Alyn Smith 🏴🇪🇺
@alynsmith.bsky.social
Scottish European | @SNP.org MSP Candidate for Stirling | Vice President @euromovescotland.bsky.social | Chair @CreateStirling | Columnist @ScotNational.bsky.social | MEP 2004/2019, MP 2019/2024 |
(Photo the brilliant @thekiltedphoto.bsky.social)
(Photo the brilliant @thekiltedphoto.bsky.social)
📰 Saying 2025 has been a big year in Europe is something of an understatement! Me in Sunday’s @scotnational.bsky.social.
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
Alyn Smith: Why 2025 was such a pivotal year for the European Union
WHEN I was asked by Laura Webster, the Sunday National’s editor, to do a review of the EU’s 2025 I happily agreed, but it has been difficult to…
www.thenational.scot
December 28, 2025 at 10:46 AM
📰 Saying 2025 has been a big year in Europe is something of an understatement! Me in Sunday’s @scotnational.bsky.social.
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
Where else would I do last minute Christmas shopping but Made in Stirling? Merry Christmas everyone! 🎄 🎅🏻
December 24, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Where else would I do last minute Christmas shopping but Made in Stirling? Merry Christmas everyone! 🎄 🎅🏻
Reposted by Alyn Smith 🏴🇪🇺
🔎 When we say Stop the Scottish Energy Bill Rip-Off, we are saying something bigger than “shave a few pounds off the price cap”.
🏴 Here are three key points you need to know: www.believeinscotland.org/scotland_nee...
🏴 Here are three key points you need to know: www.believeinscotland.org/scotland_nee...
December 11, 2025 at 12:04 PM
🔎 When we say Stop the Scottish Energy Bill Rip-Off, we are saying something bigger than “shave a few pounds off the price cap”.
🏴 Here are three key points you need to know: www.believeinscotland.org/scotland_nee...
🏴 Here are three key points you need to know: www.believeinscotland.org/scotland_nee...
We should never have left ERASMUS at all. Agreement to continue participation was in place and it was only pulled at the last minute in an act of spite by Boris Johnson personally. But, I'm glad to see this agreement and hope that the £570m is uncontroversial.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
UK to rejoin EU’s Erasmus student exchange programme
Exclusive: British students will be able to participate in EU-wide scheme from January 2027, sources say
www.theguardian.com
December 17, 2025 at 11:50 AM
We should never have left ERASMUS at all. Agreement to continue participation was in place and it was only pulled at the last minute in an act of spite by Boris Johnson personally. But, I'm glad to see this agreement and hope that the £570m is uncontroversial.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Reposted by Alyn Smith 🏴🇪🇺
New study from LSE, York & Glasgow universities shows the Scottish Child Payment is transforming lives.
Without it, 70,000 more children would face deprivation and food insecurity.
We will keep investing in families and lifting children out of poverty.
Without it, 70,000 more children would face deprivation and food insecurity.
We will keep investing in families and lifting children out of poverty.
Scottish Child Payment | Food Insecurity | Deprivation
New analysis shows the Scottish child payment sharply reduces child deprivation and food insecurity, with no evidence of work disincentives. Discover the findings.
www.lse.ac.uk
December 12, 2025 at 2:03 PM
New study from LSE, York & Glasgow universities shows the Scottish Child Payment is transforming lives.
Without it, 70,000 more children would face deprivation and food insecurity.
We will keep investing in families and lifting children out of poverty.
Without it, 70,000 more children would face deprivation and food insecurity.
We will keep investing in families and lifting children out of poverty.
Reposted by Alyn Smith 🏴🇪🇺
One interesting piece of data I mentioned on the @holyroodsources.bsky.social podcast today is that the SNP is more likely to be trusted to stand up for Scotland's interests than Labour *among 2024 Labour voters*, by 30% to 23%.
December 10, 2025 at 3:23 PM
One interesting piece of data I mentioned on the @holyroodsources.bsky.social podcast today is that the SNP is more likely to be trusted to stand up for Scotland's interests than Labour *among 2024 Labour voters*, by 30% to 23%.
Stirling’s, and Scotland’s, empathy doesn’t stop at our borders. Very proud to support a pro Palestine rally in Stirling today. A just peace for all must be based on humanitarianism, the rule of law and accountability.
December 7, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Stirling’s, and Scotland’s, empathy doesn’t stop at our borders. Very proud to support a pro Palestine rally in Stirling today. A just peace for all must be based on humanitarianism, the rule of law and accountability.
Too many folks and businesses are struggling with energy costs, all the more absurd when Scotland has so many resources. The UK has delivered a poor deal on energy, an independent Scotland won’t do it like this.
#Scotland #Stirling #costofliving #independence #energy
#Scotland #Stirling #costofliving #independence #energy
December 6, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Too many folks and businesses are struggling with energy costs, all the more absurd when Scotland has so many resources. The UK has delivered a poor deal on energy, an independent Scotland won’t do it like this.
#Scotland #Stirling #costofliving #independence #energy
#Scotland #Stirling #costofliving #independence #energy
Stirling voted the happiest place in Scotland!
With good reason, we’ve a great community, quality of life, good services and amenities and a beautiful location.
(Obviously it’s just a bit of fun but Stirling won so I’ll take it 😉)
www.dailyrecord.co.uk/scotland-now...
With good reason, we’ve a great community, quality of life, good services and amenities and a beautiful location.
(Obviously it’s just a bit of fun but Stirling won so I’ll take it 😉)
www.dailyrecord.co.uk/scotland-now...
Scottish city named 'happiest place to live' - and it's not Edinburgh or Glasgow
Its property prices are cheaper than other locations on the list.
www.dailyrecord.co.uk
December 5, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Stirling voted the happiest place in Scotland!
With good reason, we’ve a great community, quality of life, good services and amenities and a beautiful location.
(Obviously it’s just a bit of fun but Stirling won so I’ll take it 😉)
www.dailyrecord.co.uk/scotland-now...
With good reason, we’ve a great community, quality of life, good services and amenities and a beautiful location.
(Obviously it’s just a bit of fun but Stirling won so I’ll take it 😉)
www.dailyrecord.co.uk/scotland-now...
Just out my Covid and Flu jabs, easy appointment, cheerful and professional team, first class, thanks @nhsforthvalley.bsky.social! Vaccines are safe and work. If you need one, go on get one. More info here: nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines
December 4, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Just out my Covid and Flu jabs, easy appointment, cheerful and professional team, first class, thanks @nhsforthvalley.bsky.social! Vaccines are safe and work. If you need one, go on get one. More info here: nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines
This is really very significant news, not just for the Canadians and EU but because it gives the lie to the UK-EU “reset” being little better organised than a binfire in a skip.
www.politico.eu/article/cana...
www.politico.eu/article/cana...
Canada clinches deal to join Europe’s €150B defense scheme
The deal concludes months of tough talks and will allow Ottawa to take part in procurements financed by the EU’s SAFE program.
www.politico.eu
December 1, 2025 at 6:10 PM
This is really very significant news, not just for the Canadians and EU but because it gives the lie to the UK-EU “reset” being little better organised than a binfire in a skip.
www.politico.eu/article/cana...
www.politico.eu/article/cana...
An excellent thread.
Here's UKIP's former Scottish leader David Coburn, who has denied taking Russian bribes after being named in Whatsapp messages between Nathan Gill and a pawn of the Putin administration, being applauded by Gill for arguing against Ukraine's entry to the EU
November 28, 2025 at 12:41 PM
An excellent thread.
This is an important article. All the guddling around misses the main problem, Brexit has made us all poorer and we need to get back into the EU. But the fact is I simply don't see any actual appetite to do that in UK politics, but Scotland can choose a different path.
On budget, Brexit and UK politics paddling in the shallow end of a problem that goes way deeper than just tax rises. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Rachel Reeves has many problems. She’s realising that her Brexit bind may be the biggest of all | Rafael Behr
Brutal economic realities are prompting a shift in Labour’s tone on Europe. But will it dare tell the whole truth about Britain’s predicament, asks Guardian columnist Rafael Behr
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:40 PM
This is an important article. All the guddling around misses the main problem, Brexit has made us all poorer and we need to get back into the EU. But the fact is I simply don't see any actual appetite to do that in UK politics, but Scotland can choose a different path.
This UK budget won’t change the political weather (and won’t do much for the economy neither). Abolishing the 2 child benefit cap is the right thing to do, *which is why Scotland announced doing it last year* Westminster announces it when it is politically convenient.
November 26, 2025 at 1:59 PM
This UK budget won’t change the political weather (and won’t do much for the economy neither). Abolishing the 2 child benefit cap is the right thing to do, *which is why Scotland announced doing it last year* Westminster announces it when it is politically convenient.
Pubs, restaurants and hotels aren't just businesses, they're vital for our communities. But the UK charges a whopping 20% VAT on these businesses, way more than most other European countries. I've called in today's UK Budget statement for a cut to boost their bottom lines now.
November 26, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Pubs, restaurants and hotels aren't just businesses, they're vital for our communities. But the UK charges a whopping 20% VAT on these businesses, way more than most other European countries. I've called in today's UK Budget statement for a cut to boost their bottom lines now.
It’s Brexit that has made us all poorer, we can all see it. Any UK budget that tries to deal with the symptoms without tackling the cause will fall short, Scotland can do so much better with independence in Europe.
November 25, 2025 at 4:48 PM
It’s Brexit that has made us all poorer, we can all see it. Any UK budget that tries to deal with the symptoms without tackling the cause will fall short, Scotland can do so much better with independence in Europe.
Reposted by Alyn Smith 🏴🇪🇺
NEW: This is worth your time.
@thenerve_news has the receipts.
A comprehensive timeline of Nathan Gill & Nigel Farage’s pro-Kremlin influencing activities & 2 other MEPs, David Cobourn & Jonathan Arnott.
Please read & share.
@thenerve_news has the receipts.
A comprehensive timeline of Nathan Gill & Nigel Farage’s pro-Kremlin influencing activities & 2 other MEPs, David Cobourn & Jonathan Arnott.
Please read & share.
November 23, 2025 at 2:44 PM
NEW: This is worth your time.
@thenerve_news has the receipts.
A comprehensive timeline of Nathan Gill & Nigel Farage’s pro-Kremlin influencing activities & 2 other MEPs, David Cobourn & Jonathan Arnott.
Please read & share.
@thenerve_news has the receipts.
A comprehensive timeline of Nathan Gill & Nigel Farage’s pro-Kremlin influencing activities & 2 other MEPs, David Cobourn & Jonathan Arnott.
Please read & share.
Reposted by Alyn Smith 🏴🇪🇺
This is outrageous from Keir Starmer.
‘Russian links to Reform need investigating’, he says. So why is his government still fighting case now in Grand Chamber of Strasbourg court refusing to have such an investigation into Russian interference ??
news.sky.com/story/starme...
‘Russian links to Reform need investigating’, he says. So why is his government still fighting case now in Grand Chamber of Strasbourg court refusing to have such an investigation into Russian interference ??
news.sky.com/story/starme...
Starmer demands investigation into Reform-Russia links after party's ex-Wales leader jailed
The former leader of Reform in Wales, Nathan Gill, has been jailed for 10-and-a-half years after being paid £40,000 to make pro-Russian statements in the European Parliament.
news.sky.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:04 AM
This is outrageous from Keir Starmer.
‘Russian links to Reform need investigating’, he says. So why is his government still fighting case now in Grand Chamber of Strasbourg court refusing to have such an investigation into Russian interference ??
news.sky.com/story/starme...
‘Russian links to Reform need investigating’, he says. So why is his government still fighting case now in Grand Chamber of Strasbourg court refusing to have such an investigation into Russian interference ??
news.sky.com/story/starme...
Oh! 😳
NEW: Reform UK’s former leader in Wales, Nathan Gill, has been jailed at the Old Bailey for 10 and a half years for taking bribes to make statements in favour of Russia when he was an MEP. Full story 👇
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Reform UK’s former Wales leader jailed for taking bribes for pro-Russia speeches
Police say Nathan Gill received at least £40,000 while he was an MEP from Oleg Voloshyn, an alleged Russian asset
www.theguardian.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Oh! 😳
We finally managed to watch @realgdt.bsky.social’s Frankenstein on @netflix.com last night and it is a brilliant adaptation, loving especially that his laboratory is so obviously based on Stirling’s own Wallace Monument! Great to see @stirlingcouncil.bsky.social on screen!
November 17, 2025 at 1:54 PM
We finally managed to watch @realgdt.bsky.social’s Frankenstein on @netflix.com last night and it is a brilliant adaptation, loving especially that his laboratory is so obviously based on Stirling’s own Wallace Monument! Great to see @stirlingcouncil.bsky.social on screen!
Great news! @snp.org have taken control of Stirling Council, top priority the housing emergency. Lots to do, I’m delighted for our hard working Councillors and for Stirling 👍🏻
November 10, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Great news! @snp.org have taken control of Stirling Council, top priority the housing emergency. Lots to do, I’m delighted for our hard working Councillors and for Stirling 👍🏻
“You can’t have the benefits of membership when you are not a member.” A point apparently still needing explained to the UK. I'd heard rumblings that the talks were not going well, but this confirms the high level fluff around the summit is not quite being delivered.
www.ft.com/content/8963...
www.ft.com/content/8963...
EU demands UK pay into budget as part of relationship ‘reset’
Growing tension between London and Brussels just six months after summit set out to build stronger ties
www.ft.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:41 AM
“You can’t have the benefits of membership when you are not a member.” A point apparently still needing explained to the UK. I'd heard rumblings that the talks were not going well, but this confirms the high level fluff around the summit is not quite being delivered.
www.ft.com/content/8963...
www.ft.com/content/8963...
Oh! 😳
🚨🚨 Belgian court convicts two for EU funds misuse linked to #NigelFarage's Brexit group. Great report by @elisabraun.bsky.social on a decade-long probe into alleged misuse of EU funds by associates of top #Brexit campaigner. www.euractiv.com/news/belgian...
Belgian court convicts two for EU funds misuse linked to Nigel Farage's Brexit group | Euractiv
Verdict ends decade-long probe into alleged misuse of EU funds by associates of top Brexit campaigner
www.euractiv.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Oh! 😳
A great evening, sorry I had to miss it but glad to hear it went so well! 🏴 🇪🇺
@euromovescotland.bsky.social annual dinner with former Belgian PM @guyverhofstadt.bsky.social and FM @johnswinney.bsky.social reinforcing the huge issues across the globe, the damage to Scotland and the UK from #Brexit and the imperative to work cooperatively with our European friends.
November 2, 2025 at 8:17 PM
A great evening, sorry I had to miss it but glad to hear it went so well! 🏴 🇪🇺
Reposted by Alyn Smith 🏴🇪🇺
EXCLUSIVE: Former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt on Scottish independence and the UK in Europe
‘Scotland’s place is in Europe’: Guy Verhofstadt on Brexit and the way back to the EU
www.thenational.scot
November 2, 2025 at 10:19 AM
EXCLUSIVE: Former Belgian prime minister Guy Verhofstadt on Scottish independence and the UK in Europe