Holyrood Sources

Part 2The future of energy in Scotland is at a crossroads. In this special podcast edition, leading politicians Michael Shanks, Claire Coutinho, and Kate Forbes join the discussion on:⚡ Offshore wind challenges – 400% increase in transmission charges threatening Scottish projects🏠 Fuel poverty – 1 in 3 Scottish households face rising bills despite Scotland’s energy wealth🔌 Grid reform – Can strategic energy planning and investment finally cut costs?🏘️ Community benefit & ownership – Should local communities see direct rewards from wind farms?Hosted by Calum Macdonald, with post-match analysis from Geoff Aberdeen & Andy McIver, this conversation digs into the clash between industry costs, consumer bills, and community fairness.👉 Do you think Scotland is getting energy policy right? Email us hello@holyroodsources.com🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more debates on politics, energy, and Scotland’s future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The future of oil and gas in the UK is one of the most pressing political questions of our time — and it’s at the heart of this debate. With the North Sea basin still a major source of energy and jobs in Scotland, how should the UK balance the demands of energy security, climate change targets, and community livelihoods?In this special discussion, UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks MP (Labour), UK Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Claire Coutinho MP, and Deputy First Minister of Scotland Kate Forbes MSP (SNP) join host Calum Macdonald to debate:Should the UK continue issuing new North Sea oil and gas licences — or focus on a full energy transition? Does it need to be a binary choice?What does a true “just transition” for workers look like?How can Scotland and the UK lead in renewable energy while safeguarding existing industries?Who should pay for the costs of moving to net zero — taxpayers, energy companies, or both?🔥 Key themes explored in the debate:Labour’s push for a phased transition and “mission-driven” investment in renewables.Conservative arguments that new oil licences are essential for jobs and energy security.SNP concerns about protecting communities while driving forward Scotland’s renewable future.The tension between climate goals and short-term energy needs.The global context: what the UK does (or doesn’t) means little if countries like China and India don’t follow suit.Scottish politics, the future of energy, and the road to net zero.👉 Subscribe for more in-depth analysis of Scottish and UK political debates.Part 1 of 2.In association with the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce. Sponsored by Shepherd and Wedderburn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scotland’s energy future is at a crossroads. In this special episode of Holyrood Sources, recorded live at Offshore Europe in Aberdeen, we bring together leading voices to debate oil, gas, renewables, community power projects, and the politics driving the UK’s energy transition.Guests include:Claire Mack – Chief Executive, Scottish RenewablesAndrew Bowie MP – Conservative MP for West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine, Shadow Minister for EnergyAngus Macdonald – Community energy company director from the Western IslesTopics covered:The oil vs renewables binary: false choice or political reality?Grid failures & why community projects can’t get connectedNet Zero deadlines: realistic or damaging?How UK & Scottish Governments can fix energy investment challengesThe future of Grangemouth, Sullom Voe & North Sea oil assetsWhy ordinary households are paying the price for failed energy policy🎧 Tomorrow’s follow-up episode features a major debate with:Kate Forbes, Deputy First Minister of ScotlandMichael Shanks, UK Government Energy MinisterClaire Coutinho, Shadow Energy Secretary Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, David Linden, a candidate for the SNP, shares his journey and motivations for running in the upcoming Holyrood election. Having previously served as a Westminster MP, Linden discusses his return to politics after a stint in the private sector. He emphasises the importance of experienced candidates in the evolving landscape of Scottish politics, particularly as the SNP faces challenges related to independence and public service reform. Linden highlights the socio-economic issues in his constituency, Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston, such as high unemployment and health inequalities, and underscores the need for effective communication and policy solutions to address these challenges. In his own words, his candidacy reflects a commitment to contributing to Scotland's future, both in terms of governance and the ongoing constitutional debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nicola Sturgeon’s new book is causing controversy. On this episode of Holyrood Sources, Geoff Aberdein - former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond - directly challenges several claims, including:Did Alex Salmond really leak allegations against himself?Was Salmond disengaged from the 2013 independence White Paper?Did he oppose same-sex marriage?Geoff says these stories are “falsehoods and fabrications” — and sets the record straight.Later, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein, and Andy Maciver (former Director of Comms, Scottish Conservatives) debate:The fallout for John Swinney as Sturgeon’s book dominates headlinesWhat rising concern over immigration means for Scottish politicsEnergy bills, community power, and whether Scotland is missing its renewable energy jackpotJames Hawes’ claim that Scottish independence is “inevitable”👉 Subscribe for more in-depth political analysis from inside Scottish politics. 🎧 Watch on YouTube.📲 Keep in touch with us:WhatsApp: 0333 404 6507Email: hello@holyroodsources.comWebsite: hollyroodsources.comFollow on X & TikTok: @HolyroodSources Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has released her long-awaited memoir Frankly — and it’s already sparking old feuds, reigniting the Alex Salmond debate, and deepening divisions inside the SNP.In this episode of the Holyrood Sources Podcast, Calum Macdonald and Andy Maciver unpack:Sturgeon’s claims about Alex Salmond during the independence referendumThe SNP’s internal factions: Team Sturgeon, Team Salmond & Team SwinneyHer reflections on Gender Recognition Reform and the Isla Bryson caseHow her leadership shifted SNP ideology — and her political legacyThe election wins and controversies that defined her time in powerLater, former Edinburgh Council leader Donald Anderson joins to debate the future of local government in Scotland:Should Scotland follow Manchester’s Andy Burnham model with city region mayors?Is Holyrood too centralised for effective local democracy?Reforming (or replacing) council tax and giving councils more power to raise revenueCould stronger local leadership transform Scotland’s economy?📩 Get in touch: hello@hollyroodsources.com | WhatsApp 0333 404 6507 🎧 Full podcast available wherever you get your podcasts 🎟 Join our Future of Energy event in Aberdeen (2 Sept) with Kate Forbes & Claire Coutinho — use code holyrood25 for a discount Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, hosts Calum MacDonald, Geoff Aberdeen, and Andy Maciver take your questions. They discuss the departure of Kate Forbes from the SNP and its implications, touching on her appeal to centrist voters and the challenges facing the party. The conversation then moves onto the broader political landscape, including the potential return of Ian Blackford, coalition possibilities, and the role of mayors in Scotland. The hosts engage with listener questions, reflecting on the need for bold political ideas and the current state of political engagement in Scotland. The episode concludes with a call for more substantive political discourse. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has announced she will step down at the 2026 Holyrood election. In this bonus episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Director of Comms for the Scottish Conservatives) unpack the political shockwave.👉 What does this mean for John Swinney's leadership?👉 Is the SNP losing its most economically credible voice?👉 Could this pave the way for Stephen Flynn or Màiri McAllan?👉 What’s next for Scottish politics?We also hear listener reactions and discuss Kate Forbes' relationship with the SNP's internal culture, business community, and independence strategy.🔔 Subscribe for more in-depth Scottish political analysis: https://holyroodsources.com📩 Send your comments or voice notes for our next episode to: 0333 404 65📱 Follow us on Twitter/X for the latest updates: https://twitter.com/HolyroodSources#KateForbes #SNP #ScottishPolitics #JohnSwinney #Holyrood #IndyRef2 #ScottishIndependence #StephenFlynn #MàiriMcAllan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this powerful episode of Holyrood Sources, historian and author James Hawes explains why Scottish independence is inevitable and argues the UK has been in terminal decline since 1922.Speaking with host Calum Macdonald, Hawes discusses:Why Labour’s 2024 landslide won’t save the UnionThe rise of Reform UK and Nigel Farage’s “naked English nationalism”The SNP’s crisis — and its historical parallel with Irish nationalism after ParnellWhether the UK is becoming a modern-day Habsburg EmpireWhat a post-UK future might look like for Scotland and Ireland📚 James Hawes is the author of The Shortest History of England, The Shortest History of Germany, and the upcoming Shortest History of Ireland.🔔 Subscribe for weekly political analysis and insider commentary from Holyrood and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump’s whirlwind visit to Scotland left behind more than photo ops — it’s shifted the tone of UK and Scottish politics. In this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Scottish Conservative Director of Communications) unpack the chaos, optics, and opportunities of Trump’s trip to Ayrshire and Aberdeen.From whisky tariffs and oil politics to Trump’s unexpectedly measured comments on Scottish independence, the panel breaks down how Scotland became the geopolitical centre of the world for five surreal days.Plus: John Swinney’s strategy to revive the independence campaign by calling for a Holyrood majority in 2026. Is it a bold move or a trap of his own making? The hosts debate whether Swinney’s plan is political genius or a doomed distraction.📲 WhatsApp your thoughts to the show: 0333 404 6507 📺 Watch all episodes on YouTube — search Holyrood Sources 🌐 Sign up to the mailing list: holyreodsources.com👀 Stay tuned for part two of this episode focusing on independece: Author and historian James Hawes joins us to argue why Scottish independence is inevitable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources Podcast, we reflect on, the recent Tall Ships event in Aberdeen, the Hebridean Celtic Festival in Stornoway and the ongoing debate about zonal pricing in electricity. The conversation also touches on infrastructure challenges in Scotland, the implications of President Trump's visit, concerns over social unrest, and the trust deficit in political leaders, particularly among young people. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this conversation, Ross Greer discusses his candidacy for the leadership of the Scottish Greens, his relationship with the SNP, and the party's stance on various issues including taxation, council tax reform, and the impact of second homes on rural communities. He emphasises the importance of policies over personalities and addresses the complexities of political alliances in a minority government. The discussion also touches on the recent Sandie Peggie case and the implications of meeting with controversial leaders like Donald Trump when he visits Scotland.Ross Greer is running for leadership of the Scottish Greens.The Greens aim to influence an SNP-led government.There are significant policy differences between the Greens and Labour.Wealth taxation is a priority for the Greens.Council tax reform is essential for fairness.Second homes are impacting rural communities negatively.Infrastructure investment is crucial for economic growth.Meeting with controversial leaders raises moral questions.The Sandy Peggy case highlights issues of public scrutiny.The Supreme Court judgment has created confusion around gender rights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, the hosts discuss Labour's recent welfare reforms, and the potential emergence of new political parties in Scotland. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by political leaders and the implications of their decisions on the future of governance in Scotland. We're joined by Calum Steele, a former General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, and former general secretary of the International Council of Police Representative Associations. He highlights an ongoing crisis within Police Scotland, focusing on recruitment challenges, leadership issues, and the impact of nationalisation on policing. He discusses the alarming drop in applications to join the police force, the neglect of internal development, and the rising crime rates. He emphasises the need for better governance and local representation in the police service to address these issues effectively. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, the discussion revolves around the upcoming 2026 Scottish parliamentary election, featuring insights from political analysts including Professor Sir John Curtice on the performances of key figures like John Swinney and Anas Sarwar. The conversation highlights the current public sentiment, the challenges faced by both the SNP and Labour, and the implications of the independence debate. The role of the reform party and the fragmentation of the unionist vote are also examined, alongside predictions for the future of Scottish politics.Sponsored by the Scotch Whisky Association's Made to be Measured campaign. Find out more about the campaign at scotch-whisky.org.uk/madetobemeasured. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With John Swinney and Anas Sarwar.This podcast special focuses on the upcoming Scottish parliamentary elections, featuring discussions on the current political landscape, the impact of geopolitical issues, and the challenges facing the Scottish government. Key themes include the need for bold political conviction, the implications of welfare reforms, and the ongoing debate around independence. The conversation also highlights the importance of education and energy policy in shaping Scotland's future.Sponsored by the Scotch Whisky Association's Made to be Measured campaign. Find out more about the campaign at scotch-whisky.org.uk/madetobemeasured. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, the hosts discuss the potential for a coalition between the SNP and Labour, the implications of John Swinney's renewed focus on independence, and the challenges surrounding economic policies in Scotland. They also explore the concept of a minimum income guarantee and its feasibility in addressing poverty while maintaining economic sustainability. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, the hosts discuss the latest developments in Scottish politics, including the upcoming spending review and its implications for key projects like carbon capture and a new supercomputer. They analyse the recent by-election results, focusing on the defection of Councillor Jamie McGuire from Scottish Labour to Reform UK, and explore the reasons behind this shift. The conversation also touches on the language used in political discourse, the potential for another independence referendum, and the future policy directions of Reform UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour defeats the SNP to win the by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse - a Scottish Parliament seat - with Reform UK finishing third. We bring you instant analysis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, hosts Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein, and Andy Maciver focus on retail politics, election strategies, and the implications of Nigel Farage's recent visit to Scotland. They discuss the effectiveness of political messaging, the challenges faced by the Labour Party, and the need for a more substantial political offer in the upcoming election. The conversation highlights the importance of addressing voter concerns and the risks of dismissive rhetoric towards emerging political parties like Reform UK. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the current political landscape in Scotland, focusing on the upcoming by-election and the performance of various political candidates. They evaluate the Labour Party's leadership under Anas Sarwar and the pressures he faces, particularly if Labour performs poorly in the by-election. The discussion also touches on Keir Starmer's recent visit to Scotland and his stance on independence, as well as the implications of English nationalism on Scottish politics. The hosts explore the potential strategies for the SNP and the Labour Party in navigating the independence debate and the challenges ahead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, the hosts discuss the upcoming Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election, focusing on the dynamics between the SNP, Labour, and Reform UK. They explore the impact of controversial campaign tactics, the reception of candidates, and the shifting sentiments among voters. The conversation highlights the unpredictability of Scottish politics and the significance of this by-election in shaping future political narratives. With journalists Catriona Stewart and Associated Editor at The Scottish Sun Chris Musson. The candidates for the by-election are as follows:Collette Bradley - Scottish Socialist PartyAndy Brady - Scottish Family PartyRoss Lambie - ReformKaty Loudon - SNPJanice Mackay - UK Independence PartyAnn McGuinness - GreensAisha Mir - Liberal DemocratRichard Nelson - ConservativeDavy Russell - LabourMarc Wilkinson - Independent Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.