David Bol

What will Douglas Ross' Right to Addiction Recovery Bill do as key concern raised Douglas Ross’s proposed legislation would embed a right to recovery for those diagnosed with an addiction in law.

Douglas Ross's Right to Recovery Bill will have its stage 1 vote this week. But the well-intended legislation, which would give those with an "addiction" or "dependency" on alcohol or drugs a right to treatment, could exacerbate Scotland's drug death crisis.
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

A Scottish Conservative debate motion at the Scottish Parliament to 'stop illegal immigration and recognising its impact on housing'.

The Scottish Conservatives insist the party is not pandering to Reform and the misinformation Nigel Farage is spreading over immigration.
Tories using their Holyrood debate time for this tomorrow.

Hmmm. McInnes at Ibrox will surely happen at some point. Not sure he (or anyone) would fancy that job right now. He's probably got a better bunch of players at Hearts. But then I'd say anything to stop any rumours of John McGlynn heading back to Tynecastle emerging again 😬

a man in a blue shirt stands in front of a scoreboard that says 18 ips 76:01 ALT: a man in a blue shirt stands in front of a scoreboard that says 18 ips 76:01

Forever in our hearts

Miss him already

Edinburgh Labour housing convener under fire for suggesting cut to affordable homes Lezley Cameron has suggested Edinburgh’s allocation of affordable housing should be cut, despite the housing crisis

Excl: The Labour housing convener of Edinburgh City Council has suggested the city's allocation of affordable homes should be cut, despite the capital grappling with a housing crisis
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

Heat pump installations 'stalled' as SNP accused of undermining confidence The installation of heat pumps across Scotland has stalled in the past year

Excl: Heat pump installations in Scotland have gone backwards. Campaigners have warned that the repeated delays to the watered down Heat in Buildings Bill has "left homeowners and industry in limbo, stalling progress and undermining confidence".
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

So, how did Labour conference go?

🎙🎧 New episode of The Steamie podcast from @scotsman.com.
We discuss Labour conference and what it means for Anas Sarwar's chances at May's election and look ahead to Tory conference. With @alistairkgrant.bsky.social, @andrewjquinn97.bsky.social and Rachel Amery
open.spotify.com/episode/0hBr...

Seagull 'mass slaughter' ruled out as SNP ridiculed for 'googly eyes' to deter birds SNP ministers have opened the door to make it easier to obtain a licences to shoot seagulls but have ruled out a “mass slaughter”.

NatureScot's advice to rid communities of urban gulls:
-Draw "googly eyes" on takeaway boxes
-Wave arms around
-Stare them out
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

SNP's rent controls approved as empty and second homes poised for council tax hikes The Scottish Government rejected plans to end tax breaks for the King’s properties and allow councils to force the sale or lease of derelict buildings or land

Rent controls will be made permanent after exemptions were agreed, while second and empty home-owners in Scotland can expect their council tax bills to shoot up.
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

'Do they love our country?': Sir Keir Starmer lumps SNP in with Reform in speech Sir Keir also thanked Glasgow shipbuilders for helping defend Europe from Russia during his keynote speech.

'Do they love our country?': Sir Keir Starmer lumps SNP in with Reform in Labour conference speech, via
@andrewjquinn97.bsky.social
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

Robison warns not to 'draw out drama' of delayed budget and makes council tax hint The Finance Secretary insisted she will not be “randomly taking an axe to services” as she came under pressure to offer more cash to under-pressure colleges.

Shona Robison has called on opposition MSPs not to "draw out the drama" of this year's budget, delayed by the UK government, warning councils could struggled to balance the books.
She also gave her biggest hint yet about the possibility of a council tax freeze.
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

John Swinney needs a win to foil frustrating run-up to crucial SNP conference Even small hitches could feel like mountains to climb going into next May’s election

John Swinney has endured a frustrating few days in office. My analysis on what the First Minister faces ahead of him delivering one of the most crucial speeches of his career at next month's SNP conference
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

How sex offences court will work - opening door for survivors to watch trial on video Complainants could be able to watch the remainder of their trial through a video link to hand survivors closure on their trauma, as plans to establish Scotland’s specialist sexual offences court are d...

Excl: Scotland’s specialist national sexual offences court could open the door to survivors being able to view proceedings via video link.
It has the potential to be game changing for victims but has already become a political football before it's got off the ground
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

The FM calls on delegates to "think outwith the current arrangements you are operating" to help reduce child poverty.

The First Minister describes eradicating child poverty as a "national mission" with a need to "break down some of the barriers" between public services and a focus on "whole family support".

John Swinney delivering a speech on child poverty

First Minister @johnswinney.bsky.social is delivering a speech in front of a packed SEC in Glasgow on his strategy to eradicate child poverty. An extra 100,000 children in Scotland will need to be lifted out of poverty by 2030 for the Scottish Government’s targets to be hit.

SNP accused of 'underhand' tactics in failed attempt to fix tourist tax 'omnishambles' The Scottish Government has bene accused to launching a failed attempt to amend its tourist tax regulations though a separate piece of Holyrood legislation.

SNP ministers have been accused of failing in an apparent attempt to fix its “embarrassing omnishambles” tourist tax plans with a bid to table a last-gasp motion to the Scottish Government’s flagship Housing Bill.
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

Douglas Ross claims he was 'physically assaulted' by SNP minister after seagull rant The former Scottish Conservative leader raised the alleged incident at First Minister’s Questions.

An SNP minister is facing an accusation he 'physically assaulted' Douglas Ross.
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

Victims will give verdict on whether plans to abolish not proven was worth it MSPS are stepping into the unknown by abolishing the controversial not proven verdict

My analysis on why victims will ultimately pass judgment on whether abolishing the not proven verdict is a success and why a more stricter jury majority (set to now be two thirds) could actually cause more harm to rape survivors.
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

MSPs abolish not proven verdict in overhaul of Scotland's criminal justice system MSPS have abolished the not proven verdict and a host of other big changes to Scotland’s criminal justice system.

BREAKING: A genuinely historic moment for Scotland as the controversial 'not proven' verdict is abolished after MSPs voted in favour of the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill. Lots more of changes to come for Scotland's criminal justice system.
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

SNP escape row over sex offences court as MSPs poised to abolish 'not proven' verdict MSPs are set to vote on whether to abolish the not proven verdict after amendments were agreed to legislation in a gruelling six-hour debate in Holyrood.

Scotland is poised to establish a specialist sexual offences court after MSPs rejected a Labour proposal to scrap the plan. Tomorrow, the Scottish Parliament could take a historic step in abolishing the 'not proven' verdict for criminal trials.
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

Labour in hypocrisy row after 'wrecking amendment' tabled to block sex offences court Scottish Labour is facing a hypocrisy row after a manifesto pledge emerged.

Excl: Scottish Labour has been accused of "another broken promise" after tabling a "wrecking" amendment for a specific sexual offences court, despite vowing to set one up in the party's manifesto
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

Rape survivor behind campaign to scrap not proven verdict in plea to MSPs Miss M, who sparked the campaign for Scotland’s not proven verdict to be abolished has issued a plea to MSPs ahead of a crunch Holyrood vote.

NEW: The rape survivor who sparked the campaign to abolish Scotland's 'not proven' verdict, Miss M, has called on MSPs to end the "harrowing process" for victims in a crunch Holyrood vote this week.
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

MSPs warned not to 'cheapen guilty verdict' as not proven set to be scrapped MSPs will vote to abolish the not proven verdict and make changes to the majority required to convict - but fears have emerged it could make Scotland’s rape conviction rate even lower

-Abolishing Scotland's 'not proven' verdict this week a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve the criminal justice system" for rape survivors
-Fears proposed changes to jury majorities a risk “terrifyingly low” rape conviction rate “will drop even further”.
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

White text on purple background reads: "We all deserve to be safe and feel like we belong, no matter where we come from or how we arrived."

We stand in solidarity with people seeking safety and against acts of violence and intimidation taking place in parts of the country.

Times are tough but people fleeing war and persecution are not to blame for Scotland’s problems. Everyone deserves to be safe and feel like they belong.

A rainbow at the Falkirk Stadium after some hefty rain.

Bad result today. But, rainbow 🌈

Ross Greer also warned the anti-trans campaign is a direct import from the US - one that also tends to oppose women's rights.
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

Greer: MSPs need 'bravery' after being 'cowed by aggressive voices' over trans rights The Scottish Greens co-leader has revealed abuse he has received for campaigning for trans rights.

Excl: MSPs have been "cowed by these incredibly aggressive voices" opposing trans rights, while some politicians have "actively played a leading role in misleading the public", the Scottish Greens co-leader has warned.
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...

Greer: Greens on cusp of 'huge breakthrough' as SNP Sturgeon voters 'surge' to party The new co-leader of the Scottish Greens has stressed former SNP voters aligned with Nicola Sturgeon are fuelling increased support for his party.

Excl: Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer speaks about his party's election prospects next year
-shoud "take seriously" any chance to reenter government
-surge in support fuelled by Sturgeon SNP voters jumping to Greens
-dismisses "civil war" narrative
www.scotsman.com/news/politic...