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
Scotland is a nation - and nations have the right to decide their future.
Let’s make Scotland’s voice heard loud and clear. Add your name here: yes.scot/decide
Sign and share with family, friends, and work colleagues.
Let’s make Scotland’s voice heard loud and clear. Add your name here: yes.scot/decide
Sign and share with family, friends, and work colleagues.
Since Labour came to power unemployment scross the UK has risen from 4.1% to 5%.
The UK's jobless rate has risen to a level not seen since late 2020, according to the Office for National Statistics who reported a figure of 5% covering the three months to September.
The UK's jobless rate has risen to a level not seen since late 2020, according to the Office for National Statistics who reported a figure of 5% covering the three months to September.
BREAKING: Unemployment rate jumps to highest level since late 2020 ahead of budget
news.sky.com/story/unempl...
news.sky.com/story/unempl...
Unemployment rate jumps to highest level since late 2020 ahead of budget
The UK's jobless rate has risen to a level not seen since late 2020, according to official figures released ahead of the budget.
news.sky.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Since Labour came to power unemployment scross the UK has risen from 4.1% to 5%.
The UK's jobless rate has risen to a level not seen since late 2020, according to the Office for National Statistics who reported a figure of 5% covering the three months to September.
The UK's jobless rate has risen to a level not seen since late 2020, according to the Office for National Statistics who reported a figure of 5% covering the three months to September.
Real living wage employers reach record high as of November 2025, benefiting around 72,000 workers.
Proportionately, Scotland has about FIVE times more accredited employers per capita than the UK average.
IN LABOUR RUN WALES ONLY 5 OF 22 COUNCILS ARE REGISTÈRED WITH THE LWF.
Proportionately, Scotland has about FIVE times more accredited employers per capita than the UK average.
IN LABOUR RUN WALES ONLY 5 OF 22 COUNCILS ARE REGISTÈRED WITH THE LWF.
The Real Living Wage has delivered a pay boost to 72,000 Scottish workers.
I visited Capital City Partnership to mark a record 4,000 Real Living Wage employers in Scotland - proportionately that’s around 5 times more than the rest of the UK.
I visited Capital City Partnership to mark a record 4,000 Real Living Wage employers in Scotland - proportionately that’s around 5 times more than the rest of the UK.
November 11, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Real living wage employers reach record high as of November 2025, benefiting around 72,000 workers.
Proportionately, Scotland has about FIVE times more accredited employers per capita than the UK average.
IN LABOUR RUN WALES ONLY 5 OF 22 COUNCILS ARE REGISTÈRED WITH THE LWF.
Proportionately, Scotland has about FIVE times more accredited employers per capita than the UK average.
IN LABOUR RUN WALES ONLY 5 OF 22 COUNCILS ARE REGISTÈRED WITH THE LWF.
CalMac is pursuing legal action against Birkenhead’s Cammell Laird shipyard to recover multi-million repair costs for the MV Caledonian Isles dry-docked in Jan 2024 at Cammell Laird for repairs of £5m. After repairs a hull deformity was discovered.
welovestornoway.com/index.php/ar...
welovestornoway.com/index.php/ar...
CalMac to sue shipyard for repair costs
CalMac are to sue Birkenhead shipyard Cammell Laird over multi-million hull deformation repair costs.
welovestornoway.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:07 PM
CalMac is pursuing legal action against Birkenhead’s Cammell Laird shipyard to recover multi-million repair costs for the MV Caledonian Isles dry-docked in Jan 2024 at Cammell Laird for repairs of £5m. After repairs a hull deformity was discovered.
welovestornoway.com/index.php/ar...
welovestornoway.com/index.php/ar...
Reposted by Gordon Macdonald SNP
Currie Community High School opened without fanfare
After a long community campaign to retain a school in the area, Currie Community High School was opened in a closed doors ceremony without press or MSPs officially invited. Only the Education Secretary, Jenny Gilruth, was asked to cut the ribbon,…
After a long community campaign to retain a school in the area, Currie Community High School was opened in a closed doors ceremony without press or MSPs officially invited. Only the Education Secretary, Jenny Gilruth, was asked to cut the ribbon,…
Currie Community High School opened without fanfare
After a long community campaign to retain a school in the area, Currie Community High School was opened in a closed doors ceremony without press or MSPs officially invited. Only the Education Secretary, Jenny Gilruth, was asked to cut the ribbon, and local councillors were asked along, but none of the local MSPs, who were all involved in the campaign to keep the school open, were given an official invite to see the results of their work.
theedinburghreporter.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Currie Community High School opened without fanfare
After a long community campaign to retain a school in the area, Currie Community High School was opened in a closed doors ceremony without press or MSPs officially invited. Only the Education Secretary, Jenny Gilruth, was asked to cut the ribbon,…
After a long community campaign to retain a school in the area, Currie Community High School was opened in a closed doors ceremony without press or MSPs officially invited. Only the Education Secretary, Jenny Gilruth, was asked to cut the ribbon,…
The NFU Scotland is calling for a dedicated ‘Buy Scottish’ campaign to help raise consumer awareness and celebrate Scotland’s world-class food production.
Plus improved country-of-origin labelling to ensure accurate, transparent information.
www.ruralnetwork.scot/news/shelfwa...
Plus improved country-of-origin labelling to ensure accurate, transparent information.
www.ruralnetwork.scot/news/shelfwa...
"ShelfWatch" Audits Reveal Mixed Progress on Scottish Produce in Supermarkets - Scottish Rural Network
National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS) has released its latest “ShelfWatch” findings following a series…
www.ruralnetwork.scot
November 6, 2025 at 11:24 AM
The NFU Scotland is calling for a dedicated ‘Buy Scottish’ campaign to help raise consumer awareness and celebrate Scotland’s world-class food production.
Plus improved country-of-origin labelling to ensure accurate, transparent information.
www.ruralnetwork.scot/news/shelfwa...
Plus improved country-of-origin labelling to ensure accurate, transparent information.
www.ruralnetwork.scot/news/shelfwa...
Reposted by Gordon Macdonald SNP
Corporate Welfare
Drax receives subsidies for burning wood to produce electricity. £869m last year. £458.6m a year for 2027-2031. UK Govt not taken equity stake.
In 2024, paid £97m dividend, £300m share buyback
Drax electricity is the most expensive. It is the biggest single UK carbon emitter.
Drax receives subsidies for burning wood to produce electricity. £869m last year. £458.6m a year for 2027-2031. UK Govt not taken equity stake.
In 2024, paid £97m dividend, £300m share buyback
Drax electricity is the most expensive. It is the biggest single UK carbon emitter.
Drax power plant to go on earning ‘over £1m a day’ from burning wood pellets
Analysts say Britain’s biggest power plant in line to earn £458.6m a year under new government subsidy contract
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Corporate Welfare
Drax receives subsidies for burning wood to produce electricity. £869m last year. £458.6m a year for 2027-2031. UK Govt not taken equity stake.
In 2024, paid £97m dividend, £300m share buyback
Drax electricity is the most expensive. It is the biggest single UK carbon emitter.
Drax receives subsidies for burning wood to produce electricity. £869m last year. £458.6m a year for 2027-2031. UK Govt not taken equity stake.
In 2024, paid £97m dividend, £300m share buyback
Drax electricity is the most expensive. It is the biggest single UK carbon emitter.
This is more of a threat to national security!
UK's MOD has announced the 1st delivery of 50 Ajax armoured vehicles, 8 years behind schedule & costing £10m each.
An order for 589 was placed in 2010 but delivery deadlines of 2017, 2020 & 2021 were missed.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
UK's MOD has announced the 1st delivery of 50 Ajax armoured vehicles, 8 years behind schedule & costing £10m each.
An order for 589 was placed in 2010 but delivery deadlines of 2017, 2020 & 2021 were missed.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
British military announces first delivery of Ajax armoured vehicles – eight years late
First 50 vehicles, costing nearly £10m each, finally ready to deploy to Nato’s eastern flank, where drones now dominate
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:07 AM
This is more of a threat to national security!
UK's MOD has announced the 1st delivery of 50 Ajax armoured vehicles, 8 years behind schedule & costing £10m each.
An order for 589 was placed in 2010 but delivery deadlines of 2017, 2020 & 2021 were missed.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
UK's MOD has announced the 1st delivery of 50 Ajax armoured vehicles, 8 years behind schedule & costing £10m each.
An order for 589 was placed in 2010 but delivery deadlines of 2017, 2020 & 2021 were missed.
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
UK national debt is now the 4th highest in the world!
What happened to the deep pockets of the UK?
What happened to the deep pockets of the UK?
November 1, 2025 at 7:41 AM
UK national debt is now the 4th highest in the world!
What happened to the deep pockets of the UK?
What happened to the deep pockets of the UK?
Reposted by Gordon Macdonald SNP
Good to meet the new Swiss Ambassador Dominique Paravicini. Scotland and Switzerland share a commitment to deepening ties across culture, trade and innovation and will work toward a future of even closer cooperation.
🏴🤝🇨🇭
🏴🤝🇨🇭
October 29, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Good to meet the new Swiss Ambassador Dominique Paravicini. Scotland and Switzerland share a commitment to deepening ties across culture, trade and innovation and will work toward a future of even closer cooperation.
🏴🤝🇨🇭
🏴🤝🇨🇭
Reposted by Gordon Macdonald SNP
NEW: Independence is necessary to protect Scotland from a Nigel Farage-led Westminster Government, John Swinney is set to say
Independence necessary to protect Scotland from Reform-led Westminster, says Swinney
www.thenational.scot
October 29, 2025 at 8:26 AM
NEW: Independence is necessary to protect Scotland from a Nigel Farage-led Westminster Government, John Swinney is set to say
The number of GPs by headcount in Scotland has increased in the last 10 years - from 4,393 in 2015 to 4,582 in 2025.
Scotland has more GP's per head of population than other parts of the UK.
GPs, nurses and more - provide 720,000 appointments a week in Scotland.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Scotland has more GP's per head of population than other parts of the UK.
GPs, nurses and more - provide 720,000 appointments a week in Scotland.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
GP surgeries in Scotland to get £531m for recruitment over three years
Doctors said the investment was a step in the right direction, having previously said £290m was needed to address the GP funding gap.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 2:45 PM
The number of GPs by headcount in Scotland has increased in the last 10 years - from 4,393 in 2015 to 4,582 in 2025.
Scotland has more GP's per head of population than other parts of the UK.
GPs, nurses and more - provide 720,000 appointments a week in Scotland.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Scotland has more GP's per head of population than other parts of the UK.
GPs, nurses and more - provide 720,000 appointments a week in Scotland.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
In 2010, the four UK nations put in about the same amount per head to cover NHS dental care.
In 23/24, Scotland's support for NHS dental care is nearly double that of England and higher than any other UK nation.
In 23/24, Scotland's support for NHS dental care is nearly double that of England and higher than any other UK nation.
October 27, 2025 at 2:41 PM
In 2010, the four UK nations put in about the same amount per head to cover NHS dental care.
In 23/24, Scotland's support for NHS dental care is nearly double that of England and higher than any other UK nation.
In 23/24, Scotland's support for NHS dental care is nearly double that of England and higher than any other UK nation.
Fantastic result for @lindsay_whittle and @plaid_cymru
Labour held the Caerphilly constituency in the Senedd for 26 years, from the first election in May 1999 and at Westminster for over a century!
Labour held the Caerphilly constituency in the Senedd for 26 years, from the first election in May 1999 and at Westminster for over a century!
October 24, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Fantastic result for @lindsay_whittle and @plaid_cymru
Labour held the Caerphilly constituency in the Senedd for 26 years, from the first election in May 1999 and at Westminster for over a century!
Labour held the Caerphilly constituency in the Senedd for 26 years, from the first election in May 1999 and at Westminster for over a century!
The 7.4m people on NHS waiting lists in Labour-run England now far exceed the entire population of Scotland.
Meanwhile, in Scotland, waiting lists are coming down with an additional 213,000 appointments and procedures thanks to record funding from the SNP Government.
Meanwhile, in Scotland, waiting lists are coming down with an additional 213,000 appointments and procedures thanks to record funding from the SNP Government.
October 23, 2025 at 9:25 PM
The 7.4m people on NHS waiting lists in Labour-run England now far exceed the entire population of Scotland.
Meanwhile, in Scotland, waiting lists are coming down with an additional 213,000 appointments and procedures thanks to record funding from the SNP Government.
Meanwhile, in Scotland, waiting lists are coming down with an additional 213,000 appointments and procedures thanks to record funding from the SNP Government.
Reposted by Gordon Macdonald SNP
“Keir Starmer’s reverse Midas touch even extends to his own political attacks, he points to waiting lists and police numbers, when waiting lists are falling in Scotland and rising in England, and Scotland has more police officers per head than Labour-run England and Wales.
October 21, 2025 at 1:18 PM
“Keir Starmer’s reverse Midas touch even extends to his own political attacks, he points to waiting lists and police numbers, when waiting lists are falling in Scotland and rising in England, and Scotland has more police officers per head than Labour-run England and Wales.
Reform led North Northamptonshire Council is planning to reduce its housing waiting list not by building more homes but by removing more than 3,000 people off the social housing waiting list after its executive voted to progress the scheme.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
North Northants consults on removing 3,000 from council house list
The authority says proposed changes will help it focus on those with "priority need".
www.bbc.com
October 21, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Reform led North Northamptonshire Council is planning to reduce its housing waiting list not by building more homes but by removing more than 3,000 people off the social housing waiting list after its executive voted to progress the scheme.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Scotland has the highest proportion of college students - 1.6m in England, 218k in Scotland, 127k in Wales, 37k in N.Ireland.
Completion rates for apprenticeships show: England 53%, Wales 66%, N.Ireland 48%, Scotland 70-80 % for much of the last decade.
And no tuition fees!
Completion rates for apprenticeships show: England 53%, Wales 66%, N.Ireland 48%, Scotland 70-80 % for much of the last decade.
And no tuition fees!
October 21, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Scotland has the highest proportion of college students - 1.6m in England, 218k in Scotland, 127k in Wales, 37k in N.Ireland.
Completion rates for apprenticeships show: England 53%, Wales 66%, N.Ireland 48%, Scotland 70-80 % for much of the last decade.
And no tuition fees!
Completion rates for apprenticeships show: England 53%, Wales 66%, N.Ireland 48%, Scotland 70-80 % for much of the last decade.
And no tuition fees!
Scotland is a nation - and nations have the right to decide their future.
Let’s make Scotland’s voice heard loud and clear. Add your name here: yes.scot/decide
Sign and share with family, friends, and work colleagues.
Let’s make Scotland’s voice heard loud and clear. Add your name here: yes.scot/decide
Sign and share with family, friends, and work colleagues.
October 12, 2025 at 6:44 AM
Scotland is a nation - and nations have the right to decide their future.
Let’s make Scotland’s voice heard loud and clear. Add your name here: yes.scot/decide
Sign and share with family, friends, and work colleagues.
Let’s make Scotland’s voice heard loud and clear. Add your name here: yes.scot/decide
Sign and share with family, friends, and work colleagues.
Attending Community Pharmacy Scotland event with the opening comment being our system of 1,200 community pharmacies in Scotland are world leading with our focus on service delivery, including #NHSpharmacyfirstscotland
October 11, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Attending Community Pharmacy Scotland event with the opening comment being our system of 1,200 community pharmacies in Scotland are world leading with our focus on service delivery, including #NHSpharmacyfirstscotland
Seconding the SNP conference resolution attacking LABOUR'S JOB TAX HIKE, which impacts our public, private, and voluntary sectors!
October 11, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Seconding the SNP conference resolution attacking LABOUR'S JOB TAX HIKE, which impacts our public, private, and voluntary sectors!
Visited @SAMHtweets Redhall Walled Garden this morning, along with some MSP colleagues, to be thanked for our successful cross party campaign to keep this fantastic oasis in the city open. Much appreciated.
October 3, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Visited @SAMHtweets Redhall Walled Garden this morning, along with some MSP colleagues, to be thanked for our successful cross party campaign to keep this fantastic oasis in the city open. Much appreciated.
Reposted by Gordon Macdonald SNP
Keir Starmer suggested that the SNP 'want Britain to fail' in a speech at the Labour Party conference.
I have news for you Keir, Britain has failed Scotland for the last 300 years.
If you say that you love our flag, Why not respect those who fly it & stop denying us our democracy?
#AreYouYesYet
I have news for you Keir, Britain has failed Scotland for the last 300 years.
If you say that you love our flag, Why not respect those who fly it & stop denying us our democracy?
#AreYouYesYet
September 30, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Keir Starmer suggested that the SNP 'want Britain to fail' in a speech at the Labour Party conference.
I have news for you Keir, Britain has failed Scotland for the last 300 years.
If you say that you love our flag, Why not respect those who fly it & stop denying us our democracy?
#AreYouYesYet
I have news for you Keir, Britain has failed Scotland for the last 300 years.
If you say that you love our flag, Why not respect those who fly it & stop denying us our democracy?
#AreYouYesYet
Met with John Lee of @TOMRAGroup in parliament to talk all things reverse vending.
UK DRS scheme will not be up and running before 2027. DRS is already up and running in Ireland, where 1 BILLION bottles and cans were recycled in its first year.
UK DRS scheme will not be up and running before 2027. DRS is already up and running in Ireland, where 1 BILLION bottles and cans were recycled in its first year.
September 30, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Met with John Lee of @TOMRAGroup in parliament to talk all things reverse vending.
UK DRS scheme will not be up and running before 2027. DRS is already up and running in Ireland, where 1 BILLION bottles and cans were recycled in its first year.
UK DRS scheme will not be up and running before 2027. DRS is already up and running in Ireland, where 1 BILLION bottles and cans were recycled in its first year.