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.

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#KateForbes #SNP #ScottishPolitics #JohnSwinney #Holyrood #IndyRef2 #ScottishIndependence #StephenFlynn #MàiriMcAllan

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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 Union
• The rise of Reform UK and Nigel Farage’s “naked English nationalism”
• The SNP’s crisis — and its historical parallel with Irish nationalism after Parnell
• Whether the UK is becoming a modern-day Habsburg Empire
• What 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.

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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.

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👀 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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