Louise Wilson
@louisewilso.bsky.social
Political Editor ✍🏻 Holyrood magazine 🏴
Policy geek 🤓 Board game lover 🎲 Not-bad climber 🧗🏻♀️ Newbie crocheter 🧶
She/her
Policy geek 🤓 Board game lover 🎲 Not-bad climber 🧗🏻♀️ Newbie crocheter 🧶
She/her
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Louise Wilson
@louisewilso.bsky.social
· Nov 20
Grangemouth: 'We could still clutch victory.... but you need to hurry up'
The failure to ensure a just transition at Grangemouth has caused alarm. But not all hope is lost
www.holyrood.com
I've written extensively for @holyroodmag.bsky.social about the failures and gaps at Grangemouth, and the wider transition. Much of this also applies to Mossmorran.
Latest here & in most recent mag: www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Latest here & in most recent mag: www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reposted by Louise Wilson
After the Pisa results and two bleak reports on colleges and universities, the government response to all this damning evidence of an ignored portfolio has been lacking.
Me for the latest @holyroodmag.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Me for the latest @holyroodmag.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
The failures in education could be just as damaging as failing to fix the NHS
The government response to damning evidence of an ignored portfolio has been lacking
www.holyrood.com
September 17, 2026 at 9:13 AM
After the Pisa results and two bleak reports on colleges and universities, the government response to all this damning evidence of an ignored portfolio has been lacking.
Me for the latest @holyroodmag.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Me for the latest @holyroodmag.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Reposted by Louise Wilson
No part of the system is working as it should, contrary to government claims about the emphasis it places on providing a good education. www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
The failures in education could be just as damaging as failing to fix the NHS
The government response to damning evidence of an ignored portfolio has been lacking
www.holyrood.com
September 17, 2026 at 9:12 AM
No part of the system is working as it should, contrary to government claims about the emphasis it places on providing a good education. www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
After the Pisa results and two bleak reports on colleges and universities, the government response to all this damning evidence of an ignored portfolio has been lacking.
Me for the latest @holyroodmag.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Me for the latest @holyroodmag.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
The failures in education could be just as damaging as failing to fix the NHS
The government response to damning evidence of an ignored portfolio has been lacking
www.holyrood.com
September 17, 2026 at 9:13 AM
After the Pisa results and two bleak reports on colleges and universities, the government response to all this damning evidence of an ignored portfolio has been lacking.
Me for the latest @holyroodmag.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Me for the latest @holyroodmag.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Reposted by Louise Wilson
Each portfolio area has some significant issues that will require addressing over the next five years, says @louisewilso.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
This new parliament must tackle the mounting issues across Scotland’s public services
Each portfolio has some significant issues that will require addressing over the next five years
www.holyrood.com
September 1, 2026 at 8:22 AM
Each portfolio area has some significant issues that will require addressing over the next five years, says @louisewilso.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
"The decisions this government must make over the next five years will be the difference between a functioning Scotland... and a Scotland that buckles. It is, quite simply, that serious." www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
John Swinney's government must make difficult and unpopular decisions
Ivan McKee and Jenny Gilruth must be brave enough to be able to call one another out when their natural instincts kick i...
www.holyrood.com
September 1, 2026 at 8:38 AM
"The decisions this government must make over the next five years will be the difference between a functioning Scotland... and a Scotland that buckles. It is, quite simply, that serious." www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
"Each portfolio has some significant issues that will require addressing over the next five years if Scotland’s public services are to remain on a sustainable footing."
My look at what's on the agenda this session and what the PfG today must start to address. www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
My look at what's on the agenda this session and what the PfG today must start to address. www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
This new parliament must tackle the mounting issues across Scotland’s public services
Each portfolio has some significant issues that will require addressing over the next five years
www.holyrood.com
September 1, 2026 at 8:38 AM
"Each portfolio has some significant issues that will require addressing over the next five years if Scotland’s public services are to remain on a sustainable footing."
My look at what's on the agenda this session and what the PfG today must start to address. www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
My look at what's on the agenda this session and what the PfG today must start to address. www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reposted by Louise Wilson
I spoke to him as a fresh report comes out demonstrating the extent of the funding gap facing Scottish universities each year.
It hit £200m in 2023/24, and is expected to go up again for 2024/25 due to a fall in overseas students www.holyrood.com/news/view,bl...
It hit £200m in 2023/24, and is expected to go up again for 2024/25 due to a fall in overseas students www.holyrood.com/news/view,bl...
‘Bleak’ and ‘unsustainable’: Funding gap puts universities under significant strain, report warns
Institutions collectively recorded a £200m deficit in 2023/24
www.holyrood.com
August 28, 2026 at 9:06 AM
I spoke to him as a fresh report comes out demonstrating the extent of the funding gap facing Scottish universities each year.
It hit £200m in 2023/24, and is expected to go up again for 2024/25 due to a fall in overseas students www.holyrood.com/news/view,bl...
It hit £200m in 2023/24, and is expected to go up again for 2024/25 due to a fall in overseas students www.holyrood.com/news/view,bl...
Reposted by Louise Wilson
“If there isn’t public subsidy, then Scotland will not have a role in driving its economy through innovation and through research, which is not a good basis for any economic or industrial strategy.”
Anton Muscatelli in why funding for unis is so crucial www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Anton Muscatelli in why funding for unis is so crucial www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Anton Muscatelli: Universities are in a fragile state – MSPs must not play political football
In an exclusive Holyrood interview, the former Glasgow University chancellor says not enough resources are being put int...
www.holyrood.com
August 28, 2026 at 9:04 AM
“If there isn’t public subsidy, then Scotland will not have a role in driving its economy through innovation and through research, which is not a good basis for any economic or industrial strategy.”
Anton Muscatelli in why funding for unis is so crucial www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Anton Muscatelli in why funding for unis is so crucial www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
“If there isn’t public subsidy, then Scotland will not have a role in driving its economy through innovation and through research, which is not a good basis for any economic or industrial strategy.”
Anton Muscatelli in why funding for unis is so crucial www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Anton Muscatelli in why funding for unis is so crucial www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Anton Muscatelli: Universities are in a fragile state – MSPs must not play political football
In an exclusive Holyrood interview, the former Glasgow University chancellor says not enough resources are being put int...
www.holyrood.com
August 28, 2026 at 9:04 AM
“If there isn’t public subsidy, then Scotland will not have a role in driving its economy through innovation and through research, which is not a good basis for any economic or industrial strategy.”
Anton Muscatelli in why funding for unis is so crucial www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Anton Muscatelli in why funding for unis is so crucial www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reposted by Louise Wilson
Ferguson Marine CEO Graeme Thomson said the job cuts were needed due to an “inevitable gap in workload”. www.holyrood.com/news/view,up...
Up to 70 job losses expected at beleaguered shipyard
The CEO of Ferguson Marine said redundancies were needed due to an ‘inevitable gap in workload’
www.holyrood.com
August 18, 2026 at 10:08 AM
Ferguson Marine CEO Graeme Thomson said the job cuts were needed due to an “inevitable gap in workload”. www.holyrood.com/news/view,up...
I also thought this was a fascinating read by George Thorley, on behalf of the Mercat Group of former council chief executives.
"England is currently achieving a major reorganisation of local government at a pace and without the rancour that previous attempts to create unitary authorities has faced.
"Yet in Scotland, the reverse process has been the case." www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
"Yet in Scotland, the reverse process has been the case." www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Elected mayors – of value or a distraction?
Scottish mayors would be pointless unless accompanied by a substantial simplification of the public sector
www.holyrood.com
August 12, 2026 at 9:52 AM
I also thought this was a fascinating read by George Thorley, on behalf of the Mercat Group of former council chief executives.
Wrote this for the last mag after Burnham's first speech. With No 10 North now up and running, it's worth thinking about what this might mean further north.
Scottish local government needs more than a mirror of Manchester’s mayor www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Scottish local government needs more than a mirror of Manchester’s mayor
The centralisation of power in Scotland is simply a fact, with devolution not going much beyond parliament
www.holyrood.com
August 12, 2026 at 9:51 AM
Wrote this for the last mag after Burnham's first speech. With No 10 North now up and running, it's worth thinking about what this might mean further north.
Reposted by Louise Wilson
Restore Britain's Rupert Lowe has been heavily criticised after referring to the 1996 Dunblane massacre as "one murder" during a conversation about gun control on Joe Rogan's podcast www.holyrood.com/news/view,ru...
Rupert Lowe dismisses Dunblane school massacre as ‘one murder’
Rupert Lowe's comments have been described as “insulting” and “despicable” by local politicians
www.holyrood.com
July 9, 2026 at 10:16 AM
Restore Britain's Rupert Lowe has been heavily criticised after referring to the 1996 Dunblane massacre as "one murder" during a conversation about gun control on Joe Rogan's podcast www.holyrood.com/news/view,ru...
Hahahaha well I don't hold out much hope of England beating Mexico, if I'm honest.
I am not watching the football because I have things on tonight, but am I to understand it is all going swimmingly and to plan for England? 😂
July 1, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Hahahaha well I don't hold out much hope of England beating Mexico, if I'm honest.
I am not watching the football because I have things on tonight, but am I to understand it is all going swimmingly and to plan for England? 😂
July 1, 2026 at 4:26 PM
I am not watching the football because I have things on tonight, but am I to understand it is all going swimmingly and to plan for England? 😂
"If you can change somebody’s life that fraction, it does major things for them. It gives them hope. It gives them a sense of achievement, even. And it gives them a bit of self-worth, knowing that somebody listened to them and somebody helped them." www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Money 'not being spent in the right places' to tackle child poverty
Despite the flagship Scottish Child Payment, one in five children in Scotland are still living in poverty. What more can...
www.holyrood.com
June 29, 2026 at 4:00 PM
"If you can change somebody’s life that fraction, it does major things for them. It gives them hope. It gives them a sense of achievement, even. And it gives them a bit of self-worth, knowing that somebody listened to them and somebody helped them." www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reposted by Louise Wilson
Deplorable language is just one part of a climate that enables racism to flourish, says @louisewilso.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Deplorable language is just one part of a climate that enables racism to flourish
Language like ‘strangers’ and ‘fighting-age men’ should be called out, but it is not this alone that is creating divisio...
www.holyrood.com
June 29, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Deplorable language is just one part of a climate that enables racism to flourish, says @louisewilso.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Reposted by Louise Wilson
“Inequality is important because it is psychologically harmful to grow up in a society where you know that you’re being left behind,” @davehawkey.bsky.social quoted in this nuanced article on child poverty by @louisewilso.bsky.social in Holyrood Magazine.
www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Money 'not being spent in the right places' to tackle child poverty
Despite the flagship Scottish Child Payment, one in five children in Scotland are still living in poverty. What more can...
www.holyrood.com
June 29, 2026 at 10:39 AM
“Inequality is important because it is psychologically harmful to grow up in a society where you know that you’re being left behind,” @davehawkey.bsky.social quoted in this nuanced article on child poverty by @louisewilso.bsky.social in Holyrood Magazine.
www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
"I understand why many people are so angry that they would turn out to protest. But let’s be clear: none of this is the fault of immigrants."
My latest column for @holyroodmag.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
My latest column for @holyroodmag.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Deplorable language is just one part of a climate that enables racism to flourish
Language like ‘strangers’ and ‘fighting-age men’ should be called out, but it is not this alone that is creating divisio...
www.holyrood.com
June 25, 2026 at 4:23 PM
"I understand why many people are so angry that they would turn out to protest. But let’s be clear: none of this is the fault of immigrants."
My latest column for @holyroodmag.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
My latest column for @holyroodmag.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
This is a really excellent report from @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social on swimming, pools and govt commitments. Well worth a read, imo. www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Staying afloat: If Scotland's getting free swimming lessons, it needs pools too
Gourock Outdoor Swimming Pool is open rain or shine, but many venues face a battle to remain open
www.holyrood.com
June 25, 2026 at 4:22 PM
This is a really excellent report from @kirsteenpaterson.bsky.social on swimming, pools and govt commitments. Well worth a read, imo. www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...
Reposted by Louise Wilson
I was sickened to see the race-related attacks that happened in my city, writes @louisewilso.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
Deplorable language is just one part of a climate that enables racism to flourish
Language like ‘strangers’ and ‘fighting-age men’ should be called out, but it is not this alone that is creating divisio...
www.holyrood.com
June 25, 2026 at 9:03 AM
I was sickened to see the race-related attacks that happened in my city, writes @louisewilso.bsky.social www.holyrood.com/comment/view...
The pollen count. It's simply too high.
June 24, 2026 at 7:20 AM
The pollen count. It's simply too high.
🥱
Jeezo, this is some boring football
June 23, 2026 at 10:00 PM
🥱
Jeezo, this is some boring football
June 23, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Jeezo, this is some boring football
See also: advice from a ginger.
How to stay cool in a heatwave: advice from a mushroom
1. Lurk in the dark
2. Avoid direct sunlight
3. Avoid indirect sunlight
4. Okay just avoid all sunlight
5. Remember the lurking
1. Lurk in the dark
2. Avoid direct sunlight
3. Avoid indirect sunlight
4. Okay just avoid all sunlight
5. Remember the lurking
June 23, 2026 at 3:12 PM
See also: advice from a ginger.