Friday briefing: How Gaza, Lebanon and Iran have found themselves caught in an escalation without end www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...

First Edition: How Henry Nowak’s ​death has been twisted into a rallying cry for the far right www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...

If you’ve not signed up yet, here’s my first First Edition newsletter, on the impact of the Mandelson saga beyond the Westminster bubble www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...

I love this story from @hannahalothman.bsky.social about how the enduring friendships formed between Durham miners and the local LGBT+ community during the 80s strikes now overcame Reform's funding cuts www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

“Journalists and activists need to take stock too. Until we all stop dividing the world up into good guys and w**ks, we are going to be stuck in a groundhog day of shabby, tribal politics” @danigaravelli.bsky.social is brilliant on the Murell fallout www.heraldscotland.com/news/2615250...

This is a wonderfully crafted read from Nesrine, highly recommended

“We’ll get through this” Trans community and inclusive businesses and services respond to EHRC guidance www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

"All black British people are expected to take note, for fear of equally stepping out of line" Must-read from @afuahirsch.bsky.social on the hounding of Misan Harriman www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

John Swinney appoints new majority women cabinet - Politics Live UK www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

"The reality is that even the brave cannot emerge unscarred" @juliettegarside.bsky.social on why we need to talk about misogyny when we talk about press freedom www.theguardian.com/membership/2...

It’s rare to interview someone who is willing to share so honestly and insightfully about the immense challenges they have faced after their time in the spotlight. So much admiration for Daniela.

I know this is The Forbidden Topic but here is the truth: cheap food in the US is generally bad and cheap food in the UK is generally bad. You can get EXCELLENT food in both countries but it tends to be expensive, urban or both. Good food cultures eg Italy have widespread cheap excellent food

Have seen enough of the thighs of potential Labour leadership challengers. Many thanks

Elsewhere: it's swearing in day for the new cohort of Scottish MSPs, including the highest number of newbies since Holyrood began - UK politics live www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

They're all - still - waiting for Wes Streeting to launch a leadership challenge.

The new Holyrood cohort begins by voting for its presiding officer - choosing the SNP’s Kenny Gibson, a candidate many hope will not only keep charge of a potentially fractious chamber but stand up for members in dealings with the parliament administration

Some days, its advisable to put politcs on pause and write about a wandering walrus instead www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

Politics live UK - does Andy Burnham's route back to the Commons wind through Dundee? @severincarrell.bsky.social reports on a Churchillian theory www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

Morning all - I'm looking to speak to parents and teens who have concerns about the recent Higher Maths exam - get in touch here or via other contacts in bio

NEW UK firefighters called to one lithium-ion battery fire every five hours - these shocking figures collected by QBE insurers show the scale of this new hazard, as fire experts again call for greater public education and government regulation www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

“We’ve now entered a new era of politics where racism is in our parliament" Minority groups brace for surge in racism after Reform UK election gains - report with @nehagohil.bsky.social & Aamna Mohdin www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar warns other Scottish political leaders not to spend the next Holyrood parliament “shouting about Nigel Farage” - says his job is to ensure there is a credible opposition at Holyrood “that holds the SNP’s feet to the fire” www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

John Swinney plans to work with the nationalist first ministers in Wales and Northern Ireland in a coordinated opposition to Labour’s policies on the cost of living and UK government spending www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

John Swinney says he wants nationalist leaders in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to be heard "loud and clear" in Whitehall - me with @libbybrooks.bsky.social and Bethan McKernan 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇮🇪👇 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Public service post: spring dog joy

Analysis: The SNP may have won again but Scottish politics has been upended - from myself & @severincarrell.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

John Swinney urges Starmer to show Scotland ‘greater respect’ after SNP victory, as Labour left humiliated by tying in second with Reform UK, on just 17 seats #Holyrood26 www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Declaring now in Glasgow: SNP hold for Easterhouse and Springburn for Ivan McKee: he thanks voters ‘for rejecting those who seek to divide our communities’

John Swinney declares victory for SNP in Holyrood elections www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

UK politics live: Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar concedes defeat, blaming 'national dissatisfaction' with party www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has arrived at the count in Glasgow and conceded that the party had lost because of a “national wave” of dissatisfaction that he was not able to overcome. “My party is hurting today, and it's my job to hold them together”.

Reportedly it’s been very busy at our polling station in North Ayrshire although a bit surreal seeing a Reform and SNP rep on either side of the entry door 🤪

Just been on a jog around my (albeit middle class/studenty) area and cheered to see queues at a couple of polling stations. Gotta seize the hope where you find it in these times #holyrood2026

Glasgow Anniesland #dogsatpollingstations

Polls open until 10pm for the 2026 Scottish Parliament election (an hour ago, thanks for not posting the scheduled polls open post, Buffer xoxo); the earlier you vote the better, don't let the day get away from you! Pop in en route to work, after dropping weans at nursery, or coming back from gym!

The great known unknown for Scotland is who will vote Reform on Thursday – regular voters who have dumped mainstream parties or non-voters enthused by its disruptive offer – and how likely they are to turn out on the day... www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Remember that we have elections in Scotland and Wales tomorrow, and don't let anyone put you off voting by telling you that it's meaningless or 'boring'. There could be a political earthquake in Wales this time around, and Scotland doesn't need people dismissing its outcome. 🗳️

Anas Sarwar says 38 seats on knife-edge, as he claims jailing of council leader shows 'rotten culture at heart of SNP' - UK politics live www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

Former SNP council leader Jordan Linden jailed for sexual offences against young men and boys www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

May elections: What’s at stake across England, Wales and Scotland? www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Reform’s toxic thinking has infected Scottish politics – this week’s Holyrood elections will tell us how badly, writes Jasmeen Kanwal www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Second to last day of campaigning in the Scottish parliament elections: high streets, dentistry and detention centres - UK politics live www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

Economists warn Scottish parties guilty of ‘fiscal denial’ and failing to tell voters the scale of Scottish government’s huge challenges after SNP’s lack of financial discipline #Holyrood26 👇🏾🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🗳️ www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Scotland’s budget black hole: all parties accused of ‘fiscal denial’ and failing to tell voters the scale of the challenge ahead of Thursday’s election - @severin.carrell.bsky.social reports www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

This is a terrific read on what's NOT being discussed in this lacklustre Holyrood election campaign

Voters will reject Reform UK's 'Trumpesque' threat to punish communities who don't back them, @scottishgreens.org predict - UK politics live www.theguardian.com/politics/liv...

“If you’re a supporter of the Palestinians and you don’t like the conflation of opposition to Israel with antisemitism, here’s a really easy way to reject that conflation: take a stand now against antisemitism and in support of British Jews.” www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

We're told that Scotland is overrun with asylum seekers. But actually, fewer than 7,000 people are seeking asylum here. That’s only 0.12% of the total population. They wouldn’t even fill Falkirk football stadium. Get the facts here: https://ow.ly/uLW950YQZti

Absolute scenes here in Scotland as political leaders urgently revise their campaign stops today to take in a distillery - ANY distillery - following Trump's whisky tariffs decision www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

‘It ruined my night’: photographers accused of targeting women at St Andrews May Dip - by Zainab Haji www.theguardian.com/media/2026/m...