SNP MP Stewart McDonald writes for The Scotsman every week, and his analysis is always worth reading. Today on scotsman.com he calls for the SNP to redefine its role in the independence movement.

scotsman.com/news/opinion/c…

The benefits of Brexit just never stop.

If John Swinney can be persuaded to run as leader he will have my full support. His gravitas and seriousness make him head and shoulders above our opponents. More importantly, he can lead a renewal of the big electoral coalition of voters we need. Less continuity, more security.

Well that didn’t take long. We will make no progress - in fact we will go backwards - if an honest assessment of where we are and an equally honest debate about how we get to independence, descends into shouts of betrayal. Thankfully The SNP I know is bigger and better than that.

25 years ago today a neo-nazi terrorist entered the Admiral Duncan and planted a nail bomb. It was an attack so violent that it’s difficult to comprehend and we remember the victims today. A quarter of a century later and this iconic pub still stands in the heart of Soho 🏳️‍🌈

🗞️ Independence is cemented as a mainstream idea in Scotland, but is it ‘frustratingly close’? Only with an honest analysis of the political hurdles we face, combined with a ‘whole of Scotland’ approach to government, can we start to better our prospects.

Me, in The Scotsman,

I’ve written a short article for tomorrow’s edition of The Scotsman on how the new leader should shape The SNP for the changed world we’re in and the challenges of the future. A ‘whole of Scotland’ approach can modernise, reinvigorate and strengthen our party of multitudes.

I’m sorry to see Humza Yousaf’s time as FM come to an end this way. There will be plenty to say in the coming days about the way forward for The SNP, but for now I thank him for stepping up and being a dedicated public servant for the country and party he loves 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

This is what The SNP does in government.

I’ve got to laugh. A once big political figure who is rightly criticised for his association with Russia’s global propaganda channel is reduced to slagging me off for *checks notes* doing a summer season abroad 15 years ago when I was 22. Crack on, big man. You do you 😂

Not a joke.

I’ll no’ be a lightweight after this 😉

Never a question we could do a deal with Salmond - a former host on RT. It would go down like a bucket of cold sick with voters and be met with horror in European capitals. To cut a deal with such a figure as Russian bombs thud into Ukraine would be reputation shredding.

Lovely night celebrating our nephew’s 18th birthday. Never felt so ancient, but what a joy to spend time with such a fabulous young guy and talented musician 🎻

🏡 Every family deserves somewhere to call home and that’s why the SNP Scottish Gov’t has announced bold new plans to increase the number of affordable homes.

👇 While the other parties play political games, we’re delivering for the people of Scotland. snp.org/from-tackling-…

After a tumultuous week, here are my observations on how we should move forward thenational.scot/politics/24282…

Happy #LesbianVisibilityWeek 🌈💜

'begins' he says.