Kieran Andrews
Political Editor for ITV Border; co-author of Break-Up/agent Northbank Talent; prev The Times, The Courier, Sunday Post, Brechin Advertiser
- Our @representingborder.bsky.social political leader interviews made headlines this week. Here’s some behind the scenes analysis. What we've learned from Holyrood's first week back: passing the budget will be easy for John Swinney. www.itv.com/news/border/...
- Senior Scottish Labour source on leadership row: “Complete madness, irrational and stupid. No10 has very few members left in the cabinet they haven’t briefed against. They need an HR director not more policy wonks.” Analysis for @representingborder.bsky.social www.itv.com/news/border/...
- The SNP has upgraded its campaigning operation but - despite being clearly ahead in the polls- still lags behind Labour on that front Six months out from the Holyrood election, here’s some analysis for @representingborder.bsky.social in praise of unsung political heroes www.itv.com/news/border/...
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsWatch Dr Dan Fisher @dx-fisher.bsky.social on ITV's Representing Border yesterday sharing expertise in immigration policy with @kieranandrews.bsky.social📹📣 From the UK Gov's proposed changes to Leave to Remain, to Scotland's shifting attitude on immigration. Watch: www.itv.com/watch/news/c...
- Reposted by Kieran Andrews"Perhaps it is because she is still in politician mode and does not want to damage her party. Whatever the reason, 'Frankly' could do with a touch more frankness" 📚 @kieranandrews.bsky.social reviews Nicola Sturgeon's 'Frankly' | @panmacmillan.bsky.social bit.ly/46eTuwj
- Exclusive story from earlier today: South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has been charged with possession of indecent images. He has been “administratively suspended” by Labour while the case progresses. www.itv.com/news/border/...
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsQuite right. I was astonished to see well rehearsed books - like your own, or David Torrance’s - alongside total schlock claiming to offer the inside story on Sturgeon’s arrest.
- Good to see Amazon removing inaccurate SNP biographies If you want the real stories behind the party leadership, try Break-Up: How Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon Went To War amzn.eu/d/fepBbiy
- Did you know John Swinney was born in Akron, Ohio, to a Polish dinner lady called Kazimiera? Well, that is what one fake biog of Scotland’s first minister on Amazon claimed. Are we ready for an AI-disinformation election in ‘26? 🧵 www.thetimes.com/article/6be7...
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsWhat can we expect from the Scottish govt's Medium Term Financial Strategy today? @stephenboydippr.bsky.social spoke to @kieranandrews.bsky.social @itvborder.bsky.social ➡️ Enhanced level of detail on risks + plans to mitigate them, info that we can compare year upon year, tax increases & more.
- EXC: Leader of Dumfries & Galloway Council steps down Conservative Gail Macgregor quit less than an hour before vote of no confidence, saying she was doing so with 'the heaviest of hearts' New administration - D&G’s *fourth* in three years - expected to be chosen at special meeting this afternoon
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsNEW: Not becoming a national park may cost Galloway millions of pounds of investment, the Rural Affairs Secretary has admitted. Mairi Gougeon won't tell @kieranandrews.bsky.social whether Scot Gov will invest in the region instead. She says they've 'not had those conversations'
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsBREAKING: The Scottish Government has dropped plans for a Galloway National Park. It was one of the key commitments when the SNP formed a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens. @gregoryhoare.bsky.social explains how we got to this point 👇
- 🎶 WATCH: Conservative Borders council leader Euan Jardine is a rapper He performs his debut single for @representingborder.bsky.social www.itv.com/news/border/...
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsUK Gov could cut electricity bills by up to 30% by removing renewable subsidies, Climate Change Committee member Keith Bell says. But the Professor adds that the move would lead to either higher gas bills or taxes
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsThe Conservatives should NOT aim for a deal with Reform UK, Alister Jack says. Former Scottish Secretary believes John Swinney and the SNP are 'secretly' trying to boost Reform's profile, to split the unionist vote. STORY: www.itv.com/news/border/...
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsNEW: The Conservatives were wrong to get rid of Boris Johnson, Alister Jack says. The former Scottish Secretary - a key political ally and friend of the former PM - says Johnson would have had a chance of winning the 2024 election. STORY: www.itv.com/news/border/...
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsMore from @kieranandrews.bsky.social exclusive interview with Alister Jack - who says the Tories made a mistake in ditching Boris Johnson, and suggests former PM might have been able to win 2024 General Election
- NEW: The Conservatives were wrong to get rid of Boris Johnson, Alister Jack says. The former Scottish Secretary - a key political ally and friend of the former PM - says Johnson would have had a chance of winning the 2024 election. STORY: www.itv.com/news/border/...
- In his first interview since quitting as MP, ex-Scottish secretary Alister Jack… - Calls for gender apology from John Swinney+Nicola Sturgeon - Says Boris Johnson should not have been forced out as PM and suggests could have won elex - Rejects betting ban for MPs www.itv.com/news/border/...
- EXC: Alister Jack says Nicola Sturgeon & John Swinney should offer 'proper public apology' to women who challenged Scot Gov gender reforms in court. In first interview since stepping down as MP, former Scottish Secretary says @forwomenscotland.bsky.social were 'demonised'. www.itv.com/news/border
- Reposted by Kieran Andrews'I am disappointed in the UK government's performance so far' - General Secretary of STUC @scottishtuc.bsky.social Roz Foyer (@rozfoyer.bsky.social) tells Kieran Andrews (@kieranandrews.bsky.social) Labour is in danger of lurching 'to the right'. Full interview: www.itv.com/news/border/...
- Reposted by Kieran Andrews[Not loaded yet]
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsAnd myself, apparently - no doubt due to the Russian joke I made sitting behind Farage in the House of Commons a few weeks ago. I am distraught, as you can imagine.
- Scottish MPs @blairmcdougall.com, @stephengethins.bsky.social and Johanna Baxter have been added to the list of politicians banned from Russia for making what the Kremlin calls "hysterical statements...in which threats are interspersed with lies and outright rudeness"
- Scottish MPs @blairmcdougall.com, @stephengethins.bsky.social and Johanna Baxter have been added to the list of politicians banned from Russia for making what the Kremlin calls "hysterical statements...in which threats are interspersed with lies and outright rudeness"
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsCalling Reform UK far right is a 'lazy slur', according to party's Deputy Chair in Scotland. David Kirkwood says he's happy with term 'populist', because it 'means we're doing what people want'. Reform UK hasn't been invited to Scottish Government's anti-far right summit, taking place today
- 🎥 ICYMI: Watch the full report here Moving testimony from Lynn Sweeney as @representingborder.bsky.social reveals that one in five people working for Scotland’s fire and rescue service say they have experienced or witnessed bullying or harassment www.itv.com/watch/news/f...
- EXC: Scotland’s fire and rescue service is in the grip of a bullying “crisis” with more than one in five employees having been victim of or witnessed inappropriate behaviour ITV investigation uncovers complaints of discrimination and harassment www.itv.com/news/border/...
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsNEW: 'There is absolutely no place for bullying' John Swinney says he's 'concerned' by ITV Border's investigation into inappropriate behaviour in Scotland's fire service. First Minister says SFRS 'has to address those concerns'
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsIn a statement, Scottish fire and rescue service chief officer Stuart Stevens said a confidential service had been launched to allow staff to report issues anonymously. He added that bullying and harassment were 'not tolerated'. Story: www.itv.com/news/border/...
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsEXC: Scotland’s fire and rescue service is in the grip of a bullying 'crisis'. 'This didn't just affect my job, it impacted on who I was as a person', a former staff member tells @kieranandrews.bsky.social. Full story: www.itv.com/news/border/...
- EXC: Scotland’s fire and rescue service is in the grip of a bullying “crisis” with more than one in five employees having been victim of or witnessed inappropriate behaviour ITV investigation uncovers complaints of discrimination and harassment www.itv.com/news/border/...
- Lynn Sweeney last year had a bullying grievance upheld She was signed off work and never returned but said she was repeatedly pressured by senior management to return and to drop the complaint. “At the end of the day, I loved my job,” she said. “But I hated the culture.”
- An internal stuff survey carried out last year, and obtained by ITV, found that 21% of those who replied “have personally experienced or observed discrimination, bullying and/or harassment in the workplace over the last 12 months”.
-
View full threadCommunity safety minister Siobhian Brown said: “Bullying and harassment is unacceptable in any circumstances and any allegations must be taken very seriously.”
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsNEW: Anas Sarwar acknowledges economic growth and poverty in the UK are 'not where we want them to be'. But the Scottish Labour leader defends the Chancellor's Spring Statement. He says both UK and Scottish Governments need to do more. www.itv.com/news/border/...
- Reposted by Kieran Andrews'There is concern amongst Labour members and MPs' John McTernan, former Political Secretary to Tony Blair, warns benefit cuts could impact Labour's 'brand'. Last week the UK Government set out welfare changes aimed at saving £5 billion. www.itv.com/news/border/...
- What will the SNP group look like after the Holyrood election - and why are so many women standing down? New internal rules say party “reserves the right to add additional female candidates to the selection contest” Analysis for @representingborder.bsky.social www.itv.com/news/border/...
- Ash Regan and Kenny MacAskill on Alex Salmond's views about Alba leadership "His view was you couldn't have the only parliamentarian in the whole party not in the top leadership team" "All those who know Alex well...have all endorsed me. I think they knew who had Alex's back"
- An Alba Party source says: "Alex Salmond spent nearly every day 24/7 for much of the last decade with his two closest political allies, Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh and Chris McEleny. Neither of which are endorsing Kenny MacAskill"
- EXCL: Retiring female SNP MSPs do not need to be replaced by female candidates in a change of the party’s rules It means that Stephen Flynn can stand to replace Audrey Nicoll in his preferred seat of Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, which wouldn’t have been possible in 2021
- Note on internal section of the SNP website says in gender balance: “Having achieved 50/50 in 2021, there is no legal basis for corrective mechanisms to be used this time”
- A new (delayed) selections timetable has been set too. Nominations open March 17 and close on April 7 so expect even more announcements about sitting MSPs’ futures over the next week Selection ballots close May 5 so candidates will be in place a year before Holyrood election
- Reposted by Kieran Andrews[Not loaded yet]
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsNEW: Scotland's Finance Secretary is to quit Holyrood at the 2026 election. Shona Robison (@shonarobison.bsky.social) tells @kieranandrews.bsky.social it was an 'incredibly difficult decision' not to stand for re-election. She was part of the original intake of MSPs in 1999
- Reposted by Kieran Andrews'We have to hope that the United States remains our ally' The Scottish Government's External Affairs Secretary @angusrobertson.bsky.social tells Kieran Andrews 'even saying that out loud remains a concern' Full interview on tonight's programme: www.itv.com/news/border/...
- Reposted by Kieran Andrews'I don't think President Trump should come to Scotland at all. He's not welcome here' Lorna Slater says Donald Trump should not get a second state visit to the UK. The @scottishgreens.org co-leader says he 'can't be trusted' because of the suspension of military aid to Ukraine
- Reposted by Kieran Andrews[Not loaded yet]
- Reposted by Kieran Andrews'I believe we will win the election next year' Anas Sarwar (@anassarwar.bsky.social) says he's not a gambler, but if he was he'd bet on Scottish Labour to win 2026 Holyrood election. Full interview on tonight's Scottish Labour conference programme: www.itv.com/news/border/...
- Labour promises every patient will be seen by a GP within 48 hours. Will it work? We ask the frontline UK government policies still hang over Scottish party. @gregoryhoare.bsky.social speaks to a nursery upping fees because of NI hike @representingborder.bsky.social www.itv.com/news/border/...
- ICYMI: Leo Varadkar says the US no longer “shares the same values” as Europe, so the EU should “strengthen relationship” with UK He also called for Brussels to be flexible on red lines and strike “bespoke” deal with Sir Keir Starmer
- EU should offer UK 'bespoke relationship' because of its 'size and importance', Leo Varadkar tells @kieranandrews.bsky.social. Former Taoiseach says there should be closer trade agreement. But not realistic to expect UK to rejoin single market & customs union #Brexit www.itv.com/news/border/...
- Full interview in the special programme from St Andrews University here t.co/60Mpcn2oQq
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsInteresting comments from former Irish Taoiseach on what form he thinks future EU / UK relationship should take. Full interview at this link, from about 11pm this evening: www.itv.com/news/border/...
- EU should offer UK 'bespoke relationship' because of its 'size and importance', Leo Varadkar tells @kieranandrews.bsky.social. Former Taoiseach says there should be closer trade agreement. But not realistic to expect UK to rejoin single market & customs union #Brexit www.itv.com/news/border/...
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsEU should offer UK 'bespoke relationship' because of its 'size and importance', Leo Varadkar tells @kieranandrews.bsky.social. Former Taoiseach says there should be closer trade agreement. But not realistic to expect UK to rejoin single market & customs union #Brexit www.itv.com/news/border/...
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsNEW: Leo Varadkar warns 'we don't have an America that shares the same values as us'. The former Irish Taoiseach calls for the EU and UK to 'strengthen' their relationship in light of Donald Trump's presidency. Exclusive interview: www.itv.com/news/border/...
- Reposted by Kieran Andrews'The public are entitled to have the full disclosure by US and British intelligence' Ex-justice secretary Kenny MacAskill calls for release of documents about Lockerbie bombing but says investigation was carried out correctly. SNP MSP Christine Grahame wants a public inquiry
- Ian Murray backs Sir Keir Starmer over Anas Sarwar in row over Waspi compensation payouts
- Scottish Secretary insists UK Gov decision not to compensate WASPI women was the 'right' one. @ianmurraymp.bsky.social tells @kieranandrews.bsky.social he 'fully understands' WASPIs are 'angry and frustrated' but does not address Scottish Labour leader @anassarwar.bsky.social's calls for a rethink
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsWhisky tariffs could be 'catastrophic' - Finance Secretary Shona Robison says Scottish Government is 'concerned' but 'optimistic' President Trump won't implement trade barriers.
- Reposted by Kieran Andrews[Not loaded yet]
- NEW: Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed that she and Peter Murrell, the former SNP chief executive, have separated
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsNEW: Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay says he 'personally would not use' Robert Jenrick's language about migrants. Mr Jenrick, UK shadow Justice Secretary, had referred to 'alien cultures' with 'medieval attitudes towards women', in the context of grooming gangs
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsNEW: 'I think the speed and intent of Government is the issue' Anas Sarwar (@anassarwar.bsky.social) insists the Scottish Government could mitigate the two-child benefit cap by this April, rather than next year. He tells @kieranandrews.bsky.social the UK DWP could administer payments if needed
- I could say you should watch my first @representingborder.bsky.social programme for the first @johnswinney.bsky.social interview of the year or for brilliant @graemeroy.bsky.social analysis But let’s be honest it’s to see @gregoryhoare.bsky.social do a handstand press up www.itv.com/news/border/...
- Analysis for @representingborder.bsky.social @itvnewspolitics.bsky.social Scottish budget showcases campaigning beginning on 2026 Holyrood election www.itv.com/news/border/...
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsDonald Trump mentioned his Scottish business interests in last month's phone call with John Swinney, the First Minister reveals. Mr Swinney says they did not discuss 'specifics' about tariffs, but did talk about the 'significance' of Scotland's whisky industry
- Reposted by Kieran AndrewsWhat is John Swinney's New Year's resolution? The First Minister tells @kieranandrews.bsky.social he will be running more, to support Doddie Aid. The challenge aims to raise funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, which was set up by Doddie Weir to improve the lives of people with MND
- Representing Border is now on Bluesky: please follow for all you need to know about Scottish politics and how it affects the South of Scotland bsky.app/profile/repr...
- EXC: Info commissioner tells ScotGov that in 3 year legal battle over docs about Nicola Sturgeon’s conduct during Alex Salmond inquiry, ministers - submitted “factual discrepancies” in evidence - delayed unwinnable case before misrepresenting facts to media www.foi.scot/corresponden...
- 📊 John Swinney is on course to command a pro-independence majority in Holyrood and lead the SNP into a third decade in power after a popular debut budget as first minister, according to the first poll since tax and spending plans were unveiled www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/...
- EXC: Police are conducting inquiries into allegations of inappropriate behaviour by the leader of Edinburgh city council Officers examining complaints against Labour’s Cammy Day have held interviews with a series of senior officials and politicians www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/...
- Trust in the Scottish government plunged in the 12 months before ministers dropped the question from annual national research, Scottish Household Survey finds Trust ScotGov: 45% (down 10 points) / Don't trust: 45% (up seven points) / Don't know: 10% www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/...
- These results are from Qs run through 2023. In April, The Times revealed that the trust questions had been dropped from the 2024 survey. The government said they would now be asked every other year to save 15 mins when carrying out interviews... www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/...
- EXC: Scottish government to receive £295m-£330m for public sector national insurance rise Money equivalent to spend in England but Scotland's public sector is proportionally bigger UKG source: "No more excuses" SG spox: "Risks damaging public services" www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/...
- There's an awards do going on but as is so often the case, the news has happened on the sidelines Stephen Flynn has ditched his bid to be an MP and MSP amid pressure from the upper echelons of the SNP www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/...
- Reposted by Kieran Andrews
[Not loaded yet] - Reposted by Kieran Andrews[Not loaded yet]
