Salmond launches SNP manifesto

By politics.co.uk staff Alex Salmond has unveiled the Scottish National party (SNP) manifesto for the general election, urging Scots to avoid spending cuts imposed from London. He pledged greater cooperation with Welsh nationalists Plaid Cymru and a restoration of community-based politics. “We will break through the cosy Westminster consensus on cuts,” Mr Salmond said. “There […]

Sturgeon apologises for court plea

By politics.co.uk staff Nicola Sturgeon has apologised for urging clemency in the criminal trial of a convicted fraudster. The deputy first minister’s letter to the Glasgow sheriff court is thought to have spared Abdul Rauf a prison sentence. Today, she admitted to fellow MSPs that it was “an error of judgement” and that the wording […]

Glasgow by-election date is set

By Liz Stephens The Glasgow North East by-election will take place on 12 November it was confirmed today. The by-election, which is taking place after the resignation of Michael Martin as Speaker of the House of Commons in June, had been delayed until after the recess – sparking anger from many parties. The Scottish National […]

Ex-SNP leader views ‘glorious opportunity’

By Alex Stevenson Former Scottish National party (SNP) leader Gordon Wilson believes his successor Alex Salmond should fight the next election on the basis of “independence or emigrate”. “I never give Alex advice,” he told politics.co.uk, before revealing why he thinks the current state of Britain’s public finances could be turned to electoral advantage for […]

MacAskill unmoving on Lockerbie decision

By Alex Stevenson The man who freed Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset al-Megrahi has told MSPs he will stand by the consequences of his decision, as the controversy threatened to engulf the Scottish government. Justice minister Kenny MacAskill made a statement at Holyrood before responding to questions in an emergency session for the recalled Scottish parliament. MSPs […]

SNP calls for recess by-election in Glasgow North East

By Liz Stephens The Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) criticised the government today for failing to confirm a date for the Glasgow North East by-election before the start of the parliamentary recess. No date has yet been set for the seat of former speaker Michael Martin, and unless the government move the writ tomorrow, the constituency […]

Interview: Angus Robertson

By Alex Stevenson Angus Robertson is in a good mood. Given the SNP’s strong electoral showing against Labour in last week’s European elections that’s no surprise. For the Scottish nationalist leader in Westminster has reason to be cheerful. In Scotland the SNP took 29 per cent of the vote, two per cent more than the […]

SNP turns 75

By politics.co.uk staff The Scottish National party is turning 75 today, with leader Alex Salmond reiterating his support for Scottish independence. “The last 75 years have seen Scotland and the SNP journey together. Throughout, we have always stood with and for the people of Scotland in achieving our nation’s ambitions,” he wrote in an email […]

Cameron ‘vigorously opposed’ to SNP independence plans

David Cameron has stressed he will work to ensure the Scottish National Party (SNP) does not succeed in ‘splitting up’ the UK. While the Scottish Tories recently endorsed the Nationalists’ budget plans for the coming year, Mr Cameron said co-operation between rival parties would not extend to condoning Scottish independence. However, the Conservative party leader […]

Bashir Ahmad, first Muslim MSP, dies aged 68

The first Muslim member of the Scottish parliament, Bashir Ahmad, has died at the age of 68. The Scottish National Party (SNP) member, who represented Glasgow in the Scottish Parliament, became the first Muslim to be sworn into office in 2007. Scottish first minister Alex Salmond paid tribute to the Member of the Scottish Parliament […]