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

'Sex' means biological sex under Equality Act, judges rule

1 week ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

The possession of a gender recognition certificate does not alter a person’s sex under the Equality Act, the Supreme Court has ruled. Judges unanimously ruled that ‘woman’ and ‘sex’ under the Act refers to biological woman and biological sex, and therefore excludes trans women and trans people. The judgment was handed down on Wednesday morning.
Welfare reforms could push people into ‘deeper poverty’, says Labour MP Katrina Murray

2 weeks ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

A Scottish Labour MP has said the UK Government’s planned welfare reforms may “harm” constituents who could be “pushed into deeper poverty”. Katrina Murray, who represents Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch, said many of the changes announced by chancellor Rachel Reeves had “raised significant alarm”. Posted on X, Murray’s statement is among the strongest criticism from Scottish Labour so far – though the reforms have caused disquiet among MPs in recent weeks.
Tory MSP Maurice Golden to stand down at next election

2 weeks ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

Conservative MSP Maurice Golden will not contest the election next year, he has announced. The North East MSP said that after a decade in the parliament, it was a “natural point to pursue new challenges”. He is the fifth Conservative to confirm his intention to stand down at the end of the current session, following former leader Douglas Ross, Liz Smith, Edward Mountain, and Oliver Mundell.
Cuddly robots and apps for addiction: how life sciences are tackling social issues

2 weeks ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

As Alexandre Colle speaks about his “huge passion” in tackling loneliness and social isolation, Maah is wiggling away quite happily on the desk next to him, purring softly. Colle keeps having to pick Maah up and move him backwards so he doesn’t crawl off the table and hurt himself. Maah is really quite endearing and it’s difficult not to be enamoured with him – even in the full knowledge that he is not an animal, but a robot.
Sketch: Oliver Mundell considers his career choice

2 weeks ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

Oliver Mundell is wondering where the last near-decade of his life went. Speaking in the chamber of the Scottish Parliament – where he has been an elected member since 2016 – the Tory MSP admits he is questioning whether they’ve “actually delivered a meaningful step change” in anything. “What have we actually done?” he asks.
Andrew Bowie: We’ve got a long way to go to win back the trust

2 weeks ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

If you thought going from government minister to opposition would have forced Andrew Bowie to slow down, you’d be mistaken. The West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP is still going full speed, despite not having responsibility for nuclear power any more. Between his shadow Scottish secretary role and his acting shadow energy secretary role (while Claire Coutinho is on maternity leave – he’ll return to shadow energy security minister when she’s back), Bowie has a lot in his plate.
Former Tory MSP Jamie Greene defects to Lib Dems

2 weeks ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

Former Scottish Conservative MSP Jamie Greene has joined the Scottish Liberal Democrats. He announced on Thursday he had left the Conservatives, accusing it of becoming “Reform-lite” and “Trump-esque in both style and substance”. The move brings the total number of Lib Dems in Holyrood to five, while the Tories drop to 30. Greene was announced as the party’s newest MSP at its conference in Inverness, where he addressed delegates ahead of UK party leader Ed Davey.
Trump tariffs will be ‘damaging’ to Scottish economy - John Swinney

3 weeks ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

John Swinney has pledged to work with the UK Government to “promote and protect” Scottish businesses faced with huge tariffs from the US. The first minister said the charges introduced by President Donald Trump would be “damaging” to both the Scottish and UK economies. The US has set a baseline tariff of 10 per cent on all imports from around the world, with some countries facing even higher rates.
Patrick Harvie to step down as Greens co-leader

3 weeks ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

Patrick Harvie is to step down as co-leader of the Scottish Green Party this summer. The Glasgow MSP, who has been at the helm of the party since 2008, said the leadership race to take place in the summer was “an important moment” for the Greens, given the Holyrood election next year. The party holds leadership elections every two years. Harvie has been repeatedly re-elected, usually running unchallenged.
John Swinney: I will not normalise corridor care in hospitals

4 weeks ago | holyrood.com | Louise Wilson

The first minister has pledged to tackle ‘corridor care’ in hospitals following accusations it has become normalised. John Swinney was responding to Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar at first minister’s questions, following a publication of a report critical of A&E care in Glasgow.