Holyrood 540 / 9 December 2024

"I try to use the word ‘Tory’ quite often to reclaim it"
True Blue: Russell Findlay, page 30

Plus

The slow progress on tackling decades of poverty, page 12
+ Interview: Elaine Stewart MP

Exclusive interview: Public Finance minister Ivan Mckee, page 24

3 Editor’s note
It may be pantomime season, but this is no joke and is a case where only women lose, and men potentially win. Welcome to the patriarchy

5 Roundup
Pictures and numbers from the past two weeks

7 Talking Point
An emotionally resilient future begins in today’s classrooms

8 In Context
House of Lords reform

9 Spotlight: Making It All Add Up
The battle over benefits heading into the 2026 election

12 Overview: History Repeating
A huge project of urban renewal risks making the mistakes of the past in one of Edinburgh’s most deprived areas

16 Interview: Elaine Stewart
The new Labour MP on how the insidious effects of poverty have left their mark on her constituency

20 Feature: Fuel Poverty
Amid hot debate about the Winter Fuel Payment, too many are left cold in our communities

24 Interview: Ivan McKee
The public finance minister says public service reform must go faster

27 Connect: MedTech
Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence could help tackle Scotland’s health and social care crisis

30 Interview: Russell Findlay
The Scottish Tory leader on how his career as a journalist exposing organised crime gave him a taste for justice

36 Getting to Know You
East Ayrshire’s provost, Councillor Claire Leitch

38 Comment
We need an inquiry into the government’s pursuit of Alex Salmond

39 Local Politics
Lib Dem Kevin Lang on making meaningful change in his area

40 Diary
Middle class women of a certain age unite!

41 Political Spin
Rachael Hamilton on being forced to dance to Robbie Williams’ Angels

42 Last Word
Sketch: John Swinney seeks a pen pal

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