Laura Webster @lauraewebster.bsky.social · 01/10/2026If you've ever wondered what the Scotland Office actually does, Andy Burnham's government by social media mandate to ministers offers fantastic insight. For example Douglas Alexander can post 15 (presumably faked) 'ask mr anything' reels over the course of 2 days. A great use of taxpayer money 👍 261
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Tomorrow's front page 📰 Residents' fury over £80m electricity subsidy plans for AI data centres amid rising energy bills 13118
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Twelve years after the independence referendum it's extraordinary there's still just one newspaper supporting and exploring the political future half of Scotland wants to see, writes Lesley Riddoch ✍️thenational.scotLesley Riddoch on why you should subscribe to The National for £20 a year 63414
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 30/09/2026'The working class in Britain is multi-racial and multi-faith ... but we're not going round smashing people's windows in or targeting people that look different to us' Taj Ali on ways to tackle far-right narratives Watch The National Podcast on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts 03720
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 30/09/2026A top union boss has blasted Andy Burnham for proposing changing the triple lock on pensions rather than taxing the super-rich in order to pay for his social care plans 🗣️ 'The richest 50 families are worth £500 billion – pensioners get £12,500 pounds a year'thenational.scotTop union boss blasts Andy Burnham over plans to change pension triple lock 24222
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 30/09/2026EXCLUSIVE: An Edinburgh artist has warned that more than 100 creatives have been left 'with nowhere to go' after tenants at one of the capital's largest arts hubs were given just four months' notice to vacate the building 195
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 30/09/2026EXCLUSIVE: A proposed AI Growth Zone in North Lanarkshire could receive more than £80 million in annual electricity subsidies, despite household energy bills continuing to rise, campaigners have warned 363
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 29/09/2026BREAKING: John Swinney has responded after Andy Burnham took aim at him over claims he will be the 'last prime minister of the UK' The First Minister said Burnham should let Scotland 'have a referendum and we'll see who is right' 118442
Laura Webster @lauraewebster.bsky.social · 29/09/2026🚨Excited to announce that The National Podcast has launched a new series of debates about big issues affecting Scotland Today we kick off with an AI data centre special. Do we need these developments? I'm joined by Coll McCail and Pat Kane 176
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 29/09/2026BREAKING: Reform UK breached Scottish Parliament rules during Nigel Farage’s visit to Holyrood 👇 42412
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 29/09/2026BREAKING: Andy Burnham has signalled an end to the pensions triple lock. The Prime Minister said that the state pension will rise with prices or by 2.5% from April 2030 264
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 29/09/2026BREAKING: Andy Burnham has taken aim at John Swinney claiming that he would be the "last" UK prime minister and said he is "utterly determined" to prove him wrong. Burnham noted that the comment came on the same day his father died but said it was unlikely that Swinney knew at the time 462
Reposted by Laura WebsterAlison Phipps አሊሰን @alisonphipps.bsky.social · 29/09/2026From the editor @lauraewebster.bsky.social : Why you should subscribe for just £20 a year www.thenational.scot/news/2533997...thenational.scotFrom the editor: Why you should subscribe for just £20 a yearTHE media isn't in great shape ... 022
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Andy Burnham has failed to define what he means by 'once in a generation' after insisting now is not the time for a second Scottish referendum 4185
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 25/09/2026BREAKING: Glasgow City Council has agrred to pause the process of firing and rehiring 23,000 staff following 'constructive discussions' 2225
Laura Webster @lauraewebster.bsky.social · 25/09/2026So great to get to interview Taj Ali about his new book on South Asian resistance in the UK not once but twice in two days! First at a packed event with Unison and then for The National Podcast. We dig into the history as well as the current rise of the far-right. Podcast out next week. 094
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Andy Burnham decision to provide military assistance to Saudi Arabia is continuing Britain’s bloody legacy in Yemen, Coll McCail writes👇 👉 www.thenational.scot/politi... 22611
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 23/09/2026EXCLUSIVE: St Andrews students have spoken out about the Scottish accent and class divides at the prestigious university👇 👉 www.thenational.scot/commun... 096
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 23/09/2026EXCLUSIVE: Douglas Alexander has been urged to explain his campaigning in Aberdeen with a Labour council candidate who was previously suspended ahead of an investigation into racism 🥀 www.thenational.scot/news/2... 0104
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 23/09/2026EXCLUSIVE: Scotland's largest dinosaur site, where sauropods the size of three elephants left ancient tracks 170 million years ago when the country was a subtropical paradise, has been mapped for the first time www.thenational.scot/news/2... 1162
Reposted by Laura WebsterJames Walker @jameslwalker.bsky.social · 23/09/2026EXCLUSIVE: The Caledonian Sleeper is facing safety questions after a seat reportedly caught on fire randomly. The publicly-owned train service confirmed that a "small thermal event" recently occurred 👇🏻 thenational.scot/news/26576118.safety-concerns-seat-caledonian-sleeper-randomly-caught-firethenational.scotSafety concerns as seat on Caledonian Sleeper service 'randomly caught fire'THE Caledonian Sleeper is facing safety questions after a seat reportedly caught on fire ... 144
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 23/09/2026We react to Reform MSPs storming out of Holyrood in protest over a debate on Scotland's 'right to decide' its own future 'It can't do much to please the people they've been elected to serve' Watch The National Podcast on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts 053
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 23/09/2026NEW: Thomas Kerr is under fire after it emerged he 'cosied up' to a far-right group which is now making posts glorifying nationalism 'Politicians cosying up to far-right hate groups should have a look at themselves in the mirror,' one MP said www.thenational.scot/news/2... 52519
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 22/09/2026BREAKING: Holyrood has overwhelmingly backed a motion affirming that Scotland has a right to decide its constitutional future 418078
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 22/09/2026BREAKING: Reform MSPs have stormed out of a debate on Scottish independence in Holyrood, claiming it is 'pointless and a vanity project' 29219
Laura Webster @lauraewebster.bsky.social · 22/09/2026The National is turning 12 soon, which is terrible news for a lot of people who have wanted it to fail very badly We are really proud of how we have developed in that time and we are excited for what comes next. But we need you! 14110
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Tomorrow's front page 📰 New poll finds majority of Scots want indyref2 as Marra admits we have the right to decide our own future 27546
Laura Webster @lauraewebster.bsky.social · 21/09/2026NEW: Scotland's train drivers are threatening a boycott over a firm shortlisted to build new vehicles having links to illegal Israeli settlements 5 firms are shortlisted to build the new fleet for Scotland's publicly owned rail company, including Spain's CAF 26423
Laura Webster @lauraewebster.bsky.social · 21/09/2026NEW: Sophie Rose Jenkins, from Glasgow, quit St Andrews University and spoke out against "anti-Scottish classism". Now other students are breaking their silence, saying they've had similar experiences. 65522
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 20/09/2026EXCLUSIVE: Tom Watson should be expelled from the House of Lords over his new job with Palantir, the Greens have said, warning of a 'serious conflict of interest'👇 👉 www.thenational.scot/news/2... 27821
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Teachers and pupils in Gaza are fighting to keep education alive amid destroyed schools, displacement and soaring costs for the most basic supplies. Read the special report by Ahmed Al-Yazjim👇 👉 www.thenational.scot/news/2... 0148
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 20/09/2026How is an unassuming Glasgow building linked to a global trade in companies exploited by money launderers and fraudsters? The Ferret investigates✍️ 👉 www.thenational.scot/news/2... 064
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 21/09/2026EXCLUSIVE: The SNP are set to launch a £100,000 campaign to win 'hearts and minds' over to Scottish independence, The National can reveal 🏴 It comes after last week's historic Celtic Alliance meeting 👇 www.thenational.scot/news/2... 65224
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Good morning! Here's today's front page 👇 SNP launch £100,000 push 'to win hearts and minds' over to independence 🏴 1199
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 20/09/2026BREAKING: SNP chiefs have been accused of 'silencing' members after blocking debate on how to progress independence from their upcoming conference 👇 👉 www.thenational.scot/news/2... 287
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 20/09/2026'He is f*cked if I want him to be because we have two-thirds control of the shareholders.' Anas Sarwar is facing calls to clarify his finances after an explosive outburst about his family’s firm👇 👉 www.thenational.scot/news/2... 1127
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Police Scotland is facing calls to 'come clean' after arresting members of the public for displaying a lawful pro-Palestine slogan👇thenational.scotPolice Scotland 'must come clean' over terror arrests for lawful Palestine slogan 04626
Laura Webster @lauraewebster.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Labour hitting the "do it all again the same way" button by electing the person responsible for the manifesto that led to their worst ever result in the history of the Scottish Parliament. Incredible scenes 76119
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 17/09/2026EXCLUSIVE: AI data centre developers held a meeting aiming to reassure local residents - they failed. Go inside the room as the Larbert community confronted the people planning a 300MW hyperscale data centre in their area 👇 31617
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Tomorrow's front page 📰 MSPs back pause in AI data centre planning decisions 1126
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 17/09/2026NEW: 'Shocking' details around royal family funding arrangements have been laid bare in a fresh report The research shows that official royal funding has increased by 565% in real terms since the late Queen Elizabeth came to the thronethenational.scot'Shocking' details on royal funding revealed in fresh report 176058
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Campaigners may be welcoming MSPs' decision to pause AI data centre development until national planning guidance can be implemented, but this story is far from over, writes Laura Webster ✍️ 👉 www.thenational.scot/news/2... 353
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 16/09/2026BREAKING: MSPs have rejected an outright moratorium on AI data centres. Instead, they backed pausing decisions on planning and consent until the Scottish Government publishes national planning guidance. 51811
Laura Webster @lauraewebster.bsky.social · 16/09/2026A summary of the AI data centre debate in Holyrood so far: 🔴 ScotGov do not support a moratorium, minister Hannah Mary Goodlad it is not appropriate and "would send the wrong message to anyone looking to invest in Scotland" 🔴 The minister did not address environmental concerns 1103
Laura Webster @lauraewebster.bsky.social · 16/09/2026🚨We are LIVE as MSPs debate and vote on a moratorium on AI data centres Follow along this afternoon here www.thenational.scot/news/2655437...thenational.scotLive updates as Holyrood to vote on AI data centre moratoriumThe Scottish Parliament is set to vote on whether there should be a moratorium on new hyperscale data centres 165
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 16/09/2026The Scottish Parliament is set to vote on whether there should be a moratorium on new hyperscale data centres. You can keep up to date with today's goings-on with our live blog below 👇 thenational.scotLive updates as Holyrood to vote on AI data centre moratorium 074
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 16/09/2026BREAKING: The Scottish Government has announced tighter rules for AI data centre applications ahead of a vote on a moratorium on the projects today New large data centres will now be required to submit environmental impact assessments during planning 95920
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 14/09/2026This is the historic moment the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland signed a memorandum of understanding pushing for constitutional change in their respective countries They have demanded that Westminster allow them to hold referendums on 'independence from the United Kingdom' 311348
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 14/09/2026LIVE at 1pm: Editor Laura Webster and Digital Editor Laura Pollock react to the historic self-determination declaration signed by the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Michelle O'Neill. Join the conversation www.youtube.com/watch?v=80z... 11810
Reposted by Laura WebsterThe National @scotnational.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Unionist MSPs have fumed over a historic meeting which saw the three devolved leaders sign an agreement to put pressure on Westminster over independence 11167