Louise Wilson

Edinburgh, Glasgow

Political Editor and Sketch Writer at Holyrood

Political Editor, sketch writer and generally nosy person, for @HolyroodDaily 📨 [email protected] She/her

Articles

Gillian Mackay to run for Scottish Green co-leader

1 week ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

Gillian Mackay is running to the next co-leader of the Scottish Green Party. The Central Scotland MSP said it was “important that we have women with big voices and ideas” on the frontline of politics while it is “dominated by the egos of men”. The Greens elect two leaders every two years, at least one of whom must be female. All the other parties currently represented at Holyrood are led by men.
John Swinney to vote against assisted dying proposals

1 week ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

John Swinney will vote against plans to introduce assisted dying provisions in Scotland. The bill, brought forward by Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur, is to be debated for the first time on Tuesday. All MSPs have been given a free vote on the matter – meaning they will not be whipped along party lines.
Russell Findlay: Farage would ‘gift the SNP another five years’

1 week ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

Nigel Farage could gift the SNP five more years in power, Russell Findlay has claimed. The Scottish Conservative leader suggested that John Swinney was “thrilled” by progress being made by Reform UK as it benefits the SNP. At an event to mark one year until the next election, Findlay said the prospect of a victory for the SNP “keeps me awake at night”. Both SNP leader John Swinney and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also held similar events today.
Independence will help tackle alienation, says John Swinney

1 week ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

Becoming an independent nation will help tackle the alienation felt by voters, John Swinney has said. The first minister said a pro-independence majority of MSPs in the next Scottish Parliament should result in a referendum being held, and that a “significant SNP win” next year would “drive that agenda”. He was speaking at an event exactly one year ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election, the day after the SNP’s constituency candidates were confirmed.
Peak rail fares scrapped ‘for good’, First Minister John Swinney announces

1 week ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

Peak rail fares are to be scrapped “for good”, First Minister John Swinney has announced as part of his programme for government. The Scottish Government had re-introduced peak fares last autumn, following a year-long trial without them, saying the policy did not deliver value for money. But it left the door open to scrapping them again once finances allowed. Delivering his legislative programme for the next year, Swinney said Scotland’s finances were in a “stronger position”.
Sketch: Rumours of an internal dog fight rock the parliament

2 weeks ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

A group of barking, whining and excitable rabblerousers descended on the Scottish Parliament once again for the annual Holyrood Dog of the Year competition. And some hounds even turned up for it as well. It’s an event that politicians from across the parties take seriously. Very seriously. Spending the morning surrounded by furry friends might sound enjoyable, but in reality the atmosphere is tense.
Scottish Government drops misogyny and conversion therapy bill plans

2 weeks ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

The Scottish Government has dropped its plans to introduce legislation to combat misogyny and ban conversion therapy ahead of the next election. It will also not proceed with planned changes to legislation on adults with incapacity before the end of the parliament. Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon had previously committed to the introduction of a Misogyny Bill, following the recommendation of a working group chaired by Baroness Helena Kennedy.
The Supreme Court has ruled 'sex' means biological sex – the UK Government should fix it

2 weeks ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

The Supreme Court has ruled that biological sex trumps certified sex under the Equality Act. So we need to change the Equality Act. Much has been said in the days since the landmark judgment was handed down, including accusations of bias and partiality. I won’t attempt to critique the country’s top legal minds for how they interpret the law – I will leave that to those with legal backgrounds – nor will I call into question their motives.
2021 election under 2026 boundaries: Here’s what would have happened

2 weeks ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

The Scottish Greens would have two more seats in the Scottish Parliament, at the expense of the SNP and Labour, had the 2021 election been fought on 2026 boundaries. According to analysis by Ballot Box Scotland (BBS), the SNP’s Emma Harper would not have been returned via the South Scotland list – with that seat instead going to the Greens. And in Glasgow, Labour’s Pam Duncan-Glancy would not have made it into parliament with that list seat instead going to a second Glasgow Green MSP.
Politicians ‘cannot deny realities’ of climate change says first minister

2 weeks ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

The first minister has called on the Scottish Parliament to get behind plans to develop carbon capture and storage in Scotland, following the end of oil refining at Grangemouth. John Swinney said the “best thing” politicians could do to support the transition to net zero was help progress the Acorn site. But Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay accused the Scottish Government of having “turned its back” on oil and gas, which he said had led to the closure of the Grangemouth refinery.