Holyrood 553

‘Labour had a generational opportunity, but they blew it’
Alistair Carmichael

3 Editor’s note
We have basically reached a place where anything that shows an opposition to Israel is viewed as being on the right side of history

5 Roundup
Pictures and numbers from the past two weeks

7 Talking Point
The ‘manosphere’ is real and it’s corrosive

8 In Context
The winter fuel payment U-turn

10 Spotlight
More interested in politicking than governing, the SNP is failing on multiple fronts

13 Election 2026: Housing
The 2021 manifestos showed great ambition. But promises are one thing; delivery is another

13 Election 2026: Màiri McAllan
Back in the office and straight into a new portfolio, the housing secretary writes for Holyrood about her priorities

16 leaders interview: Alex Cole-Hamilton
The Scottish Lib Dem leader is targeting important SNP seats at the Scottish Parliament election in May

20 green pages: Future of the North Sea
Energy security and climate change are high on the political agenda. What does it mean for the mature basin?

23 green pages: Sustainable tourism
The tourism sector is balancing environmental and economic sustainability, but it will take time

26 Connect: AI in the arts
With the UK Government siding with data mining, will AI be the end of the creative industries

29 Feature: Ghost children
Worrying numbers of pupils with additional support needs are missing school on a regular basis

32 Political Interview: Alistair Carmichael
The political veteran says his new role at Westminster is rooted in both his personal and political experience

43 Last Word
Sketch: John Swinney nicks Keir Starmer’s slogan

38 Getting to Know You
John Mason on finding his faith and being independently minded