Alistair Carmichael: ‘The government must rethink its tax hikes on the Scotch whisky industry — not double down’
Small wonder that the Scotch whisky industry has been a by-word for both resilience and innovation in our economy for decades.
Stephen Flynn: Starmer must ‘heed’ democratic will of Scotland if he becomes PM
Stephen Flynn, leader of SNP in Westminster, has said the leader of the Labour Party Keir Starmer must accept the democratic will of Scotland if he becomes PM. Speaking to Sky News, Flynn said the SNP has added “more meat to the bones” of a potential referendum bid at party conference “What we would like […]
SNP conference: The political cost of Humza Yousaf’s independence recalibration
I have a theory about party conferences. It’s that these annual fêtes of activists and parliamentarians amplify and embed — rather than reveal or upend — emergent trends within the hosting party. It means, when it comes to conference season, outsider preconceptions are everything. In Manchester, Rishi Sunak had plans to refresh his premiership; but […]
Labour can take seats from the SNP ‘across Scotland’, Anas Sarwar to warn Humza Yousaf
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar will today address the party’s annual conference just days after it recorded a key by-election victory at the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election. The result saw Michael Shanks replace MP Margaret Ferrier, who was ousted from her party (the SNP) and then her seat in August after a successful recall […]
SNP admits it has ‘work to do’ as Labour hails ‘seismic’ victory in Scottish by-election
Labour has triumphed in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West by-election, with leader Sir Keir Starmer hailing a “seismic result” for his party north of the border. The result sees Michael Shanks replace MP Margaret Ferrier, who was ousted from her party (the SNP) and then her seat in August after a successful recall petition for […]
Scotland’s Drug Death Figures Highlight the Need for Urgent Action
This week the National Records for Scotland released the latest figures for drug deaths in the country, revealing that tragically 1,051 people lost their lives in 2022. Whilst this marks a decrease of 21% – and the lowest figure in half a decade – the need to guard against complacency is stark, and much more […]
How the battle for Scotland could shape Starmerism
For all the policy U-turns and accusations of profligacy on principle, “Starmerism” is in fact a political mode of thought defined by very real strategical coherence. Tory tailspin notwithstanding, Keir Starmer has stuck to a pretty strict script as Labour leader: at every turn he has sought to project competence in the hope that self-contained […]
Can the SNP stomach another independence setback?
Barely six weeks ago, Nicola Sturgeon sent shockwaves through the political system by announcing her resignation as first minister. An air of mystery surrounded the decision. Why, with the SNP so electorally impregnable, was now the time for such an abrupt departure? And why was there no obvious succession plan — one which mirrored the […]
Humza Yousaf ‘determined’ to deliver independence following election as SNP leader
Humza Yousaf has been elected as the new SNP leader following a contentious five-week leadership race. Outgoing first minister Nicola Sturgeon will now offer her resignation to the King on Tuesday, after which a parliamentary vote will take place in Holyrood to officially nominate Mr Yousaf as her replacement. He will then be be sworn […]
SNP leadership latest – Humza Yousaf far ahead in MP and MSP endorsements
Voting in the SNP leadership election opened at noon on 13 March, with the race to replace Nicola Sturgeon now heading into its final week. Scottish health secretary Humza Yousaf, finance secretary Kate Forbes and former community safety minister Ash Regan are all on the ballot paper, having successfully reached the minimum of 100 nominations from at […]
