Scottish elections

Oct 18, 2025
Illustration of a man in a plaid shirt and work gloves drilling into a building.
Inside John Swinney’s plan to bore his way to election victory

The first minister is leading an SNP that is the most united it has been for years, but a lack of policy ambition could undermine voter support

The Sunday Times
Oct 14, 2025
a man wearing glasses and a black jacket looks at the camera
KENNY FARQUHARSON
Like it or not, the SNP’s election strategy is likely to succeed

John Swinney’s not-so-secret plan is to use the spectre of Nigel Farage to secure victory in Holyrood when Scotland goes to the polls in May

The Times
Oct 12, 2025
a man in a blue suit and white shirt looks at the camera
Swinney is no match for SNP’s forgotten man

The first minister hasn’t a hope of emulating Alex Salmond’s achievements in May’s elections and everyone knows it

The Times
Alex Salmond, wearing a blue scarf and dark coat, departs Edinburgh High Court.
Salmond’s family ‘insulted’ by 15-second tribute at SNP conference

In a five-minute ‘in memorium’ video at party conference, only a few seconds were devoted to the former SNP leader and first minister

The Times
Oct 3, 2025
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar is interviewed on the first day of the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.
Anas Sarwar: Farage is a poisonous little man and a snowflake

The leader of Scottish Labour says he will dictate the terms of his election campaign next year — not Sir Keir Starmer

The Times
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Oct 2, 2025
a man with a beard is wearing a blue shirt and a black jacket
ALEX MASSIE | SKETCH
Our bird-brained MSPs can lower themselves to almost any situation

The issue of seagulls, dogs and digital ID gave the residents of the Toy parliament plenty to get over-excited about

The Times
Sep 29, 2025
a man in a suit and white shirt smiles for the camera
WILLIAM HAGUE
Labour need a leader who tells them the facts

Challenging Starmer is understandable but history shows his party will fail if it simply reaches for the comfort blanket

The Times
Ian Murray MP speaking at a podium with a "Let's Get Britain's Future Back" sign.
I felt ‘publicly humiliated’ when Starmer sacked me, says Ian Murray

The former Scottish secretary said he was expecting to hear ‘something nice’ from the PM when he received a call from No 10

The Times
Sep 28, 2025
Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander and Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar at the Labour Party Conference.
Sarwar calls Farage ‘a pathetic and poisonous little man’

Scottish Labour leader made comments during a speech at the party conference in Liverpool in which he also criticised Sir Keir Starmer

The Times
John Swinney of the SNP and Anas Sarwar of the Labour Party at BBC Scotland's UK General Election Debate.
EXCLUSIVE
SNP and Labour voters open to coalition deal to shut out Reform

Polling suggests that while no party is likely to win a majority at next May’s election, supporters are keen on the idea of an agreement in Scotland

The Times

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Oct 18, 2025
Inside John Swinney’s plan to bore his way to election victory

The first minister is leading an SNP that is the most united it has been for years, but a lack of policy ambition could undermine voter support

The Sunday Times
Oct 14, 2025
KENNY FARQUHARSON
Like it or not, the SNP’s election strategy is likely to succeed

John Swinney’s not-so-secret plan is to use the spectre of Nigel Farage to secure victory in Holyrood when Scotland goes to the polls in May

The Times
Oct 12, 2025
Swinney is no match for SNP’s forgotten man

The first minister hasn’t a hope of emulating Alex Salmond’s achievements in May’s elections and everyone knows it

The Times
Oct 12, 2025
Salmond’s family ‘insulted’ by 15-second tribute at SNP conference

In a five-minute ‘in memorium’ video at party conference, only a few seconds were devoted to the former SNP leader and first minister

The Times
Oct 3, 2025
Anas Sarwar: Farage is a poisonous little man and a snowflake

The leader of Scottish Labour says he will dictate the terms of his election campaign next year — not Sir Keir Starmer

The Times
ADVERTISEMENT
Oct 2, 2025
ALEX MASSIE | SKETCH
Our bird-brained MSPs can lower themselves to almost any situation

The issue of seagulls, dogs and digital ID gave the residents of the Toy parliament plenty to get over-excited about

The Times
Sep 29, 2025
WILLIAM HAGUE
Labour need a leader who tells them the facts

Challenging Starmer is understandable but history shows his party will fail if it simply reaches for the comfort blanket

The Times
Sep 29, 2025
I felt ‘publicly humiliated’ when Starmer sacked me, says Ian Murray

The former Scottish secretary said he was expecting to hear ‘something nice’ from the PM when he received a call from No 10

The Times
Sep 28, 2025
Sarwar calls Farage ‘a pathetic and poisonous little man’

Scottish Labour leader made comments during a speech at the party conference in Liverpool in which he also criticised Sir Keir Starmer

The Times
Sep 28, 2025
EXCLUSIVE
SNP and Labour voters open to coalition deal to shut out Reform

Polling suggests that while no party is likely to win a majority at next May’s election, supporters are keen on the idea of an agreement in Scotland

The Times

All the latest news, analysis, opinion, polls and predictions on the Scottish elections. With the next Scottish parliament election set for 2026, our experts will keep you informed on the key issues and developments as John Swinney’s SNP seek to maintain their position as the largest party in Holyrood.