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.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

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"

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bernard and Alex retreat to their natural habitat in Glasgow's famous journalists' haunt, The Press Bar on Albion Street, to ponder the stories of the day over a sociable refreshment.

Trump's Big Mistake - Alex reckons Trump made a big mistake in his singular determination to unseat Joe Biden before the election.

Tory Leadership Battle - Insight into the candidates and implications for the UK and Scottish Conservative party. Bernard gives personal insight into some of the candidates.

Two-Child Cap - Both Bernard and Alex think it's a matter of when and not if Labour scraps the two-child benefits cap. Does that have implications for other parties who have focussed heavily on it?

Many thanks to the Press Bar for allowing us to record in their lovely pub.

PRESS BAR - Facebook

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Matt joins Bernard and Alex with excellent impressions of ...

• Keir Starmer
• Angela Rayner
• Rachel Reeves
• Tony Blair
• Ed Miliband

Also

• What makes Scottish audiences different
• What makes people walk out
• Who's taken offence to his impressions
• His hopes for the new government

You can catch Matt's show at the Edinburgh Festival here

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/matt-forde-the-end-of-an-era-tour

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bernard and Alex tackle the stories of the week;

JOE BIDEN - Both Bernard and Alex are keen observers of US Politics - their thoughts on Joe Biden agreeing to step down as Presidential Candidate.

MHAIRI BLACK - After standing down at the General Election, the former SNP MP announced her Edinburgh Festival show "Politics Isn't For Me" as well as words for Kate Forbes and John Swinney

PUBLIC SECTOR PAY - The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, hints at above inflation Public Sector pay rises - can she make it work?

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bernard and Alex bring you an instant briefing on the King's Speech with the first legislative agenda for Keir Starmer's new Labour Government.

Is it a return to big Government (as some critics have said) or a different type of intervention?

Headlines on the bills

Watch No11 Downing Street not No10 to gauge the success of this government.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie speak to Stewart McDonald, SNP front bencher who lost his seat at the General Election ..... and he had a lot to say.

ON 2026 HOLYROOD ELECTION

25:32 MASSIE: "Do you think getting "horsed" in 2026 is now the most likely outcome of the Holyrood election?"

McDONALD: "Yes"

ON INDEPENDENCE

35:07 "The hard pause has been delivered for us whether we like that or not. That was done last Thursday and was evident in ballot boxes up and down the country".

ON LABOUR

44:38 "I've watched them closely and they're getting their act together in a way that's connecting with people.... the reality is that they're a party that's being taken seriously by voters once again. Many of whom have voted SNP, not just over the past decade but over the past 17 years we have been in government. So, we have a problem and the only way we can answer that problem is to be serious, is to be grown up, is to take hard decisions"

ON SNP CULTURE - "NOT A SERIOUS POLITCAL CULTURE"

11:38 "We've strayed. They feel we've stopped listening to them so they've stopped listening to us."

11:55 "I think we have a cultural problem within the SNP."

13:19 "A political culture that operates like that is not a serious political culture." 

14:22 "You cannot be everything to all people if you're serious about the aspiration of statehood and government."

26:56 "I'm looking at the motions we're about to debate at our upcoming party conference, one of which includes a debate on the national anthem for an independent Scotland. I mean, get real." 

27:10 MASSIE "What do you think the anthem should be?"

27:14 McDONALD "I couldn't give a monkey's."

NICOLA STURGEON

16:49 "Obviously the leader has to take a large portion of the blame .... a long term strategy there was not." 

ON SWINNEY TURNING ROUND THE SNP

31:19 "I think he wants to do it...but it will require him to be a ruthless bastard."

ON BLAMING OTHERS

44:10 "It is not the foundation and the basis of a grown up relationship with the country and too often we've thought that it is and that is sufficient."

ON THE GREENS

20:10 "Much of the damage that was done to our credibility, our reputation for good government happened during that time....... There's not much of those coalition years I will remember fondly"

NUCLEAR WEAPONS

24:18 "I don't think two years is possible.... the timescale cannot be put in place just by us." 

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your questions on the General Election result directly to Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie

This episode, questions from:

Peter Hardy - @PeterHardyAG (X)

Ian Jones - @Salop_Ian (X)

Michael Apter - @Michael_Apter (X)

Andrew Brophy - @AndrewBrophy3 (X)

LTW Anderson - @ltwanderson (X)

Mark Brown - Via Email

Gordon Dudman - Via Email

Andrew McCall - Via Email

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie discuss

• The new Labour Cabinet
• The future propects for the Conservatives and SNP
• .....and the former TV cameraman who out-predicted the pollsters.

Bernard and Alex also reference a previous episode with Tom Baldwin discussing Keir Starmer in great detail. It's really worth a listen and gives unrivalled insight into the new Prime Minister

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've been up all night. Here is the hot-off-the-press take on the UK General Election result from Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie.

Labour joy

Conservative and SNP election woes.

What will the parties do next? What should they do next?

Plus, highlights of selected seats and stories.

#generalelection2024

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

YOU CAN GET OUR FREE WALLCHART HERE - https://x.com/PonsonbyMassie/status/1806349078093087015

This Episode is in 2 parts

PART 1 - 0 mins - 17 mins - ELECTION NIGHT INSIGHTS - Alex asks Bernard to share his insights on how presenters cope with overnight election programmes.

PART 2 - 17 mins - 39mins - WHAT TO WATCH FOR - Bernard and Alex give you a brief on what to watch out for on the night (from a Scottish perspective) using our free wallchart.

The 2024 General Election - Get ready.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With some recent polls predicting the SNP and Conservatives will be reduced to a rump of MPs at the General Election on Thurs 4th July, Bernard and Alex have a health warning for pollsters and politicians alike. Can these polls be trusted and do they have the nuance to pick up on constituency level sentiments?

Plus, it was the issue the Democrats didn't want to face up to but after a challenging and unedifying televised debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden in the US. The Democrats can no longer avoid their choice of candidate for the Presidential race.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie tackle the issues of the week including

• Fallout from SNP Minister, Angus Robertson, meeting with Israeli diplomats.
• Can anything be done to stem drug deaths in Scotland
• The Scottish Conservative leadership race.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bernard and Alex do their best to answer your questions sent in to ponsonbymassie@gmail.com

Questions this episode from;

• Darren McGarvey @lokiscottishrap (X)
• Rob Shorthouse @bobtwopointoh (X)
• John Duffy @johnduffy512 (Youtube)
• Colin Thompson @colinthompson3111 (Youtube)
• Argyll Loon @argyllloon (X)
• Luca Brasi @hickslike22 (X)
• Ewen Kennedy @ewangkennedy (X)
• Skegness Grammar School - @PoliticsSgs (X)
• George Watsons - S2 Modern Studies class
• Rawlins Academy @RawlinsPolitics (X)
• Martin Shaw @martinshawx (X)
• Prof Thomas House @TAH_Sci (X)
• Paul (The Producer) - @paulhughes01 (X)
• Andy Leighton
• Kathleen Thorburn

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bernard and Alex on .....

• The effect of Farage and Reform
• Will JK Rowling's gender recognition reform criticism of Labour come back to haunt the party?
• Stampgate - Will allegations of the SNP using MSPs expenses to pay for election campaign stamps re-ignite memories of previous scandals for voters?
• ... and Scotland exiting the Euros. Bernard and Alex said they weren't going to speak about football but it was the first thing they mentioned.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Yougov sampled 39,979 in a super poll that shows the Conservatives reduced to 108 seats.

The SNP & Labour Manifestos are out.

Bernard and Alex give insight and analysis into the latest developments in the UK General Election 2024.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bernard and Alex discuss the SNP's electoral chances and what the election result means to the SNP's cause of independence. They are joined by former SNP MSP, investigative journalist and life-long independence campaigner, Dorothy-Grace Elder who doesn't hold back in her criticism of John Swinney.

DGE describes John Swinney as a "Sturgeonista" who "slides and slithers" and "is very much an acolyte of whoever sat on him last". She continues "I think you need Dynorod in to that [SNP] front bench".

What do you think abut the SNP's prospects at the General Election? Let us know.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"MUST LISTEN" EPISODE - An incredible insight into the man who will most likely be Prime Minister from the man who knows him better than most - his biographer, Tom Baldwin.

Tom discusses what makes Keir Starmer tick, his background, his politics and what we can expect from him in Government.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SCOTTISH LEADERS DEBATE - TORY MANIFESTO - EURO FEVER 

* SCOTTISH LEADERS DEBATE - Bernard thinks there may have been a few plants in the audience

* CONSERVATIVE MANIFESTO - Massie - Family visa policy is a "Love Tax"

* EURO FEVER - Do marginal factors effect marginal constituencies as Scotland and England prepare for the Euros ahead of election?

Massie - "Scotland will be home before the postal votes".*

* PRODUCER'S SPOLIER ALERT - Ponsonby and Massie are wrong about everything to do with the Euros.

General Election

Euro 2024

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex and Bernard attempt to answer your questions. *Spoiler Alert" They had 30 or 40 questions to get through and managed about 5 or 6 because they chatted so much. Apologies if you sent in a questions and didn't get it answered!

* Alex reminds Bernard of the time he stood as a candidate .... and lost his deposit.

* Turnout?

* General Election implications for Holyrood election in 2026

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bernard and Alex summarise the General Election campaign to date and analyse the implications.

* Is the Tory campaign the worst in living memory?

* Westminster and Holyrood Tories are circling their leaders.

* Ponsonby lambasts Sunak over D-Day.

* Massie casts the SNP's Stephen Flynn as Cassius with a "lean and hungry look" towards his Caesar, John Swinney. 

* The Impact of Farage and Reform.

* Labour's "do nothing but do it well" campaign.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three very educated guesses on the outcome of the UK General Election as Professor Ailsa Henderson of the University of Edinburgh joins Bernard and Alex to talk polls, constituency boundaries and possible Conservative oblivion, a la Canada '93.

WARNING - This is a real deep dive. You may wish to don your political anorak, make some strong coffee and have a pencil and paper at the ready. If you're working on the General Election in any capacity this episode is a "must listen".

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bernard and Alex do not hold back in their criticism of the first Leaders Debate between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer on ITV. "This was not a serious debate" "entertainment TV" and "a disservice to the viewer". Plus Bernard and Alex give detailed reaction to the performances of Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

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 Tax
• Proposes 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"

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the NEW Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

This week, the two biggest names in Scottish political journalism, Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie, review the General Election campaign so far and preview the upcoming leaders debates.

Included in this episode

PONSONBY - "Starmer is the most anti-left Labour leader since Gaitskell"

MASSIE - "Every SNP seat south of Stirling is now a marginal constituency"

LEADERS DEBATES - ahead of the first debate this week, Alex gets the inside track from Bernard on what it's like to present a leader's debate, how they are organised and how the audience is selected. 

You can also watch the show by searching for "Ponsonby and Massie" on Youtube and Facebook

And you can follow us on X (twitter)@PonsonbyMassie

Or email us with your thoughts and questions PonsonbyMassie@gmail.com

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

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.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

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 test
• New GERS figures. We examine the state of Scotland's finances.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Tory MSP and Constitutional Law expert, Professor Adam Tomkins, joins us for a fascinating insight into the constitutional issues Scotland faces plus ....

• Prof Tomkins voted Labour for Blair McDougall at the General Election
• Role of Lord Advocate needs fixed - "it's extremely dangerous"
• He's enthused by the "boring" serious nature of Keir Starmer's new Labour administration in Westminster.
• Can't remember the name of the Scottish Tory Leadership frontrunner.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scottish Conservative Leadership Candidate and former Olympian, Brian Whittle, takes on challengers.

• "I'd struggle to vote for Russell Findlay"
• Douglas Ross standing in General Election was "disrespectful" and cost Tories the seat.
• "We got what we deserved" in General Election.
• Scottish Tory leaders have failed on communication.
• Scottish Tories - too much PR and not enough policy.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Against a backdrop of riots in the UK, misinformation and heightened tensions, a calm analysis of the riots and what they mean.

• How has the new Labour Government handled the crisis so far?
• Who is behind the riots?
• What this says about the UK?
• Why no riots in Scotland?

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bernard and Alex get heated with each other when the subject of a legitimate route to a second independence referendum arises. Also, Tory leadership contest. From the Press Bar on Albion Street in Glasgow.

Questions and comments from

Lee Carney

Jonny Gray

Wings Over Scotland

Gordon Innes

Follow us on Twitter, Youtube and Facebook

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour's Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Michael Marra MSP, tells the podcast

• A 2026 victory for Labour in the Scottish Parliamentary Election is "nowhere near a done deal"
• The best case scenario is a minority Labour government
• His political roots in family life in Dundee
• He regards Anas Sarwar's transformation of Scottish Labour as "profound"

Recorded at the Kilderkin pub on the Royal Mile.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

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.

SNP

Scottish Politics

Scottish Labour

Scottish Conservatives

Scottish Libdems

Scottish Greens

Alba Party

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

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.

SNP

Scottish Politics

Scottish Labour

Scottish Conservatives

Scottish Libdems

Scottish Greens

Alba Party

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

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.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

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.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

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?

ALSO

• The 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?

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

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".

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

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?

Also

What 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.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

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"

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

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 Group
• Salmond'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.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

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.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

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 critical
• Her 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

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

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"

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bernard and Alex are back considering:

SNP Registration of candidacy - Stephen Flynn, Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf have all thrown their hats in the ring. Can Flynn really be an MP and MSP despite party attitudes and are Sturgeon and Yousaf's intentions even real?

PLUS

Neil Gray - Does anyone believe the story of why ministerial trips were taken to watch Aberdeen football matches and does his explanation make matters worse?

US Elections - What Trump's victory means.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scottish Labour Deputy Leader, Dame Jackie Baillie, joins Bernard and Alex in the Press Bar to discuss:

• Scots are paying too much tax for failing services
• Her admiration of the SNP's Kate Forbes
• Her belief that the NHS is broken
• Why she'd like to be Health and Social Care Minister if Labour are elected in Scotland.
• Her early life in Hong Kong and her Portuguese family
• Why Margaret Thatcher motivated her to get into politics.
• Her fear of Labour complacency in the run up to the 2026 election

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are currently two bills on Assisted Dying - Kim Leadbeater MP introduced a Bill to the UK Parliament in October and Liam McArthur introduced a bill to March in the Scottish Parliament.

Liam joins Bernard and Alex to discuss this sensitive subject, the legislation and its ramifications. If you'd like to find out more or this issue affects you the there are a number of campaign organisations.

VARYING DEGREES OF SUPPORT

Dignity in Dying: A leading UK organization campaigning for the right to die with dignity. Twitter: @DignityinDying

Humanists UK: A charity supporting assisted dying, emphasizing autonomy and compassion. Twitter: @Humanists_UK

My Death, My Decision: A grassroots movement advocating for a compassionate law on assisted dying. Twitter: @MyDeathMyDecision

Assisted Dying Coalition: A group of like-minded organizations seeking to legalize assisted dying for the terminally ill or incurably suffering. Twitter: @AssistedDyingUK

Exit International: A not-for-profit organization based in Scotland providing information about voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide. Twitter: @ExitInternational

All-Party Parliamentary Group for Choice at the End of Life: A cross-party group of members of the British Parliament and Peers supporting better end-of-life options, including assisted dying. Twitter: @APPGEndofLife

VARYING DEGREES OF OPPOSITION

Care Not Killing: An alliance comprising faith-based and pro-life organizations, Care Not Killing advocates for improved palliative care and opposes any changes to current laws prohibiting euthanasia and assisted suicide. Twitter: @CNKAlliance

Christian Action, Research and Education (CARE): A Christian charity that campaigns against assisted dying, emphasizing the sanctity of life and the potential risks to vulnerable individuals. Twitter: @careorguk

Disability Rights UK: A leading organization representing disabled people, it has expressed concerns that legalizing assisted dying could pressure disabled individuals into ending their lives prematurely. Twitter: @DisRightsUK

Our Duty of Care: A group of healthcare professionals opposing assisted suicide and euthanasia, focusing on ethical considerations and the potential impact on the doctor-patient relationship. Twitter: @OurDutyofCare

@alexmassie

@Liam4Orkney

@kimleadbeater

@DavidDavisMP

@CarolineLucas

@patrickharvie

@GordonBrown

@HackneyAbbott

@EdwardLeighGB

@JohnSwinney

@SueJWebber

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In his most revealing and in-depth interview yet, Anas Sarwar outlines Scottish Labour’s agenda for government should he become First Minister in 2026 and what motivates him in politics.

•On post 2026 co-operation with SNP “"On individual issues, I will not turn my back or close my eyes to any politician of any party."

•Swingeing cuts to SNP bureaucracy and red-tape

•“We don’t need 50 health boards”

•Planning applications should take 16-18 weeks not 59

•Advocates "streamlining public sector bodies, including reducing the number of enterprise agencies."

•Clarifies position on “tapering” Winter Fuel Allowance. 

•"The next stage of devolution is pushing power out of Holyrood into Scotland’s regions."

•"The two darkest moments of my professional life—losing in 2015 and the leadership race in 2017—shaped me into a better human being and politician."

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anchorman, John Mackay, is one of the best known faces on television in Scotland as the lead presenter of STV's top rated news programmes. In his new book "Scotland Today & Yesterday" John records the biggest stories of his career from Dunblane to the Independence Referendum and tells Bernard and Alex what it was really like living in front of the camera through historic moments - and the personal effect it's had on him.

John's book is published on 1st December and is available here -> https://amzn.to/4fI5sT1

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.