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.

This data centre in Texas shows how enormous they can be. Picture: Brandon Bell

Why Scotland shouldn't let data centres become a national pariah Scotsman comment

The Scottish government is working to build public trust and confidence in artificial intelligence. Picture: Hector Retamal

Scotland can't be so afraid of AI that it loses £23 billion GDP boost Alyn Smith

Demonstrators hold anti-Jackdaw and anti-Rosebank placards outside the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero in London yesterday (Picture: Brook Mitchell / AFP via Getty Images)

Readers' Letters: Anti-Jackdaw protestors can put money where mouth is

The closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery was a blow to the economy, but new opportunities are emerging. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell

Why an industrial renaissance is within Scotland's grasp Professor Simon Best

Douglas Alexander

Alexander criticises SNP's 'incoherent' stance after Jackdaw decision

First Minister John Swinney after giving a speech during the 92nd SNP conference at the weekend (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Readers Letters: Does anyone really believe SNP could run Scotland's buses?

Andy Burnham speaks to a student during a visit to New College Lanarkshire's Motherwell Campus ahead of a speech focusing on the forming of closer ties with the Scottish government. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell

Why SNP needs to stop hoarding power and give it to the people Jackie Baillie

Nicola Sturgeon was first minister when untested patients were moved from hospitals to care homes at the outset of the Covid pandemic

'Deadly' care homes decision by SNP under fire in Covid inquiry report

Jenny Gilruth this week condemned 'rote learning, the shallow learning that was applied in England' after pupils south of the Border scored better than Scottish ones in the Pisa tables (Picture: Paul Reid/Getty Images)

Buyer beware

Exclusive Minister under pressure after failing to commit to new drilling

John Swinney in the driver's seat of a First Bus at a trade stand at the SNP party conference in Aberdeen. Picture: Paul Reid

SNP's vision of Scotland is based on bad history as new book reveals Brian Monteith

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Readers' Letters: Independence can't keep taking oxygen away from real issues

Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth

SNP: English pupils did better in Pisa 'due to shallow rote learning'

John Swinney during the final day of the Scottish National Party (SNP) annual conference in Aberdeen

McGill's defends comparing John Swinney to dictator over bus plan

Prime Minister Andy Burnham and First Minister John Swinney.

Can governments really work together? Rachel Amery

Maree Todd MSP applauds First Minister and party leader John Swinney after he delivered his keynote speech at the Scottish National Party (SNP) annual conference in Aberdeen

Analysis Swinney's Choose Scotland campaign shows indy push is treading water

John Swinney delivers his keynote speech at the Scottish National Party (SNP) annual conference

Swinney vow to bring buses under public control condemned as 'theft'

John Swinney

SNP conference diary: Booze, buses and mind-blowing revelations

Andy Burnham delivers a speech focusing on forming closer ties with the Scottish government at New College Lanarkshire's Motherwell Campus. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell

SNP must start taking Burnham's offers to work together more seriously Scotsman comment

As the SNP campaign for a second independence referendum, Brian Wilson suggests a vote on greater devolution of powers from Edinburgh to the regions would be a foregone conclusion. Picture: Matt Cardy

A referendum 95% of Scots would vote 'yes' in, and the SNP would hate Brian Wilson

Party bosses probably regretted asking members about their hopes for an independent Scotland

SNP conference diary: Facists [sic], whiskey [sic] and art attacks

‘Stars are aligning’ for Scottish independence, Swinney to claim

Readers' Letters: Neverendum is a cosy status quo for SNP politicians

Scotland’s hospitals are poised for more pressure over the winter months

Angela Constance calls for NHS medics to 'step up' this winter

Andy Burnham giving a speech in Motherwell on Friday

Analysis Andy Burnham robs SNP of ammunition by being constructive

SNP 'put to bed' presumption against oil after energy tax split

First Minister and party leader John Swinney speaks to the media at the SNP annual conference

SNP councillors revolt over local government reform plans

The author of an article launching the SNP's Choose Scotland campaign should take the title of the worst poet in the English language from William McGonagall, who was played by the late, great Spike Milligan in a 1975 comedy. Picture: Ronald Dumont/Express/Hulton Archive

SNP's unintentionally funny new campaign actually debunks nationalism William Deans

Youths wearing balaclavas have become a feared sight in many towns and cities (Picture: Darren Staples)

SNP must be bold and crack down on balaclava-clad thugs Scotsman comment

An independence supporter carries a Scottish flag outside the SNP conference in Aberdeen. Picture: Paul Reid

Why this is the wrong time for SNP's massive independence campaign Joyce McMillan

SNP conference diary: Hiccups, pies and £4.90 diet cokes

Edinburgh University announced plans to mothball 90 courses last month

Readers' Letters: Scotland must not neglect its own literary heritage

SNP leader John Swinney as his party braces to debate its position on North Sea oil and gas

Exclusive SNP told to give 'full-throated support' to drilling amid oil split

SNP conference day one: Balaclava ban, election call, and polls apart

Nottingham recently became one of the first cities in the UK to introduce restrictions on balaclavas

SNP ministers considering balaclava exclusion zones in Scotland

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is due to visit Scotland on Friday – at the same time as the SNP conference is taking place (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Andy Burnham 'bounce' smaller for Labour in Scotland than rest of UK

Nationalists march for Scottish independence in Edinburgh last month. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell

SNP pleas for Westminster cash underline the importance of the Union Scotsman comment

Torness nuclear power station is set to close in 2030. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell

SNP’s ideological ban on nuclear energy is not in Scotland’s interests Melanie Ward

Swinney ‘thinking about’ Yousaf plan for independence trigger point

The SNP is launching its biggest ever pro-independence campaign since the 2014 referendum.

SNP says it is launching biggest independence campaign since indyref

Readers are split over Andy Burnham's overtures to the European Union (Picture: Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Readers' Letters: Closer links with the EU would be fine – on our terms

The Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood

Half say Scotland ‘heading in wrong direction’

First Minister John Swinney could face more ScotWind developers relinquishing their contracts

Analysis SNP needs ScotWind reality check to restore investor confidence

First Minister John Swinney and former first minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Swinney says he remains friends with Sturgeon despite criticism

Chinese president Xi Jinping toasts blood-soaked Russian despot Vladimir Putin during a visit to the Kremlin in 2023 (Picture: Pavel Byrkin)

SNP taking MI5 warning about China seriously is a hugely welcome sign Scotsman comment

Equinor, which owns and operates the pioneering Hywind scheme, is bidding to build new floating wind turbines off the Scottish coast as part of the Scottish Government's plans to increase the amount of wind energy generated offshore. Picture: Michal Wachucik

Exclusive £50bn floating wind industry in crisis talks as contracts cull awaited

To mark World Arthritis Day on Monday, the Kelpies and other prominent landmarks will be illuminated in blue

Why 1-in-3 Scots need SNP to take this painful condition seriously Lauren Bennie

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