Holyrood 549 / 5 May 2025

On your marks
The race to lead the next Scottish Government begins

3 Editor’s note
This is about balancing rights and not simply acquiescing to assumed male privilege

5 Roundup
Pictures and numbers from the past two weeks

7 Talking Point
The Supreme Court has ruled that
biological sex trumps certified sex. So we need to change the law

8 In Context
The proposed ban on greyhound racing

9 Spotlight: Broken Record
Despite its many failures in government, the SNP is on track to win another election

12 Holyrood baby: Kirsty is Nine
Nine years on from her ‘birth’, how are Scotland’s politicians delivering for Kirsty and her generation?

14 Interview: Fulton MacGregor
After years as a social worker, the MSP says Scotland must do more to combat the abuse of children

19 Connect: NHS Technology
The rollout of a long overdue health service app could help take pressure off Scotland’s GPs

23 Feature: Home Truths
After 10 years, why haven’t enforced enhancement areas been used more widely to drive up housing standards?

26 Interview: Katrina Murray
The Labour MP wants to use her voice at Westminster to speak up for society’s most vulnerable

30 Getting to Know You
Labour MP Scott Arthur on his close relationship with his father

32 Comment
Maggie Chapman’s comments are Trumpian, says Andy Wightman

33 Political Spin
Joani Reid on her musical family

34 Diary
John Swinney will work for you. For a fee

35 Last Word
Sketch: Rumours of an internal dog fight rock the parliament