Tag: democracy

Letter: The D’Hondt Disaster

How the Independence Movement is Mathematically Defeating Itself

Dear Editor,

For years, the Scottish independence movement has been shackled by a fundamental misunderstanding of Holyrood’s Additional Member System.

The persistent rallying cry of “SNP 1, SNP 2” has not only failed to maximise our representation, but it has actively handed parliamentary power to unionist MSPs. The electoral facts prove that millions of pro-independence votes are being routinely wasted.

In the 2016 Scottish Parliament election, the SNP dominated the constituency ballot, winning 59 seats. However, the regional list system mathematically penalises parties that win heavily in the constituencies.

Consequently, the SNP’s 953,587 regional list votes yielded a mere 4 list seats.

The D’Hondt formula rendered nearly a million peach ballot votes virtually worthless, allowing the Scottish Conservatives and Scottish Labour to use their regional votes to sweep 24 and 21 list seats, respectively.

In 2021, this electoral tragedy repeated itself. Pro-independence voters dutifully followed the dual-vote strategy, helping the SNP win a record 62 constituency seats.

Yet, despite securing over a million votes on the regional list, the SNP returned just 2 regional MSPs. Over a million independence votes were essentially torched. This inefficiency directly enabled unionist parties to comfortably fill the regional lists, artificially inflating their influence in parliament.

I argue that some still argue for an “Indy 1, Indy 2” approach, assuming that backing the same dominant independence party on the peach ballot paper will secure victory. It fundamentally does not work for the Scottish Independence movement. Continuing to pile list votes onto a party that has already swept the constituencies is mathematically self-defeating.

To break this deadlock and secure a genuine pro-independence supermajority, our strategy must evolve. We must stop throwing our regional votes into the D’Hondt trap. The formula for success is clear: it has to be Indy 1 on the constituency ballot, and Alliance to Liberate Scotland 2 on the regional vote on the peach ballot paper.

Only by splitting our votes strategically can we capture the regional lists, lock unionist MSPs out of Holyrood, and finally deliver the parliament Scotland needs to secure its independence.

Yours for Scotland,

Dhruva Kumar
Glasgow Region List Candidate
Alliance to Liberate Scotland
Former MP Candidate, Glasgow, ALBA Party

TONIGHT: Last chance to register to vote in Holyrood Elections

Time is running out for voters to register to have their say in the Scottish Parliament election on Thursday 7 May, with the deadline for registrations at 11.59pm TONIGHT. 

Registering takes minutes and can be done online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. All voters need is a name, address, and National Insurance number. 

Those who are already registered will have received a poll card, which tells them where and when to vote. 

Cahir Hughes, Acting Head of the Electoral Commission Scotland, said: “We want everyone to be able to have their say in this election, but first they need to be registered to vote.  

“If you’re voting for the first time, have moved house, or changed any of your details, it’s especially important that you register online before the deadline tonight. 

“It takes just five minutes and all you need is your name, address, and National Insurance number. You can do it now at gov.uk/register-to-vote. 

“If you want to vote by post or by proxy, you still have time to apply, but you’ll need to be registered to vote first. Anyone not registered in time won’t be able to vote on Thursday 7 May. 

“Once you’re registered, the deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5.00pm on Tuesday 21 April and the deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 5.00pm on Tuesday 28 April.” 

Residents urged to register to vote in the Scottish Parliament Election before deadline TOMORROW

With the deadline for new voter registration at 11:59pm on MONDAY 20 APRIL fast approaching, the city council is reminding all eligible residents in Edinburgh to register in time.

Registering online is quick and easy, with full details on the UK Government’s website. If you have recently moved home or your details have changed you will need to register to vote again. 

The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 21 April, and for a proxy vote it’s 5pm on Tuesday 28 April.

Detailed advice on registering to vote, the use of postal and proxy votes and other guidance is available on the Council’s website.

Voters who are already registered will have received a poll card, which tells them where and when to vote. 

Those who do not have a fixed address can still register to vote using a declaration of local connection. 

Returning Officer for Edinburgh, Paul Lawrence said: “Next week marks several crucial milestones as our city prepares for polling day.

“We want everyone to be able to cast their vote and make their voice heard in this election. I’d urge anyone in Edinburgh who is eligible to make the necessary arrangements as soon as possible.”

Polls will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday May 7. You can find your nearest polling place on our website. The count will take place on Friday May 8. 

Call for support of Leonardo activists

EDINBURGH SHERIFF COURT – THURSDAY 16 APRIL from 9am

🚨COURT SUPPORT IN EDINBURGH🚨

👉 Leonardo 5 – Trial

📆 Thursday 16th April 2026 (Day 1, day 2 not yet scheduled)

📍Edinburgh Sheriff Court & Justice of the Peace Court, 27 Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1LB

🕣 From 9AM

Please support these 5 SPSC members who, from early morning on 10th December 2024, blockaded Leonardo arms factory in Edinburgh with vehicles, disrupting production for 8 hours.

After arrest, they were treated disgracefully at Livingston and Dunfermline stations, released at 10.00pm without coats in sub-zero temperatures, (confiscated) to make their way home to the Borders without breaking their bail conditions of not entering Edinburgh.

*Two are very bravely self-repping* to ensure they can have their say in court.

❗️PLEASE LET FRIENDS KNOW AND GET A GREAT TURN OUT FOR THESE BRAVE ACTIVISTS BOTH OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE COURT❗️

#shutdownleonardo

#endthegenocide

#protestisnotacrime

Town Hall Rich List 2026: record 4,733 council bosses received over £100,000 last year

  • Town Hall Rich List 2026 findsthat a record 4,733 council employees received over £100,000 remuneration in 2024-25, with 1,255 receiving over £150,000 in total remuneration in 2024-25, another record. 
  • The TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) provides a council-by-council breakdown of local government executive pay deals. A regional breakdown is available in this press release.
  • Click here for frequently asked questions about the Town Hall Rich List.

In the wake of the largest council tax increase since 2004, the TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) launches its Town Hall Rich List 2026 (THRL), the 20th edition of the project. THRL is the only comprehensive list of its kind with a council-by-council breakdown of local government executive pay deals.

The number of council bosses receiving more than £100,000 in 2024-25 stood at 4,733, the highest level since this dataset was first published in 2007 and 827 more than last year’s edition. This is an increase of over 21 per cent on last year, as council wage bills continue to grow.

In contrast, the Yorkshire and the Humber region saw the smallest increase in the number of employees receiving over £100,000, rising by 2 per cent from 204 to 209.

The number of staff receiving over £150,000 has also hit a record high of 1,255. This is a 14.9 per cent increase from last year and almost twenty times more than in the first edition of THRL when Tony Blair was prime minister. The THRL reveals there were 320 council employees who received a higher salary than the prime minister was entitled to in 2024-25.

The highest remunerated council employee in 2024-25 was from Staffordshire council, who received around £457,500. The name and job title of this individual were not provided, nor was the breakdown of what this figure encompassed, though they were a council employee and not teaching staff.

Councils have routinely increased council tax by 4.99 per cent each year, the maximum before a local referendum is mandatory in England, often citing stretched budgets and increased demands.

Despite budget shortfalls, councils have been able to consistently find ever-increasing amounts to pay senior staff. Local councils employed more than double the number of senior managers as the NHS did the year before.

Six councils that issued Section 114 bankruptcy notices since 2020 had 124 council employees receiving over £100,000. 

Some increases in the figures are partially driven by an increase in the number of councils that have published accounts compared to the 2025 edition of this list.

In a positive move towards more transparency, the number who failed to publish accounts in time for this year fell from 15 to five.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL REPORT

Key findings:

  • In 2024-25, there were at least 4,733 council employees receiving £100,000 or more in total remuneration. This is a 21.2 per cent increase from 2023-24, representing 827 more people and compared to 2005-06, there were eight times more people in this category. Of these, 1,255 council employees had total remuneration of at least £150,000 in 2024-25, which represents a 14.9 per cent increase or 163 more people from 2023-24. Compared to 2005-06, there were almost twenty times more people in this category.
  • At least 366 local authority employees had total remuneration of at least £200,000 in 2024-25. This is a 39.7 per cent increase from 2023-24, representing 104 people. In 2005-06, there were five people in this category.
  • The prime minister had a salary entitlement of £172,153 in 2024.  320 council employees received a higher salary than this in 2024-25, as opposed to total remuneration. This is a third more than in 2023-24.
  • A total of five councils did not provide accounts for 2024-25. This is lower than previous years, with 15 not producing 2023-24 accounts in time for last year’s note, which was significantly down from 59 in 2022-23.
     
  • In 2024-25, the highest remunerated council employee was from Staffordshire council, who received £457,500. The name and job title of this individual were not provided, nor was the breakdown of what this figure encompassed.
  • The council employee with the largest compensation for loss of office payment in 2024-25 was the unnamed assistant chief executive at Cambridge council, who received £222,559 in compensation and £330,101 in total remuneration.
  • Elaine Allergretti, strategic director, children and adults at Barking and Dagenham council, received the largest bonus payment in 2024-25, at £34,161, with total remuneration of £232,923.
  • Westminster council was the local authority with the most staff receiving over £100,000 in 2024-25. The council had 92 such individuals, 19 more than 2023-24. This is a twelve-fold increase from 2005-06, when the council had seven council employees receiving over £100,000 in total remuneration.
  • Yorkshire and the Humber saw the smallest increase in the number of employees receiving over £100,000 total remuneration from 2023-24 to 2024-25, rising by two per cent from 204 to 209.
  • Six councils have issued section 114 notices since 2020, effectively declaring bankruptcy. There were 124 employees in these councils receiving over £100,000 in total remuneration in 2024-25. Of these, Claire Demmel, interim executive director of place at Thurrock council, had the largest total remuneration in 2024-25, at £283,844.
  • From 2005-06 to 2024-25, band D council tax has risen by 120 per cent in Wales, 79 per cent in England and 30 per cent in Scotland.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL REPORT

John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Taxpayers are caught in a pincer movement with a record-breaking tax burden on one side and a bloated public sector feathering its nest on the other.

“Our latest Town Hall Rich List exposes a surging class of council bosses enjoying six-figure packages, even as they plead poverty, slash frontline services, and hike council tax bills far beyond inflation.

“Residents can see exactly how many local bureaucrats are receiving plush packages and judge for themselves whether they’re getting value for money.”

In Scotland:

  • Scotland had 369 council employees who received at least £100,000 in 2024-25, which is 24 more than the previous year.
  • The highest remunerated council employee was Katrina Hassell, chief officer (business and digital) of North Lanarkshire council, who received £281,680.

One week left to register to vote in Scotland

With only one week left to register to vote in the Scottish Parliament election, the Electoral Commission is urging people to register before the deadline at 11.59pm on Monday 20 April.   

Registering takes minutes and can be done online at gov.uk/register-to-vote.  Voters who are already registered will have received a poll card, which tells them where and when to vote. 

Electoral Commission research shows that young people, students and those who have recently moved are less likely to be registered to vote. Anyone previously on the register who has recently moved home or whose details have changed will need to register to vote again. 

Those who do not have a fixed address, whether due to homelessness, being a part of the Gypsy or Traveller community, or because they are, or have been, in care, can still register to vote using a declaration of local connection. 

Cahir Hughes, Acting Head of the Electoral Commission Scotland, said: “On Thursday 7 May, people across Scotland will head to the polls to have their say on the issues important to their daily lives. If you’ve recently moved, or you’re a student living away from home, it’s especially important to check you’re registered and you can do that quickly and easily at gov.uk/register-to-vote.

“If you do not have a fixed address to register to vote at, you can still take part by registering through a declaration of local connection. 

For this election, eligibility for care experienced young people has been extended up to the age of 21, from 16, so we’d encourage those who need to make use of this option to do so. 

“Importantly, voter ID is not required for the Scottish Parliament election. If you’re to vote, all you need to do on the day is turn up and have your say.”

TONIGHT: Debate Night Leaders Special

SUNDAY 12 APRIL at 7pm on BBC ONE SCOTLAND

Debate Night is back with a Leaders Special TONIGHT – Sunday 12th April

Watch #bbcdn live at 7pm, on BBC One Scotland and iPlayer

Get involved and have your say: http://bbc.co.uk/send/u39873202

TOGETHER: Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights launches Holyrood election manifesto

GIRLGUIDING are delighted to have been included in Together – Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights Manifesto 2026. They’ve brought together manifestos from across the sector to highlight how the next Scottish government can ensure children’s rights are upheld.

Our manifesto asks have been featured including:

💙Prevent and eliminate violence against young women and girls, with long-term funding for specialist women’s and youth organisations.

💙Ensure safe and inclusive learning environments for girls.

Take a look at Together’s full manifesto, urging the next Scottish Government to ensure children’s rights are at the heart of the next Government 👇

https://www.togetherscotland.org.uk/…/childrens-rights…

You can also read our full manifesto on our website 👇

https://www.girlguidingscotland.org.uk/…/girls…/…

childrens-rights-manifesto-2026Download

Holyrood candidates confirmed

The full list of candidates standing for election to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh’s six constituencies alongside those contesting the seven seats from the Edinburgh and Lothians East Region has now been finalised.

Nominations closed at 4pm yesterday. The candidates for each constituency at that deadline are listed below and on rhe city council’s website:

Edinburgh Central:

  • BONNIE PRINCE, Bob – Independent
  • CREIGHTON, Chris – Independent
  • DALGLEISH, James William – Scottish Labour Party
  • DUNDAS, Charles – Scottish Liberal Democrats
  • LAIRD, Tam – Scottish Libertarian Party
  • MOWAT, Jo – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • MURRAY, Craig John – Alliance to Liberate Scotland
  • NEILL, Gary – Reform UK
  • POWNALL, Robert Neil – Independent
  • ROBERTSON, Angus – Scottish National Party (SNP)
  • SLATER, Lorna – Scottish Green Party

Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith:

  • LEES, David – Reform UK
  • MACPHERSON, Ben – Scottish National Party (SNP)
  • NEVENS, Kate – Scottish Green Party
  • OWEN, Liss – Scottish Liberal Democrats
  • THOMAS, Oliver Philip – Scottish Labour Party
  • YOUNG, Haris – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Edinburgh North Western:

  • AHMED, Irshad – Scottish Labour Party
  • CAIRNS, Rachel – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • COLE-HAMILTON, Alex – Scottish Liberal Democrats
  • HENRY, David – Scottish Workers Party of Britain
  • JARDINE, Lyn Ann – Scottish National Party (SNP)
  • THOMSON, Davie – Reform UK

Edinburgh Northern:

  • COWDY, Christopher – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • DIJKSTRA-DOWNIE, Sanne – Scottish Liberal Democrats
  • HYSLOP, Euan – Scottish National Party (SNP)
  • KINROSS-O’NEILL, Kayleigh Ferguson – Scottish Green Party
  • MCLAUGHLIN, Andrew – Reform UK
  • MERON, Abu – Scottish Workers Party of Britain
  • RYAN-SAHA, Eleanor – Scottish Labour Party

Edinburgh South Western:

  • KUMAR, Simita – Scottish National Party (SNP)
  • MUNRO, Catriona – Scottish Labour Party
  • ROSE, Cameron – Reform UK
  • WEBBER, Sue – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • WILLIAMSON, Andy – Scottish Liberal Democrats

Edinburgh Southern:

  • ALLISTON PICKARD, Jane Patricia – Scottish Liberal Democrats
  • BROCK, Deidre Leanne – Scottish National Party (SNP)
  • JOHNSON, Daniel Guy – Scottish Labour Party
  • MUNRO, Marie-Clair – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
  • TURNER, Charles – Reform UK
  • WILKINSON, Marc – Edinburgh & East Lothian People

Edinburgh and Lothians East (Region):

ADVANCE UK

  • MOFFAT, Sean

ALLIANCE TO LIBERATE SCOTLAND

  • MURRAY, Craig John
  • SMITH, Joe
  • KERR, Hugh
  • DALY, James
  • CARO, Anna

ANIMAL WELFARE PARTY

  • SCOTT, Mark
  • WILLISCROFT-FERRIS, Lee Christopher
  • MOIR, Vivienne Margaret
  • SMITH, Jane Catherine

COMMUNIST PARTY OF BRITAIN

  • CULLEN, Chris

EDINBURGH & EAST LOTHIAN PEOPLE

  • WILKINSON, Marc
  • SISSON, David Henry Alan

EQUALITY PARTY

  • RENTON, David
  • MACKINTOSH, Laura
  • DYKES-JOHNSON, Caitlin

INDEPENDENCE FOR SCOTLAND PARTY

  • HANNAH, John

INDEPENDENT GREEN VOICE

  • BURNS, Megan

REFORM UK

  • ROSS, Angela
  • CHIDAMBARAM, Pal
  • DOUGLAS, Nigel
  • LEES, David
  • TURNER, Charles
  • MCLAUGHLIN, Andrew
  • NEILL, Gary
  • THOMSON, David
  • ROSE, Cameron

SCOTTISH CONSERVATIVE AND UNIONIST PARTY

  • BRIGGS, Miles
  • WEBBER, Sue
  • MUNRO, Marie-Clair
  • COWDY, Christopher
  • MOWAT, Jo
  • JONES, Tim
  • CAIRNS, Rachel
  • YOUNG, Haris

SCOTTISH FAMILY PARTY

  • HOLDEN, Philip
  • DEEPNARAIN, Niel
  • LUCAS, Mairi
  • MACEACHEN, Helen
  • COX, Peter James

SCOTTISH GREEN PARTY

  • SLATER, Lorna Jane
  • NEVENS, Kate
  • MANIVANNAN, Q
  • KINROSS-O’NEILL, Kayleigh Ferguson
  • BOOTH, Chas
  • AL-KHATEB, Adam
  • PHILLIPS, Jo
  • WADHWA, Mridul Machindra
  • HEAP, Dan
  • KVASSNES, Astri JS
  • STANIFORTH, Alex
  • CEBULSKI, Mariusz Artur

SCOTTISH LABOUR PARTY

  • AHMED, Irshad
  • SANGSTER, Katherine
  • JOHNSON, Daniel
  • MUNRO, Catriona
  • WHITFIELD, Martin
  • STOTT, Caitlin
  • DALGLEISH, James
  • RYAN-SAHA, Eleanor
  • THOMAS, Oliver

SCOTTISH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

  • DIJKSTRA-DOWNIE, Sanne Carlien
  • ALLISTON PICKARD, Jane Particia
  • DUNDAS, Charles Christopher
  • YOUNIE, Lewis James
  • BUTLER, Jenny Claire Marr
  • OWEN, Alissa Jayne
  • GRANT, Alan

SCOTTISH LIBERTARIAN PARTY

  • LAIRD, Tam
  • SMITH, Gary Finlayson

SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY (SNP)

  • SHEPPARD, Tommy
  • BROCK, Deidre
  • KUMAR, Simita
  • ROBERTSON, Angus
  • MCLENNAN, Paul Stewart
  • BEATTIE, Colin
  • JARDINE, Lyn

SCOTTISH SOCIALIST PARTY

  • FOX, Colin
  • REID, Natalie
  • MAXWELL, Ally

SCOTTISH WORKERS PARTY OF BRITAIN

  • HENRY, David
  • MERON, Abu

INDEPENDENT

  • BONNIE PRINCE, Bob
  • BALFOUR, Jeremy Ross
  • DAVIES, Morgwn Carter
  • REGAN, Ash

Paul Lawrence, the Constituency Returning Officer and Regional Returning Officer, said: “Today marks a significant step closer to the Capital going to the polls, crucially we now know who our residents will have the opportunity to vote for on 7 May.

“We want everyone to be able to exercise their democratic rights come polling day. I encourage everyone to make the appropriate arrangements as soon as possible – whether that’s registering to vote or applying for a postal or proxy vote if that is your preference. 

“I want to thank our colleagues who are working hard to ensure this election runs smoothly and efficiently for the people of Edinburgh and the broader region.”

People aged 16 and over can vote in this election. The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday 20 April, to apply for a postal vote it’s 5pm on Tuesday 21 April, and for a proxy vote it’s 5pm on Tuesday 28 April.

Detailed advice on registering to vote, the use of postal and proxy votes and other guidance is available on the Council’s website.

Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Thursday May 7. You can find your polling place on our website. The count will take place on Friday May 8.