'Abhorrent' prison chiefs forced women to live among trans rapists, killers and paedos
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The National
15 minutes ago
- The National
John Curtice gives verdict on John Swinney's indyref2 plan
Last week, the First Minister put forward his plans for Scottish independence, saying getting a second referendum could only be achieved if the SNP win a majority in Holyrood. They are the only party to ever win a majority in the Scottish Parliament, a feat achieved under Alex Salmond in 2011. But the leading pollster poured cold water over the prospect, saying at The Herald's Unspun Live at the Fringe that it is "most extremely unlikely" the SNP will do so at the Holyrood election next year. "What is [John Swinney] doing? He is saying to people: if you want independence, vote [SNP]. Do not vote for Alba, do not vote for the Greens,' Curtice said. READ MORE: Which MPs have received the most donations and from whom? See the full list "[John Swinney] does not want there to be a fragmented list vote. He wants people to vote for the SNP. The challenge facing the SNP — the thing that has not changed in Scottish politics despite the turbulence of the last two and a half years — is support for independence. We are still around 50/50 on the independence question.' He added: "Although you hear a lot of talk of people not being concerned about independence anymore, just tell that to most unionist voters. Most unionist voters are deeply concerned about independence. "Very few people now are willing to vote for the SNP if they are opposed to independence. That is in complete contrast to the position in 2011." When asked about how he believes the 2026 elections will play out, Curtice said it would be "child's play" for Reform UK to win at least 10 seats. "I think Kemi Badenoch is becoming more effective, but it is very much a work in progress. The problem the Tories face is that Reform are not just taking voters, they are taking donors, they are taking people,' he added. "It is very difficult to see any outcome other than the SNP still providing government. What remains highly uncertain is how strong it will be. It could be as low as 45 seats. I think the maximum at the moment is 55 seats. "But 55 seats — you have only got to find one party to make a deal. With 45 you have got to find two, and that becomes much more difficult. "I think at the moment it is a race between Reform and Labour over who comes second, and unless the popularity of the Labour government improves, Labour may find themselves in much the same position as they are at the moment."
The Herald Scotland
20 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Forbes calls for change for parents in politics after decision to quit
In a letter to First Minister John Swinney, Ms Forbes said she did not want to 'miss any more of the precious early years of family life'. Ms Forbes – who has a two-year-old daughter and three step-daughters – pushed the Scottish Parliament to be better for those with young families working in politics. The parliament was viewed as a more family-friendly version of the Westminster legislature, but recent years have seen a number of women step back, citing the pressures on young parents. Former Tory leader Ruth Davidson, former minister Aileen Campbell and MSPs Jenny Marra and Gail Ross were among those who were outspoken in their thinking for standing down at the 2021 election. 'I'm not the first and, unless anything changes, I'm unlikely to be the last,' Ms Forbes said on BBC Radio Scotland on Tuesday. 'So many parents know the pressures and the guilt of balancing all of this, and I'm totally in the same camp as them.' Ms Forbes said there was the added stress of one of the country's furthest north constituencies, meaning an 'eight hours return trip to my place of work' and sometimes 'a minimum three to four hours drive across the constituency before the day even begins'. 'There are some areas I think the Parliament could do more and do better,' the Deputy First Minister said. She pointed to the Holyrood creche – a service which was seen as a sign of the more family-friendly ethos – which is only available for three hours per day, three days a week. After careful thought over recess, I've decided not to seek re-election to @scotparl next year. I've written to the First Minister this morning 👇🏽 I will continue to serve the First Minister, the Government and my constituents to the best of my ability until May 2026. — Kate Forbes MSP (@_KateForbes) August 4, 2025 'I don't know anybody who only works three hours per day, so that doesn't make sense,' she said. 'I'm certainly not advocating for the job to be any less demanding or any less all-consuming, it has to be by its very nature of representing people. 'But if we can't even get some of the basic support right, then it will always be difficult for mums and dads.' Despite the decision announced on Monday, the Deputy First Minister did not completely close the door to a political return, saying 'maybe' she would consider such a move in 20 years. Since taking over as finance secretary in 2020 after the resignation of her predecessor Derek Mackay following a scandal involving messages he sent to a 16-year-old boy, Ms Forbes has been marked for leadership. She would ultimately lose the race for the SNP's top job after Nicola Sturgeon's resignation in 2023 in a contest marred by criticisms of her views on social issues such as abortion and gay marriage. Following the resignation of Humza Yousaf last year, Ms Forbes was handed the role of kingmaker, being the one to decide if the party would be forced to go through with a potentially damaging leadership contest, which she ultimately decided against in favour of a pact with First Minister John Swinney, becoming his deputy. The, sometimes ugly, criticisms levelled at the Deputy First Minister, she said, were 'in the past' as she continued to voice her support for the SNP and Scottish independence.
Western Telegraph
30 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Forbes calls for change for parents in politics after decision to quit
Ms Forbes will not seek re-election in the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency next year, bringing to an end – for at least the next election cycle – one of the most promising political careers in Scotland. In a letter to First Minister John Swinney, Ms Forbes said she did not want to 'miss any more of the precious early years of family life'. Ms Forbes – who has a two-year-old daughter and three step-daughters – pushed the Scottish Parliament to be better for those with young families working in politics. The parliament was viewed as a more family-friendly version of the Westminster legislature, but recent years have seen a number of women step back, citing the pressures on young parents. Former Tory leader Ruth Davidson, former minister Aileen Campbell and MSPs Jenny Marra and Gail Ross were among those who were outspoken in their thinking for standing down at the 2021 election. 'I'm not the first and, unless anything changes, I'm unlikely to be the last,' Ms Forbes said on BBC Radio Scotland on Tuesday. 'So many parents know the pressures and the guilt of balancing all of this, and I'm totally in the same camp as them.' Ms Forbes said there was the added stress of one of the country's furthest north constituencies, meaning an 'eight hours return trip to my place of work' and sometimes 'a minimum three to four hours drive across the constituency before the day even begins'. 'There are some areas I think the Parliament could do more and do better,' the Deputy First Minister said. She pointed to the Holyrood creche – a service which was seen as a sign of the more family-friendly ethos – which is only available for three hours per day, three days a week. After careful thought over recess, I've decided not to seek re-election to @scotparl next year. I've written to the First Minister this morning 👇🏽 I will continue to serve the First Minister, the Government and my constituents to the best of my ability until May 2026. — Kate Forbes MSP (@_KateForbes) August 4, 2025 'I don't know anybody who only works three hours per day, so that doesn't make sense,' she said. 'I'm certainly not advocating for the job to be any less demanding or any less all-consuming, it has to be by its very nature of representing people. 'But if we can't even get some of the basic support right, then it will always be difficult for mums and dads.' Despite the decision announced on Monday, the Deputy First Minister did not completely close the door to a political return, saying 'maybe' she would consider such a move in 20 years. Since taking over as finance secretary in 2020 after the resignation of her predecessor Derek Mackay following a scandal involving messages he sent to a 16-year-old boy, Ms Forbes has been marked for leadership. She would ultimately lose the race for the SNP's top job after Nicola Sturgeon's resignation in 2023 in a contest marred by criticisms of her views on social issues such as abortion and gay marriage. Following the resignation of Humza Yousaf last year, Ms Forbes was handed the role of kingmaker, being the one to decide if the party would be forced to go through with a potentially damaging leadership contest, which she ultimately decided against in favour of a pact with First Minister John Swinney, becoming his deputy. The, sometimes ugly, criticisms levelled at the Deputy First Minister, she said, were 'in the past' as she continued to voice her support for the SNP and Scottish independence.
