Political explainers

Nusrat Ghani, the Deputy Speaker who chaired the Budget

Who is Nus Ghani, the deputy speaker who presides over the UK Budget 2026?

Nusrat Ghani, the Commons deputy speaker, chairs the Budget. Here’s who she is, what her role involves, and why she oversees major parliamentary debates.

Free backpacks will be provided for all primary ones in Scotland

Free backpacks will be provided for all primary ones in Scotland

What you need to know about SNP free school bags for all plan

All the latest updates about Peter Murrell

All the latest updates about Peter Murrell

Peter Murrell news, interviews and updates on the former SNP chief executive

All the latest news and updates about Grangemouth

All the latest news and updates about Grangemouth

Grangemouth Oil Refinery news, interviews and updates on the industrial site

All the latest news and updates on First Minister John Swinney

All the latest news and updates on First Minister John Swinney

John Swinney news, interviews and updates on the First Minister

All news and updates on Nicola Sturgeon

All news and updates on Nicola Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon news, interviews and updates on the former first minister

Just how are business rates worked out?

Just how are business rates worked out?

Reset the Rates

Inside Scotland's business rates: Who pays and how are bills calculated?

The Scottish Government offices in Victoria Quay, Edinburgh

The Scottish Government offices in Victoria Quay, Edinburgh

Scottish civil service working from home: Our in-depth coverage in one place

Russia is holding its first parliamentary election since invading Ukraine

The Scottish Government offices in Victoria Quay, Edinburgh

The Scottish Government offices in Victoria Quay, Edinburgh

Freedom of Information

The FOI rules at the heart of the Scottish Government union row

Officers from Police Scotland outside the home of former chief executive of the SNP Peter Murrell and former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon after Murrell was arrested in connection with the investigation into the funding and finances of the

Officers from Police Scotland outside the home of former chief executive of the SNP Peter Murrell and former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon after Murrell was arrested in connection with the investigation into the funding and finances of the

Edinburgh High Court

What is happening to the Sturgeon Murrell house as Branchform returns to court?

The stakes are high in Edinburgh this week.

The stakes are high in Edinburgh this week.

Everything you need to know about Edinburgh's two high-stakes by-elections

Michael Marra, Monica Lennon, and Joe Fagan

Michael Marra, Monica Lennon, and Joe Fagan

Scottish Labour

Scottish Labour leadership election need to know: date, time, location

The figures are produced by the Scottish Government

The figures are produced by the Scottish Government

Explained: what GERS does — and does not — tell us about Scotland

Which parties will come away with the seats on September 3?

Which parties will come away with the seats on September 3?

Who is standing in Edinburgh council by-elections after SNP resignations?

Subscribe to The Herald for £20 for the year

Subscribe to The Herald for £20 for the year

This could be the most consequential term in Holyrood's history. Support our work.

Edinburgh High Court

Explained: How the SNP gets back party money stolen by Peter Murrell

Police Scotland erected a forensic tent outside of the home of Mr Murrell following his initial arrest in 2023.

Police Scotland erected a forensic tent outside of the home of Mr Murrell following his initial arrest in 2023.

Operation Branchform

Timeline: How Operation Branchform unfolded as Peter Murrell appears in court

Peter Murrell and Nicola Sturgeon. The pair once considered a power couple in the SNP.

Peter Murrell and Nicola Sturgeon. The pair once considered a power couple in the SNP.

Operation Branchform

Who is Peter Murrell, the former SNP chief executive, who faces embezzlement sentence

Keir Starmer resigns - but what happens next?

Keir Starmer resigns - but what happens next?

When will Labour hold a leadership election after Sir Keir Starmer's resignation?

Police in Glasgow during disorder

Police in Glasgow during disorder

Why has Glasgow become caught up in protests following the Belfast knife attack?

Nicola Sturgeon and her then-fiance Peter Murrell at their Glasgow home in 2014

Nicola Sturgeon and her then-fiance Peter Murrell at their Glasgow home in 2014

Why Peter Murrell’s guilty plea may be financial nightmare for Nicola Sturgeon

How Scotland’s legal aid rules let Murrell get help with SNP embezzlement case

Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband Peter Murrell was back in court on Tuesday for a new hearing.

Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband Peter Murrell was back in court on Tuesday for a new hearing.

Nicola Sturgeon

Five key takeaways from the new Peter Murrell embezzlement hearing

Peter Murrell expected in court after SNP embezzlement guilty plea - here's why

Who are John Swinney's new cabinet?

Who are John Swinney's new cabinet?

Angela Constance

Meet John Swinney's new cabinet: the ministers shaping Scotland's next five years

Jenny Gilruth arrives at Bute House, Edinburgh, ahead of members of the new Scottish Cabinet being announced.

Jenny Gilruth arrives at Bute House, Edinburgh, ahead of members of the new Scottish Cabinet being announced.

Cabinet reshuffle

From classrooms to Deputy First Minister: Who is Jenny Gilruth?

Armed Forces minister Al Carns speaking during an event at the STARK drone factory

Armed Forces minister Al Carns speaking during an event at the STARK drone factory

Who is Al Carns? The Aberdeen born commando running for the Labour leadership

MSPs will today elect a new Presiding Officer

MSPs will today elect a new Presiding Officer

Alison Johnstone

Explainer: How is Holyrood's Presiding Officer elected?

Who will form the next council government?

Who will form the next council government?

Scottish Greens

Why surging Lib Dems and Greens could be kingmakers at Edinburgh local elections

Who are your new MSPs?

Who are your new MSPs?

2026 Holyrood election

Everything you need to know about the most diverse cohort of Edinburgh MSPs

2026 Holyrood election

'Disingenuous' messaging and half-baked apologies: How Angus Robertson lost his seat

2026 Holyrood election

The radical activists, the crofters, and the former MPs: Meet the class of 2026

Scottish Labour vows in its manifesto to foster 'vibrant' high streets

Scottish Labour vows in its manifesto to foster 'vibrant' high streets

Scottish election

So how are Scotland's political parties going to change key tax?

(L-R) Lorna Slater, Kayleigh Kinross-O'Neill, Kate Nevens, and Q Manivannan

(L-R) Lorna Slater, Kayleigh Kinross-O'Neill, Kate Nevens, and Q Manivannan

2026 Holyrood election

How the Scottish Greens can send three Edinburgh MSPs to Holyrood next month

(L-R) Irshad Ahmad, Eleanor Ryan-Saha, Daniel Johnson, Catriona Munro, James Dalgleish, Oliver Thomas

(L-R) Irshad Ahmad, Eleanor Ryan-Saha, Daniel Johnson, Catriona Munro, James Dalgleish, Oliver Thomas

2026 Holyrood election

Meet the Scottish Labour candidates trying to reverse the Starmer curse in Edinburgh

(L-R) Jane Alliston Pickard, Alex Cole-Hamilton, Charles Dundas, Andy Williamson, Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, Liss Owens

(L-R) Jane Alliston Pickard, Alex Cole-Hamilton, Charles Dundas, Andy Williamson, Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, Liss Owens

2026 Holyrood election

Will these Lib Dem candidates spur a liberal revival in Edinburgh?

(L-R) Chris Cowdy, Jo Mowat, Rachel Cairns, Miles Briggs, and Sue Webber.

(L-R) Chris Cowdy, Jo Mowat, Rachel Cairns, Miles Briggs, and Sue Webber.

2026 Holyrood election

Can these Tories stave off electoral Armageddon in Scotland's capital?

(L-R) Euan Hsylop, Angus Robertson, Deidre Brock, Simita Kumar, Lyn Jardine, and Ben Macpherson.

(L-R) Euan Hsylop, Angus Robertson, Deidre Brock, Simita Kumar, Lyn Jardine, and Ben Macpherson.

2026 Holyrood election

Why the SNP faces its biggest electoral challenge in Edinburgh in a decade

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is set to appear on the latest episode of The Assembly.

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is set to appear on the latest episode of The Assembly.

📺 How to watch

How to watch Nicola Sturgeon on The Assembly – Alex Salmond revelations and more

Measures are under consideration in the event of a fuel shortage

Measures are under consideration in the event of a fuel shortage

UK fuel shortage: Emergency plan outlines precautionary steps including restrictions

A decade of shifting consumer behaviour has prompted a fundamental rethink of Princes Street’s

A decade of shifting consumer behaviour has prompted a fundamental rethink of Princes Street’s

2026 Holyrood election

Every Holyrood hopeful standing in Edinburgh — from the well-known to the wacky

Chinese and Scottish flags

Chinese and Scottish flags

What are the security risks behind blocked Chinese turbine company deal?

Why is FMQs today and not tomorrow as normal? Everything you need to know

Why is FMQs today and not tomorrow as normal? Everything you need to know

2026 Holyrood election

Why is FMQs today and not tomorrow as normal? Everything you need to know

Nicola Sturgeon will deliver her final speech at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

Nicola Sturgeon will deliver her final speech at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, March 19, 2026.

How to watch Nicola Sturgeon’s final speech at Scottish Parliament today

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaking at the MacDonald Inchyra Hotel & Spa in Falkirk, in December 2025

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage speaking at the MacDonald Inchyra Hotel & Spa in Falkirk, in December 2025

Five Reform UK manifesto pledges as Farage heads to Scotland

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur during the vote for the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill in the Scottish Parliament

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur during the vote for the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill in the Scottish Parliament

How every MSP voted as 12 MSPs switched to reject assisted dying Bill

Graphic of Liam McArthur and Alex Cole-Hamilton

Graphic of Liam McArthur and Alex Cole-Hamilton

What time is the vote on assisted dying in Scotland? Time, place and key points

What time is the Spring Statement?

What time is the Spring Statement?

House of Commons

What time is the Spring Statement? Time, place and key points ahead of event

In 2011 the election strategy of the then first minister yielded an SNP majority

In 2011 the election strategy of the then first minister yielded an SNP majority

What are the Salmond files and what is in the documents released on Tuesday?

Zara Tindall and her mum Princess Anne have both faced punishment for speeding offences

Zara Tindall and her mum Princess Anne have both faced punishment for speeding offences

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor

Which royals have been in trouble with the law as Andrew arrested?

Who is Dr Beth Upton, the doctor at the centre of the NHS Fife changing room row?

Who is Dr Beth Upton, the doctor at the centre of the NHS Fife changing room row?

Who is Dr Beth Upton, the trans doctor who was at the centre of Sandie Peggie row?

Is Labour facing a leadership crisis? Starmer, Sarwar and a turbulent week explained

Is Labour facing a leadership crisis? Starmer, Sarwar and a turbulent week explained

Is Labour facing a leadership crisis? Starmer, Sarwar and a turbulent week explained

The Scottish Government's trans prison policy is being debated in the Court of Session.

The Scottish Government's trans prison policy is being debated in the Court of Session.

For Women Scotland

Key points as Scotland and UK human rights bodies differ on trans prison policy