Politics

Latest politics news and opinion from expert Scotsman journalists and contributors. The latest from Holyrood, Westminster and a global outlook from a Scottish perspective.

The NHS is financially unsustainable, Scotland’s spending watchdog has warned

NHS 'financially unsustainable' despite SNP's £3bn extra funding
Audit Scotland has warned that SNP pledges to improve the NHS have not been delivered despite extra funding and staff for the health service.
David Bol

Exclusive Around 3,200 Covid deaths still being probed by Crown Office unit

NHS staff need to play a greater role in deciding how to make the health service work for its patients (Picture: Christopher Furlong)

Why Scotland needs 'national coalition' to save NHS from ruin Scotsman comment

Water cremations could soon be introduced in Scotland.

Could Scots soon get water cremations when they die?

First Minister John Swinney and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves in happier times (Picture: Andrew Milligan - Pool/Getty Images)

Exclusive Swinney's broken pledge to pensioners slammed as a 'petty politics'

Kelly Burns and Lynne Sheerin from Fornethy Survivors

Fornethy Survivors hit out at 'unbelievable' historic abuse sentencing

Politics

The people whose racist abuse prompted the cancellation of a school's Christmas play may wish to remember that Mary and Joseph were refugees (Picture: Fox Photos)

We can’t let ignorant racist fools tell Scotland's schools what to do

The ignorance of people protesting outside a Glasgow school and the racist abuse directed at an Inve...

Nigel Farage says immigrants are 'culturally smashing' Glasgow

Nigel Farage made the comments ahead of a visit to Scotland this weekend,

First Minister John Swinney has been accused of breaking the ministerial code (Picture: Andrew Milligan)

Call for ministerial code probe into John Swinney's tax 'blatant lies'

The SNP’s Holyrood manifesto vowed to “freeze income tax rates and bands” until 2026.

Why Gary Lineker vs the BBC is going to be a titanic World Cup clash Scotsman comment

Scotsman comment

No female leaders comments 'classic Nicola Sturgeon ego and delusion'

Russell Findlay has slammed comments made by Nicola Sturgeon on female politicians.

Government to review evidence on grooming gangs in Scotland

The Scottish Government has now confirmed it will launch an inquiry into child grooming gangs.

Scottish Independence

Scottish independence supporters march through Glasgow.

Reeves accused of 'astonishing arrogance' over indyref2 call

Jeremy Corbyn MP

Your Party could back Scottish independence, says Jeremy Corbyn

Scottish independence supporters on the march

Exclusive Angus Robertson: Everyone asks about independence when I'm overseas

Swinney's independence plan branded 'not sensible' by expert

Pro-independence protesters hold up Scottish National Party (SNP) emblems as they join a march organised by the grassroots organistaion All Under One Banner

John Swinney hints at independence referendum 'precedent' legal bid

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon holds a fringe event for The Promise Scotland and Who Cares? Scotland during the second day of the SNP annual conference in Aberdeen.

Nicola Sturgeon believes in Swinney's 'secret plan' for independence

Supporters of Scottish independence marching in Edinburgh in 2023. Picture: Jeff Mitchell/Getty Images

Analysis Independence is a distant prospect but it will dominate SNP conference

More Scotsman politics

Saltires have been removed to make way for Christmas lights.

Threats against council workers removing flags branded 'disgraceful'

St Andrew's House is the Scottish Government's headquarters, based in Edinburgh.

Scathing think tank report warns SNP government 'struggles to deliver'

The BMA survey attracted more than 450 responses

Exclusive One in four doctors say services in their department 'normally unsafe'

Charles McGarvey

Exclusive Quadriplegic teacher to have overnight care axed due to budget cuts

Following an accident, English teacher Charles McGarvey can no longer use his arms and legs

SNP budget cuts robbing quadriplegic man of 'essential' social care Jackie Baillie

Concerns have been raised about the huge rise in pupils with additional support needs

Exclusive SNP ministers 'putting classroom staff at risk' by failing to fund ASN

Clive Dunn, aka Lance-Corporal Jones from Dad's Army, has some wise words for Labour and the Office for Budget Responsibility (Picture: Michael Putland)

Peace in our time! OBR not 'at war' with HM Treasury Scotsman comment

Nathan Gill, number 777, sits with Brexit Party members Rupert Lowe (776), Richard Tice (689) and Nigel Farage (690) at the European Parliament in 2019 (Picture: Frederick Florin)

Russian interference in UK: Why 100,000 people want a public inquiry Martin Roche

The Scotch whisky industry's hopes that alcohol duty would at least be frozen were ignored with an increase imposed instead (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

Whatever happens to Rachel Reeves, this was a bad Budget for Scotland Murdo Fraser

Miles Briggs MSP says a capital city supplement should be reintroduced.

Exclusive Should Edinburgh get extra funds for festivals and royal visits?

Free bus travel could be extended to all under 30s.

Could free bus travel in Scotland be extended to all under 30s?

Flu vaccine

Flu cases surge in Scotland as visitors restricted

Tourists on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.

Councils to be given greater flexibility over visitor levy

'Serious adverse patient care' cases rise by 55 per cent

Chancellor Rachel Reeves leaving 11 Downing Street before delivering her Budget in the House of Commons. PIC: Frank Augstein/PA Wire

The energy market is broken - Reeves had to do more with the UK Budget Emma Jackson

The Southport riots are an example of what can happen when people believe online misinformation (Picture: Christopher Furlong)

Why anti-immigration 'British patriots' may not be what they seem Dr Paul Reilly

Shona Robison

Why Shona Robison's job has been 'made slightly easier' by Reeves

Some of the sharpest private rent prices have been in Glasgow. Picture: John Devlin

Anger at surge in private rent costs as one area records 16% spike

Investors in sectors like marine renewables can help boost economic growth in Scotland (Picture: Andy Buchanan)

Exclusive Kate Forbes demands MingYang wind investment decision to end 'vacuum'

Brexit

Union and European Union flags. PIC: PA

UK 'more at risk' after rejecting EU demand to join defence fund

Even ardent Remainers know the SNP's Brexit stance makes no sense Murdo Fraser

First Minister Humza Yousaf will rally against Brexit during an address in London.

Humza Yousaf accuses Labour and Tories of being in denial over Brexit

Brexiteers and Scottish nationalists are united by an enthusiasm for censorship Euan McColm

Brexit supporters celebrate as the United Kingdom exits the EU on January 31, 2020 (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Brexit myths created 'Schrodinger’s Britain' but the reality is very different

First Minister and SNP Leader Humza Yousaf who will make the case for righting the "historic wrong" of Brexit as he delivers a speech on independence. PIC: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Humza Yousaf: Independence can "right historic wrong" of Brexit

The clock face of Elizabeth Tower, known after the bell Big Ben, shows the hands at 11 o'clock as a Union Flag flies in front of it in London. Picture Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images

Committee on cost-of-living would 'waste taxpayers money’, UK Government say