Holyrood 511 / 3 July 2023

Running out of road on the journey to independence:
After the confusion of the SNP’s special conference, can First Minister Humza Yousaf plot a new route?

3 Editor’s note: A medical scandal that demands leadership from the first minister
5 Roundup: Pictures and numbers from the past two weeks
7 Talking Point: Too many of our politicians are dog whistling to toxic Twitter bores
8 Winnie Ewing: A lifelong campaigner and trailblazer for women, Ewing helped create the modern SNP
10 In Context: The Scottish Government’s Human Rights Bill
11 Political Spotlight: Road block - Humza Yousaf has set out how he thinks Scotland can become independent. Can he really force the PM’s hand?
14 Interview: Pete Wishart - Scotland’s longest-serving MP attempts to plot a route to independence
19 Overview: Military might - The defence sector is of huge importance to Scotland but might independence put that at risk?
21 Interview: Baroness Goldie - The former Scottish Tory leader turned defence minister on the art of compromise and the rules of engagement
25 Feature: Scotland in space - Scotland has ambitions of becoming Europe’s space capital
28 FEATURE: International relations - The question of which government should represent Scotland abroad was not always so controversial
30 Feature: Migrant workers - Unfair dismissal cost one woman the right to live in the UK. After a 10-year fight, she says the rules must change
34 Getting to know... Alexander Stewart MSP on how he was shaped by childhood trauma
36 Garden Party : The shortlist for this year’s Holyrood Political Awards
38 Comment: A new Labour government must be ready to hit the ground running, says James Mitchell
39 Politicians’ pets: Shetland Islands Council leader Emma Macdonald introduces her cats
40 Diary: The reviews are in for Nicola Sturgeon and guess who’s performing at Glastonbury...
41 Political spin: Ben Macpherson MSP on his love for Paolo Nutini’s These Streets album
42 Last Word: Sketch - What could the FM learn from our canine companions?

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