SNP is ‘played out’ in Scotland, says minister as he eyes ‘opportunity’ for Conservatives
Health minister Neil O’Brien has claimed that the SNP is “played out” in Scotland, adding that he viewed the departure of Nicola Sturgeon is an “opportunity” for the Scottish Conservatives. Nicola Sturgeon called a surprise press conference yesterday and announced that she was resigning as Scotland’s first minister after eight years in the job. She […]
Who will replace Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader and Scottish first minister?
Nicola Sturgeon has formally announced her resignation as Scottish first minister after well over a decade spent at the apex of Scottish politics, as both deputy first minister and first minister. Speaking at Bute House in Edinburgh, Ms Sturgeon said that she had believed since first taking the role that “part of serving well” is […]
Nicola Sturgeon resigns as Scottish first minister – inside her rise and fall
Nicola Sturgeon has formally announced her resignation as Scottish First Minister after over well over a decade spent at the apex of Scottish politics, as both deputy first minister and first minister. The announcement came in a press conference at Bute House in Edinburgh. Initially, there were no reports that Sturgeon was going to quit. […]
What the rise of Anas Sarwar reveals about the state of Scottish politics
The winds of change are blowing through Scottish politics. After over a decade of domination, both at Holyrood and in Scottish seats at Westminster, a feeling of unease is creeping into the ranks of the Scottish National Party (SNP). If the Supreme Court’s ruling on a second independence referendum was an expected, if difficult, setback […]
Keir Starmer looks to Nicola Sturgeon ‘for inspiration’, Douglas Ross claims
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has claimed that Labour leader Keir Starmer looks to Nicola Sturgeon “for inspiration”, adding that you cannot “fit a hair” between Labour and the SNP on policy. The comments come as the Scottish Conservative leader, who is both an MSP and an MP, prepares to give a new year speech in Edinburgh on Friday. […]
Week-in-Review: Gender reforms will focus Sturgeon’s independence push
On Thursday, the Scottish parliament approved the controversial gender recognition reform bill, which will make it easier for people to change their legal gender and lowers the minimum age for doing so from 18 to 16. Proponents say the bill will make a lengthy and humiliating process of changing gender much more humane. Critics argue […]
Scottish parliament suspended before budget statement because of BBC ‘leak’
Presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament Alison Johnstone suspended proceedings after details of deputy SNP leader John Swinney’s budget were leaked to BBC Scotland ahead of his statement on Thursday. The deputy first minister was due to set out his tax and spending plans at 2.25pm. However, the Presiding Officer instead said she needed another […]
Sturgeon doubles down after Supreme Court snubbing
It is one of the more curious aspects of nationalism, Scottish and otherwise, that setbacks are never accepted at face value. Faced with those who deny their nation, the nationalist’s instinct is to retreat inward, in search of themselves and “the nation” once more. For a true nationalist knows not of defeat – only of […]
Scottish government cannot call indy vote without UK government consent, Supreme Court rules
The Scottish government cannot hold an independence referendum without UK government’s consent, the Supreme Court has ruled. Lord Reed, who is the president of the Supreme Court, announced the unanimous ruling on Wednesday at 10.00am. He told the court that “the Scotland Act gives the Scottish Parliament limited powers”. The Scottish Government had argued that Holyrood […]
How does a country become independent?
Matt Qvortrup, political scientist, outlines the steps required for a country to become independent. In his book, ‘I want to break free’, he sets out both the practical and theoretical phases in creating a new stand-alone state and the merits and difficulties this can face. Alicia Fitzgerald spoke with Matt about this through a Scottish […]
