Does Trump's "America First" start to his second term as US President, with trade wars, tough immigration policies, border controls and pulling back from international cooperation actually create an opportunity for the UK and Scotland?

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On Nicola Sturgeon's Criticism of Alex Salmond and His Family's Response

• “Telling the truth is now considered an attack and something that should be forbidden or locked away in a box.”
• “Nicola Sturgeon’s Financial Times interview was more candid than her ‘measured’ statements to Parliament – did she conceal critical details?”

On Reform UK and Scottish Politics:

• “2025 will be the year of Reform UK… Farage emboldens his raison d’être as mainstream parties feed his populist agenda.”
• “Thomas Kerr’s defection exposes dark, shadowy forces behind Scottish Tory leadership – a symptom of a party in freefall.”

On Rachel Reeves and Labour:

• “Rachel Reeves isn’t just struggling; whispers about her future might turn into howls if Labour can’t deliver growth.”
• “Reeves and Starmer’s economic strategies betray their lip service to growth – they’re politicians of expediency, not vision.”

On Trump’s Return:

• “Expect headlines, nonsense, and contradictory entertainment – and for the sensible, a whole lot of worry.”
• “Buying Greenland, tariffs on all imports, and re-nationalism – Trump’s policies evoke the chaotic politics of a century ago.”

On Biden’s Presidency:

• “Biden was a stop-Trump president, and Trump is returning. By that definition alone, Biden’s presidency is a monumental failure.”
• “A tawdry end to Biden’s legacy: pardoning his son cuts through the nobility of public service.”

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In the first episode of 2025, Alex calls out John Swinney's warnings on leaving the door open to populists "if populism is to be defined as sort of sweeping generalized single solution to all problems and so on, then isn't Scottish independence the single greatest act of populism in recent Scottish political history?"

Also, the Scottish Budget, Labour woes and Elon Musk.

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We're heading into the Christmas season but not at the expense of political news:

• Scottish Labour Leader, Anas Sarwar, is heading for festive fisticuffs with the Prime Minister over Waspi Women. Bernard and Alex examine the issue and whether it's all talk or can it be solved?
• Nicola Sturgeon has given a series of interviews but was it a sensible idea?
• The rise of Reform UK continues and Alex predicts there will be a poll in the not too distant future showing them to be the third most popular party in Scotland.

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In the wake of a poll in the Sunday Times reporting that Scottish Labour are a long way from preventing the SNP forming a third decade of Scottish Government in 2026 and reports of grumblings within the party from members and supporters at a recent Scottish Labour event, Bernard and Alex ask - what's gone wrong less than 6 months after the party delivered 37 MPs in the General Election?

Plus, the SNP has its own worries. Ponsonby and Massie explore their current standing post the Scottish Budget.

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Who will win a coveted Ponsonby and Massie coffee mug as Bernard and Alex convene in the Kilderkin Bar on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh to hold their own annual Scottish political award ceremony over pints. Also, after Nicola Sturgeon was paid £25,000 to take part in an ITV election programme, Bernard reveals for the first time how much the BBC offered him to take part in an election leaders debate programme. Who do you think got more?

It's the awards show that's got it all.

CATEGORIES

Resignation of the Year

Backbencher of the Year

Brass Neck of the Year

Consequential Scandal of the Year

Inconsequential Scandal of the Year

NOMINEES INCLUDE

Nicola Sturgeon

Humza Yousaf

Anas Sarwar

Douglas Ross

Operation Branchform

The Ferries

Michael Matheson

Neil Gray

Fergus Ewing

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Anchorman, John Mackay, is one of the best known faces on television in Scotland as the lead presenter of STV's top rated news programmes. In his new book "Scotland Today & Yesterday" John records the biggest stories of his career from Dunblane to the Independence Referendum and tells Bernard and Alex what it was really like living in front of the camera through historic moments - and the personal effect it's had on him.

John's book is published on 1st December and is available here -> https://amzn.to/4fI5sT1

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In his most revealing and in-depth interview yet, Anas Sarwar outlines Scottish Labour’s agenda for government should he become First Minister in 2026 and what motivates him in politics.

•On post 2026 co-operation with SNP “"On individual issues, I will not turn my back or close my eyes to any politician of any party."

•Swingeing cuts to SNP bureaucracy and red-tape

•“We don’t need 50 health boards”

•Planning applications should take 16-18 weeks not 59

•Advocates "streamlining public sector bodies, including reducing the number of enterprise agencies."

•Clarifies position on “tapering” Winter Fuel Allowance. 

•"The next stage of devolution is pushing power out of Holyrood into Scotland’s regions."

•"The two darkest moments of my professional life—losing in 2015 and the leadership race in 2017—shaped me into a better human being and politician."

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There are currently two bills on Assisted Dying - Kim Leadbeater MP introduced a Bill to the UK Parliament in October and Liam McArthur introduced a bill to March in the Scottish Parliament.

Liam joins Bernard and Alex to discuss this sensitive subject, the legislation and its ramifications. If you'd like to find out more or this issue affects you the there are a number of campaign organisations.

VARYING DEGREES OF SUPPORT

Dignity in Dying: A leading UK organization campaigning for the right to die with dignity. Twitter: @DignityinDying

Humanists UK: A charity supporting assisted dying, emphasizing autonomy and compassion. Twitter: @Humanists_UK

My Death, My Decision: A grassroots movement advocating for a compassionate law on assisted dying. Twitter: @MyDeathMyDecision

Assisted Dying Coalition: A group of like-minded organizations seeking to legalize assisted dying for the terminally ill or incurably suffering. Twitter: @AssistedDyingUK

Exit International: A not-for-profit organization based in Scotland providing information about voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide. Twitter: @ExitInternational

All-Party Parliamentary Group for Choice at the End of Life: A cross-party group of members of the British Parliament and Peers supporting better end-of-life options, including assisted dying. Twitter: @APPGEndofLife

VARYING DEGREES OF OPPOSITION

Care Not Killing: An alliance comprising faith-based and pro-life organizations, Care Not Killing advocates for improved palliative care and opposes any changes to current laws prohibiting euthanasia and assisted suicide. Twitter: @CNKAlliance

Christian Action, Research and Education (CARE): A Christian charity that campaigns against assisted dying, emphasizing the sanctity of life and the potential risks to vulnerable individuals. Twitter: @careorguk

Disability Rights UK: A leading organization representing disabled people, it has expressed concerns that legalizing assisted dying could pressure disabled individuals into ending their lives prematurely. Twitter: @DisRightsUK

Our Duty of Care: A group of healthcare professionals opposing assisted suicide and euthanasia, focusing on ethical considerations and the potential impact on the doctor-patient relationship. Twitter: @OurDutyofCare

@alexmassie

@Liam4Orkney

@kimleadbeater

@DavidDavisMP

@CarolineLucas

@patrickharvie

@GordonBrown

@HackneyAbbott

@EdwardLeighGB

@JohnSwinney

@SueJWebber

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