🎙️ The Temper Trap: Can PR De-Fang Farage? | with Stuart Donald

In this thought-provoking episode, Indypodcasters Fiona and Marlene are joined by returning guest and data analyst Stuart Donald to discuss his latest research paper, The Temper Trap. The trio explore how Proportional Representation (PR) can be a powerful tool in limiting the influence of far-right politics, especially compared to the UK’s current First Past the Post (FPTP) electoral system.

Stuart shares compelling data from across Europe, showing how countries with PR systems—despite the presence of far-right parties—have managed to keep extreme immigration and social policies in check. Could Reform UK gaining seats in Holyrood or the Senedd actually reduce the risk of Nigel Farage becoming Prime Minister? Could PR be the key to protecting democracy in the UK?

👉 Tune in to uncover:

Why PR is more effective than FPTP in containing extremism

How European democracies handle far-right parties differently

Whether PR could be the unexpected safeguard against a Farage-led government

Key themes:

Find Stuart's paper The Temper Trap here: https://www.compassonline.org.uk/publications/the-temper-trap-how-proportional-representation-tames-the-populist-right/

The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!

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Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Scottish Independence Podcasts is not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

#democracy #electoralreform #holyrood2026

"Politics, Power & Possibility – A Conversation with Lena Swedlow from Compass"

In this episode  IndyPodcasters Fiona and Marlene reflect on our visit to A Scottish Spring conference back in April, where we were struck by a standout talk from Lena Swedlow, a researcher at the progressive think tank Compass.

After a busy summer, we finally caught up with Lena for a wide-ranging conversation about the current political landscape in Scotland and the wider  UK, including the deeper causes behind the shifting trends we’re seeing—from growing voter disengagement to the challenges facing progressive movements.

Whether you’re interested in politics, grassroots change, or the future of the UK’s political system, this thoughtful and energising discussion offers fresh insights and hope for what comes next.

key themes:

Find out more about Compass here - https://compassonline.org.uk

Find our episode on A Scottish Spring here - https://youtu.be/iXZ7PByGONY

#compassthinktank #lenaswerdlow #progressivepoliticsuk

The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!

Contact Us: [email protected] 

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Music:

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Scottish Independence Podcasts is not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

This Week on IndyPodcasters: Dr. Philippa Whitford – The Road to Holyrood 2026

Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr. Philippa Whitford, recently retired SNP MP and long-time advocate for Scottish independence and national wellbeing.

In this episode, we explore:

Campaign strategies ahead of Holyrood 2026

How to effectively counter the rising threat of the far right

Breaking through media barriers in Scotland

The unique, world-leading wellbeing policies of the Scottish Government

With decades of political and medical experience, Dr. Whitford offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and opportunities facing the independence movement today. She reflects on the successes of the Scottish government despite the limitations of Westminster control and highlights the benefits awaiting us when we have the full levers and powers of an independent country.

#scottishindependence #holyrood2026 #drphilippawhitford

The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!

Contact Us: [email protected] 

Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes

Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips.  video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm

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Music:

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Scottish Independence Podcasts is not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

🎧 Countdown to Holyrood 2026 | Episode: Nick Drurie – Alba Party

In this episode of our Countdown to Holyrood 2026 series, we’re back at the  Bacchus Bar in Glasgow with Nick Drurie from the Alba Party. Hosted by the grassroots group Glasgow Pensioners for Independence, this lively event brings together independence supporters to hear directly from party representatives ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections.

Nick answers tough audience questions on a wide range of topics – from economic policy to the route to independence – offering a unique Alba perspective in this critical political moment.

Key topics:

🔗 Watch the full series on our YouTube Playlist:  https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmrDKalFQSLAgCYxQweW2RqPSDnYFnRX4&si=aJsi3wdMCdPnw6kA

#scottishindependence #holyrood2026 #albaparty

The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!

Contact Us: [email protected] 

Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes

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Music:

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Scottish Independence Podcasts is not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

In this special episode IndyPodcasters Fiona and Marlene take a break from the usual guest format for a more personal chat. After attending the Glasgow book launch of Frankly, Nicola Sturgeon’s much-anticipated memoir, the pair share their candid reflections on the event — and the unexpected TikTok reaction that followed.

From going viral overnight to unpacking the diverse responses the book has sparked — across mainstream UK media, podcasts, and Scottish independence commentators — Fiona and Marlene explore what the media response to the book tells us about Scotland’s political landscape, media narratives, and public sentiment.

Join them for an honest, insightful, and at times surprising look at the ripple effects of one book — and one TikTok.

No guests this week — just real talk from two women navigating politics, culture, and independence in Scotland.

Key themes:

00:02:44 Our night out

00:04:44 Responses to our Tiktok

00:09:32 Social media bubbles

00:11:33 Mainstream media TV interviews

00:16:42 Uk podcasts

00:20:36 Imposter syndrome

00:23:02 Marlene's choice excerpts

00:32:14 Have we learned anything new?

00:34:09 The pro-independence commentariat

00:39:42 Bigger than the book

00:42:47 Unreasonable Expectations

00:46:37 Choosing another path

00:49:28 Final thought

In this special episode  IndyPodcasters Fiona and Marlene take a break from the usual guest format for a more personal chat. After attending the Glasgow book launch of Frankly, Nicola Sturgeon’s much-anticipated memoir, the pair share their candid reflections on the event — and the unexpected TikTok reaction that followed.

From going viral overnight to unpacking the diverse responses the book has sparked — across mainstream UK media, podcasts, and Scottish independence commentators — Fiona and Marlene explore what the media response to the book tells us about Scotland’s political landscape, media narratives, and public sentiment.

Join them for an honest, insightful, and at times surprising look at the ripple effects of one book — and one TikTok.

🎧 No guests this week — just real talk from two women navigating politics, culture, and independence in Scotland.

Key themes:

00:02:44   Our night out

#scottishindependence #nicolasturgeon #mediareaction

The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!

Contact Us: [email protected] 

Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes

Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips.  video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm

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Music:

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The Scottish Parliament went back to Holyrood last week for the final session before the elections in 2026.  

Find the new paper Your right to Decide here:https://www.gov.scot/publications/right-decide/

#scottishindependence #democracy #johnswinney

The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!

Contact Us: [email protected] 

Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes

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Music:

Industiral cinematic and Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

🎙️ Top 10 Takeaways from Professor Danny Dorling at the Festival of Politics | Indypodcasters

In this episode, Fiona and Marlene share their top 10 insights from the 2025 Festival of Politics at Holyrood, where they attended a powerful session with Professor Danny Dorling, Professor of Human Geography at the University of Oxford.

From rising inequality to the politics of child poverty and electoral reform, this episode unpacks the key messages from Dorling’s thought-provoking talk — including a question from Marlene herself!

🔟 Key takeaways include:

00:03:20   How inequality is shaped by family background

00:08:22   Why it’s dangerously easy to scare the public

00:13:38  The Scottish Child Payment as a vital anti-poverty tool

00:19:32  How child poverty is measured — and why it matters

00:21:15  The essential role of care and compassion in policymaking

00:24)06  How Reform UK’s agenda threatens climate progress

00:28:18   Marlene asks a question in Holyrood!

00:33:20  The democratic risk of First Past the Post

00:36:03  Growing disconnect between people and politics

00:38:36  The surprising reasons why violence is decreasing

Whether you're interested in social justice, politics, or progressive change, this episode is packed with insight, analysis, and inspiration.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation on building a fairer society.

#FestivalOfPolitics #DannyDorling #ScottishPolitics #ChildPoverty #Inequality #ElectoralReform #NetZero #SocialJustice #indypodcasters

The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!

Contact Us: [email protected] 

Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes

Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips.  video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm

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🎙 Solving Scotland’s Housing Crisis – with Dr Craig Dalzell of Common Weal 🏘

In this episode, we speak with Craig Dalzell, Head of Policy at the Scottish think tank Common Weal, about urgent, practical solutions to Scotland’s housing crisis. The discussion is based on his recent article in The National, which is addressed directly to Màiri McAllan, the newly appointed Housing Minister in the Scottish Parliament.

Craig outlines bold proposals to tackle the crisis — including filling Scotland’s 100,000+ empty homes, delivering real land reform, raising building standards, and committing to a major expansion of social housing.

If you're interested in how policy can shape a fairer, more functional housing system in Scotland, this is essential listening.

Key topics

00:02:14  What is the Housing Crisis?

Read Craig's article in the National Newspaper here https://www.thenational.scot/news/25304485.four-ways-mairi-mcallan-can-fix-scotlands-housing-crisis/

Find out more about Commonweal at  https://commonweal.scot

Find out about Social Bite villages here https://www.social-bite.co.uk/what-we-do/the-social-bite-village-model/

#housingcrisis #commonweal #scottishpolitics

The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!

Contact Us: [email protected] 

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Indypodcasters bring you the latest in the meetings hosted by campaign group Glasgow Pensioners for Independencespeaking with politicians from all pro-independence parties.

key themes and audience questions:

00:01:32  Doorstep disillusionment

Whether you’re a long-time supporter or just exploring the conversation, don’t miss this timely episode in the run-up to Holyrood 2026.

📌 Follow us and subscribe for more

#holyrood2026 #scottishgreens #scottishindependence

The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!

Contact Us: [email protected] 

Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes

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🎙️25 Years of Scottish Left Review with Bob Thomson

In this special episode, Fiona and Marlene sit down with veteran trade unionist and political activist Bob Thomson to mark the 25th anniversary of Scottish Left Review. From his early days on the factory floor to the top of Unison, Bob shares a lifetime of experience in labour politics, trade unionism, and Scottish constitutional reform.

A founding figure in Scottish Left Review and the Jimmy Reid Foundation, Bob has also served as Treasurer and Vice Chair of Scottish Labour, participated in the Scottish Constitutional Convention, campaigned as a member of Labour for Independence in 2014 and is an advocate for electoral reform. He even counts Jeremy Corbyn among his friends!

Join us for a rich and insightful conversation that spans 25 years of left-wing politics in Scotland, from the grassroots to the national stage.

💬 Topics discussed include:

00:03:45  25 years of the Scottish Left Review

00:13:18  Old Labour vs New Labour

00:26:29   The Devo Max option?

00:33:34   Corbyn's new party

00:42:32   Predictions for Holyrood 2026

You can access the Scottish Left Review at https://scottishleftreview.scot

Find out more about the Jimmy Reid Foundation at https://reidfoundation.scot

#scottishleftreview #jeremycorbyn #scottishlabour

The Scottish Independence Podcasts team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!

Contact Us: [email protected] 

Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes

Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips.  video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm

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Music:

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod