13 m. ago SNP demands MORE immigration: John Swinney says Scottish Government will sponsor visas for foreign care workers

The First Minister and SNP leader set out his 'solution' to the UK Government's immigration crackdown, which he claimed had left care homes 'crying out for staff'.

Politics

36 m. ago John Swinney needs Reform to stay strong in the polls to deliver a fifth SNP term

Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon says the next Holyrood election will be determined by how well Nigel Farage's party does on polling day.

Politics

3 h. ago John Swinney to tackle 8am 'lottery' for GP appointments in SNP conference speech

EXCLUSIVE: The First Minister cited the issue in May and he will reveal further details of his plan in his speech in Aberdeen.

Politics

5 h. ago Mairi McAllan denies independence is taking a 'punt' on Scotland's economic stability

McAllan, a key ally of John Swinney, insisted the pursuit of independence will "never, ever be off the table" for the SNP.

Economics

12 h. ago John Swinney to condemn Westminster's 'race to the right' as SNP leader gears up for election fight

Senior Nationalists believe they are in sight of achieving an overall majority of MSPs when Scots go to the polls next May.

Politics

16 h. ago John Swinney hints at SNP legal bid over independence referendum 'precedent'

The First Minister has been accused of “trying to provoke an argument about the constitution”.

Politics

16 h. ago Revulsion with Westminster will push Scotland to independence, Swinney to say

John Swinney will address the last SNP conference ahead of next year’s election.

Politics

20 h. ago Readers' letters: Labour must think radically to win Holyrood election

A devo-max argument could counter John Swinney’s belief that the ‘limits of devolution’ have been reached, a reader says

Politics

22 h. ago Nicola Sturgeon believes in John Swinney's 'secret plan' for independence

Nicola Sturgeon says it is right for John Swinney to set the bar high for next year’s election campaign

Politics

24 h. ago SNP leader John Swinney refuses to apologise for raising recognition of Palestinian state at Jewish vigil for Hamas victims

John Swinney was booed by a furious crowd as he spoke at an event at Holyrood to mark the second anniversary of the October 7 atrocities.

Politics

24 h. ago Nicola Sturgeon says she believes John Swinney if he says he has a secret plan

The former first minister received a standing ovation from SNP members in the main hall of the party’s conference in Aberdeen.

Politics

28 h. ago John Swinney insists he won't resign if SNP fails to win majority at Holyrood election

Keith Brown, the SNP depute leader, had suggested the First Minister was "staking his premiership on winning independence".

Politics

32 h. ago Fifth term for SNP looks likely but John Swinney does not deserve it: Euan McColm

First Minister is again focusing on independence without detail on claimed benefits and no route to second referendum

Politics

36 h. ago John Swinney vows to block 'ludicrous' digital ID cards in Scotland using Holyrood powers

Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Mail, the FM accused PM Keir Starmer of allowing Tony Blair to dictate UK Government policy.

Politics

46 h. ago John Swinney the activist looks to rally the troops ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election

The big focus of this year’s SNP conference is getting the nationalists ready to fight for a fifth term in office.

Politics

47 h. ago SNP backs Swinney’s ‘clear’ strategy for new independence referendum

Members overwhelmingly endorse leadership motion that majority at next Holyrood election is only route to second voteSNP members have overwhelmingly backed leader John Swinney’s “clear and unambiguous” independence strategy that a majority election win is the only route to another referendum.On the first day of the party’s annual conference in Aberdeen, the vast majority of members backed the leadership’s motion that next May’s Holyrood elections should be fought on a “clear platform of national independence” and that winning a majority in the Scottish parliament – by securing 65 seats or more – would be “the only uncontested way to deliver a new vote on Scotland’s future”. Continue reading...

Politics

47 h. ago John Swinney 'stakes leadership' on delivering independence as he insists SNP will 'win big' in May

In a rousing speech, John Swinney told the SNP conference that “the need to achieve independence has never, ever been greater for Scotland”.

Politics

47 h. ago John Swinney sees off SNP rebels to win conference backing for Scottish independence strategy

The First Minister faced a potential banana skin on the opening day of his party's conference in Aberdeen.

Politics

48 h. ago Euan McColm: Fifth term for SNP looks likely but John Swinney does not deserve it

First Minister is again focusing on independence without detail on claimed benefits and no route to second referendum

Politics

50 h. ago SNP conference LIVE as John Swinney sees off party rebellion on IndyRef2 plans

The Nationalists are determined to stretch their time in power at Holyrood into a third decade when a crunch Scottish election rolls around in May next year.

Society