Holyrood

Letters

A second chamber at Holyrood could provide scrutiny and oversight

We need to bite the bullet and reform local and central government

Gillian Martin said the Scottish Government's previous climate targets were unrealistic

Gillian Martin said the Scottish Government's previous climate targets were unrealistic

5

Call for 'reset' as Holyrood backs bill to water down climate ambitions

A cruise ship tax would give councils the power to levy the charge and keep the proceeds

A cruise ship tax would give councils the power to levy the charge and keep the proceeds

8

SNP set to introduce cruise ship tax in bid to strike deal with Greens

John Swinney called out the Labour Government's cut to the Winter Fuel Payment

John Swinney called out the Labour Government's cut to the Winter Fuel Payment

2

John Swinney slams Keir Starmer's first 100 days in office at FMQs

Anas Sarwar and co are constantly using words like 'incompetent' and 'failing'

Anas Sarwar and co are constantly using words like 'incompetent' and 'failing'

2

Carping from the opposition is a threat to morale in public services

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar pictured in the Scottish Parliament

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar pictured in the Scottish Parliament

9

Labour fuel payment cut vote rebel speaks out after defying Anas Sarwar

Stewart McDonald will not run to be an MSP

Stewart McDonald will not run to be an MSP

15

Ex-SNP MP stepping back from politics ahead of Holyrood 2026 election

Labour MSP Michael Marra was accused of 'mansplaining' by SNP Cabinet Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville

Labour MSP Michael Marra was accused of 'mansplaining' by SNP Cabinet Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville

Scottish Labour

12

SNP minister pans Labour MSPs for 'mansplaining' in fiery Holyrood clash

First Minister John Swinney tabled a motion calling for the UK Government's Winter Fuel Payment cut to be reversed

First Minister John Swinney tabled a motion calling for the UK Government's Winter Fuel Payment cut to be reversed

24

Two Labour MSPs rebel as Holyrood votes against UK Winter Fuel Payment cut

Douglas Ross (left) has been left off the new frontbench of Russell Findlay and Rachael Hamilton (right)

Douglas Ross (left) has been left off the new frontbench of Russell Findlay and Rachael Hamilton (right)

Scottish Conservatives

16

Scottish Tories announce new frontbench team – with no role for Douglas Ross

Polling expert Professor John Curtice from the University of Strathclyde

Polling expert Professor John Curtice from the University of Strathclyde

26

John Curtice issues verdict on who will win 2026 Scottish Parliament elections

Man pictured reading a rare Oor Wullie No 1 annual from 1941

Man pictured reading a rare Oor Wullie No 1 annual from 1941

16

Tory MSP demands Scots be 'left to Oor Wullie and The Broons'

A stock photograph of a care home resident

A stock photograph of a care home resident

1

Common Weal: Why we won't support the National Care Service

Russell Findlay alongside Scottish Tory Deputy Leader Rachael Hamilton during his first appearance as the new Scottish Conservative leader at First Minster's Questions

Russell Findlay alongside Scottish Tory Deputy Leader Rachael Hamilton during his first appearance as the new Scottish Conservative leader at First Minster's Questions

10

Russell Findlay makes a sleepy FMQs debut as Scottish Tory leader

John Swinney and Russell Findlay clashed at First Minister's Questions

John Swinney and Russell Findlay clashed at First Minister's Questions

12

Tory MSPs fume as John Swinney brings up new leader's Liz Truss support

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar in the main chamber of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, Edinburgh, during a debate on housing

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar in the main chamber of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, Edinburgh, during a debate on housing

15

Scottish Labour fail in bid to call out SNP Government over housing policy

Edward Mountain (left) accused Tavish Scott of threatening him in his parliamentary office

Edward Mountain (left) accused Tavish Scott of threatening him in his parliamentary office

Edward Mountain

6

Tory MSP accuses salmon farming boss of 'verbally attacking him' in Holyrood

Conservative Party leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch delivers a speech during the Conservative Party Conference

Conservative Party leadership candidate Kemi Badenoch delivers a speech during the Conservative Party Conference

Conservative Party

47

Kemi Badenoch: I'd 'reprogramme' devolution as Tory leader

The Green’s call for cross-party unity comes ahead of speculation that the SNP is preparing to “water down” rent controls

The Green’s call for cross-party unity comes ahead of speculation that the SNP is preparing to “water down” rent controls

11

SNP warned robust rent controls needed instead of 'watering down' regulations

Tommy Sheppard joined protesters outside Holyrood on Saturday morning

Tommy Sheppard joined protesters outside Holyrood on Saturday morning

29

Former SNP MP joins protest as royals attend Holyrood anniversary celebrations

Russell Findlay after he is announced as new Scottish Conservatives leader,

Russell Findlay after he is announced as new Scottish Conservatives leader,

REAL SCOTTISH POLITICS

1

Wee Ginger Dug: Even the Tories aren't impressed by Russell Findlay

Lorna Slater called for a private jet tax to fund the end of peak rail fares

Lorna Slater called for a private jet tax to fund the end of peak rail fares

3

Scottish Greens plead with John Swinney not to bring back peak rail fares

Anas Sarwar and John Swinney clashed over housebuilding figures

Anas Sarwar and John Swinney clashed over housebuilding figures

11

John Swinney fires back as Labour demand sacking of Housing Minister

Proposals to change seven of Scotland's parliamentary regions have been put out to consultation

Proposals to change seven of Scotland's parliamentary regions have been put out to consultation

9

Planned changes to Scotland's parliamentary regions revealed ahead of election

The King and Queen will face protests after being 'parachuted in' for celebrations to mark 25 years of the Scottish Parliament

The King and Queen will face protests after being 'parachuted in' for celebrations to mark 25 years of the Scottish Parliament

4

'Undemocratic' royals to face protest at Holyrood anniversary celebration

RCN Scotland said 61% of respondents backed the pay offer

RCN Scotland said 61% of respondents backed the pay offer

5

Nurses union backs Scottish pay deal as Labour plan rejected

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaks at the party's annual conference in Birmingham

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaks at the party's annual conference in Birmingham

64

Scottish Reform breakthrough could bring chaos to Holyrood, John Curtice says

Ian Murray warned Labour could not take Scottish votes for granted ahead of the Holyrood 2026 election

Ian Murray warned Labour could not take Scottish votes for granted ahead of the Holyrood 2026 election

19

Labour have 'big hill to climb' to win Holyrood election, Scotland Secretary says

Yes activists gathered outside Holyrood on the 10th anniversary of the independence referendum, and spoke to The National about their feelings on the movement

Yes activists gathered outside Holyrood on the 10th anniversary of the independence referendum, and spoke to The National about their feelings on the movement

4

Deflated, hopeful, or both? How Yes activists feel about independence 10 years on

Ash Regan said using the list vote as a de facto referendum would put 'democracy in top gear'

Ash Regan said using the list vote as a de facto referendum would put 'democracy in top gear'

53

'We deserve better': Call for 2026 de facto referendum rejected by MSPs

Hundreds of Yes activists turned out at the Holyrood parliament on the 10th anniversary of the independence referendum

Hundreds of Yes activists turned out at the Holyrood parliament on the 10th anniversary of the independence referendum

28

'This is not over': Hundreds rally for Yes at Holyrood on 10th anniversary of indyref

John Swinney said Scots should have opportunity to vote for independence again

John Swinney said Scots should have opportunity to vote for independence again

15

MSPs back Scottish independence in Holyrood vote on indyref anniversary

SNP campaigners outside the Supreme Court in London ahead of its independence referendum ruling in late 2022

SNP campaigners outside the Supreme Court in London ahead of its independence referendum ruling in late 2022

Scottish independence

32

Most Scots want indyref2 within 10 years – and Holyrood to have powers, poll finds

Bernard Ponsonby pictured speaking with podcast co-host Alex Massie

Bernard Ponsonby pictured speaking with podcast co-host Alex Massie

17

Top Scottish journalist in independence warning ahead of 2026 election

John Swinney will appear before Holyrood's Convenors Group this week

John Swinney will appear before Holyrood's Convenors Group this week

2

John Swinney to face first committee grilling as First Minister

File photograph of the Grangemouth oil refinery at night

File photograph of the Grangemouth oil refinery at night

1

'Fantasy talk': Ministers criticised for Grangemouth media appearances

Anas Sarwar spoke to the media on Monday

Anas Sarwar spoke to the media on Monday

29

Anas Sarwar 'not interested' in Scottish Labour membership numbers amid reported fall

People hold a sign reading 'Yes2', referring to a second Scottish independence referendum

People hold a sign reading 'Yes2', referring to a second Scottish independence referendum

8

Vote in our poll: When will another independence referendum happen?

Scottish Green Party co-leaders Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie in the Scottish Parliament

Scottish Green Party co-leaders Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie in the Scottish Parliament

5

Scottish Greens face questions over offering meetings with MSPs for cash

Election officer for Clackmannanshire Council, Andrew Hunter, checks the ballot boxes for Clackmannashire Council Area, Alloa.

Election officer for Clackmannanshire Council, Andrew Hunter, checks the ballot boxes for Clackmannashire Council Area, Alloa.

4

Richard Murphy: We’re set for a terrible choice in the 2026 election

The SNP are potentially facing a sticky situation with no clarity on who will support their Budget

The SNP are potentially facing a sticky situation with no clarity on who will support their Budget

16

How likely is a snap Holyrood election? Experts have say

Scottish Labour group leader Anas Sarwar has been asked to back the Housing (Scotland) Bill

Scottish Labour group leader Anas Sarwar has been asked to back the Housing (Scotland) Bill

Scottish Labour

8

Anas Sarwar challenged on rent control bill as Labour 'move away from tenant rights'

Reform UK leader and Clacton MP Nigel Farage

Reform UK leader and Clacton MP Nigel Farage

14

Nigel Farage pledges to campaign in Scotland for Holyrood elections

Conservative Liam Kerr had strong words for the Scottish Government on Wednesday, but his party previously opposed the policy

Conservative Liam Kerr had strong words for the Scottish Government on Wednesday, but his party previously opposed the policy

Conservative Party

1

Blatant hypocrisy from Labour and the Tories over free school meals

Labour leader and Prime Minister Keir Starmer with SNP leader and First Minister John Swinney

Labour leader and Prime Minister Keir Starmer with SNP leader and First Minister John Swinney

18

Professor Richard Murphy: We're set for a terrible choice in 2026 election

SNP MSP for Falkirk East Michelle Thomson represents Grangemouth's constituency

SNP MSP for Falkirk East Michelle Thomson represents Grangemouth's constituency

23

'Serious' international buyer for Grangemouth oil refinery in talks, SNP MSP says

Prime Minister Keir Starmer (left) and First Minister John Swinney

Prime Minister Keir Starmer (left) and First Minister John Swinney

49

Lesley Riddoch: SNP leaders beware. You and Labour are starting to sound the same

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth (left) and Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth (left) and Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop

94

SNP government suffers twin defeats in school meals and rail fare Holyrood votes

MSPs at Holyrood will debate a motion on independence on the 10th anniversary of the 2014 referendum

MSPs at Holyrood will debate a motion on independence on the 10th anniversary of the 2014 referendum

Scottish independence

15

MSPs to debate independence motion on 10th anniversary of 2014 referendum

SNP MSP Christine Grahame has sat in the Scottish Parliament since it was reconvened

SNP MSP Christine Grahame has sat in the Scottish Parliament since it was reconvened

7

SNP stalwart to step down at Holyrood election after more than 25 years as MSP

Scotland in Union's new poll claims to show increased support for the UK

Scotland in Union's new poll claims to show increased support for the UK

8

Why Scotland in Union's vague new independence poll isn't what it seems

Labour has closed the gap with the SNP in Holyrood polling

Labour has closed the gap with the SNP in Holyrood polling

33

SNP and Labour neck-and-neck in Holyrood votes, poll suggests

King Charles and Queen Camilla en route to a church service near Balmoral in September

King Charles and Queen Camilla en route to a church service near Balmoral in September

11

King Charles to address MSPs and meet 'local heroes' on 25th Holyrood anniversary

In an exclusive interview with the Sunday National, Count Binface revealed he could be standing in the next Holyrood election

In an exclusive interview with the Sunday National, Count Binface revealed he could be standing in the next Holyrood election

General Election 2024

16

Count Binface 'absolutely considering' standing in Holyrood 2026 election