Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie reaction and analysis of the first budget statement from Rachel Reeves - the first woman Chancellor to deliver a budget in British history. Is it a "workerist", old-Labour budget that the likes of Harold Wilson, James Callaghan and Denis Healey would be happy with? Bernard and Alex discuss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Catherine MacLeod, former Political Editor of The Herald and Special Adviser (SPAD) to UK Chancellor, Alistair Darling, joins Bernard and Alex to preview Rachel Reeves first budget of the new Labour Government.Catherine's insights into how the Treasury and Chancellor prepare for a budget.PONSONBY - "This is the real day one of the new Labour government."MASSIE - "The most keenly anticipated budget since Geoffrey Howe's first budget"MACLEOD - "I think Rachel Reeves has boxed herself in" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Poet and writer Jenny Lindsay tells her story:Being cancelled and "hounded" for being gender criticalHer new book telling the story of her experience - "Hounded: Women, Harms and the Gender Wars"She says that gender is an open goal for politicians who should apologize to women and admit they got it wrong.Jenny's book is available here:https://amzn.eu/d/7gTBdKO Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
PART 2 of a 2 part exploration of the life and times of Alex Salmond who died at the weekend at the age of 69. Bernard and Alex pick up the story in 2011 through the zenith of his career at the 2014 Independence Referendum and onto the challenges of legal battles and the Alba Party in his post-SNP world. The programme concludes with a summary of what his legacy might be. Bernard Ponsonby knew Alex Salmond professionally and personally for 35 years. they worked and spent time together over the past few months. Alex Massie has covered Alex Salmond closely throughout his career and despite their differences, revealed in part 1 that Salmond's team once courted Massie to be his speechwriter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Part 1 of a 2 part special reflecting on the life of "the most consequential Scottish politician of our time", Alex Salmond, who died at the weekend at the age of 69. It's a sincere attempt to capture in some depth the complexity and calibre of the man, his highs and lows.Bernard Ponsonby knew Alex Salmond professionally and personally for 35 years. they worked and spent time together over the past few months. Alex Massie has covered Alex Salmond closely throughout his career and despite their differences, reveals that Salmond's team once courted Massie to be his speechwriter.Personal reflections from both Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie.The rise of Alex Salmond - from the SNP's '79 GroupSalmond's strategic ability to see the end game and retrofit his strategy to make it happen.His ability to read the political temperature of the country and adapt to it.Salmond's rebranding of the SNP and nationalism to make an electoral success. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bernard and Alex are joined by David Frum, Staff Writer at the The Atlantic for a deep dive into the US Presidential race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.David Frum is widely quoted as the man who coined the phrase "Axis of Evil" while working for George W Bush. Today, he is a renowned writer and a Republican who won't vote for Trump. David offers valuable insight into the state of American politics, the Presidential race, the candidates and the ramifications of this historic vote."The most consequential Presidential election of our lifetime""His only interests in politics are adulation, stealing and revenge""The Trump campaign is a war on Taylor Swift to stop Haitians eating pets""Trump's going to lose" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bernard and Alex discuss the significance of First Minister, John Swinney, bringing former SNP strategist, Stephen Noon, back into his close circle as a Special Advisor (SPAD). What does it say about the SNP's current strategy and given the positions both Swinney and Noon have taken in the past, does it mean Independence has been kicked into the long grass for the time being?AlsoWhat can we read into the recent SNP victories in the Dundee by-elections?And the Tories will reduce the candidates for leadership of the UK party to two this week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bernard and Alex discuss whether the New Scottish Conservative leader, Russell Findlay, will face an existential crisis with the party at the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election. Do a series of factors, including the emergence of Reform, mean there is "no chance they're going to hold second place in 2026"?Also, Rosie Duffield's resignation from Labour - "I cannot recall seeing a more direct assault on the integrity and standing of a party leader than the letter that she sent to Sir Keir Starmer just within the last 48 hours". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie delve into the challenges facing the new Labour government in the aftermath of Keir Starmer's first conference speech as Prime Minister. Labour stood on a platform of "Change" but is it immediate enough for the electorate?Where will the money come from in Rachel Reeves upcoming budget?Is the new government facing mid-term blues already, only months after the election?Anas Sarwar has said no austerity but how do you define austerity?ALSOThe Scottish Tories and Reform?Will the Scottish Tories even make it to 3rd place in the 2026 election?Are there any ideas in the race to be Scottish Tory Leader?Does Reform have a constituency in Scotland? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bernard is in the USA. Alex is on the Isle of Jura. Bernard says Keir Starmer needs to deliver growth or face the anger of the electorate over growing errors. Alex says that naive and loose-lipped press briefing by new staff in Government and the freebie scandal raise questions over Starmer's judgement.Bernard analyses the US Presidential race from Vermont - it's edging towards Harris but it's tight.Alex questions Stewart McDonald's suggestion that the SNP should consider a centre left coalition with Labour after 2026 Scottish Parliament Election. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It's 10 years since Scotland's Independence Referendum. Bernard and Alex reflect on what happened, where we are now and will there be an Indy Ref II?Including Bernard's insights into what really happened behind the scenes at the TV debates and on referendum night. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
PART 2 - Bernard and Alex were consulted during the production of BBC Scotland's "Salmond and Sturgeon: A Troubled Union".In this episode, released directly after the documentary's broadcast, Bernard and Alex focus on part two of the two part series. They give their thoughts and analysis of both the programme and relationship between Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon.SNPScottish PoliticsScottish LabourScottish ConservativesScottish LibdemsScottish GreensAlba Party Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
PART 1 - Bernard and Alex were consulted during the production of BBC Scotland's "Salmond and Sturgeon: A Troubled Union".In this episode, released directly after the documentary's broadcast, Bernard and Alex focus on part one of the two part series. They give their thoughts and analysis of both the programme and relationship between Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon.SNPScottish PoliticsScottish LabourScottish ConservativesScottish LibdemsScottish GreensAlba Party Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Labour's Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Michael Marra MSP, tells the podcastA 2026 victory for Labour in the Scottish Parliamentary Election is "nowhere near a done deal"The best case scenario is a minority Labour governmentHis political roots in family life in DundeeHe regards Anas Sarwar's transformation of Scottish Labour as "profound"Recorded at the Kilderkin pub on the Royal Mile. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the aftermath of the SNP's Annual Conference, Bernard and Alex ask - where are the new policies and the strategy for independence that the party will need to win voters back who switched to Labour at the General Election? The need for a clear policy prospectus.The challenges of economic growth and public services. The conference talked about Independence but not the trickier subject of strategy.If the SNP and Scottish Government continue to say they cannot deliver with the powers and budget they have, Scottish Labour will say it can. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On the eve of the SNP Annual Conference, former Minister Alex Neil warns First Minster John Swinney to bin the "political weans" and "bring in heavyweights" as losing 2026 election will mean an independent Scotland is "in the freezer for 10-30 years" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie tackle the issues of the week includingFallout from SNP Minister, Angus Robertson, meeting with Israeli diplomats.Can anything be done to stem drug deaths in ScotlandThe Scottish Conservative leadership race. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Scottish Conservative leadership candidate, Meghan Gallacher, does not hold back in laying out her campaign stall.Says she'll investigate allegations that former boss and party leader, Douglas Ross, had a long term plan to dump Holyrood colleagues in favour of Westminster seat. Proposes 1p cut to Scottish Income TaxProposes a re-evaluation of Scottish Council Tax bands. Complete rebuild of the Scottish Tory party. Expresses her admiration for Margaret Thatcher who "took no sh*t" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
He's only 35 but Labour's Paul Sweeney has already been an MP and now sits as an MSP. He joined Bernard and Alex in the Press Bar in Glasgow to discuss.;2026 Scottish Parliament Election is "high stakes" in terms of determining the long term future of the UK. "I've seen How hard Anas Sarwar works" - I don't think I'd be up to the job. "My faith in the Labour tribe" was rocked by the Iraq War. "Glasgow has lost its momentum" - He wants to be a champion for the City.He's a Federalist, not a Nationalist or Unionist. Was mis-sold a youthful list vote for SNP on broken promise on student debt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bernard and Alex recapture the lost art of a leisurely political conversation over a pint in the pub - in this case Glasgow's famous journalists pub, The Press Bar. Is this the era of SNP austerity?The Winter Fuel Allowance means testNew GERS figures. We examine the state of Scotland's finances. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.