Conor Matchett
@conormatchett.bsky.social
Chief Politics Writer at The Scottish Sun - "One of the better bin-raking bollocks-horns"
We think we've found the source of the briefings against Wes Streeting...
November 13, 2025 at 5:38 PM
We think we've found the source of the briefings against Wes Streeting...
NEW: A senior Scottish Labour source says of the Starmer/Streeting briefings...
"This is an entirely self-inflicted wound today and there's no need for it.
"It is a massively unhelpful and ill-disciplined briefing. It could come from the PM's own mouth and still be that.
"This is an entirely self-inflicted wound today and there's no need for it.
"It is a massively unhelpful and ill-disciplined briefing. It could come from the PM's own mouth and still be that.
November 12, 2025 at 12:54 PM
NEW: A senior Scottish Labour source says of the Starmer/Streeting briefings...
"This is an entirely self-inflicted wound today and there's no need for it.
"It is a massively unhelpful and ill-disciplined briefing. It could come from the PM's own mouth and still be that.
"This is an entirely self-inflicted wound today and there's no need for it.
"It is a massively unhelpful and ill-disciplined briefing. It could come from the PM's own mouth and still be that.
Reposted by Conor Matchett
Why a 2p increase in UK income tax will cut the Scottish Budget by £1 billion: read our first budget preview and find out more:
What would UK income tax changes mean for Scotland? | FAI
An additional 2p on the UK basic rate would cost the Scottish Government £1 billion next year…
buff.ly
October 31, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Why a 2p increase in UK income tax will cut the Scottish Budget by £1 billion: read our first budget preview and find out more:
Sums up Scottish Labour's challenge next May
Nat support down on 2021/22 highs but Labour are not benefitting enough from straight switchers *or* from Westminster incumbency and Tory tanking
Instead Reform are nicking votes Labour need to win next May. A massive vibe switch needed to reverse that
Nat support down on 2021/22 highs but Labour are not benefitting enough from straight switchers *or* from Westminster incumbency and Tory tanking
Instead Reform are nicking votes Labour need to win next May. A massive vibe switch needed to reverse that
If we do vs 2022:
SNP: -2.3
Lab: +2.2
RUK: New
Con: -16.7
Grn: +1.6
LD: +1.2
(-9.3% in non-returns)
Also, as I noted in preview, this shifts balance of council, where Labour had been pretending to be in sole control with just 4 councillors. No guarantee, but numbers there to change admin now.
SNP: -2.3
Lab: +2.2
RUK: New
Con: -16.7
Grn: +1.6
LD: +1.2
(-9.3% in non-returns)
Also, as I noted in preview, this shifts balance of council, where Labour had been pretending to be in sole control with just 4 councillors. No guarantee, but numbers there to change admin now.
October 31, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Sums up Scottish Labour's challenge next May
Nat support down on 2021/22 highs but Labour are not benefitting enough from straight switchers *or* from Westminster incumbency and Tory tanking
Instead Reform are nicking votes Labour need to win next May. A massive vibe switch needed to reverse that
Nat support down on 2021/22 highs but Labour are not benefitting enough from straight switchers *or* from Westminster incumbency and Tory tanking
Instead Reform are nicking votes Labour need to win next May. A massive vibe switch needed to reverse that
NEW: Holyrood 2026 will NOT have an overnight count
Instead, votes will be counted on the Friday after the polls close
Nervous waits all round and, critically, more time for spin/narrative setting for winners and losers...
Instead, votes will be counted on the Friday after the polls close
Nervous waits all round and, critically, more time for spin/narrative setting for winners and losers...
October 29, 2025 at 10:22 AM
NEW: Holyrood 2026 will NOT have an overnight count
Instead, votes will be counted on the Friday after the polls close
Nervous waits all round and, critically, more time for spin/narrative setting for winners and losers...
Instead, votes will be counted on the Friday after the polls close
Nervous waits all round and, critically, more time for spin/narrative setting for winners and losers...
The SNP's record on child homelessness is appalling and unforgivable, but this is *yet another* example of how all they will have to do during the Holyrood 2026 campaign is point at Sir Keir Starmer's record
It's completely sinking Anas Sarwar
It's completely sinking Anas Sarwar
New figures from Shelter show that the number of children homeless or in temporary accommodation in England has reached its highest level since records began.
172,420 kids without a permanent home of their own- an 8% increase in a single year.
172,420 kids without a permanent home of their own- an 8% increase in a single year.
October 16, 2025 at 2:05 PM
The SNP's record on child homelessness is appalling and unforgivable, but this is *yet another* example of how all they will have to do during the Holyrood 2026 campaign is point at Sir Keir Starmer's record
It's completely sinking Anas Sarwar
It's completely sinking Anas Sarwar
Ash Regan quits the Alba Party and with that decision, the spectre of Alex Salmond finally recedes from any meaningful impact at next May's election
Alba now surely dead and buried.
Alba now surely dead and buried.
October 10, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Ash Regan quits the Alba Party and with that decision, the spectre of Alex Salmond finally recedes from any meaningful impact at next May's election
Alba now surely dead and buried.
Alba now surely dead and buried.
A few days after Labour Conference, here's my take on what it means for Scottish Labour
They're a party that feels high on copium, dragged down by a party chief they know is a bust but can't change
They're a party that feels high on copium, dragged down by a party chief they know is a bust but can't change
October 3, 2025 at 2:06 PM
A few days after Labour Conference, here's my take on what it means for Scottish Labour
They're a party that feels high on copium, dragged down by a party chief they know is a bust but can't change
They're a party that feels high on copium, dragged down by a party chief they know is a bust but can't change
EXCLUSIVE: Snooty Tory MSPs forced party chiefs to order upmarket pizzas — after they moaned about Domino’s ones.
The politicians staged a revolt over the takeaway meals delivered to Holyrood during a debate that went on for hours longer than usual.
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1540029...
The politicians staged a revolt over the takeaway meals delivered to Holyrood during a debate that went on for hours longer than usual.
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1540029...
www.thescottishsun.co.uk
October 1, 2025 at 11:07 AM
EXCLUSIVE: Snooty Tory MSPs forced party chiefs to order upmarket pizzas — after they moaned about Domino’s ones.
The politicians staged a revolt over the takeaway meals delivered to Holyrood during a debate that went on for hours longer than usual.
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1540029...
The politicians staged a revolt over the takeaway meals delivered to Holyrood during a debate that went on for hours longer than usual.
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1540029...
Anas Sarwar's argument at Labour conference is for the party not to be "shy" on their achievements
It's effectively a belief that comms, not policy or vision, is what's dragging the party down
Not sold.
It's effectively a belief that comms, not policy or vision, is what's dragging the party down
Not sold.
September 28, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Anas Sarwar's argument at Labour conference is for the party not to be "shy" on their achievements
It's effectively a belief that comms, not policy or vision, is what's dragging the party down
Not sold.
It's effectively a belief that comms, not policy or vision, is what's dragging the party down
Not sold.
Reason No. 1 not to call the UK's new digital ID a "Brit Card"
September 25, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Reason No. 1 not to call the UK's new digital ID a "Brit Card"
At some point, other political parties will clock that Farage's policy announcements are not about anything other than driving British politics in a generally favourable direction *for him*, so that by 2029, the sort of relatively 'unpopular' and extreme policies are the opposite
I'll have more to say on Reform's proposals to scrap ILR at some point but for now I'll just note this - anyone telling you this is a popular idea doesn't know the polling. Overwhelming majority of public back giving people who work and pay taxes most or all rights after 5 years or less
September 22, 2025 at 1:19 PM
At some point, other political parties will clock that Farage's policy announcements are not about anything other than driving British politics in a generally favourable direction *for him*, so that by 2029, the sort of relatively 'unpopular' and extreme policies are the opposite
Brilliant from @jburnmurdoch.ft.com
Benefits and social care spending in Scotland is to pensions in the UK - politically difficult, ruinously expensive, and ever-increasing policy decisions which ignore fundamental failures of post-2008 governments and economies.
www.ft.com/content/d419...
Benefits and social care spending in Scotland is to pensions in the UK - politically difficult, ruinously expensive, and ever-increasing policy decisions which ignore fundamental failures of post-2008 governments and economies.
www.ft.com/content/d419...
France and Britain are in thrall to pensioners
Mounting fiscal crises show how not to handle the demographic crunch
www.ft.com
September 14, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Brilliant from @jburnmurdoch.ft.com
Benefits and social care spending in Scotland is to pensions in the UK - politically difficult, ruinously expensive, and ever-increasing policy decisions which ignore fundamental failures of post-2008 governments and economies.
www.ft.com/content/d419...
Benefits and social care spending in Scotland is to pensions in the UK - politically difficult, ruinously expensive, and ever-increasing policy decisions which ignore fundamental failures of post-2008 governments and economies.
www.ft.com/content/d419...
EXCLUSIVE: The SNP have quietly changed how no-shows and cancellations count towards waiting list targets, artificially reducing the number and length of long waits
The change will make it easier to hit election promises and was last night branded "sleekit"
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1533841...
The change will make it easier to hit election promises and was last night branded "sleekit"
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1533841...
SNP's plan to 'fiddle' Scotland's damning NHS stats revealed
RECORD long waits for hospital appointments are set to be cut in a claimed “fiddle”, we can reveal. Thousands of cases where patients miss or cancel appointments will be axed from the stats. The mo…
www.thescottishsun.co.uk
September 14, 2025 at 9:14 AM
EXCLUSIVE: The SNP have quietly changed how no-shows and cancellations count towards waiting list targets, artificially reducing the number and length of long waits
The change will make it easier to hit election promises and was last night branded "sleekit"
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1533841...
The change will make it easier to hit election promises and was last night branded "sleekit"
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1533841...
Meaningless whiffle.
Those confidence intervals in full!
September 9, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Meaningless whiffle.
Cat, meet pigeons
EXCL: Political parties should be subject to freedom of information laws to help unearth their “murky” inner workings, Scotland’s transparency tsar will say.
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1524301...
EXCL: Political parties should be subject to freedom of information laws to help unearth their “murky” inner workings, Scotland’s transparency tsar will say.
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1524301...
Inside fight to unearth 'murky' SNP, Labour & Tory dealings with new FOI laws
POLITICAL parties should be subject to freedom of information laws to help unearth their “murky” inner workings, Scotland’s transparency tsar will say. Scottish Information Commissioner David Hamil…
www.thescottishsun.co.uk
August 22, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Cat, meet pigeons
EXCL: Political parties should be subject to freedom of information laws to help unearth their “murky” inner workings, Scotland’s transparency tsar will say.
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1524301...
EXCL: Political parties should be subject to freedom of information laws to help unearth their “murky” inner workings, Scotland’s transparency tsar will say.
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1524301...
Unclear what the potential fallout for the Lochaber Smelter deal with GFG Alliance and the Scottish Government is
But in terms of a general health check of GFG's assets, it's hardly a ringing endorsement.
But in terms of a general health check of GFG's assets, it's hardly a ringing endorsement.
BREAKING: The British government is set to take over the running of a major part of Sanjeev Gupta’s Liberty Steel business, after one of the UK’s largest steelworks was declared insolvent in London’s High Court.
on.ft.com/4mtFtC4
on.ft.com/4mtFtC4
UK to take over key part of Sanjeev Gupta’s steel business, court rules
[FREE TO READ] Judge describes Speciality Steel as ‘hopelessly insolvent’
on.ft.com
August 21, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Unclear what the potential fallout for the Lochaber Smelter deal with GFG Alliance and the Scottish Government is
But in terms of a general health check of GFG's assets, it's hardly a ringing endorsement.
But in terms of a general health check of GFG's assets, it's hardly a ringing endorsement.
Labour and the SNP both circling the same "how do we hold on to power by not annoying more people than we already have" drain
Which ultimately leads to total policy paralysis and, therefore, lack of any meaningful progress on any policy issue that does actually matter to voters
Which ultimately leads to total policy paralysis and, therefore, lack of any meaningful progress on any policy issue that does actually matter to voters
Good piece this. Ultimately what Labour needs is not a “narrative” - it is a policy strategy. Too preoccupied with not doing things which are unpopular, not enough with “what will make us popular by 2029?”
New post just out:
"How much trouble is Starmer in?"
I look at why it's now plausible he might not make it through another year.
But also a more positive case for how he and the govt can find a way through despite very difficult circumstances.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/h...
"How much trouble is Starmer in?"
I look at why it's now plausible he might not make it through another year.
But also a more positive case for how he and the govt can find a way through despite very difficult circumstances.
(£/free trial)
open.substack.com/pub/samf/p/h...
July 16, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Labour and the SNP both circling the same "how do we hold on to power by not annoying more people than we already have" drain
Which ultimately leads to total policy paralysis and, therefore, lack of any meaningful progress on any policy issue that does actually matter to voters
Which ultimately leads to total policy paralysis and, therefore, lack of any meaningful progress on any policy issue that does actually matter to voters
The Scottish Government have said their use of social media is under constant review after the anti-Semitic controversy surrounding X's AI chatbot Grok
Officials said the gov doesn't use the tool, but refuses to commit to stopping the use of the platform
Officials said the gov doesn't use the tool, but refuses to commit to stopping the use of the platform
July 9, 2025 at 4:07 PM
The Scottish Government have said their use of social media is under constant review after the anti-Semitic controversy surrounding X's AI chatbot Grok
Officials said the gov doesn't use the tool, but refuses to commit to stopping the use of the platform
Officials said the gov doesn't use the tool, but refuses to commit to stopping the use of the platform
That's Humza Yousaf and now Anas Sarwar who have *both* had speeches made in the same Holyrood debate after the death of George Floyd in 2020 - in which they both ape Muhammed Ali's "why is everything white" chat on Parkinson - decontextualised and weaponised against them
May 28, 2025 at 3:51 PM
That's Humza Yousaf and now Anas Sarwar who have *both* had speeches made in the same Holyrood debate after the death of George Floyd in 2020 - in which they both ape Muhammed Ali's "why is everything white" chat on Parkinson - decontextualised and weaponised against them
There are many things you can blame various Scottish Labour individuals for, but introducing sectarianism into Scottish politics is not one of them.
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1484989...
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1484989...
Nigel Farage branded 'poisonous' after accusing Anas Sarwar of 'sectarianism'
NIGEL Farage today accused Anas Sarwar of “introducing sectarianism into Scottish politics” as he defended a controversial by-election advert attacking the Scottish Labour leader. The Reform UK lea…
www.thescottishsun.co.uk
May 27, 2025 at 1:25 PM
There are many things you can blame various Scottish Labour individuals for, but introducing sectarianism into Scottish politics is not one of them.
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1484989...
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1484989...
A plea for some regular Scotland-specific polling from a reputable pollster, please
April 23, 2025 at 8:26 AM
A plea for some regular Scotland-specific polling from a reputable pollster, please
Stephen Gethins appears to be broadcasting live from a 1940s vampire film
March 9, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Stephen Gethins appears to be broadcasting live from a 1940s vampire film
My colleague yesterday was horrified at the news I have 247 tabs open on my work laptop
Surely I can't be the only tab hoarder out there?
I know where everything is!
Surely I can't be the only tab hoarder out there?
I know where everything is!
February 18, 2025 at 8:54 AM
My colleague yesterday was horrified at the news I have 247 tabs open on my work laptop
Surely I can't be the only tab hoarder out there?
I know where everything is!
Surely I can't be the only tab hoarder out there?
I know where everything is!
EXCLUSIVE: StephenFlynn’s allies have drawn up a “hit list” of sitting Nats MSPs they want to replace with ex-SNP MPs, sources claimed. All are women
He has been accused of wanting key allies in place for an eventual bid to lead the SNP outright.
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1431534...
He has been accused of wanting key allies in place for an eventual bid to lead the SNP outright.
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1431534...
Allies of SNP boss 'draw-up hit list of MSPs they want to replace with axed MPs'
STEPHEN Flynn’s allies have drawn up a “hit list” of sitting Nats MSPs they want to replace with ex-SNP MPs, sources claimed. The party’s Westminster leader is weighing up whether to run for a Holy…
www.thescottishsun.co.uk
February 11, 2025 at 9:53 AM
EXCLUSIVE: StephenFlynn’s allies have drawn up a “hit list” of sitting Nats MSPs they want to replace with ex-SNP MPs, sources claimed. All are women
He has been accused of wanting key allies in place for an eventual bid to lead the SNP outright.
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1431534...
He has been accused of wanting key allies in place for an eventual bid to lead the SNP outright.
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1431534...