The steps to freedom are often slow and incremental; it is often a woman’s struggle with still scant recognition | Jillian Louis

Whatever his other attributes, Keir Starmer is not the right man to take the fight to Nigel Farage's far right | Richard Haviland

The fragile cost of being open to life | Susana W. Dawn

Such a fantastic poem of hope in today's @bylines.scot I've just read it with a cup of tea in hand as, in my house, the kettles never fully cold! Please repost as @diyabutt.bsky.social has captured hope in verse. And who doesn't need some of that on a silly old Friday?

The political tensions in Holyrood exploded recently – report of a government minister getting physical with an opposition MSP made the news | James Jobson

This time @diyabutt.bsky.social wrote a beautiful poem for My Scotland stories: "Please find common ground – through culture, faith, love, respect and value for each other." Worthwhile a read! Email us to [email protected] if you have any story connection with Scotland.

Press Release: ALIenergy celebrates its 25th anniversary and demands government action to lift people out of fuel poverty | Bylines Scotland

Before you consider supporting the UK leaving the European Convention of Human Rights (EHCR), it might be you that hears the dawn knock  | Martin Roche

Reform’s £234bn claim about migrants is based on discredited numbers, says the Bear. Policy built on lies is not policy, it’s theatre.

A study conducted by the think tank Common Wealth found that private energy bills were funding corporate profits  | Charlie McCarthy

It is time that the media fulfills its role to critically examine politician’s statements and call them out when they stray from the truth | Lord Foulkes

One of the possibly underrated dangers of the Trump administration, is it ability to bully globally. #ClimateCrisis

1/ Great to see the Bylines Network, and citizen journalism generally, getting a shout-out from George Monbiot in the Guardian @georgemonbiot.bsky.social

Press release: European Movement in Scotland announces keynote speaker for its annual event | Martin Roche

Former Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro faces 27-year prison sentence. Were the proceedings fairly conducted? | Dr Patricia S Paton

Glasgow Doors Open Days are approaching their end. Are you planning to visit any of the buildings this weekend? If so, why not write about your experience? We will be eager to read it! glasgowdoorsopendays.org.uk/whats-on/

A new MyScotland story – To me, what matters is to show love, care and tolerance to others – is worthwhile a read! Beautifully written, diving in what we are and what it matters. Thank you Len! If you have your story please do get in touch be emailing [email protected]

“…One possible scenario outlined was […] Reform win at a canter in England, & Farage becomes Prime Minister. What possible legitimacy would such a government have to impose its agenda north? And what would that mean for devolution?” @lochansmill.bsky.social @lesleyriddoch.bsky.social

Yes groups across Scotland call for action to lower energy bills @yesforeu.bsky.social will join the action on Saturday 11am-1pm on the Meadows, in collaboration with Yes Marchmont & Morningside. Launch of i-Switch project by @believeinscotland.bsky.social tackling exorbitant energy prices.

With the Holyrood election approaching fast, Scotland’s political presence and future is examined at the Kirkcudbright Festival | Alec Ross

📔Pencil in into your diary: 1 November 2025. Guy Verhofstadt, former Belgian Prime Minister and European Parliament political heavyweight to speak at pro-EU dinner in Edinburgh More details soon. @euromovescotland.bsky.social

Press release: undermining economic resilience – new paper warns EU fiscal rules would lock an independent Scotland into austerity | Bylines Scotland

In the light of The Guardian’s last report on sewage in English and Welsh rivers. “The Commission has also learnt from Scotland’s ethical based regulation model the benefit of close supervisory engagement with the company to understand more deeply its challenges and capabilities and build trust.”

Elected representatives changing parties during their term are breaking their policy promises | James Jobson

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✍️ Trump fooled them twice Did Republican voters in the 2024 US elections just get fooled again – and when will they realise? By J 'Masharubu' Strauss

The new earnings-related pension system will evolve as a hybrid; after 40 years all workers will have been automatically enrolled  | Jim Osborne

@alisonphipps.bsky.social @neilmackay.bsky.social this article I wrote references you both. Your interview about the demonisation of refugees was so important and such a matter of public interest that I wonder if @heraldscotland.bsky.social would consider, exceptionally, removing the paywall?

A legal challenge by Graham Moore has resulted in two High Court judges ordering a recount in the recent Helsby and Runcorn by-election www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpo...

The Labour leadership is tacitly accepting, and reflecting, Farage’s perverted notion of patriotism | Richard Haviland

Love and poets — an inseparable relationship | Susana W. Dawn

A meteor shower over Scotland and hillwalkers are being asked to collect debris to help science  | Charlie McCarthy

What independence campaigns need to know about legacy trade deals to avoid fish hooks in foreign investment  | Dr Cathy Gunn

“ “Netanyahu and Zionism no longer want to strip us of our culture,” one woman said. “They are killing us daily until we are annihilated, as happened previously with the Native Americans. A real genocide is taking place.” “ @jenniekermode.bsky.social

Press release: Shared Parenting Scotland's thoughts on World Suicide Prevention Day | Bylines Scotland

Israel has ordered civilians to evacuate “for your own safety,” but without transport, many are physically unable to do so | Jennie Kermode

Previously on Bylines Scotland “Glasgow…prides itself on its welcome to people from different cultures. But sinister political forces are eating away at racial harmony. Glasgow will do well to see them defeated at the ballot box.”

Stop pretending migrants broke Britain. Politicians did, by failing to invest in housing, health, care and productivity. The Bear explains...

A National Pension Fund could function as a wealth fund investing in ways which support a transition to a wellbeing economy | Jim Osborne

Previously on Bylines Scotland A poetic ode to Chopin and his Scottish benefactor Jane Stirling

Short-term let (STL) landlords and second homeowners are the latest scapegoats for rising wealth inequality and poor economic performance | David Murray

Previously in Bylines Scotland and enjoy your weekend! “Imagine a state of Zen, a state of inner peace. Your body might be creaking and at breaking point but inside you have never felt better.”

In early August, Chris Hermann of the European Council on Foreign Relations wrote about how the Trump administration aims to remodel Europe. | Martin Roche

"It is not an exaggeration to say that the future of the Union will be greatly threatened by a Farage government. If the English press wants to accurately report events around the Union’s demise or survival it would do well to read some history and do some research"

The ‘Brexit’ deal of the Conservative government left the UK outside the ‘Dublin procedure,’ whereby people seeking asylum in the UK could be returned to the first EU country they entered. After 2020 increasing numbers of ‘small boats’ carrying people fleeing war and famine in their homelands arrive

How England’s ill-informed media often annoy Scots | Martin Roche

The madness of King Donald: part two Dishonest and selfish people often achieve power with popular support. Politicians of principle still exist, and often suffer persecution westenglandbylines.co.uk/politics/the...

"Half of all Americans agree that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza while 35% disagree and 15% are not sure. Among Republicans, 64% say that Israel is not committing genocide in Gaza. A decisive 77% of Democrats believe that Israel is committing genocide."