Calum, Andy and Geoff discuss the new BBC Scotland documentary on the alliance between Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon, their public feud, and the transformation of the SNP. Plus, the potential risks and strategies surrounding the Scottish budget and the support of the Scottish Greens. We also explore the possibility of an early Hollyrood general election and the implications for the different political parties.

Sponsored by the Scotch Whisky Association's Made to be Measured campaign. Find out more about the campaign at scotch-whisky.org.uk/madetobemeasured Sponsored by SSE: to verify what you've heard, click sse.com/change Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/holyroodsources.

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The conversation discusses the recent announcement of £500 million worth of cuts in the Scottish government's budget. Calum and Andy are joined by John Boothman from The Times and The Sunday Times, as well as Mairi Spowage from the Fraser of Allander Institue, and Fergus Mutch - former SNP adviser, and Geoff's boss, to disucss: the numbers and the impact of the cuts. One area of concern is the need for transparency and efficiency in government spending. We also discuss the use of the ScotWind fund and the challenges of eradicating child poverty.

Sponsored by the Scotch Whisky Association's Made to be Measured campaign. Find out more about the campaign at scotch-whisky.org.uk/madetobemeasured

Sponsored by SSE: to verify what you've heard, click sse.com/change

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The three candidates to be the next leader of the Scottish Conservative party join the podcast to discuss the issues of the campaign. Meghan Gallacher, Murdo Fraser and Russell Findlay talk about the difficulties of the campaign, how they'd form an effective opposition, whether they think they can ever be First Minister, how they feel about the rise of Reform UK in Scotland and what would define their leadership. Calum, Geoff and Andy discuss and debate with them. 

Sponsored by the Scotch Whisky Association's Made to be Measured campaign. Find out more about the campaign at www.scotch-whisky.org.uk/madetobemeasured. Sponsored by SSE. To verify what you've heard, click www.sse.com/change.

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

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Calum, Andy and Geoff discuss the fallout from rioting across England over the past week, and why there hasn't been any in Scotland. Plus, Murdo Fraser enters the Scottish Conservative leadership race, it's results day, and dressage isn't a real Olympic sport.

This episode is sponsored by Port of Aberdeen.

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Calum, Geoff and Andy debrief on last week's candid interview with Murdo Fraser and Liz Smith, as well as assess Rachel Reeves's less-than-optimistic speech on the state of the economy this week. Plus, what would a positive SNP conference look like? And would a particular new leader of the Scottish Conservatives get the party out of it's electoral rut - or does something more significant have to change?

This episode is sponsored by Port of Aberdeen. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/holyroodsources. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/holyroodsources. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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MSPs for Mid Scotland and Fife Liz Smith and Murdo Fraser join Calum and Andy to unpick what the future holds for the Scottish Conservatives, as well as reflect on its past. Potentially the next leader of the party, Murdo Fraser admits it was a mistake to try and split from the UK party in 2011 (which derailed his previous leadership bid), and suggests that he would be open to working with a new party, headed by...Kate Forbes.

Plus, does Holyrood need an upper chamber? And why is Scotland's devolution underperforming, compared to England? And how detrimental might that prove to be? All in today's episode. 

This episode is sponsored by Port of Aberdeen. Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/holyroodsources.

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