Holyrood 564 / 20 July 2026

Looks like silly season has begun.
Politics goes into fever pitch
Spotlight, page 8
Summer of Sport, pages 22-47

3 Editor’s note
JK Rowling deserves our gratitude not vilification

6 Opinion
Louise Wilson
Kirsteen Paterson

8 Spotlight: Him up North
Andy Burnham shouldn’t expect much of a honeymoon period

12 The Huddle: Labour
What would your advice be to the new prime minister?

14 Opinion
Chris Marshall
Ruaraidh Gilmour

18 Spotlight: North Sea 
The SNP has got itself into a mess over oil and gas 

22  Summer of Sport: Soft power of Scottish sport
Harnessing this year’s Summer of Sport for a lasting impact

28 Interview: Jack McConnell 
The former FM on his renewed optimism under Andy Burnham

34 Women in Sport: The gender gap
Women are falling behind men in sports participation 

40 Topical question: Commonwealth Games 
Is it worth it for Glasgow to host a slimmed-down Games?

42 Interview: Aileen Campbell
The former SNP minister on life away from politics

48 Connect: Disinformation
The online actors targeting our democracy

54 Housing: Student flats
The row around purpose-built student accomodation

58  Event Report: Showcasing Scotland
The Westminster Summer Drinks Reception and MP awards 

62 Getting to Know you: Katherine Sangster
The Labour MSP for Edinburgh and Lothians East

64 Diary:
Reform and its plucky aristocratic backers take on the establishment

65  Political Spin: Moray MSP Laura Mitchell

66 Last Word: Sketch
New SNP MP Lara Bird makes a bold claim in her maiden speech...