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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

🚨Political stunt claxon: Malcolm Offord has marched his MSPs out of the Holyrood chamber in protest at an independence debate taking place. His attempt for the debate to be cancelled was rejected. Lord Offord spoke in the debate before stating he wasn't going to waste his time and out they went.

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Afraid not. We want them too

An Ipsos poll showing more Scots support new power stations than opposed them

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

We do want nuclear, actually

A poll by Ipsos showing more Scots support more nuclear power stations being built in Scotland than opposed it

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Reform has been unhinged in today's violence against women debate. Misinformation about race and opposing all men being challenged about their behaviour. Senga Beresford was asked about a woman being attacked at Reform conference and said "she shouldn't have been there". The most unserious response.

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Reform's woeful performance at Holyrood continues with West of Scotland MSP David Smith asking First Minister John Swinney if he will restrict the use of the burqa. Hard to argue with the FM's conclusion the aim is to "incite racial tension in our society".

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

As highlighted by @goodlawproject.org this could well be For Women Scotland's legacy. As things stand, many inclusive women's services could end up becoming universal. A real victory for women's rights.

Trans-inclusive women’s organisations, for example, are now faced with a stark choice:

Ban trans women entirely.
Stop being a women’s service, and open up to all men.

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Reform's operation in Scotland is now trying to backtrack and claim it was only meant to apply in England and Wales. Strange then, that the amendment sets out specific penalties for "in Scotland or Northern Ireland".

Reform UK's proposal to ban Gaelic and any other language other than English or Welsh from election material.

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Two weeks ago, Reform took the huff with @gillianmartin.bsky.social for accusing the party of being climate deniers - complaining the SNP were being mean to them. Today, Reform has tabled a Holyrood amendment denying the existence of the climate crisis and made inaccurate claims about renewables.

An amendment to a Holyrood debate on climate change by Reform UK MSP Duncan Massey. It says: "As an amendment to S7M-00434 in the name of Gillian Martin (Meeting the Challenge of Climate Change), leave out from "recognises” to end and insert “believes that there are significant risks to the economy from over-reacting and declaring an imminent emergency which is not underpinned by scientific data; notes that Scotland is facing an economic growth challenge and that current net zero policies are contributing to unsustainable cost increases and expensive energy, which are in turn contributing to deindustrialisation, the loss of jobs and an increase to the cost of living; agrees that Scotland needs pragmatic, sensible and proportionate policies that balance the economy and achieve cheap and abundant energy with long-term reduction of emissions, and resolves that Scotland must maximise its North Sea oil and gas resources in the short to medium term, whilst planning for the long term by investing in reliable, large-scale solutions such as nuclear power, with renewables continuing to play an important but complementary role."

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Pretty shocking to hear Lord Malcolm Offord describe people as "men of fighting age" when talking about refugees and asylum seekers at FMQs. Pretty clear @johnswinney.bsky.social wasn't impressed.

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Reform UK MSPs taking the huff in the Scottish Parliament after being called out for climate denial by SNP Climate Action Secretary @gillianamartin.bsky.social

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Tomorrow's @scotsman.com front page: Guilty: Murrell behind bars

The front page of The Scotsman newspaper with the headline Guilty: Murrell behind bars

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

That's @johnswinney.bsky.social's full ministerial team confirmed. Some big jobs in there. Giving his government policy briefs a fresh pair of eyes will surely do the SNP no harm as it gets poised for a third decade of power at Holyrood.

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

I'm sure it's not as easy as it looks. Staring straight down the camera beforehand makes this, tbh

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

🟢 Ross Greer summing up what was turning out to be a monumental election for the Scottish Greens

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

🟡 Alison Thewliss being re-elected to public office with a resounding victory in the new Glasgow Central constituency for the SNP

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Some highlights from the Glasgow election count yesterday 🟢 Holly Bruce winning a historic victory in Glasgow Southside for the Scottish Greens

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

🚨🎧 New election special episode of The Steamie podcast available 🔴Anas Sarwar's humbling moment 🟡John Swinney's unprecedented fifth term for SNP 🟢Greens a serious force in Scottish politics open.spotify.com/episode/5Ete...

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

Laughed at this account being set up. But in all seriousness, when this happens, it will allow Labour to edge past Reform as biggest opposition party at Holyrood. Not evident where Scottish Labour can go from here, especially of Anas Sarwar manages to stay as leader.

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

BREAKING: Anas Sarwar has conceded defeat for Scottish Labour in the Holyrood elections. "We argued the case for change, made the argument for change but ultimately it's an argument we have lost."

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Here's today's front page of the @scotsman.com as we await the start of the Holyrood election results.

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

A lighter moment on the campaign trail today as John Swinney gets nutmegged while on a visit to Greenock Morton's Cappielow with actor Martin Compston

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

@johnswinney.bsky.social has unveiled the SNP's manifesto. A big pledge to cap essential food and drink items at supermarkets in the interests of public health during the cost of living crisis. But it will need permission from Westminster. Also a vow to cap bus fares at £2 and freeze income tax.

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

First photo shoot of the campaign for the SNP

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

@snp.org leader @johnswinney.bsky.social is launching his party's Holyrood election campaign in Glasgow with a simple "hope" slogan. The FM says the SNP has a "fundamentally positive vision for the future of our country". He adds an SNP majority will "keep Nigel Farage away from power".

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Reform UK's only MSP Graham Simpson has run away from journalists at the Scottish Parliament to dodge questions about Malcolm Offord's horrendous homophonic remarks. He snuck out of FMQs early but journalists saw him trying to escape. He said Mr Offord is still fit to lead his party.

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Cracking view for the media of Anas Sarwar's keynote speech at Scottish Labour's conference in Paisley

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Health Secretary Neil Gray unable (again) to confirm if the QEUH and RHC have been validated - a move that did not happen before the hospital opened and led to fatal infections. Given this response by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Neil Gray dodging questions, it does not sounds like it has.

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

This is what John Swinney had to say to me in response to being accused of putting national security at risk

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

Scottish football isn't really a thing on here yet. But what a night in Gorgie last night 💙

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

NEW: Angela Constance is poised to survive as SNP Justice Secretary after the First Minister's independent advisers found her breach of the ministerial code was "inadvertent without any deliberation or intention to mislead". The Justice Secretary will be making a statement at Holyrood shortly.

An extract of a Scottish Government press release, as follow.
The First Minister’s Independent Advisers on the Ministerial Code have concluded their investigation into the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance.

The Advisers concluded that Ms Constance unintentionally breached two provisions of the Ministerial Code. They conclude that:

“…the two breaches were inadvertent without any deliberation or intention to mislead.”

As part of their role, the Advisers can provide advice on any sanction that the First Minster should impose. In this case their advice on sanctions states that this is:

“…at the lower end of the spectrum provided for in the Code and therefore does not call for anything beyond a reprove which should be formal and in writing accompanied by a statement to Parliament by Ms Constance…”

First Minister John Swinney has accepted the conclusions and recommendations in full. In line with the terms of reference of the Independent Advisers, the report has been published by the Scottish Government. Ms Constance will make a statement to Parliament today.

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

SNP leader @johnswinney.bsky.social is delivering a keynote speech at Óran mór in Glasgow to kick-start the 2026 Holyrood election campaign. Independence framed as the prize if the SNP secures a majority. The FM says he is delivering on domestic priorities including the NHS having "turned a corner".

SNP leader John Swinney delivering a speech in Glasgow

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

📽️Whatever you think of Douglas Ross, he is one of, if not the Scottish Tories' most effective MSP in Holyrood.

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 26/11/2025

Would probably file Scottish Government finance secretary Shona Robison's initial Budget response under unimpressed. She will face questions over her income tax decisions following the Budget.

A statement from Shona Robison.

Responding to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s statement, Ms Robison said:

“This Budget has been absolute chaos from start to finish. Westminster has been consumed with leaks, briefings and out and out incompetence - with Scotland left as an afterthought and families left to pay the price.

“We needed a step change from the UK Government with investment in public services, support for jobs and industry in Scotland and serious action on energy bills. Instead, we got a chaotic mess and the increase in funding for the Scottish Government will not even cover half the cost of the employer’s national insurance contributions brought in this year.

"With UK energy bills £340 higher than the Prime Minister promised even after today’s announcement, the UK Government are not even trying to deliver on the their promises. It is insulting to see the UK Government stand up and trumpet a proposed reduction that does not even cover the increase since they came to office.

“It does not come close to meeting the Prime Minister’s pledge on energy bills - they have not even attempted to keep their promises.

“The electric vehicle tax is the wrong decision for motorists, the climate and for Scotland given its disproportionate impact on rural drivers.

“And there is no serious support for jobs and industry in Scotland. The Energy Profits Levy is to remain in place - risking thousands of jobs in Scotland and in the North East in particular. Yet again, Scotland is an afterthought.

“And while the moves on the two child cap are welcome, they are long overdue and the UK Government has been forced into this position by the Scottish Government and other campaigners. And without a simultaneous change to the benefit cap it falls well short of the bold anti-poverty measures we have been calling for from the UK Government.

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 19/10/2025

Oh, there's even more. Even more unhinged. Posted on the other place. Now is the worst time to be posting misinformation about immigration and asylum

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

Whatever you think of the SNP in Glasgow, some remarks from Scottish Labour MPs who should know better, have been embarrassing. This today, incorrectly claiming SNP housing policies have any impact on asylum cases which is reserved to Westminster and dealt with by Home Office contractors, is mince.

An excerpt of Scottish Labour MSP Zubir Ahmed, incorrectly claiming asylum policy is devolved to Holyrood in an article in The Times

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

The Scottish Conservatives insist the party is not pandering to Reform and the misinformation Nigel Farage is spreading over immigration. Tories using their Holyrood debate time for this tomorrow.

A Scottish Conservative debate motion at the Scottish Parliament to 'stop illegal immigration and recognising its impact on housing'.

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

First Minister @johnswinney.bsky.social is delivering a speech in front of a packed SEC in Glasgow on his strategy to eradicate child poverty. An extra 100,000 children in Scotland will need to be lifted out of poverty by 2030 for the Scottish Government’s targets to be hit.

John Swinney delivering a speech on child poverty

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Bad result today. But, rainbow 🌈

A rainbow at the Falkirk Stadium after some hefty rain.

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Ross Greer also warned the anti-trans campaign is a direct import from the US - one that also tends to oppose women's rights. www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

The only photo posted (so far) by the Scottish Government of John Swinney's meeting with Donald Trump and the US President looks raging.

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 01/09/2025

Anas Sarwar’s speech in Glasgow to mark a return to Holyrood after summer recess has been overshadowed by a pro-Palestine protester confronting him on the podium. They have been protesting in the building during his speech.

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 25/08/2025

Russell Findlay delivered a speech in Glasgow, repeating a string of Reform tropes including criticising "state-funded" charities and academics, arguing people protesting outside asylum hotels have legitimate concerns and was forced to deny he is not "an old man shaking his fist at a cloud".

A screengrab from The Simpsons of a newspaper cutting of Abe Simpson yelling at a cloud with the headline 'old man yells at cloud' after Scottish Conservative leader was asked by a journalist if this was now him.

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

Smashing Pumpkins. What a band.

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

Glasgow city centre looking pretty decent tonight for Spiderman 4

Bothwell Street in Glasgow dressed for the set of Spiderman 4

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

From today's NHS Fife employment tribunal hearing. A reminder nurse Sandie Peggie was suspended by NHS Fife over complaints she harassed and bullied transgender doctor Beth Upton, not over access to single sex spaces. www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

An extract from the Scotsman's live blog of an NHS Fife employment tribunal

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

Well, Donald Trump has landed in Scotland

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

Hundreds of folk by the runway at Prestwick Airport awaiting the arrival of UK President Donald Trump on Air Force One. No big protests so far, but a couple of MAGA fanatics. Mostly a lot of locals wanting to get a glimpse of Trump.

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

Also worth remembering this when 'gender critical' campaigners go for journalists and others who dare to suggest both sides of the 'debate' have been hostile.

An update from NHS Fife
While NHS Fife recognises the clear public interest in the tribunal, and of scrutinising NHS Fife’s actions as a public body, it remains important to be mindful of the privacy of all those giving evidence in the case. There has been significant and very polarised debate on social media regarding the case and associated issues, throughout. In some cases, however, what began as debate has evolved into much more worrying behaviour, including a threat of physical harm and sexual violence, which has required the involvement of Police Scotland. To be clear NHS Fife is not seeking to suggest that anyone involved with Sex Matters have contributed to the behaviour or issues mentioned above.

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David Bol @davidbol.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

A reminder the NHS Fife employment tribunal many are losing their minds over is not about whether trans people should use certain bathrooms, it was about allegations of bullying and harassment against a trans doctor. Despite campaigners claiming differently, it's not up to NHS Fife to drop the case.

An update from NHS Fife
While the claimant raised concerns about a trans woman’s use of a locker room, this was not the reason that NHS Fife’s internal investigation was initiated. As made clear during tribunal proceedings, the disciplinary process was initiated due to concerns raised about interactions with a colleague and patient care.

The Health Board has a responsibility to fully investigate where concerns are raised about the conduct of any of its employees, in accordance with established policies and procedures. The act of investigating a concern does not assume any wrongdoing.

An internal disciplinary investigation is not of itself punitive in nature and exists to fairly assess concerns raised by establishing facts. At the stage legal action via an employment tribunal was taken by the claimant in this case, NHS Fife had not reached any final conclusions on its internal investigation although, as widely reported, this has since been completed. NHS Fife believes its internal disciplinary process in this matter has been fair and impartial.

An update from NHS Fife
Why is NHS Fife continuing the tribunal case? Why not simply drop the action?
NHS Fife did not initiate the ongoing tribunal proceedings and is instead one of two ‘respondents’ being sued. NHS Fife cannot unilaterally stop proceedings.

The health board is not pursuing any legal action against the claimant - it is instead defending itself, as it is required to do. The legal case concerns a range of different claims and allegations, against NHS Fife and its staff, including in relation to the claimant’s suspension, the investigation, and other matters allegedly said or done.

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