Kirsteen Paterson
@kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social
Journalist @holyroodmag.bsky.social - always looking for stories. Politics/social justice/culture/communities/environment/innovation. Posts all mine.
Reform won in West Lothian - but beware reading too much into the result 👇
Labour’s support didn’t just slip, it sank - but that doesn't mean the 2026 election outcome is guaranteed, writes @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Reform's first electoral breakthrough in Scotland is a wake-up call for Labour
But the West Lothian Council byelection victory doesn't mean runaway success for Farage
www.holyrood.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Reform won in West Lothian - but beware reading too much into the result 👇
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
A death is a death and a tragedy is a tragedy, but when we’re dealing with women killed by men we’re talking about a distinct class of offending, writes @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Italy has criminalised femicide. So where's Scotland's Bella Epoch?
The European country's new law is a decisive step to protect women. What about Scotland?
www.holyrood.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:07 PM
A death is a death and a tragedy is a tragedy, but when we’re dealing with women killed by men we’re talking about a distinct class of offending, writes @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Read it, then read it again
This is a real quote from somebody at one of our food banks...
‘Since my husband died two weeks ago, I’ve been living on Weetabix. My account was frozen, and Universal Credit hasn’t started.’
Losing a loved one is hard enough. People shouldn't have to worry about food on top of that. 💔
‘Since my husband died two weeks ago, I’ve been living on Weetabix. My account was frozen, and Universal Credit hasn’t started.’
Losing a loved one is hard enough. People shouldn't have to worry about food on top of that. 💔
December 11, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Read it, then read it again
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
Reform UK banks £10m war chest thanks to crypto investor www.holyrood.com/news/view,re...
Reform UK banks £10m war chest thanks to crypto investor
Electoral Commission publishes third quarter donations
www.holyrood.com
December 4, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Reform UK banks £10m war chest thanks to crypto investor www.holyrood.com/news/view,re...
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
Hard Partying: Inside Alba's difficult year by @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Hard Partying: Alba's difficult year
A year after Alex Salmond's death, the Scottish independence vehicle is struggling to move on
www.holyrood.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Hard Partying: Inside Alba's difficult year by @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
"I certainly have an opinion [on Tony Blair]. Whether you’d wish to be printing it is another thing"
From aid cuts to security, Scottish charity chief and ex-UK ambassador Frances Guy has her eye on the bigger picture. She spoke to me for @holyroodmag.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
From aid cuts to security, Scottish charity chief and ex-UK ambassador Frances Guy has her eye on the bigger picture. She spoke to me for @holyroodmag.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Frances Guy: 'Cutting the aid budget, yes, it's problematic'
As chief executive of Scotland's International Development Alliance, the former UK ambassador is done being diplomatic a...
www.holyrood.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:51 AM
"I certainly have an opinion [on Tony Blair]. Whether you’d wish to be printing it is another thing"
From aid cuts to security, Scottish charity chief and ex-UK ambassador Frances Guy has her eye on the bigger picture. She spoke to me for @holyroodmag.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
From aid cuts to security, Scottish charity chief and ex-UK ambassador Frances Guy has her eye on the bigger picture. She spoke to me for @holyroodmag.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
Frances Guy: Gaza doesn't need a pseudo-colonialist committee led by Trump and Blair www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Frances Guy: 'Cutting the aid budget, yes, it's problematic'
As chief executive of Scotland's International Development Alliance, the former UK ambassador is done being diplomatic a...
www.holyrood.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Frances Guy: Gaza doesn't need a pseudo-colonialist committee led by Trump and Blair www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
The report highlighted the 'personal antipathy' between Boris Johnson and Nicola Sturgeon and said devolved governments were 'too reliant' on Westminster to lead the initial response 👇
UK Covid-19 Inquiry: Scottish Government response was 'too little, too late' www.holyrood.com/news/view,uk...
UK Covid-19 Inquiry: Scottish Government response was 'too little, too late'
Official probe criticises all UK governments for lack of preparation
www.holyrood.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:50 PM
The report highlighted the 'personal antipathy' between Boris Johnson and Nicola Sturgeon and said devolved governments were 'too reliant' on Westminster to lead the initial response 👇
Tens of thousands of homes lie empty in Scotland. In the midst of a housing emergency, it's a problem.
So how are councils tackling it, who is out in front, and could a law change make it easier to unlock the doors of vacant properties? www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
So how are councils tackling it, who is out in front, and could a law change make it easier to unlock the doors of vacant properties? www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
How Scotland is unlocking its empty homes
Thousands of properties lie vacant. In a housing emergency, it's a problem that must be solved.
www.holyrood.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Tens of thousands of homes lie empty in Scotland. In the midst of a housing emergency, it's a problem.
So how are councils tackling it, who is out in front, and could a law change make it easier to unlock the doors of vacant properties? www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
So how are councils tackling it, who is out in front, and could a law change make it easier to unlock the doors of vacant properties? www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
God save us every one
This mural has gone up in Kingston, ostensibly for Christmas but AI has ensured it's actually to celebrate the return of our dark lord Cthulhu
November 18, 2025 at 11:06 AM
God save us every one
"It’s batshit crazy. The party has turned into a 1970s tribute act that nobody wants to see"
Alex Salmond started Alba to advance Scottish independence. A year after his death & with an election ahead, the party is struggling to move on www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Alex Salmond started Alba to advance Scottish independence. A year after his death & with an election ahead, the party is struggling to move on www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Hard Partying: Alba's difficult year
A year after Alex Salmond's death, the Scottish independence vehicle is struggling to move on
www.holyrood.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:22 AM
"It’s batshit crazy. The party has turned into a 1970s tribute act that nobody wants to see"
Alex Salmond started Alba to advance Scottish independence. A year after his death & with an election ahead, the party is struggling to move on www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Alex Salmond started Alba to advance Scottish independence. A year after his death & with an election ahead, the party is struggling to move on www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
"It’s batshit crazy. The party has turned into a 1970s tribute act that nobody wants to see."
A year after Alex Salmond's death, the Alba Party is struggling to move on www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
A year after Alex Salmond's death, the Alba Party is struggling to move on www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Hard Partying: Alba's difficult year
A year after Alex Salmond's death, the Scottish independence vehicle is struggling to move on
www.holyrood.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:41 AM
"It’s batshit crazy. The party has turned into a 1970s tribute act that nobody wants to see."
A year after Alex Salmond's death, the Alba Party is struggling to move on www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
A year after Alex Salmond's death, the Alba Party is struggling to move on www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
"I knew I was going to win anyway, right back at the start": The bookies wrote Davy Russell off. But for Scottish Labour's newest MSP, victory was never in doubt www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Davy Russell MSP: I knew I was going to win in Hamilton from the start
The Labour man proved the pundits wrong in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse. He says he wasn't surprised.
www.holyrood.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:23 AM
"I knew I was going to win anyway, right back at the start": The bookies wrote Davy Russell off. But for Scottish Labour's newest MSP, victory was never in doubt www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Author Saabira Chaudhuri will be at Aye Write on Sunday to explore how plastics & big business have changed the way we live. It’s big stuff, told through accessible stories - come and join our conversation www.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/cons...
Consumed - How Big Brands Got Us Hooked on Plastic: Saabira Chaudhuri with Kirsten Paterson - Glasgow Life
Aye Write 2025 presents Consumed - How Big Brands Got Us Hooked on Plastic: Saabira Chaudhuri with Kirsten Paterson
www.glasgowlife.org.uk
November 14, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Author Saabira Chaudhuri will be at Aye Write on Sunday to explore how plastics & big business have changed the way we live. It’s big stuff, told through accessible stories - come and join our conversation www.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/cons...
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
Politics can be stranger than fiction. No wonder public trust is low, @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social writes www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
The art of the steal
Like the Louvre robbery, politics can be stranger than fiction. No wonder public trust is low
www.holyrood.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Politics can be stranger than fiction. No wonder public trust is low, @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social writes www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Just a few notes in my copy of The Old Divide, a new history of sectarianism. Looking forward to talking to Chris Bambery in-depth at Aye Write! on Sunday. Tickets here - join in www.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/the-...
November 7, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Just a few notes in my copy of The Old Divide, a new history of sectarianism. Looking forward to talking to Chris Bambery in-depth at Aye Write! on Sunday. Tickets here - join in www.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/1/the-...
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
MSP Colin Smyth appears in court charged with voyeurism and possessing indecent images of children www.holyrood.com/news/view,co...
Colin Smyth MSP appears in court on child abuse images charge
South Scotland MSP also faces voyeurism charge
www.holyrood.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:48 PM
MSP Colin Smyth appears in court charged with voyeurism and possessing indecent images of children www.holyrood.com/news/view,co...
"Make time for yourself and your family... Make time to have a social life and if you have a hobby, hang on to it for dear life... Make the most of it. Make change, make things better"
Rhoda Grant MSP on the lessons of a life in politics www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Rhoda Grant MSP on the lessons of a life in politics www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Rhoda Grant: 'Of course I'll miss being an MSP. And that scares me.'
The Labour MSP for the Highlands and Islands will stand down next year. She says she’d need a helicopter to keep going.
www.holyrood.com
October 22, 2025 at 12:19 PM
"Make time for yourself and your family... Make time to have a social life and if you have a hobby, hang on to it for dear life... Make the most of it. Make change, make things better"
Rhoda Grant MSP on the lessons of a life in politics www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Rhoda Grant MSP on the lessons of a life in politics www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
“I think taxes for the rich should go up, that’s a pretty basic thing.”
Novelist Ian Rankin speaks to @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Novelist Ian Rankin speaks to @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Ian Rankin: The Labour Party has always been a guddle
Scotland's crimewriting king has made a killing out of murder - but politics is one mystery he can’t always crack
www.holyrood.com
October 20, 2025 at 10:18 AM
“I think taxes for the rich should go up, that’s a pretty basic thing.”
Novelist Ian Rankin speaks to @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Novelist Ian Rankin speaks to @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
Tickets, please: ScotRail's not the Orient Express, but it's chuffing decent, says @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Tickets, please: ScotRail's not the Orient Express, but it's chuffing decent
Once nicknamed 'ScotFail' under the Abellio contract, the renationalised service is on its way
www.holyrood.com
October 13, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Tickets, please: ScotRail's not the Orient Express, but it's chuffing decent, says @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Trust in the Scottish Government has plummeted - but according to one expert, it "feels like the SNP don’t have anyone to lose an election to"? So what's going on?
www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Poll position: Can the SNP really win again in 2026?
John Swinney's party enters its annual conference as the frontrunner for the Holyrood election, but the picture is not s...
www.holyrood.com
October 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Trust in the Scottish Government has plummeted - but according to one expert, it "feels like the SNP don’t have anyone to lose an election to"? So what's going on?
www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
The SNP enters its annual conference as the frontrunner for the Holyrood election, but the picture is not straightforward, writes @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Poll position: Can the SNP really win again in 2026?
Poll position: Can the SNP really win again in 2026?
www.holyrood.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:50 AM
The SNP enters its annual conference as the frontrunner for the Holyrood election, but the picture is not straightforward, writes @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
Women's Aid: How secure is Scotland's domestic abuse safety net? www.holyrood.com/inside-polit... @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social
Women's Aid: How secure is Scotland's domestic abuse safety net?
A town of 26,000 people has lost its women’s aid service after 40 years. In a country taking steps to combat violence ag...
www.holyrood.com
September 25, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Women's Aid: How secure is Scotland's domestic abuse safety net? www.holyrood.com/inside-polit... @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social
When Dawn Brennan was 15, she met “angels” - her local Women's Aid workers. Now that service has collapsed amidst rising national domestic abuse cases.
So how secure is the safety net for Scotland's women? www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
So how secure is the safety net for Scotland's women? www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Women's Aid: How secure is Scotland's domestic abuse safety net?
A town of 26,000 people has lost its women’s aid service after 40 years. In a country taking steps to combat violence ag...
www.holyrood.com
September 23, 2025 at 8:54 AM
When Dawn Brennan was 15, she met “angels” - her local Women's Aid workers. Now that service has collapsed amidst rising national domestic abuse cases.
So how secure is the safety net for Scotland's women? www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
So how secure is the safety net for Scotland's women? www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reposted by Kirsteen Paterson
"Farage’s party is the most Eurosceptic presence in Holyrood. If those ranks grow, how will it affect our engagement with the EU?" asks @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
2020 Vision: Political fortune-tellers might be talking crystal balls
2020 Vision: Political fortune-tellers might be talking crystal balls
www.holyrood.com
September 17, 2025 at 6:55 AM
"Farage’s party is the most Eurosceptic presence in Holyrood. If those ranks grow, how will it affect our engagement with the EU?" asks @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...