SNP

Read the latest SNP news and breaking stories from The Scotsman. Providing expert political analysis and opinions about the Scottish National Party, the largest group at the Scottish Parliament.

Student Raising Hand To Ask Question In Classroom. Picture: Adobe Stock

SNP-commissioned study recommends abandoning pledge to increase teacher numbers

Scorpion and Frog fable offers warning about Swinney's talk of healing divisions Euan McColm

John Swinney is about to face the first big test of his leadership Murdo Fraser

Swinney once championed bold action on climate change. Does he still? Richard Dixon

Alex Plant, chief executive of Scottish Water, on a salary band of 290,000 and £295,000, is just one of the quango heads receiving eye-watering salaries

Readers' Letters: Scotsman investigation of quangos reveals shocking truths

Analysis Humza Yousaf's downfall self-inflicted, but departure showed grace

RECAP: John Swinney elected Scotland's new first minister

Former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon, Alex Salmond and Humza Yousaf

How many first ministers has Scotland had? How did they resign?

John Swinney is now SNP leader. Image: Andy Buchanan/Getty Images.

Explainer How will John Swinney become First Minister? When will a vote be held?

Should John Swinney do more for Scotland's universities? Picture: Chris Radburn/PA Wire

Readers' Letters: It's time for John Swinney to back Scotland's universities

Paediatric consultant Dr Hilary Cass with a copy of her report: Yui Mok/Press Association.

Scottish Government told to put youngsters ahead of placating Greens

Why the 'Carry On Conservative' is surely our funniest MP Aidan Smith

John Swinney signals end of SNP collaboration with Greens

What are the challenges facing John Swinney as First Minister and SNP leader?

John Swinney with party supporters and fellow MSPs. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

John Swinney confirmed as SNP leader

John Swinney looks set to be Scotland's first minister (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Readers' Letters: Swinney in charge will likely mean more failure

Both the UK and Scottish governments are letting down universities. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images.

Analysis The UK and Scottish governments are both letting universities down

Amid SNP and Conservative leadership chaos, there's been one silver lining Christine Jardine

Why Rishi Sunak and John Swinney should both stop digging for defeat Brian Monteith

Dualling the A9 has been severely delayed. Picture: John Devlin/National World

Salmond warns Swinney not to backtrack on A9 dualling to appease Scottish Greens

John Swinney at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, after he became the first candidate - and likely only one - to declare his bid to become the new leader of the SNP and Scotland's next first minister. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Why the SNP cannot afford any form of leadership contest - Scotsman comment

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. Picture Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Labour has the biggest poll lead over the SNP in more than a decade

John Swinney reacts after delivering a speech to announce his intentions of running for the SNP leadership as well as his candidacy for the Scotland's First Minister position. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

Veteran SNP activist in bid to force leadership contest against John Swinney

Exclusive Greens could refuse to prop up Swinney government if he shifts SNP to the centre

John Swinney is a changed man from the one once labelled incompetent’ Euan McColm

SNP and Tories' problems stem from being in power for far too long Scotsman comment

Even a parliament with poor stewardship is better than none at all Adam Morris

Scotland needs new 'Union of the Nations' to break from indy debate Henry McLeish

Kate Forbes, pictured in January, is backing John Swinney to be Scotland's first minister (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Readers' Letters: What does Swinney have to offer Scotland beyond Forbes?

Nicola Sturgeon appears at the in-conversation event at the Portobello Town Hall. Picture: Greg Macvean

Sturgeon accused of 'astounding lack of self-awareness' over women's rights

Analysis What might John Swinney’s Cabinet look like, and where will Kate Forbes fit in?

Labour's rise will motivate more voters than SNP's new heir apparent Brian Wilson

John Swinney makes me hopeful about the SNP for the first time in a while Stewart McDonald

Cowardly John Swinney can't keep dodging this simple question: What is a woman? Susan Dalgety

John Swinney needs better allies than Scottish Greens, and quickly Scotsman comment

Gamekeepers have urged the successor to Scottish Greens co-leader and former minister in charge of deer management Lorna Slater to scrap proposals for out-of-season deer cull

Lorna Slater successor must scrap out-of-season deer cull for welfare

SNP leader-in-waiting John Swinney. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Swinney urged to refuse to work with Scottish Greens when he becomes SNP leader

The fourth episode of The Steamie for 2022 is now live. Picture: JPI Media/Shutterstock

The Steamie: What might happen next as Swinney set for SNP leader coronation

Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay. Photo: Jane Barlow/Press Association.

New first minister must recommit to progressive policies, say Greens

MSPs, including Kate Forbes and John Swinney, at the motion of no confidence in the Scottish Government vote on Wednesday (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Readers' Letters: Spineless Greens condemn Scotland to more misery

Education secretary Jenny Gilruth. (Picture: Nick Mailer)

Analysis Why John Swinney should keep Jenny Gilruth as education secretary

Scottish Green Party co-leader Lorna Slater

Lorna Slater accused of 'throwing toys out the pram' over A96 dualling

John Swinney is set to become the next First Minister of Scotland (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

The SNP are running scared of an election – for good reasons

John Swinney talked a decent game during a speech launching his SNP leadership bid (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

John Swinney needs to prove he can deliver effective government

Have Yousaf's opponents made a terrible mistake by ousting him for Swinney? Euan McColm

Analysis Back to the future as Swinney insists he is the man to unite the SNP

SNP Net Zero Secretary Mairi McAllan (Picture:Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

SNP ministers finally admit glass will not be included in deposit return scheme

John Swinney. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Swinney set to become next First Minister as Forbes confirms she will not run

John Swinney at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, after he became the first candidate to declare his bid to become the new leader of the SNP. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Polling expert Sir John Curtice gives his verdict on John Swinney

Humza Yousaf attacked Douglas Ross at FMQs (Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

Sketch: Humza Yousaf tore into Douglas Ross in what will likely be his last FMQs

Kate Forbes and John Swinney

Here are the latest odds for next First Minister of Scotland.

Do the views of MSP Kate Forbes make her unsuited to lead the SNP? (Picture: John Devlin)

Readers' Letters: Kate Forbes as first minister could be a nightmare

Former deputy first minister John Swinney is expected to say he is considering a bid for Bute House. Image: Andrew Milligan/Press Association.

Explainer When is John Swinney speaking? What is he expected to say?

SNP Leadership elections: John Swinney to make statement following Humza Yousaf's resignation

John Swinney expected to launch bid to be leader of the SNP

Then First Minister Humza Yousaf and his new cabinet pose for a photograph at St Andrew's House on 8 February 2024 (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Labour bid to oust the SNP Scottish Government fails

Analysis Why Forbes's faith and beliefs may not be a barrier to power this time

The Scotsman Top Stories

Scotland has failed to meet its latest target for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the latest official figures show. Picture: John Giles/PA Wire

Fail: Scotland misses climate target

Pro-independence protesters with Scottish Saltire flags (top) march for Scottish independence. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

Yousaf: Growing popular support for Yes the only way to Scottish independence

Nadine Dorries. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

SNP MP cleared of bullying Nadine Dorries