The fallout continues after the attempted assassination of former president, Donald Trump, at a campaign rally on Saturday. Scottish political leaders joined other global leaders to condemn the attack (£). The shooting is expected to inflame an already highly fraught election campaign and will likely feature as the centrepiece of the Republican National Convention, which kicks off today.
Back across the pond, many down south will be starting their week on a disappointed note after England lost to Spain in last night’s men’s European Football Championship.
Later this week the new UK government will outline its legislative agenda via the King’s speech on Wednesday, which will deliver around 35 new bills including the promised housebuilding and workers’ rights bill. This regulatory blitz will also include the return of Rishi Sunak’s smoking ban, which was lost in the pre-election wash-up.
Meanwhile, the Conservative party continues soul-searching following its crushing general election defeat, with Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen warning against a protracted leadership battle.
A plethora of ousted MPs are looking for their next gig, with The Sunday Times reporting more than 20 former SNP MPs are preparing to stand for Holyrood (£) in 2026. The prospect concerns party insiders who fear protracted internal warfare could spill out into the open as the party attempts to right the ship ahead of the critical vote.
In case you missed it, last week’s View from the Street from partner Tom Gillingham, explores the honeymoon period between the UK and Scottish Government as the two look to repair relations.
In brief - Scotland's economy and business
-
As part of its series on the housing emergency, The Herald reported on new data (£) from Homes for Scotland, which revealed around 5,000 new homes, of which 1,800 would have been affordable, have been stalled because of the Scottish Government’s cut to the affordable housing budget. The majority of the stalled builds are within local authorities that have declared a housing emergency.
-
Members of Unite have agreed to an improved pay offer for staff at Glasgow and Aberdeen airports, ending the threat of strikes during the summer season.
-
Changing work patterns have seen Edinburgh occupiers stay put rather than taking up new office space, according to figures from Knight Frank. Businesses are renegotiating deals rather than striking new lease agreements.
- Introducing regional pricing could give Scots the cheapest energy in Europe, according to Octopus Energy boss Greg Jackson. Speaking yesterday to Laura Kuenssberg, Jackson also called for “really rapid action” to upgrade grid connectivity across the UK.
OpinioNation - columns of interest
-
Writing in The Herald, newly appointed secretary of state for Scotland, Ian Murray calls for a relationship reset (£) between Scotland and the UK.
-
Brian Wilson looks at the challenges (£) facing Chris Stark in his new government role, managing the “mission control” to clean power, in The Scotsman. Meanwhile, Jeremy Grant makes the case (£) for greater investment in wind generation and port infrastructure.
-
A shout-out goes to recent episodes of the Expert Factor podcast, for its analysis of the complex policy landscape awaiting the new UK government. The recent episode on housing, featuring former UK government advisor Toby Lloyd, offers particular insight.
- A further recommendation goes to Past Present Future, from Cambridge academic David Runciman. His series on both UK General Elections and The Great Political Fictions are both well worth a listen.
The week ahead – fill your diary with key events
N.B. Holyrood is in recess until 1 September.
Monday
- Republican National Convention commences in Milwaukee
- Rightmove housing index published for July
- Presidential and parliamentary elections to take place in Rwanda
- Parliamentary elections to take place in Syria
Tuesday
-
In the Westminster chamber
- Members of parliament are sworn in
- G7 trade ministers to meet in Italy
- Lord Ashcroft’s book on leadership hopeful Kemi Badenoch is due to be published
- Register of political donations published
Wednesday
-
In the Westminster chamber
- State opening of parliament
- King’s speech delivered, outlining the government’s policy agenda for the coming parliament
- Adjournment: adequacy of health services in rural areas
- Monthly inflation figures published by the Bank of England
- Prime minister, Keir Starmer, to meet Irish Taoiseach, Simon Harris, continuing his post-election diplomatic tour
Thursday
- Prime minister, Keir Starmer, to host a meeting of the European political community at Blenheim palace, Oxford
-
Scottish Government publications
- Labour market trends: July 2024
- In the Westminster chamber
- MPs debate the new government’s legislative agenda
- Adjournment: adequacy of the Scotland act 1998
- Final day of the Republican National Convention
- Labour market statistics published
Friday
- Former Liberal Democrat leader, Jo Swinson, to appear in front of the post office inquiry
- BBC prom season to kick off
Saturday
- 55th anniversary of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walking on the moon
Sunday
- Tour de France to conclude in Monaco