My Articles
Draft Independence Referendum Bill: here’s what it means
Today the Scottish Government has published a consultation on a draft Independence Referendum Bill.
If there is an independence referendum, it will not be because the result of the 2014 referendum has not been respected – it will be because the promises made to Scotland have not been kept.
Here’s what you need to know.
by Except for voters in Scotland
In 2014, the Tories told Scotland that we are an equal partner in the UK. On her first visit to Scotland as Prime Minister, Theresa May said that she was “willing to listen to options” on Scotland and that the Scottish Government would be “fully engaged” in Brexit discussions. Since then the Prime Minister’s promises…
by Laying the foundations for an inclusive, tolerant, outward-looking society
I’m just home from the SNP’s annual conference. We were delighted to welcome more than 3000 delegates to Glasgow’s SECC – giving a welcome boost to the city’s economy.
by Nicola Sturgeon’s #SNP16 speech: the key points
Today Nicola Sturgeon delivered her closing speech at SNP National Conference, and set out our vision for Scotland: a welcoming, progressive, open, outward-looking and inclusive nation. The speech was packed with new announcements – from increased childcare flexibility to new measures to boost our economy. Here’s what you need to know. We will implement…
by Nicola Sturgeon’s address to #SNP16
Read the address given by SNP Leader and First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon to SNP conference 2016.
by John Swinney’s address to #SNP16
Below is the address given by Deputy First Minister John Swinney, John Swinney MSP. Check against delivery.
by Stronger for Scotland: towards a decade of delivery
In government, the SNP has a strong record of delivery. Our list of achievements is long and wide-ranging – and all delivered at a time of cuts to Scotland’s budget by Westminster Tories.
by Angus Robertson’s address to #SNP16
It is a huge honour to be able to report on the work of the SNP at Westminster – the strong, united and effective opposition to the Tories in the House of Commons.
by Depute Leadership contest result
Today Angus Robertson was elected as the SNP Depute Leader. The full result of the contest was: Chris McEleny: 1,182 (3.38%)Angus Robertson: 18,736 (52.5%)Tommy Sheppard: 8,936 (25.53%)Alyn Smith: 6,510 (18.6%) 35,004 votes cast*33.9% turnout *The total number of eligible voters for the Depute Leader contest was approximately 103,000 members (of total membership of 116,000 at…
by What you need to know: Nicola Sturgeon’s opening speech at #SNP16
Nicola Sturgeon opened SNP conference, and set out new action we’ll take to protect Scotland’s interests from an increasingly right-wing UK government. It’s become clear that the right wing of the Tory party is seeking to hijack the referendum result to make sure Brexit means Tory Brexit. Every part of Scotland voted to remain, with…
by Nicola Sturgeon opening address to #SNP16
Below is the opening address given by Nicola Sturgeon to SNP Conference 2016. Check against delivery. Conference. Welcome to the Dear Green Place. Welcome to the great city of Glasgow. A city that said Yes in 2014. A city where every citizen is now represented in the Scottish Parliament by an SNP constituency MSP. Let…
by #SNP16 in numbers
Tomorrow SNP conference kicks off at the SECC in Glasgow – the biggest party conference in the UK. And, unlike other parties, we can always look forward to thriving, inclusive and lively debate. Here’s #SNP16 in numbers.
by Scrap the rape clause
No woman should have to prove she was raped to be able to claim child tax credits. I have said it before and will continue to say it, because it is a travesty that in 2016 a women should be faced with this.
by Scotland has the highest quality of life of any UK nation
The European Social Progress Index, published today, found that people in Scotland hold positive and tolerant attitudes on diversity, benefit from better environmental quality and are able to exercise more personal freedoms than people elsewhere in the UK. Here’s what you need to know.
by Innovation nation: an interview with Keith Brown
The second edition of SNP Insight, our magazine for Scotland’s businesses, is out now. You can read the Autumn 2016 edition in full here. Below is an interview, featured in the magazine, with the Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work, Keith Brown MSP, on how he wants to grow the Scottish economy…
by Our commitment to transforming mental health services
Today is World Mental Health Day, an opportunity to raise awareness of mental health issues, challenge stigma and recommit ourselves to improving mental health services for all.
by In case you missed it: good news for the environment
In government the SNP has made substantial progress in making Scotland cleaner and greener. This week that work continu
by The Tory conference has shown us who the divisive, nasty nationalists are
Like most people, I’ve read some of the headlines coming from the Tory conference over the last few days with a mixture of disbelief and horror.
by Our plan to build a fairer Scotland: what you need to know
Social justice was at the heart of the 2014 independence referendum debate. To harness this enthusiasm for change, the SNP in government has led a conversation on how we can use the powers of the Scottish Parliament – and the limited new powers that are on their way – to tackle poverty and create genuine…
by What we’ve learnt from Tory conference
The Tory conference has ended. Here are six things we’ve learnt about the repellant reality of Tory policy. 1. The Tories have signalled they are poised to target foreign workers in the most disgraceful display of reactionary right-wing politics in living memory. 2. Disgracefully, the UK Trade Secretary, Liam Fox, described EU nationals living…
by Cross-party statement on resisting the Tories’ toxic politics
Below is a joint statement signed by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the Leader of Plaid Cymru Leanne Wood, and Caroline Lucas and Jonathan Bartley, the co-leaders of the Green Party calling for progressive parties to work together to resist the ‘Tories’ toxic politics’. The countries of the United Kingdom face a spiralling political and economic…
by Girls must not be left behind when it comes to sport
Last week the First Minister and I were privileged to meet Scottish members of Team GB and ParalympicsGB at their homecoming in Edinburgh. Rio was Team GB’s most successful Olympics for over a century, and our Paralympians did even better than their medal haul in 2012. It was a great performance, not least because of…
by May’s 100 unanswered questions, 100 days on from the Brexit result
Today the SNP is publishing 100 Brexit questions 100 days on – it is by no means an exhaustive list, but is shows the sheer scale of uncertainty facing Scotland and the rest of the UK. The Prime Minister is today set to address the Tory conference on Brexit – she needs to take the opportunity to start delivering at least some of the answers.
by 5 ways Brexit could affect you
The UK Government is still unable to justify taking Scotland out of the EU against its will, or answer key questions on what Brexit will mean. It is clear, however, that Brexit will have serious consequences for our communities, businesses and public services.
Here’s how Brexit could affect you.
by Scotland’s manufacturing future
Nicola Sturgeon officially re-opened the Dalzell Scottish steel plant in Motherwell today. This follows decisive action taken by the Scottish Government earlier this year to secure a new owner, which safeguarded full manufacturing capability for the plant in the future. This isn’t the first time the Scottish Government has stepped up to protect a key…
by The UK Government must support the oil and gas sector
Oil and Gas UK’s latest economic report lays down a serious challenge to the UK government and exposes serious failings in their approach to supporting the North Sea oil and gas industry, at a time of sustained low oil prices across the globe. In contrast the Scottish Government is playing its part in supporting…
by Brexit and rural Scotland: what the Tories haven’t explained
It’s been months since the EU referendum and the Tories still haven’t explained what Brexit means and what the impact will be on our rural economy. Our rural businesses require certainty on vital EU funding and tariff-free trade. The inability, or unwillingness, of the Tory government to give this certainty is simply not good enough….
by Speech to Institute of Directors
It is a pleasure to speak here today. The Institute of Directors has demonstrated, over many years, an unswerving commitment to improving the quality of business leadership in Scotland and across the UK. Three hundred people a year in Scotland currently use your director development courses. You work closely with the Scottish Government to increase…
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