarters.

Holyrood deal could yield more cash for Borders council

Tommy Sheppard has increased calls for the end to political Lords appointments

SNP renew calls to scrap House of Lords over '˜chummy' appointments

Alex Salmond said in a video posted on Twitter that his devotion to Scottish independence was "more important than any individual" as he announced his resignation from the SNP.

'˜Devoted to a cause more important than any individual'

The Scotsman Top Stories

Scotland has failed to meet its latest target for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the latest official figures show. Picture: John Giles/PA Wire

Fail: Scotland misses climate target

Pro-independence protesters with Scottish Saltire flags (top) march for Scottish independence. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

Yousaf: Growing popular support for Yes the only way to Scottish independence

Nadine Dorries. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

SNP MP cleared of bullying Nadine Dorries