In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, hosts Calum MacDonald, Geoff Aberdein, and Andy Maciver are joined by Scottish Conservative MSP Maurice Golden

In this episode, we chat about:

🔹 Budget Day – Rachel Reeves’ survival strategy, the U-turn on income tax, the OBR downgrading UK growth, and how Labour MPs may break with leadership.

🔹 Reform UK’s surge – After a razor-thin by-election in Dumfries & Galloway, what does Reform’s rise mean for the Scottish Tories?

🔹 Maurice Golden’s candid take – On why the Conservatives can’t “out-Reform Reform”, populist positioning under Russell Findlay, and internal disagreements over energy policy.

🔹 The Net Zero fight – Offshore wind vs fishing, oil & gas realities, community benefit, and whether the Conservatives now want a moratorium on offshore wind.

🔹 Scottish infrastructure and manifesto strategy – A9 dualling, airport links, ports, rail freight, and whether voters want practical projects or political theatre.

🔹 Inside the Scottish Parliament exodus – With over 40 MSPs standing down, what does that mean for the quality of debate?

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