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Award-winning political journalism from Holyrood magazine. Free daily newsletter holyrood.com/newsletter.htm

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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
John Swinney: Jagtar Singh Johal release is a ‘significant step’ www.holyrood.com/news/view,jo...
holyrood.com
John Swinney: Jagtar Singh Johal release is a ‘significant step’
Death penalty threat remains despite bail, family warns
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
"These changes proposed by the Labour government in Westminster follow on from solemn commitments given to the people of Scotland in 2014 that their pensions were safe with the UK." John Swinney says "pensions are under attack" due to the decision on the triple lock. #FMQs
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
First Minister John Swinney used #FMQs to launch an attack on plans to reform the pension triple lock. Scottish Labour accused the FM of "misrepresenting" the UK Government's position www.holyrood.com/news/view,jo...
holyrood.com
John Swinney accused of ‘misrepresenting’ Andy Burnham’s plans on pensions
John Swinney has been accused of “misrepresenting” announcements made by Andy Burnham on social care and the state pensi...
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra says his party has received no formal complaints amid bullying allegations against Monica Lennon www.holyrood.com/news/view,ma...
holyrood.com
Marra says there are ‘no complaints’ against Labour MSP Monica Lennon amid bullying allegations
Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra says his party has received no formal complaints amid bullying allegations against ...
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
“On the day my dad died, the Scottish first minister said I would be the last prime minister of the United Kingdom...I want you to know how it made me feel: utterly determined to prove him wrong.” Andy Burnham pledged to fight for the UK's future during his conference speech.
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Andy Burnham: I will not be the last prime minister of the UK www.holyrood.com/news/view,an...
holyrood.com
Andy Burnham: I will not be the last prime minister of the UK
The PM used his conference speech to say he would 'fight with everything I’ve got to keep it together'
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
There has been limited progress in improving the lives of young people in care six years since a pledge made by Nicola Sturgeon www.holyrood.com/news/view,li...
holyrood.com
Limited progress in keeping ‘The Promise’ to young people living in care
There has been limited progress in improving the lives of young people in care six years since a pledge made by Nicola S...
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
“I don’t know why they’re doing it – you’re now going to get several years of internal wrangling and delayed decision making,” says one former SNP health secretary. Picture of health: Can reform help restore Scotland's NHS? www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
holyrood.com
Picture of health: Can reform help restore Scotland's NHS?
MSPs had just returned from their generous summer break when John Swinney announced what he called the most “radical res...
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Nicola Sturgeon announced as speaker for women's leadership programme www.holyrood.com/news/view,ni...
holyrood.com
Nicola Sturgeon announced as speaker for women's leadership programme
Nicola Sturgeon has been announced as a speaker for a new leadership programme for women in business and politics
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Local government reform must find consensus and not lead to a further centralisation of powers, says James Mitchell www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
holyrood.com
Local government reform must find consensus and not lead to a further centralisation of powers
The relentless forward march of centralisation and uniformism lies at the heart of many policy failures
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
John Swinney has pledged to tackle violence against women and girls with new vigour, but the government's record so far is patchy, writes @louisewilso.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/news/view,de...
holyrood.com
Delays have plagued Scotland's mission to end violence against women
John Swinney has pledged to tackle violence against women and girls with new vigour, but the government record so far is...
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
James Adams MSP: Reform? The Conservatives are more sensible www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
holyrood.com
James Adams MSP: Reform? The Conservatives are more sensible
Holyrood's newest member on football, friendships and the best thing about being from Fraserburgh
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
'I was misdiagnosed for five years. There was no support, no help, no treatment' www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
holyrood.com
'I was misdiagnosed for five years. There was no support, no help, no treatment'
The government was forced to go back to the drawing board on a Long-Term Conditions Framework over concerns it would ove...
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
John Swinney has pledged to tackle violence against women and girls with new vigour, but the government record so far is patchy www.holyrood.com/news/view,de...
holyrood.com
Delays have plagued Scotland's mission to end violence against women
John Swinney has pledged to tackle violence against women and girls with new vigour, but the government record so far is...
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Collette Stevenson MSP has spoken out about her “momentary lapse” on the status of Transport Scotland www.holyrood.com/news/view,co...
holyrood.com
Collette Stevenson: Transport Scotland ‘lapse’ was brought on by illness
MSP breaks silence after 'online bullying'
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Kirsteen Paterson @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The Thistle, the only safer drugs consumption room in the UK, is a three year pilot near a pram showroom in Glasgow. I went along as Ruth Dreifuss, the former president of Switzerland and a global leader in harm reduction, toured the clinic. This is what she found www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
holyrood.com
Ruth Dreifuss: You don't tackle the drugs crisis by arresting the victims
Touring The Thistle, Scotland’s safer drug consumption room, Switzerland’s former president talks to Holyrood about her ...
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Louise Wilson @louisewilso.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
“To get anything across the line, you needed two other parties to agree with you… Almost every time, that made the decision better.” An interesting chat with @drscottarthurmp.bsky.social on collaboration in politics, his Rare Cancers Act, and how he became an MP www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
holyrood.com
Scott Arthur: I can understand why people feel left behind
Winner of Holyrood’s Scottish MP of the Year award in July, Scott Arthur reflects on a successful two years in the Commo...
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Scottish Labour's @michaeljmarra.bsky.social: "7,000 people have lost their lives since this Scottish Government declared a public health emergency - we can't go on like this." He says his party will work with the government if the First Minister is "prepared to change course". #FMQs
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
"Is Barclays really the kind of partner this First Minister wants?" Scottish Greens co-leader @gillianmackaygreen.bsky.social says the Scottish Government should boycott the bank. #FMQs
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Glasgow City Council is to dismiss 23,000 non-teaching staff and issue new contracts after equal pay talks broke down www.holyrood.com/news/view,gl...
holyrood.com
Glasgow City Council to fire-and-rehire workers as equal pay talks break down
Senior official accuses Unison union of 'betraying' members
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Glasgow City Council is to dismiss all non-teaching staff and issue new contracts after equal pay talks broke down www.holyrood.com/news/view,gl...
holyrood.com
Glasgow City Council to fire-and-rehire workers as equal pay talks break down
Senior official accuses Unison union of 'betraying' members
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Reform UK has said it will lodge a motion of no confidence in drugs minister Maree Todd www.holyrood.com/news/view,re...
holyrood.com
Reform UK bids to oust drugs minister Maree Todd
Challenge over drugs death figures
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The Scottish Government has failed to tackle the drugs deaths crisis because it overwhelmingly effects poorer people, Michael Marra has said. www.holyrood.com/news/view,jo...
holyrood.com
John Swinney defends drugs record as party leaders criticise lack of progress
Michael Marra said over 7,000 lives had been lost to drugs since the government declared a public health emergency
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Local government reform must find consensus and not lead to a further centralisation of powers, says James Mitchell www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
holyrood.com
Local government reform must find consensus and not lead to a further centralisation of powers
The relentless forward march of centralisation and uniformism lies at the heart of many policy failures
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Scotland's drug-death crisis is not a constitutional issue, says @chrismarshll.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
holyrood.com
Scotland's drug-death crisis is not a constitutional issue
On the day when it emerged that 116 more Scots died of drugs than in the previous 12 months, the SNP could have shown so...
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Drug-related deaths in Scotland have risen by 11 per cent, official figures show www.holyrood.com/news/view,sc...
holyrood.com
Scotland’s drug death rate remains highest in Europe as figures increase by 11 per cent in a year
'Toxic' changes in drug supply highlighted
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The Scottish Parliament has backed a motion stating that Scotland “has a right to decide its own future”. It was backed by 84 MSPs to 18 against – after Reform MSPs walked out of the debate and refused to take part. www.holyrood.com/news/view,sc...
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
"Reform won't engage further in these pointless proceedings. We didn't come into this parliament to waste our time on vanity projects." Malcolm Offord and Reform MSPs walk out of the chamber during a debate on Scottish independence.
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
First Minister @johnswinney.bsky.social: "I believe that while we might disagree on where we want our country ultimately to go, we can all agree on the right of the people to decide - on the case for democracy."
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
"This is a parliament and parliaments are free to debate whatever subjects they wish, including this one." Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson blocks an attempt by Reform's Malcolm Offord to shut down a debate on Scottish independence.
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The number of children living in temporary accommodation has reached a new record high, new Scottish Government figures show. A total of 19,004 households were in temporary housing at the end of March, up 10 per cent on the previous year www.holyrood.com/news/view,nu...
holyrood.com
Number of children in temporary accommodation reaches record high
Scottish homelessness statistics published
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The number of children living in temporary accommodation has reached a new record high, new Scottish Government figures show www.holyrood.com/news/view,nu...
holyrood.com
Number of children in temporary accommodation reaches record high
Scottish homelessness statistics published
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Ruth Dreifuss: You don't tackle the drugs crisis by arresting the victims @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social speaks to the former Swiss president and harm reduction advocate as she tours The Thistle in Glasgow www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
holyrood.com
Ruth Dreifuss: You don't tackle the drugs crisis by arresting the victims
Touring The Thistle, Scotland’s safer drug consumption room, Switzerland’s former president talks to Holyrood about her ...
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Four months on from a Holyrood election where the idea was not floated once – at least not by his party – John Swinney is taking a scalpel to Scotland’s NHS, cutting the number of health boards from 14 to two. Will it improve things for patients? www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
holyrood.com
Picture of health: Can reform help restore Scotland's NHS?
MSPs had just returned from their generous summer break when John Swinney announced what he called the most “radical res...
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Scottish Government reveals council reform proposals www.holyrood.com/news/view,sc...
holyrood.com
Scottish Government reveals council reform proposals
Reorganisation plan includes larger regional authorities
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Henry McLeish, the former Labour first minister who previously said he would vote for independence, now says the campaign for indyref2 is "going nowhere". "The dial hasn’t shifted since 2014," he told @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
holyrood.com
Can John Swinney delivery indyref2?
Andy Burnham's PMQs slip-up has had cross-border ramifications, but polling shows a country divided
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Louise Wilson @louisewilso.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
“'I think that’s a great question, Mr Brown,' she replies, careful not to insult him. It wouldn’t look good to have the deputy and the depute at each other’s throats." My latest sketch www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
holyrood.com
Sketch: Jenny Gilruth addresses the elephant in the room
Keith Brown, depute leader of the SNP, is sceptical of the UK Government’s intentions
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Andy Burnham's PMQs slip-up has had cross-border ramifications, but polling shows Scotland divided www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
holyrood.com
Can John Swinney delivery indyref2?
Andy Burnham's PMQs slip-up has had cross-border ramifications, but polling shows a country divided
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
"While no one – probably not even John Swinney – believes a referendum will take place in the next five years, it would be helpful for us all to know there is a democratic principle in place for triggering another vote," writes @chrismarshll.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
holyrood.com
Andy Burnham's constitutional confusion has raised nationalist hopes in the devolved nations
The cause of Irish unification got an unexpected boost recently when Donald Trump said he’d “love to see it” during a tr...
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
The failures in education could be just as damaging as failing to fix the NHS www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
holyrood.com
The failures in education could be just as damaging as failing to fix the NHS
The government response to damning evidence of an ignored portfolio has been lacking
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
John Swinney named MSP of the Year at Holyrood Political Awards www.holyrood.com/news/view,jo...
holyrood.com
John Swinney named MSP of the Year at Holyrood Political Awards
The first minister was among those in attendance from across Scottish politics at the event which took place at the Roya...
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Malcolm Offord has accused the first minister of using taxpayer cash to attend a “pretendy wee summit” instead of focusing on the priorities of the people of Scotland. www.holyrood.com/news/view,ma...
holyrood.com
Malcolm Offord accuses John Swinney of attending ‘pretendy summit’ instead of focusing on people’s priorities
The first minister said his government has made “significant progress” on the priorities he set out when entering office
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Minister defends Transport Scotland gaffe MSP www.holyrood.com/news/view,mi...
holyrood.com
Minister defends Transport Scotland gaffe MSP
Questions raised over committee appearance
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
In a time of straitened finances, Creative Scotland must hit the mark, writes @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
holyrood.com
In a time of straitened finances, Creative Scotland must hit the mark
The culture sector can make a real noise when the buck stops - but the need for robust strategy is clear
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Louise Wilson @louisewilso.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
After the Pisa results and two bleak reports on colleges and universities, the government response to all this damning evidence of an ignored portfolio has been lacking. Me for the latest @holyroodmag.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
holyrood.com
The failures in education could be just as damaging as failing to fix the NHS
The government response to damning evidence of an ignored portfolio has been lacking
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
No part of the system is working as it should, contrary to government claims about the emphasis it places on providing a good education. www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
holyrood.com
The failures in education could be just as damaging as failing to fix the NHS
The government response to damning evidence of an ignored portfolio has been lacking
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Watchdog raises transparency questions over ScotWind millions www.holyrood.com/news/view,wa...
holyrood.com
Watchdog raises transparency questions over ScotWind millions
Scottish Government claims vindication as opposition accuse ministers of 'shambolic' management
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Business minister Tom Arthur says the government does not support a moratorium on new AI data centres. He says the development of AI is a "profound moment for us all" that will bring implications of "gravity and magnitude" across "every facet of society".
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Scottish Greens MSP @patrickharvie.bsky.social calls for a "pause" on AI data centres and asks the government to put "Scotland's interests ahead of the interests of the big tech giants".
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Holyrood @holyroodmag.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Scottish Government adds environmental check to new data centre applications www.holyrood.com/news/view,sc...
holyrood.com
Scottish Government adds environmental check to new data centre applications
The announcement comes on a day where the Scottish Greens have scheduled a vote calling for a moratorium on new AI data ...
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