Welcome to The Courier’s politics morning briefing, it’s everything you need to know about politics in our region, and across the country, before you start your day.
New this morning:
- Jeane Freeman accused of ‘cover up’ after Covid-19 care home deaths admission.
- George Galloway claims he’s ‘never been interfered with’ by Russia as he refuses to criticise Putin regime.
- Second referendum on Scottish independence to take place by 2023, Nicola Sturgeon promises.
- Rishi Sunak admission over Cameron lobbying leads to calls for investigation.
- Nicola Sturgeon claims Tories will be the ones having to ‘convince’ NE voters.
- Home Office announces visa extensions for health and care workers.
- Business leaders back ‘radical’ proposals to boost growth.
- Reopen grant scheme to support taxi drivers, union demands.
Coming up today:
- Coming up on Election Hub Live this afternoon Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar joins us, we look at the issues faced by smaller political parties as they try to break through to voters, and we’ll hear from a north east candidate who’s ‘all shook up’ by his opponent’s love of Elvis. Stream it live on our website and Facebook channels at 2pm or catch the re-stream at any time on all your devices.
- Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross campaigns on environmental issues in Edinburgh.
💬 "Do you have something nice you'd like to say about Ruth Davidson?"
Scottish Conservatives leader @Douglas4Moray reflects on @RuthDavidsonMSP during today's #ElectionHub broadcast.
Keep up to date with our election coverage here: https://t.co/dF1lsNn8U9#SE2021 pic.twitter.com/t1inffpavC
— The Courier (@thecourieruk) April 8, 2021
- Anas Sarwar details his party’s plans to boost the high street in Largs.
- Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie and Highlands and Islands candidate Ariane Burgess set out the party’s plans to empower local councils in Inverness.
- Young climate activists aged 13-32 host a climate hustings, where they will question party leaders Nicola Sturgeon, Douglas Ross, Anas Sarwar, Patrick Harvie and Willie Rennie.
In case you missed it
- Scottish Election 2021: Here’s what happened in the Holyrood campaign on April 8.
- Exclusive: Scheme to help Scots buy first homes runs out of cash in days.
- Douglas Ross refuses to set out any democratic route to Scottish independence in bruising Election Hub Live interview.
- SNP promise young people extra help to find affordable housing amid rural ‘crisis’.
- Tories and Greens clash over North Sea support.
- Tory candidate criticised for describing Brexit disruption as a ‘hiccup’.
00:21: "That's a Pinocchio moment, Douglas." What did Douglas Ross say to provoke this reaction? Watch to find out… #SE2021 #ElectionHub
Watch the full Election Hub Live video and keep up to date with our election coverage here 👉 https://t.co/08Y7H2QwZ8 pic.twitter.com/SEMnfQsnEe
— The Courier (@thecourieruk) April 8, 2021