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.

Kelly Burns and Lynne Sheerin from Fornethy Survivors

Fornethy Survivors hit out at 'unbelievable' historic abuse sentencing
Patricia Robertson was handed a community sentence - something the Fornethy Survivors say is ‘absolutely devastating’
Rachel Amery

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 Cameron Wyllie

Nigel Farage

Nigel Farage says immigrants are 'culturally smashing' Glasgow

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'

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon

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

Justice Secretary Angela Constance

Government to review evidence on grooming gangs in Scotland

Politics

Saltires have been removed to make way for Christmas lights.

Threats against council workers removing flags branded 'disgraceful'

Council workers have been threatened after removing flags that had been put up over immigration conc...

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

A new report has called for next year’s election to be a chance to reset how Scotland is governed

The BMA survey attracted more than 450 responses

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

More than 450 consultants and doctors responded to a BMA Scotland survey

How I learned to be kind to myself and stop repeatedly doing chores Jade

Quadriplegic teacher to have overnight care axed due to budget cuts

Charles McGarvey says cuts mean lifeline care services are being destroyed.

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

The system of health and social care partnerships in Scotland is on the verge of collapse

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

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

Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivers her controversial pre-Budget in 9 Downing Street on November 4 (Picture: Justin Tallis/pool)

Labour needs to stop making self-inflicted mistakes Scotsman comment

The Brent Charlie oil rig is carried by crane ship Pioneering Spirit on its way for dismantling at the Able UK yard in Middlesbrough (Picture: Ian Forsyth)

After disappointing Budget, here's what energy industry needs David Whitehouse

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is facing calls to resign (Picture: Jonathan Brady/pool)

Now Starmer is telling porkies in vain attempt to defend Reeves Brian Monteith

Nurse Sandie Peggie, right, seen with her solicitor Margaret Gribbon was cleared of wrongdoing by NHS Fife's own disciplinary process. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

Sandie Peggie is to take further action against NHS Fife

Chancellor Rachel Reeves with First Minister John Swinney on a visit to Glasgow (Picture: Andrew Milligan - Pool/Getty Images)

John Swinney: Rachel Reeves 'untenable' as Chancellor amid Budget row

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'

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Scran podcast host and Scotsman food and drink editor Rosalind Erskine

Exclusive Sir Keir Starmer reveals his favourite Scottish dish

Baroness Ruth Davidson, Nicola Sturgeon MSP and Professor Kezia Dugdale

Exclusive Sturgeon can't see a female party leader at Holyrood 'anytime soon'

The Scottish Liberal Democrats have repeatedly raised concerns over the state of dentistry in Scotland

Exclusive SNP accused of two decades of 'decay' over dental figures

The National Library of Scotland is celebrating its 100th anniversary, amid controversy about the inclusion of one book in a special exhibition (Picture: Scott Louden)

The self-appointed guardians who claim a book makes library ‘unsafe’ Susan Dalgety

Kemi Badenoch's witty response to Rachel Reeves' Budget Speech showed she is sharper of mind and more agile on her feet than the Chancellor could ever hope to be (Picture: House of Commons)

How Badenoch just proved she has star quality to lead Tory fightback John McLellan

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