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Profile: Shona Craven

Columnist & Community Editor

Shona edits the National Conversation section of the paper and also writes a weekly Prime Minister's Questions sketch and a Friday column, which usually takes a sideways look at the week's developments in Scottish, UK and international politics.

Latest articles from Shona Craven

Shona Craven: Did no-one tell Jackson Carlaw he can outsource tricky jobs?

DO you have what it takes to be the next Scottish Tory leader?…

Boris Johnson’s one-man circus fails to wow despite mighty claims

THE smell of the greasepaint, the roar of the crowd, the…

Boris Johnson dodges a hot potato on the eve of his Scotland visit

HAPPY anniversary! It’s one year since Boris Johnson became…

Russia report hot potato is Boris Johnson's PMQs anniversary present

HAPPY anniversary! It's one year since Boris Johnson became Prime…

A double-crossing Tory MP makes Russians look benign

IF you’re reading this, Russian hackers, please don’t leak it…

Boris Johnson hasn’t done his homework but opposition questions are pants

PANTS! Pants to coronavirus, pants to Keir Starmer, and pants to…

Tories need to keep calm and make up some catchier slogans

IT’S called managing expectations. When a child asks for a pony…

Broken record Boris Johnson can't bring himself to say sorry at PMQs

SORRY sorry sorry seemed to be the hardest words for Boris…

Jacob Rees-Mogg’s gaslighting of FM borders on the ridiculous

WHO am I? Where am I? What’s going on? Just when I’d stopped…

Shona Craven: I’m confused – could the real Ed Davey please stand up?

THERE’s a lot to keep track of these days. Every day brings new…

Colour-blind PM paints himself into a corner with Alistair Carmichael gaffe

WE all know the Prime Minister loves to paint. He loves to paint…

This is why some don't want you to read JK Rowling's latest writing

STAY alert! It’s not enough to protect yourself from the virus;…

Shona Craven: Farcical scenes in Commons highlight English exceptionalism

FANCY a Big Mac? How much? Enough to queue around several blocks?…

UK Cabinet’s laughter set to continue and the joke's on us

HA ha ha, ho ho ho, and a couple of tra la las – that’s how…

Why bombshell Jennifer Arcuri news doesn’t mean the PM can relax

THANK goodness for all those technology lessons the Prime…

Shona Craven: Here's the rich Tory’s guide to bending lockdown rules

‘RULES are for the guidance of wise men and the obedience of…

Spare a thought for Matt Hancock's tone police at the NHS clap

WHEN you clapped for the carers last night, I hope you spared a…

Confused? You will be if you listen to muddled David Mundell

DAVID Mundell is confused. It doesn’t take much, does it?

Coronavirus is a game-changer … it’s time to play politics

THIS is no time for playing politics, they said, as the scale of…

Survivalists and conspiracy theorists were a step ahead

WE’RE all survivalists now. Mindsets and behaviours that were…

The closure of newspapers signals dark times ahead

IN a way it’s reassuring that, even in these alarming and…

A long-time reader shares amazing images of what he's been up to during lockdown

WE might all be confined to our homes just now, but that…

Do not be disheartened over festival cancellations – the shows must go on

COMEDY is tragedy plus time, so the saying goes.

Shona Craven: I confess I've taken a leaf out of Prince Charles's book

I’VE started talking to inanimate objects. Or have I always…

Shona Craven: MSPs should be leading by example, not flocking to their canteen

NICOLA Sturgeon has told us, starkly but calmly, that this is not…

Coronavirus pandemic shows the folly of electing celebrity leaders

REMEMBER when it seemed like a laugh to have C-list celebrities…

Meet the Maker: My watercolours reflect my passion for nature

Valerie Harrison is the artist behind Rie Designed

Does Nicola Sturgeon have a Plan B for resolving SNP gender row?

SO, the gloves are off. I refer not to the battle to be the…

Take a look at these perfect Scottish wildlife gifts from independent artists

DARE we dream that the terrible weather is behind us and spring…

Why Boris Johnson's ‘oven-ready deal’ may yet prove inedible

AS strops go, it would be a monumental one. If, come the summer,…

Here's the real question we should be asking about Priti Patel

MANY questions have been asked this week about Home Secretary…

It’s not the job of reporters to #BeKind to people in public office

WAS it unkind of The National to end the career of Andrew Sabisky…

Why Sajid Javid's resignation makes Boris Johnson look even weaker

WELL, that was one way to stop people talking about the funding…

Ruth Davidson in the House of Lords would be yet another PR blunder

KEEP your friends close and your enemies closer would appear to…

Made in Scotland: Valentine's Day gifts from Scottish producers

A WEEK on from B-Day, it might feel a bit too soon to be…

Meet the Maker: Tablet wedding favours are made with love

Phil Rao is the maker behind Phil Rao Studio Two

Shona Craven: Fanciful and deranged? That just about sums it up

"FANCIFUL and deranged” is how Boris Johnson has described the…

At a time of global coronavirus crisis, the UK's focus is shameful

‘WAKE UP SATAN’S BRAIN WASHED CATTLE” instructed the sign…

Shona Craven: Watch your back if we end up in a Nandy state

SHOTS fired! Don’t worry – for now they’re only verbal ones…

Shona Craven: Is a UDI the best way to escape the royal family?

ARE Harry and Meghan too wee, too poor and too stupid to go it…

Shona Craven: It is society that needs to change, not girls’ bodies

"SOME people believe in using social media to spread fear and…

Made In Scotland: Sustainable gifts and treats from Scottish makers

NEW Year, new shopping habits? These days we’re all trying to…

Meet the Maker: Ethical brand gives new life to unloved denim

After graduating with a degree in Fashion in 2012, I worked for a…

Will Greta's efforts mean next year’s Secret Santa is doomed?

AS the Christmas stockings are packed away for another year, I…

End of the line for Abellio... let’s have joined-up thinking on the rail system

SO it’s the end of the line for Abellio – or at least it will…

Why I Volunteer: I found my calling making videos for Leonard Cheshire

Madeline Hayes volunteers for Leonard Cheshire in Scotland

BBC should not be falling for 'dead cat' Tory stunts

‘DON’T shoot the messenger” was Laura Kuenssberg’s plea…

Heritage styles with a modern twist are made to last

Louise Hepworth is the designer behind knitwear brand The Croft…

Beat the winter chill with our pick of knitwear Made in Scotland

THE weather outside may be frightful – or at least, a bit on…

Has delirium set in, or is it this General Election campaign that’s mad?

THE worst thing about coming down with the lurgy at this crucial…