Opinion

Because he failed to cut much this week, pundits assume that Chancellor John Healey plans a war on benefits next year. Picture: Jordan Pettitt/PA

Governments are not powerless and the markets are not almighty

Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams both won major acclaim at the most recent National Transport Awards

The Capital’s public transport goes from strength to strength

Growing intercity traffic takes up capacity to grow train transport around the city. Picture: Michael Gillen

Edinburgh needs rail investment to capitalise on existing success

The Chancellor has unveiled a ‘cost-of-living Budget’. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA

Will we see the Budget bear fruit up here?

The Scottish Greens are proposing a new railcard for people in their thirties and forties, offering a third off rail fares and funded by a Frequent Flyer Levy on those who fly most often

A railcard for wider age groups can help Scotland travel greener

Special envoy Steve Witkoff, centre, credited the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, left, with being ‘a humanitarian’ last week, a description that is widely disputed. Picture: Alexander Kazakov/Sputnik via AP

To call Putin ‘a humanitarian’ is an abuse of the English language

The Ross Fountain

Magic memories of Ross Fountain in full flow one fine morning

China sees self-ruled Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually be under Beijing's control. Picture: Alex Wong/Getty Images

We have a moral duty to stand with Taiwan - Alex Cole-Hamilton

A tree on the Roseburn Path was brought down in the storms

Climate change is no longer a distant threat. We need to act now

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How to live long and prosper with help from Gyles Brandreth - Susan Dalgety

Joanna Mowat is Conservative councillor for City Centre ward

Make tackling young hooligans a priority - Joanna Mowat

Brand trial puts the spotlight on porn and abusive male behaviour - Susan Dalget...

BBC Scotland Debate Night's host Stephen Jardine.

Debate over BBC Scotland’s fate takes a turn for the worse - Bruce Whitehead

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We’re on the side of record fans in the vinyl price war - Kevin Buckle

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A case of the Bland leaving the bland Scottish Reform party - Bruce Whitehead

Atty, Scotland’s first-ever baby sloth, and his mum Fe have celebrated World Sloth Day at Edinburgh Zoo with a tasty floral treat while Atty's dad Nico took a nap

There was nothing lazy about our Sloth Day celebrations - Susan Morrison
It was International Sloth Day this week. October 20, to be precise. Naturally, I wished the warmest felicitations to all who celebrated.
Susan Morrison

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Paris can keep the Eiffel Tower, Leith has the Yellow Towers - Susan Morrison

Nigel Hawthorne as Sir Humphrey Appleby

It’s time John Swinney listened to Sir Humphrey o n local government reform - I...

SNP MSP Kate Campbell

Brexit referendum 2, yes. Indy ref 2, no! - Kate Campbell

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SNP need to change their control mindset - Ian Murray

The Royal Bank of Scotland branch in St Andrew Square, now part of the NatWest group after the UK government sold its remaining shares on May 30, 2025, ending 17 years of public ownership

Donald Anderson: Edinburgh’s economic success was hard won - now to build on it

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Donald Anderson: Nicolson Square – one of city’s finest gems and a conservation ...

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Are businesses paying too high a price for 7-7-7 bus lanes? - Steve Cardownie

All smiles as Donald Trump greets Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, ahead of a meeting last year. Picture: Andrew Harnik

Malcolm Rifkind finds the right words for Trump’s shame - Steve Cardownie

One of two late and over-budget ferries launched at a shipyard on the River Clyde

Public service shouldn’t sink to this ferries fiasco - Alex Cole-Hamilton

Lisa Petrie is a great inspiration in my new city role - Helen Harrison

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We must make Edinburgh’s streets safe for everyone to use - Lorna Slater
Edinburgh has made progress towards cycling being a normal choice for everyday journeys. E-bikes are part of thatnote-0.
Lorna Slater

John Swinney delivers his keynote speech at the Scottish National Party annual conference

Scotland’s buses are to serve communities, not shareholders - Lorna Slater

Kemi Badenoch, Andy Burnham and John Swinney were all talking about Scotland's future last week

Analysis Three leaders reveal their differing priorities

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Let’s hope BBC’s Rowling documentary is not just a witch hunt - Susan Dalgety

Council leader Jane Meagher

Scottish cities need more devolved powers - Jane Meagher

John Swinney needs to reveal more details about his plans to reform local government (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

Plans for local government reform need proper scrutiny - Susan Dalgety

Respected Lib Dem MP Christine Jardine has announced she won’t stand at the next election

Christine’s kindly party politics are sadly lacking in Queensferry - Bruce White...

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Bruce Whitehead: What’s wrong with making life easier, cleaner and safer on the ...

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Leithers unite and proclaim why we should be UK Town of Culture - Susan Morrison

Finding a new pair of curtains can be an arduous task

Susan Morrison: Furnishing firms now want to be your penpal – I just want curtai...

The idea of 7-7-7 bus lanes is to stop buses being held up by traffic congestion. Picture: Greg Macvean

Council must hit brakes on this bus lane experiment - Iain Whyte

Wilson Browne, partner at Drummond Miller

We need stability not another property boom - Wilson Browne

Youths wearing balaclavas have become a feared sight in many towns and cities (Picture: Darren Staples)

Donald Anderson: Action on balaclavas and anti-social behaviour in Edinburgh

Andrew Griffith with Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch

Ian Murray: Tory economic policy – tax cuts for the rich

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Make a difference with a gift to WaterAid and Sightsavers - Steve Cardownie

A destroyed building remains in the Ukrainian town of Chasiv Yar

‘Fireproof’ photo exhibition honours Ukrainian resistance - Steve Cardownie

Alex Cole-Hamilton addresses the Lib Dem autumr conference in Edinburgh

Alex Cole-Hamilton: Lib Dems have mapped out our vision - it’s time to get there

Edinburgh Central MSP Lorna Slater is “frustrated” by the proposal to include student and temporary accommodation as part of new development plans for Summerhall

Summerhall must be developed with its community, not without it - Lorna Slater

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After the damage of Brexit, Scotland’s future lies in Europe - Lorna Slater

Green Party leader Zack Polanski was defeated in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Analysis Changing political fortunes for Greens ahead of council elections

In Nottingham, police and council officers can demand people remove a face covering where their identity is being hidden to commit crime. Picture: Tom Maddick/SWNS

Should we draw the curtain on balaclavas, burkas and niqabs? - Susan Dalgety

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They’re trendy, they’re in my city, and I’ve never heard of them - Susan Dalget...

BBC Director General Matt Brittin at the Radio theatre at Broadcasting House, interviewed for Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg

Scotland can make quality TV if it is given the resources - Bruce Whitehead

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Congratulations Katrina, a woman who stands up for her principles - Bruce Whiteh...

Christmas market visitors can be disappointed by the goods for sale

Kevin Buckle: Christmas market rankings ignore the key issue – what’s on sale

Hooded thugs threaten city’s good name - Miles Briggs

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Susan Morrison: Bake-off is a bit like Game of Thrones, only with cheesecake...

A child’s violent temper tantrum at Palma Airport prompted a memory of Sixties-style parenting

‘Perhaps it’s time to remember it takes a village to raise a child’ - Susan Morr...

Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch speaking during the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham

It’s business, not government, that creates growth - Iain Whyte

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