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)
What’s the SNP government ever done for you? 🏴
February 15, 2026 at 9:47 AM
What’s the SNP government ever done for you? 🏴
Today’s Sunday @scotnational.bsky.social column on how fast the world is changing, and why EU membership is essential for Scotland 🏴 🇪🇺
The EU is beginning to rein in the tech giants – we should be joining them, writes Alyn Smith ✍️
The EU is beginning to rein in the tech giants, we should be joining them
www.thenational.scot
February 8, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Today’s Sunday @scotnational.bsky.social column on how fast the world is changing, and why EU membership is essential for Scotland 🏴 🇪🇺
This is significant, worldwide, and underlines that individual states (excepting maybe two or three) lack the heft to deal with these corporations. High time Scotland gets back into the EU.
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
TikTok ‘addictive’, EU finds in digital law probe
European Commission cites TikTok’s ‘highly personalised’ system, slams safeguards as ineffective.
www.scmp.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:17 AM
This is significant, worldwide, and underlines that individual states (excepting maybe two or three) lack the heft to deal with these corporations. High time Scotland gets back into the EU.
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
⚽️ 🏴 Stirling should get behind Scotland at the football World Cup and allow those pubs who want to to open late so we can all enjoy a safe shared experience. My letter to Council Leader Susan McGill below ⬇️
February 5, 2026 at 6:32 PM
⚽️ 🏴 Stirling should get behind Scotland at the football World Cup and allow those pubs who want to to open late so we can all enjoy a safe shared experience. My letter to Council Leader Susan McGill below ⬇️
💊 Last year, there were 2.2 million prescriptions given to Stirling residents free of charge. That’s saved local people around £22 million.
January 31, 2026 at 4:54 PM
💊 Last year, there were 2.2 million prescriptions given to Stirling residents free of charge. That’s saved local people around £22 million.
In Scotland, MSPs have a right to bring forward Members’ Bill proposals and if I’m elected in May I’m going to take full use of it. What law would you like to see created? Amended? Scrapped? I’ve plenty ideas myself but want to hear from you. Drop me an email to the address on the clip.
January 26, 2026 at 6:14 PM
In Scotland, MSPs have a right to bring forward Members’ Bill proposals and if I’m elected in May I’m going to take full use of it. What law would you like to see created? Amended? Scrapped? I’ve plenty ideas myself but want to hear from you. Drop me an email to the address on the clip.
A happy Burns Night to all! Just the two of us at home tonight, a brilliant haggis from our local butcher, tatties and neeps from Ginger Roots on Port Street, obligatory @irnbru.bsky.social and (unpictured!) dram 😋 🥃 🏴
January 25, 2026 at 9:12 PM
A happy Burns Night to all! Just the two of us at home tonight, a brilliant haggis from our local butcher, tatties and neeps from Ginger Roots on Port Street, obligatory @irnbru.bsky.social and (unpictured!) dram 😋 🥃 🏴
This speech from Canadian PM Mark Carney is a breath of fresh, if chilly, air. Especially uncomfortable, but true, on the comfortable fiction of the rules based international order. Well worth your time.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=btqH...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=btqH...
Mark Carney's full speech at the World Economic Forum
YouTube video by National Post
www.youtube.com
January 21, 2026 at 11:56 AM
This speech from Canadian PM Mark Carney is a breath of fresh, if chilly, air. Especially uncomfortable, but true, on the comfortable fiction of the rules based international order. Well worth your time.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=btqH...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=btqH...
Reposted by Alyn Smith 🏴🇪🇺
Kaja Kallas: "Let me be abundantly clear: tariff threats will not pressure Denmark into handing over Greenland. They only risk making both Europe and the United States poorer and undermining our shared prosperity. We have no interest in picking a fight, but we will hold our ground."
January 20, 2026 at 1:13 PM
Kaja Kallas: "Let me be abundantly clear: tariff threats will not pressure Denmark into handing over Greenland. They only risk making both Europe and the United States poorer and undermining our shared prosperity. We have no interest in picking a fight, but we will hold our ground."
🚆 Nobody looks forward to the Monday morning commute, but the SNP government has made it a bit easier and more affordable by scrapping peak fares for good.
ScotRail has now been brought into public ownership, meaning it’s firmly on the side of commuters, thanks to SNP intervention.
ScotRail has now been brought into public ownership, meaning it’s firmly on the side of commuters, thanks to SNP intervention.
January 19, 2026 at 11:54 AM
🚆 Nobody looks forward to the Monday morning commute, but the SNP government has made it a bit easier and more affordable by scrapping peak fares for good.
ScotRail has now been brought into public ownership, meaning it’s firmly on the side of commuters, thanks to SNP intervention.
ScotRail has now been brought into public ownership, meaning it’s firmly on the side of commuters, thanks to SNP intervention.
Today’s poll proves the SNP vision of independence in Europe is appealing to more and more folks. A massive 73%, almost 3 in 4, of folks want back in the EU. We’ve been out in Callander speaking to locals about building up our communities.
#Callander #Stirling #Scotland #independence #EU
#Callander #Stirling #Scotland #independence #EU
January 18, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Today’s poll proves the SNP vision of independence in Europe is appealing to more and more folks. A massive 73%, almost 3 in 4, of folks want back in the EU. We’ve been out in Callander speaking to locals about building up our communities.
#Callander #Stirling #Scotland #independence #EU
#Callander #Stirling #Scotland #independence #EU
Productive discussion with Stephen Montgomery from the Scottish Hospitality Group and Gary Atkinson from the Golden Lion Hotel yesterday. Hospitality is a major employer and an important industry to the Stirling area and I intend to be a strong voice for its success if elected in May.
January 17, 2026 at 9:38 AM
Productive discussion with Stephen Montgomery from the Scottish Hospitality Group and Gary Atkinson from the Golden Lion Hotel yesterday. Hospitality is a major employer and an important industry to the Stirling area and I intend to be a strong voice for its success if elected in May.
Reposted by Alyn Smith 🏴🇪🇺
Should be a good #RejoinEU debate in #Glasgow this Friday evening, and perhaps who better to lead the arguments in favour than former #Scotland MEP @alynsmith.bsky.social who, at the sad moment of our leaving, asked our fellow Europeans to #LeaveALightOn for us to help find our way home again? 🏴🇬🇧🇪🇺
Welcome to the Big Debate on EU! No sign-up required - just come along! 7pm 16 Jan -26,
Glasgow University Student Union, 32 University Avenue, G12 8LX
Arranged by UoG debating society and European Movement Scotland.
#TheBigDebateEurope #EMiS #EuropeanMovementInt #EMUK
Glasgow University Student Union, 32 University Avenue, G12 8LX
Arranged by UoG debating society and European Movement Scotland.
#TheBigDebateEurope #EMiS #EuropeanMovementInt #EMUK
January 14, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Should be a good #RejoinEU debate in #Glasgow this Friday evening, and perhaps who better to lead the arguments in favour than former #Scotland MEP @alynsmith.bsky.social who, at the sad moment of our leaving, asked our fellow Europeans to #LeaveALightOn for us to help find our way home again? 🏴🇬🇧🇪🇺
I’ve contacted the Ambassador Group, owners of the Craigforth site to try help get the redevelopment of the site moving. It’s going to wrack and ruin as it stands when it could surely be a great development for somebody.
#Stirling #business #development #economy
#Stirling #business #development #economy
January 14, 2026 at 11:50 AM
I’ve contacted the Ambassador Group, owners of the Craigforth site to try help get the redevelopment of the site moving. It’s going to wrack and ruin as it stands when it could surely be a great development for somebody.
#Stirling #business #development #economy
#Stirling #business #development #economy
In today's Sunday National some thoughts on what is going on over Greenland, and what it means for the EU and Scotland.
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
The safety of our nation will rely on European links
The only part of the world that has actually maintained solidarity and co-operation is the EU – that’s the team Scotland needs to be part of
www.thenational.scot
January 11, 2026 at 4:11 PM
In today's Sunday National some thoughts on what is going on over Greenland, and what it means for the EU and Scotland.
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
⚡️ The UK has some of the highest energy bills in Europe, but we can do things differently with independence.
💡 No longer tied to an outdated energy network that penalises Scottish bill payers, we could have some of the lowest energy bills in Europe - which will reduce the cost of almost everything.
💡 No longer tied to an outdated energy network that penalises Scottish bill payers, we could have some of the lowest energy bills in Europe - which will reduce the cost of almost everything.
January 11, 2026 at 9:19 AM
⚡️ The UK has some of the highest energy bills in Europe, but we can do things differently with independence.
💡 No longer tied to an outdated energy network that penalises Scottish bill payers, we could have some of the lowest energy bills in Europe - which will reduce the cost of almost everything.
💡 No longer tied to an outdated energy network that penalises Scottish bill payers, we could have some of the lowest energy bills in Europe - which will reduce the cost of almost everything.
Oh my goodness this is well written and clear eyed from Þorsteinn Pálsson, a former Icelandic Prime Minister, and well worth your time.
"Those who look only after their own interests and never those of others cannot, by their very nature, be allies to anyone."
www.arctictoday.com/trump-forces...
"Those who look only after their own interests and never those of others cannot, by their very nature, be allies to anyone."
www.arctictoday.com/trump-forces...
www.arctictoday.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Oh my goodness this is well written and clear eyed from Þorsteinn Pálsson, a former Icelandic Prime Minister, and well worth your time.
"Those who look only after their own interests and never those of others cannot, by their very nature, be allies to anyone."
www.arctictoday.com/trump-forces...
"Those who look only after their own interests and never those of others cannot, by their very nature, be allies to anyone."
www.arctictoday.com/trump-forces...
Some happy memories of Greenland in (yikes!) 2011 representing the EU in the West Nordic Council Interparliamentary Meeting. Self determination and the rule of law is at the heart of @snp.org politics, Greenland's future can only be decided by the people who live there.
January 6, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Some happy memories of Greenland in (yikes!) 2011 representing the EU in the West Nordic Council Interparliamentary Meeting. Self determination and the rule of law is at the heart of @snp.org politics, Greenland's future can only be decided by the people who live there.
📰 Written before the illegal and unwise US intervention in Venezuela, here's my take on the challenges facing the EU Cyprus Presidency in today's Sunday National.
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
Alyn Smith: Cyprus can play pivotal role in important year
IT is common at this time of year to make predictions for the year ahead. I’m not going to do too much of that, beyond committing myself to…
www.thenational.scot
January 4, 2026 at 2:32 PM
📰 Written before the illegal and unwise US intervention in Venezuela, here's my take on the challenges facing the EU Cyprus Presidency in today's Sunday National.
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
www.thenational.scot/politics/257...
Reposted by Alyn Smith 🏴🇪🇺
Former MPs including @benbradshaw.bsky.social, @carolinelucas.bsky.social and @alynsmith.bsky.social called on the government to investigate interference in our democracy.
It marked the first time sitting MPs brought an action against the state. the-citizens.com/action/russi...
It marked the first time sitting MPs brought an action against the state. the-citizens.com/action/russi...
Investigate the Russia Report - The Citizens
The Citizens:
the-citizens.com
December 31, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Former MPs including @benbradshaw.bsky.social, @carolinelucas.bsky.social and @alynsmith.bsky.social called on the government to investigate interference in our democracy.
It marked the first time sitting MPs brought an action against the state. the-citizens.com/action/russi...
It marked the first time sitting MPs brought an action against the state. the-citizens.com/action/russi...
📰 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.