Election 2026

EXCLUSIVE

Leader of Reform UK Scotland Malcolm Offord walks with Reform UK MSPs Thomas Kerr (left) and Max Bannerman (right) at the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh.

2026 Holyrood election

Malcolm Offord demanded Holyrood bosses knock down walls for double sized office

The Electoral Commission has refused three separate Freedom of Information requests

The Electoral Commission has refused three separate Freedom of Information requests

REAL SCOTTISH POLITICS

2026 Holyrood election

Why is the Electoral Commission stonewalling on far-right 'spoiler party'?

Scottish Labour returned just 17 MSPs to Holyrood in May

Scottish Labour returned just 17 MSPs to Holyrood in May

2026 Holyrood election

Labour 'misjudged' SNP's popularity, Douglas Alexander admits after election defeat

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon was criticised by SNP ministers after she gave a negative opinion on the party's 2026 election strategy

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon was criticised by SNP ministers after she gave a negative opinion on the party's 2026 election strategy

Why the SNP and Scottish Greens both have a Nicola Sturgeon problem

Prime Minister Andy Burnham's (left) UK Government refused to publish any files linked to the Israeli firm BlackCore, while First Minister John Swinney's Scottish Government published some documents

Prime Minister Andy Burnham's (left) UK Government refused to publish any files linked to the Israeli firm BlackCore, while First Minister John Swinney's Scottish Government published some documents

UK blocks release of files on Israeli firm caught meddling in Scottish elections

The Scottish Greens are demanding action after the Independent Green Voice – founded by Alasdair McConnachie (left) – accounts show no activity during the election

The Scottish Greens are demanding action after the Independent Green Voice – founded by Alasdair McConnachie (left) – accounts show no activity during the election

2026 Holyrood election

Anger as far-right 'spoiler party' spent £25 on 'campaign' that cost Greens seat

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon

2026 Holyrood election

SNP minister brands Nicola Sturgeon’s Scottish elections claims 'nonsense'

Nicola Sturgeon has warned John Swinney his party risks losing more voters to the Scottish Greens

Nicola Sturgeon has warned John Swinney his party risks losing more voters to the Scottish Greens

2026 Holyrood election

Nicola Sturgeon warns John Swinney SNP policy shift driving voters to Scottish Greens

SNP MP Lara Bird pictured with First Minister John Swinney after her election to the Westminster parliament

SNP MP Lara Bird pictured with First Minister John Swinney after her election to the Westminster parliament

REAL SCOTTISH POLITICS

John Swinney's 'secret indyref2 plan' is bust. But is this SNP MP on to something?

All the latest news and updates about the Holyrood Election 2026

All the latest news and updates about the Holyrood Election 2026

2026 Holyrood election

Holyrood Election 2026 news, interviews and updates

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar pictured on the final day of campaigning before the 2026 Holyrood elections

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar pictured on the final day of campaigning before the 2026 Holyrood elections

Scottish Labour

Scottish Labour split from UK party would make no difference to votes, poll suggests

Scottish Greens MSP Q Manivannan at the Scottish Parliament

Scottish Greens MSP Q Manivannan at the Scottish Parliament

2026 Holyrood election

Q Manivannan on their first weeks at Holyrood – from visa row to Reform rhetoric

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar (left) and First Minister John Swinney pictured speaking in the Holyrood chamber

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar (left) and First Minister John Swinney pictured speaking in the Holyrood chamber

Scottish Labour to rethink stance on independence and referendum, senior figure says

New Scottish Tory MSP James Adams (left) with his party leader Russell Findlay

New Scottish Tory MSP James Adams (left) with his party leader Russell Findlay

Who is the Scottish Tories’ new MSP – and why was there no by-election?

Anas Sarwar at the count

Anas Sarwar at the count

2026 Holyrood election

What Scottish Labour spent on doomed Holyrood campaign in Glasgow and Edinburgh

People walk past a sign displaying the election results outside the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh

People walk past a sign displaying the election results outside the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh

2026 Holyrood election

Is Holyrood's eight MSPs of colour good enough for modern Scotland?

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar pictured campaigning for the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry by-election

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar pictured campaigning for the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry by-election

SNP pose 3 questions to Labour after report on 'Israel meddling in Scottish election'

A general view of Blackcore Technologies, a computer hardware manufacturer in Pucklechurch, Bristol, United Kingdom, on 15 June 2026

A general view of Blackcore Technologies, a computer hardware manufacturer in Pucklechurch, Bristol, United Kingdom, on 15 June 2026

2026 Holyrood election

Who paid an Israeli firm to interfere in Scotland's election?

First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney with some of the newly elected SNP MSPs after the election

First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney with some of the newly elected SNP MSPs after the election

2026 Holyrood election

UK Government must investigate alleged Israeli election meddling, says minister

The UK Government has refused to comment on the findings of a French government report stating that an Israeli firm attempted to meddle in the Scottish parliament elections.

The UK Government has refused to comment on the findings of a French government report stating that an Israeli firm attempted to meddle in the Scottish parliament elections.

2026 Holyrood election

UK Government silent after Israeli firm found to have meddled in Scottish election

Reform UK's depute leader in Scotland Thomas Kerr, pictured at the election count in Glasgow on May 8

Reform UK's depute leader in Scotland Thomas Kerr, pictured at the election count in Glasgow on May 8

REAL SCOTTISH POLITICS

The real story behind Reform MSP Thomas Kerr's 'strangers' rhetoric

First Minister John Swinney delivering a speech to an SNP event during the 2026 Holyrood election campaign

First Minister John Swinney delivering a speech to an SNP event during the 2026 Holyrood election campaign

SNP and John Swinney respond to Israeli firm meddling in Scottish elections

BlackCore-linked accounts allegedly targeted John Swinney and the SNP

BlackCore-linked accounts allegedly targeted John Swinney and the SNP

2026 Holyrood election

Experts 'deeply concerned' over Israeli firm's meddling in Scottish election

First Minister John Swinney and the SNP's campaign bus, photographed during the 2026 Holyrood election campaign

First Minister John Swinney and the SNP's campaign bus, photographed during the 2026 Holyrood election campaign

Hackers 'repeatedly targeted' SNP digital chief during Scottish elections

First Minister John Swinney campaigning ahead of the Scottish elections, and a screenshot of the cover of the French government report into Israeli election interference

First Minister John Swinney campaigning ahead of the Scottish elections, and a screenshot of the cover of the French government report into Israeli election interference

Everything the French government report says on Israeli firm's meddling in Scotland

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar with Prime Minister Keir Starmer

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar with Prime Minister Keir Starmer

2026 Holyrood election

Election loss sparks campaign to split Scottish Labour from UK bosses

YouGov have released a survey looking at trends behind how Scottish voters cast their ballot

YouGov have released a survey looking at trends behind how Scottish voters cast their ballot

REAL SCOTTISH POLITICS

2026 Holyrood election

New poll breaks down Scottish voting trends at Holyrood election

File photo of the Scottish Parliament building seen from above

File photo of the Scottish Parliament building seen from above

2026 Holyrood election

Scottish elections demonstrated a problem with the list vote. How do we fix it?

What is needed is a proper proportional voting system

What is needed is a proper proportional voting system

2026 Holyrood election

We can either keep arguing, or push for a new electoral system

Anas Sarwar and Malcolm Offord

Anas Sarwar and Malcolm Offord

2026 Holyrood election

Quarter of independence supporters backed Reform or Labour at Scottish election

Language is used to imply wrongdoing, as if election rules were being broken

Language is used to imply wrongdoing, as if election rules were being broken

2026 Holyrood election

Claims of ‘gaming the system’ with votes do not stand up to scrutiny

First Minister John Swinney, Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth (right) and Education Secretary Mairi McAllan (second from left) smile during the appointment of ministers after the 2026 Holyrood elections

First Minister John Swinney, Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth (right) and Education Secretary Mairi McAllan (second from left) smile during the appointment of ministers after the 2026 Holyrood elections

New Scottish Parliament calls for UK Government to devolve indyref2 powers

Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth attends the first meeting of the newly appointed Scottish Cabinet at Bute House

Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth attends the first meeting of the newly appointed Scottish Cabinet at Bute House

2026 Holyrood election

We must stand up and defy these cuts with action – there is an alternative

From left: SNP MSPs Ivan McKee, Mairi McAllan, John Swinney, Jenny Gilruth, and Neil Gray

From left: SNP MSPs Ivan McKee, Mairi McAllan, John Swinney, Jenny Gilruth, and Neil Gray

The full list of the new Scottish Government ministers as John Swinney picks top team

Polling expert Professor John Curtice speaking on the BBC

Polling expert Professor John Curtice speaking on the BBC

John Curtice reveals winners and losers of Scottish elections' voting system

First Minister John Swinney (standing) waits to be sworn in during the first sitting day of the new Scottish Parliament

First Minister John Swinney (standing) waits to be sworn in during the first sitting day of the new Scottish Parliament

2026 Holyrood election

Scotland has a parliament with no fluent Gaelic speakers. What now?

Women of colour were 'invisible' during media coverage of the 2026 Holyrood election

Women of colour were 'invisible' during media coverage of the 2026 Holyrood election

2026 Holyrood election

Women of colour ‘invisible’ in 2026 Scottish election coverage, report finds

It seem a lot of people just don’t like the present voting system for Holyrood

It seem a lot of people just don’t like the present voting system for Holyrood

2026 Holyrood election

If you don’t like our voting system, why not push for change?

First Minister of Scotland John Swinney stands with SNP MSPs on the steps of the Scottish Parliament

First Minister of Scotland John Swinney stands with SNP MSPs on the steps of the Scottish Parliament

REAL SCOTTISH POLITICS

Did Scotland's party leaders just signal a new kind of Holyrood parliament?

First Minister John Swinney has been re-instated after the 2026 Holyrood elections

First Minister John Swinney has been re-instated after the 2026 Holyrood elections

Read John Swinney's full acceptance speech after being re-elected First Minister

Leader of the SNP John Swinney at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh

Leader of the SNP John Swinney at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh

John Swinney elected First Minister in first vote of new Scottish parliament

Some of the responses to the SNP's election victory have been worthy of the Rev IM Jolly

Some of the responses to the SNP's election victory have been worthy of the Rev IM Jolly

2026 Holyrood election

It’s bizarre to say the SNP are ‘claiming a victory’ in the election

The Holyrood Chamber

The Holyrood Chamber

2026 Holyrood election

How and when to watch MSPs elect Scotland's first minister today

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar speaks to the media at the Holyrood elections count in Glasgow

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar speaks to the media at the Holyrood elections count in Glasgow

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

2026 Holyrood election

I used to be a Labour spokesperson – here's why I couldn't vote for Anas Sarwar

Holly Bruce celebrates winning Glasgow Southside in the Holyrood elections

Holly Bruce celebrates winning Glasgow Southside in the Holyrood elections

2026 Holyrood election

Meet the Glasgow designer who became part of Scottish political 'history'

Scottish LibDem leader will contest the First Minister ballot, but it is virtually impossible for him to beat incumbent John Swinney

Scottish LibDem leader will contest the First Minister ballot, but it is virtually impossible for him to beat incumbent John Swinney

2026 Holyrood election

John Swinney to be challenged by LibDem leader in First Minister contest

Prime Minister Keir Starmer

Prime Minister Keir Starmer

2026 Holyrood election

Would a ‘decent’ man really allow arrests for opposing genocide?

Thomas Kerr MSP

Thomas Kerr MSP

Glasgow City Council

Glasgow council leader refuses to congratulate new Reform MSP

Anas Sarwar was endorsed by those seeking to attack all things indy

Anas Sarwar was endorsed by those seeking to attack all things indy

2026 Holyrood election

The Unionist press is quite content to see Scotland held back

Was John Swinney right to refuse to meet with Reform MSPs?

Was John Swinney right to refuse to meet with Reform MSPs?

2026 Holyrood election

Will the FM ignore all of those who voted for Reform?

Dr Q Manivannan was elected as a Scottish Greens MSP

Dr Q Manivannan was elected as a Scottish Greens MSP

2026 Holyrood election

Top charities slam ‘media failures' amid speculation over Greens MSP visa status

Alistair McConnachie, IGV's founder, is a former Ukip member

Alistair McConnachie, IGV's founder, is a former Ukip member

2026 Holyrood election

Scottish Greens urge other parties to back probe into 'far-right spoiler party'

Leaders of Scotland's political parties and PO Alison Johnstone during the Kirking ceremony

Leaders of Scotland's political parties and PO Alison Johnstone during the Kirking ceremony

2026 Holyrood election

Start of new Holyrood parliament offers 'new beginning', says Kirk moderator

The new Scottish Greens MSPs pose for photographs outside the Parliament

The new Scottish Greens MSPs pose for photographs outside the Parliament

Do MSPs swear allegiance to the monarch in Holyrood?