The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie delve into the challenges facing the new Labour government in the aftermath of Keir Starmer's first conference speech as Prime Minister.

• Labour stood on a platform of "Change" but is it immediate enough for the electorate?
• Where will the money come from in Rachel Reeves upcoming budget?
• Is the new government facing mid-term blues already, only months after the election?
• Anas Sarwar has said no austerity but how do you define austerity?

ALSO

• The Scottish Tories and Reform?
• Will the Scottish Tories even make it to 3rd place in the 2026 election?
• Are there any ideas in the race to be Scottish Tory Leader?
• Does Reform have a constituency in Scotland?

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Bernard is in the USA. Alex is on the Isle of Jura.

• Bernard says Keir Starmer needs to deliver growth or face the anger of the electorate over growing errors.
• Alex says that naive and loose-lipped press briefing by new staff in Government and the freebie scandal raise questions over Starmer's judgement.
• Bernard analyses the US Presidential race from Vermont - it's edging towards Harris but it's tight.
• Alex questions Stewart McDonald's suggestion that the SNP should consider a centre left coalition with Labour after 2026 Scottish Parliament Election.

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It's 10 years since Scotland's Independence Referendum.

Bernard and Alex reflect on what happened, where we are now and will there be an Indy Ref II?

Including Bernard's insights into what really happened behind the scenes at the TV debates and on referendum night.

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PART 2 - Bernard and Alex were consulted during the production of BBC Scotland's "Salmond and Sturgeon: A Troubled Union".

In this episode, released directly after the documentary's broadcast, Bernard and Alex focus on part two of the two part series. They give their thoughts and analysis of both the programme and relationship between Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon.

SNP

Scottish Politics

Scottish Labour

Scottish Conservatives

Scottish Libdems

Scottish Greens

Alba Party

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

PART 1 - Bernard and Alex were consulted during the production of BBC Scotland's "Salmond and Sturgeon: A Troubled Union".

In this episode, released directly after the documentary's broadcast, Bernard and Alex focus on part one of the two part series. They give their thoughts and analysis of both the programme and relationship between Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon.

SNP

Scottish Politics

Scottish Labour

Scottish Conservatives

Scottish Libdems

Scottish Greens

Alba Party

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

Labour's Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Michael Marra MSP, tells the podcast

• A 2026 victory for Labour in the Scottish Parliamentary Election is "nowhere near a done deal"
• The best case scenario is a minority Labour government
• His political roots in family life in Dundee
• He regards Anas Sarwar's transformation of Scottish Labour as "profound"

Recorded at the Kilderkin pub on the Royal Mile.

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In the aftermath of the SNP's Annual Conference, Bernard and Alex ask - where are the new policies and the strategy for independence that the party will need to win voters back who switched to Labour at the General Election?

• The need for a clear policy prospectus.
• The challenges of economic growth and public services. 
• The conference talked about Independence but not the trickier subject of strategy.
• If the SNP and Scottish Government continue to say they cannot deliver with the powers and budget they have, Scottish Labour will say it can.

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On the eve of the SNP Annual Conference, former Minister Alex Neil warns First Minster John Swinney to bin the "political weans" and "bring in heavyweights" as losing 2026 election will mean an independent Scotland is "in the freezer for 10-30 years"

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Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie tackle the issues of the week including

• Fallout from SNP Minister, Angus Robertson, meeting with Israeli diplomats.
• Can anything be done to stem drug deaths in Scotland
• The Scottish Conservative leadership race.

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Scottish Conservative leadership candidate, Meghan Gallacher, does not hold back in laying out her campaign stall.

• Says she'll investigate allegations that former boss and party leader, Douglas Ross, had a long term plan to dump Holyrood colleagues in favour of Westminster seat.
• Proposes 1p cut to Scottish Income Tax
• Proposes a re-evaluation of Scottish Council Tax bands.
• Complete rebuild of the Scottish Tory party.
• Expresses her admiration for Margaret Thatcher who "took no sh*t"

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