17 h. ago Swinney accused of ‘treading water’ over Government plans for the next year

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney insisted his programme for government is a ‘programme for a better Scotland’.

Politics

17 h. ago John Swinney is dictating the political narrative ahead of the Holyrood election

Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says the First Minister has set the terms of the debate and it is up to Anas Sarwar to advance an alternative vision.

Politics

17 h. ago John Swinney pledges 100,000 more GP appointments for Scots to reduce pressure on NHS

Anas Sarwar accused the SNP of having "nicked" the plan for more appointments from Labour.

Events

23 h. ago Swinney to put ‘serious action’ over the NHS at the heart of his plans

The Scottish First Minister will announce his Government’s plans and priorities for the coming year in a flagship statement to Holyrood on Tuesday.

Politics

34 h. ago Programme for Government: John Swinney accused of stealing Labour's vow to end GP 8am rush

The First Minister is facing criticism after appearing to parrot a policy pledge announced by Anas Sarwar 11 weeks ago to end an 8am rush for GP appointments.

Politics

34 h. ago John Swinney to put ‘serious action’ over the NHS at the heart of his plans

The Scottish First Minister will announce his Government’s plans and priorities for the coming year in a flagship statement to Holyrood on Tuesday.

Politics

46 h. ago Rise of Reform UK 'good news' for John Swinney and the SNP but bad for Labour

Professor John Curtice said the SNP stood to benefit most in Scotland from Reform's arrival on the political scene.

Politics

48 h. ago John Curtice: English local election results 'good news' for John Swinney and 'bad news' for Anas Sarwar

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK had a stellar time at the English polls, which could spell trouble ahead for Scottish Labour.

Politics

69 h. ago Anas Sarwar admits Labour government must go 'further and faster' to counter surge of Nigel Farage's Reform

Anas Sarwar has warned his Labour colleagues at Westminster need to better deliver on election promises to counter the surge of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.

Politics

3 d. ago Financial markets have become a bulwark against populist excesses | Phillip Inman

Custodians of global wealth have reacted with anger at attempts by people like Trump and Truss to revolutionise the economyYou say you want a revolution, sang the Beatles back in 1968. And that seems to be the interpretation of electoral results across the industrialised world.From the seismic shifts in recent US and German elections to the rise of Reform and the Green party in the UK, electorates are signalling that they reject the status quo. Continue reading...

Economics

4 d. ago Are you worried about the rise of Reform? Take our poll and have your say

Reform UK has stunned us all with more than 600 local election wins, flipping Tory strongholds and claiming its fifth MP. With a booming Gen-Z following and rising poll numbers, the insurgent party is now threatening to upend two-party politics for good. Are you worried?

Politics

4 d. ago Voices: John Rentoul answers your questions on Reform’s rise – and how Labour and the Tories can respond to Farage

In a live Q&A, The Independent’s chief political commentator John Rentoul fielded readers’ questions on the rise of Reform, Farage’s prospects, and how Labour and the Tories can respond to the new political threat

Politics

4 d. ago Reform’s rise shows Labour must get serious about immigration

With a more volatile electorate, all parties need to adapt to face down populism

Politics

4 d. ago Stephen Flynn says Scots should choose independence over Reform UK as 'Britain is broken'

SNP, Green and Alba party members view the rise of Reform as an opportunity to advance the case for Scottish independence.

Politics

5 d. ago Ministers should ‘hang heads in shame’ as Rod Stewart pays for child’s diagnosis

The singer stepped in to pay for four-year-old Iain Gregory’s autism diagnosis after a three-year wait.

Politics

5 d. ago John Swinney pressed after Rod Stewart intervenes to help young Scot waiting for autism assessment

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar raised the Daily Record's exclusive front page story at First Minister's Questions today.

Events

5 d. ago Government should ‘hang heads in shame’ as rocker pays for child’s diagnosis

Sir Rod Stewart stepped in to pay for four-year-old Iain Gregory’s autism diagnosis after a three-year wait.

Politics

5 d. ago Labour accused of 'shipping' London councillor 650 miles to fight Highlands seat at Scottish elections

Eva Kestner has been chosen by Anas Sarwar’s party to contest the Holyrood constituency in 2026, despite living in London

Politics

6 d. ago Stephen Flynn mocks Labour by urging Keir Starmer to campaign in Hamilton by

The SNP Westminster made the call to the PM directly after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said he did not expect Starmer to hit the campaign trail

Politics

7 d. ago Phasing out fossil fuels ‘doomed to fail’, says Tony Blair as he calls for rethink of net zero policy – UK politics live

‘Any strategy based on either phasing out fossil fuels in the short term or limiting consumption is a strategy doomed to fail,’ says former PMSeverin Carrell is the Guardian’s Scotland editor.Keir Starmer is not expected to campaign in the Hamilton byelection, a critical contest for Scottish Labour which takes place in early June, Anas Sarwar has confirmed.I wouldn’t expect Keir to be campaigning in the byelection. That’s not to say he won’t, but I’m not expecting Kier to campaign in the byelection.I’ll be on the stump campaigning for a Labour win. I’m the candidate for first minister next year. I’m the one that wants to remove the SNP from government.Next year, we’ve got to demonstrate to people that for all Nigel Farage might want to come here with his easy answers and create a bit of a circus, the reality is a vote for Reform only helps the SNP. If you want to get rid of the SNP, only Scottish Labour can beat them. Continue reading...

Events