Louise Wilson
@louisewilso.bsky.social
Political Editor ✍🏻 Holyrood magazine 🏴
Policy geek 🤓 Board game lover 🎲 Not-bad climber 🧗🏻♀️ Newbie crocheter 🧶
She/her
Policy geek 🤓 Board game lover 🎲 Not-bad climber 🧗🏻♀️ Newbie crocheter 🧶
She/her
Pinned
Louise Wilson
@louisewilso.bsky.social
· Apr 19
Ferguson Marine and British Steel are under pressure – is heavy industry dead?
Shipbuilding and steel making are woven into the fabric of the UK – but without a coherent strategy, such industry might not have a future
www.holyrood.com
“Romanticism is natural, and our industrial past is something to be proud of. But nostalgia shouldn’t dictate policy.”
"It seems to me that Grangemouth was very foreseeable… When it gets too late, the mental health issues, the economic dislocation and the waste of public money are all exacerbated" - Nigel Topping, chair of the CCC
My latest read on Grangemouth | www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
My latest read on Grangemouth | www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Grangemouth: 'We could still clutch victory.... but you need to hurry up'
The failure to ensure a just transition at Grangemouth has caused alarm. But not all hope is lost
www.holyrood.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:57 AM
"It seems to me that Grangemouth was very foreseeable… When it gets too late, the mental health issues, the economic dislocation and the waste of public money are all exacerbated" - Nigel Topping, chair of the CCC
My latest read on Grangemouth | www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
My latest read on Grangemouth | www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Interesting result - Reform leading throughout, just pipped at the very last stage by the Conservatives.
They will be very pleased with this. Tories will be relieved.
They will be very pleased with this. Tories will be relieved.
Stranraer and the Rhins (Dumfries and Galloway) by-election transfers, votes at final stage:
Conservative: 1565 (39.7%)
Reform UK: 1523 (38.7%)
Didn't Transfer: 851 (21.6%)
No detailed data to follow as this was a hand count.
Conservative: 1565 (39.7%)
Reform UK: 1523 (38.7%)
Didn't Transfer: 851 (21.6%)
No detailed data to follow as this was a hand count.
November 21, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Interesting result - Reform leading throughout, just pipped at the very last stage by the Conservatives.
They will be very pleased with this. Tories will be relieved.
They will be very pleased with this. Tories will be relieved.
Reposted by Louise Wilson
"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...
This is genuinely a lovely way to remember Christina McKelvie.
A fund-raising charity ball has been announced in memory of late minister Christina McKelvie www.holyrood.com/news/view,ch...
Christina McKelvie Ball announced in memory of late MSP
The event will raise funds for cancer charities
www.holyrood.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:02 AM
This is genuinely a lovely way to remember Christina McKelvie.
The Covid-19 Inquiry said Nicola Sturgeon's 'Gold Command' meetings sidelined senior ministers, essentially turning Cabinet into a "decision-ratifying body and not the ultimate decision-making body".
Sturgeon told reporters today she stands by that decision. www.holyrood.com/news/view,mi...
Sturgeon told reporters today she stands by that decision. www.holyrood.com/news/view,mi...
‘Mistakes were made’ by Scottish ministers during Covid, Kate Forbes says
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has accepted that “mistakes were made” by the Scottish Government in its response to t...
www.holyrood.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:54 PM
The Covid-19 Inquiry said Nicola Sturgeon's 'Gold Command' meetings sidelined senior ministers, essentially turning Cabinet into a "decision-ratifying body and not the ultimate decision-making body".
Sturgeon told reporters today she stands by that decision. www.holyrood.com/news/view,mi...
Sturgeon told reporters today she stands by that decision. www.holyrood.com/news/view,mi...
Reposted by Louise Wilson
We're attracted to simple big stories to explain complicate problems. In Scotland the idea of the energy transition is a key example.
When oil and gas workplaces close down and workers lose their jobs we're told it's down to the transition. Except usually it isn't. Here's why🧵
When oil and gas workplaces close down and workers lose their jobs we're told it's down to the transition. Except usually it isn't. Here's why🧵
November 20, 2025 at 6:02 PM
We're attracted to simple big stories to explain complicate problems. In Scotland the idea of the energy transition is a key example.
When oil and gas workplaces close down and workers lose their jobs we're told it's down to the transition. Except usually it isn't. Here's why🧵
When oil and gas workplaces close down and workers lose their jobs we're told it's down to the transition. Except usually it isn't. Here's why🧵
Reposted by Louise Wilson
"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...
The First Minister was asked twice today: Where is the Mossmorran just transition plan, promised 18 months ago?
He said lessons were being learned from Grangemouth. Grangemouth's JT plan also came too late. Clearly that isn't one of the lessons learned. www.holyrood.com/news/view,fi...
He said lessons were being learned from Grangemouth. Grangemouth's JT plan also came too late. Clearly that isn't one of the lessons learned. www.holyrood.com/news/view,fi...
First Minister grilled over missing Mossmorran transition plan
Conservatives and Greens pile on pressure over future for ExxonMobil workforce
www.holyrood.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:45 PM
The First Minister was asked twice today: Where is the Mossmorran just transition plan, promised 18 months ago?
He said lessons were being learned from Grangemouth. Grangemouth's JT plan also came too late. Clearly that isn't one of the lessons learned. www.holyrood.com/news/view,fi...
He said lessons were being learned from Grangemouth. Grangemouth's JT plan also came too late. Clearly that isn't one of the lessons learned. www.holyrood.com/news/view,fi...
John Swinney said his favourite goal last night was the last one, scored by Kenny McLean in stoppage time, for its "sheer audacity".
November 19, 2025 at 3:05 PM
John Swinney said his favourite goal last night was the last one, scored by Kenny McLean in stoppage time, for its "sheer audacity".
NEW: John Swinney has suggested the removal of Keir Starmer as prime minister after next May may help the push to Scottish independence.
He says if the SNP wins a majority, he says he has "no doubt" Starmer would be ousted - which breaks the "logjam" around a referendum being called.
He says if the SNP wins a majority, he says he has "no doubt" Starmer would be ousted - which breaks the "logjam" around a referendum being called.
November 19, 2025 at 2:58 PM
NEW: John Swinney has suggested the removal of Keir Starmer as prime minister after next May may help the push to Scottish independence.
He says if the SNP wins a majority, he says he has "no doubt" Starmer would be ousted - which breaks the "logjam" around a referendum being called.
He says if the SNP wins a majority, he says he has "no doubt" Starmer would be ousted - which breaks the "logjam" around a referendum being called.
Reposted by Louise Wilson
The failure to ensure a just transition at Grangemouth has caused alarm. But not all hope is lost, writes @louisewilso.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Grangemouth: 'We could still clutch victory.... but you need to hurry up'
The failure to ensure a just transition at Grangemouth has caused alarm. But not all hope is lost
www.holyrood.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:44 AM
The failure to ensure a just transition at Grangemouth has caused alarm. But not all hope is lost, writes @louisewilso.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
I hadn't been watching the football and then I turned on the football to watch Denmark be handed a penalty and scored, so I genuinely thought I had cursed the nation. So I turned it back off.
What I'm saying is, you're welcome.
What I'm saying is, you're welcome.
November 18, 2025 at 9:56 PM
I hadn't been watching the football and then I turned on the football to watch Denmark be handed a penalty and scored, so I genuinely thought I had cursed the nation. So I turned it back off.
What I'm saying is, you're welcome.
What I'm saying is, you're welcome.
Reposted by Louise Wilson
"We are going to have to produce something that’s not just immigration and net zero."
Reform MSP Graham Simpson speaks to @louisewilso.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reform MSP Graham Simpson speaks to @louisewilso.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Graham Simpson: I'm aiming for over 20 Reform MSPs next year
Simpson defected from the Tories to become Reform’s sole MSP. He’s ambitious about growing the ranks
www.holyrood.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:14 PM
"We are going to have to produce something that’s not just immigration and net zero."
Reform MSP Graham Simpson speaks to @louisewilso.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reform MSP Graham Simpson speaks to @louisewilso.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Both the Scottish Parliament and UK Parliament's websites appear to be impacted by this outage.
Cloudflare's outage seems... bad? X, ChatGPT, multiple other sites down
November 18, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Both the Scottish Parliament and UK Parliament's websites appear to be impacted by this outage.
In his first major interview since defecting, Graham Simpson told me that while his relationships with most MSPs had not changed, one Tory MSP was “not even looking at me, let alone talking to me”.
Russell Findlay was asked about that comment today.
Russell Findlay was asked about that comment today.
Russell Findlay has accused former Conservative MSP Graham Simpson of committing an “act of treachery” for defecting to Reform UK. www.holyrood.com/news/view,to...
Tory leader accuses Reform defector of ‘act of treachery’
Russell Findlay said Graham Simpson was “clearly is a bit of a reformed snowflake”
www.holyrood.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:53 PM
In his first major interview since defecting, Graham Simpson told me that while his relationships with most MSPs had not changed, one Tory MSP was “not even looking at me, let alone talking to me”.
Russell Findlay was asked about that comment today.
Russell Findlay was asked about that comment today.
Reposted by Louise Wilson
"I’m not going to get down and dirty and start attacking individuals for their character or personality, when it should be a debate about policy."
Reform UK's Graham Simpson speaks to @louisewilso.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reform UK's Graham Simpson speaks to @louisewilso.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Graham Simpson: I'm aiming for over 20 Reform MSPs next year
Simpson defected from the Tories to become Reform’s sole MSP. He’s ambitious about growing the ranks
www.holyrood.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:21 AM
"I’m not going to get down and dirty and start attacking individuals for their character or personality, when it should be a debate about policy."
Reform UK's Graham Simpson speaks to @louisewilso.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reform UK's Graham Simpson speaks to @louisewilso.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
I spoke to Graham Simpson, the only Reform MSP, about his defection, his efforts to improve standards at parliament, and his ambition for next for. In the latest @holyroodmag.bsky.social | www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Graham Simpson: I'm aiming for over 20 Reform MSPs next year
Simpson defected from the Tories to become Reform’s sole MSP. He’s ambitious about growing the ranks
www.holyrood.com
November 17, 2025 at 8:53 AM
I spoke to Graham Simpson, the only Reform MSP, about his defection, his efforts to improve standards at parliament, and his ambition for next for. In the latest @holyroodmag.bsky.social | www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
I keep seeing Miliband's name bandied about but all I can think is what a terrible choice that would be - for no other reason than it gives oppo parties a really easy line of, "couldn't win an election himself, became PM anyway".
Verdict of one Labour grandee I just bumped into: “Ed Miliband is the person most likely to be the most next Prime Minister”.
November 13, 2025 at 2:32 PM
I keep seeing Miliband's name bandied about but all I can think is what a terrible choice that would be - for no other reason than it gives oppo parties a really easy line of, "couldn't win an election himself, became PM anyway".
NEW: Anas Sarwar has said he "absolutely" has confidence in Keir Starmer, and describes briefings against him and other ministers as "deeply unhelpful".
November 13, 2025 at 12:56 PM
NEW: Anas Sarwar has said he "absolutely" has confidence in Keir Starmer, and describes briefings against him and other ministers as "deeply unhelpful".
NEW: Anas Sarwar has said he "absolutely" has confidence in Keir Starmer, and describes briefings against him and other ministers as "deeply unhelpful".
November 13, 2025 at 12:55 PM
NEW: Anas Sarwar has said he "absolutely" has confidence in Keir Starmer, and describes briefings against him and other ministers as "deeply unhelpful".
Interesting the Scottish Government is to investigate a maternity services review. I wrote this about the issues facing rural women's healthcare three(!) years ago for @holyroodmag.bsky.social, when concerns about Galloway and Moray were first raised www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Rural women face health inequalities caused by their gender and geography - and they have had enough
Campaigners in Caithness, Moray and Galloway are calling for women's health services to be improved
www.holyrood.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Interesting the Scottish Government is to investigate a maternity services review. I wrote this about the issues facing rural women's healthcare three(!) years ago for @holyroodmag.bsky.social, when concerns about Galloway and Moray were first raised www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reposted by Louise Wilson
There will be no overnight count for the Scottish Parliament election next May, it has been announced. www.holyrood.com/news/view,no...
No overnight count for 2026 Holyrood election
Ballot boxes will not be opened until the morning of Friday 8 May for counting to begin
www.holyrood.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:39 AM
There will be no overnight count for the Scottish Parliament election next May, it has been announced. www.holyrood.com/news/view,no...
An autumnal walk to soothe the soul.
October 26, 2025 at 6:25 PM
An autumnal walk to soothe the soul.
Reposted by Louise Wilson
What day and what time you have a stroke has a massive impact on the care you get.
Nowhere in Scotland delivers thrombectomy overnight and weekend access is limited. Thrombolysis is not available 24/7 either.
When every minute matters, that is dangerous. www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Nowhere in Scotland delivers thrombectomy overnight and weekend access is limited. Thrombolysis is not available 24/7 either.
When every minute matters, that is dangerous. www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
'Stroke care is very good if you give it a chance – but often it doesn’t have the resources'
Stroke patients are being failed by huge gaps in the service. Fixing the problem could bring wider benefits to the NHS
www.holyrood.com
October 15, 2025 at 8:19 AM
What day and what time you have a stroke has a massive impact on the care you get.
Nowhere in Scotland delivers thrombectomy overnight and weekend access is limited. Thrombolysis is not available 24/7 either.
When every minute matters, that is dangerous. www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Nowhere in Scotland delivers thrombectomy overnight and weekend access is limited. Thrombolysis is not available 24/7 either.
When every minute matters, that is dangerous. www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
What day and what time you have a stroke has a massive impact on the care you get.
Nowhere in Scotland delivers thrombectomy overnight and weekend access is limited. Thrombolysis is not available 24/7 either.
When every minute matters, that is dangerous. www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Nowhere in Scotland delivers thrombectomy overnight and weekend access is limited. Thrombolysis is not available 24/7 either.
When every minute matters, that is dangerous. www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
'Stroke care is very good if you give it a chance – but often it doesn’t have the resources'
Stroke patients are being failed by huge gaps in the service. Fixing the problem could bring wider benefits to the NHS
www.holyrood.com
October 15, 2025 at 8:19 AM
What day and what time you have a stroke has a massive impact on the care you get.
Nowhere in Scotland delivers thrombectomy overnight and weekend access is limited. Thrombolysis is not available 24/7 either.
When every minute matters, that is dangerous. www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Nowhere in Scotland delivers thrombectomy overnight and weekend access is limited. Thrombolysis is not available 24/7 either.
When every minute matters, that is dangerous. www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...