SNP leadership race: The key problems facing Kate Forbes’ candidacy

It was 2003 when New Labour spinner Alastair Campbell apprised an interviewer “I’m sorry, We don’t do God”, stepping in before prime minister Tony Blair’s religiosity could be probed. The poignant intervention, as Blair readied to answer a question on whether his Christianity created common ground with US President George Bush, has taken on a […]

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 […]

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 […]

UK government set to block Scottish gender reform bill

The Westminster government could torpedo a law passed in Scotland which would allow children to change their gender from the age of 16 as soon as today. The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill was passed by a majority of MSPs last month. The bill would remove the need for a medical diagnosis of gender dysphoria for […]

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. […]

Controversial Scottish gender reforms passed by Holyrood after heated debate

Scotland has become the first part of the UK to approve a self-identification system for people who want to change their legal gender.  The Scottish Parliament backed the controversial proposals by 86 to 39 in the final vote. The main opposition to the bill was provided by the Scottish Conservative party, but a number of […]

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’s 2023 referendum plans will go to Supreme Court

Nicola Sturgeon has said she plans to hold a referendum on Scottish independence on 19 October 2023. The Scottish first minister told MSPs this afternoon that she plans to hold a “legal, constitutional referendum”, ruling out an illicit vote that “would not lead to Scotland becoming independent” because the result would not be recognised. She […]

Minister urges Sturgeon to ‘respect democracy’ ahead of IndyRef3 speech

A government minister has suggested that Nicola Sturgeon is not respecting democracy in her bid for a further independence referendum. Scotland’s first minister is set to reveal her plans to push for a fresh referendum later today. It is expected that she will explain how she plans to hold a vote without permission from Westminster. […]