Steph Brawn

Glasgow

Political Journalist at The National (Scotland)

Political journalist @ScotNational. Rugby fan. Sassenach. Views are my own. Got a story? [email protected]

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Articles

Kate Forbes responds to Keir Starmer ruling out independence referendum

4 days ago | thenational.scot | Steph Brawn

Starmer dismissed the idea of an independence vote if the SNP get a majority at next year's Holyrood elections when he spoke to the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland programme. He claimed there was a need for Scotland to remain part of the United Kingdom in order to remain safe as he released his defence review.
'Racist' Reform UK Anas Sarwar advert now seen a million times

5 days ago | thenational.scot | Steph Brawn

The advert – which Reform have spent between £15,000 and £20,000 on – falsely claims Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar would “prioritise the Pakistani community” and includes selected clips from a video spread by far and alt-right agitators on social media in a bid to claim that Europe was under threat from “multiculturalism” and mass immigration, specifically of Muslims.
Dutch filmmakers produce movie set on two of Scotland's greatest trails

1 week ago | thenational.scot | Steph Brawn

The film – called The North – has been created by the team at Tuesday Studio and follows a pair of old friends as they tackle the West Highland Way and Cape Wrath Trail, which in total cover well over 300 miles. The two routes link up, with the West Highland Way going from Milngavie to Fort William, and the unmarked Cape Wrath Trail going from Fort William up to Cape Wrath – the most north westerly point of Scotland.
'It makes sense': Battery manufacturer boss backs zonal pricing

1 week ago | thenational.scot | Steph Brawn

Jonathan Marren, CEO of Invinity Energy Systems, told The National that while there will need to be ways to deal with initial uncertainty the policy could create for renewable investment, he is generally in favour of overhauling the market. Zonal pricing would split the UK into price regions based on local supply and demand.
Kate Forbes demands Westminster action as Scotland's economy shrinks

1 week ago | thenational.scot | Steph Brawn

Data published by the Scottish Government reveals GDP fell 0.2% in March, following a similar drop of 0.2% in February – although GDP as a whole increased over the first three months of 2025 by 0.4% Figures for January, however, saw Scotland record an increase in GDP while the UK as a whole saw the economy contract.
I followed the SNP campaign trail in Hamilton – here’s what I found out

1 week ago | thenational.scot | Steph Brawn

And what I would say from the off is that predicting the result of this by-election is a bit like trying to predict what the weather is going to do in the next hour right now. The political environment is more turbulent than it has ever seemed in my lifetime. I was able to have a bit of a nosey as First Minister John Swinney joined with SNP candidate Katy Loudon for a door-knocking session but, I’ll not lie, the rain made the task somewhat challenging.
John Curtice gives his verdict as Hamilton by-election looms

1 week ago | thenational.scot | Steph Brawn

The top pollster has thrown cold water over rising speculation Reform will take second place in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, where the SNP are trying to hang on to the seat previously held by the late Christina McKelvie. SNP figures, including an MSP, told The National this week they believed Reform were poised to come second in the June 5 vote and that Farage’s troops had taken “wholesale” the support which used to go to the Tories in the South Lanarkshire seat.
Ardrossan Harbour deal 'far from complete', campaigners claim

1 week ago | thenational.scot | Steph Brawn

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced earlier this year that she had asked officials to look at the potential purchase of the harbour in North Ayrshire. For almost 200 years, ferries have left from the harbour for Arran, but for the majority of this year there have been no services from Ardrossan because the Glen Sannox – and its sister ship Glen Rosa that is yet to enter service – are too big to berth there.
Anas Sarwar ad is not racist, says Reform by-election candidate

1 week ago | thenational.scot | Steph Brawn

However, Ross Lambie said the claim that the Scottish Labour leader will “prioritise” the Pakistani community was “a quote from us” rather than Sarwar. The controversial advert has been condemned by other political parties, with First Minister John Swinney describing it as “racist” and calling for Meta to take it down.
John Swinney and Katy Loudon in warning over 'tight contest' in Hamilton

1 week ago | thenational.scot | Steph Brawn

The seat was being billed as a battle between the SNP and Labour, but many are now speculating Reform are the SNP's main rival after the Nigel Farage's party beat Labour in by-election held in Clydebank earlier this month. Several Scottish Government ministers turned out for a campaign photoshoot on Monday, suggesting the SNP know they have a fight on their hands to hold onto the seat previously held by Christina McKelvie, who died in March.