Opinion

comment

All voices must be heard on such a sensitive and emotive matter, writes Karen Adam

Karen Adam: Conversations around death should be an essential part of living well

Scotland has the opportunity right now to show that there is a different path, much as it did in 2014, writes Steph Paton

Scotland has the opportunity right now to show that there is a different path, much as it did in 2014, writes Steph Paton

12

Steph Paton: If SNP are serious about seeing off Reform, they must act in the Budget

To confront and defeat the far-right we first need to identify why some people are voting for them, explores Richie Venton

To confront and defeat the far-right we first need to identify why some people are voting for them, explores Richie Venton

8

Richie Venton: We need socialist policies to combat the far-right

The headlines may be about a man, but the story is about women pushing back, writes Shona Craven

The headlines may be about a man, but the story is about women pushing back, writes Shona Craven

8

Shona Craven: With age comes strength and confidence to stand up to a powerful man

Tiger Woods has not played since July's Open Championship

Tiger Woods has not played since July's Open Championship

Nick Rodger: The Tiger tale goes on but the end is surely nigh

More than 20,000 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel since Sir Keir Starmer became Prime Minister

More than 20,000 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel since Sir Keir Starmer became Prime Minister

4

Tommy Sheppard: There is a simple alternative to UK’s migration mess

George Kerevan writes that Alex Salmond would have wiped the floor with Nigel Farage

George Kerevan writes that Alex Salmond would have wiped the floor with Nigel Farage

7

Alex Salmond would have wiped the floor with Nigel Farage – so we need a strategy

Alex Salmond's widow Moira Salmond (second right) at the public memorial service for the former first minister of Scotland

Alex Salmond's widow Moira Salmond (second right) at the public memorial service for the former first minister of Scotland

7

Ash Regan: Pitch-perfect service can inspire us to take action

The process of applying for benefits is one of the most dehumanising and humiliating experiences I've ever been through

The process of applying for benefits is one of the most dehumanising and humiliating experiences I've ever been through

5

I’m a journalist with a disability – the benefits conversation needs to change

Elon Musk (left) and Donald Trump (right)

Elon Musk (left) and Donald Trump (right)

AI (Artificial Intelligence)

3

Rhoda Meek: We need to pay attention to the Big Tech moguls controlling AI

Alison Phipps discusses the open embrace we lost out on back in 2014

Alison Phipps discusses the open embrace we lost out on back in 2014

1

Alison Phipps: Scotland is straining to take its place on the world stage

Supporters of the 'Not Dead Yet' campaign, which opposes the Assisted Dying Bill, react outside the Houses of Parliament

Supporters of the 'Not Dead Yet' campaign, which opposes the Assisted Dying Bill, react outside the Houses of Parliament

16

Andrew Tickell: What secularists must recognise about the assisted dying debate

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier addresses a speech at the 5th Impact PME

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier addresses a speech at the 5th Impact PME

1

Alyn Smith: Why France’s spiralling debt crisis will resonate across the eurozone

Displaced residents hug as they stand in front of the rubble of their destroyed house in Baalbek

Displaced residents hug as they stand in front of the rubble of their destroyed house in Baalbek

1

David Pratt: What comes next for Lebanon and Hezbollah?

With the rise of parties like Reform UK, though the UK may have no option, Scotland does, writes Robin McAlpine

With the rise of parties like Reform UK, though the UK may have no option, Scotland does, writes Robin McAlpine

35

Robin McAlpine: The choice is clear for Scots – the far-right or independence

Council tax bill

Council tax bill

4

This is how Scotland can use existing devolved powers to reform tax

Tax Justice Scotland formed earlier this week to call for progressive reform. Credit: Damian Shields

Tax Justice Scotland formed earlier this week to call for progressive reform. Credit: Damian Shields

5

Richard Murphy: Tax Justice Scotland has good ideas – here's how it must up its game

Participants in the study highlighted a racial double standard in Western reporting of the conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine

Participants in the study highlighted a racial double standard in Western reporting of the conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine

2

Kazim Ukka: Facing Islamophobia is an everyday reality for young Scottish Muslims

Richard Walker sits at his computer near copies of The National one day after the launch of the newspaper

Richard Walker sits at his computer near copies of The National one day after the launch of the newspaper

14

Richard Walker: I founded The National 10 years ago. It has not always been easy

First Minister John Swinney leads a minority government and will need another party's support to pass a Budget

First Minister John Swinney leads a minority government and will need another party's support to pass a Budget

6

Greens are ready to work with SNP on Budget – if they can earn our trust

First Minister John Swinney appeared to signal support for breaching a treaty banning land mines last week

First Minister John Swinney appeared to signal support for breaching a treaty banning land mines last week

8

Why John Swinney's international law error matters for Scottish independence

Kim Leadbeater's private member's bill on assisted dying will be voted on by MPs on Friday

Kim Leadbeater's private member's bill on assisted dying will be voted on by MPs on Friday

18

Lesley Riddoch: If MPs aren't up to the job on assisted dying, there's an alternative

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is wanted for arrest for war crimes

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is wanted for arrest for war crimes

13

David Pratt: If Israel can find a peace deal in Lebanon, then why not Gaza?

Kelly Given: Will abuse of children with autism not even stir governments to act?

Kelly Given: Will abuse of children with autism not even stir governments to act?

2

Kelly Given: Will abuse of children with autism not even stir governments to act?

There is an 'urgent need for action' to sustain Scotland's fire service, Green MSP Maggie Chapman writes

There is an 'urgent need for action' to sustain Scotland's fire service, Green MSP Maggie Chapman writes

2

Scotland's firefighters are being overlooked. The SNP Government must act now

Farmers show signs during a farmers rally at Whitehall on November 19

Farmers show signs during a farmers rally at Whitehall on November 19

4

Seamus Logan: A radical approach would be to pursue fake farmers

Palestinians mourn their relatives killed in an Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip

Palestinians mourn their relatives killed in an Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip

Alison Phipps: Equivocation and delay over Gaza is aiding the erasure of Palestinians

Alex Cole- Hamilton is demanding a high price for LibDem support of the Scottish budget

Alex Cole- Hamilton is demanding a high price for LibDem support of the Scottish budget

Scottish Government

9

Caitlin Logan: Independence spending in the Scottish Budget is half-baked drama

Leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage speaking at the Reform UK Welsh conference earlier in November

Leader of Reform UK Nigel Farage speaking at the Reform UK Welsh conference earlier in November

7

Scots are crying out for change to status quo – and Reform look set to benefit

A person attaches a dying wish to a tree during an event in support of assisted dying law outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh

A person attaches a dying wish to a tree during an event in support of assisted dying law outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh

8

Shona Craven: Should Holyrood and Westminster move towards assisted dying together?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leaves 10 Downing Street, London

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leaves 10 Downing Street, London

Benjamin Netanyahu

16

Jonathon Shafi: Keir Starmer is on a legally weak platform over the ICC warrants

But beneath the surface, this COP reflects a dangerous breakdown in global co-operation

But beneath the surface, this COP reflects a dangerous breakdown in global co-operation

Failure to co-operate on climate will spell disaster

We never really know how good or bad a Budget is until a few weeks have passed

We never really know how good or bad a Budget is until a few weeks have passed

6

George Kerevan: Extent of the pain Rachel Reeves’s Budget will inflict is clearer

Rent controls have a place in Scotland

Rent controls have a place in Scotland

Rent control bill must be got right for our older tenants

Not only do most people not vote for their self-interests, but they also often vote against them

Not only do most people not vote for their self-interests, but they also often vote against them

Which of our parties actually have the most popular policies?

The people who can take most comfort from votes in recent by-elections are Reform UK

The people who can take most comfort from votes in recent by-elections are Reform UK

2026 Holyrood election

30

Tommy Sheppard: SNP must inspire if they are to win back voters before 2026

If we want an empowered future that functions optimally for those who live and work here, we must vote to make it happen

If we want an empowered future that functions optimally for those who live and work here, we must vote to make it happen

18

Ash Regan: There's only one way to end Great Scottish Energy Swindle

Like John Prescott, Donald Trump could be said to be colourful, just not in a good way

Like John Prescott, Donald Trump could be said to be colourful, just not in a good way

Ruth Wishart: John Prescott was brimming with a charisma few politicians can match

But tentative as it might yet still be, there is a growing sense that the start of the endgame might just be around the corner

But tentative as it might yet still be, there is a growing sense that the start of the endgame might just be around the corner

12

David Pratt: Is Russia's latest move a reckless escalation or into the endgame?

There is a battle of ideas under way about the nature of society, economy, capitalism and the future

There is a battle of ideas under way about the nature of society, economy, capitalism and the future

15

Gerry Hassan: The battle for our future

This moment, for those allied to Israel, is another opportunity for contrition and reform, for careful, deliberate thought

This moment, for those allied to Israel, is another opportunity for contrition and reform, for careful, deliberate thought

2

It’s shameful that it took court order for action to be taken against Israel

For generations, farmers have fought to survive

For generations, farmers have fought to survive

2

Rhoda Meek: Farmers are the ones being left with diddly squat

Scots lawyers are often terrible advocates for their own interests

Scots lawyers are often terrible advocates for their own interests

1

Andrew Tickell: Clinics stepping in while defence lawyers are being left high and dry

People actively return to the sacred and the religious, looking for an anchor of meaning in the everyday

People actively return to the sacred and the religious, looking for an anchor of meaning in the everyday

I'm a Celebrity

10

Pat Kane: I’m A Celebrity can tell us more about our society than you might think

We cannot rule out a coming age of fascism, war, climate-driven mass destruction and all the attendant turmoil

We cannot rule out a coming age of fascism, war, climate-driven mass destruction and all the attendant turmoil

Benjamin Netanyahu

11

Owen Jones: History must be harsh on those who stayed silent

Today in Flodigarry, Gaelic is still heard, the community is resilient and cohesive and they have big plans for the future

Today in Flodigarry, Gaelic is still heard, the community is resilient and cohesive and they have big plans for the future

6

Kate Forbes: Communities like this one show the huge value of Gaelic

Much as Scotland is outside the EU, it is of crucial relevance to us too

Much as Scotland is outside the EU, it is of crucial relevance to us too

1

Alyn Smith: The key roles in EU Parliament election for Scotland to keep an eye on

Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay (left) and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage

Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay (left) and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage

REAL SCOTTISH POLITICS

9

Wee Ginger Dug: Scottish Unionist affection for Reform could spell end of Tories

Labour were practising meaningless gesture politics that could never deliver what they promised, writes John Proctor

Labour were practising meaningless gesture politics that could never deliver what they promised, writes John Proctor

7

John Proctor: Labour clearly don’t know what they’re doing with GB Energy

Large licensed retailers across our country can afford to invest in our health and recovery services, writes Gillian Mackay

Large licensed retailers across our country can afford to invest in our health and recovery services, writes Gillian Mackay

2

Gillian Mackay: Shops that profit from substance abuse should invest in our NHS

It's up to the SNP to put forward a more coherent and honest prospectus than Scottish Labour's U-turn, writes Richard Walker

It's up to the SNP to put forward a more coherent and honest prospectus than Scottish Labour's U-turn, writes Richard Walker

Winter Fuel Payment

4

Richard Walker: The SNP can only rely on Labour’s incompetence for so long

If ever there was an SNP-bad saga which was blown up out of all proportion it's the interminable tale of CalMac's new ferries

If ever there was an SNP-bad saga which was blown up out of all proportion it's the interminable tale of CalMac's new ferries

3

Media's ferry obsession is stark against Royal Navy aircraft carrier delays

Keir Starmer's government has an obsession, writes Richard Murphy

Keir Starmer's government has an obsession, writes Richard Murphy

5

Richard Murphy: GB Energy is just a private equity fund. Don't be fooled

In Ukraine, Washington’s approach has at times been erroneous

In Ukraine, Washington’s approach has at times been erroneous

David Pratt: Ukraine and its allies must keep an eye on Washington as well as Putin