SNP MP calls on Scottish independence supporters to 'begin marching' despite country still being in lockdown

The SNP must be 'honest' about the economic reality of Scottish independence in a post-Covid world, pro-Union campaigners have said. It comes as the Scottish Government prepares to publish its annual GERS report this week, which estimates the difference between what Scotland raises in taxation and what is spent on its public services.

Alex Neil has announced he will stand down as an MSP at next year's Holyrood election. The ex- health secretary is the latest former member of Alex Salmond's Cabinet to step away from the Scottish Parliament, with Stewart Stevenson and Roseanna Cunningham having previously revealed their intention to quit in 2021.

Scottish independence in the future, the Deputy First Minister has said. John Swinney hit back at a comment from Tory minister Michael Gove who had questioned whether the voting franchise should remain the same as the 2014 referendum.

independence as a "distraction" from more important issues facing the country, a new poll has found. A survey carried out by YouGov revealed just 36% of voters in Scotland agreed that independence was "one of the most important issues facing the country", while 52% said it distracts "from other important issues that should get more attention", and a further 11% said they didn't know.

independence with 55% for Yes, a new poll suggests.The survey by Panelbase reflects a reversal of the 2014 referendum which ended 55-45 in favour of staying in the UK.It was commissioned by pro-indy organisation Business for Scotland and is the latest in a run of polls showing a majority wants to end the Union.Crucially, the latest poll shows a slim pro-indy majority when undecided voters are included in the results.It was based on the same question from 2014 when voters were asked: “Should

exam results for English pupils. The shambles comes one week after the Scottish Government became the first of four UK administrations to bow to mounting pressure and scrap downgraded results.

independence referendum pledge will be in the SNP's manifesto for the what she called the "most important" election in Scottish history. The SNP leader committed to offering indyref2 despite a clear and constant refusal by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to allow another vote on the constitution.

school results scandal.The First Minister praised Professor Mark Priestley, who came out for the SNP at the general election, for his skills and experience and said he is the right person for the job.Education Secretary John Swinney this week made a u-turn after confirming that around 120,000 downgraded results would be reversed following a backlash by pupils and parents.Get all the top Scottish politics news sent straight to your Inbox by signing up to our Politics newsletter.We cover Holyrood,

SNP members have demanded they keep a place at the "decision-making table" as the fall-out from a row over how the party selects its candidates continues. Divisions among Nationalists have emerged after the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) ruled that any sitting MP would have to resign their seat  before they could stand for election to the Scottish Parliament.

Kenny MacAskill has criticised the Scottish Government for “failing” to hand over all the papers in the Alex Salmond probe. MacAskill rejected claims some information had to be censored and backed a Holyrood committee’s demands for full disclosure.

Alex Salmond fiasco has clashed again with the Scottish Government on the operation of the probe.

SNP is on course for a crushing victory at the next Holyrood election, according to a new poll.  The snapshot found the Nationalists on 57% in first-past-the-post constituencies, which would help the SNP secure a sizeable majority.  In another boost for Nicola Sturgeon, support for independence stands at 53%, which is in line with recent polls.

Jack McConnell has called for “a clear out at the top” of Scottish education to ditch problems that have been around for more than a decade and restore confidence in the exams system. Speaking ahead of John Swinney’s statement to Holyrood on the exams fiasco the former Labour First Minister said the episode highlighted the need for a major shakedown in Scottish education.

Alex Salmond is scheduled to be broadcast on the BBC next week. Presented by Kirsty Wark, one of Scotland’s top journalists, it includes interviews with some of the women at the centre of a trial that saw Salmond cleared.

furious backlash by pupils and her own SNP colleagues. The First Minister admitted teenagers gathered in the middle of Glasgow were "entitled to be angry" but said they should rely on an appeals process.

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internal market between the four UK nations after Brexit. Mike Russell, the Scottish Government's spokesman on the constitution, told MSPs today the plan was not about smoothing trade but removing power from Holyrood and handing it back to Westminster.

Boris Johnson “is not going to be the person who saves the Union” just days after the Tory leader flew into Scotland in the wake of polls showing rising support for independence. The former Labour leader also suggested a revival in his own party's fortunes under Keir Starmer had so far not stretched to north of the Border.

Ruth Davidson has claimed Unionists should have "put the boot in" following the 2014 independence referendum. The former Scottish Conservatives leader said there should have been a more aggressive approach to nationalism in the aftermath of the landmark vote, which saw support for the SNP surge.