Latest Scottish politics news

Politics

Imports of liquefied natural gas from distant countries come at a much higher carbon cost. Picture: Yuichi Yamazaki

Jackdaw consent is right call but UK must work to cut demand for gas
It is madness to import ever more quantities of liquefied natural gas from states with dubious human rights records
Alistair Carmichael

This data centre in Texas shows how enormous they can be. Picture: Brandon Bell

Why Scotland shouldn't let data centres become a national pariah Scotsman comment

The Scottish government is working to build public trust and confidence in artificial intelligence. Picture: Hector Retamal

Scotland can't be so afraid of AI that it loses £23 billion GDP boost Alyn Smith

Scottish Green co-leaders Ross Greer and Gillian Mackay

Scottish Green activists push for legal recognition of polyamory

UK Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is reportedly poised to reject the Rosebank oil project

Labour urged to approve Rosebank 'by Christmas' amid climate concerns

A car ablaze during demonstrations in Paris at the weekend

We should learn from the French rather than follow in their footsteps Paul Wilson

People protest outside the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in London over the UK government's decision to approve the Jackdaw gas field. Picture: Brook Mitchell

Why Labour's Jackdaw gas field decision is not climate vandalism Scotsman comment

The Jackdaw gas project has been approved by the UK government

Jackdaw bosses' Tornado gas hopes as more North Sea projects planned

Labour's approval of the Jackdaw gas field is a welcome step, but the North Sea energy industry needs John Healey and Andy Burnham to take a few more. Picture: Ian Forsyth

After Jackdaw approval, Labour must now seize £50bn North Sea prize David Whitehouse

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.

The closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery was a blow to the economy, but new opportunities are emerging. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell

Why an industrial renaissance is within Scotland's grasp
Scotland has what it takes to be a powerhouse of industry once again – we just need to get behind it and start pushing, writes Professor Simon Best
Professor Simon Best

A view of Edinburgh Castle, which is managed by Historic Environment Scotland

Crisis-hit heritage quango announces 'voluntary exit scheme'

Douglas Alexander

Alexander criticises SNP's 'incoherent' stance after Jackdaw decision

The Jackdaw gas project has been approved by the UK government

Explainer Jackdaw: what does it mean for business, you and energy prices

Andy Burnham and Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh

Analysis Jackdaw approval cannot be distraction from crisis facing North Sea

Jackdaw field approved to 'begin gas supply this winter'

Politics

The Port of Aberdeen was transformed by the oil and gas industry. Now the potential to service floating offshore windfarms represents a substantial opportunity but only if the UK government makes the right choices

How UK energy plan could put thousands of North Sea jobs at risk

Floating windfarms represent a major opportunity for Aberdeen and Scotland but only two out of six p...

Covid Inquiry's 'painful' finding about care homes should shock us all

The chief executive of Scottish Care describes the Covid Inquiry’s latest report as a ‘sobering and ...

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is arguably the individual most responsible for Brexit, but that's not the worst thing he has done, says Ian Johnston. Picture: Carl Court

How Farage is doubling-down on one of the worst things he's ever done

The RNLI is facing a sustained campaign of abuse and intimidation over small boats crossings, yet Nigel Farage continues to slur the charity as a ‘taxi service for illegal migrants’

Readers' Letters: The beautiful irony of a National Geographic accolade

Scotsman Letters

Why SNP needs to stop hoarding power and give it to the people

Scotland needs to learn from the success of Andy Burnham’s ‘Manchesterism’ project

Kemi Badenoch reminds Gen Z what politics is supposed to be about

Politics that’s not all about ‘identity’ or ‘culture wars’?! It might just catch on

Scottish Independence

Prime Minister Andy Burnham (left) has spoke with John Swinney over the phone.

‘Agree to disagree’, Andy Burnham tells John Swinney on independence

John Swinney has claimed the SNP could cut energy bills by one third with Scottish independence

John Swinney to launch SNP's election campaign with independence push

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

More Scotsman politics

The Jackdaw gas field has been given the go ahead

Jackdaw gas field set to be approved by UK Labour government

BBC Scotland channel closure will 'leave viewers behind'

Nicola Sturgeon was first minister when untested patients were moved from hospitals to care homes at the outset of the Covid pandemic

'Deadly' care homes decision by SNP under fire in Covid inquiry report

Kemi Badenoch gave a speech in central London on Tuesday

Analysis Badenoch presents Tories as tax-cutting alternative ahead of UK Budget

First Minister John Swinney has welcomed Amanda Bland quitting Reform UK to stand as an independent MSP

John Swinney welcomes Amanda Bland resignation 'diminishing' Reform

Governments urged to 'come together' and back GSA restoration

Inventor Sir James Dyson, founder of Dyson, takes to the stage in Paris last month to unveil the new Dyson CameraJet toothbrush. Picture: Doug Peters Media Assignments

Scotland must not get left behind as new education revolution looms Scotsman comment

Exclusive Minister under pressure after failing to commit to new drilling

John Swinney in the driver's seat of a First Bus at a trade stand at the SNP party conference in Aberdeen. Picture: Paul Reid

SNP's vision of Scotland is based on bad history as new book reveals Brian Monteith

The Reform UK MSP group outside the Scottish Parliament.

Analysis Reform was always expected to lose an MSP - but not so quickly

Amanda Bland, right, is no longer a Reform UK MSP. Pic: Michael Gillen

Reform loses first MSP and drops into third place at Holyrood

Suffragette leader Sylvia Pankhurst, seen in 1921 shortly after she had been released from prison, is toasted at a celebration breakfast in East London. Picture: Topical Press Agency

A century on, why Pankhurst's fight for women's rights is not over Christine Jardine

Exclusive Andy Burnham urged to open 'bigger pipeline' of oil and gas projects

Green Party MSP, Q Manivannan is sworn in during the first meeting of the new Scottish Parliament on May 14, 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Q Manivannan loses bid to become rector of St Andrews University

Buildings deluged in sludge in Devighat in Nepal's Nuwakot district after flash floods hit the area in August. More than 1,400 bodies have been found and thousands more are still missing. Picture: Prabin Ranabhat

How we can beat climate change despite rogue states blocking progress Professor Frank Biermann

Andy Burnham delivers a speech focusing on forming closer ties with the Scottish government at New College Lanarkshire's Motherwell Campus. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell

SNP must start taking Burnham's offers to work together more seriously Scotsman comment

From left is Mark Ruskell MSP, co-leaders Gillian Mackay and Ross Greer, Lorna Slater MSP, Ariane Burgess MSP and Laura Moodie MSP.

Exclusive Greens confident of winning control of Edinburgh and Glasgow councils

The mission statement of state-owned ScotRail sounds like it was written by someone who has never been on a train. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell

43mph? How slow train to Waverley revealed ScotRail’s lack of ambition Stephen Jardine

From left, students Veronica Jafali, Comfort Galimoto and Elida Chithumba outside the Great Hall of the University of Malawi, known as Unima.

The Catch-22 that keeps the world's poorest countries mired in poverty Susan Dalgety

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