Hahahaha well I don't hold out much hope of England beating Mexico, if I'm honest.

I am not watching the football because I have things on tonight, but am I to understand it is all going swimmingly and to plan for England? 😂

"If you can change somebody’s life that fraction, it does major things for them. It gives them hope. It gives them a sense of achievement, even. And it gives them a bit of self-worth, knowing that somebody listened to them and somebody helped them." www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...

Deplorable language is just one part of a climate that enables racism to flourish, says @louisewilso.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...

“Inequality is important because it is psychologically harmful to grow up in a society where you know that you’re being left behind,” @davehawkey.bsky.social quoted in this nuanced article on child poverty by @louisewilso.bsky.social in Holyrood Magazine. www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...

"I understand why many people are so angry that they would turn out to protest. But let’s be clear: none of this is the fault of immigrants." My latest column for @holyroodmag.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...

This is a really excellent report from @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social on swimming, pools and govt commitments. Well worth a read, imo. www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...

I was sickened to see the race-related attacks that happened in my city, writes @louisewilso.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...

The pollen count. It's simply too high.

🥱

Jeezo, this is some boring football

See also: advice from a ginger.

"Even the judge at the High Court in Edinburgh had to say that he was left wondering just why the former chief executive of the SNP embezzled more than £400,000 from the party he led." Good piece on the Murrell scandal by @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...

BREAKING: Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell jailed for more than five years for embezzlement www.holyrood.com/news/view,fo...

When did things go wrong for the beleaguered PM? The answer is: almost immediately. Labour’s honeymoon period was small, cut short in part by a statement from Chancellor Rachel Reeves who warned of “incredibly tough choices” ahead. Things did not improve from there www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...

It’s remarkable that a man who won such a huge majority in the House of Commons less than two years ago has ended up here, writes @louisewilso.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...

Keir Starmer: Where did it all go wrong? www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...

After everything, this was a reasonably dignified speech from the (now outgoing) PM. Eyes now turn to the rest of the PLP. Will it be a coronation of Andy Burnham or will someone else seek to make it a contest? www.holyrood.com/news/view,ke...

"Sadly, this level of political nous often goes unrewarded within the SNP, so while she may have hit the nail on the head, she has also hammered her future prospects." My latest @holyroodmag.bsky.social sketch: Kate Campbell says the quiet part out loud www.holyrood.com/comment/view...

Just putting on record that I did not watch the game last night. 'mon Scotland.

First Minister John Swinney has accused Reform UK of inciting racial hatred after a second night of disorder in Scotland. www.holyrood.com/news/view,jo...

Frankly pretty poor that at the first ever election of committee conveners, only one is being contested. Good on Emma Roddick and Jenni Minto for both standing for Standards. But the rest have clearly been decided behind closed doors by parties, which is what the new system was supposed to avoid.

Pleased to announce the 2nd year of the Lord Cormack Fellowship. This year we are providing two (paid) places for aspiring journalists on our unique editorial and political journalism programme at the heart of Westminster: totalpoliticsgroup.bamboohr.com/careers/91

The Scottish Government has been found in contempt of court for failing to publish information it was ordered to disclose. www.holyrood.com/news/view,sc...

I have lots of meetings and then an after-work reception today, so of course the first thing I do upon arrival in Edinburgh is throw coffee over myself. Now rinsed under a tap in parliament. Living that professional high life.

I'm pretty excellent at Beer Pong. I'm at the age where this is mostly useless, so I'd trade it for being able to sing.

Rather than a vote of confidence for the SNP, the election result speaks to an electorate let down by both governing and opposition parties, says @louisewilso.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...

Holyrood needs reform! Electoral reform! www.holyrood.com/comment/view...

Actor Paul Higgins walked out of the Supreme Court and got a grin from Michael Gove. After 20 years, the Scottish actor's Thick of It spin doctor endures - but his own life is fascinating, poverty, priesthood, plays and all www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...

So, that's the first full week of normal parliamentary business over. There were moments of consensus...and clashes too. Can this Scottish Parliament work together for the good of the country? www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...

How is AI being used to improve public transport in Scotland? It's a fascinating topic and we've barely scratched the surface of innovation in transport in the UK... But there's LOADS of great trials taking place, including in Glasgow. www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...

A Streeting Stomp, a Rayner Rumba or a Burnham Bop? "Forget a battle of ideas, how about a dance off? Whoever can throw the best shapes wins the keys to Number 10. It couldn’t end worse than the current mess." www.holyrood.com/comment/view...

I'm not even than into football but the sheer joy of this is just so brilliant. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

NEW: Jenny Gilruth has been appointed Deputy First Minister. Her Cabinet portfolio will be confirmed later today. She was previously education secretary.

The Chamber seating arrangements for Session 7 at The Scottish Parliament have been agreed. ⬇️

McArthur has now written to MSPs confirming his intention to stand in the PO election. He has pledged to ensure the "rights of backbenchers are properly safeguarded" if he wins.

Lots being said about the election of Q Manivannan as an MSP, who is in the UK on a temporary student visa. I explain here how it was possible - a rule change unanimously agreed by parliament, and Home Office rules that elected office is not classed as employment. www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...

👋Hello to our new MSPs. We've started a list of those elected to Holyrood for the first time who are also on Bluesky. go.bsky.app/QCHVz7P

Lots being said about the election of Q Manivannan as an MSP, who is in the UK on a temporary student visa. I explain here how it was possible - a rule change unanimously agreed by parliament, and Home Office rules that elected office is not classed as employment. www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...

Listeners in Orkney will have heard me this morning talking about the role of presiding officer, with local MSP Liam McArthur set to make a run for it. You can listen back to that here, from about 7 mins in. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

I already told Allan how useful his website was yesterday, but just wanted to give a public shout out to @ballotbox.scot for the absolute heroic effort he put in yesterday (and will continue to do over the coming days).

Final Results! www.holyrood.com/news/view,sn...

Highlands and Islands regional seats: 2 Reform 2 Green 1 SNP 1 Lib Dem 1 Conservative (Posting for completeness, as I was asleep by the time the result actually came in...!)

Central Scotland and Lothians West regional seats: 3 Reform 2 Labour 1 Green 1 Conservative

West Scotland regional seats: 2 Reform 2 Green 2 Labour 1 Conservative

This means there is no Conservative representation in Glasgow anymore at Holyrood, with no constituencies or list seats. An unwelcome first for the party.

Glasgow regional list seats: 3 Labour 2 Reform 2 Green

South Scotland regional list seats: 3 Reform 2 Labour 1 Green 1 Lib Dem

The fall of a 99er: Fergus Ewing is out. He comes third in the Inverness and Nairn race, having contested as an Independent. The SNP's Emma Roddick returns to parliament with 11k+ votes. Lib Dems not far behind in second.

North East regional seats: 2 Reform 2 Conservative 1 Green 1 Labour 1 Lib Dem