Gordon Macdonald SNP
@gmacdonaldsnp.bsky.social
SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands since 2011.
Campaigning for independence since 1975.
Promoted by: G.Macdonald, 9 Kingsknowe Park, Edinburgh. EH14 2JQ
Campaigning for independence since 1975.
Promoted by: G.Macdonald, 9 Kingsknowe Park, Edinburgh. EH14 2JQ
Pinned
International experts recognise the strength of Scottish FOI | Scottish Information Commissioner
Scotland's FOI law is now ranked in the upper tier in the world following analysis by the Centre for Law and Democracy.
www.foi.scot
Scotland’s FOI Act law has received a rating of 103 out of a 150 points by the International Centre for Law and Democracy.
Scotland is in the upper rankings when compared to international laws.
The UK Westminster FOI Act currently has a rating of 92 points.
www.foi.scot/internationa...
Scotland is in the upper rankings when compared to international laws.
The UK Westminster FOI Act currently has a rating of 92 points.
www.foi.scot/internationa...
Scotland's unemployment rate at 3.8% is one of the lowest not only in the UK but also across the EU.
February 17, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Scotland's unemployment rate at 3.8% is one of the lowest not only in the UK but also across the EU.
Scotland’s FOI Act law has received a rating of 103 out of a 150 points by the International Centre for Law and Democracy.
Scotland is in the upper rankings when compared to international laws.
The UK Westminster FOI Act currently has a rating of 92 points.
www.foi.scot/internationa...
Scotland is in the upper rankings when compared to international laws.
The UK Westminster FOI Act currently has a rating of 92 points.
www.foi.scot/internationa...
International experts recognise the strength of Scottish FOI | Scottish Information Commissioner
Scotland's FOI law is now ranked in the upper tier in the world following analysis by the Centre for Law and Democracy.
www.foi.scot
February 16, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Scotland’s FOI Act law has received a rating of 103 out of a 150 points by the International Centre for Law and Democracy.
Scotland is in the upper rankings when compared to international laws.
The UK Westminster FOI Act currently has a rating of 92 points.
www.foi.scot/internationa...
Scotland is in the upper rankings when compared to international laws.
The UK Westminster FOI Act currently has a rating of 92 points.
www.foi.scot/internationa...
School spending in Scotland has increased by more than £1 billion in real terms over the past decade.
Scots Gov/Local authority funding across Primary, Secondary and Special schools rose to £7 billion in 2024-25, up 19.7%.
The highest education spending per head in the UK.
Scots Gov/Local authority funding across Primary, Secondary and Special schools rose to £7 billion in 2024-25, up 19.7%.
The highest education spending per head in the UK.
February 16, 2026 at 11:23 AM
School spending in Scotland has increased by more than £1 billion in real terms over the past decade.
Scots Gov/Local authority funding across Primary, Secondary and Special schools rose to £7 billion in 2024-25, up 19.7%.
The highest education spending per head in the UK.
Scots Gov/Local authority funding across Primary, Secondary and Special schools rose to £7 billion in 2024-25, up 19.7%.
The highest education spending per head in the UK.
A wee reminder that the SNP always puts Scotland first courtesy of a Labour Lord.
February 14, 2026 at 9:29 AM
A wee reminder that the SNP always puts Scotland first courtesy of a Labour Lord.
Scottish Government contributes £659m to Network Rail for the operation & maintenance of the tracks.
In addition, Scotrail pays Network Rail £516m for Track Access Charges. These are the fees ScotRail pays to "rent" the tracks and stations.
Network Rail is owned by the UK Gov.
In addition, Scotrail pays Network Rail £516m for Track Access Charges. These are the fees ScotRail pays to "rent" the tracks and stations.
Network Rail is owned by the UK Gov.
February 13, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Scottish Government contributes £659m to Network Rail for the operation & maintenance of the tracks.
In addition, Scotrail pays Network Rail £516m for Track Access Charges. These are the fees ScotRail pays to "rent" the tracks and stations.
Network Rail is owned by the UK Gov.
In addition, Scotrail pays Network Rail £516m for Track Access Charges. These are the fees ScotRail pays to "rent" the tracks and stations.
Network Rail is owned by the UK Gov.
Scotrail - Scotland’s publicly owned railway - is seeing record numbers of passengers returning to rail travel with high satisfaction levels and lower fares thanks to the support of the SNP Government.
February 13, 2026 at 7:36 AM
Scotrail - Scotland’s publicly owned railway - is seeing record numbers of passengers returning to rail travel with high satisfaction levels and lower fares thanks to the support of the SNP Government.
Forres rocket firm Orbex had £100m withheld by UK Labour Government just a month before sale plan announced.
European Space Agency document confirmed that €112 million of UK government funding, was still “to be distributed”.
www.northern-scot.co.uk/news/reveale...
European Space Agency document confirmed that €112 million of UK government funding, was still “to be distributed”.
www.northern-scot.co.uk/news/reveale...
REVEALED: UK Government withheld £100m just a month before Orbex sale announcement
New details of why a Forres-based rocket company has found itself on the brink of a sale to a larger European competitor have been revealed.
www.northern-scot.co.uk
February 12, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Forres rocket firm Orbex had £100m withheld by UK Labour Government just a month before sale plan announced.
European Space Agency document confirmed that €112 million of UK government funding, was still “to be distributed”.
www.northern-scot.co.uk/news/reveale...
European Space Agency document confirmed that €112 million of UK government funding, was still “to be distributed”.
www.northern-scot.co.uk/news/reveale...
Reposted by Gordon Macdonald SNP
✅ Rail fares: frozen
✅ Peak fares: scrapped
✅ More money in your pocket
The SNP is working hard to reduce the cost of living, and this is the latest example.
✅ Peak fares: scrapped
✅ More money in your pocket
The SNP is working hard to reduce the cost of living, and this is the latest example.
February 12, 2026 at 10:43 AM
✅ Rail fares: frozen
✅ Peak fares: scrapped
✅ More money in your pocket
The SNP is working hard to reduce the cost of living, and this is the latest example.
✅ Peak fares: scrapped
✅ More money in your pocket
The SNP is working hard to reduce the cost of living, and this is the latest example.
Global exports of Scotch Whisky fell by -4.3% by volume.
The industry’s top export market, the United States, has seen export volume fall by -15% following the implementation of the 10% tariff in April 2025.
UK Labour Gov needs to cut duty and NI hike!
www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/newsroom/202...
The industry’s top export market, the United States, has seen export volume fall by -15% following the implementation of the 10% tariff in April 2025.
UK Labour Gov needs to cut duty and NI hike!
www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/newsroom/202...
February 12, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Global exports of Scotch Whisky fell by -4.3% by volume.
The industry’s top export market, the United States, has seen export volume fall by -15% following the implementation of the 10% tariff in April 2025.
UK Labour Gov needs to cut duty and NI hike!
www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/newsroom/202...
The industry’s top export market, the United States, has seen export volume fall by -15% following the implementation of the 10% tariff in April 2025.
UK Labour Gov needs to cut duty and NI hike!
www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/newsroom/202...
The Scottish Government’s School Estate Statistics, in April 2025 found that 92% of schools were assessed as being in good or satisfactory condition — up from 62.7% in April 2007 when Labour were in power.
Incl. the new Currie High & Wester Hailes HS
www.gov.scot/news/school-...
Incl. the new Currie High & Wester Hailes HS
www.gov.scot/news/school-...
School Estates Statistics 2025
An Accredited Official Statistics Publication for Scotland
www.gov.scot
February 12, 2026 at 12:05 PM
The Scottish Government’s School Estate Statistics, in April 2025 found that 92% of schools were assessed as being in good or satisfactory condition — up from 62.7% in April 2007 when Labour were in power.
Incl. the new Currie High & Wester Hailes HS
www.gov.scot/news/school-...
Incl. the new Currie High & Wester Hailes HS
www.gov.scot/news/school-...
No to nuclear power!
Dounreay nuclear site land ready for re-use in 2333.
Full restoration of Dounreay to a brownfield site is not planned until 2333 — reflecting the long-lived nature of the radioactive materials involved. constructionmanagement.co.uk/dounreay-nuc...
Dounreay nuclear site land ready for re-use in 2333.
Full restoration of Dounreay to a brownfield site is not planned until 2333 — reflecting the long-lived nature of the radioactive materials involved. constructionmanagement.co.uk/dounreay-nuc...
Dounreay nuclear site land ready for re-use in 2333 - Construction Management
It will take until 2333 for the land on which Dounreay nuclear reactor facility sits to be safe for re-use, following remediation work by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. Dounreay, in…
constructionmanagement.co.uk
February 11, 2026 at 7:43 AM
No to nuclear power!
Dounreay nuclear site land ready for re-use in 2333.
Full restoration of Dounreay to a brownfield site is not planned until 2333 — reflecting the long-lived nature of the radioactive materials involved. constructionmanagement.co.uk/dounreay-nuc...
Dounreay nuclear site land ready for re-use in 2333.
Full restoration of Dounreay to a brownfield site is not planned until 2333 — reflecting the long-lived nature of the radioactive materials involved. constructionmanagement.co.uk/dounreay-nuc...
Reposted by Gordon Macdonald SNP
Scotland just made history by passing a world-first Community Wealth Building Bill.
It will ensure public money works harder to benefit local jobs, local businesses and local communities.
Here’s why it matters. 👇
It will ensure public money works harder to benefit local jobs, local businesses and local communities.
Here’s why it matters. 👇
February 10, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Scotland just made history by passing a world-first Community Wealth Building Bill.
It will ensure public money works harder to benefit local jobs, local businesses and local communities.
Here’s why it matters. 👇
It will ensure public money works harder to benefit local jobs, local businesses and local communities.
Here’s why it matters. 👇
Daily Record and Sunday Mail are to be printed in England resulting in almost 100 jobs being put at risk at their printing plant in Glasgow.
news.stv.tv/west-central...
news.stv.tv/west-central...
Almost 100 jobs at risk as Daily Record publisher to close printing plant
Reach has unveiled 'cost savings' by printing its Scottish titles in England.
news.stv.tv
February 10, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Daily Record and Sunday Mail are to be printed in England resulting in almost 100 jobs being put at risk at their printing plant in Glasgow.
news.stv.tv/west-central...
news.stv.tv/west-central...
Reposted by Gordon Macdonald SNP
Tomorrow's front page 📰
Sarwar's roll of the dice backfires
Sarwar's roll of the dice backfires
February 9, 2026 at 10:31 PM
Tomorrow's front page 📰
Sarwar's roll of the dice backfires
Sarwar's roll of the dice backfires
The Electoral Commission fined Labour Together £14,250 in 2021 for breaking electoral law.
Labour Together had systematically failed to declare £730,000 in political donations from a handful of wealthy donors.
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/labour-tog...
Labour Together had systematically failed to declare £730,000 in political donations from a handful of wealthy donors.
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/labour-tog...
‘Labour Together broke the law’
The think tank that propelled Starmer to power hired private investigators to shut down scrutiny of its dark money - I speak to one of its targets, journalist Paul Holden
democracyforsale.substack.com
February 8, 2026 at 4:33 PM
The Electoral Commission fined Labour Together £14,250 in 2021 for breaking electoral law.
Labour Together had systematically failed to declare £730,000 in political donations from a handful of wealthy donors.
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/labour-tog...
Labour Together had systematically failed to declare £730,000 in political donations from a handful of wealthy donors.
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/labour-tog...
Reposted by Gordon Macdonald SNP
🔴 BREAKING: Labour Together paid controversial PR firm £30k to investigate journalists who were digging into how its undeclared funding
Reporters from Sunday Times, Guardian and other outlets targetted
*And* Morgan McSweeney knew about it
Full story:
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
Reporters from Sunday Times, Guardian and other outlets targetted
*And* Morgan McSweeney knew about it
Full story:
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
BREAKING: McSweeney’s think tank paid PR firm to investigate journalists
Labour Together put private investigators onto journalists writing about its funding. Starmer's right-hand man knew.
democracyforsale.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:01 PM
🔴 BREAKING: Labour Together paid controversial PR firm £30k to investigate journalists who were digging into how its undeclared funding
Reporters from Sunday Times, Guardian and other outlets targetted
*And* Morgan McSweeney knew about it
Full story:
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
Reporters from Sunday Times, Guardian and other outlets targetted
*And* Morgan McSweeney knew about it
Full story:
democracyforsale.substack.com/p/exclusive-...
UK Labour Energy secretary Ed Miliband has asked Great British Energy – Nuclear to explore deploying new nuclear at Torness, Hunterston and potentially other parts of Scotland, despite the fact that the SNP Scottish Government does not allow new nuclear developments in Scotland.
February 5, 2026 at 2:08 PM
UK Labour Energy secretary Ed Miliband has asked Great British Energy – Nuclear to explore deploying new nuclear at Torness, Hunterston and potentially other parts of Scotland, despite the fact that the SNP Scottish Government does not allow new nuclear developments in Scotland.
Hospital infections under the last Labour Scottish Executive.
Below is a reminder of how bad hospital infections were before the SNP took control.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18395296/
Below is a reminder of how bad hospital infections were before the SNP took control.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18395296/
February 4, 2026 at 8:17 AM
Hospital infections under the last Labour Scottish Executive.
Below is a reminder of how bad hospital infections were before the SNP took control.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18395296/
Below is a reminder of how bad hospital infections were before the SNP took control.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18395296/
The Welsh Labour government has started to issue “fantastic" baby bundles a direct copy of the SNP government’s baby box initiative.
The bundles include clothing for newborns to six-month-olds, blankets, bibs, muslin cloths, a thermometer, a bilingual book and a playmat.
The bundles include clothing for newborns to six-month-olds, blankets, bibs, muslin cloths, a thermometer, a bilingual book and a playmat.
February 3, 2026 at 8:26 AM
The Welsh Labour government has started to issue “fantastic" baby bundles a direct copy of the SNP government’s baby box initiative.
The bundles include clothing for newborns to six-month-olds, blankets, bibs, muslin cloths, a thermometer, a bilingual book and a playmat.
The bundles include clothing for newborns to six-month-olds, blankets, bibs, muslin cloths, a thermometer, a bilingual book and a playmat.
The House of Lords (Expulsion & Suspension) Act 2015 empowers the House of Lords to expel or suspend its members through a resolution.
These powers are generally applied to misconduct occurring on or after June 26, 2015, or earlier misconduct that became public after that date.
These powers are generally applied to misconduct occurring on or after June 26, 2015, or earlier misconduct that became public after that date.
BREAKING: “It's time now for the Government to put forward legislation to strip Peter Mandelson of his peerage”
Ed Davey
Ed Davey
February 2, 2026 at 3:31 PM
The House of Lords (Expulsion & Suspension) Act 2015 empowers the House of Lords to expel or suspend its members through a resolution.
These powers are generally applied to misconduct occurring on or after June 26, 2015, or earlier misconduct that became public after that date.
These powers are generally applied to misconduct occurring on or after June 26, 2015, or earlier misconduct that became public after that date.
Reposted by Gordon Macdonald SNP
YouGov 8-14 Jan seat projection (vs last poll / vs 2021 on new boundaries); AMS Ideal seats:
SNP ~ 64 (+26 / +1); 44
RUK ~ 21 (+15 / +21); 25
Lab ~ 16 (-36 / -5); 19
Grn ~ 11 (+1 / +1); 14
Con ~ 9 (-5 / -22); 14
LD ~ 8 (-1 / +4); 11
(Projection caveats: ballotbox.scot/projections)
SNP ~ 64 (+26 / +1); 44
RUK ~ 21 (+15 / +21); 25
Lab ~ 16 (-36 / -5); 19
Grn ~ 11 (+1 / +1); 14
Con ~ 9 (-5 / -22); 14
LD ~ 8 (-1 / +4); 11
(Projection caveats: ballotbox.scot/projections)
January 29, 2026 at 5:28 PM
YouGov 8-14 Jan seat projection (vs last poll / vs 2021 on new boundaries); AMS Ideal seats:
SNP ~ 64 (+26 / +1); 44
RUK ~ 21 (+15 / +21); 25
Lab ~ 16 (-36 / -5); 19
Grn ~ 11 (+1 / +1); 14
Con ~ 9 (-5 / -22); 14
LD ~ 8 (-1 / +4); 11
(Projection caveats: ballotbox.scot/projections)
SNP ~ 64 (+26 / +1); 44
RUK ~ 21 (+15 / +21); 25
Lab ~ 16 (-36 / -5); 19
Grn ~ 11 (+1 / +1); 14
Con ~ 9 (-5 / -22); 14
LD ~ 8 (-1 / +4); 11
(Projection caveats: ballotbox.scot/projections)
Pupils record high achievements (2024-25):
S3 pupils reaching the expected level in literacy (89.8%) and numeracy (90.9%) are at their highest on record.
For primary in literacy (75%) was the highest on record and in numeracy (80%) equal highest.
scottishgov-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/deliver...
S3 pupils reaching the expected level in literacy (89.8%) and numeracy (90.9%) are at their highest on record.
For primary in literacy (75%) was the highest on record and in numeracy (80%) equal highest.
scottishgov-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/deliver...
Delivering educational improvements
Attainment, attendance and teacher numbers rise.
scottishgov-newsroom.prgloo.com
January 29, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Pupils record high achievements (2024-25):
S3 pupils reaching the expected level in literacy (89.8%) and numeracy (90.9%) are at their highest on record.
For primary in literacy (75%) was the highest on record and in numeracy (80%) equal highest.
scottishgov-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/deliver...
S3 pupils reaching the expected level in literacy (89.8%) and numeracy (90.9%) are at their highest on record.
For primary in literacy (75%) was the highest on record and in numeracy (80%) equal highest.
scottishgov-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/deliver...
Reposted by Gordon Macdonald SNP
LATEST: The United States has responded to allegations that it 'abducted' two people from Scotland despite a court order that they were not to leave the jurisdiction
US Government responds to claim it 'unlawfully abducted two people from Scotland'
www.thenational.scot
January 28, 2026 at 4:36 PM
LATEST: The United States has responded to allegations that it 'abducted' two people from Scotland despite a court order that they were not to leave the jurisdiction
Child poverty in Scotland is lowest in the UK with a rate of 23%. This was lower than the 31% rates in England and Wales, and the 24% rate in Northern Ireland.
The JRF said this is “likely to be due, at least in part”, to the Scottish Child Payment weekly payments of £27.15
The JRF said this is “likely to be due, at least in part”, to the Scottish Child Payment weekly payments of £27.15
January 27, 2026 at 1:13 PM
Child poverty in Scotland is lowest in the UK with a rate of 23%. This was lower than the 31% rates in England and Wales, and the 24% rate in Northern Ireland.
The JRF said this is “likely to be due, at least in part”, to the Scottish Child Payment weekly payments of £27.15
The JRF said this is “likely to be due, at least in part”, to the Scottish Child Payment weekly payments of £27.15
Over 96% of retail, hospitality and leisure properties in Scotland will pay zero or reduced rates with policies like the small business bonus scheme, reducing the Basic, Intermediate and Higher Property Rates, and 15% Non-Domestic Rates relief.
January 27, 2026 at 9:23 AM
Over 96% of retail, hospitality and leisure properties in Scotland will pay zero or reduced rates with policies like the small business bonus scheme, reducing the Basic, Intermediate and Higher Property Rates, and 15% Non-Domestic Rates relief.