The Go Radio Politics Show with Bernard Ponsonby

Go Radio Politics Show: October 25th, 2026.
  

This is the catch-up edition of Bernard Ponsonby's weekly live Sunday politics show on Go Radio, bringing you the biggest political stories, debates and interviews from across Scotland and beyond in one convenient podcast.

As Chancellor John Healey prepares to deliver one of the most challenging budgets in recent years, the panel debates how Labour can balance growth, public spending and rising economic pressures. With speculation mounting over tax changes, defence spending and support for households, the discussion explores what the government must do to restore confidence while delivering for voters.

The conversation then turns to the future of North Sea energy, with heated debate over the Jackdaw and Rosebank developments, climate targets, energy security and jobs. Finally, the panel examines whether politicians who leave the party they were elected for should be allowed to keep their seats, following Amanda Bland's departure from Reform UK.

Episode Highlights

📊 What can John  Healey realistically deliver in Wednesday's budget?

💷 The battle between economic growth, taxation and public spending.

🏠 Cost-of-living concerns and proposals to ease pressure on households.

⚔️ Cross-party agreement emerges on increasing UK defence spending.

🛢️ Why the approval of Jackdaw has reignited the Rosebank debate.

🌍 Can the UK meet climate commitments while expanding North Sea extraction?

⚡ Energy security versus net-zero ambitions.

🏛️ Amanda Bland's exit from Reform UK sparks debate over political mandates.

🗳️ Should MSPs who leave their party be forced to seek re-election?

🎙️ Sharp exchanges, surprising agreements and major political fault lines ahead of a crucial week in Westminster.

Listen now for a wide-ranging debate on the budget, energy policy and the future of political accountability in Scotland

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Go Radio Politics Show: October 18th, 2026.
  

This is the catch-up edition of Bernard Ponsonby's weekly live Sunday politics show on Go Radio, bringing you the biggest political stories, debates and interviews from across Scotland and beyond in one convenient podcast.

Bernard Ponsonby is joined by Douglas Lumsden (Scottish Conservatives), Alex Kerr (SNP), and Chris Kane (Labour) for a lively debate covering the SNP's latest independence push, Labour's discussion on Britain's future relationship with Europe, and the growing controversy engulfing Reform UK following an ITV undercover investigation. 

The panel clashes over mandates, democracy, devolution, Brexit, constitutional reform and the role of the media, producing a robust discussion on some of the biggest political questions facing Scotland and the UK. 

Key Highlights

• SNP Conference Under Fire: Is John Swinney's "Choose Scotland" campaign a genuine route to independence or simply another speech without a strategy?
• Mandate vs Reality: Heated exchanges over whether electoral victories provide a democratic mandate for another independence referendum.
• Constitutional Convention Proposal: Bernard suggests the SNP should establish a constitutional convention to answer unanswered questions about independence.
• Brexit Reopened?: Labour faces questions over whether Andy Burnham's comments signal the beginning of a national conversation about rejoining the EU.
• Growth and Europe: The panel debates whether Brexit has held back economic growth and whether closer European ties could offer a solution.
• Reform UK Row: Strong reactions to an ITV undercover documentary alleging racist comments among senior Reform figures.
• Media Scrutiny and Bias: A wider discussion on the role of journalists, political accountability, and claims of liberal bias in broadcasting

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Go Radio Politics Show: October 11th, 2026.
  

This is the catch-up edition of Bernard Ponsonby's weekly live Sunday politics show on Go Radio.

In this special edition of the Go Radio Politics Show, the politicians step aside and Scotland's young people take centre stage. Drawing on findings from Young Scot's Truth About Youth survey, host Bernard Ponsonby is joined by a panel of young Scots to discuss the issues they believe will define their future. 

From political engagement and misinformation to racism, bullying, poverty and social change, this is a frank, thoughtful and often inspiring conversation about the Scotland young people want to build. Throughout the discussion, the panel share personal experiences, challenge assumptions and offer a hopeful vision for the years ahead. 

Episode Highlights

• Why so many young people believe politics matters, but feel shut out of the political process.
• The challenge of navigating misinformation, social media and political content online.
• A powerful discussion on racism, prejudice and the impact of divisive rhetoric.
• Personal stories about bullying, discrimination and feeling unsafe.
• The reality of child poverty and why many young people see it as a political failure.
• How schools are tackling citizenship, inclusion and respect.
• Whether politicians are succeeding in connecting with younger generations.
• An uplifting conclusion as the panel share their hopes for Scotland's future.

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Go Radio Politics Show: October 4th, 2026.
  

This is the catch-up edition of Bernard Ponsonby's weekly live Sunday politics show on Go Radio, bringing you the biggest political stories, debates and interviews from across Scotland and beyond in one convenient podcast.

On this week's Go Radio Politics Show, Bernard Ponsonby is joined by representatives from Labour, the SNP and Reform UK for a lively debate on some of the biggest political questions facing the UK.

The panel tackles Labour's plans to move from the pensions triple lock to a double lock, whether Britain is heading towards proportional representation, and the growing row over Glasgow City Council's controversial fire-and-rehire proposals. Expect sharp exchanges on pension reform, electoral change, workers' rights and the future shape of UK democracy.

Episode Highlights

• Labour's proposal to replace the triple lock with a double lock and what it means for future pensioners.
• The growing challenge of funding social care and an ageing population.
• Could proportional representation finally come to Westminster?
• What electoral reform would mean for Labour, the SNP, Reform UK and the Conservatives.
• Glasgow City Council's fire-and-rehire controversy and the battle with unions.
• The future of workers' rights and equal pay.
• Economic growth, taxation and how Britain pays for public services.
• Intergenerational fairness and whether younger generations are getting a worse deal than today's pensioners

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Go Radio Politics Show: September 27th, 2026.
 

This is the catch-up edition of Bernard Ponsonby's weekly live Sunday politics show on Go Radio, bringing you the biggest political stories, debates and interviews from across Scotland and beyond in one convenient podcast.

On this week’s Go Radio Politics Show, Bernard Ponsonby is joined by Stephen Kerr MSP, Sanne Dijkstra Downie MSP and former SNP MP/MSP Anne McLaughlin for a lively debate on three major issues shaping Scotland. 

The panel tackles Scotland’s rising drug deaths crisis, the Scottish Government’s plans for local government reform, and the latest independence debate at Holyrood. Expect strong opinions, sharp exchanges and plenty of political disagreement. 

Key Highlights

• Why Scotland continues to record the highest drug death rate in Europe. 

• Heated debate over drug consumption rooms, rehabilitation and decriminalisation. 

• Will local government be radically reshaped into larger regional authorities? 

• Could public sector reform save money or create even more costs?

• Is Scottish independence becoming a distraction from voters' day-to-day concerns? 

• Strong exchanges over mandates, referendums and the future of the Union. 

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Go Radio Politics Show: September 20th, 23rd 2026.

This is a catch-up version of Bernard Ponsonby's live, weekly Sunday show on Go Radio.

Scottish Labour has a new leader, but can Michael Marra revive the party's fortunes after another difficult election result?

This week, Bernard Ponsonby is joined by Paul Sweeney and Chris Stephens to discuss Labour's future, public sector reform, and the challenges facing Scottish politics. The panel also debates whether the UK's constitutional future is beginning to shift following a landmark meeting between nationalist leaders from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Plus, a special look at the life and legacy of legendary trade union leader Jimmy Reid, with insights from those who knew him best. 

Episode Highlights

• Michael Marra's victory and the future of Scottish Labour
• Can Labour define what it stands for in modern Scotland?
• Public service reform and the looming budget challenges
• John Swinney's claim that Andy Burnham could be the last UK Prime Minister
• What does the nationalist summit mean for the future of the Union?
• Could a border poll in Northern Ireland happen before another Scottish referendum?
• The life, politics and enduring legacy of Jimmy Reid
• Exclusive reflections from author Brian McGeachy and former Labour chairman Bob Thomson

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Go Radio Politics Show: September 13th, 23rd 2026.

This is a catch-up version of Bernard Ponsonby's live, weekly Sunday show on Go Radio.

Glasgow has a new council leader, but can the city overcome the huge challenges ahead?

Bernard Ponsonby is joined by Glasgow City Council Leader Ricky Bell, Labour's Rashid Hussain and Reform UK's Thomas Kerr for a wide-ranging debate on the future of Scotland's largest city. From council finances and equal pay to homelessness, asylum pressures, bin collections, council tax and the possibility of a Greater Glasgow authority, the panel tackle the issues dominating political discussion across the city.

Key Highlights

Was Susan Aitken's leadership ultimately good or bad for Glasgow?

The reality behind Glasgow's £110 million financial challenge.

Should the Scottish and UK governments provide more support?

The growing pressures around homelessness and asylum policy.

Why council tax reform is back on the political agenda.

Could a directly elected mayor or a Greater Glasgow authority transform the city?

What Glasgow's political leaders would do differently ahead of next year's council elections.

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Bernard Ponsonby is joined by Alex Kerr ,SNP, David Smith, Reform and Katherine Sangster, Labour as they diccuss the week in politics.

Go Radio Politics Show: August, 23rd 2026.

This is a catch-up version of Bernard Ponsonby's live, weekly Sunday show on Go Radio. 

This week on the Go Radio Politics Show, Bernard Ponsonby and his panel tackle three of Scotland's most pressing issues. First, they examine the fierce debate sparked by a BBC documentary on Glasgow city centre, asking whether concerns about crime, drug use, homelessness and public safety reflect reality or risk damaging the city's reputation.

The discussion then turns to Scotland's justice system, where growing court backlogs, lengthy trial delays and prison overcrowding are raising serious questions about whether victims and communities are being let down.

Finally, the panel explores the future of Scottish shipbuilding following redundancy announcements at Ferguson Marine. Is there still a long-term future for shipbuilding on the Clyde, or are deeper structural problems threatening one of Scotland's most iconic industries?

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