Holyrood 555 / 13 October 2025

Take a seat: Stephen Flynn sets his sights on Holyrood
Interview, page 16

3 Editor’s note
It’s possible to be appalled at the slaughter in Gaza and the murder of Jews

6 Opinion
Louise Wilson
Chris Marshall
Jeremy Grant
Ruaraidh Gilmour
Kirsteen Paterson

12 Spotlight: Poll position
The SNP gathers for its conference with questions to answer

15 Opinion: James Mitchell

16 Cover story: Interview
Stephen Flynn: The SNP’s rising star has learned some hard lessons

22 Skills: Bridging the gap
Scotland’s skills shortage has turned into a crisis

28 Skills: The Huddle
Our panel offers ideas on how to tackle the skills gap

30 Skills: Committee
Education: MSPs consider a new children’s bill

31 Skills: Interview
Ben Macpherson has inherited a tricky in-tray

32 Energy: Smart meters
Consumer confidence in the technology has taken a dent

38 Energy: Interview
Gillian Martin will soon publish the draft Climate Change Plan

40 Energy: Committee
Net zero: MSPs are scrutinising carbon budget proposals

42 Connect: AgriTech
The technology revolutionising farming

47 Feature: Stroke
A lack of 24/7 stroke care and pressure in A&Es is failing patients

52 Interview: Ian Rankin
‘Labour has always been a guddle’

58 Event Report
Holyrood Garden Party & Political Awards

62 Exit Interview
Rhoda Grant considers the end of a long parliamentary career

64 Diary
More bake news from Nigel Farage

65 Political Spin
Labour MP Kirsteen Sullivan

66 Last Word: Sketch
Feathers fly in seagull debate