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Kevin McKenna

Kevin McKenna

Herald Scotland

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From cynic to superfan: How Glasgow’s 2026 opening ceremony melted my jaded heart

From cynic to superfan: How Glasgow’s 2026 opening ceremony melted my jaded heart

It’s around 10pm on the Broomielaw and two young African lads are taking pictures of each other looking over the river near the Bell’s Bridge....

24.07.2026 10

Herald Scotland

Kevin McKenna

Scotland betrayed once more by Scottish Labour and their supine 'leader' Sarwar

Scotland betrayed once more by Scottish Labour and their supine 'leader' Sarwar

It became clear on Tuesday afternoon how little Scottish politics now matters. At no other time since the birth of devolution have the nation’s...

22.07.2026 10

Herald Scotland

Kevin McKenna

Rough sleeping, regeneration and ‘Manchesterism’: the truth about Andy Burnham’s rise

Rough sleeping, regeneration and ‘Manchesterism’: the truth about Andy Burnham’s rise

Andy Burnham’s meteoric rise to the top of British politics reminds me of Billy Connolly’s 1974 masterpiece, The Crucifixion. In this, Mr Connolly...

20.07.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Kevin McKenna

Argentina’s Falklands banner and why politics will never be kicked out of football

Argentina’s Falklands banner and why politics will never be kicked out of football

When Fifa say they want to stop political messaging in football, it’s like political parties seeking to kick out lying. No-one can question their...

19.07.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Kevin McKenna

'I wonder if the Government might consider harms to us advancing codgers too'

Among my best-loved poems is The Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock by TS Eliot. I first read this work when I was 17 as a means of closing the quality...

16.07.2026 10

Herald Scotland

Kevin McKenna

Ann Widdecombe's death exposes a toxic intolerance towards Christian beliefs

Some of the reactions to Ann Widdecombe’s death last week showed that she was deeply admired across English society but there were some who hated...

14.07.2026 10

Herald Scotland

Kevin McKenna

Nigel Farage’s Clacton by-election stunt could backfire as Count Binface takes him on

It’s highly unlikely that Count Binface would ever consider standing for Holyrood. The inter-galactic politician is one of the two main creatures...

08.07.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Kevin McKenna

Forget the fancy-dan football. Let's showcase the authentic Scottish experience

Those churls who said that the World Cup’s expanded format would devalue it have all been proved wrong. Instead, the participation of nations like...

07.07.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Kevin McKenna

The SNP still fears Kate Forbes and loathes all that she stands for

Almost a year after the Deputy First Minister announced she’d be quitting politics, her Christianity and integrity continue to trigger civic...

01.07.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Kevin McKenna

Steve Clarke showed class by stepping down. If only our politicians could do the same

In the end, it wouldn’t have mattered if Scotland had stuck three or four goals past Haiti in their opening World Cup game, we were still returning...

29.06.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Kevin McKenna

By-election blues as SNP finally pays the price for treating us all like mugs

So many by-elections; one big winner; many losers. Who knows if Andy Burnham’s success at Makerfield will see him evict Sir Keir Starmer from 10...

19.06.2026 30

Herald Scotland

Kevin McKenna

Scottish Labour could die tomorrow - and would anyone even notice?

Today’s Westminster by-elections in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry and Aberdeen South could see Scottish Labour sink to a new historic low. Nothing...

18.06.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Kevin McKenna

Does any country have as many opportunists running its affairs as Scotland?

I feel that we need to show some gratitude to our political class for showcasing Scotland as a land of opportunity. In the last week this has been...

16.06.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Kevin McKenna

Belfast and Glasgow unrest shows what happens when Britain dehumanises refugees

The violent unrest following Monday’s stabbing in Belfast has led to a wave of attacks. But our politicians, both left and right, should have seen...

13.06.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

Scotland are back at the World Cup but I miss the beautiful violence of football past

The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts tomorrow and Scotland have finally made it after a 28-year absence. Sadly, our wretched history at this level is full...

11.06.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

It's not just Peter Murrell who has form for manipulating and abusing power

In Scotland’s artisan, cycle-lane neighbourhoods where jeopardy only lurks in changing bin-collection times, they talk occasionally of livelier...

09.06.2026 20

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

‘We won’t show we’re Jewish’: fear and silence in Scotland’s once-safe haven

The smartphone footage is shocking enough, had it been recorded anywhere else in the world. The fact of it occurring on a Saturday afternoon on...

08.06.2026 30

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

The dream of indy is dying. Only the fall of Swinney & co can revive it

You’re tempted to reach for the wisdom of Winston Churchill when seeking to comprehend the events of the last seven days in Scottish politics. In...

02.06.2026 30

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

A Greek tragedy in three acts: Nicola Sturgeon, Peter Murrell, and the SNP's ruin

You can choose your own analogy from history and mythology to portray what’s befallen Nicola Sturgeon, her estranged husband, Peter Murrell and the...

30.05.2026 50

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

‘Didnae know’? Why SNP leaders’ defence over Peter Murrell doesn’t stack up

Earlier today, the oil giant BP removed its chairperson, Albert Manifold. The company’s board said it had “serious concerns” about “important...

26.05.2026 40

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

You'd have hoped that Holyrood would have grown up by now. You'd be wrong

Until this year, every Scottish and UK election I’ve covered has been characterised by one or two dominant themes. These are issues that have cut...

25.05.2026 30

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

Many Celtic executives have lived comfortably off the deeds of Lisbon Lion legends

Jim Craig’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis has ignited reflections on football’s emotional power, memory, identity and the lifelong bond between clubs,...

24.05.2026 30

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

The Scottish Parliament has just proved it is soft in the head. Again

How refreshing it was to learn this week that Jack McConnell has been appointed advisor to the UK Government on soft power and major events. The...

21.05.2026 40

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

Welcome to Make-Believe Britain the land of bread, circuses and the royals

Many are the ways by which Britain’s elites seek to promote a sense of unity and common identity. Their favoured go-to messengers in this pursuit...

19.05.2026 30

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

Hearts' shot at the title against Celtic will be heard around the world

On Wednesday night at Fir Park, home of Motherwell FC, an incident occurred which seems destined for the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg,...

15.05.2026 40

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

Bond markets, champagne receptions and 24/7 poverty: Labour’s Scottish meltdown

As the siege of Sir Keir Starmer has proceeded, the failures of Labour’s Scottish leadership have escaped scrutiny. When do the members start to...

14.05.2026 40

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

Swinney’s move to lock out Reform is cheap and pathetic gesture politics

The First Minister was wrong to state that he’ll exclude Reform UK from his cross-party discussions about Scotland’s political priorities, argues...

12.05.2026 30

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

Well Anas, you learned that Labour does not speak for Scotland's most impoverished

Labour’s Holyrood collapse exposed a deeper failure to reconnect with Scotland’s working-class communities, leaving political outsiders to exploit...

10.05.2026 40

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

'I’ve been touring these constituencies for 10 years — why don’t they vote?'

Some absurd choreography now clings to these big election counts. At the Emirates Arena in Glasgow among the muffled cheers bringing news of an...

08.05.2026 40

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

They are like twins: Reform and the Greens are the two ugly sisters of politics

A howl of righteous indignation from the right-wing commentariat rose to defend Malcolm Offord last week after he’d crowed about the extent of his...

05.05.2026 50

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

Inside the Catholic church hall where Scotland’s most apathetic election came to life

Seven Holyrood elections have been held in the devolved era and this one seems to have been the least engaging of them all. On social media and among...

30.04.2026 50

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

'You are part of the media elite': The night pro-Palestinian protesters ambushed me

The Palestinian protester spotted me near the Signet library on Edinburgh’s Parliament Square. Some old and familiar insults tumbled forth. “When...

29.04.2026 40

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

Round up the wildlife and ban golf: let Scottish Greens give us the dystopia we need

During the Holyrood election campaign, the Scottish Greens have been criticised for seeking to ban greyhound racing, horse-racing and Donald Trump’s...

28.04.2026 30

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

Lanarkshire’s quiet battleground: Geraldine at No12 and the fight for Labour’s soul

Geraldine at Number 12 tells us very politely that she doesn’t know much about politics and so can’t really say how she’ll be voting on May 7 at...

25.04.2026 40

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

They may be posh but Sir Keir and the English elite have no class

In the post-war chronicles of those who’ve occupied 10 Downing Street, all human failings – and a few vices – have been evident in their...

23.04.2026 50

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

This election is a clown show, and the clowns are laughing at us

Ms Mackay, in turn, endorsed the credentials of Mr Greer, (aka: the Bearsden Bolshevist), to be Finance Secretary. She said Mr Greer would make “a...

21.04.2026 50

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

Farage's friends: Political elite of SNP and Labour is to blame for Reform's rise

As Labour in Scotland face yet another election humiliation they should have been in Aberdeen on Monday night to listen to the voices of those who...

16.04.2026 40

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

Donald Trump versus the Pope: I know which side I am on

Pope Leo XIV has recently intensified his condemnation of war and the rhetoric of might is right. It’s now drawn an angry response from the American...

13.04.2026 50

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

Abolishing prisons in Scotland : a mad idea or a missed opportunity?

Kate Nevens was laughed out of the room for suggesting Scotland abolish prisons. But before we all clutch the keys to the cells, it’s worth asking...

09.04.2026 40

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

A failing parliament and a flourishing lobbying class: Scotland’s election reality

As dozens of MSPs prepare to exit Holyrood, scrutiny grows over lobbying links, stalled legislation and a political culture sinking deeper into...

02.04.2026 50

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

Malcolm Offord stirs the dregs as Reform UK targets Glasgow’s poorest in Shettleston

In a race to the bottom, what happens when you already occupy this place? At a press event in Shettleston this morning, in the east end of Glasgow,...

01.04.2026 40

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

This election isn’t about independence for the SNP. It’s about the gravy train

Saturday’s march for independence was noticeably thinner than previous ones. Perhaps even the SNP's diehard supporters aren’t being kidded by...

31.03.2026 40

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

Frankly speaking: Nicola Sturgeon and the dream that once was Scotland

Last week, Nicola Sturgeon delivered her farewell speech at Holyrood. She’s also hinted that she wants to update last year’s memoirs with a fresh...

24.03.2026 40

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

'Holyrood Assisted Dying debate was sickening display of narcissistic exceptionalism'

The Scottish Parliament voted firmly last night to reject Liam McArthur’s Assisted Dying bill. It’s the third time legislation such as this has...

18.03.2026 50

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

Can anyone save us from America's three donkeys of the apocalypse?

As the Iran war enters its third week, there is still no defined US strategy or future planning for the region, laments Herald columnist Kevin McKenna...

17.03.2026 40

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

Mum’s the word when it comes to Celtic, Catholicism and the SNP

I TELL people sometimes how I long for the day when Maureen, my 87-year-old mum will stop offering detailed critiques of my articles. But they know I...

15.03.2026 40

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

Glasgow's historic buildings 'are being demolished too hastily'

On Tuesday morning, they had gathered at the corner of Glasgow's Gordon Street and West Regent Street to bear witness to the final agonies of the...

14.03.2026 60

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

After Old Firm shame game, I'm so cross about my fellow Catholics

Following the Glasgow Derby on Sunday, some Celtic fans were seen making the Sign of the Cross. Ahead of Saturday’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in...

12.03.2026 70

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

Does Glasgow City Council have the will to restore this building to previous glory?

The fire which destroyed the Union Corner building has caused great pain across Glasgow and beyond. It’s important that the city council does...

10.03.2026 70

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna

In a normal world, Anas Sarwar would certainly have fighting chance of becoming FM

The most persistently delusional myth in modern UK politics was evident once more in the aftermath of the Gorton & Denton by-election. Thus, the...

01.03.2026 50

Herald Scotland

Kevin Mckenna