The Steamie Politics Blog

Scotland Decides: The case for and against independence for online/print out

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 21:25:59 GMT

Eight essays outlining the case for and against independence and published in the Scotland on Sunday earlier this year are compiled in this handy pdf pamphlet for you to view online or print out

Scotland Decides: The case for and against independence - iPad

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 18:24:33 GMT

Eight essays outlining the case for and against independence and published in the Scotland on Sunday earlier this year are compiled in this handy pdf pamphlet for your iPad

Live webchat: Tom English on the Rangers' judgement

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:37:39 GMT

Scotland on Sunday sports writer Tom English takes your questions following today's judgement by Lord Nimmo Smith on whether Rangers broke SPL rules when signing players.

Live Six Nations webchat: England v Scotland

Sat, 02 Feb 2013 13:38:04 GMT

Follow all the action as Scotland play England in the first match of their Six Nations campaign

Live webchat: Yes Scotland's Blair Jenkins

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:58:07 GMT

Chief executive of the Yes Scotland campaign Blair Jenkins will be hosting a live webchat on scotsman.com this Wednesday at noon.You can put your questions directly to Blair during the hour-long questions and answer session or submit them beforehand to online@scotsman.com.

Better Together webchat: Alistair Darling

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 13:32:14 GMT

The leader of the Better Together campaign Alistair Darling will be taking part in a live webchat on Scotsman.com on Monday.

School league tables by region - Aberdeen to Glasgow

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 09:20:53 GMT

Full exam results tables from across Scotland.

Scottish school league tables by region Highland - West Lothian

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 09:18:42 GMT

Full exam results tables from across Scotland.

Webchat: Moira Gordon on Hearts

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 12:28:04 GMT

Scotland on Sunday football writer is online from 12 noon today to discuss the financial crisis gripping Hearts.

King Kenny raids across the border

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 13:55:04 GMT

Completing her blogging mission to SNP Conference 2012, Kate Higgins suggests that recent activity and performances have made Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill King of all he surveys

Time for the SNP to loosen its stays

Sun, 21 Oct 2012 12:12:21 GMT

Kate Higgins reflects on the SNP's andquot;great NATO debateandquot; and explores the possible lessons for the party

Alex Salmond speech: "What was gained by devolution, can only now be guaranteed with independence"

Sat, 20 Oct 2012 18:08:20 GMT

Kate Higgins provides analysis of the key themes of Alex Salmond's leader's speech to SNP Conference 2012

Jill Evans MEP's fraternal address from Plaid Cymru to SNP Conference

Sat, 20 Oct 2012 12:50:15 GMT

Produced in full with permission, Jill Evans MEP's fraternal address from Plaid Cymru to SNP Conference 2012

#snp12 snippets - a conference diary

Sat, 20 Oct 2012 11:18:52 GMT

Wry observations on life at SNP conference from blogger Kate Higgins

SNP Conference: That NATO resolution and what the delegates think

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 11:24:18 GMT

Kate Higgins has exclusive access to the 2012 SNP Conference as a blogger and in the first of a series of posts, has gathered the views from conference delegates for and against the defence policy resolution to be debated later today.

Live: Wales v Scotland

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:38:56 GMT

Martin Hannan will be providing live updates of Scotland's World Cup qualifying match against Wales in Cardiff.

Report: Youth homelessness in Scotland

Sat, 06 Oct 2012 21:18:33 GMT

A report on youth homelessness in Scotland by the Equal Opportunities Committee

James Hutton: Exhibition concept sketches

Sat, 06 Oct 2012 21:17:14 GMT

How the James Hutton exhibit will look upon completion

Duff and Phelps report to Rangers FC creditors

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 13:04:22 GMT

Scottish university clearing lists

Tue, 07 Aug 2012 14:57:20 GMT

You've got your results now find where you will enjoy your bright future.

Scotland's population report 2011

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 18:32:28 GMT

LSL Acad Scotland HPI report

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 18:48:46 GMT

Live: Andy Murray v Roger Federer

Sun, 08 Jul 2012 13:01:07 GMT

Scotland's Andy Murray takes on Roger Federer in the final of Wimbledon at 2pm today.

Excerpts from Aung San Suu Kyi's speech

Sat, 16 Jun 2012 18:28:51 GMT

On Saturday June 16th, Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the opposition in Burma, gave a speech a in Oslo City Hall, in Norway, as she received the Nobel Peace Prize that she was awarded 21 years ago.

Leveson inquiry: Alex Salmond's witness statement

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 21:22:17 GMT

Map of the Legionella outbreak in Edinburgh

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 19:49:43 GMT

The areas of Edinburgh that have been affected by the Legionella outbreak.

David Torrance: Holyrood backs independence

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 08:41:30 GMT

The Scottish Parliament votes in favour of independence but, watching from the media gallery, David Torrance witnessed not an historic occasion but the usual tired old lines.

Data blog: Scotland's changing population, 2001 - 2011

Thu, 31 May 2012 17:20:15 GMT

The latest figures for Scotland's population have been published by the General Register Office for Scotland. Here we look at how the population of each local authority has changed since 2001.

Data blog: Smoking rates in Scotland and Europe visualised

Thu, 31 May 2012 12:46:44 GMT

Coinciding with World No Tobacco Day, which is aimed at raising awareness of tobacco-related illnesses, the data blog looks at smoking rates in Scotland and Europe.

Scottish independence poll results visualised

Fri, 25 May 2012 12:57:13 GMT

How has the nation's view of Scotland's constitution changed over the last ten years?

The impact of minimum pricing

Thu, 24 May 2012 17:56:54 GMT

Data blog: How Scotland's local authorities compare on unemployment

Wed, 23 May 2012 16:36:14 GMT

How do the latest unemployment figures compare across Scotland? We have mapped the total number of claimants of Jobseeker's Allowance for each local authority

Data blog: Mapping BT's faster broadband locations

Wed, 23 May 2012 14:44:59 GMT

Mapping the locations for BT's faster broadband speeds in Scotland...

Report

Mon, 07 May 2012 18:01:09 GMT

Read the childhood memories of his father by Laurie Morrocco

Fri, 04 May 2012 20:53:09 GMT

Read the childhood memories of her father by Annalisa Morrocco.

Fri, 04 May 2012 20:51:46 GMT

Read the childhood memories of his father by Leon Morrocco.

Fri, 04 May 2012 20:42:31 GMT

Housden letter

Thu, 03 May 2012 19:08:12 GMT

Bin Laden letters - report

Thu, 03 May 2012 19:06:59 GMT

Scottish Council Election Results 2012

Thu, 03 May 2012 13:16:42 GMT

Results of the West Lothian Council Election by ward 2012

Thu, 03 May 2012 12:37:01 GMT

Results of the West Dunbartonshire Council Election 2012 by Ward

Thu, 03 May 2012 12:32:38 GMT

Results of the Stirling Council Election 2012 by Ward

Thu, 03 May 2012 12:29:14 GMT

Results of the South Lanarkshire Council Election 2012 by Ward

Thu, 03 May 2012 12:24:55 GMT

Results of the South Ayrshire Council Election 2012 by Ward

Thu, 03 May 2012 12:16:49 GMT

Results of the Shetlands Council Election 2012 by Ward

Thu, 03 May 2012 12:12:51 GMT

Results of the Scottish Borders Council Election 2012 by Ward

Thu, 03 May 2012 12:10:19 GMT

Results of the Renfrewshire Council Election 2012 by Ward

Thu, 03 May 2012 12:06:51 GMT

Results of the Perth and Kinross Council Election 2012 by Ward

Thu, 03 May 2012 12:03:38 GMT

Good beach guide 2012

Wed, 02 May 2012 22:23:38 GMT

Donald Trump's letter to Alex Salmond

Wed, 02 May 2012 22:20:48 GMT

Results of the Orkney Council Election 2012 by Ward

Wed, 02 May 2012 22:08:56 GMT

Results of the North Lanarkshire Council Election 2012 by Ward

Wed, 02 May 2012 22:06:32 GMT

Results of the North Ayrshire Council Election 2012 by Ward

Wed, 02 May 2012 21:59:35 GMT

Results of the Na h-Eileanan Siar Council Election 2012 by Ward

Wed, 02 May 2012 21:54:33 GMT

Results of the Moray Council Election 2012 by Ward

Wed, 02 May 2012 21:45:25 GMT

Results of the Midlothian Council Election 2012 by Ward

Wed, 02 May 2012 21:42:00 GMT

Results of the Inverclyde Council Election 2012 by Ward

Wed, 02 May 2012 21:32:58 GMT

Results of the Highland Council Election 2012 by Ward

Wed, 02 May 2012 21:24:52 GMT

Results of the Glasgow City Council Election 2012 by Ward

Wed, 02 May 2012 21:18:12 GMT

Results of the Fife Council Election 2012 by Ward

Wed, 02 May 2012 21:09:39 GMT

Results of the Falkirk Council Election 2012 by Ward

Wed, 02 May 2012 21:03:39 GMT

Results of the East Lothian Council Election by ward 2012

Wed, 02 May 2012 20:59:39 GMT

Results of the East Renfrewshire Council Election 2012 by Ward

Wed, 02 May 2012 20:56:17 GMT

Results of the City of Edinburgh Council Election 2012 by Ward

Wed, 02 May 2012 20:46:44 GMT

Results of the East Dunbartonshire Council Election 2012 by Ward

Wed, 02 May 2012 20:32:56 GMT

Results of the East Ayrshire Council Election 2012 by Ward

Wed, 02 May 2012 20:29:42 GMT

Results of the Dundee City Council Election 2012 by Ward

Wed, 02 May 2012 20:25:16 GMT

Results of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Election 2012 by Ward

Wed, 02 May 2012 20:21:18 GMT

Results of the Clackmannanshire Council Election 2012 by Ward

Wed, 02 May 2012 20:11:37 GMT

Results of the Argyll and Bute Council Election 2012 by Ward

Wed, 02 May 2012 20:07:50 GMT

Results of the Angus Council Election 2012 by Ward

Wed, 02 May 2012 20:02:38 GMT

Results of the Aberdeenshire Council Election 2012 by Ward

Wed, 02 May 2012 19:56:36 GMT

Aberdeen City Council election results by ward 2012

Wed, 02 May 2012 19:44:19 GMT

In full: Donald Trump letter to Alex Salmond

Wed, 02 May 2012 15:27:49 GMT

US tycoon Donald Trump, who is funding a major golf development in Aberdeenshire, has delivered another attack on First Minister Alex Salmond over the Scottish Government's renewable energy policy.

Edinburgh Election 2012 Live

Wed, 02 May 2012 15:08:42 GMT

All the latest breaking stories as Scotland's capital goes to the polls.Join us on Friday May 4 the votes are counted and Edinburgh finds out who controls the city council.

Key Findings - WHO Report

Tue, 01 May 2012 22:27:31 GMT

Tom Watson, Bob Dylan and hopes for justice

Tue, 01 May 2012 15:50:07 GMT

The Labour MP and assiduous phone hacking campaigner Tom Watson quoted a Bob Dylan song this morning but his reference offers little hope for the guilty parties getting their just desserts in the end.

RBS Group PLC - Main issues report (PDF)

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:24:12 GMT

RCN Briefing Note (PDF)

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:23:01 GMT

Election test

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:08:54 GMT

Scots Rich List

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:27:27 GMT

The top 100 wealthiest Scots

Live text: Ulster v Edinburgh

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:37:35 GMT

Graphic: Where politicians stand in terms of meetings with Rupert Murdoch

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 20:52:51 GMT

Where politicians stand in terms of number of meetings with media tycoon Rupert Murdoch

In full: Meetings between Alex Salmond and Rupert Murdoch

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:51:44 GMT

The Leveson Inquiry into press standards has heard how News Corporation owner Rupert Murdoch met with First Minister Alex Salmond on several occasions.

Cornton Vale report

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:32:57 GMT

Moffat Tourism survey overview document

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:19:26 GMT

James Murdoch Leveson evidence

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:50:38 GMT

Windfarm Consumer Research

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:19:58 GMT

Webchat: Jennifer Dempsie

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:44:17 GMT

HMS Astute grounding

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:31:25 GMT

David Torrance: Time for a UK Constitutional Convention?

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 14:43:55 GMT

As a House of Commons Select Committee launches an inquiry into the need for a UK constitutional convention, David Torrance ponders its possible role in the referendum andquot;noandquot; campaign.

Webchat: Alex Massie on the SNP

Sat, 21 Apr 2012 14:15:39 GMT

Political commentator Alex Massie will be online on Sunday morning at 11am to discuss his column on the SNP

Regional breakdown of numbers claiming incapacity benefit

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:57:29 GMT

Edinburgh Evening News election Hustings

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:25:30 GMT

Join the debate as we cover the election hustings in Edinburgh.

Commision on Women Offenders

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:19:55 GMT

Report in full: House Price Index February 2012

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:01:10 GMT

Report on house prices from the Office for National Statistics...

British Brands Group report

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:35:11 GMT

Alan Pattullo on the all-Edinburgh Scottish Cup final

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:23:05 GMT

Scotsman football writer Alan Pattullo hosts an online debate looking ahead to the Scottish Cup final between Hibs and Hearts on Tuesday from 11.30am.

Housing affordability in Scotland - full report

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 02:51:59 GMT

Pension Deficits 2012 (UK)

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:45:01 GMT

Pension Deficits 2012 (Scotland)

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:41:47 GMT

Developing Curriculum for Excellence - University of Stirling report

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:22:35 GMT

Summary of findings from research undertaken in a Scottish local authority

Webchat: Alan Trench

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 20:37:02 GMT

In full: UK Government consultation on Scotland's constitutional future

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:31:14 GMT

Read the consultation document from the Secretary of State for Scotland...

In full: Scottish Conservative local government manifesto

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:06:20 GMT

Read the full manifesto document from the Scottish Conservatives...

Webchat: Alan Pattullo

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 03:35:24 GMT

Webchat: Jennifer Dempsie

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 20:18:20 GMT

Webchat: Lesley Riddoch

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 10:58:56 GMT

OECD report

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:18:34 GMT

Webchat: Joyce McMillan

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 19:38:54 GMT

Galston Mine Incident report

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:31:01 GMT

ONS report: Index of services

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:18:14 GMT

Graphic: Edinburgh cycling route extension

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:57:33 GMT

Kings Buildings to George Square cycle route.

Graphic: change of pace in daily transport

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:52:17 GMT

Graphic: change of pace in daily transport

Live webchat: Bill Jamieson on Scotland's economy

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:32:35 GMT

The Scotsman's Executive Editor Bill Jamieson will be online on Thursday at noon to discuss his column in today's papers. In it he argues firms in Scotland are leading a charge back to growth amidst the economic gloom while also pointing out that for many businesses in Scotland the most pressing problem is finding young apprentices.

Scottish Survey of Literacy and Numeracy 2011

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:10:17 GMT

Full details of the RSPB's bird watch survey

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:27:19 GMT

This table compares the percentage change between the average number of starlings recorded in both the 2002 and 2012 Big Garden Birdwatches. Those in yellow show declines since 2002

(NB Aberdeen City data was not available in 2002 so no comparison has been made)

Webchat: Brian Wilson on the Conservative donations row

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 19:01:22 GMT

Former Labour politician Brian Wilson will be online on Wednesday from 1pm to 2pm to discuss his column in Wednesday's Scotsman on the Conservative party's donation row.

Scottish Criminal Justice survey - Drug Use

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 18:46:38 GMT

ALMOST one in four Scots have admitted to taking illegal drugs during the course of their lives, andquot;horrifyingandquot; figures in a newly published crime survey revealed yesterday.A total of 23.7 per cent adults interviewed said they had taken at least one illicit drug, with cannabis the most popular banned substance used by the 11,000 Scottish respondents aged over 16 to the survey.More than 10 per cent of those admitting to using drug use said they had taken class A substances including cocaine and crack, according to the Scottish crime and justice survey (SCJS).

Live webchat: Alan Patullo

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:34:37 GMT

The Scotsman football writer Alan Patullo will be online on Tuesday from 1pm to discuss the fall-out from Sunday's Old Firm encounter.

Report: What are the Chances of Surviving to Age100?

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:56:38 GMT

Around a third of babies born this year (35%) are expected to reach the age of 100, according to a new report by the Office for National Statistics.The publication - What Are The Chances Of Surviving To Age 100? - said men and women who turn 65 this year have only a 10% and a 14% chance respectively of living to celebrate their century.

Scottish Renewables jobs report

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:42:52 GMT

The renewable energy sector supports the equivalent of 11,000 full-time jobs in Scotland, according to a report.The study, by industry body Scottish Renewables, said that as the industry was relatively new, employment in it should rise over the years.It published the research as the body which represents the oil and gas sector of the energy industry said Scotland will depend on oil for andquot;decades to comeandquot; to meet its energy needs.

In full: Mario Conti's sermon on gay marriage

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 18:20:18 GMT

Archbishop of Glasgow Mario Conti delivered a strongly-worded sermon warning that gay marriage would redefine andquot;natural lawandquot;.

In full: SCCRC report into Lockerbie trial

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 12:42:15 GMT

Read the full Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission report into Abdelbaset al-Megrahi's conviction for the Lockerbie bombing.

In full: Report into Scotland's share of UK public debt

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 19:14:41 GMT

View the full document detailing Scotland's share of the UK Public Debt

Webchat: Stuart Bathgate on Hibs

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:43:08 GMT

With reports of alleged disharmony at Hibs' East Mains training ground what does the future hold for the Easter Road club this season and beyond?

In full: ONS report on retail spending

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:08:35 GMT

Spending is growing more slowly than inflation, according to new figures from the Office of National Statistics which show retailers suffered their worst performance in nine months.

Webchat: John McLaren on the budget

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 18:24:20 GMT

Put your questions to John McLaren of the Centre for Public Policy in Regions on Friday at 12.30.

The Budget was just a taster for the Real Thing

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:17:44 GMT

A glimpse of the next Spending Review was in the budget today. That will be the Big One.

In full: Audit Scotland report on Glasgow's Commonwealth Games report

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:30:31 GMT

Planning for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games is on track but there are risks to particular projects, an Audit Scotland report released today has confirmed. There is also a risk that security costs may be higher than expected based on the experience of other Games. Security planning for the Glasgow Games is still at a relatively early stage and it is not yet clear whether the security budget is expected to cover all security costs.

Budget 2012 graphic - Summary of budget policy decisions (£bn)

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:47:10 GMT

The table from the Budget Red Book highlights the way in which spending reductions are stacked towards the end of the forecast period. Tax cuts will be felt in 2013-14. Clearly Osborne is putting off the pain until the economy is stronger - and, noticeably, until after the next election.

Budget 2012 graphic - How the debt interest keeps on climbing

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:43:11 GMT

Central government debt interest (£bn) Bill Jamieson writes: The good news here is that the annual debt interest burden is notably down on the March 2011 Budget projection -a reduction of some £32 billion between 2010-11 and 2015-16. However, the debt interest burden keeps climbing - the new figure for 2016-17 is £64 billion. You could say that's well into the future and beyond the date of the next election so no need to worry for now. But when we get there, this burden from the past will be resented.

Budget 2012 graphic - where the money goes

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:38:33 GMT

Key areas of government spending 2012-13 (£bn)

Budget 2012 graphics - Outlook for the economy

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:34:50 GMT

Getting better? Bring on the magnifying glass and Hubble telescope. The forecast for growth in 2012 is revised up by just 0.1 per cent - from 0.7 per cent to 0.8 per cent!The forecast for 2013 is actually revised down - from 2.1 per cent to 2.0 per cent.

Forecasts for 2014, 2015 and 2016 are the same.

No robust recovery - and with most independent forecasters concerned that the forecasts for 2015 and 2016 are too high.

Budget 2012 graphic 2012 - Deficit

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 14:31:14 GMT

Budget 2012 - Live!

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 18:45:51 GMT

Join scotsman.com's political team from 12:30pm on Wednesday for live analysis of the 2012 Budget.

Six Nations webchat

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 17:48:39 GMT

The Scotsman rugby writer David Ferguson will be online on Wednesday at 1pm to discuss whether, after a Six Nations whitewash, Scotland coach Andy Robinson is getting it right or wromg.

Times Higher Education Top 100 universities

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 13:47:56 GMT

Times Higher Education magazine today publishes its 2012 World Reputation Rankings. The annual reputation rankings, which complement the prestigious World University Rankings, are based on the world’s largest survey of academic opinion and provide a unique insight into the shifting academic prestige of institutions.

David Torrance: Lord Fraser has produced a strange and misguided pamphlet

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:00:07 GMT

David Torrance says Lord Fraser's recent pamphlet on Scottish independence is the oddest tract he's ever read...

From the archives: Andrew Wilson on the SNP and Britishness

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 13:39:22 GMT

Andrew Wilson's speech setting out a vision of a kind of Scottish nationalism that was compatible with a British identity was prescient in many ways, and still makes instructive reading now, 13 years on

How to bet on the Scottish independence referendum

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:33:27 GMT

Bookmaker Paul Petrie gives his thoughts on the biggest gamble in Scotland's history…

As it happened: FMQs

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:55:53 GMT

Follow First Minister's Questions live with our video feed and join the interactive blog here or on Twitter via #FMQs.

Ritalin prescriptions in Scotland - rising and rising [GRAPHIC]

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:25:00 GMT

A report into drugs prescribed for mental health conditions has revealed a huge increase in Ritalin prescriptions over the last 20 years. What is the true rate of the increase, and how do ADHD drugs compare to other medication in the mental health field?

FMQs live

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:18:06 GMT

AT 12pm, join our live blog as we cover First Minister’s Questions from Holyrood.

Andrew Reade: young left behind in SNP referendum push

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:42:02 GMT

If 'ordinary' adults have no idea what's going on, then how are the younger generation meant to understand the ins and outs of the referendum?

David Torrance: a short history of the United Kingdom

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:26:36 GMT

With all this talk of Scotland leaving the andquot;United Kingdomandquot; but remaining part of a andquot;united kingdomandquot;, David Torrance is beginning to wonder if anyone understands the history of the country we currently inhabit.

Live blog: FMQs as it happened

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:00:50 GMT

Follow First Minister's Questions live with our video feed and join Scotsman reporter Jennifer O'Mahony on the interactive blog, which begins at 11.45am.

SNP release 'Your Scotland, Your Future' video [WATCH]

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:04:20 GMT

In the wake of Alex Salmond's announcement today on the status of a future referendum on Scottish independence, the SNP have released this mostly musical video - what do you make of it?

David Torrance: SNP should rethink House of Lords boycott

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:14:14 GMT

With the constitutional battle about to move to the Upper House, is the SNP's absence from the House of Lords more of a legislative hindrance than a help?

Karen Thomson: why 16-17 year olds should get the vote

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:02:31 GMT

At sixteen you can leave school, get married and fight for your country. The opportunities are plenty yet one right is still reserved: the right to vote. As a referendum for Scottish independence looms, the chance for young people to vote may be lost yet again.

Responsible capitalism [STORIFIED]

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:35:57 GMT

David Cameron set out his vision of a “socially responsible and genuinely popular capitalism” yesterday. The Scotsman explores what Britain made of his pronouncements through the use of Storify.

As it happened: First Minister's Questions

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:19:30 GMT

Follow First Minister's Questions live with our video feed and join Scotsman reporter Jennifer O'Mahony on the interactive blog, which begins at 11.45am.

Occupy Edinburgh: why we should stay

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 11:08:51 GMT

This is a guest post by Jamie Mann and Chris Sharp, two members of Occupy Edinburgh. The Occupy camp in St Andrew Square is in the process of being evicted by the managers of the square, Essential Edinburgh. The group will appear in court tomorrow. This is their account of why they should continue to be allowed to protest in the city centre.

In Memory of Surjit Singh Chhokar

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:24:17 GMT

Drawing on BBC Scotland's archive and a bit of Autonomi's own, this video was produced for the unveiling of the Memorial of the Surjit Singh Chhokar Memorial,Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, in October 2006.

Jennifer O'Mahony: Scottish primary schools' free school meals [VISUALISED]

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:26:57 GMT

A visualisation of each primary school in Scotland and their local authorities by the rate of free school meals uptake.

Jennifer O'Mahony: Scottish Independence - Taiwan animated version [WATCH]

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:13:21 GMT

They have covered everything from Charlie Sheen's breakdown to Osama Bin Laden's death.Now Taiwanese animation group Next Media Animation have their own unique take on the independence referendum.

David Torrance: A game of constitutional poker

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:26:17 GMT

So the referendum game is afoot, but how strong is each side's hand in this andquot;giant game of constitutional pokerandquot;?

Kate Higgins: the long slow march to self-directed support

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 10:33:56 GMT

Disabled people have right to direct their own support and care but why are numbers are so low? it's all about power and control

Infographic: Scotland's diabetes problem

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:09:34 GMT

Diabetes - discover the difference between Type 1 and Type 2

Kate Higgins: The Macpherson report - how is Scotland doing?

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:25:41 GMT

As two are convicted of Stephen Lawrence's murder, Kate Higgins analyses if Scotland has done its share to eliminate racism and prejudice in policing

Kate Higgins: Labour gets its HRA stats in a twist

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:08:21 GMT

Scottish Labour claims Scotland is the Superbug Capital of Europe - under their watch, discovers Kate Higgins

David Torrance: 2011 - The Year of Eck?

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 02:45:49 GMT

Birthday boy Alex Salmond had UK plaudits heaped upon him as 2011 drew to a close, but was it really such a year of undisputed triumph for the First Minister? David Torrance thinks not.

Kate Higgins: Scotland's a great place to live - not just as great as some claim

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:49:29 GMT

The SNP claims over 100,000 people have settled in Scotland from rest of the UK since 2007 - Kate Higgins queries the methodology used

Jennifer O'Mahony: Health and class - every hospital admission for an accident in Scotland 2004-2011

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:41:10 GMT

A visualisation of every hospital admission for accidents in Scotland 2004-2011 as figures are released showing that adults and children from the most deprived areas of Scotland are twice as likely to die from an accidental injury than those from the most affluent postcodes.

Kate Higgins: a rant from an unreconstructed Nat

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 23:42:47 GMT

Kate Higgins likens the Times award of Briton of the year for Alex Salmond to a Through the Looking Glass experience

Hard left splinter party celebrate North Korea's triumph under Kim Jong-Il

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:21:27 GMT

The Glaswegian contingent of the Communist Party of Great Britain (Marxist-Leninist) tell Jennifer O'Mahony why they supported Kim Jong-Il's regime in North Korea while the rest of the world, and the rest of the hard left, condemn him.

Jennifer O'Mahony: Scottish pantomime productions by fairytale: visualised

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:09:49 GMT

A festive pie chart showing Scottish pantomime productions broken down by fairy tale.

David Maddox: She’s only just been elected but already there is speculation about a successor for Johann Lamont

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:13:41 GMT

ALL new political leaders expect some sort of honeymoon period after they have been elected, but already it seems that the new Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont may have been handed a stopwatch.

Jennifer O'Mahony: Glasgow knife crime data map

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:30:15 GMT

The geographical spread of Glasgow’s knife crime problem is revealed today in an innovative new map by The Scotsman that brings together police statistics and newspaper reports.The Scotsman's data team hope to build a comprehensive picture of incidents of knife crime in the region in collaboration with readers.

Glasgow should be the No 1 priority for whoever becomes Scottish Labour’s new leader

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:28:32 GMT

With Scottish Labour still reeling from its drubbing in May’s Holyrood elections, the SNP is already plotting its bid to seize control of the councils in Scotland’s main cities in next year’s local government elections

Scotland's Best and Worst State Schools 2011

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:08:57 GMT

Mapping Scotland's top and bottom 10 state schools by pupils with three or more Highers by the end of S5.Pupils at Jordanhill School in Glasgow, which receives public funding but is not under local government control, received the best results, with 77 per cent passing three or more Highers.

Scottish school exam league tables

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:45:16 GMT

David Maddox: Cameron’s famous EU veto might also have killed off the idea of a truly independent Scotland

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:20:11 GMT

WHEN Scots finally have their chance to vote on the break-up of the United Kingdom in the next few years, it is possible that historians may look back to last week as the point where the option of independence was taken off the table.

Kate Higgins: nationalism and internationalism

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:01:44 GMT

Feeling bereft and forlorn at David Cameron's actions in Europe this weekend, Kate Higgins concludes that this kind of nationalism is not good

Kate Higgins: "Nous ne piperons mot"

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 07:17:02 GMT

Recent government globe-trotting ignores existing markets on our doorstep which need our support more than ever, reckons Kate Higgins

How the SNP beat Labour, part 2159

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:21:14 GMT

A cutback version of this story appeared in Scotland on Sunday, but here it is in full. Taken from figures released by the Electoral Commission last week on how the parties spent their money.

Kate Higgins: It's war, class war

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:34:15 GMT

First they came for the benefit recipients: now the Tories come for low-income families. Kate Higgins considers the impact of the Autumn Statement.

Kate Higgins: £50m? Thanks, but no thanks

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:32:43 GMT

Kate Higgins concludes that we can do without the Chancellor's £50m and live without the Caledonian Sleeper too

Kate Higgins: Time for Tzedekah

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:29:40 GMT

With fat cat city salaries rocketing, Kate Higgins suggests they'd all do well to adopt the Jewish practice of Tzedekah

Scott Macnab: Doubts remain over the economic case for independence

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 12:59:17 GMT

Economic case for independence has yet to be made … so when will we be given a clearer picture, asks Scott Macnab

Kate Higgins: In praise of Scotland's other Patron Saint

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:28:00 GMT

On 30 November, we celebrate the feast day of our Patron Saint, Andrew - but what of Scotland's other patron saint, largely forgotten and ignored?

SOS webchat

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:38:50 GMT

Andrew Smith discusses Celtic's chances against Athletico Madrid in the Europa League.

Kate Higgins: are public sector workers right to strike?

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 20:23:11 GMT

With tens of thousands of public sector workers set to strike on 30 November, Kate Higgins asks if they are right to do so

Kate Higgins: who would the burd vote for?

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 18:38:42 GMT

If she had a vote, which Scottish Labour leadership contender would Kate Higgins vote for?

Kate Higgins: Guest post from Siobhan McMahon MSP "Why I'm voting for Johann"

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 23:28:25 GMT

Three high profile Labour members set out their support for their preferred Scottish Labour leadership contender - exclusively for Kate Higgins

Kate Higgins: Guest post from Ian Smart "Why I'm voting for Tom"

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 23:25:01 GMT

Three high profile Labour members set out their reasons for supporting their preferred candidate for the Scottish Labour leadership - exclusively for Kate Higgins

Kate Higgins: Guest post from Kezia Dugdale MSP "Why I'm voting for Ken"

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 23:21:50 GMT

Three high profile Labour members set out why they are supporting each of the Scottish Labour leadership contenders - exclusive guest posts for Kate Higgins

Richard Lovell: Labour leadership contender profiles

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:15:19 GMT

THE three contenders for the Scottish Labour leadership went head to head this week in front of party members in Edinburgh.

Eddie Barnes: Money has bought politicians love, but we’re all now counting the cost of spending power

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:22:32 GMT

The financial crisis has already seen off politics-as-usual in Italy and Greece. Confronted by the stark realism of the markets, the two countries’ political leadership crumbled...

David Maddox: What does the Spanish election result mean for an independent Scotland?

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:11:26 GMT

The Popular Party’s reign in Spain has potential implications for an independent Scotland, writes David Maddox

Kate Higgins: It's all about welfare

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:51:51 GMT

We can do welfare differently in Scotland, if we devolve it or embrace independence, suggests Kate Higgins

Kate Higgins: Now the boat no longer comes in

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 21:19:18 GMT

A Stranraer native, Kate Higgins sees the loss of the Irish ferries as an opportunity for the town and the loch

Kate Higgins: to Hell with Holyrood's Good Intentions

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:55:38 GMT

Kate Higgins reckons that Holyrood makes laws with good intentions which fail to make it into practice - like the charitable status of private schools

Kate Higgins: #newsnicht fails the gender test

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:51:37 GMT

Fed up with the lack of women on BBC Newsnight Scotland, Kate Higgins decided to do something about it - she blogged

Eddie Barnes: The SNP has been put on the defensive over independence, but the party insists it’s happy to play a waiting game

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:17:03 GMT

Scottish politics has now become a game played out in the conditional tense...

David Maddox: Scotland Bill in doubt - on Twitter at least

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:40:23 GMT

A wee birdie - well, Lord Foulkes on Twitter - tells David Maddox about the uncertain future of the Scotland Bill

Kate Higgins: Power, not so much, to the people

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:57:50 GMT

We may have halted the Eurozone meltdown but appointing technocrats to lead Greece and Italy threatens democracy, reckons Kate Higgins

Kate Higgins: Can we all go and do something less boring instead?

Sun, 13 Nov 2011 12:55:25 GMT

We are on a continual constitutional loop and not only is it playing into the SNP's hands, but it's also boring, thinks Kate Higgins

David Maddox: Scotland’s ongoing preoccupation with its constitutional status is baffling many at a time of global turmoil

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:02:39 GMT

David Maddox: Scotland’s ongoing preoccupation with its constitutional status is baffling many at a time of global turmoil SCOTLAND’S fascination with constitutional navel-gazing is still a mystery to many politicians based south of the Border, who just don’t quite get why independence is on the agenda at a time when countries could be engulfed by the economic crisis.

Tavish Scott: SNP fails to see positive side of 2012 Olympics

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:40:22 GMT

The Nationalists just don’t like the Olympics being in London, writes Liberal Democrat MSP Tavish Scott

Kate Higgins: Poppy-cock

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 01:21:33 GMT

Kate Higgins suggests that the spat over poppy-wearing at this weekend's football matches shows some have forgotten the point of the act of remembrance

Eddie Barnes: Mr Salmond will soon need a better excuse for putting off the Big Question and who decides its timing

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 11:44:11 GMT

IT IS the great Scottish Question Question. The Question is the referendum asking whether or not Scotland should become an independent country. The Question Question is when the Question should be and who should be in charge of asking it.

Kate Higgins: It will take more than this to Move Labour Forward

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 22:05:50 GMT

Edinburgh Labour's policy consultation ahead of next year's council elections has some good ideas but is lacking in some key areas, finds Kate Higgins

Webchat: Moira Gordon on Hearts

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:38:32 GMT

Scotland on Sunday sports writer Moira Gordon hosts a webchat on the situation at Tynecastle.

Kate Higgins: They think it's all over?

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:09:03 GMT

Scottish football is in a deep malaise, beset with problems. Kate Higgins wonders what the solutions are.

Kate Higgins: Vote on the Scottish Labour leadership

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:03:22 GMT

Campaigning for the Scottish Labour leadership has begun in earnest. Who will win? Have your say, by voting in Kate Higgins's poll

Kate Higgins: Wanted - a political Super Nanny

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:48:23 GMT

Kate Higgins laments recent political spats and wonders if Scottish politics needs its very own Super Nanny

Kate Higgins: Why Galloway should stop voting Tory

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:45:28 GMT

Could the abolition of the Agricultural Wages Board persuade people in Galloway to stop voting Tory?

Eddie Barnes: Rescue and market certainty the main prize as world leaders gather for G20 summit in Cannes

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:51:20 GMT

THE winner of the Cannes Film Festival Palm D’Or earlier this year was the metaphysical epic The Tree of Life, starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn.

Pat Kane: Ancien Regime meets Salmond's Juggernaut of Joy

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:38:59 GMT

Events (and maybe strategy) are conspiring in favour of a single vote on independence, thinks Pat Kane

Kate Higgins: What a difference a poll makes

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:14:20 GMT

Analysis of Scotland on Sunday's poll findings on independence, from Kate Higgins

Kate Higgins: Vote! Who should be Scottish Conservative leader?

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 19:09:39 GMT

Kate Higgins gives her opinion on the contenders to be next Scottish Conservative leader and invites you to provide yours

Kate Higgins: Independence can create a Scotland free from Child Poverty

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:49:22 GMT

By making our society child-centred, we can tackle the causes and symptoms of poverty in independent Scotland

Scott Macnab: Scottish Labour needs a spark to ignite leadership race, but where will it come from?

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:08:35 GMT

The role of leader of the opposition has perhaps never been more significant in Scottish politics, given the unprecedented majority the SNP enjoys at Holyrood...

Salmond falters as Rennie shines - a good week for the Lib Dem leader

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 12:21:13 GMT

Alex Salmond left his Conference in Inverness with a spring in his step - but his post Conference glow has disappeared as a series of unnecessary errors tarnish his Government's credibility over the independence referendum.In contrast, Willie Rennie showed the Liberal Democrats at their feisty best, living up to the praise he's received since he became leader.

Kate Higgins: Europe might be broke but still votes for growth

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:36:01 GMT

Kate Higgins casts her beady eye over the EU draft budget for 2012 and wonders why Scottish MEPs opposed it

Tom Peterkin: SNP bandwagon fired up and ready to ride roughshod over the UK along the road to independence

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:43:24 GMT

The relentless optimism and the hugely impressive organisation that characterised the SNP’s weekend jamboree in Inverness should not be underestimated by the pro-Union parties.

Kate Higgins: Zero tolerance must apply to all

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:06:29 GMT

All threats of violence towards women are serious and must be treated seriously, suggests Kate Higgins

That strange SNP logic where independence wins even if it comes second

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:00:08 GMT

I always knew the SNP had trouble counting, but I thought they'd manage to work out the most popular option out of 3.

Kate Higgins: Where is the SNP's social wage for children?

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 06:51:27 GMT

Kate Higgins wonders why the SNP has no universal andquot;freeandquot; policies to help eradicate child poverty

Better Nation: Inverness Outpost (3)

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 21:47:56 GMT

Recognition of an environment award for the First Minister.

Better Nation: The First Minister declares: “the respect agenda lies dead in their throats”

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 17:03:36 GMT

Better Nation's Kate Higgins reviews the First Minister's speech to SNP Conference, live from the Conference hall in Inverness.

Better Nation: Inverness Outpost (2)

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 16:52:16 GMT

A review of the Deputy First Minister's contribution to the SNP conference.

Better Nation: Inverness Outpost

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 20:54:26 GMT

A review of the opening part of the opening day of the SNP Conference from Better Nation's roving, accredited blogger - The Burd.

Andrew Whitaker: SNP’s third option of ‘devo max’ has strong support, but many questions remain to be answered

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:57:12 GMT

ONE of the key phrases bandied about during the independence debate in recent weeks has been “devo max” - the idea that the Scottish Parliament would have full control of the country’s finances, including welfare benefits and pensions.

Better Nation: To be, or not to be, independent - that is the (first) question

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 22:59:12 GMT

Jeff Breslin considers the thorny issue of how many questions might appear in the independence referendum ballot

Struan Stevenson: We should be wary of credit rating agencies

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:24:29 GMT

Struan Stevenson: We should be wary of credit rating agenciesLike weather forecasters, the major credit rating agencies (CRAs) claim to have the ability to tell us what the future may hold.

Better Nation: Interns are not workers

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:26:03 GMT

A guest post from Barry McCulloch condemning how some companies are profiting from the practice of not paying interns

Better Nation: not great, not rubbish, just good enough

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:22:01 GMT

Too often, the debate about Scotland is fought on political and economic extremes - Kate Higgins thinks making Scotland good enough would do

Kate Higgins: Gervais - not clever, just pathetic

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:18:19 GMT

Ricky Gervais the comedian whips up a storm with some choice language on Twitter and Kate Higgins suggests it's a pathetic but dangerous ploy for publicity

Kate Higgins: Votes at 16 a matter of principle not expediency

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:13:59 GMT

Far from being a ruse to rig an independence referendum, Kate Higgins explains how votes at 16 is longstanding SNP policy

Kate Higgins: Are voters viewing independence as the alternative to ConDem cuts?

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:10:32 GMT

Kate Higgins rummages through the Com Res Cuts Index and analyses the findings

Scunnered already - and the independence referendum is years away.

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:04:44 GMT

I'm not sure I can take another 3 years of the sterile, macho posturing we are seeing from the SNP and Labour on the independence referendum. Scotland deserve better

Eddie Barnes: Who can revive the stricken Scottish Labour party?

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 17:22:04 GMT

The sorry state of Scottish Labour has even putative enemies worried - and may need radical action, writes Eddie Barnes

Better Nation: Is it time for a Scottish Stock Exchange?

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:00:36 GMT

#Occupy protests across the UK won't make our financial system fairer, but a Scottish stock exchange might, reckons Jeff Breslin

Better Nation: Why are Scots leaning towards independence?

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 22:56:49 GMT

The recent Com Res poll highlights big problems for the Liberal Democrats in Scotland, according to Kate Higgins

Better Nation: Union on Saturday, Independent on Sunday

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 22:49:14 GMT

Jeff Breslin considers the implications of a recent Com Res poll on independence

Andrew Whitaker: Leadership campaign has yet to spark optimism in Tory ranks

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:24:56 GMT

The four-cornered campaign for the Scots Tory leadership is accentuating the negative, writes Andrew Whitaker

Kate Higgins: And the jobs forecast is...

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 10:12:51 GMT

Kate Higgins looks at recent unemployment figures trying to discern a trend

Better Nation: High Speed Rail

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 22:06:16 GMT

Dominic Hinde guests with a post advocating the need for investment in high speed rail on both sides of the border

Better Nation: The Labour leadership speech you won't hear

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 22:02:02 GMT

Pete Wishart MP, guesting at Better Nation, suggest an alternative narrative for Scotland's leadership hopefuls

Better Nation: The M Word

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 21:50:29 GMT

Jeff Breslin wonders what's in a name, in the definition of marriage

Scotland on Sunday webchat: Tom Peterkin previews the SNP conference

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 18:20:05 GMT

Scottish Political Editor Tom Peterkin will be online at noon on Wednesday to host a live debate previewing the SNP conference.

Kate Higgins: How many Labour politicians does it take to land a blow?

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:42:40 GMT

Kate Higgins puzzles over Labour's strange decision to appoint twelve of its MPs to form Team Scotland

Kate Higgins: The SNP won, get over it

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 22:36:56 GMT

Kate Higgins suggests that the sooner Opposition parties come to terms with a majority SNP Government the better

Better Nation: RIP Red Ed

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 09:43:29 GMT

Kate Higgins runs the rule over Labour's Shadow Cabinet appointments and decides that Red Ed is dead

Guest post: Scotland's unique opportunity

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 09:35:51 GMT

Peter Welsh, a trade union activist, considers the state we are in and why Scotland's independence referendum offers a bigger choice than just our constitutional future

Scotland on Sunday webchat

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 15:47:27 GMT

Scotland on Sunday webchat.

Better Nation: Priorities, priorities

Sat, 08 Oct 2011 12:23:19 GMT

Malc Harvey speaks a heresy: Scotland ain't that important to the UK party leaders

Andrew Whitaker: Tory conference has shown that Cameron is beatable

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:15:40 GMT

An apparent Tory lurch back to the right-wing policies of the 1980s could be good news for Labour, writes Andrew Whitaker

Kate Higgins: Boys behaving badly reveals rotten core in rugby

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 01:12:52 GMT

When concerns about reputation matter more than tackling players' abusive behaviour towards women, English rugby has a problem, suggests Kate Higgins

Better Nation: Why the UK Government should call an early referendum

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 22:06:08 GMT

Jeff Breslin sets out why timing is key in the referendum contest

Better Nation: Holyrood's finest hour?

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 22:01:01 GMT

the Burd suggests that Holyrood could hold Westminster to account on the welfare reform bill

Kate Higgins: the nasty party decides the needy can starve

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 01:35:09 GMT

With the rise of food poverty in the UK and a block on the EU andquot;food for freeandquot; programme, Kate Higgins discovers the nasty party is back

Better Nation: It's rubbish being Scottish

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 22:00:58 GMT

Malc Harvey laments the Scottish malaise and wonders where all the big ideas for Scotland are

Better Nation: Meanwhile, at the City Chambers...

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 21:54:33 GMT

A guest post from Alyson McDonald spilling the beans on Edinburgh Council's top secret privatisation plans

Hoping for an opportunity to applaud the SNP

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 20:03:11 GMT

The “anti-sectarianism Bill” is a dog’s breakfast, but Labour should allow ministers to retreat without losing face, writes TOM HARRIS

Kate Higgins: wherefore art thou, blogging mojo?

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 14:05:12 GMT

In running through a decidely meh week in politics, Kate Higgins inadvertently rediscovers her blogging mojo

Andrew Whitaker: Labour heavyweights could regret not leaving Westminster comfort zone

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:11:51 GMT

Are Scottish Labour’s big-gun MPs making a tactical error by not contesting the Scottish leadership, asks Andrew Whitaker

Caron Lindsay: Alasdair Allan needs lessons in prioritising his to-do list

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:46:29 GMT

Another case of mistaken priorities by the SNP Government......

Kate Higgins: Rip it up and start again

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 21:46:08 GMT

Kate Higgins reckons the Scottish Government should save itself a few bob by ripping up the PFI contracts

Better Nation: Ruth Davidson is proud to be Scottish and British

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 20:07:54 GMT

Another exclusive guest post for Better Nation, from Conservative leadership contender, Ruth Davidson, saying why she is proud to be Scottish and British

Brian Monteith: Tories begin to lose their composure

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 18:41:13 GMT

Michael Forsyth adds colour to the contest but suggests he will be a divisive splitter without realising it...

Eddie Barnes: Labour needs to ditch its obsession with Thatcher

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 10:39:31 GMT

The Left’s obsession with Margaret Thatcher is long past its sell-by date and it’s time they got over it, writes Eddie Barnes

David Torrance: State of Play redux

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:01:19 GMT

Nominations are now closed for the Scottish Conservative leadership contest. What's the State of Play with just over a month to go?

David Maddox: Murphy will not be forgiven if he ducks fight for the union

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 11:19:25 GMT

Jim Murphy may have to take on Scottish leadership against his wishes to realise his ultimate dream, writes David Maddox

Kate Higgins: Scotland needs a Who

Sun, 25 Sep 2011 19:15:58 GMT

As lots of interest groups line up to squeal about the cuts announced in the Spending Review, Kate Higgins asks if not you, then who?

Better Nation: Ken Macintosh, a voice for Scotland's future

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 14:01:26 GMT

Ken Macintosh MSP and Scottish Labour leadership candidate writes exclusively for Better Nation, setting out his vision for Scotland

Kate Higgins: Tesco tax, good or bad?

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:19:51 GMT

Vote! In the Saturday poll, Kate Higgins seeks views on the public health levy on big booze retailers announced in the Spending Review

Better Nation: Pete Wishart calls all parties to the independence cause

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 21:03:30 GMT

Pete Wishart MP writes exclusively for Better Nation, suggesting all parties should get behind the andquot;yes for independenceandquot; campaign

Andrew Whitaker: Miliband’s next task as the Labour Party’s leader is to make voters an offer they cannot refuse

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:20:18 GMT

ED Miliband goes into his second Labour conference as party leader next week in a stronger position than many commentators had predicted earlier this year.

Kate Higgins: Big Bad John Swinney

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 00:33:47 GMT

Kate Higgins extols the virtues of Scotland's very own Big Bad John Swinney and his Spending Review

Better Nation: Old habits, comrades

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:37:01 GMT

Aidan Skinner displays his sceptical side while pondering efforts to reform the UK and Scottish Labour parties

Better Nation: Also in the Running

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:33:09 GMT

Guest blogger at Better Nation, Kirsty Connell, runs the runes over the Labour party's options for depute leader in Scotland

Better Nation: Swinney not budging on austerity budgets

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 07:45:48 GMT

Jeff Breslin reviews the Scottish Government's first budget and considers some of the opposition parties' concerns.

Better Nation: God help Glasgow

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 23:25:30 GMT

With the SNP and Labour fighting like ferrets in a sack, the Burd wonders what will become of Glasgow City Council after the 2012 elections

Better Nation: Scotland's Plan MacB

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 23:21:05 GMT

Jeff Breslin considers the political impact of the Scottish Government's economic strategy

LabourHame: Time for The Tartan Book?

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:34:30 GMT

As the end of the Review approaches, Scottish Labour needs to move from a period of crisis response to thinking long and hard about what Scottish Labour stands for and what policies it will present to the Scottish people in 2016, says Dan Heap.

LabourHame: A decent debate

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:30:19 GMT

As the debate over same sex marriage gets underway, former chair of Pride Scotland Duncan Hothersall calls for the debate to be conducted in a more constructive way than that over the repeal of Section 28

David Maddox: Moore shows his mettle as he steps up campaign to defeat SNP drive for independence

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:50:40 GMT

WHO has been feeding testosterone to Michael Moore? If performance-enhancing drugs are a no-no at the Olympics, then surely they should be banned from referendum campaigns?

Better Nation: What ever happened to England?

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:49:17 GMT

Jeff Breslin ponders the direction of England

Andrew Whitaker: Labour’s front-bench team will need some careful selection if they are to score against the SNP

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:25:32 GMT

ALMOST all the talk about Scottish Labour in recent weeks has focused on the possible candidates to succeed Iain Gray as leader, along with the party’s review of its policy and structure.

Eddie Barnes: Don’t hold your breath on a guarantee Scotland will get an independence referendum by 2016

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:57:02 GMT

‘AT SOME point before May 2016, the Scottish people will be given the opportunity to vote in a referendum on independence,andquot; declared Ben Thomson, chairman of think-tank Reform Scotland, in these pages yesterday. On face value, that would appear to be self-evidently true, following the SNP’s majority win in May. But a growing theory in the political village suggests that Mr Thomson’s certainty about the coming historic vote may be misplaced.

Tom Peterkin: Labour need a new leader - but do the party’s MSPs want Mr Right, or Mr Just Right Now?

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:53:56 GMT

Some nine years ago there was a brilliant speech in the Scottish Parliament. One remembers these great events, because they are so few and far between.

Better Nation: Why aren't the political parties listening?

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:08:37 GMT

Voters are speaking plainly about what they want their Parliament to do but the burd reckons the parties are not listening....

Better Nation: We all live in a nuclear submarine

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 17:56:06 GMT

SNP found supporting nuclear submarines on the Clyde. Seriously? By James.

Better Nation: Big on growth, short on ambition

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 15:39:58 GMT

the Burd runs through the Scottish Government's legislative programme and finds it a little lacking in ambition

LabourHame: Free Higher education and the most expensive degree in the UK - a contradiction too far?

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:29:52 GMT

If the Government really cares about its international standing, then it needs to think harder about rest of UK fees, argues CLAIRE BAKER

The only party that should fear a federal UK is the SNP

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 19:46:46 GMT

Jeff Breslin ponders the West Lothian question and who might lose out if the newly-appointed Commission manages to answer it....

David Torrance: State of Play

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:31:31 GMT

What’s the state of play now that the third, and presumably last, candidate in the race to be the next Scottish Conservative leader has declared?

David Maddox: Murdo Fraser has picked a tough route to the top, but other climbers may yet make him lose his footing

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:16:09 GMT

As a Munro bagger, Murdo Fraser must know about the easy and hard ways to get to the summit...

Interview with Mike Moore MP - "fighting like hell" for Scotland

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 07:57:27 GMT

I caught up with Scotland's champion in the UK Government recently. We talked about welfare reform, the carriers, the air bases, the coastguards, the economy, and where we go after the Scotland Bill.

Willie Rennie and the great power give-away

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 13:49:51 GMT

The Scottish Liberal Democrats move the constitutional debate to a new, fresh, radical and practical level.

Andrew Whitaker: The review of Scottish Labour must focus on policy as well as structure if the party is to recover

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 10:52:58 GMT

SCOTTISH Labour leader Iain Gray moved quickly to order a root-and-branch review of the party’s policy and structure in the aftermath of its electoral drubbing at the hands of the SNP in May.

Eddie Barnes: The UK government is set to turn up the heat in the independence debate - but it faces a tough task

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 17:57:05 GMT

SCOTLAND’S constitutional sparring has been muted over the summer months, but Scottish Secretary Michael Moore recommences matters today in a speech in Edinburgh.

The workforce of tomorrow needs a solid chance

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 17:55:38 GMT

One of the most worrying themes of recent weeks has been the rise in youth unemployment and the apparent lack of appropriate training and employability skills for some young people coming out of education.

Mike Moore to Salmond: You do your job, I'll do mine

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 20:40:05 GMT

Secretary of State for Scotland Mike Moore made a speech tonight in which he outlined the strong consensus behind the Scotland Bill and the way forward from here.It was a speech full of practical, relevant examples, not dull as speeches on constitutional affairs can be.And there was a rebuke for the First Minister - telling him to get on with the many powers he has and not to solely pick fights with Westminster.

Scott Macnab: New Scots Tory leader needs to tap into the mainstream

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 10:46:25 GMT

Tories face an uphill battle to appoint a Scottish leader who will appeal to mainstream voters, writes Scott Macnab

Elizabeth Smith: Murdo Fraser has got what it takes

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:02:03 GMT

Like every other Conservative voter in the recent Scottish election, I was bitterly disappointed at the outcome.

The worst way to find out how much Liberal Democrats influence this Government

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 07:24:41 GMT

The extent of the Liberal Democrat influence in the Coalition Government is decried by Tories and Tory supporting media - again.

David Maddox: Salmond's U-turn over Diageo

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 13:47:43 GMT

Alex Salmond’s new attitude towards Diageo is understandable in terms of votes to come, writes David Maddox

David Maddox: MPs' cold shoulder to veterans doesn't tally with their warm words

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 11:51:13 GMT

Broken promises to war heroes leave politicians looking like unsavoury expedients, writes David Maddox

Ewan Crawford: Opponents really need to stop obsessing over Salmond

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 11:21:20 GMT

Day 106. And still no sign of any change of tactics among the housemates opposing the SNP

Send them to the Outer Hebrides....

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 15:41:27 GMT

First we had the controversy of Alex Salmond saying the riots were not a Scottish problem now there's a petition on the Downing Street website demanding that rioters and looters are sent north of the Border, specifically to the Outer Hebrides.But while the petition will inevitably cause offence, the idea at its core is perhaps not such a bad one.

Willie Rennie has a mountain to climb

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 15:08:03 GMT

Scotland’s Lib Dem leader faces a long uphill climb if he is to regain electoral credibility, writes Scott Macnab

Who'll pay for Cameron's Nanny State?

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:36:22 GMT

Cameron’s support for the return of the Nanny State leaves matter of who’ll pay up in the air, writes Eddie Barnes

So what happened to the new "tough on crime" Nick Clegg?

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:49:25 GMT

This morning bleary eyed hacks went into Admiralty House in Whitehall to hear Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg's views on what to do about the riots.The briefing we received yesterday suggested that he was going to take an unusually tough line on the criminals who rioted in English cities last week, but for some reason overnight the language completely changed.

Andrew Whitaker: Some of the SNP's words and actions are unlikely to endear them to Scotland's gay community

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:48:56 GMT

The row over the Scottish Government's role in the controversial decision to hand a knighthood to the SNP's biggest financial backer has probably gone as far as it's likely to for now.

Scott Macnab: The SNP’s powerful leadership would be wise to ponder the drip, drip, drip, of internal dissent

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 09:37:23 GMT

The recent split in SNP ranks over gay marriage caused as much surprise at Holyrood over the breach of party unity as it did over the issue in hand.

SNP must be more transparent over Souter's knighthood

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 10:21:05 GMT

As a matter of honour the SNP must be more transparent over Sir Brian Souter’s knighthood, writes David Maddox

'Disraeli' vs 'Thatcher' in Scots Tory leadership race?

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 10:42:34 GMT

Scots Conservatives face a choice between a Disraeli-style Tory and a Thatcherite as their next leader, writes Andrew Whitaker

Unpleasant surprises around the corner for the NHS

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:52:34 GMT

Two reports, millions of words, but there’s hardly a squeak on where our NHS is going, writes Eddie Barnes

Supporting the England cricket team as a Scots nationalist

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 11:49:46 GMT

It may not be cricket, but this is one Scottish nationalist who can’t help but support England, writes Ewan Crawford

Timing is everything when it comes to SNP's independence referendum

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 11:09:18 GMT

The key question that will dominate Scottish politics in the years ahead is exactly when Alex Salmond will hold the SNP’s flagship independence referendum

Tom Peterkin: Will workshy Scots who depend on British benefits scupper plans for independence?

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 10:29:20 GMT

THE 19th-century Scottish philosopher Thomas Carlyle once said: andquot;Work is the grandest cure for all the maladies and miseries that ever beset mankind.andquot;

Never mind 'Nationalism lite', the SNP has some tricky questions to address

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 10:25:07 GMT

The SNP is trying out ‘Nationalism lite’, but still has tricky questions to address to woo the wary, writes Eddie Barnes

David Maddox: The eurozone’s travails may have united the coalition, but they pose more than a few problems for the SNP

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 09:58:41 GMT

THE fact that not even a glass of water, let alone the traditional offering of a cup of tea, was served at Danny Alexander’s briefing to the Scottish lobby journalists last week could be interpreted in several ways.

Smiling sweetly at Brian Monteith

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 21:26:57 GMT

Brian Monteith gave some advice to the Scottish Liberal Democrats today. And I thank him for it. Really I do.

Does Tommy Sheridan still have a role in Scottish politics?

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 13:24:18 GMT

He may not be electable, but Tommy Sheridan may still have a role in Scottish politics, writes Andrew Whittaker

Tom Peterkin: Lord Kinnock's plea for a 'balanced' press is poppycock

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 11:19:06 GMT

Lord Kinnock wants Britain’s newspapers to be prevented from expressing any opinions. Poppycock, writes Tom Peterkin

Eddie Barnes: Cameron’s leadership will be tested this week

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 10:43:01 GMT

Cameron’s leadership will be tested this week with his own party set to take a keen interest in how he performs, writes Eddie Barnes

David Maddox: In the rush to address issues arising from the phone hacking scandal, we risk losing important freedoms

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 11:48:14 GMT

KATE Hoey, the Labour MP for Vauxhall in London, has long been seen as a maverick in her party who is not exactly one to stick to the leadership’s script.

All to play for and no front runners as Scottish Tories jostle for the vacant leader's post

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 12:59:02 GMT

With phone-hacking fever infecting David Cameron in London, it is easy to forget the phoney war currently being waged by the Conservatives north of the Border...

Ed Miliband's handling of hacking scandal wins over doubters

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 12:40:01 GMT

The Labour leader has won over some doubting Labour MPs with his handling of the hacking scandal

Eddie Barnes: Alex Salmond cannot be too happy that his little chat with James Murdoch has made it into the public domain

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:29:15 GMT

WE NOW know that Alex Salmond was among the long queue of politicians who made their way to Wapping in east London for a pow-wow with James Murdoch, after confirmation of a January meeting between the pair was given at the weekend.

Tom Peterkin: With members of the public queuing up to meet Alex Salmond, his opponents need a big beast of their own

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:13:18 GMT

WHENEVER Alex Salmond meets the public these days, his already healthy ego is given a vigorous massage by the well-wishers queuing up to congratulate him.

College merger is a vital move say Ian Young and Jim Ewing

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:08:02 GMT

IT IS time to take college provision in the Edinburgh area onto a new level. Jewel andamp; Esk and Stevenson are already strong and successful colleges; together, we believe they can create a bigger, better, stronger college - and an economic powerhouse for Scotland.

Kenny - Cornton Vale is your problem. Sort it or resign

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:13:28 GMT

Kenny MacAskill's decision to set up another talking shop after damning Cornton Vale report highlights the SNP's failure to actually make a decision on key issues.

Willie Rennie to stand for Scottish Liberal Democrat leadership

Fri, 13 May 2011 11:02:14 GMT

Why the new Mid Scotland and Fife MSP is exactly what the party needs

Unpicking the lock - the anatomy of a spectacular election victory

Wed, 11 May 2011 08:13:42 GMT

How luck and genius combined to bring about a political earthquake

David Cairns

Tue, 10 May 2011 16:59:37 GMT

Labour has lost one of its most decent and perceptive politicians

Scottish Greens: YouGov poll shows support for Green breakthrough

Wed, 04 May 2011 15:32:12 GMT

Scots seem to want the Greens to challenge inequality and deliver on public services, fuel poverty and education - the alternative is the Tories or the LibDems

Has Alex Salmond blown it?

Wed, 04 May 2011 07:37:49 GMT

Last night in the leaders' debate he told us that we won't get final say on independence deal.Could this be his andquot;Neil Kinnockandquot; moment?

Scottish Greens: Greens surge in STV poll

Tue, 03 May 2011 20:17:34 GMT

Positive campaign paying off, says Harvie with two days to go

Scottish Greens: Patrick Harvie welcomes FBU support

Tue, 03 May 2011 20:11:48 GMT

Fire Brigades Union looks forward to working with Green co-convenor to protect public services over the coming years

Fergus Ewing's hustings gaffe shows flaws in SNP's police policy

Tue, 03 May 2011 18:55:29 GMT

Maintaining andquot;a police presenceandquot; in the Highlands? You would bloomin' well hope so......

Scottish Greens: New law needed to protect wealth of the nation

Tue, 03 May 2011 10:45:54 GMT

Scottish Greens unveil plans to introduce Common Good legislation that would deliver greater democratic and community control of local assets across Scotland

Scottish Greens: Greens make final push for second votes

Tue, 03 May 2011 10:36:45 GMT

Giant inflatable green 2 outside Holyrood makes the case for Green votes for Scotland

Scottish Greens: Business manifesto launched

Mon, 02 May 2011 13:07:00 GMT

Scottish Green plans to support and stimulate the Scottish economy in keeping with the Party's overall positive vision for the future of Scotland

Scottish Greens: Greens back workers on May Day

Mon, 02 May 2011 08:55:36 GMT

Scottish Greens reiterated their firm commitment to resist the £1.3bn cut to Scotland's budget by raising new revenue and protecting public services

Scottish Greens: Ian Rankin backs the Greens

Mon, 02 May 2011 08:51:13 GMT

Scots' novelist and other cultural figures pledge their second vote to the Scottish Greens

Caron comes out fighting after yesterday's Scotland on Sunday leader

Mon, 02 May 2011 07:56:12 GMT

In which I strike back at the writer who so casually dismissed the Liberal Democrats in yesterday's Scotland on Sunday.

Scottish Greens: YouGov show Greens up in fourth place

Mon, 02 May 2011 00:24:35 GMT

Latest major pre-election opinion poll confirms Green momentum

Scottish Greens: New plan to level the playing field for communities

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 16:04:55 GMT

Scottish Greens commit to reforming the planning system in the next Parliament - to give communities a right of appeal

Scottish Greens: Local pubs and small producers are Green order of the day

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:03:03 GMT

Patrick Harvie drops in on the 24th Paisley Beer Festival for a drop of the good, local stuff

Perthshire Conservatives welcome Strathearn title for Prince William

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:51:32 GMT

Perthshire Conservatives are welcoming the Queen’s decision to create Prince William Earl of Strathearn.

Scottish Conservatives: Common Sense to boost Scotland’s vital tourism industry

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:49:33 GMT

Scottish Conservatives want to grow Scotland’s vital tourism industry.

Scottish Conservatives: SNP local income tax cover up gets murkier and murkier - Party forced to retract initial denial

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:46:05 GMT

The SNP’s local income tax cover-up gets murkier and murkier, after an SNP press release on the subject issued this afternoon had to be retracted.

Scottish Greens: Energy debate 'missing the point'

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:14:10 GMT

The hot air being spouted about onshore wind in Scotland neglects to mention the big need for community- and publicly-owned renewables, energy efficiency and a broader mix of energy sources

Scottish Greens: Living wage to combat poverty and inequality

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:08:49 GMT

A pledge to realise a living wage of at least £7.15 per hour announced by Greens on International Workers Memorial Day

Scottish Conservatives: SNP’s Local Income Tax cover-up intensifies - only Annabel can keep Salmond in check

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:41:20 GMT

The row over Alex Salmond and the SNP’s Local Income Tax cover-up has intensified today.

The Telegraph reports today that court papers lodged by Scottish Government lawyers - paid for by the taxpayer - state Alex Salmond wanted details of his local income tax plans kept secret so he was spared “lurid headlines” about the controversial policy.

Scottish Conservatives: Common Sense to boost our voluntary sector

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:14:14 GMT

On the second day of her tour of North East Scotland, Annabel Goldie, Scottish Conservative Leader, set out our plans to boost the voluntary sector in Scotland.

Scottish Greens: Lib Dems delivering Tory privatisation agenda on post

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:57:16 GMT

Photo calls at post offices not enough to dispel doubts over Lib Dems agenda

Scottish Greens: Poll of polls shows Greens on the up

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:42:40 GMT

Poll evidence continues to show Green clarity on raising revenue to protect public services registering with voters

Scottish Conservatives: SNP/Labour supermarket spat ‘Infantile’

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:21:40 GMT

'Asda-gate' is typical of Labour and the SNP.

Scottish Greens: Plans for a healthy and happy Scotland

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:12:14 GMT

A fully public service with diverse local health provision tailored to the needs of local communities, and a renewed emphasis on preventative medicine and healthy living - Greens will deliver for Scotland's health

Common Sense for our communities - Scottish Conservatives want fresh Town Centre Regeneration funding

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:57:50 GMT

Scottish Conservatives have unveiled plans for another round of Town Centre Regeneration Funding, totalling £140m over the course of the next Scottish Parliament.

Scottish Conservatives: SNP and Labour culpable in Megrahi release

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:53:44 GMT

A YouGov poll has shown that a majority of Scots believe that the decision to release the Lockerbie bomber was wrong.

Scottish Greens: Greens pledge tougher freedom of information regime

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:21:05 GMT

Greens would extend the existing legislation to cover bodies currently exempt as well as to allow relevant access to public information held by contractors working on public projects

Council Tax freeze - Only the Scottish Conservatives are credible

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:17:34 GMT

A YouGov poll in today’s Scotsman shows that 75% of people want the Council Tax freeze extended.

Live webchat: Scottish Tory leader Annabel Goldie

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 13:52:32 GMT

Annabel Goldie, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, will be answering your questions in the latest election webchat organised by Scotland on Sunday and scotsman.com.

Scottish Greens: Greens launch mini-manifesto for the rural economy

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 11:44:44 GMT

Ten point plan to encourage and stimulate sustainable development in Scotland's rural economy

Scottish Conservatives - Third and final Party Election Broadcast

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 11:40:34 GMT

This week our third and final Party Election Broadcast will be aired, on Thursday 28^th April.

Common Sense on justice - Scottish Conservatives will bring back short sentences

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 11:34:36 GMT

Scottish Conservatives will bring back short sentences, which were abolished by the SNP and Lib Dems in the last parliament.

Scottish Greens: Debate exclusion - Greens appeal to BBC director general

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 10:53:43 GMT

Greens believe that the Scottish public deserves to see the party being tested and scrutinised alongside the other Holyrood parties

Scottish Greens: Green vision for community benefit from clean energy

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 10:46:18 GMT

Greens outline 'limitless ambition' for Scotland's renewable industry, and an end to coal and nuclear

Scottish Greens: Labour isn't working out very well

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 20:23:54 GMT

The Greens have made a direct pitch to Labour voters disappointed with Iain Gray's campaign, highlighting six centre-left policies Labour's manifesto should have contained but didn't

Scottish Greens: YouGov poll shows Greens on the move

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 20:20:42 GMT

Support for Greens on course to push LibDems into fifth place

Scottish Conservatives: Labour’s disastrous campaign will not be saved by relaunch

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:33:10 GMT

Only a vote for Annabel and the Scottish Conservatives will bring balance and common sense to Holyrood.

Top financial entreprenuers back SNP

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:42:15 GMT

Two more top businessmen say Alex Salmond will run the economy best. The endorsements came on the day that Labour tried to whip up fear, saying SNP would damage economy. Does Gray know better than our job creators?

Scottish Conservatives: Common Sense for a healthier Scotland

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:02:43 GMT

Scottish Conservatives launch sports manifesto to make our country fit4life

Scottish Conservatives: Merger of health and social care budgets ‘a positive step’

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:59:54 GMT

Common sense for health.

Scottish Conservatives: Latest poll shows Labour can’t cope

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:46:26 GMT

Voting Scottish Conservative on the peach ballot paper will give Scotland the balance we need.

Scottish Conservatives now actively targeting Lib Dem list votes

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:39:07 GMT

Disgruntled Lib Dem voters warming to Annabel's message of Common Sense and delivery.

Common Sense in our schools: Scottish Conservatives want literacy and numeracy testing by P7

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:35:00 GMT

Scottish Conservatives want rigourous literacy and numeracy testing by P7 in our schools in order to address a worrying decline in standards.

Scottish Conservatives: Labour’s problem is both the message and the messenger

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:27:28 GMT

Annabel and the Scottish Conservatives are the real check on Salmond.

Scottish Conservatives want extra respite care for our dedicated carers

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:18:25 GMT

Scottish Conservatives want to provide extra respite care, to enable our dedicated carers to enjoy some much-deserved time off.

Scottish Conservatives: ScotPulse survey - Annabel streets ahead of other opposition party leaders

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:14:13 GMT

Nearly 40% of people questioned have a more positive view of Annabel than when the campaign began.

Who are The Tories natural allies?

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:16:09 GMT

Analysis of votes in the Scottish parliament shows one party voting with The Tories the majority of the time

Scottish Greens: £125 million pledge for community climate projects across Scotland

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 11:51:53 GMT

The Climate Challenge Fund can invigorate many more exciting local initiatives with additional funding

Scottish Conservatives: Common Sense on the Economy

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 11:44:11 GMT

Scottish Conservatives have today launched our Common Sense on the Economy manifesto.

Scottish Greens: Shock - Greens 'greener' than other parties

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 11:42:41 GMT

No surprises as Greens top manifesto climate assessment, but the other parties really are floundering on the environment

Live webchat: Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 11:07:57 GMT

Iain Gray, leader of the Scottish Labour Party, will be answering your questions in the latest election webchat organised by Scotland on Sunday and scotsman.com.

Scottish Conservatives: Salmond’s “plug the gap” promise: Other parties continuing with fantasy pledges

Fri, 22 Apr 2011 09:32:08 GMT

In an interview with STV, Alex Salmond has continued the other parties’ fantasy pledges on higher education by promising to find the money to “plug the gap” for the whole of the next parliament.

Scottish Greens: Greens launch mini-manifesto for children

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 19:59:09 GMT

A ten point plan to make Scotland the safest, most creative and best place to grow up in Europe

Scottish Greens: SNP and Labour voters rank Greens as their top partners

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:53:20 GMT

Greens' positive, progressive campaign registering with voters in Scotland

Scottish Greens: Greens to back Scottish communities to stop incinerators

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:09:41 GMT

Time to bin 'landfill in the sky' and focus on waste reduction and recycling say Greens

Scottish Conservatives: Poll shows two-thirds of Scots back a graduate contribution

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 10:28:54 GMT

A poll in today’s Scotsman has shown that two-thirds of Scots back a graduate contribution of up to £4,000 to the cost of their university education.

Scottish Conservatives: SNP’s ludicrous claims can’t hide black hole over their own spending plans

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 10:21:08 GMT

There is no hiding from the massive black hole in the SNP's spending plans.

CPPR manifesto analysis: Scottish Conservative fully costed spending plans do not rely on efficiencies

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 10:15:35 GMT

Glasgow University’s Centre for Public Policy for Regions has produced an analysis of political party manifestos for the 2011 Scottish Parliament election.

Scottish Conservatives: Labour’s latest gaffe

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 10:10:18 GMT

Iain Gray announces music fund in area where Labour Council tried to cut music tuition.

Common Sense on health: Scottish Conservatives want free health checks for 40-74 year olds

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 10:02:34 GMT

Scottish Conservatives want to introduce free universal health checks for 40-74 year olds.

Scottish Greens: Greens will seek to cancel new Forth Bridge contract

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:12:23 GMT

SNP contract signing an andquot;election gimmickandquot; with potentially hefty consequences for Scotland's real budgetary needs

Scottish Greens: Make Scottish seas a whale and dolphin sanctuary

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:18:11 GMT

On first anniversary of Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Greens pledge to protect marine life

The battle of Newsnights

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 10:25:37 GMT

Salmond and Gray go head to head on Newsnight. Who came out on top?

Scottish Greens: Single police force "a step too far" for Greens

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:36:43 GMT

SNP, Labour and Tory plans for a single national police force in Scotland not acceptable for Scottish Greens

Scottish Greens: Greens launch manifesto for public services

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:38:24 GMT

Green manifesto does what it says on the cover - and there are costings in there too (page 5)

Scottish Greens: YouGov - Support for Greens on revenue and public services

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:30:35 GMT

A new opinion poll shows a majority of Scots in favour of the Scottish government being able to find ways to limit cuts to Scottish public services by raising their own taxes and other revenue - a prospect that the Scottish Greens want to see happening

Scottish Lib Dems: Scott tells police conference single police force is wrong for Scotland

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:55:49 GMT

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott addressed the Scottish Police Federation’s annual conference today, explaining why Liberal Democrats were the only party committed to keeping policing local.

SNP: Numbers up for Baker

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 15:31:01 GMT

Labour’s credibility on justice has collapsed completely as their knife crime policy has been exposed as a sham. In a series of devastating attacks it is now clear there is no evidence behind Labour’s plans and their numbers are either made up, misquoted or based on what their justice spokesman read in the news.

Scottish Conservatives: Goldie: Keeping Scotland safe is my priority

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:18:51 GMT

Annabel Goldie has been in Aviemore this morning at the Scottish Police Federation.

Scottish Greens: "Ready to use variable rate of income tax"

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:34:24 GMT

Greens play it straight on income tax to defend Scottish public services

Scottish Conservatives: Goldie’s pledge to Scotland’s police

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:23:40 GMT

Annabel Goldie says she will not back any budget that does not maintain funding for 1,000 extra police.

Scottish Greens: Greens slam latest coalition assault on environment

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 18:16:55 GMT

The light-touch Tory-LibDem brigade puts the environment in the firing line once again

Scottish Lib Dems: Lib Dems have solutions for Scottish tourism

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:29:02 GMT

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott joined Mike Rumbles, candidate for Aberdeenshire West at a successful local tourism business today.

The Liberal Democrats took quad bikes for a tour of the venue, while campaigning for Regional Development Banks to be set up.

Scottish Conservatives: Common Sense on Tax

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:42:58 GMT

The Scottish Conservatives have today launched our Common Sense on Tax manifesto.

Scottish Greens: Greens raise a glass to small business with BrewDog visit

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:41:52 GMT

Local success story hailed by Greens on the campaign trail in Aberdeenshire

Scottish Conservatives: Council Tax freeze costings: Other parties are indulging in fantasy economics

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:39:01 GMT

Only the Scottish Conservatives can be trusted on tax.

Only the Scottish Conservatives can be trusted on tax

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:35:27 GMT

On Monday 18^th April 2011, Scottish Conservatives will launch our Common Sense on Tax manifesto.

Scottish Conservatives produce audio manifesto

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:32:06 GMT

Scottish Conservatives are putting audio versions of our manifesto “Common Sense for Scotland” on our website so partially sighted and visually impaired people can access them.

Scottish Conservatives: Goldie attacks “fantasy economics” from Labour and the SNP

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:28:18 GMT

Only the Scottish Conservatives are telling it like it is and have produced a manifesto that is fully costed and credible.

The other parties are indulging in fantasy economics and misleading voters.

Latest poll shows again that Scottish Conservatives will be pivotal after May 5th

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:21:46 GMT

The latest YouGov poll for the Scottish Parliament election has again shown that the Scottish Conservatives will be pivotal after May 5^th.

Common Sense for local people: Scottish Conservatives want Council Counters in our Post Offices

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:02:08 GMT

Scottish Conservatives want a framework for local authorities to open Council Counters in Post Office branches.

Scottish Greens: The horse has now bolted on other parties' tax plans

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 11:49:52 GMT

Cosla's stinging criticisms of the four other Holyrood parties get to the heart of campaign deceptions

Live webchat: Patrick Harvie of the Scottish Greens

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 11:22:23 GMT

Patrick Harvie, co-convenor of the Scottish Greens, will be answering your questions today in the latest election webchat organised by Scotland on Sunday and scotsman.com.

Scottish Greens: Greens to defend homes and environment from land grabs

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 10:50:30 GMT

New planning laws to be andquot;Trump-proofandquot;

Scottish Greens: Greens pledge £940m to reverse housing cuts

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 08:49:03 GMT

Help for 160,000 people on local authority waiting lists or in temporary accommodation - and a remedy for SNP cuts

Will the Scottish election be decided in Liverpool?

Sun, 17 Apr 2011 20:41:13 GMT

Alex Salmond's strong defence of the NHS on Question Time won over the studio audience in Merseyside. His confident performance contrasted markedly with Labour's humiliation in the Subway sandwich bar. It highlights the importance of leadership in this election as Gray's personal ratings plunge still further in a new poll.

Scottish Greens: Greens set out £940m plan to plug education gap

Sun, 17 Apr 2011 17:08:57 GMT

Plan to maintain a free high-quality university sector for Scotland and to overturn SNP cuts to further education.

Scottish Greens: Greens set out post-election red lines

Sun, 17 Apr 2011 16:47:10 GMT

No new nuclear or coal-fired power stations to be built in Scotland, no tuition fees or a new graduate tax, no cuts to Scottish public services.

Scottish Greens: Greens pledge £950m for transport projects and low fares

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:19:48 GMT

A U-turn for Scottish transport is needed - and the Greens will deliver the goods

Scottish Conservatives: SNP’s document cannot gloss over catalogue of broken promises

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:18:29 GMT

The SNP have tried to gloss over their catalogue of broken promises since 2007 by producing a document outlining some of the pledges they claim they have met.

Scottish Greens: Greens set out plan to overturn Royal Mail privatisation

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 15:10:29 GMT

Visit to closed post office in Glasgow marks Green pledge to keep our postal services delivering across Scotland

Scottish Conservatives: Miliband visit proof that Scotland is not safe in Labour’s hands

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 13:40:26 GMT

'Sorry' seems to be the hardest word for Labour.

Common Sense on health: Scottish Conservatives pledge £10m Cancer Drugs Fund

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 12:00:17 GMT

Scottish Conservatives are pledging a £10m Cancer Drugs Fund so drugs available south of the border are also available in Scotland.

The SNP invite you into their beautiful manifesto launch

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:08:46 GMT

The Nationalists' manifeso looks like something out of Hello magazine. But at least it looks good.

Scottish Greens: Gaps in vision that SNP refuses to bridge

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 17:31:06 GMT

The unbuilt and unpopular additional Forth Road Bridge is listed as an 'achievement' in the SNP's new manifesto - it's certainly integral to many of their plans

Scottish Conservatives: Higher education funding - SNP must stop hoodwinking students

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 17:29:20 GMT

At the SNP manifesto launch today, Alex Salmond said it was possible to maintain student numbers and still offer ‘free’ higher education.

Scottish Conservatives: Show us the money: SNP must publish fully costed spending plans

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:15:58 GMT

Uncosted policies are relying on imaginary efficiency savings

Scottish Conservatives:

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 13:18:51 GMT

The SNP’s 2007 manifesto is littered with broken promises - why should their 2011 manifesto be any different?

Scottish Conservatives: Violent criminal absconds from open prison barely a quarter of the way through his sentence

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:59:00 GMT

We must end the scandal of automatic early release.

Common Sense to grow our economy: Scottish Conservatives want dedicated Cabinet-level posts

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 11:39:09 GMT

Scottish Conservatives want two dedicated Cabinet-level Ministers to help grow Scotland’s economy.

Scottish Conservatives: Employment figures: We need common sense measures to grow Scotland’s economy

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 11:35:50 GMT

Today’s figures show that unemployment in Scotland fell by 7,000 over the quarter to February 2011.

Common sense for our economy: Scottish Conservatives back small business and the voluntary sector

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 11:32:59 GMT

Scottish Conservative policies will support small business and the voluntary sector, to help grow Scotland’s economy.

Scottish Conservatives: Climate Day: Common Sense measures to protect the environment

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 11:28:48 GMT

On Climate Day, Scottish Conservatives are outlining measures to protect the environment.

Scottish Conservatives: SNP Higher education funding case is fatally flawed

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 11:25:04 GMT

Salmond's fantasy economics have been found out.

Tavish: why won't you ask me about me?

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 14:03:05 GMT

The Scottish LibDem leader looked utterly fed up on Newsnight Scotland last night after another interview was dominated by his thoughts on Nick Clegg. But is it really all lost?

Scottish Greens: Greens set out comprehensive challenge on climate

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 09:34:44 GMT

The five most important policy changes required if Scotland is to play its part in global efforts to tackle climate change.

Scottish Greens: Greens bring added value to small business debate

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 22:23:02 GMT

Patrick Harvie joined the other leaders at last in a public election forum - with some positive results

Scottish Greens: SNP transport plans "inconsistent double-speak"

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:43:17 GMT

Green transport pledges undermined by string of carbon-busting projects in the SNP's pipeline

Remember when Labour ran the Scottish NHS?

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:01:56 GMT

The party failed to meet its own 62 day cancer waiting time target throughout eight years in government. Nicola Sturgeon met it in a year then halved it to 31 days. She then met that new target ahead of schedule. Now she wants to introduce an early cancer detection scheme that will save 300 lives a year. You know she will deliver. When it comes to health promises, look at the record and the team, not empty slogans.

Scottish Lib Dems: Lib Dems delivering in the Borders

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:31:23 GMT

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott joined local candidate Jeremy Purvis and Jim Hume, top of the list for South of Scotland and the President of NFUS Nigel Miller to help with lambing at Stagehill Farm in the Scottish Borders.

Scottish Conservatives: Common Sense on Drug Abuse

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:57:06 GMT

Scottish Conservatives want mandatory testing and drug-free wings in jail.

Scottish Conservatives will protect police numbers

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 10:35:03 GMT

Scottish Conservative proposals for Scotland’s police forces do not include any reduction in officer numbers.

Scottish Conservatives: Every single SNP promise depends on their efficiencies boast

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 09:56:32 GMT

Every single promise made by the SNP relies on the efficiency savings they are boasting they will achieve.

BBC issues poll - Scottish Conservatives' priorities are Scotland’s priorities

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 09:53:23 GMT

The BBC issues poll shows that Scottish Conservative priorities are Scotland’s priorities.

Common Sense on Council Tax: Scottish Conservatives pledge veto on future above inflation rise

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 09:49:19 GMT

Scottish Conservatives will give local people the right to veto any future above-inflation rise in their Council Tax bills.

Scottish Conservatives: SNP’s ‘crack down’ on crime: Most important is what they don’t talk about

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 09:44:06 GMT

The most telling aspect of the SNP’s pledge to crack down on crime is what they don’t talk about, not what they are talking about.

Scottish Conservatives: Annabel head and shoulders above the others - but what else is Salmond hiding?

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 09:40:27 GMT

Annabel Goldie steals the show

Scottish Conservatives: Two-thirds of Scots think a graduate contribution is fair

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 09:36:13 GMT

The Scottish Social Attitudes Survey shows that 63% of people in Scotland think students should pay at least something towards their tuition.

Tavish puts science at the top of the Liberal Democrats' Agenda

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 07:35:01 GMT

A visit to the International Science Festival in Edinburgh to highlight plans for investment in research and a digital economy that will increase our prosperity - with particular attention to persuading girls to take up careers in science.

SNP: Hyslop sets out culture commitment

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 16:20:05 GMT

SNP Minister for Culture, Fiona Hyslop, today committed a re-elected SNP Government to developing and supporting the talent of Scotland’s artists as she visited 'The Artists’ Town' of Kirkcudbright.

SNP: Making taxpayers money work harder

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 16:18:50 GMT

Scotland's Finance Secretary, John Swinney, has set out his plans to make Scotland's taxpayers' money go further, building on economies and efficiencies already made. That will see, for example, £400 million released for investment in public services as a result of smarter procurement.

Scottish Labour: Labour campaign focuses on jobs

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 16:11:47 GMT

Scottish Labour Leader Iain Gray today said that tackling youth unemployment and job creation will be top priorities for Labour if elected in May.

Scottish Greens: SNP warm homes laughably under-funded

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 15:14:31 GMT

£50 million not enough to make up for SNP's patchy home insulation efforts to date

Scottish Greens: Greens lodge formal complaint over Lib Dem broadcast

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 15:08:31 GMT

Scottish Greens also against a centralised police force, in spite of Tavish Scott's broadcast claims

Scottish Greens: BBC poll shows support for investment in public services

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 13:18:26 GMT

Though poll neglects to ask how additional funding should be raised

Scottish Greens: Greens' insulation plans streets ahead of other parties

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 11:13:52 GMT

Scottish Greens roll out their ambitious but workable home insulation plans at an Edinburgh home: every Scottish home can be insulated for free.

Public back Scottish Liberal Democrats on Police and reject independence

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 08:38:10 GMT

The BBC's poll of people's priorities in the election shows significant backing for Scottish Liberal Democrat policies, particularly on the future of the Police.

Scottish Greens: Greens ask public what a green Scotland means to them

Sun, 10 Apr 2011 11:36:20 GMT

Scottish public get their say on a green Scotland

Scottish Greens: SNP policy - more than 200 years to insulate Scots homes

Sun, 10 Apr 2011 10:11:44 GMT

The slow, expensive pace of the SNP's half-hearted home insulation programme must not distract from the urgent task in hand - and the Greens have a plan, a better plan

Scottish Conservatives: Common Sense ruling denies prison vote

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 18:07:18 GMT

Victory for common sense

Scottish Conservatives: SNP spin: Local Income Tax cover-up is “academic”

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:59:24 GMT

You cannot trust the Nats on tax

Scottish Conservatives: Goldie welcomes Strathclyde University Olympic training coup

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:22:41 GMT

Olympics boost for Strathclyde University

Scottish Conservatives: Lamont: Carloway consultation ‘cannot come soon enough’

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:17:13 GMT

Lord Carloway has launched a public consultation on reforms designed to make

Scotland

’s legal system more compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.

Scottish Greens: SNP tax collapse means only Greens have costed plan

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:58:23 GMT

The SNP's local tax proposals unravel on the same morning as the Scottish Greens unveil the only credible and costed alternative to the Council Tax.

Scottish Greens: Greens launch land tax plans - Fairer, more sustainable

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:48:05 GMT

How to raise revenue to fight the Westminster ordained cuts onslaught in Scotland? The Scottish Greens unveil their plan to bring in over £1bn while reducing the tax burden on 85% of Scots households.

Scottish Conservatives: Only one manifesto fit for purpose

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:00:32 GMT

Only the Scottish Conservatives have a manifesto which is fully costed and fit for purpose.

Common Sense for Scotland’s property market: Scottish Conservatives will abolish Home Reports

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 13:10:02 GMT

Scottish Conservatives are pledging to abolish Home Reports.

Scottish Conservatives: SNP’s Local Income Tax bombshell explodes

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 12:56:46 GMT

Salmond must apologise for misleading Scotland.

Scottish Conservatives: Lamont: Terrifying attack is proof we need tougher measures against sex offenders

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 12:49:10 GMT

Today’s Scottish Sun reports that a man who was released from prison despite threatening to kill a child has been convicted of molesting a ten year old boy.

SNP: Investing in Scotland's Future

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 12:15:04 GMT

In a major new campaign initiative, SNP Leader Alex Salmond today launched the Scottish Futures Fund. This £250 million fund will be paid for by savings secured by the SNP Government from the Forth Replacement Crossing project. The Futures Fund will support five key projects of £50 million each.

GP backing for Scottish Conservative Health Visitors plan

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 18:06:52 GMT

Dr Georgina Brown of Springburn Health Centre has endorsed Scottish Conservative plans for a £20m Health Visitor boost in Scotland.

Scottish Conservatives: Common Sense for our NHS

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 18:03:27 GMT

Scottish Conservatives want a £20m boost for health visiting in Scotland.

Scottish Conservatives: SNP Euro dream would leave Scotland in tatters

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:59:25 GMT

If the SNP had their way on the Euro then Scotland would now have to spend government money bailing out Portugal - the latest Eurozone country to descend into financial chaos.

Scottish Conservatives: University Principal: Graduate contribution is fair way of dealing with higher education funding gap

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:53:57 GMT

Professor Pete Downes, Principal of Dundee University, has said that higher education will need more money than the next Scottish Government can afford and that a graduate contribution would be a fair solution.

Scottish Conservatives: Scottish Labour’s gaffe-ridden campaign goes from bad to worse

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 17:47:20 GMT

Scottish Labour's gaffe-ridden campaign has gone from bad to worse after it was revealed the parent featured in Chapter 7 of their manifesto was worried about cuts by a Labour-led Council.

Scottish Greens: Salmond bridge stunt simply unbelievable

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:54:53 GMT

An SNP election giveaway based on additional Forth Road bridge savings is just the latest financial ruse in this election campaign, say the Scottish Greens

Scottish Liberal Democrats: Carmichael takes the single police force campaign to Facebook

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 16:47:32 GMT

The Liberal Democrats have continued their campaign against a single, centralized police force for Scotland in Edinburgh.

Scottish Greens: World Health Day - Scotland has much still to do

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 11:50:03 GMT

It's World Health Day, and the Scottish Greens lay out their proposals for better health in Scotland

Scottish Greens: Labour plans 'unrealistic and doomed to failure'

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 15:54:47 GMT

Alarm bells rang out at the Labour manifesto launch this morning, and they haven't stopped with Labour side-stepping those tricky revenue questions that usually have to be answered when you're planning to spend a lot of money

SNP: Brian Cox backs SNP on no tuition fees

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:02:38 GMT

Award-winning actor Brian Cox, the Rector of Dundee University and star of movies including X Men 2 and the Bourne Supremacy, has announced his support for Alex Salmond and the SNP.

Found out on knife crime

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:34:40 GMT

Iain Gray doesn't even know how many people will go to jail under his mandatory sentencing policy.

Scottish Greens: Lib Dem campaign "dead in the water"

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:26:42 GMT

Lib Dem manifesto plans to build a sustainable future for Scottish public services by handing them over to loan sharks and doubling down on the debt simply don't wash say the Scottish Greens

SNP: Sturgeon announces commitment to Scotland's carers

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:07:08 GMT

Scotland's thousands of unpaid carers will be recognised by a re-elected SNP Government.

Scottish Greens: 800 people download Greens' membership offer to Lib Dems

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:04:19 GMT

As the Liberal Democrats launch their 2011 manifesto, Scottish Greens await more new members departing from Tavish Scott's beleaguered party

Scottish Lib Dems: Tories let cat out of the bag on degree cost

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 16:24:03 GMT

Liberal Democrat Campaign Chair George Lyon says the Tories have let the cat out of the bag- now Scottish students know the cost of a degree under them would be £16,000, where the Scottish Lib Dems want to keep higher education free.

Scottish Greens: Tories - Still nothing to say on this election's key issues

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:44:25 GMT

The Scottish Greens describe how the Scottish Tory manifesto originated from a parallel universe - such are the gaps and muddled thinking contained therein

SNP: John Farquhar Munro backs Alex Salmond

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:41:56 GMT

Former Lib Dem MSP John Farquhar Munro - who served as MSP for Ross, Skye and Inverness West from 1999 until stepping down at the end of the last Parliament in March 2011 - is supporting Alex Salmond for a second term as First Minister of Scotland.

Scottish Greens: Snaring - Labour weak on wildlife issues

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:20:45 GMT

Scottish Greens question whether Labour election pledges to end snaring will have any fangs

Tories cut taxes for the wealthy - again

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:48:01 GMT

The Scottish Conservative manifesto reveals their inconsistent approach to universal benefits.....

Scottish Greens: David Shrigley backs the Greens

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 10:48:49 GMT

Glasgow-based artist David Shrigley endorses the Scottish Green party in no uncertain terms

A message on Mother's Day

Sun, 03 Apr 2011 12:18:48 GMT

The SNP Scottish government has put more money into women's purses and is safeguarding their jobs. Labour is threatening them with compulsory redundancies and cannot be trusted on its council tax flip flop

Listen to full audio of The Scotsman Leaders Debate

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:10:48 GMT

The four main party leaders contesting this year's Scottish election all took part in a debate organised by The Scotsman last night.

The Scotsman Leaders Debate

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:58:45 GMT

The four main Scottish party leaders will clash in a Scotsman debate today from 6.30pm at our Edinburgh office.

Alan Cumming backs the SNP

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 17:21:21 GMT

Scottish actor Alan Cumming has pledged his support for the Scottish National Party and the SNP in a video posted on youtube. The video, which emerged last night, feature's the thespian backing the SNP for their contribution to their arts. He says: andquot;I'm not a resident of Scotland and I do not have a vote in the election. andquot;I do however have an opinion. I would vote for Alex Salmond and the SNP.The Perth-born actor praised the SNP for delivering its achievements in the arts adding: andquot;I really believe that the arts is a core component of what makes Scotland great.andquot;

Lack of Greens fails to discolour lively leader debate

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 09:14:32 GMT

A mini-review of last night's STV debate, largely from a Green perspective.

Government by grown ups - what a novel idea

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 08:21:50 GMT

Why Nick Clegg and David Cameron's obvious good personal relationship has to be a good thing

Report shows that Scotland's politicians have nothing to fear from implementing equal marriage

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 18:34:28 GMT

Policies which are popular, inexpensive and achievable are going to be hard to find this election - and one has just fallen into politicians' laps. Let's hope they do something about it.

Guest blog: Paul Moore from Quarriers

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 11:38:25 GMT

The social care charity Quarriers is one of the sponsors of Scotland Votes: The Scotland on Sunday Debates.Here, chief executive Paul Moore explains what organisations such his are looking for from Scotland's politicians in the Holyrood election campaign.

Live online today - Scotland Votes: The Scotland on Sunday Debate on law and order

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:26:52 GMT

Log on today at 3.30pm to take part in the debate.

When is it ok to scream and swear at a 14 year old?

Sun, 13 Mar 2011 10:40:27 GMT

Some observations on the nature of protest, and how the nastiness creeping back into demonstrations is worrying and unhealthy.

Be part of the debate on Scotland's future

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 21:08:27 GMT

Scotland Votes: The Scotland on Sunday Debates continues on Monday - and you are invited. This time the subject is Law andamp; Order.

Politicians in mature and civilised debate shocker

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:26:36 GMT

I went along to Breakthrough Breast Cancer's pre-election health debate on Wednesday - this is my report.

Is it unfair to exclude Patrick Harvie from Holyrood leader debates?

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 13:30:58 GMT

Questioning why only four of the five political parties that currently sit in the Scottish Parliament have been invited to primetime leader debates while Patrick Harvie has been excluded.

Protesters refuse meeting with Cabinet Ministers at Scottish Liberal Democrat Conference.

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:00:26 GMT

Why would protest organisers not want to put their case to Mike Moore and Danny Alexander? It certainly gives the idea that they are not interested in finding solutions, and just want to make noise.

Twitter Wars: Labour strikes back

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:21:37 GMT

Well the election must be under way again because the parties have started going through their opponents' Twitter accounts again.

Join the debate today on Scotland's future

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 08:37:03 GMT

Scotland Votes: the Scotland on Sunday Debates, kicks off this afternoon, televised live on the internet. And you are invited.

Welcome to fees fantasyland (mind the credibility gap)

Sat, 05 Mar 2011 16:09:07 GMT

Will the overpromising and underdelivering of the 2011 election be a rerun of the 2010 election in which the full story was never really laid bare to the public? Going by the rhetoric on fees so far, it looks likely...

GUEST BLOG: Introducing Scotland's newest university

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 20:03:04 GMT

James Fraser, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands, sets out his vision for Scotland’s newest university. UHI is a sponsor of SCOTLAND VOTES: THE SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY DEBATES, the first of which - on education - takes place on Monday. www.scotlandvotes.com/hustings

SCOTLAND VOTES: THE SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY DEBATES

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 16:14:26 GMT

You are invited to take part in the debate on Scotland's future.

Close Rivals

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 21:00:18 GMT

Our politicians always sit with their mates, but some parliaments do things differently

Fly away Wendy - but why did she go?

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 00:05:30 GMT

She says she wants more time with the kids - but Holyrood watchers say the split is political, and a symptom of Labour's troubles under Gray

Cartoon

Thu, 17 Feb 2011 11:25:55 GMT

Bill Aitken should resign for victim blaming rape comments

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:01:19 GMT

Tory Community Safety Spokesman Bill Aitken gets into the rape victim blame game. So much for the Tories standing up for victims of crime.

Brian Souter's £500k

Sun, 13 Feb 2011 12:20:21 GMT

Consideration of the news that one of Scotland's most successful entrepreneurs will help to bankroll the SNP's election campaign. Is it a good or a bad thing that Labour no longer runs the financial table in Scotland? Are we being driven towards two-party politics in Scotland? What ever did happen to the Rainbow Parliament?

AVing it both ways

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 22:16:52 GMT

Why this progressive is voting No to AV, but wants to hear Ms Sturgeon and Mr Salmond's view first.

Education dominates FMQs, but who cared about the kids?

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 21:10:36 GMT

It dawned on me when I was thinking about this that there's roughly the ratio of Liberal Democrat MSPs to others that you'd find of adults to kids on a school trip, around 1 in 8. It certainly seemed like the Holyrood Chamber was full of childish behaviour today with just the occasional adult to bring a bit of sense to the proceedings.

Freebies or Under-threes? Where should the cash go?

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 17:44:15 GMT

Holyrood is debating far-reaching plans to nip social problems in the bud by getting in early. But will it get noticed in amidst the election hubbub?

Silent as a Callanish Stone: what Michael Moore MP has to say about Scotland

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 00:25:35 GMT

The Secretary of State for Scotland was silent throughout a two and a half hour meeting to discuss the economy, fuel prices and jobs. Is he really the man to represent us in cabinet?

Brown being lined up as "nat basher"

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:56:57 GMT

Is the ex-PM about to get stuck in to the great Fiscal Freedom debate?

Academics who protest too much

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:56:56 GMT

Many of the academics who claim to offer impartial advice on economic matters have political associations. It's time the expertocracy displayed some transparency

Who benefits from stories of Tory/Lib Dem electoral pacts?

Sat, 29 Jan 2011 11:59:45 GMT

Have the Tories suddenly changed into a bunch of cuddly teddy bears who want to give seats to the Lib Dems?I think not.

Salmond's defence of high pay called into question

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 14:29:37 GMT

First Minister Alex Salmond thought he had all the answers today at First Ministers Questions - but the evidence suggests not.....

Balls-onomics heads north

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 17:06:26 GMT

Ed Balls' support for more spending is being backed by his Scottish counterpart Andy Kerr.

Has the SNP started to give in already?

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 10:46:30 GMT

What does the NHS pledge say about the SNP's campaign?

Salmond's protection racket

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 17:42:00 GMT

We'll make sure you're shielded from the storm, say the SNP as they kick off their election campaign. The race is on to persuade voters they offer the best form of protection as the cuts bite.

Election photoblog: Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon launch SNP campaign

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:45:44 GMT

Today it was the SNP's turn to kick-start their Holyrood election campaign. Here are a selection of photos from the Edinburgh press conference...

Election photoblog: Iain Gray hits the campaign trail in Kilmarnock

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:26:54 GMT

Tomorrow - Burns Day funnily enough - marks a significant point in the run-up to May's Holyrood elections: T minus 100 days. Throughout the campaign we'll post regular photo galleries here on The Steamie.

The war of the dismal scientists

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 13:21:56 GMT

The pre-election battle over the economics of financial independence is well underway at Holyrood

Things I would rather do than accept Ed Miliband's offer to join Labour

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 08:30:24 GMT

Let's just say I'm not even remotely tempted by Ed Miliband's invitation, and here's why.

Cutting down on the pounds in Westminster

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 19:37:21 GMT

There are pounds being chopped from almost every budget this year, but with New Year resolutions still just about lingering in the memory here is a Westminster guide to losing weight.

Academic refuses interrogation by Wendy's House Committee of Un-British Activities

Sat, 15 Jan 2011 14:51:05 GMT

Are you now or have you ever been a supporter of economic power for Scotland?

Webchat: Tom Peterkin on FMQs, etc

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:12:15 GMT

Scottish political editor Tom English will be online from 1pm today to discuss First Minister's Questions and other issues.

On this Day

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:35:30 GMT

On this day in 2007, the polls showed the SNP ahead for first time. How has the past 4 years fared on the SNP's fortunes and strategy ahead of May's election? Pugils and Pollsters at the ready...

The politics of Swine flu

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 14:23:32 GMT

Scotland has got a stockpile of vaccine. English GPs are complaining they haven't got any. But there won't be Scottish aid mission just yet.

Greens to Nats-Labour: If you're so left-wing, why don't you put up tax?

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 17:26:29 GMT

Vote for us and we'll increase your taxes, say Greens. But MSP Patrick Harvie has posed a good question for Messers Salmond and Gray.

Holyrood's lack of commercial nous

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 13:09:51 GMT

Labour's Fife MSP cum election co-ordinator John Park has today launched a campaign to find a name for the new Forth Bridge, whenever it's built, but perhaps this exposes a lack of commercial nouse in Holyrood.

D-minus report card for Iain McMillan

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 17:10:53 GMT

Iain McMillan of the CBI in Scotland has presented a New Year report card on the SNP government which is at once selective and ideologically driven. Would it have passed muster in his old school, Bearsden Academy? Perhaps it's time Mr McMillan has his own Report Card...here's what it might look like

Is the future Gray?

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 15:38:37 GMT

For a year that Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray expects to become First Minister the opening of his message to usher in 2011 says it all.andquot;Scotland deserves better in 2011. However....andquot;

Kevin the Teenager (aged 53 and a half) bids to lead Scotland

Mon, 27 Dec 2010 00:38:31 GMT

Salmond in a silly hat is a more serious politician that Gray can ever hope to be.

Scotland Bill, new taxes and wishful thinking

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 15:33:07 GMT

The andquot;new taxesandquot; provision in the Scotland Bill is over-hyped according to an expert

"It's going to snow!" say Ministers very loudly.

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:57:07 GMT

Fresh from last week's fiasco, the Scottish Government isn't taking any chances this week.

New SNP front bench, more women and military precision in transport.

Sun, 12 Dec 2010 15:32:33 GMT

Stevenson's resignation offers an opportunity for women

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 23:24:29 GMT

Opposition parties should not crow too soon about the transport minister's departure.

Labour doubletalk exposed in Wikileaks Megrahi cables. Does the Scottish government deserve an apology?

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 12:34:21 GMT

The embassy cables say the SNP turned down offers of andquot;treatsandquot;. But Labour were desperate for the convicted bombers release, whatever they might say in public.

The Steamie: New contributors

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 15:51:41 GMT

The Steamie has been refreshing its selection of guest bloggers...

Honest John and the hysterics

Thu, 25 Nov 2010 12:07:32 GMT

The real issue at stake here is the behaviour of HMRC and the Scottish Secretary, not John Swinney.

Taxing Times for the SNP

Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:58:40 GMT

Why letting Scotland's tax-raising powers lapse is not just incompetent, but undemocratic.

The Steamie and Scotland Votes

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 12:31:07 GMT

Giving you all the information you need.

Has Ireland ruined John Swinney's big day?

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 16:20:09 GMT

The fresh stories about the ghastly mess of the Irish economy could not have come at a worse time for the SNP, as John Swinney prepares to make State of the Nation address tomorrow.....

Revealed: the truth behind SE consultancy costs

Fri, 12 Nov 2010 14:25:36 GMT

Actually, it's quite boring

Findland, the WHO and alcohol evidence that price affects consumption

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 15:52:59 GMT

There is plenty of evidence from around the world that price affects the consumption of alcohol. The opposition parties are delibrately misleading.

The Phil Woolas conspiracy

Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:17:35 GMT

Much in the news about the backlash against Harriet Harman over Labour's decision to disown the controversial sacked MP, but the story is not quite a s simple as it might seem.

Whatever happened to the Sanderson Report?

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 18:01:06 GMT

It was going to change the party's prospects, but six months after the general election there's no sign of detoxifying the brand or moving the proverbial deckchairs...

Tuition fees: Whither Jo Swinson?

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 15:27:40 GMT

Amid the hue and cry over the coalition's tutions fees policy there has been one MP who has managed to escape close scrutiny on the issue but helped build her political career on the principle of free university education.She has now written an article for disgruntled Lib Dems explaining the government's policy.

It wasn't us. Labour's new message

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 14:25:34 GMT

Ed Miliband has begun a major new push to try and re-write Tory re-writing of recent economic history. Good luck to you on that one.

Scottish Liberal Democrats renew commitment to free Higher Education for students

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 10:59:54 GMT

With all this talk of graduate contribution schemes being introduced south of the border, what does this mean for Scottish Liberal Democrat policy of free university tuition

What does Harriet Harman's Rodent gaffe tell us about Labour?

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 08:35:04 GMT

When a Deputy Leader can find nothing but personal insults to fling, then the Party's in trouble

Oban probably not where Miliband would like to be this weekend

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 11:35:34 GMT

Lovely place, delicious seafood, beautiful scenery, long way from heavily pregnant partner.

So how much Council tax are you saving?

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 17:56:44 GMT

New figures show exactly how much - or how little - the big freeze is saving you

Sir Philip Green's object lesson in government waste

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 19:13:48 GMT

In the spirit of his inquiry into government waste the boss of Topshop and BHS has pointed the way in a rather surprising way in the report ministers commissioned off him.

Why isn't Glasgow hosting party conferences?

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:27:27 GMT

Manchester, Birmingham and now Liverpool are now monopolising party conference season, earning millions of pounds in the process. Glasgow should now send an invite to David Cameron

SNP strangely muted on Child Benefit cut

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:40:12 GMT

Is the SNP's restraint over the Chancellor's cut a clue?

Osborne: We have won non-existent war. Streets remain free of crowds

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 13:59:07 GMT

A good punchy speech from George Osborne but the Tories are still relying too much of proving a negative

Meet George Osborne. That'll be a grand please

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 13:57:54 GMT

Now in power, the Tories are wasting no time in cashing in. But there are cheaper ways to rub shoulders with those in power.

Liberal Democrats tax threshold action beats Labour's Living Wage plan

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:37:18 GMT

How Liberal Democrats are already putting into action plans which will ultimately give the lowest earner more money than the Living Wage plans outlined by Labour last week.

Labour fails equality of opportunity test

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:39:05 GMT

Will this be the last time Labour uses its bizarre electoral system?

Ed noses in front

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 15:24:47 GMT

Bookies in shameless bid to stir punter interest in the great Mili-battle.

Salmond turns to The Scotsman for help

Thu, 23 Sep 2010 13:33:05 GMT

Bill Jamieson emerges as unlikely new speechwriter for Alex Salmond.

If we're going to pull out of Delhi, what about London?

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 14:29:38 GMT

Scottish athletes should go to Delhi or risk sending out the wrong message about our values and our relations with an old friend.

University Challenge

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 15:35:23 GMT

A Higher Education conference today organised by the Scottish Tories shows the difference between useful opposition and pointless opposition.

The sound of silence

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:51:39 GMT

The title of this blog is not about the famous Simon and Garfunkle song, but the tweeting (on Twitter) or lack of tweeting by the Lib Dem Scottish Secretary Michael Moore.

The Numbers Game (31)

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:43:54 GMT

The continuing stream of samples on voting intentions from Yougov, continues to paint a picture of Labour hegemony in Scotland with only the Tories out of the rest with any cause for slight optimism.

Even when they are allies they are enemies

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 23:06:53 GMT

Late drama last night in the Commons centred around a race to put down an amendment to change the date of a referendum on changing the voting system. This may sound dull, but it was yet another race for credibility between Scottish Labour and the SNP which reveals the slightly strange way in which Westminster works.

Does Blair's mirror give a distorted image of Scotland?

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:38:10 GMT

There is much bitterness in Tony Blair's autobiography, and quite a few grievances he wants to get off his chest. Blair lays into Gordon Brown, the media, Gordon Brown, Ed Balls, Gordon Brown, the media, Ed Balls, the Scottish media in particular, Gordon Brown a few more times, and for some reason, the Scots in general. But should we take what he says about Scots seriously?

David Cameron and the miracle of Saint Endelienta

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 23:35:16 GMT

Much excitement today about the naming of the latest member of the Cameron brood, especially among those who had a flutter on it. Not many tipped Florence Rose Endellion Cameron.

That Edinburgh East Labour leadership primary

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:24:30 GMT

It has been an interesting day, not least having the task of being the neutral observer/ adjudicator/ counter this morning at the primary held in Edinburgh East by the MP Sheila Gilmore.

Bizarre political point scoring techniques

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 19:30:21 GMT

A press release has gone out from the SNP about how Alex Salmond's approval rating has gone up to 53 per cent.Obviously it has been used as a means of bashing the Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray who was not even asked about, but things are not as straight forward as they may seem.

Willie Rennie's work on Miners' Compensation and McConville O'Neill

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 10:13:50 GMT

In which I offer additional information and opinion regarding yesterday's Scotland on Sunday report of the Law Society's investigation into McConville O'Neill over miners' compensation.

The Numbers Game (30) - Sampling the political waters

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:31:19 GMT

It seems a long time since we had an edition of the Numbers Game but one of my sources has come up with another set of odd polling results to justify a new one.

That health conscious Holyrood diet...

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 23:12:01 GMT

Next time those interfering anny state politicans start lecturing you about healthy living ask to see the menu at the Scottish Parliament canteen.

Is "poor" Vince Cable being sidelined?

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 11:36:40 GMT

It is hardly a state secret that the new Lib Dem Business Secretary is the unhappiest senior member of the coalition government with the new love-in with the Tories.Many expected Energy Secretary Chris Huhne to be the focus of discontent, but he seems to have happily embraced the Tory agenda of cuts and even given some support for new nuclear power.But Mr Cable cuts a morose figure these days and part of this is a suspicion that George Osborne is cherry picking his responsibilities such as banking reform.And a dossier drawn up by the West Brom East Labour Tom Watson MP and passed around colleagues has landed in my box suggesting that the blessed Vince really is being sidelined.

It's official: Holyrood is under greater terrorist threat than Westminster

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 13:09:45 GMT

At least that seems to be the conclusion of the authorities at the Scottish Parliament who have banned people with parliament passes from walking through the front door unless they want to go through the full security checks.This is a measure that even the security arrangements in Westminster have not extended to.

Writing the misery manifesto

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:58:25 GMT

There's no money left. Actually, you need to save £42bn over ten years. Anyone got any ideas for the manifesto?

The challenges of keeping a coalition voting

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:19:10 GMT

Given the verbage and attagonism knocking around from our politicians especially by Labour towards the new coalition at the moment, it might come as a surprise to some that Labour bailed out Cameron's government earlier this week.

Australia (and Wales) shows British Labour how it should be done

Sat, 17 Jul 2010 11:12:51 GMT

As the British Labour Party goes through it interminable and soporific hand-wringing exercise of a leadership election apparently trying to find out what went wrong, perhaps it should look at events with its sister party the other side of the world.

Who is getting closer to God?

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:46:24 GMT

MPs received an e-mail yesterday asking them to book tickets with one of Speaker John Bercow's lackies for an address by Pope Benedict in Westminster hall during his official visit in September.The round robin e-mail was sent to me with the question: andquot;Does this mean MPs are closer to God?andquot;

No Tory/ Lib Dem love lost in Holyrood

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 11:35:58 GMT

I see from this morning's coverage in The Scotsman that my colleague Eddie Barnes has written an article on a new andquot;fault lineandquot; in the Tory/ Lib Dem coalition centred around a disagreement over the planned high speed railway connection from London to Scotland (eventually).But whilst the language involved is strong - Lib Dem Jeremy Purvis calling Tory John Lamont andquot;stupidandquot; - I think it would be more of a surprise not to hear such disagreements between the MSPs of the so-called coalition partners.Not least because there is no Tory/ Lib Dem coalition in Holyrood.

Lib Dems having it both ways

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 17:28:47 GMT

It is often claimed by their opponents that Lib Dems say one thing in one area and then the opposite in another to maximise their votes.Rarely, though can it be said that the same Lib Dem has taken two opposite positions all on his own in the same placeBut that is what appears to have happened in the case of ship to ship oil transfers in the Firth of Forth.

A very sorry government

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:31:20 GMT

Michael Gove, the Aberdeen educated Children's Secretary, is going to have to apologise for getting a list of schools wrong in his statement on school buildings yesterday.But after just a few weeks in government he is far from the first minister who has been forced to say sorry.

The new politics of Glastonbury

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:34:01 GMT

What is the Tory party coming to when its MPs go to Glastonbury? Or should that be what is Glastonbury coming to?

The shifting positions of Charles Kennedy

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:09:14 GMT

It is fair to say that the former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has cut a forlorn figure since his colleagues, against his wishes, jumped into bed with the Tories.

New politics, old sexual stereotypes

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 20:58:50 GMT

The committee memberships have mostly been decided now, but despite all the efforts to modernise parliament it seems that old views on gender roles and interests are still entrenched.

Budget Brings Value Added Fairness from the Liberal Democrats

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:56:07 GMT

How the Liberal Democrats brought fairness to today's Budget.

Why and how things get down in parliament

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:27:36 GMT

There is a vote today to start business in the Commons earlier next Tuesday, bringing the time forward from 2.30pm to 11.30am. Read on to find out why.

Reasons to be positive about Scottish Affairs

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:40:00 GMT

The Select Committee chairs have all now been decided in a secret ballot of MPs, but one which was uncontested was Glasgow South West MP Ian Davidson for the Scottish Affairs committee.

The case for a House of Lairds

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 13:08:18 GMT

Yesterday there was quite a palaver over the fact that the SNP were not allowed to sit on the committee looking at the reform of the House of Lords.It seems that finally after decades of talk the unelected second chamber is going to be replaced with an elected one, even if a so-called andquot;grandfather clauseandquot; may allow the current occupants to remain in situ for life.But is the current set-up so bad and instead of getting worked up about the House of Lords could the SNP take some useful lessons from the Other Place to imporve Holyrood?

Rumours of a plot

Wed, 26 May 2010 21:48:52 GMT

Forget John Redwood's angry letter to the Treasury on capital gains tax, the Cameron government has a much more serious plot to face.

First priorities in the age of austerity

Wed, 26 May 2010 21:15:01 GMT

So what was the first thing MPs decided to do when they reconvened after the new government told us we were all going to work longer, harder, pay more taxes and receive less for it?

Will the English have a Homecoming to celebrate Flodden's 500th anniversary?

Tue, 25 May 2010 12:29:20 GMT

The announcement of another Homecoming Year to boost Scottish tourism is hardly a surprise, nor is the year chosen by Scotland's nationalist First Minister.

Who's next over the top at the Scottish Conservatives?

Fri, 21 May 2010 11:31:13 GMT

Watch out for a summer clear-out on the Tory benches.

Will Lancashire get a respect agenda too, please?

Fri, 14 May 2010 11:14:48 GMT

Some advice for the rest of the country

Red Morningside

Thu, 13 May 2010 13:35:58 GMT

I've just had coffee with the new MP for Edinburgh South, and for the moment my MP, Ian Murray, whose victory last week was one of the big surprises of the night and capped an excellent night for Labour in Scotland.

Remember that Hung Parliament Party election broadcast?

Wed, 12 May 2010 00:48:42 GMT

I was at the briefing made by George Osborne and Jeremy Hunt at Tory HQ in Millbank warning us of the effects of a hung parliament.....

Who would want to be Tavish Scott today?

Tue, 11 May 2010 19:53:43 GMT

The one person who really loses out big time from the Con/ Lib pact is Scottish Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott.

Guide on quotes to chuck back at Labour and the Liberals

Tue, 11 May 2010 12:23:06 GMT

New politics : old quotes.

Scots Tory inquest: thirty-something required

Mon, 10 May 2010 13:38:46 GMT

Time to skip a generation if the party wants to be rid of its toxic inheritance

So much for the expenses scandal

Fri, 07 May 2010 04:37:38 GMT

The seats which were marked by some of the worst expenses scandals have appeared to remain the same.

At least the Scottish picture is clear

Fri, 07 May 2010 02:49:32 GMT

We don't really quite know what's going on UK-wide but now it appears that in Scotland it is a case of as you were circa 2005.

Early calls in Scotland

Fri, 07 May 2010 00:47:39 GMT

Here are the reports I'm receiving friom the parties on their prospects north of the Border.I should emphasise that these are reports not definitive results and parties may not being entirely honest (perish the thought).

Get ye to Athens

Thu, 06 May 2010 21:37:36 GMT

Just been for a wander around Parliament Square to look at the party going on in the middle under the gaze of Churchill, Palmerston, Lloyd-George, Mandella and other political greats.

Election night: Last minute guide to constitutional crises

Thu, 06 May 2010 21:19:40 GMT

Well we are all on tender hooks and nobody knows quite what is going to happen, but, whatever the result, this election will change things forever.

Get some sleep, chaps

Wed, 05 May 2010 13:40:58 GMT

Why is it that coping with sleep deprivation is seen as a key test of being able to run a government?

Norfolk'n'good

Tue, 04 May 2010 14:29:26 GMT

The title of this blog is a phrase often used by natives of East Anglia's biggest county to underline how things from inside it are so much better than things from outside.I speak with a little knowledge as someone who was born and brought up there.The phrase was also going to be used on Bernard Matthew's turkey adverts until the advertisers realised what it sounded like to the non-Norfolk ear (go on try it). That less positive interpretation could be used about Labour's North West Norfolk candidate Manish Sood, although as a Leicester man he probably doesn't qualify for the positive interpretation either.

Salmond's lesson for Cameron

Tue, 04 May 2010 13:53:00 GMT

The First Minister's Prestonfield Declaration might just provide some tips for David Cameron

Never under estimate the power of self interest

Tue, 04 May 2010 13:23:07 GMT

Labour have had electoral reform in their last three manifestos but have always failed to devlier. Meanwhile, apart from 1997, there has been silence on the issue of tactical voting.Now Ed Balls, Gordon Brown's closest ally, who was always part of the tribal Labour group who never wanted deals with the Lib Dems and others during Blair's first term, has become the main cheerleader for tactical voting.I wonder why?

The Mr Men run for parliament

Sun, 02 May 2010 15:16:03 GMT

An old contact of mine from my days of covering politics down south has caused a bit of a stir by putting out an election leaflet which perhaps sums up many people's views about MPs and possibly politicians in general.

Television politics - A spot of advice from an expert

Sun, 02 May 2010 13:52:26 GMT

As we prepare to go into the final straight of the election, it is fair to say that whatever the result, this campaign has changed politics forever.The leaders debates have made it a prerequisite for any party leader now to be good on television. That's really what finally did for Gordon Brown's chances.So the days of relying on mere intelligence and substance have gone, probably to all our losses, even though in reality we, the voters, are to blame for being so easily led by image.But, television politics is not just about leaders debates, and over a beer the other day I heard some advice from a regular on the small screen.

Beating the Bookies

Sat, 01 May 2010 17:42:15 GMT

Some tasty looking offerings from Mr Ladbroke and Mr Hill

"You used to rule half the sub-continent"

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 22:16:22 GMT

Jon Stewart takes the mickey out of us Brits

Teacher nods. Tories rejoice

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 23:17:19 GMT

Brown running on vapours as Cameron and Clegg sweep past

Electoral reform - Beware of what you wish for

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:45:19 GMT

With the prospect of a hung parliament still likely and the electoral reform it will almost inevitably lead to then it is perhaps worth looking at what may happen should we get proportional representation and an elected second chamber.For this it is worth looking at Italy which - putting aside jokes about past corruption, its current Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and its post-war history of unstable governments - offers some serious lessons on the unintended consequences of greater democratisation.

Will the Scottish Greens have their day in court?

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 20:43:24 GMT

Just seen the Scottish Greens party political broadcast which makes its point quite nicely with a series of nicely coloured dominos, but there is something missing.

Rochdale - a place where they are used to political heavweights

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:42:11 GMT

Gordon Brown's mistake in Rochdale today was one which would never have been made by one of the north western town's most famous sons - former Liberal MP Sir Cyril Smith.

That Thick of It plot in full

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:17:02 GMT

This is what happened when Gordon Brown met an ordinary voter.Potentially it's an encounter which could finally kill off Labour's crumbling campaign.

Gordon Brown auditions for "The Thick of It"

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:29:41 GMT

The gaffe we have all been waiting for has finally happened and you have to wonder with Labour already so low in the polls whether it could prove to be Gordon Brown's final nail. The episode will be familiar to anybody who is a fan of The Thick of it.

Victory today could be a disaster for Alex Salmond

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:09:06 GMT

Today is judgement day over the SNP's bid to challenge the third and final Prime Ministerial debate on BBC tomorrow.But do the SNP really want to win?

Brown gets an opening

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 12:43:05 GMT

The news that Lloyds is in the black gives Brown a gilt-edged chance to boost Labour's chances this week - so long as he can persuade voters to listen to him

The nightmare scenario

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 21:30:05 GMT

There are plenty of people who will tell you we are on the verge of a political crisis with a more than reasonable chance of Labour being the biggest party in Westminster while only being third most popular in number of votes.But could they get an outright majority in this scenario?

Scotsman Politics Podcast - Week 11

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:03:24 GMT

This week on the Scotsman Politics Podcast, presenter Lesley Riddoch is joined by former Lord Provost of Edinburgh Eric Milligan and Scotsman columnist Peter Jones.

Mutton dressed as Lamb?

Sun, 25 Apr 2010 16:21:08 GMT

Having attracted the support that puts his party in contention, now Nick Clegg has to hold on to it...

Campaign hits Silly Saturday

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 18:41:21 GMT

Elvis. Daleks. Another normal day on Planet Politics

Brown's fatal flaw

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 23:55:58 GMT

The Prime Minister was very good in the debate for all but five fatal seconds

New politics vs old-fashioned hatchet job.

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 18:38:33 GMT

The papers' attacks on Nick Clegg are being mocked on Twitter, but it doesn't appear to have helped him

Tonight could be decisive

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:42:40 GMT

When the TV prime ministerial debates were first arranged most analysts believed that the important one would be the third and last next week on the BBC.Events have proven them wrong, largely because the presumption was based on a view that voters would not be swayed so early.

Hung by a Scottish Rope Take Two

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:25:23 GMT

How would England react if it was the Scots who put Gordon back into Number Ten?

STV Scottish Westminster Leaders' Debate

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:31:47 GMT

A chance for a bit of audience participation during tonight's debate.

It's getting painful for the SNP

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 11:53:00 GMT

The talk of winning 20 seats is gone. The main message is to offer local champions with constituency offices and three surgeries a week. In an election where the state of the economy is dominating and the very future of the country (UK and Scotland) is up for grabs, the SNP looked irrelevent this morning at their manifesto launch.

This is now a fight to the death for the Tories

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 11:06:46 GMT

I've just come back from the early morning press conference (7am) with Nick Clegg and Vince Cable and am just marvelling at what a difference a week makes.

Brown and Cameron offer Clegg an open goal

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 23:41:00 GMT

Clegg won because he was the best performer, but also because neither of his opponents wanted to take him on.

Political Earthquake over-shadowed by actual volcano

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 19:46:57 GMT

Political journalism in metaphor crisis

Get ye to Scarborough....

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:31:35 GMT

Why is it that the parties are so obsessed with being fair?

Votes or Seats? The constitutional crisis heading our way

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:32:38 GMT

Nick Clegg didn't want to answer the question this morning, and no wonder. The polls this morning point to a genuine constitutional crisis erupting within hours of the polls closing.

Podcast: Election debate with Murdo Fraser and George Kerevan

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 16:19:44 GMT

This week's Scotsman Politics podcast is now online, in which Lesley Riddoch discusses the election issues of the week with Murdo Fraser, deputy leader of the Scottish Conservatives, and George Kerevan, Scotsman columnist and SNP candidate.

What are they drinking in the Labour and SNP HQs?

Sun, 11 Apr 2010 23:18:05 GMT

Labour and the SNP are making unforced errors an art form in Scotland...

A gesture to middle Britain

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 15:02:52 GMT

David Cameron unveils his plans to support marriage in the tax system

Welcome to the new-look Steamie

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 13:36:43 GMT

REGULAR visitors to The Steamie will notice we've given the blog a pre-election makeover.

Where the Parties stand on Political Reform

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 11:11:49 GMT

Political reform was the theme of the day today as David Cameron and Gordon Brown responded to Nick Clegg's speech on the subject. This includes issues like cleaning up party funding, so that parties aren't beholden to any paymaster.

No place on the Tory front bench for Scotland

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 09:58:20 GMT

David Cameron and the Conservatives have been painfully aware of their lack of support north of the Border. In a radio interview recently Mr Cameron admitted his party would not win many seats, even though they are targeting 11.

Cameron takes early lead

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:46:02 GMT

And they're off. Best start goes to David Cameron. He spoke before Brown this morning and chose an airy setting outside County Hall on the banks the Thames, symbolically on the other side of the river from Westminster, and all the sleaze therein.

Won't get fooled again!

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:54:06 GMT

Hands up who fell for an April Fool gag this morning. Aside from the humourous efforts in our national newspapers this morning (including The Scotsman - see if you can spot it, hoax fans) only one political party has come out to play on this, the day of japery and laughter.

Pizza and beer for the new political blockbuster

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:51:56 GMT

They may well be seen as boring men in grey suits talking about dull economics but it seems that the Chancellors' debate last night drew amazingly high viewing figures.

The Future's Bright; the Future's Orange (Tony)

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:39:33 GMT

Just finished watching Tony Blair. Even Tommy Sheridan has never managed to match the extraordinary orangeness of Blair's skin colour. I've never seen anything like it in my life.

The Numbers Game (29) - Bookies' Balls up

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:37:28 GMT

As regular readers may know, The Steamie has at times tried to help you add a few pounds to your pockets by offering a tip on the political betting front with mixed success.

The Gordonator is off

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 12:29:58 GMT

Blimey, Gordon Brown was in his element today. Addressing the Scottish Labour conference in Glasgow, he was back on home turf, he had pumped-up Scottish Labour activists in the audience, they had Tories in their sights. That's as good as it gets for Gordon.

Eddie Barnes: Salmond having his cake and eating it

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:21:23 GMT

Watching BBC's Question Time, broadcast from Glasgow last night, was to marvel once again at Alex Salmond's ability to have it both ways. The First Minister was (no disrespect to Chief Secretary fo the Treasury Liam Byrne) easily the most influential minister on the panel; he is, after all, the First Minister of Scotland.

David Maddox: The rise of Willie Bain

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:33:41 GMT

I had coffee with Willie Bain (pictured right) recently down in the Commons, one of many I've tried to cram in with MPs before they are fully distracted by the need to persuade people to vote for them.

David Maddox: Remembering Michael Foot

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:10:33 GMT

Today in Westminster has been full of anecdotes and memories of a man who lit the place up with his eloquence and wit after it was announced that Michael Foot had died today aged 96.

David Maddox: Dates for the diary

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:07:28 GMT

David Maddox speculates on the date for the general election

Monty: Will a real Liberal ever stand up?

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:06:45 GMT

Brian Monteith wonders why no one in Scotland will stand up for the virtues of true Liberalism