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.

Some of today's civil servants in the Scottish Government appear to be just as farcical as The Office's David Brent, played by Ricky Gervais (Picture: Ian West)

Civil servants who object to bus travel show how out of touch they are
The Scottish Government civil service has become a caricature of a progressive elite, divorced from the realities of everyday life
Susan Dalgety

Keir Starmer's government has now provided three major opportunities, in relatively quick succession, for opposition parties to accuse him of performing a U-turn (Picture: Ben Stansall)

Labour's willingness to compromise is welcome but U-turns are mounting Scotsman comment

People who supported Brexit celebrate on the day the UK formally left the European Union. Few seem quite so enthusiastic today (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

How ‘stupidest thing any country has ever done' is behind benefit cuts Stephen Gethins

Migrants abandon a people-smugglers' boat after it was punctured with a knife by French police to stop them attempting to cross the English Channel from a beach at Gravelines, near Dunkirk (Picture: Sameer Al-Doumy)

How a UK national ID card would 'stop the boats' Stephen Jardine

Many people have a fondness for goats (Picture: Brian Lawless)

Silence of the Goats: Dead animals reveal how SNP squanders our taxes Brian Wilson

Protesters gather at a Protect The Right To Strike rally in Glasgow on Wednesday

Exclusive SNP blasted for deceitful strategy after 'grotesque' jobs cuts plan

Politics

Starmer accused of creating 'two-tier disability system' with U-turn

The UK Government has confirmed it will make major concessions to its benefit reforms after 120 back...

Be part of the thousands gathering in Westminster for the Act Now, Change Foreve...

People from across the UK are being urged to take part in Act Now, Change Forever, a major mass lobb...

Almost a third of A-level students in Northern Ireland received a top A/A* grade.

Ex-teacher appointed to lead exams body months before it is scrapped

Nick Page will lead the Scottish Qualifications Authority following the former teacher’s appointment.

Lorraine Kelly shows real courage in daredevil ascent of ship's mast Scotsman comment

Lib Dems consider council control after winning Edinburgh by-election

The winner of the Fountainbridge/Craiglockhart by-election for Edinburgh City Council has been annou...

Swinney should beware calling for price to be paid for 'incompetence'

The parallels between Dundee University’s financial troubles and the Scottish Government’s are hard ...

Scottish Independence

First Minister John Swinney says independence will be central to the SNP’s 2026 election campaign.

Independence to be 'central' to SNP's 2026 election campaign

Scottish independence supporters on the march. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

Here's why John Swinney is talking about Scottish independence again

Donald Dewar and David Steel arrive at the opening of the Scottish Parliament in July 1999 (Picture: Ian Stewart)

Old unionist champions are gone, creating chance for independence push Stephen Gethins

Officers from Police Scotland outside the SNP headquarters in Edinburgh following the arrest of former chief executive Peter Murrell in April 2023. Mr Murrell was later released without charge, pending further enquiries. Picture: PA

Ex-SNP treasurer arrested under Branchform probe bids to stand again

Salmond wanted to build a new town called 'Independence' - Alba ally

First Minister John Swinney (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Swinney wants Northern Ireland-style trigger for independence poll

Exclusive Last indy strategy damaged 'credibility', Pete Wishart says

More Scotsman politics

George Finch, 18, is now the interim leader of Warwickshire County Council (Picture: Warwickshire County Council)

Teenager in charge of council with £500m budget? It'll all be fine... Scotsman comment

John Swinney and Keir Starmer do not have their troubles to seek (Picture: Andy Buchanan/pool)

Why 'first draft of history' has lots of bad news for SNP and Labour John McLellan

Some fear that African swine fever could be the death knell for the UK pig industry (Picture: Damien Meyer)

Death knell for pigs? How dangerous animal diseases pose real threat Alistair Carmichael

First Minister John Swinney and former principal and vice-chancellor of Dundee University Professor Iain Gillespie.

Swinney urges disgraced ex-university boss to hand back £150k

The questions for and answers from Dundee University 's ex-principal

SNP plans to axe more than 12,000 jobs 'easier said than done'

Plans to create a national park in Galloway have proved controversial

Where £160k was spent on consultation for axed national park

Keir Starmer speaks to US President Donald Trump at the Nato summit in The Hague (Picture: Kin Cheung/pool)

Why UK needs to pander to Trump but should not necessarily believe him Scotsman comment

People with dementia should not be forced to pay for the social care they need because of their condition (Picture: Will Oliver)

Scandalous ageism sees thousands with dementia forced to pay for care Henry McLeish

Exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, right, and her husband Siarhei Tsikhanouski, a Belarusian opposition activist released from a Belarusian prison.

Despite happy ending for one family, human cost of dictators is clear Jane Bradley

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

SNP ministers to axe jobs as near £5bn funding black hole emerges

'We are sorry': Swinney apologises to Gypsy Travellers

The University of Dundee's Queen Mother Building

The 10 bombshell revelations as Dundee University bosses grilled

Dundee University given £40m bailout using 'unprecedented' powers

Cancer waiting times in Scotland have reached their worst since records began.

Scotland cancer waiting times hit worst level on record

St Andrew's House, the Scottish Government's headquarters, was never more than 38 per cent phone

The 'extraordinarily high' manager ratio in the SNP Government

Sex crimes in Scotland at second highest level since 1971

High Peak MP backs decriminalising abortion in landmark vote in Parliament.

The 9 Scottish Labour MPs set to rebel over disability cuts

The NHS Scotland app will launch later this year.

The long-delayed NHS Scotland app that will launch with one service

Brexit

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

Politics

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

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