Andrew Learmonth
Andrew Learmonth covers how political decisions and constitutional debates shape everyday life, bringing together stories from Holyrood, Westminster and local councils with a focus on their real-world consequences. He is Political Editor at The Herald, leading its politics coverage across breaking news, analysis and audio formats. His recent work spans homelessness law reform, equal pay changes in Glasgow, independence questions at Prime Minister’s Questions and wider efforts to renegotiate the future of the United Kingdom.
Scottish Government leadership and constitutional debates
Learmonth reports closely on decisions taken at the top of the Scottish Government, including John Swinney’s move to slim his cabinet to eight ministers and frame the change as a reform agenda rather than a programme of cuts. He covers how constitutional questions surface in UK-wide politics, such as Andy Burnham setting out conditions for a future independence referendum during Prime Minister’s Questions. He follows cross‑party initiatives on the future of the union, including the pact signed by the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Féin urging the UK Government to plan for constitutional change and a managed separation of the United Kingdom. Through this work he links party strategy, leadership choices and constitutional arguments, treating them as parts of a single ongoing contest over power and the shape of the state.
Local government, law reform and equal pay
Learmonth devotes sustained attention to decisions taken by Glasgow City Council, especially where they intersect with national law and social policy. He has covered the council leader’s call for reform of homelessness legislation, explaining how existing rules constrain the authority’s ability to respond to demand and setting out why local leaders want the framework changed.
In another piece he reported on an overhaul of the council’s pay and grading system designed to bring it into line with equal pay law, detailing how the majority of non‑teaching staff would see pay rises while a smaller share faced cuts. Even when the hook is cultural - such as the leader’s reaction to a proposed Oasis concert at Celtic Park - he keeps the focus on what high‑profile events mean for governance, funding and the city’s priorities.
Across these stories he treats council chambers as key arenas where national debates over fairness, housing and wages are turned into concrete decisions and trade‑offs.
Scrutiny of institutions, law and public figures
Learmonth’s coverage includes close scrutiny of how laws and powerful institutions define contested categories and regulate professional conduct. His author page highlights reporting on the forthcoming Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers, a pivotal case that could reshape the legal definition of “woman” and affect how equality law is applied. He has also investigated the academic biography of Professor Jason Arday, reporting that the University of Glasgow stated he has never held a visiting professorship there, directly contradicting information on a Cambridge website.
This strand of work shows a focus on moments where institutional narratives, legal language and personal reputation collide, and a willingness to challenge official accounts when documentary evidence does not match them.
Formats and presence across platforms
Learmonth works across formats, combining daily political reporting with podcast and social media output. As Political Editor he appears on The Herald’s Unspun Live Scottish politics podcast, using interviews and discussion to develop the ideas and implications behind stories from Holyrood and Westminster. His social media presence mirrors his newsroom role, with his bio identifying him as Political Editor at The Herald and inviting tips and stories from those following the beat.
External professional profiles describe him in the same capacity, reinforcing his position as a central figure in the masthead’s political coverage. Across these channels his style is direct and detail‑led, with emphasis on decisions, legal frameworks and institutional behaviour rather than personality‑driven gossip or campaign theatre.
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