The Stooshie: the politics podcast from DC Thomson

We assess Scottish Labour leader Michael Marra's call to rejoin the EU. Does this make life harder for John Swinney to say independence is the only way to get back in? We're also in Brussels talking the view from there on our future energy security, from the North Sea to Chinese investment in renewables.  

We speak to Scottish Police Federation General Secretary David Kennedy about the work police are doing to tackle illegal e-bikes. He explains how Operation Armour in Aberdeen has been able to do an effective job at seizing scooters in a widespread crackdown. But Mr Kennedy also warns more money is needed in the upcoming SNP budget to ensure these police projects can thrive.

We speak to Dundee GP Dr Munro Stewart about the SNP’s dramatic plans to overhaul how the NHS works in Scotland. The Scottish Government wants replace boards like NHS Tayside with two national bodies covering the west and east of the country. Dr Stewart hopes the proposals may hold some positives - but warned it must not result in a loss of local healthcare links.

John Swinney’s plans to overhaul how local government works in Scotland have already proven controversial. The Scottish Government wants to introduce new larger, regional councils along with smaller, community authorities. But electoral expert Allan Faulds, who runs Ballot Box Scotland, explains why he thinks the SNP’s current proposals are deeply flawed.

SNP MP Lara Bird interview The MP for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry talks Westminster, Burnham, Palestine and independence. Elected in June, Lara also talks about her experience so far with online hate and being a young woman in frontline politics. Listen to our featured interview as her SNP colleagues meet in Aberdeen for annual conference.