Political Opinion | The Herald

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'mobile' : 'desktop', can_show_billboard: (window.screen.width > 960) ? 'y' : 'n' }, dates: { date: (new Date()).toLocaleDateString('en-GB'), hour: (new Date()).getHours(), day: data_layer_helper.getDayOfWeek(), weekend: ((new Date()).getDay() === 6 || (new Date()).getDay() === 0) ? 'Weekend' : 'Weekday' }, memorials: { contact_phone_number: '', contact_email_address: '', publications: JSON.parse('' || '[]') } } data_layer_helper.storeCurrentPageName(data_layer.page.name); window.dispatchEvent(new Event('data-layer-loaded')) if (data_layer.article.is_article !== 'yes') { data_layer.piano.custom_variables.site_module = 'BlockArticleModule'; data_layer.piano.custom_variables.puzzles_landing_page = 'no'; data_layer.piano.custom_variables.desktop_hero_id = '0'; data_layer.piano.custom_variables.puzzles_display_page = 'no'; data_layer.piano.custom_variables.mobile_hero_id = '0'; } </script> <script src="//assets.adobedtm.com/499440d21de9/54b957ecfb7e/launch-98090dfa3d73.min.js" async ></script>  <script> window.usePiano = true; window.selectedOfferId = null; window.selectedTermId = null; </script> <script> document.cookie = "__adblocker=; expires=Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 GMT; path=/"; var setNptTechAdblockerCookie = function(adblocker) { var d = new Date(); d.setTime(d.getTime() + 60 * 60 * 24 * 2 * 1000); document.cookie = "__adblocker=" + (adblocker ? "true" : "false") + "; expires=" + d.toUTCString() + "; path=/"; } var script = document.createElement("script"); script.setAttribute("async", true); script.setAttribute("src", "//www.npttech.com/advertising.js"); script.setAttribute("onerror", "setNptTechAdblockerCookie(true);"); document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(script); </script> <script> tp = window.tp || []; function runPiano() { Object.keys(data_layer.piano.custom_variables).forEach(function (k) { var v = data_layer.piano.custom_variables[k]; if (v != '') { tp.push(["setCustomVariable", k, v]); } }); Object.keys(data_layer.piano.native_variables).forEach(function (k) { var v = data_layer.piano.native_variables[k]; if (v != '') { tp.push([k, v]); } }); tp.push(['setTags', data_layer.piano.tags]); (function(src){ var a=document.createElement("script"); a.type = "text/javascript"; a.async=true; a.src=src; var b=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; b.parentNode.insertBefore(a, b) })("//experience.tinypass.com/xbuilder/experience/load?aid=rBSKi8pTte"); } // Init Piano tp.push(["setDebug", ($.cookie('debug') === '1')]); tp.push(["setApplePayMerchantId", 'merchant.nq.subssites.piano']); // init Piano ID tp.push(['init', function() { tp.pianoId.init(); }]); tp.push(["setUsePianoIdUserProvider", true ]); tp.push(["addHandler", "loginRequired", function(params) { // If they're already signed in, we don't need to do anything special. if (tp.user.isUserValid()) { return; } if (typeof window._overridePianoDefault !== 'undefined' && window._overridePianoDefault !== true) { console.log("TPL Called") tp.pianoId.show({ screen: 'login', displayMode: 'modal', loggedIn: (data) => { pianoId.loggedIn(); }, loggedOut: () => { console.log('TP-TJ: user logged out'); }, registrationSuccess: () => { pianoId.registered(); }, width: '500px', height: '460px', }); } }]); tp.push(["addHandler", "showTemplate", function (templateParams) { handleOfferShow(templateParams); trackLocation(); if ($(templateParams.containerSelector).length > 0) { $(templateParams.containerSelector).addClass('shown'); if (templateParams.containerSelector === '#po-inline-article-inside') { $('#piano-container-inside-article').addClass('shown').removeAttr('style'); } if (!$(templateParams.containerSelector).hasClass('mar-block-ad')) { $(templateParams.containerSelector).show(); } if (templateParams.containerSelector === '#po-overlay-articlegate-full-width-scroll-below') { handleFullWidthBanner(); } if ( $(templateParams.containerSelector) === '#subscription-content' || $(templateParams.containerSelector) === '#po-inline-subscribe-page' ) { $(templateParams.containerSelector).show(); } if (['#piano_blockmodule_target_d', '#po-inline-blocksystem-target-e'].includes(templateParams.containerSelector)) { $('#divpo-inline-blocksystem-target-e').show(); } if (templateParams.containerSelector === '#po-overlay-toast-left') { removePianoToast() } if (templateParams.containerSelector === '#po-inline-articlewall-partialarticle-closable') { $('#po-inline-articlegate-partialarticle').css('display', 'none'); } if (templateParams.containerSelector === '#po-inline-articlewall-fullarticle-closable') { $('#po-inline-articlegate-fullarticle').css('display', 'none'); } } }]); tp.push(["addHandler", "checkoutSelectTerm", function (termDetails) { if (typeof termDetails.termId !== 'undefined') { window.selectedTermId = termDetails.termId; } }]); tp.push(["addHandler", "showOffer", function (offerParams) { handleOfferShow(offerParams); window.shownOffer = true; trackLocation(); // Store some data we might need later. if (typeof offerParams.offerId !== 'undefined') { window.selectedOfferId = offerParams.offerId; } if ($(offerParams.containerSelector).length > 0) { if ($(offerParams.containerSelector).length > 0) { $(offerParams.containerSelector).addClass('shown'); if (offerParams.containerSelector === '#po-inline-article-inside') { $('#piano-container-inside-article').addClass('shown').removeAttr('style'); } if (!$(offerParams.containerSelector).hasClass('mar-block-ad')) { $(offerParams.containerSelector).show(); } if (offerParams.containerSelector === '#po-overlay-articlegate-full-width-scroll-below') { handleFullWidthBanner(); } if ( $(offerParams.containerSelector) === '#subscription-content' || $(offerParams.containerSelector) === '#po-inline-subscribe-page' ) { $(offerParams.containerSelector).show(); } if (offerParams.containerSelector === '#po-overlay-toast-left') { removePianoToast() } if (templateParams.containerSelector === '#po-inline-articlewall-partialarticle-closable') { $('#po-inline-articlegate-partialarticle').css('display', 'none'); } if (templateParams.containerSelector === '#po-inline-articlewall-fullarticle-closable') { $('#po-inline-articlegate-fullarticle').css('display', 'none'); } } } }]); function handleFullWidthBanner() { $('#po-overlay-articlegate-full-width-scroll-below').css({ border: '1px solid #767676' }); $('#po-overlay-articlegate-full-width-scroll-below').show(); $('#subscription-content').hide(); $('.send-us-your-news-cta').hide(); $('.mega-news-block').hide(); const block = document.getElementById('po-overlay-articlegate-full-width-scroll-below'); let blockRect = block.getBoundingClientRect(); let startRect = new DOMRect(blockRect.x, blockRect.y + window.scrollY, blockRect.width, blockRect.height); let hasBecomeVisible = true; // change to false to alter the gate positioning behaviour const updateArticleGatePositionBasedOnScroll = function() { if (window.scrollY + window.innerHeight > startRect.bottom) { hasBecomeVisible = true; } if (hasBecomeVisible) { if (window.scrollY > startRect.top) { block.style.position = 'fixed'; block.style.setProperty('top', '0px'); block.style.setProperty('bottom', 'initial'); } else if (window.scrollY < startRect.bottom - window.innerHeight) { block.style.position = 'fixed'; block.style.setProperty('bottom', '0px'); block.style.setProperty('top', 'initial'); } else { block.style.removeProperty('position'); block.style.removeProperty('bottom'); block.style.removeProperty('top'); } } } // position the article gate immediately updateArticleGatePositionBasedOnScroll(); // update article gate position on scroll events document.addEventListener('scroll', updateArticleGatePositionBasedOnScroll); } function trackLocation(forceValidLocation = false) { var currentLocation = window.location.pathname; let valid = false; if (currentLocation.indexOf('puzzles') > -1) { valid = true; } if (currentLocation.indexOf('pagesuite') > -1) { valid = true; } var articleMatch = currentLocation.match(/(\d+)\.[^\/]+\/(r\/)?$/); if (articleMatch != null) { valid = true; } if (forceValidLocation) { valid = true; } if (currentLocation.indexOf('subscribe') > -1) { valid = false; } if (!valid) { return; } $.cookie('last-piano-page-interacted-with', currentLocation, {path: '/', domain: window.data_layer.site.cookie_domain}); } function trackPianoWithNewRelic(templateName) { if (this.newrelic && typeof this.newrelic === 'object') { newrelic.setCustomAttribute('user_was_shown_piano_experience', templateName); } } function handleOfferShow(params) { console.log('Piano params', params); // If on the subscription page and the URL has a term ID and offer ID, show the relevant offer. if (typeof location.pathname !== 'undefined' && location.pathname === '/subscribe/') { var offerId = location.search.match(/offer_id=([A-Z0-9]+)/); if (offerId !== null && offerId.length > 1) { offerId = offerId[1]; } var termId = location.search.match(/term_id=([A-Z0-9]+)/); if (termId !== null && termId.length > 1) { termId = termId[1]; } if (offerId !== null && termId !== null) { tp.offer.show({'termId': termId, 'offerId': offerId}); } } // we are only tracking var templateId = params.templateId; var variantId = params.templateVariantId; if (params.containerSelector !== '#subscription-content' && params.containerSelector !== '#subscription-replace-entire-article' && params.containerSelector !== '#po-inline-articlegate-fullarticle' && params.containerSelector !== '#po-inline-articlegate-partialarticle' ) { $.get('/ws/piano/templatename/', {template_id: templateId, variant_id: variantId}, function (response) { trackPianoSimplified(params, response.name); }); return; } $.get('/ws/piano/templatename/', {template_id: templateId, variant_id: variantId}, function (response) { trackPiano(params, response.name); }); } function trackPiano(params, templateName) { trackPianoWithNewRelic(templateName); if (typeof params.activeMeters === 'string') { activeMeters = JSON.parse(params.activeMeters); } else { activeMeters = params.activeMeters; } var s = window.s; if (!s || !s.pageName) { // console.log("ADB: Setting s from backup"); s = window.backupAdobe; window.s = s; } // this would call when CL3 is a hard gate if (!activeMeters && data_layer.article.content_level === '3') { s.eVar59 = templateName; s.eVar58 = data_layer.article.content_level; s.events = "event91"; s.linkTrackVars="eVar58,eVar2,eVar3,eVar4,eVar5,eVar6,eVar16,eVar19,eVar25,eVar26,eVar28,eVar43,eVar59,eVar61,eVar62,prop63,eVar79,list3,events"; s.linkTrackEvents="event91"; s.tl(document, 'o', 'Metered Access Notice'); s.events = ''; return; } if (!activeMeters) { return; } var meterData = activeMeters[0]; var meterName = meterData.meterName.toLowerCase(); // track event 5 if (meterName.indexOf('cl1') !== -1 || meterName.indexOf('cl2') !== -1 || meterName.indexOf('cl3') !== -1 || params.containerSelector === '#piano-article-gate') { s.eVar58 = data_layer.article.content_level; s.eVar80 = meterData.meterName + ',' + meterData.views + ',' + meterData.totalViews + ',' + meterData.viewsLeft + ',' + meterData.maxViews; s.eVar59 = templateName; s.events = "event5"; s.linkTrackVars="eVar58,eVar2,eVar3,eVar4,eVar5,eVar6,eVar16,eVar19,eVar25,eVar26,eVar28,eVar43,eVar59,eVar61,eVar62,prop63,eVar80,eVar79,list3, events"; s.linkTrackEvents="event5"; } else { s.eVar80 = meterData.meterName + ',' + meterData.views + ',' + meterData.totalViews + ',' + meterData.viewsLeft + ',' + meterData.maxViews; s.eVar59 = templateName; s.linkTrackVars="eVar2,eVar3,eVar4,eVar5,eVar6,eVar16,eVar19,eVar25,eVar26,eVar28,eVar43,eVar59,eVar61,eVar62,prop63,eVar80,eVar79,list3, events"; } s.tl(document, 'o', 'Metered Access Notice'); s.events = ''; } /** * Just track the template name in 78 for non-article-interrupts/gates */ function trackPianoSimplified(params, templateName) { trackPianoWithNewRelic(templateName); var s = window.s; if (!s || !s.pageName) { // console.log("ADB: Setting s from backup"); s = window.backupAdobe; window.s = s; } s.eVar78 = templateName; s.events = 'event90'; s.linkTrackEvents="event90"; s.linkTrackVars="eVar2,eVar3,eVar4,eVar5,eVar6,eVar16,eVar19,eVar25,eVar26,eVar28,eVar43,eVar59,eVar61,eVar62,prop63,eVar80,eVar79,list3,eVar78, events"; s.tl(document, 'o', 'Piano Template'); } function raiseLaunchEvent(name) { var e = new Event('launch:piano:' + name); window.dispatchEvent(e); } function removePianoToast() { setTimeout(() => { document.getElementById('po-overlay-toast-left').remove() }, 30000) } /** * Posts the Piano conversion data to the student beans API if the site is either * Herald ScotlanD or The National. * * @param {Object} conversion */ async function subscriptionComplete(conversion) { if (data_layer.site.id !== '308' && data_layer.site.id !== '1106') { return; } await fetch('/ws/public/student-beans/', { method: 'POST', headers: { 'Accept': 'application/json', 'Content-Type': 'application/json' }, body: JSON.stringify(conversion) }); } tp.push(["addHandler", "checkoutComplete", function(conversion) { subscriptionComplete(conversion); var s = window.s; s.events = s.apl(s.events, "event4", ",", 1); // Set the subscription counter event. s.events = s.apl(s.events, "purchase", ",", 1); // Set the purchase event. s.products = "Subscription : Metered Access;" + conversion.termId + ";1;"+conversion.chargeAmount; s.purchaseID = conversion.termConversionId; s.pageName = '(www) /subscribe/complete/'; // wipe out errors s.eVar31 = ''; s.tl(); $.cookie('resourceConverted', conversion.rid, {path: '/', domain: window.data_layer.site.cookie_domain}); $.cookie('pianoConverted', '1', {path: '/', domain: window.data_layer.site.cookie_domain}); raiseLaunchEvent('checkoutComplete'); }]); tp.push(["addHandler", "checkoutPaymentError", function(errorData) { var s = window.s; s.pageName = '(www) /subscribe/error/'; s.eVar31 = errorData.message; s.tl(); raiseLaunchEvent('checkoutPaymentError'); }]); tp.push(["addHandler", "checkoutError", function(errorData) { var s = window.s; s.pageName = '(www) /subscribe/error/'; s.eVar31 = errorData.message; s.tl(); raiseLaunchEvent('checkoutError'); }]); tp.push(["addHandler", "startCheckout", function () { var s = window.s; s.pageName = '(www) /subscribe/payment/'; // wipe out errors s.eVar31 = ''; s.tl(); raiseLaunchEvent('startCheckout'); }]); tp.push(["addHandler", "checkoutClose", function(conversion) { raiseLaunchEvent('checkoutClose'); // Did they abandon the cart? If so: was anything in their cart? if (typeof conversion.state === 'undefined' || conversion.state !== 'close') { return; } if (window.selectedOfferId === null || window.selectedTermId === null) { return; } $.post('/ws/piano/abandoned-cart/', {offer_id: window.selectedOfferId, term_id: window.selectedTermId}); }]); tp.push(["addHandler", "meterExpired", function(meterData){ var msg = "<div><b>meterName:</b> " + meterData.meterName + "  |  <b>views:</b> " + meterData.views + "  |  <b>totalViews:</b> " + meterData.totalViews + "  |  <b>viewsLeft:</b> " + meterData.viewsLeft + "  |  <b>maxViews:</b> " + meterData.maxViews + "  |  <b>callback:</b> " + meterData.callback + '</div>'; if ($.cookie('nq-show-piano-viewer') === 'yes') { $('#piano-meter-value').html(msg); $('#piano-meter-display').show(); $('#piano-meter-display-content').append(msg); } var cVal = window.location.href; trackLocation(true); console.log("Piano Meter Expired:", meterData.meterName); if (meterData.meterName === 'CL1 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//whenever you want header bids call this function function fetchHeaderBids() { // console.log("DFP: Fetching headerbids"); // new prebid implementation var apstagSlots = []; getPETRequest(); $.each(unfilteredAdUnits, function(i, unit) { if (unit.isVast) { return; } if(unit.use_amazon) { var awsSizes = []; var sizes = null; // work around poor data format if (unit.alternate_mobile_size && isMobile()) { sizes = unit.alternate_mobile_size; } else { sizes = unit.sizes; } if (typeof sizes[0] === 'object') { $.each(sizes, function (k, v) { awsSizes.push(v); }); } else { awsSizes = [sizes]; } var amazonSlot = { slotID: unit.domName, sizes: awsSizes, }; apstagSlots.push(amazonSlot); } }); // TODO 1 var bidders = ['a9', 'prebid', 'ias']; // create a requestManager to keep track of bidder state to determine when to send ad server // request and what apstagSlots to request from the ad server var requestManager = { adserverRequestSent: false, adSlots: [], }; //loop through bidder array and add the bidders to the request manager: bidders.forEach(function(bidder) { requestManager[bidder] = false; }) // a helper function that returns googletag objects corresponding to the slotIDs in the slot objects function _getGPTSlots(apstagSlots) { // get all of the slot IDs that were requested var slotIDs = apstagSlots.map(function(slot) { return slot.slotID; }); // return the slot objects corresponding to the slotIDs return googletag.pubads().getSlots().filter(function(slot) { // return true if the ID of the slot object is in the slotIDs array return slotIDs.indexOf(slot.getSlotElementId()) > -1; }); } function getPETRequest() { googletag.cmd.push(function() { // read the currently defined GPT ad slots for sending to the PET endpoint // defined all GPT ad slots before calling PET var gptSlots = googletag.pubads().getSlots(); var iasPETSlots = []; for (var i = 0; i < gptSlots.length; i++) { var sizes = gptSlots[i].getSizes().map(function(size) { if (size.getWidth && size.getHeight) return [size.getWidth(), size.getHeight()]; else return [1, 1]; }); iasPETSlots.push({ adSlotId: gptSlots[i].getSlotElementId(), //size: can either be a single size (for example, [728, 90]) // or an array of sizes (for example, [[728, 90], [970, 90]]) size: sizes, adUnitPath: gptSlots[i].getAdUnitPath() }); } // wait for IAS to return data var iasDataHandler = function(adSlotData) { headerBidderBack('ias'); }; // make the request to PET. if your page makes multiple ad requests to DFP // (for example, lazily loaded ads, infinite scrolling pages, etc.), make // a request to PET before every request to DFP __iasPET.queue.push({ adSlots: iasPETSlots, dataHandler: iasDataHandler }); }); } // return true if all bidders have returned function allBiddersBack() { var allBiddersBack = bidders // get the booleans from the object .map(function(bidder) { return requestManager[bidder]; }) // get rid of false values - indicates that the bidder has responded .filter(Boolean) // if length is equal to bidders, all bidders are back .length === bidders.length; return allBiddersBack; } // handler for header bidder responses function headerBidderBack(bidder) { // console.log("DFP: headerBidderBack called with", bidder); if (typeof bidder === 'object') { requestManager.adSlots = bidder; bidder = 'prebid'; } // return early if request to adserver is already sent if (requestManager.adserverRequestSent === true) { return; } // flip bidder back flag if (bidder === 'a9') { requestManager.a9 = true; } else if (bidder === 'prebid') { requestManager.prebid = true; } else if (bidder === 'ias') { requestManager.ias = true; } // if all bidders are back, send the request to the ad server if (allBiddersBack()) { sendAdserverRequest(); } } // actually get ads from DFP function sendAdserverRequest() { // console.log("DFP: All bidders back"); // return early if request already sent if (requestManager.adserverRequestSent === true) { return; } if (typeof window.prebidReady === 'undefined') { window.prebidReady = performance.now(); } if (window.googleReady) { // flip the boolean that keeps track of whether the adserver request was sent requestManager.adserverRequestSent = true; // flip pbjs boolean to signal to pbjs the ad server has already been called pbjs.adserverCalled = true; //flip boolean for adserver request to avoid duplicate requests requestManager.sendAdserverRequest = true; // make ad request to DFP googletag.cmd.push(function() { window.executionSet = performance.now(); apstag.setDisplayBids(); __iasPET.setTargetingForGPT(); // console.log("DFP: Refresh called, setting adslots to ", requestManager.adSlots); if (requestManager.adSlots.length > 0){ googletag.pubads().refresh(requestManager.adSlots); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh(); } setPerformanceCookie(); }); } else { window.setTimeout(function() { sendAdserverRequest(true); }, 200); } } function requestBids(apstagSlots, bidTimeout) { // fetch apstag bids, set bid targting, then call headerBidderBack // to get the ads for the first time apstag.fetchBids({ slots: apstagSlots, timeout: (bidTimeout - 200) }, function(bids) { headerBidderBack('a9'); }); var edktAudiences; // Here we fetch audiences which the user has been placed in. try { edktAudiences = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem('edkt_matched_audience_ids') || '[]') .slice(0, 100) .map(String); } catch (e) { edktAudiences = []; } // request bids from prebid pbjs.que.push(function() { // console.log("DFP: PBJS request bids called"); pbjs.rp.requestBids({ callback: headerBidderBack, data: { airgrid: { perid: edktAudiences }, ozoneSettings, ozoneTargeting }, }); }); } //requestBids requestBids(apstagSlots, bidTimeout) // set timeout to send request to call sendAdserverRequest() after timeout // if all bidders haven't returned before then window.setTimeout(function() { sendAdserverRequest(); }, bidTimeout); }; function setPerformanceCookie() { var start = window.startExec; var prebidReady = window.prebidReady - start; var domComplete = window.domComplete - 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block-bam-legacy-list" data-name="BAM Legacy List Block" data-variant="" data-uses-js="block-bam-legacy-list" data-total-articles="54">  <div data-is-configurable="yes" data-block-id="83" data-module-path="/politics/viewpoint/" data-site-module-id="3186134"></div>  <div class="block-news-list__container grid-layout--default-long-list " data-total-articles="54"> <div class="uber-block-lead-story">  <article class="omni-lead-story omni-lead-story--standard-lead mar-mb-0 " data-position="1" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-1" data-uses-js="article-story" > <div class="omni-lead-story__image-content"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24769660.snp-must-getting-much-right-business-economy-must-not/"> <img srcset="/resources/images/576x324/1x/0/16606252.jpg 576w, /resources/images/736x490/1x/0/16606252.jpg 736w, /resources/images/773x434/1x/0/16606252.jpg 773w, /resources/images/600x337/1x/0/16606252.jpg 600w, /resources/images/813x457/1x/0/16606252.jpg 813w" sizes="(min-width: 768px) calc(100vw / 1.5), 100vw" src="/resources/images/320x200/1x/0/16606252.jpg" alt="Critics of the SNP point to its long period in power at Holyrood" /> </a> <div class="omni-lead-story__icon-container"> </div> </div> <div class="omni-lead-story__headline-container"> <div class="omni-lead-story__metadata-container">  <div class="omni-lead-story__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/business/"> <div class="omni-lead-story__tag">Business</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24769660.snp-must-getting-much-right-business-economy-must-not/#comments-anchor" class="omni-lead-story__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">19</span> </a> </div> <h3 class="omni-lead-story__headline "> <a class="omni-lead-story__link" href="/politics/viewpoint/24769660.snp-must-getting-much-right-business-economy-must-not/" data-article-link="/politics/viewpoint/24769660.snp-must-getting-much-right-business-economy-must-not/" > <span>Ian McConnell: Amid whingeing and griping, has SNP been getting things right?</span> </a> <div class="omni-lead-story__first-par"> There are plenty of people happy to pan the Scottish Government at every opportunity </div> </h3> </div>  <div id="admin-links-container-24769660" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24769660" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="1" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24769660"> </ul> </div> </article> </div>  <article class="omnicard stack--sm stack--md stack--lg stack--xl " data-position="2" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-2" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24768569.election-petition-risks-plunging-new-political-depths/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/10490795.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/10490795.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/10490795.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/10490795.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/10490795.jpg" alt="Three million people have signed a petition calling for a snap GeneralElection" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/10490795.jpg" alt="Three million people have signed a petition calling for a snap GeneralElection" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/politics/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Politics</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24768569.election-petition-risks-plunging-new-political-depths/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">6</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24768569.election-petition-risks-plunging-new-political-depths/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Carlos Alba: Election petition risks plunging new political depths </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24768569" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24768569" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="5" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24768569"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard stack--sm stack--md stack--lg stack--xl " data-position="3" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-3" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24769528.great-philosopher-david-hume-supported-right-die/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18825316.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18825316.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18825316.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18825316.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18825316.jpg" alt="There are plans for an assisted dying law in Scotland, and England and Wales" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18825316.jpg" alt="There are plans for an assisted dying law in Scotland, and England and Wales" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/assisted-dying/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Assisted dying</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24769528.great-philosopher-david-hume-supported-right-die/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">1</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24769528.great-philosopher-david-hume-supported-right-die/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Would our greatest philosopher David Hume have supported this right to die law? </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24769528" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24769528" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="1" data-content-level="2 Better" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24769528"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard stack--sm stack--md stack--lg stack--xl " data-position="4" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-4" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24768696.roz-foyer-scotlands-budget-must-deliver-workers/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/17074730.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/17074730.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/17074730.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/17074730.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/17074730.jpg" alt="Shona Robison" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/17074730.jpg" alt="Shona Robison" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/finance/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Finance</div> </a> </div> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24768696.roz-foyer-scotlands-budget-must-deliver-workers/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Roz Foyer: We want investment and pay rises for workers in the Budget </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24768696" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24768696" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="4" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24768696"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard stack--sm stack--md stack--lg stack--xl " data-position="5" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-5" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/holyrood/24768612.scottish-pub-licensing-laws-strangling-pubs-clubs/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/17075542.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/17075542.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/17075542.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/17075542.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/17075542.jpg" alt="Clubs are closing across Scotland, down from 125 in 2020 to 82 in 2024" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/17075542.jpg" alt="Clubs are closing across Scotland, down from 125 in 2020 to 82 in 2024" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/legal/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Legal</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/holyrood/24768612.scottish-pub-licensing-laws-strangling-pubs-clubs/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">1</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/holyrood/24768612.scottish-pub-licensing-laws-strangling-pubs-clubs/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Annie Scott: Restrictive Scottish licensing laws are strangling our pubs and clubs </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24768612" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24768612" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="5" data-content-level="2 Better" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24768612"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard stack--sm stack--md stack--lg stack--xl " data-position="6" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-6" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24768062.first-line-defence-mad-bad-lost/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18836560.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18836560.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18836560.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18836560.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18836560.jpg" alt="Police officers in Teangue, Skye, in August, 2022, where Finlay MacDonald had fatally shot his brother-in-law John MacKinnon, 47." class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18836560.jpg" alt="Police officers in Teangue, Skye, in August, 2022, where Finlay MacDonald had fatally shot his brother-in-law John MacKinnon, 47." class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/police-scotland/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Police Scotland</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24768062.first-line-defence-mad-bad-lost/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">3</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24768062.first-line-defence-mad-bad-lost/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Calum Steele: How the first line of defence against the mad and the bad has been lost </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24768062" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24768062" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="5" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24768062"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard stack--sm stack--md stack--lg stack--xl " data-position="7" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-7" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24766444.politicians-back-assisted-dying-beware-codger-catchers/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18833814.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18833814.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18833814.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18833814.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18833814.jpg" alt="Anti-assisted dying protesters say the Bill is the thin edge of the wedge" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18833814.jpg" alt="Anti-assisted dying protesters say the Bill is the thin edge of the wedge" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/assisted-dying/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Assisted dying</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24766444.politicians-back-assisted-dying-beware-codger-catchers/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">10</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24766444.politicians-back-assisted-dying-beware-codger-catchers/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Kevin McKenna: As our politicians back 'assisted dying', beware the Codger Catchers </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24766444" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24766444" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="5" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24766444"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard stack--sm stack--md stack--lg stack--xl " data-position="8" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-8" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24762039.snp-impossible-task-easyjet-jet2-fly-high/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18807845.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18807845.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18807845.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18807845.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18807845.jpg" alt="Kate Forbes" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18807845.jpg" alt="Kate Forbes" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/business/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Business</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24762039.snp-impossible-task-easyjet-jet2-fly-high/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">2</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24762039.snp-impossible-task-easyjet-jet2-fly-high/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Ian McConnell: Does SNP face impossible task as Scottish Budget looms? </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24762039" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24762039" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="1" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24762039"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard compact-stack--sm stack--md stack--lg stack--xl " data-position="9" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-9" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24763685.fraser-nelson-britains-benefits-scandal-dispatches/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/10314530.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/10314530.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/10314530.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/10314530.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/10314530.jpg" alt="Iain Duncan Smith in Easterhouse in 2002, taken by Martin Shields" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/10314530.jpg" alt="Iain Duncan Smith in Easterhouse in 2002, taken by Martin Shields" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/poverty/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Poverty</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24763685.fraser-nelson-britains-benefits-scandal-dispatches/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">25</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24763685.fraser-nelson-britains-benefits-scandal-dispatches/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Fraser Nelson: Why aren't we solving the 'Glasgow effect' of ingrained poverty? </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24763685" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24763685" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="4" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24763685"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard compact-stack--sm stack--md stack--lg stack--xl " data-position="10" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-10" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/news/24766029.scotlands-future-pm-farage-left-wing-populist-independence/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18832993.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18832993.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18832993.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18832993.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18832993.jpg" alt="What will Scotland do in the face of a PM Farage?" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18832993.jpg" alt="What will Scotland do in the face of a PM Farage?" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/nigel-farage/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Nigel Farage</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/news/24766029.scotlands-future-pm-farage-left-wing-populist-independence/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">51</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/news/24766029.scotlands-future-pm-farage-left-wing-populist-independence/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Neil Mackay: Scotland’s future: either PM Farage or left-wing populist independence </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24766029" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24766029" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="5" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24766029"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard compact-stack--sm stack--md compact-stack--lg stack--xl " data-position="11" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-11" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24765813.european-well-worth-tangle-red-tape/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18477288.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18477288.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18477288.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18477288.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18477288.jpg" alt="'Like 62% of Scots I voted to remain in Europe '" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18477288.jpg" alt="'Like 62% of Scots I voted to remain in Europe '" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/brexit/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Brexit</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24765813.european-well-worth-tangle-red-tape/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">7</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24765813.european-well-worth-tangle-red-tape/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Kerry Hudson: Being European again is well worth the tangle of red tape </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24765813" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24765813" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="5" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24765813"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard compact-stack--sm stack--md compact-stack--lg stack--xl " data-position="12" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-12" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24763719.mark-smith-read-book-weep-lost/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18829572.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18829572.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18829572.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18829572.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18829572.jpg" alt="The "make America great again" slogan was first used by Reagan" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18829572.jpg" alt="The "make America great again" slogan was first used by Reagan" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/politics/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Politics</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24763719.mark-smith-read-book-weep-lost/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">4</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24763719.mark-smith-read-book-weep-lost/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Mark Smith: Read this book, and weep for what we’ve lost </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24763719" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24763719" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="5" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24763719"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard compact-stack--sm compact-stack--md compact-stack--lg stack--xl " data-position="13" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-13" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24764803.employment-reforms-must-address-inclusivity/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18830813.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18830813.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18830813.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18830813.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18830813.jpg" alt="Peter Matthews" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18830813.jpg" alt="Peter Matthews" class="square" /> <div class="image-label image-label-custom-callout-label"> AGENDA </div>  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/social-security/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Social Security</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24764803.employment-reforms-must-address-inclusivity/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">2</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24764803.employment-reforms-must-address-inclusivity/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline has-label-callout "> Why employment reforms must address inclusivity </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24764803" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24764803" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="10" data-content-level="2 Better" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24764803"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard compact-stack--sm compact-stack--md compact-stack--lg stack--xl " data-position="14" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-14" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24763420.secularists-must-recognise-assisted-dying-debate/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18827783.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18827783.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18827783.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18827783.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18827783.jpg" alt="Supporters of the 'Not Dead Yet' campaign, which opposes the Assisted Dying Bill, react outside the Houses of Parliament" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18827783.jpg" alt="Supporters of the 'Not Dead Yet' campaign, which opposes the Assisted Dying Bill, react outside the Houses of Parliament" class="square" /> <div class="image-label image-label-custom-callout-label"> ANDREW TICKELL </div>  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/assisted-dying/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Assisted dying</div> </a> </div> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24763420.secularists-must-recognise-assisted-dying-debate/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline has-label-callout "> How should Scottish religious groups present their opposition to assisted dying? </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24763420" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24763420" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="1" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="yes" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24763420"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard compact-stack--sm compact-stack--md compact-stack--lg stack--xl " data-position="15" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-15" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24763397.snp-advancing-idea-man-can-become-pregnant-embarrasses-us/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18828875.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18828875.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18828875.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18828875.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18828875.jpg" alt="Supporters of For Women Scotland and the Scottish Feminist Network outside the Scottish Parliament ahead of the vote on the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill in December 2022 demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18828875.jpg" alt="Supporters of For Women Scotland and the Scottish Feminist Network outside the Scottish Parliament ahead of the vote on the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill in December 2022 demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh" class="square" /> <div class="image-label image-label-custom-callout-label"> KEVIN MCKENNA'S DIARY </div>  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/national-government/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">National government</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24763397.snp-advancing-idea-man-can-become-pregnant-embarrasses-us/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">1</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24763397.snp-advancing-idea-man-can-become-pregnant-embarrasses-us/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline has-label-callout "> SNP advancing the idea that a man can become pregnant embarrasses us all </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24763397" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24763397" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="1" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24763397"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard compact-stack--sm compact-stack--md compact-stack--lg stack--xl " data-position="16" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-16" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24762944.snps-progress-buckling-prison-system-head-bangingly-slow/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/17220662.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/17220662.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/17220662.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/17220662.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/17220662.jpg" alt="The Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill, passed last week, lowers the minimum term served by short-term prisoners." class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/17220662.jpg" alt="The Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill, passed last week, lowers the minimum term served by short-term prisoners." class="square" /> <div class="image-label image-label-custom-callout-label"> DANI GARAVELLI </div>  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/crime/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Crime</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24762944.snps-progress-buckling-prison-system-head-bangingly-slow/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">3</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24762944.snps-progress-buckling-prison-system-head-bangingly-slow/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline has-label-callout "> SNP progress on Scotland’s buckling prison system is head-bangingly slow </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24762944" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24762944" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="1" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24762944"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard compact-stack--sm compact-stack--md compact-stack--lg stack--xl " data-position="17" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-17" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24761260.guy-stenhouse-kate-forbes-says-labour-lacks-competence-cheek/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18825082.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18825082.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18825082.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18825082.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18825082.jpg" alt="Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes speaks to the media during a visit to Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18825082.jpg" alt="Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes speaks to the media during a visit to Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/politics/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Politics</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24761260.guy-stenhouse-kate-forbes-says-labour-lacks-competence-cheek/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">15</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24761260.guy-stenhouse-kate-forbes-says-labour-lacks-competence-cheek/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Guy Stenhouse: Kate Forbes says Labour lacks competence. What a cheek </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24761260" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24761260" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="5" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24761260"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard compact-stack--sm compact-stack--md compact-stack--lg stack--xl " data-position="18" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-18" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24761975.mark-smith-shoplifting-scotland-25-blame/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18826231.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18826231.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18826231.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18826231.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18826231.jpg" alt="Shoplifting is up 25% in a year" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18826231.jpg" alt="Shoplifting is up 25% in a year" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/court/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Court</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24761975.mark-smith-shoplifting-scotland-25-blame/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">5</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24761975.mark-smith-shoplifting-scotland-25-blame/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Mark Smith: Shoplifting in Scotland is up by 25%. Who’s really to blame? </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24761975" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24761975" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="5" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24761975"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="19" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-19" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24761518.brian-taylor-st-andrews-day-just-scottish-feel/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18825416.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18825416.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18825416.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18825416.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18825416.jpg" alt="St Andrew" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18825416.jpg" alt="St Andrew" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/politics/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Politics</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24761518.brian-taylor-st-andrews-day-just-scottish-feel/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">12</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24761518.brian-taylor-st-andrews-day-just-scottish-feel/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Brian Taylor: On this St Andrew’s Day, just how Scottish do you feel? </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24761518" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24761518" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="5" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24761518"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="20" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-20" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24761394.lucy-casot-scotlands-museums-face-uncertain-future/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18825245.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18825245.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18825245.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18825245.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18825245.jpg" alt="The Stone of Destiny at Perth Museum" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18825245.jpg" alt="The Stone of Destiny at Perth Museum" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/heritage/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Heritage</div> </a> </div> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24761394.lucy-casot-scotlands-museums-face-uncertain-future/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Lucy Casot: Despite blazing a trail, Scotland's museums face an uncertain future </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24761394" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24761394" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="10" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24761394"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="21" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-21" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24759380.needed-budget-support-essential-services-like/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/7534019.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/7534019.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/7534019.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/7534019.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/7534019.jpg" alt="Fairer, multi-year funding agreements are sorely needed" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/7534019.jpg" alt="Fairer, multi-year funding agreements are sorely needed" class="square" /> <div class="image-label image-label-custom-callout-label"> CITIZENS ADVICE </div>  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/charity/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Charity</div> </a> </div> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24759380.needed-budget-support-essential-services-like/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline has-label-callout "> Here's what’s needed from the Budget to support essential services like ours </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24759380" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24759380" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="10" data-content-level="2 Better" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24759380"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="22" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-22" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24761644.farage-using-trump-stab-britain-back-sniffs-power/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18825661.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18825661.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18825661.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18825661.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18825661.jpg" alt="Sign up for the Unspun politics newsletter and receive exclusive analysis and opinion straight to your inbox" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18825661.jpg" alt="Sign up for the Unspun politics newsletter and receive exclusive analysis and opinion straight to your inbox" class="square" /> <div class="image-label image-label-custom-callout-label"> Unspun 🗳️ </div>  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/nigel-farage/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Nigel Farage</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24761644.farage-using-trump-stab-britain-back-sniffs-power/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">4</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24761644.farage-using-trump-stab-britain-back-sniffs-power/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline has-label-callout "> Neil Mackay: Farage is using Trump to stab Britain in the back as he sniffs power </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24761644" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24761644" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="1" data-content-level="1 Standard" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24761644"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="23" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-23" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24757891.will-snp-government-ever-able-please-business/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18505825.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18505825.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18505825.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18505825.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18505825.jpg" alt="Kate Forbes" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18505825.jpg" alt="Kate Forbes" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/business/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Business</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24757891.will-snp-government-ever-able-please-business/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">32</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24757891.will-snp-government-ever-able-please-business/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Ian McConnell: Will this SNP government ever be able to please business? </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24757891" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24757891" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="1" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24757891"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="24" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-24" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/holyrood/24758292.assisted-dying-complicated-care-mentally-ill-relative/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18820488.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18820488.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18820488.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18820488.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18820488.jpg" alt="Assisted dying is one of the biggest debates in UK politics but it's safeguards are complicated." class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18820488.jpg" alt="Assisted dying is one of the biggest debates in UK politics but it's safeguards are complicated." class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/assisted-dying/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Assisted dying</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/holyrood/24758292.assisted-dying-complicated-care-mentally-ill-relative/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">1</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/holyrood/24758292.assisted-dying-complicated-care-mentally-ill-relative/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> I cared for a mentally ill relative: assisted dying is complicated </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24758292" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24758292" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="1" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24758292"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="25" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-25" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/holyrood/24757510.glasgow-city-council-pension-fixes-mean-city/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18819452.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18819452.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18819452.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18819452.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18819452.jpg" alt="Why are senior officials in Scotland's largest council still getting golden goodbyes?" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18819452.jpg" alt="Why are senior officials in Scotland's largest council still getting golden goodbyes?" class="square" /> <div class="image-label image-label-custom-callout-label"> MARISSA MACWHIRTER </div>  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/glasgow-city-council/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Glasgow City Council</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/holyrood/24757510.glasgow-city-council-pension-fixes-mean-city/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">6</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/holyrood/24757510.glasgow-city-council-pension-fixes-mean-city/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline has-label-callout "> Why are senior officials in Scotland's largest council still getting golden goodbyes? </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24757510" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24757510" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="5" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24757510"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="26" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-26" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24758083.reform-uk-no-flash-pan/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18162231.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18162231.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18162231.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18162231.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18162231.jpg" alt="Nigel Farage's Reform UK will be a significant player north of the Border" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18162231.jpg" alt="Nigel Farage's Reform UK will be a significant player north of the Border" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/reform-uk/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Reform UK</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24758083.reform-uk-no-flash-pan/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">13</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24758083.reform-uk-no-flash-pan/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Mark McGeoghegan: Reform UK is no flash in the pan, and here's why </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24758083" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24758083" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="5" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24758083"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="27" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-27" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24757880.time-bigger-bolder-scotland-office/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18368463.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18368463.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18368463.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18368463.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18368463.jpg" alt="Scottish Secretary Ian Murray currently has only one minister supporting him" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18368463.jpg" alt="Scottish Secretary Ian Murray currently has only one minister supporting him" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/scotland-office/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Scotland Office</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24757880.time-bigger-bolder-scotland-office/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">1</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24757880.time-bigger-bolder-scotland-office/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Andy Maciver: Think smart, Ian Murray: time for a bigger, bolder Scotland Office </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24757880" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24757880" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="5" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24757880"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="28" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-28" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24747486.scottish-government-must-invest-properly-mental-health/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18804090.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18804090.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18804090.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18804090.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18804090.jpg" alt="Dr Pavan Srireddy" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18804090.jpg" alt="Dr Pavan Srireddy" class="square" /> <div class="image-label image-label-custom-callout-label"> AGENDA </div>  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/economy/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Economy</div> </a> </div> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24747486.scottish-government-must-invest-properly-mental-health/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline has-label-callout "> Scottish Government must invest properly in mental health </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24747486" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24747486" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="10" data-content-level="2 Better" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24747486"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="29" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-29" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24756545.government-must-invest-social-care-budget/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18817961.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18817961.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18817961.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18817961.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18817961.jpg" alt="Rachel Cackett" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18817961.jpg" alt="Rachel Cackett" class="square" /> <div class="image-label image-label-custom-callout-label"> AGENDA </div>  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/social-care/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">social care</div> </a> </div> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24756545.government-must-invest-social-care-budget/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline has-label-callout "> Scottish Government must invest in social care in this Budget </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24756545" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24756545" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="10" data-content-level="2 Better" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24756545"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="30" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-30" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24755574.get-scotland-working-sake-people-well-economy/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/6980169.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/6980169.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/6980169.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/6980169.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/6980169.jpg" alt="There are plans to revamp the JobCentre network to establish a personalised approach" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/6980169.jpg" alt="There are plans to revamp the JobCentre network to establish a personalised approach" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/social-security/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Social Security</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24755574.get-scotland-working-sake-people-well-economy/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">7</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24755574.get-scotland-working-sake-people-well-economy/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Brian Wilson: Get Scotland working, for the sake of the people as well as the economy </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24755574" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24755574" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="10" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24755574"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="31" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-31" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24755738.going-let-snp-portray-panto-villains-labour/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/17770209.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/17770209.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/17770209.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/17770209.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/17770209.jpg" alt="Anas Sarwar will have to come up with a fully thought-through response to the National Insurance controversy" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/17770209.jpg" alt="Anas Sarwar will have to come up with a fully thought-through response to the National Insurance controversy" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/scottish-labour/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Scottish Labour</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24755738.going-let-snp-portray-panto-villains-labour/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">8</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24755738.going-let-snp-portray-panto-villains-labour/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Rebecca McQuillan: Are you going to let SNP portray you as panto villains, Labour? </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24755738" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24755738" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="5" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24755738"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="32" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-32" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24754658.things-bad-snp-ask-sturgeon-back-leader/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/16336986.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/16336986.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/16336986.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/16336986.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 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It was well known that the German Chancellor was frightened of dogs." class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/brexit/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Brexit</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24747070.nicola-sturgeon-can-learn-angela-merkel/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">7</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24747070.nicola-sturgeon-can-learn-angela-merkel/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> What memoir writer Nicola Sturgeon can learn from Angela Merkel's doorstopper </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24747070" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24747070" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="2" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24747070"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="39" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-39" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24749268.elites-will-use-assisted-suicide-target-poor/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/17220589.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/17220589.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/17220589.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/17220589.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 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50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18806248.jpg" alt="Sir Bob Geldof (second left), along with other artists recording the first ever Band Aid single, Do They Know It's Christmas" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18806248.jpg" alt="Sir Bob Geldof (second left), along with other artists recording the first ever Band Aid single, Do They Know It's Christmas" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/charity/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Charity</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24748581.calling-kids-bought-band-aid-record-racist-disgrace/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">23</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24748581.calling-kids-bought-band-aid-record-racist-disgrace/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Neil Mackay: Calling kids who bought the Band Aid record ‘racist’ is a disgrace </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24748581" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24748581" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="5" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24748581"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="41" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-41" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24748195.think-scottish-politics-divisive-now-wait-till-farage-gets-going/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18162231.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18162231.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18162231.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18162231.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18162231.jpg" alt="Nigel Farage and Reform will setting their sights on Scotland" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18162231.jpg" alt="Nigel Farage and Reform will setting their sights on Scotland" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/2026-holyrood-election/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">2026 Holyrood election</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24748195.think-scottish-politics-divisive-now-wait-till-farage-gets-going/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">4</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24748195.think-scottish-politics-divisive-now-wait-till-farage-gets-going/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Martin Roche: Think Scottish politics is divisive now? Wait till Farage gets going </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24748195" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24748195" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="5" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24748195"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="42" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-42" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24747053.mark-smith-deep-down-problem-plan-scotlands-tories/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18803428.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18803428.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18803428.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18803428.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18803428.jpg" alt="Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay in Glasgow city centre. Picture Gordon Terris" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18803428.jpg" alt="Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay in Glasgow city centre. Picture Gordon Terris" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/politics/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Politics</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24747053.mark-smith-deep-down-problem-plan-scotlands-tories/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">10</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24747053.mark-smith-deep-down-problem-plan-scotlands-tories/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Mark Smith: The deep-down problem with the plan for Scotland’s Tories </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24747053" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24747053" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="5" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24747053"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="43" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-43" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24746655.make-no-mistake-cop-29-failure-must-turning-point/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18802404.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18802404.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18802404.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18802404.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18802404.jpg" alt="Dr Ben Wilson at COP29" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18802404.jpg" alt="Dr Ben Wilson at COP29" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/cop29/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">COP29</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24746655.make-no-mistake-cop-29-failure-must-turning-point/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">3</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24746655.make-no-mistake-cop-29-failure-must-turning-point/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Make no mistake about it, COP 29 is a failure and this must be a turning point </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24746655" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24746655" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="1" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24746655"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="44" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-44" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24744695.scottish-labour-pledge-restore-wfp-spells-new-dawn-devolution/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18572086.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18572086.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18572086.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18572086.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18572086.jpg" alt="Scottish Labour pledge to restore winter fuel payment spells new dawn for devolution" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18572086.jpg" alt="Scottish Labour pledge to restore winter fuel payment spells new dawn for devolution" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/2026-holyrood-election/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">2026 Holyrood election</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24744695.scottish-labour-pledge-restore-wfp-spells-new-dawn-devolution/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">27</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24744695.scottish-labour-pledge-restore-wfp-spells-new-dawn-devolution/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Scottish Labour pledge to restore winter fuel payment spells new dawn for devolution </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24744695" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24744695" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="1" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24744695"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="45" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-45" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/holyrood/24745361.our-staff-face-redundancy-government-dont-protect-funding/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18800109.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18800109.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18800109.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18800109.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18800109.jpg" alt="Tressa Burke is chief executive of the Glasgow Disability Alliance." class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18800109.jpg" alt="Tressa Burke is chief executive of the Glasgow Disability Alliance." class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/disability/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Disability</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/holyrood/24745361.our-staff-face-redundancy-government-dont-protect-funding/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">2</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/holyrood/24745361.our-staff-face-redundancy-government-dont-protect-funding/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> 'We can't do this on our own. The Scottish Government needs to protect our funding' </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24745361" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24745361" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="5" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24745361"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="46" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-46" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24743885.labours-city-folk-tax-changes-show-dont-care-rural-folk/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18797992.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18797992.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18797992.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18797992.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18797992.jpg" alt="Farmers protest in London" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18797992.jpg" alt="Farmers protest in London" class="square" /> <div class="image-label image-label-custom-callout-label"> ROSEMARY GORING </div>  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/farming/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Farming</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24743885.labours-city-folk-tax-changes-show-dont-care-rural-folk/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">9</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24743885.labours-city-folk-tax-changes-show-dont-care-rural-folk/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline has-label-callout "> Labour's 'city-folk' tax changes show they don't care about rural people </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24743885" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24743885" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="5" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24743885"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="47" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-47" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24745365.mark-smith-ferry-no-one-wanted/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18800238.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18800238.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18800238.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18800238.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18800238.jpg" alt="Glen Sannox" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18800238.jpg" alt="Glen Sannox" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/economy/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Economy</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24745365.mark-smith-ferry-no-one-wanted/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">33</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24745365.mark-smith-ferry-no-one-wanted/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Mark Smith: It’s here: the ferry no one wanted </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24745365" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24745365" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="5" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24745365"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="48" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-48" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24743438.politicians-sympathy/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18793180.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18793180.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18793180.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18793180.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18793180.jpg" alt="John Swinney's SNP is treading rather carefully in preparing its budget" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18793180.jpg" alt="John Swinney's SNP is treading rather carefully in preparing its budget" class="square" />  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/national-government/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">National government</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24743438.politicians-sympathy/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">58</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24743438.politicians-sympathy/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline "> Brian Taylor: Politicians? 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But here's why they have my sympathy </h3> </a>   <div id="admin-links-container-24743438" class="admin-links-container"> </div> <div class="admin-links-toggler" data-article-id="24743438" data-original-site="The Herald" data-rating="5" data-content-level="3 Best" data-is-clone="no" data-is-uk-today="no" data-is-scotland-today="no" data-is-full-admin-link-permissions="" data-admin-user-links="" style="display: none;" > <ul class="list-style-none admin-social-stats" data-article-id="24743438"> </ul> </div> </div> </article>  <article class="omnicard inline--sm inline--md inline--lg inline--xl " data-position="49" data-parsely-slot="bam-legacy-list-block-49" data-uses-js="article-story"> <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24744774.much-coronation-royals-vampires/" class="omnicard__image">     <img loading="lazy" srcset="/resources/images/128x74/1x/18799198.jpg 128w, /resources/images/290x167/1x/18799198.jpg 290w, /resources/images/445x250/1x/18799198.jpg 445w, /resources/images/720x415/1x/18799198.jpg 720w" sizes="(max-width: 576px) 100%, (max-width: 767px) 720px, (max-width: 992px) calc(100vw - 50px), 100vw" src="/resources/images/128x89/1x/18799198.jpg" alt="Sign up for the Unspun politics newsletter and receive exclusive analysis and opinion straight to your inbox" class="rectangle" /> <img loading="lazy" src="/resources/images/180x180/1x/18799198.jpg" alt="Sign up for the Unspun politics newsletter and receive exclusive analysis and opinion straight to your inbox" class="square" /> <div class="image-label image-label-custom-callout-label"> Unspun 🗳️ </div>  <div class="omnicard__image-icons"> </div> </a> <div class="omnicard__headline-container"> <div class="omnicard__metadata-container">  <div class="omnicard__primary-tag"> <a href="/topics/politics/"> <div class="omnicard__tag">Politics</div> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24744774.much-coronation-royals-vampires/#comments-anchor" class="omnicard__comments-wrapper">  <span class="iconify icon-comments" data-icon="ooui:speech-bubble-ltr"></span> <span class="omnicard__total-comments">21</span> </a> </div>  <a href="/politics/viewpoint/24744774.much-coronation-royals-vampires/"> <h3 class="omnicard__headline has-label-callout "> Neil Mackay: How much for the Coronation?! 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// create a new instance of `MutationObserver` named `observer`, // passing it a callback function const observer = new MutationObserver(function(e) { $.each(e, function(j, obs) { $.each(obs.removedNodes, function (i, node) { var id = $(node).attr('id'); addAdSlot(id, id.replace('DFP_', '')); }); }); }); // call `observe()` on that MutationObserver instance, // passing it the element to observe, and the options object observer.observe(elementToObserve, {subtree: true, childList: true}); </script> <script> window.domComplete = performance.now(); </script>  <script type="text/javascript"> var promoUnits = []; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> path = document.location.href.split("/"); var prop30 = qs.get('lp'); var prop43 = qs.get('ref'); var pType="BlockArticleModule" if (pType === 'BlockArticleModule' || pType === 'NationalNewsModule' || pType === 'BlockWhatsOnModule') { pType = 'ArticleModule'; } for(x=4; x<7; x++) { if (typeof path[x] == 'undefined') { path[x] = ''; } if(path[x] == "" || (pType == "ArticleModule" && path[x].match(/[0-9]+\./)) || (path[x].indexOf('?') > -1)) { path[x] = path[x-1]; } else { path[x] = path[x-1] + "/" + path[x]; } path[x] = path[x].replace(/\/undefined/g,""); } sitename = path[2].split("."); pathN= unescape(document.location.pathname.toString()); matches = pathN.match(/(\w+)\.(in|near|compare)\.([\,a-zA-Z0-9\ _-]+)[\/]?$/); detailMatches = pathN.match(/(\w+)\.detail\.(.*)$/); if (detailMatches !== null && detailMatches.length > 1) { matches = detailMatches; } if (matches !== null && matches.length > 1) { var subfolder = ''; path[3] = 'li'; path[4] = 'li/'+subfolder; path[5] = 'li/'+subfolder+'/'+matches[1]; path[6] = 'li/'+subfolder+'/'+matches[1]; } if (pathN === '/') { path[3] = 'homepage'; path[4] = 'homepage'; path[5] = 'homepage'; path[6] = 'homepage'; } function filterArray(arr) { var retArr = []; $.each(arr, function(i, part) { if (part !== '') { retArr.push(part); } }); return retArr; } </script> <script type="text/javascript"> var known = $.cookie('__siren') ? '1' : '0' ; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> if (window.screen.width < 728 && $('#BlockArticleContainer').length > 0) { if ('308' === '1147') { $('#DFP_out_of_page').remove(); } else { $('#DFP_premium_mpu').remove(); } $('#DFP_on_scroll').remove(); } else if (window.screen.width < 728 && ( $(".article-grid__uber[data-top-stories-articles='7'][data-news-list-articles='9']").length > 0 || $(".article-grid__uber[data-top-stories-articles='7'][data-news-list-articles='12']").length > 0 || $(".article-grid__uber[data-top-stories-articles='7'][data-news-list-articles='18']").length > 0 || $(".article-grid__uber[data-top-stories-articles='7'][data-news-list-articles='24']").length > 0 ) ) { const adElement = document.querySelector('#high_vis_container'); $('.omnicard[data-position="5"]').after(adElement); } if ('308' === '1147' && window.screen.width > 450) { $('#DFP_bottom_leaderboard').remove(); } if ('308' === '1147' && window.screen.width < 728) { $('#DFP_top_leaderboard').remove(); } if ('308' === '1147') { $('#DFP_teads').remove(); $('#DFP_out_of_page').remove(); } </script> <script type="text/javascript"> var known = $.cookie('__siren') ? '1' : '0' ; function addToTargeting(targeting, data) { if (!data) { return targeting; } $.each(data, function (key, value) { if (!value) { return; } targeting[key] = value; }); return targeting; } var ref = document.referrer; var parser = document.createElement('a'); parser.href = ref; // values in the below MUST be strings var targeting = { 'context': '', 'domain': 'www.heraldscotland.com', 'isLanding': 'yes', 'top_path': 'politics', 'weather': 'cloudy'.toLowerCase(), 'jbsjs': ''.toLowerCase(), 'site_search': '', 'bmd_cat': '', 'wt': '11-15', 'cmpid': qs.get('cmpid'), 'refdm': parser.hostname, 'k': known, 'g': 'u' , 'a': '0' , 'topic': '', 'publication': '', 'primary_tag_future_use': '', 'site': (isMobile()) ? 'mobile': 'desktop', 'r': data_layer.user.subscription_plan !== '' ? '2' // 2 = subscribed : data_layer.user.is_logged_in == 'yes' ? '1' // 1 = registered : '0', // 0 = anonymous }; if (!usePrebid) { targeting.adrq = 'adl'; } if (data_layer.video.exists === 'yes') { targeting.ptype = 'video'; } if ($.cookie('isMeterExpired') === 'yes' && window.data_layer.article.is_article) { var articleContentLevel = parseInt(window.data_layer.article.content_level, 10) || 0; // account for NaN if (articleContentLevel !== 0 && window.data_layer.article.content_level_open_access === 'no') { targeting.ao = 'y'; } } if ($.cookie('_sp_enable_dfp_personalized_ads') === 'true') { targeting.dfpcsnt = 'yes'; } else if ($.cookie('_sp_enable_dfp_personalized_ads') === 'false') { targeting.dfpcsnt = 'no'; } else { targeting.dfpcsnt = 'none'; } if (typeof MobileDetect !== "undefined") { targeting.canbb = (window.screen.width > 960) ? 'y' : 'n'; } if (typeof module_targeting === "object") { targeting = addToTargeting(targeting, module_targeting); } // $.each(apData, function (k, v) { // targeting[k] = v; // }); // if (typeof gs_channels !== 'undefined') { // targeting.gs_channels = gs_channels; // } targeting = addToTargeting(targeting, data_layer_helper.homesData); targeting.article_id = ''; var googleSiteName = 'www.heraldscotland.com'; var googlePath = '/politics/viewpoint/'; var googleNetworkCode = 154725070; var googleChildNetworkCode = 22694024870; var googleId = '/'+googleNetworkCode + ',' + googleChildNetworkCode + '/' + googleSiteName+googlePath; if (googleId.charAt(googleId.length - 1) === '/') { googleId = googleId.slice(0, -1); } var googletag = googletag || {}; googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; googletag.cmd.push(function () { var _YB = _YB || { ab: function () { return _YB.dool ? "b" : "a" + Math.floor(Math.random() * 10); }, dool: Math.random() >= 0.1, }; var yb_ab; if (Math.random() <= 0.9) { yb_ab = _YB.ab(); } else { yb_ab = "c"; } googletag.pubads().setTargeting("yb_ab", yb_ab); }); googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.pubads().set("adsense_background_color", "FFFFFF"); googletag.pubads().setTargeting('rfs', "0"); $.each(targeting, function (key, value) { // No real value so exclude if (value === 0 || value === '' || value === null) { return; } googletag.pubads().setTargeting(key, value); }); }); var adUnits = []; if (blackListAds.length > 0) { $.each(blackListAds, function(i, name) { $('#'+name).remove(); }); } $.each(unfilteredAdUnits, function (i, unit) { // VAST (video) ad units never get displayed in here. if (unit.isVast) { return; } // if we have an ad-light experience if (whiteList === true) { if (typeof whiteListAds[unit.positionName] === 'undefined') { $('#'+unit.domName).remove(); return; } } adUnits.push(unit); }); // set up a holder for all the adverts so we can do things with them later var dfpHolder = {}; // the set up code googletag.cmd.push(function() { $.each(adUnits, function(i, data) { // check if the dom exists if ($('#'+data.domName).length === 0) { return; } var dfp = null; if (data.slotType === 'standard') { // get the correct sizes, using the alternate_sizes if they exist and we are on a mobile site var sizes = data.sizes; if (data.alternate_mobile_size && isMobile()) { sizes = data.alternate_mobile_size; } // push this ad slot through dfp = googletag.defineSlot(googleId, sizes, data.domName) .addService(googletag.pubads()) .setTargeting("position", data.positionName) .setCollapseEmptyDiv(data.collapseContainer); // check if we have an array of targets, and assign them as a companion if we do if (data.targets instanceof Array && data.targets.length > 0 ) { dfp.setTargeting('companion', data.targets); } } else if (data.slotType === 'outofpage') { dfp = googletag.defineOutOfPageSlot(googleId, data.domName) .addService(googletag.pubads()) .setTargeting("position", data.positionName) .setCollapseEmptyDiv(data.collapseContainer); // check if we have an array of targets, and assign them as a companion if we do if (data.targets instanceof Array && data.targets.length > 0 ) { dfp.setTargeting('companion', data.targets); } } // store dfpHolder[data.domName] = dfp; }); if (adLight === true) { googletag.pubads().setCategoryExclusion('adlight'); // var adlightexplanation = '<div class="adlight-explanation">I\'m a subscriber <a href="#" class="adlight-explanation-link">Why am I seeing this advert?</a></div>'; // if ($('#DFP_premium_mpu').length > 0) { // $('#DFP_premium_mpu').before(adlightexplanation); // } // if ($('#DFP_standard_mpu_1').length > 0) { // $('#DFP_standard_mpu_1').before(adlightexplanation); // } // var imageIds = [11497497, 11497535, 11497536, 11497541, 11497542, 11497545, 11497546, 11497547]; // var imageId = imageIds[Math.floor(Math.random() * imageIds.length)]; // $('.adlight-explanation-link').click(function(e) { // e.preventDefault(); // $('#adlight-explanation-modal-image').attr('src', '/resources/images/' + imageId + '/').show(); // $('#adlight-explanation-modal').modal(); // }); } // send the request googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotVisibilityChanged', function(event) { if (event.slot.getResponseInformation().creativeTemplateId === 828288 || event.slot.getResponseInformation().creativeTemplateId === 12383216 ) { console.log('DFP: Magic template id detected, not refreshing'); return; } var slotName = ''; $.each(dfpHolder, function (a, e) { if (e == event.slot) { slotName = a; } }); if (typeof window.advertisingTimer !== 'undefined') { var perc = event.inViewPercentage; window.advertisingTimer.timer(slotName, perc); } }); }); // the display code $.each(adUnits, function(i, data) { // check if the dom exists if ($('#'+data.domName).length === 0) { return; } if (data.domName === 'DFP_interstitial_mpu') { if (!inter.checkVisit()) { return; } } // are we manually loading it? if ($('#'+data.domName).attr('data-manual-loading') === "yes") { return; } // for mobile, we check if the dom element has the data-delay-loading attribute set to "1" else if ($('#'+data.domName).attr('data-delay-loading') === "yes") { // load it $('#'+data.domName).appear(); $(document.body).on('appear', '#'+data.domName, function(e, allElement) { // don't call it many times if ($(this).attr('data-processed') === 'yes') { return; } $(this).attr('data-processed', 'yes'); // display the google ad googletag.display(data.domName); googletag.pubads().refresh([dfpHolder[data.domName]]); }); return; } googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(data.domName); }); }); window.googleComplete = performance.now(); window.googleReady = true; function addAdSlot(slotName, slot, initHidden) { console.log("Add ad slot called for %s %s", slotName, slot); // check if item already exists if (typeof window.dfpHolder[slotName] !== 'undefined') { return; } if (window.adLight === true) { return; } window.googletag.cmd.push(function() { var dfp = googletag.defineSlot(window.googleId, [[300,250]], slotName) .setTargeting('position', [slot]) .addService(googletag.pubads()); window.dfpHolder[slotName] = dfp; if (!initHidden) { googletag.pubads().refresh([dfp]); return; } }); } </script>  <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <script src="/resources/responsive-static/build/mds/js/global.js?cb=uUAjmAdC"></script> <script src="/resources/responsive-static/build/mds/js/homepage.js?cb=uUAjmAdC"></script> <script src="/__siren/"></script>  <script type="text/javascript"> var s_account="newsquestgroupprod"; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/resources/responsive-static/vendor/adobe/VisitorAPI.js?cb=uUAjmAdC"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/resources/responsive-static/vendor/adobe/omniture.js?cb=uUAjmAdC"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> function getOmniturePath() { var path = ''; if ($('#gallery-base-url').length === 1) { path = $('#gallery-base-url').val(); } else { path = window.location.pathname; } return path; } function getPositionFromCookie() { var ref = $.cookie('tracking_block_index'); $.removeCookie('tracking_block_index', { path: '/', domain: window.data_layer.site.cookie_domain, }); return ref; } function getRefFromCookie() { var ref = $.cookie('tracking_block'); $.removeCookie('tracking_block', { path: '/', domain: window.data_layer.site.cookie_domain, }); return ref; } function getOmnitureTrackingFromCookie(key, preExistingValue) { var ref = $.cookie('o-' + key); if(typeof(ref) === 'undefined') { ref = preExistingValue } else { ref = decodeURIComponent(ref); $.removeCookie('o-' + key, { path: '/', domain: window.data_layer.site.cookie_domain, }); } return ref; } function getValidatedAPList() { var validList = [1100, 1101, 1002, 1006, 1010, 1014, 1018, 1022, 1200, 1202, 1205, 1300, 1602, 1605, 1608, 1612, 1616, 1500, 1503, 1507, 1509, 1512, 1402, 1406, 1409, 1412, 1416, 14331, 14333, 14335, 14336, 14339, 14342, 14344, 14345, 14346, 14350, 14351, 14353, 14359, 14366, 14370, 14371, 14377, 14388, 14394, 14396, 14399, 14407, 14221, 14423, 15679, 15681, 15682, 15683, 15684, 15686, 15687, 15688, 15975]; var data = getAudienceProjectTargetingData(); if (!data || !data.ap_x) { return ''; } validData = []; $.each(data.ap_x, function(i, td) { if ($.inArray(parseInt(td, 10), validList) !== -1) { validData.push(td); } }); return validData.join(','); } path = document.location.href.split("/"); var prop30 = qs.get('lp'); var prop43 = qs.get('ref'); var pType="BlockArticleModule" if (pType === 'BlockArticleModule' || pType === 'NationalNewsModule' || pType === 'BlockWhatsOnModule') { pType = 'ArticleModule'; } for(x=4; x<7; x++) { if (typeof path[x] == 'undefined') { path[x] = ''; } if(path[x] == "" || (pType == "ArticleModule" && path[x].match(/[0-9]+\./)) || (path[x].indexOf('?') > -1)) { path[x] = path[x-1]; } else { path[x] = path[x-1] + "/" + path[x]; } path[x] = path[x].replace(/\/undefined/g,""); } pathN= unescape(document.location.pathname.toString()); matches = pathN.match(/(\w+)\.(in|near|compare)\.([\,a-zA-Z0-9\ _-]+)[\/]?$/); detailMatches = pathN.match(/(\w+)\.detail\.(.*)$/); if (detailMatches !== null && detailMatches.length > 1) { matches = detailMatches; } if (matches !== null && matches.length > 1) { var subfolder = ''; path[3] = 'li'; path[4] = 'li/'+subfolder; path[5] = 'li/'+subfolder+'/'+matches[1]; path[6] = 'li/'+subfolder+'/'+matches[1]; } if (pathN === '/') { path[3] = 'homepage'; path[4] = 'homepage'; path[5] = 'homepage'; path[6] = 'homepage'; } /* You may give each page an identifying name, server, and channel on the next lines. */ s.pageName="(www) "+getOmniturePath(); s.pageName = s.pageName.toLowerCase(); s.server="dmh-martini-web21" s.channel="" s.pageType="" s.prop1= qs.get('search'); s.prop2="" s.prop3=document.title s.prop4="" s.prop5="BlockArticleModule" /* get from Martini */ s.prop6=path[3].toLowerCase() s.prop7=path[4].toLowerCase() s.prop8=path[5].toLowerCase() s.prop9=path[6].toLowerCase() s.prop10="" s.prop16=path[2].toLowerCase() s.prop17="Herald and Times" s.prop18="Martini" s.prop19="1" s.prop20 = s.getPreviousValue(s.pageName, 'gpv_pn'); s.prop53 = 'standard'; s.prop54 = ''; s.prop55 = ''; s.prop56 = "BAM Legacy List 1.0"; s.prop57 = ($('[data-name="Feature Article Block A"]').length > 0) ? 'Enabled' : 'Disabled'; s.prop58 = $('[data-name="Feature Article Block B"]').data('variant'); s.prop59 = getRefFromCookie(); s.prop60 = getPositionFromCookie(); s.prop73 = $.cookie('adtiming'); var eVar67 = []; if ($.cookie('consentUUID')) { eVar67.push('yes'); } else { eVar67.push('no'); } if ($.cookie('_sp_enable_dfp_personalized_ads') === 'true') { eVar67.push('yes'); } else if ($.cookie('_sp_enable_dfp_personalized_ads') === 'false') { eVar67.push('no'); } else { eVar67.push('none'); } if ($.cookie('_sp_legitimate_interests') === 'true') { eVar67.push('yes'); } else if ($.cookie('_sp_legitimate_interests') === 'false') { eVar67.push('no'); } else { eVar67.push('none'); } //if ($.cookie('euconsent')) { // eVar67.push($.cookie('euconsent')); //} else { // eVar67.push('none'); //} s.eVar67 = eVar67.join(','); // console.log('ADB: setting eVar67 to %s', eVar67.join(',')); if ($.cookie('prev-tcf-v2')) { // console.log('ADB: Setting eVar68 to ', $.cookie('prev-tcf-v2')); s.eVar68 = $.cookie('prev-tcf-v2'); } if (typeof iabNames !== 'undefined') { s.prop29 = iabNames.join(','); } else if (typeof iabIds !== 'undefined') { s.prop29 = iabIds.join(','); } if (s.prop20 && s.prop20 !== 'no value') { s.prop21 = s.getPercentPageViewed(); } else { s.prop21 = ''; } if (typeof __siren !== 'undefined') { s.eVar27 = __siren; } s.prop22 = s.getDaysSinceLastVisit('s_lv'); s.prop43=getOmnitureTrackingFromCookie('ref', prop43); s.prop25 = '' s.prop27 = ''; s.prop30 = getOmnitureTrackingFromCookie('prop30', prop30); s.linkInternalFilters="javascript:,heraldscotland.com,fish4.co.uk,adsys.newsquest.co.uk,www.exchangeandmart.co.uk,www.communigate.co.uk," s.eVar61=(new Date()).toLocaleDateString("en-GB"); s.eVar62=(new Date()).toLocaleDateString("en-GB"); /* Article-site-cloning data */ s.eVar90 = window.data_layer.article.parent_originating_site_id; s.eVar91 = window.data_layer.article.originating_article_id; s.eVar92 = window.data_layer.article.is_original_to_site; s.eVar95 = window.data_layer.site.using_piano_id; s.eVar106 = ''; /* Uber block article counts */ s.eVar93 = window.data_layer.page.top_stories_article_count + ':' + window.data_layer.page.interstitial_article_count + ':' + window.data_layer.page.news_stories_article_count; /* Conversion Variables */ s.campaign="" s.state="" s.zip="" s.events="" s.products="" s.purchaseID="" s.eVar14="" try { s.list3=getValidatedAPList(); } catch (e) { // do nothing } // Initial fotorama tracking. var moduleType = null; if (s.prop5 === 'ArticleModule' || s.prop5 == 'PropertyModuleReplacement' || s.prop5 === 'BlockArticleModule') { moduleType = 'article'; } else if (s.prop5 === 'PictureGalleryModule') { moduleType = 'gallery'; } if (moduleType === 'article' || moduleType === 'gallery') { var imagePath = ''; if ($('.fotorama').length > 0) { // Get the first Fotorama image. try { var el = $('.fotorama').data('fotorama').data[0].html; var url = $(el).find('div').css('background-image'); imagePath = url.replace('url(','').replace(')','').replace(/\"/gi, ""); } catch (e) { } } else { // If there's just one image (i.e. it's not a gallery), find its path. var imagePathSingle = $('#mainImage').attr('src'); if (typeof imagePathSingle !== 'undefined') { imagePath = imagePathSingle.split('.')[0] + '/'; } } var imageParts = imagePath.split('/'); if (imageParts.length > 1) { s.eVar37 = imageParts[imageParts.length - 2]; s.prop37 = imageParts[imageParts.length - 2]; s.events = s.apl(s.events, 'event7', ',', 2); } s.eVar36 = moduleType; s.prop36 = moduleType; } // Education pages. if (s.prop5 === 'ResponsiveEducationModule') { // School profile page. if ($('#eduOverview').length > 0) { s.eVar40 = $('#eduOverview').data('school-status'); s.prop40 = s.eVar40; s.prop41 = 'edu-' + $('#eduOverview').data('school-urn'); s.prop46 = $('#town').text(); } // Comparison page. if ($('#eduComparisonTable').length > 0) { s.list1 = ''; } // Results page. if ($('.school-results').length > 0) { s.list1 = ''; // Track the search criteria. s.prop44 = ''; s.prop45 = "".toLowerCase(); s.prop46 = "".toLowerCase(); s.prop49 = ''; s.prop50 = ''; s.prop51 = ''; s.eVar2 = s.prop50; var newSearch = false; if (newSearch) { s.events = s.apl(s.events, 'event17', ',', 1); } } } //New Property module if (s.prop5 === 'ResponsivePropertyModule') { /* Use prop42 for single and list pages, for list pages use hyphen separate lists of id's */ //Property's all over the place (homepage, searches etc - HOM-133 //Property Detail - HOM-131, HOM-134, HOM-130 //Contact us submissions - HOM-137 if($('#propertyModule.agent-details').length > 0) { //Add a click handler for a.contact-detail } } // is their a video tag on the page? if ($('.exco-embed').length > 0) { console.log('VID: setting tracking for event50'); s.events = s.apl(s.events, 'event50', ',', 1); } var foundAutoPlayVid = false; $('.jw-outer').each(function (a, domEle) { if ($(this).data('multimedia-block') === 'no' && !foundAutoPlayVid) { console.log('VID: setting tracking for event51'); s.events = s.apl(s.events, 'event51', ',', 1); foundAutoPlayVid = true; } }); s.eVar66 = 'Ad-Full-Herald'; // var eVar65Copy = s.getValOnce(s.eVar65, "ev65", 0); // if (eVar65Copy !== '' && s.prop20.indexOf("/my/subscription/activate/") > -1) { // s.events = s.apl(s.events, "event4", ",", 1); // Set the subscription counter event. // s.events = s.apl(s.events, "purchase", ",", 1); // Set the purchase event. // s.products = "Subscription : Metered Access;" + eVar65Copy + ";1;"; // s.purchaseID = ""; // } if(qs.get('action') === 'success' && (s.prop5 === 'ArticleModule' || s.prop5 === 'BMDModule' || s.prop5 === 'BlockArticleModule')) { s.events=s.apl(s.events,'event9',',',2) } /* Hierarchy Variables */ s.hier1="newsquest," + "Herald and Times" + ",www.heraldscotland.com," + path[6].replace(/\//,","); if (typeof MartiniFotorama !== 'undefined') { MartiniFotorama.loadOmniture(s); } s.prop39 = "0"; // Tracking usage of Bytecast audio embeds in articles. s.eVar82 = 'no'; s.eVar83 = ''; console.log('ADB: starting'); /************* DO NOT ALTER ANYTHING BELOW THIS LINE ! **************/ if (qs.get('callback') !== 'in' && navigator.userAgent.toString().toLowerCase().indexOf('googlebot') === -1) { var s_code=s.t(); var backupAdobe = s; if(s_code)document.write(s_code) } //--></script>  <script src="//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"></script> <script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script> </html>

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