Mike Russell, currently at the centre of controversy over his appointment as chair of the Scottish Land Commission, hit the political big stage during Scotland’s first ever SNP administration under Alex Salmond, whom, in turn, Mike had previously seen into office as Salmond’s campaign manager.
In 2007 he was appointed as Minister for Environment, then in 2009 he became the Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution, and his conventional ministerial career concluded when he went on to replace Fiona Hyslop as Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning until the end of 2014.
Following the 2014 independence vote, the pre-referendum era ended with Salmond’s dignified (albeit temporary) stage exit; Nicola Sturgeon took the helm and began to reform what had been left to her by her predecessor.
A core pillar of Sturgeon’s centrist reform was the construction of an almost entirely opaque ivory tower of power from which both SNP and the state would run their covert affairs with subversive, centralizing, strong-arm granularity, cleverly camouflaging its sinister implications from the public through cult-of-personality media management.
Instrumental in this, among a very few select others, was Mike Russell.
It’s rather apt that this happened on the last day of the calendar. Because it truly is the rock-bottom moment in the grotesquely sullied history of the Scottish National Party.
We’ve heard that line somewhere before, haven’t we?
So, just a quick one, because we’ve got Christmas shopping to do:
Since continuing to fight for the GRR was famously a “red line” for the Scottish Greens in terms of the Bute House Agreeement, do we think that the Greens will now withdraw from the governing coalition, sacrifice their ministerial cars and salaries and influence, and return to the back benches for the next two and a half years until they can try to form an alliance with Labour?
Lorncal on Search And Replace: “James: I have checked those cases, and none of them appears to be applicable to this case. In each case,…” Jul 7, 15:45
Skip_NC on The Interests Of The Many: “So nobody bothered to spend a few quid a year maintaining the domain? How stupid is that? Perhaps more pertinently…” Jul 7, 15:35
100%Yes on The Interests Of The Many: “When the greedy fear the loss of there own money, that’s when the rats start turning on each other its…” Jul 7, 15:10
Ian Smith on The Interests Of The Many: “Even if there was a technical route for a court order, the court would do everything in its power to…” Jul 7, 15:10
Andrew F on The Interests Of The Many: “Love how the link for ref.scot in the first paragraph under “The Defender’s Fundraising Representations” takes you to an online…” Jul 7, 15:06
MP on The Interests Of The Many: “Yes – but if there is no criminal prosecution they can buy off the Civil Case, which is why I…” Jul 7, 15:04
100%Yes on The Interests Of The Many: “Nigel Farage resigns as MP forcing by-election in his own seat.” Jul 7, 14:55
barelybare on The Interests Of The Many: “This is great, and R.E.S.P.E.C.T. for your work. However, I wonder how many people you’ll get to join. One problem…” Jul 7, 14:51
BH on The Interests Of The Many: “Jesus. No wonder I didn’t get into law school. I can tell they nicked the lolly though.” Jul 7, 14:31
100%Yes on The Interests Of The Many: “After all the lies, I honestly can’t wait to see their defense.” Jul 7, 14:18
barelybare on The Interests Of The Many: “https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/07/marine-le-pen-doubt-presidential-election-electronic-tag-france “The Paris court decided that Le Pen, 57, had played a central role in orchestrating a fake-jobs scam of…” Jul 7, 14:16
100%Yes on The Interests Of The Many: “The death of the SNP doesn’t stop Independence it allows us to get behind a party who’s only goal is…” Jul 7, 14:13
Captain Caveman on Search And Replace: “Oh, and “English Nationalist”? Hilarious. I’m not the one calling for English independence, nor claiming genetic superiority over other Britons…” Jul 7, 14:11
100%Yes on The Interests Of The Many: “The SNP made the party about Nicola and gave up on Indyref2. Humza could have come in stated I’m calling…” Jul 7, 14:05
fillofficer on The Interests Of The Many: “the more fronts that they’re fighting on, the better karma go stu” Jul 7, 14:02
James on The Interests Of The Many: “I know you are probably not a believer, but God bless you Stuart, for doing this. I honestly believe that…” Jul 7, 13:57
Andrew scott on The Interests Of The Many: “Great stuff Get out of this swinney and crew” Jul 7, 13:45
robertkknight on The Interests Of The Many: ““Let justice be done, though the heavens fall” The cause of Indy has been in a moribund state for a…” Jul 7, 13:37
100%Yes on The Interests Of The Many: “Now its clear the SNP and its leader will have to answer the awkward questions the press has been unable…” Jul 7, 13:36
Captain Caveman on Search And Replace: “Duh, you’re thick aren’t you Sam? Dan was talking about (relatively) SMALL cars like the modern, present day Mini being…” Jul 7, 13:29
sarah on The Interests Of The Many: “John Tamson – as in all Jock Tamson’s bairns? Very good. 🙂” Jul 7, 13:11
Lorncal on Search And Replace: “What do you mean, sarah, we can do nothing? Of course we can. Yes, undoubtedly, we need independence, but going…” Jul 7, 13:03
Rev. Stuart Campbell on The Interests Of The Many: “No. Returning the money doesn’t get you out of embezzlement. The crime is committed when you spend it.” Jul 7, 13:00
Jeremy Wickins on The Interests Of The Many: “I contributed to the first fundraiser, but I checked my emails yesterday, and I’ve obviously deleted the acknowledgement. Not to…” Jul 7, 12:58
Blackhack on The Interests Of The Many: “If I ever get a rottweiler, I’m going to name it Stuart” Jul 7, 12:47
sam on Search And Replace: “The English nationalist can’t engage in a debate without abuse. Big cars do cause problems. Big cars come with big…” Jul 7, 12:44
