Holyrood 544 / 24 February 2025

ScottishLabourconferencespecial:
Anas Sarwar on earning the people’s trust and taking Scotland in a new direction
p20

Plus:
The Sandie Peggie case has re-opened the debate on self-ID
p12

3 Editor’s note
The Sandie Peggie case has helped Anas Sarwar grow a pair when it comes to gender self-ID

5 Roundup
Pictures and numbers from the past two weeks

7 Talking Point
We should consider the expansion of domestic abuse courts

9 In Context
Donald Trump’s threatened trade tariffs

12 Spotlight: Gender Divide
The Sandie Peggie case has re-opened the debate on self-ID

14 Labour overview: Changing Fortunes
Labour ended the general election on a high but its 2026 prospects have soured and there is disquiet in the ranks

20 Interview: Anas Sarwar
The journey to Bute House doesn’t look as smooth as it once did, but the Labour leader insists he’s still out to win

26 Cyberweek: Overview
As global tensions escalate amid an AI revolution, the UK is under pressure to get its cyber defences in order

28 Interview: Ciaran Martin
The former chief executive of the National Cyber Security Centre on the threat of cyber war

32 football: Community Goals
Scottish football isn’t always something to shout about but it’s having wins off the pitch

35 Interview: Thomas Kerr
The recent defector is getting used to life as Reform UK’s only Glasgow councillor

38 Getting to Know You
Chris Murray MP on his love for Paris and a nasty injury to his hand

40 Comment: Paul Sinclair
Anas Sarwar must make the election a referendum on John Swinney

41 Local Politics
Green Bryan Quinn has big things to say about the wee county

42 Diary
The latest threat to global security: the Lib Dems...

43 Last Word
Sketch: Angus MacDonald has concerns about bald geese

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