SNP accused of ‘siding with the energy giants’ by opposing Labour’s windfall tax plans
Humza Yousaf has been accused of “siding with the energy giants” after attacking Labour’s plans for an increased windfall tax on North Sea oil and gas. The Scottish first minister said the SNP would oppose Labour’s plan to lift the energy profits levy from 75 per cent to 78 per cent and extend it to […]
Drew Hendry: ‘Be warned, Labour’s silence over the cost of living crisis is deafening’
A new poll has found eight in 10 people expect January will turn out to be the toughest month yet financially. With rents and mortgages, food costs and energy bills still putting a strain on everyone’s finances, it’s no wonder folk are disillusioned with the Westminster bubble. The survey, conducted by Nationwide, showed that 84% […]
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 […]
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 […]
Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell released without charge
The husband of Scotland’s former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, who was arrested in connection with an investigation into Scottish National Party finances, has been released without charge. Peter Murrell spent almost twelve hours in police custody for questioning. Murrell resigned as the party’s chief executive last month, a post he had held since 1999. Sturgeon […]
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 […]
