#UK: Scotland's First Minister Yousaf Resigns As Party Leader, First Min.

[world politics news]

Humza Yousaf has resigned as leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and as Scotland’s first minister.

The move comes shortly after Yousaf ended the ruling coalition between the SNP and the Scottish Greens. That triggered two no-confidence votes put forward by opposition parties that Yousaf looked likely to lose.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SCOTLAND: Yusaf Wins SNP Leadership Race

[world politics news]

Former Scottish Health Minister Humza Yousaf has been elected the first minority ethnic leader of the Scottish National party, in a narrow victory that will force him to confront deep divisions within the party.

He is almost certain to be confirmed as Scotland’s next First Minister after the Scottish Greens said they would back his nomination on Tuesday, but he faces a significant internal challenge bringing the SNP’s warring wings together.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SCOTLAND: Menstrual Products Become Free Under 2020 Law

[world politics news]

Period products, including tampons and sanitary pads, are now free of cost in Scotland to anyone who needs them.

Starting this week, menstrual products will be available in places like pharmacies and community centers, thanks to legislation approved by Scotland's parliament in 2020.

"Providing access to free period products is fundamental to equality and dignity, and removes the financial barriers to accessing them," said Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison in a statement, calling the move "more important than ever" in an era of rising costs of living.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#UK: Scottish MP Says Scottish Entry To EU Would "Put Rocket Boosters" On Economy

[world politics news]

Joining the European Union as an independent nation would “put rocket boosters” on Scotland’s coronavirus recovery, a senior SNP MP has claimed.

Alyn Smith, the party’s foreign affairs spokesman, said that currently firms were having to try to survive the Covid-19 pandemic at the same time as coping with the fallout from Brexit.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SCOTLAND: First Minister Knew Of Missing Funds Two Years Ago

[world politics news]

 

Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, was at a meeting over two years ago where concerns were raised about £600,000 in “missing" Scottish National Party  donations that are now being investigated by police.

The First Minister, also the SNP's Leader, has been accused of failing to take action after a National Executive Committee gathering in June 2019, where a senior party member demanded to know what had happened to an independence referrendum campaign fund.

A fraud probe has been launched by Police Scotland’s financial crimes unit after seven ­complaints that more than £600,000 raised by activists was diverted by the SNP for other purposes.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#UK: Scotland's Finance Secretary Resigns, Suspended From Party, Over Texts To 16-year-old Boy

[world politics news]

Scotland's finance secretary has resigned  amid reports that he messaged a 16-year-old boy on social media over several months. He was then suspended from the Scottish National Party for his alleged "predatory" behavior.

The Scottish Sun said that Derek Mackay, 42, contacted the schoolboy over 270 times over a six-month period, and told him that he was "cute."

Mackay said he had "behaved foolishly" and took full responsibility for his actions.

The career-ending move for the Scottish Member of Parliament is seen as a black eye for Scotland's largest party,  in which MacKay was seen as a rising star. Party Leader and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Mackay's conduct had fallen "far short" of expectations.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SCOTLAND: SNP Leader Says Scotland Won't Be "Imprisoned" Within UK

[world politics news]

Scottish National Party Leader Nicola Sturgeon says Scotland cannot be “imprisoned in the UK against its will” and warned that Boris Johnson’s continued refusal to grant her the powers to hold a second referendum can only increase support for Scottish independence.

In the December 12th UK election, the SNP, campaigning on the promise of a second independence referendum, increased its share of the vote to 45% in Scotland, winning a greater proportion of the votes there than the Conservatives did across the UK, and also increased its number of MPs at Westminster to 47.

In contrast, the Conservatives – whose campaign in Scotland was focused on opposition to a second independence referendum – lost more than half their Scottish MPs, dropping from 13 to six.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#UK: Parliament In Chaos After Scottish National Party Leader Blackford Removed, SNP MPs Walk Out

[world politics news]

The House of Commons descended into chaos Tuesday as the leader of the Scottish National Party in parliament, Ian Blackford, was expelled for trying to call a vote in the middle of Prime Minister's Question time, which was against protocol. Blackford was upset about the debate on devolution of powers to Scotland, which had been cut short. Blackford tried to use an arcane procedure demanding the 'House sit in private' - a motion that requires a vote of MPs on whether to clear public galleries. The entire SNP delegation walked out after he was expelled by House Speaker John Bercow.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SCOTLAND: Lawmakers Consider Banning Older Cars From Cities And Towns To Reduce Pollution [world politics news]

Motorists will be banned from entering cities or face automatic fines if their cars do not meet strict clean air standards. New laws paving the way for four "low-emission zones" within the next two years were today introduced by Nicola Sturgeon's Scottish National Party in the Scottish Parliament. The new law could see nearly a million older petrol and diesel vehicles barred from parts of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee in a bid to improve public health.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: Scottish Parliament Rushes Thru Alternative Brexit "Continuity" Bill Amid Warnings About Haste

[world politics news]

A large majority of the members of the Scottish Parliament have rushed through legislation designed to ensure continuity in the face of a rapidly approaching "Brexit" between the UK and Europe. The lopsided 86 to 27 vote fast-tracks the legislation, which Conservative MSP's argued was "bad legislation" that lacked proper oversight or debate.

Pictured: Michael William "Mike" Russell, a Scottish National Party member of the Scottish Parliament who is Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: Scotland Wants Seat At The Table During Brexit Talks To Guarantee Cooperation

[world politics news]

The Scottish National Party is set to demand a seat at the Brexit talks in return for ensuring the Scottish Parliament does not disrupt Theresa May's plans. The Prime Minister has admitted the Government's flagship Repeal Bill - which is essential to Brexit - may require a 'legislative consent motion' in Holyrood. Her admission potentially hands a veto to the Parliament in Edinburgh where the SNP governs as a minority administration.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: Scotland To Ask UK Gov't For 2nd Independence Vote, But UK PM May Already Said "No"

[world politics news]

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's plan to call a second referendum on independence for Scottish independence has been formally backed by the Scottish Parliament. Members voted MSPs voted by 69 to 59 in favor of seeking permission for a referendum before the UK leaves the EU. But the UK's government, led by Prime Minister Theresa May, has already said it will block a referendum until after the Brexit process has been completed.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: PM Theresa May Rejects Scottish First Min. Sturgeon's Call For 2nd Independence Referendum

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Theresa May has said she will not accept Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s demand for a new referendum on Scotland's Independence from the United Kingdom. Last week, Sturgeon called for a second vote on the constitution within the next two years but that has been ruled out by the Prime Minister. The UK government must approve any new referendum. May told ITV News: "My message is very clear. Now is not the time. I’ve explained the reasons why." The UK has approved a move to leave the European Union but many in Scotland wish to remain.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#UK: Scottish Parliament Narrowly Votes In Favor Of Fracking Ban

[world politics news]

The Scottish parliament has voted narrowly in favor of a ban on fracking, after Scottish National party MSPs abstained following a debate that gave a strong indication of the changed nature of the new Holyrood chamber.  The SNP announced a moratorium on fracking in Scotland last January, but has stopped short of an outright ban.

#UK: Frmr. SNP Dep. Ldr. Says The Separatist Pty. Fighting To Remain In EU's A "Glaring Contradiction"

[world politics news]

A former deputy leader of the SNP has accused the current leadership of living in "parallel universe" by campaigning to Remain in the European Union when they want to take Scotland out of the United Kingdom. Sillars said it is a "glaring contradiction to reject a union of 60 million people only to embrace a union of 500 million.

#UK: Nicola Sturgeon Re-Elected First Minister of Scottish Assembly

[world politics news]

Nicola Sturgeon is to be reappointed as first minister of Scotland after she was backed for the job by members of the Scottish Assembly at Holyrood. Sturgeon's SNP won its third consecutive election on May 5, but finished two seats short of an overall majority. Liberal Democratic Party Leader Willie Rennie was the only other member to run against Sturgeon. Sturgeon, who won 63 votes to Rennie's five, is now the official nominee for first minister, to be confirmed by the Queen. During the vote, 59 members abstained, backing neither candidate.

#UK: Conservatives Make Big Gains In Scottish Assembly Election; Now #2 Pty

[world politics news]

The Conservative Party is now the second largest party in the Scottish Assembly after last week's election saw them gain 16 seats to hold 31 in the regional parliament, behind the Scottish National Party, which holds 63, down 13 from the 2011 election. Labour lost 13 seats, holding just 24 after the result.

Pictured: Scottish Conservative Leader Ruth Davidson

#SCOTLAND: Frmr. First Min. Tried To Sell Edinburgh Airport To Qatar, Trade Agenda Shows

[world politics news]

Selling Edinburgh Airport to the rulers of Qatar was top of Alex Salmond’s agenda during a 2011 trade mission, according to civil servant papers. Briefing documents drawn up before the former first minister traveled to the oil-rich Gulf nation in 2011 have revealed that promoting the airport was a priority. The air hub, Scotland’s busiest, was on the market at the time.

#UK: Scottish National Party Planning Second Independence Referendum For 2021

[world politics news]

Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the Scottish National Party, is planning another referendum on Scottish independence, despite UK PM David Cameron's insistence that the issue was "settled for a generation" in the party's failed 2014 effort, in which 55% voted to remain within the UK.

#UK: Labour Pty Refuses To Rule Out Power-Sharing Alliance With Scottish National Pty

[world politics news]

Conservative Party strategists are noting gleefully that the Labour Party has publicly refused to rule out a deal with the Scottish National Party over 100 times during the campaign leading up to the May 7 election. The SNP is on course to be a supermajority in Scotland, trouncing Labour candidates.


Pictured: Conservative campaign poster showing Labour leader Ed Miliband in SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon's top pocket.