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Lulu and Nicola Sturgeon are pulling for Glasgow to host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023. The BBC has unveiled the shortlist of potential locations in the running with the Scottish city leading the way as favourite over Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester , Sheffield and Newcastle. The seven cities have emerged as candidates for next year’s competition after it was decided that 2022 winners Ukraine wouldn’t be able to host . Responding to the news after the shortlist was unveiled, Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: ‘It’s got to be Glasgow! #Eurovision #TeamGlasgow’ She could get her wish, with Ladbrokes revealing Glasgow has is the current favourite with odds of 11/8, while Birmingham (2/1) and Liverpool (5/1) are closely behind. The three cities are a fair way ahead of Manchester and Leeds (10/1) with Newcastle (12/1) and Sheffield (33/1) not too likely, according to the bookies. Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: ‘Nicola Sturgeon’s … [Read more...] about Glasgow huge favourite to host Eurovision 2023 as Nicola Sturgeon declares: ‘It’s got to be here!’

During his premiership, Gordon Brown found it more difficult than his immediate predecessor to form cross-party alliances or forge initiatives that enjoyed bipartisan support. Undoubtedly it was his upbringing in the Scottish Labour movement that inculcated in him a deep, tribal animosity towards any opposing political party, particularly the Conservatives. Incumbered by this weakness in government, he brought it with him into civilian life when he left politics altogether in 2015. It’s not difficult to see, in his many public utterances since, his continuing simmering rage against the party that displaced Labour in government. But when it comes to the defence of the Union, such partisan jibes are not just unhelpful – they’re worryingly harmful. Over the weekend it was reported that the former prime minister has accused Boris Johnson of being “afraid” of a second independence referendum in Scotland, boasting that he had no doubt that the Unionist side would win again. Not for … [Read more...] about Gordon Brown should know better than to play politics with the Union

The battle to host Eurovision 2023 has officially begun , after the BBC unveiled the shortlist of potential locations in the running. The seven UK cities have emerged as candidates for next year’s competition after it was decided that 2022 winners Ukraine wouldn’t be able to host . In a statement, the broadcaster said: ‘It is a matter of great regret that our colleagues and friends in Ukraine are not able to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. ‘Being asked to host the largest and most complex music competition in the world is a great privilege.’ Out of twenty cities who submitted an ‘expression of interest’ to host, Birmingham , Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield were selected and have reached the second and final stage of the selection process. Despite Darlington’s recent defiant bid to be named the host city , having described themselves as the ‘underdogs’, unfortunately they were not successful, and to the shock of fans, … [Read more...] about Eurovision 2023: How will the final decision on the host city be made?

Eurovision 2023: Shortlist of cities to host revealed SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The seven cities in with a chance of hosting Eurovision 2023 have been announced as the UK prepares to hold the event. Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield are the remaining contenders, as announced on BBC Radio 2. The UK has stepped in to host Eurovision because Ukraine is unable to do so due to Russia's ongoing invasion of the country. There were initially 20 cities bidding to host the competition, showing that Eurovision fever is already hitting the UK. Related articles Eurovision backlash: London snubbed by 2023 host city shortlist 'You'll fill arena with EU flags!' Sturgeon … [Read more...] about POLL: Which city should host Eurovision 2023 after shortlist announcement?

The United Kingdom is officially hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 . After winners Ukraine were forced to pull out, the honour of hosting the annual event was passed on to the UK and the BBC , following Sam Ryder ’s iconic performance. The Space Man singer soared to second place in the 2022 competition, behind Ukraine’s folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra, who won with their impactful song Stefania. Now, seven UK cities have been shortlisted to put on the annual spectacle – with the BBC to make a further announcement in due course. So, who could be hosting? Here’s all you need to know Which UK city could host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023? There are now seven UK cities in the running to be host of the song contest in 2023. They are: Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield. Notable omissions are Belfast, Cardiff and London – as well as Nottingham, which ruled itself out of consideration , and Darlington, … [Read more...] about Which UK city could host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023?

Published 4 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Stand-in Finance Secretary John Swinney has called on Scotland's councils to improve their pay offer to staff. The deputy first minister, who is covering Kate Forbes' maternity leave, said he expected local authorities to match the £140m extra pledged by the Scottish government for pay rises. A 2% deal has been rejected by staff at schools, nurseries and waste and recycling centres. It comes as new strike dates were set by GMB Scotland and Unison. Refuse workers will walk out between Friday 26 and Monday 29 August and from Wednesday 7 to Friday 10 September. The action affects Aberdeen City, Angus, Dundee, East Ayrshire, East Lothian, Falkirk, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Highland, Midlothian, Orkney, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Lothian, Perth and Kinross and North Lanarkshire. On Thursday Unite … [Read more...] about Government tells councils to improve staff pay to avert strikes

Published 22 hours ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A man has been charged with the murder of a father-of-six and the attempted murders of three other people following a series of incidents around Skye. John MacKinnon, 47, died after a gun was fired at a property in Teangue, on Skye, on Wednesday morning . A 32-year-old woman had earlier been injured in an incident about eight miles away (13km) in Tarskavaig. In Dornie on the Highland mainland, a gun was also fired and a man and woman, both aged 63, were injured. They have been named locally as John Don Mackenzie and Fay Mackenzie. Police said a 39-year-old man had been charged in connection with Mr MacKinnon's murder and the attempted murder of three others. He is due to appear in court on Friday. Earlier, police confirmed a Taser was discharged during the arrest. Mr MacKinnon has been described … [Read more...] about Man charged with murder and attacks around Skye

It’s hot, we’re all broke, some people think it’s a good idea to set bombs off next to a nuclear plant and it’s also very hot. That’s it. That’s the news. You can exit this link and go drink a pint in the beautiful weather (that may well be consequence of the climate change contributing to the demise of our planet). Have a good weekend. Nah, we don’t mean that – do get a pint but make sure to read on. Things are pretty grim but there are always some good bits going on somewhere. And if Positive Pollies aren’t your type: It’s important to pay attention to the bad bits so we know how to make them stop being bad. There is also a story about a bear tripping on psychedelic honey in here. And no that was not a typo. Like we said, it’s hot England, a country known around the world for its miserable, wet weather, is officially experiencing drought. The National Drought Group declared a drought in eight parts of the country at midday on Friday, after the … [Read more...] about ICYMI: Drought, energy bills and Trump – this week’s five biggest stories, explained

The Government does not appear to have yet come up with any new ways to help Brits afford their growing energy bills. Boris Johnson met with energy firms today to discuss the climbing price cap -setting the UK up for a ‘challenging winter’ . But the roundtable does not seem to have been especially fruitful, as the prime minister instead reminded the public of the Government’s existing support afterwards. He tweeted: ‘I know people are worried about the difficult winter ahead, which is why we are providing support – including a £400 energy bill discount for all households. ‘This morning I urged electricity companies to continue working on ways to help with the cost of living .’ Mr Johnson then said in a statement: ‘Following our meeting today, we will keep urging the electricity sector to continue working on ways we can ease the cost-of-living pressures and to invest further and faster in British energy security.’ Mr Zahawi added: ‘In the spirit of national … [Read more...] about No new cost of living crisis help announced after Boris meets with energy firms