Holyrood 508 / 22 May 2023

2298 recorded rapes
152 court cases
78 convictions
Are juryless trials the answer?
Political Spotlight p9

3 Editor’s note - On the substantive issue of her being “struck by the polarisation in politics”, if Nicola Sturgeon really needs to be told how we got to this place, then she simply needs look in the mirror
5 Roundup - Pictures and numbers from the past two weeks
6 Talking Point - The flawed logic of the SNP’s ‘lend us your vote’ strategy
8 In Context - Highly Protected Marine Areas
9 Political Spotlight: Juryless Trials - The Scottish Government wants to pilot judge-only trials for rape cases, but will a defence boycott stymie the plan?
12 Overview: Climate of Fear - The science of the climate crisis is no longer up for debate but the same cannot be said for the political response
18 Political Interview: Andrew Bowie - The Tory MP on working for Rishi Sunak and why the party’s treatment of Theresa May still rankles with him
27 Green Pages: Circular Economy - The Circular Economy Bill aims to change the way Scots interact with products and services
31 The Holyrood Baby: Kirsty at 7 - Like families across the country, Kirsty and her mum Caley are struggling amid the cost-of-living crisis
34 Political Interview: Roz McCall - The MSP on why she had to think long and hard before accepting her position in the Scottish Parliament
38 Getting to know... Tory MSP Murdo Fraser on his love of Fawlty Towers and Father Ted
40 Event spotlight: Scotland Excel’s Supplier Excellence Awards
42 Comment: Ministers cannot be held personally responsible for everything, says James Mitchell
43 Politicians’ pets: Councillor and vet Kathleen Robertson introduces her dogs
44 Diary: The French swoon over dreamy Humza and Douglas Ross dusts off his dance routine
45 Political Spin: Mark Griffin MSP on why Athlete’s Wires reminds him of his daughter
46 Last Word: Sketch: Get down and dirty, Conservatives told

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