Podlitical

The team digest the First Minister's marathon evidence session at the Holyrood committee, as Nicola Sturgeon rejects suggestions she broke the ministerial code, and claims that allegations of conspiracy made against her by Former First Minister Alex Salmond are "absurd". BBC Scotland political editor Glenn Campbell joins the team to pick through the nearly eight hour hearing, how opposition parties have reacted, and whether we heard the smoking gun of evidence, or if it was a misfire.

There are rows over redactions and claims of conspiracy as the Salmond inquiry continues. From a fiery session of FMQs to the Scottish Parliament publishing a revised version of a submission from Alex Salmond after the Crown Office raised "grave concerns" about it, the team explains the anger on both sides - and what impact it could have on the landscape of Scottish politics.

As the vaccine rollout continues, the team discuss the pitfalls of positive promises, and the additional caution both First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Prime Minister Boris Johnson appear to be taking ahead of the planned release of a road map out of this lockdown. With political concern over promising a definitive timetable being met with businesses seeking clarity, the team chat about the fine line politicians are having to walk to avoid any further lockdowns while also sharing the good news on vaccine uptake.

The team discusses what's next for the Holyrood inquiry if Alex Salmond doesn't appear, after the two sides failed to come to an agreement and the committee said the former First Minister had set conditions that they "simply could never meet". Ahead of the potential appearance by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon next week, what kind of impact will this have on the Hamilton and Salmond inquiries, and what will Alex Salmond do next?

Tensions grow in the SNP, as Joanna Cherry is dropped from the Westminster front bench. In a public row, she claims she was 'sacked', while the party says it had made a number of changes to its Westminster team before the upcoming Holyrood election. Ahead of next week's potential appearance of Alex Salmond at the inquiry into how the Scottish Government handled sexual misconduct complaints, and with the row over the Gender Recognition Act still simmering away, just what is going on inside the SNP? The team discuss this and more.

Ahead of standing down from Holyrood, MSPs Aileen Campbell and Jenny Marra discuss if family life and political work can mix. Is it possible to balance raising children and a career on the campaign trail? Lucy and Rajdeep sit them down for a frank talk on the reasons they are choosing to leave frontline politics for now, as well as what they hope changes in the future to ease the difficulties of being a parent in Parliament.

Political planning around a potential second independence referendum ramps up a notch as the SNP release their 11-step 'roadmap' to independence, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson heads to Scotland. As both Unionist and Independence parties plead their case to the voting public ahead of the Holyrood election in May, the team discuss what arguments are being made, as well as what's happening behind the scenes.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard has stood down, so what's next for the party? With the Holyrood Elections in May, BBC Scotland political editor Glenn Campbell joins the team to discuss the party's prospects, as the leadership race between Anas Sarwar and Monica Lennon begins. They discuss the difficulties facing Scottish Labour in introducing a new leader to the public ahead of the election, all while trying to wrangle the elephant in the room - the prospect of a second Independence Referendum.

Brand new year, brand new political problems? The team discuss the busy start to 2021, including another lockdown and fears over Coronavirus mutations, Brexit finally being done and the so-called 'teething problems' surrounding fishing, as well as the growing split between First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her former mentor Alex Salmond.

As tougher Christmas guidance is issued, what is the political thinking behind the rules? From bubbles to baubles, the team discuss the political dilemma leaders of the four nations face, and the potential risks to public health as we enter the new year. In the final episode of the year, Lucy, Phil, Rajdeep, Nick, and Lynsey also look back on 2020 and discuss their standout moments.