The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

By Solid Media

The two biggest names in Scottish political journalism, Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie, join forces to bring you a regular “must listen” insider briefing on the political and wider world.

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How many episodes does The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 133 episodes available.

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Number 1: STURGEON & MURRELL TV DRAMA - Who will they cast?
A new cost-of-living “winter of discontent”?Will Andy Burnham and John Swinney come clean on tightening budgets facing both Westminster and HolyroodThe lighter question of casting the announced Sturgeon–Murrell Channel 5 drama.Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
August 28, 202636min
Number 2: GENERAL ELECTION NEXT YEAR? "Zero Chance" say Ponsonby and Massie
With Labour’s conference approaching, Bernard and Alex discuss Andy Burnham’s first Budget, the speculation about an early general election, and whether a divided opposition could help Labour hold on to power. Could Scotland’s councils be radically reorganised within months? And as drug deaths rise, are the Scottish Government’s promises matching the results? Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie examine the proposed shake-up of local government, the lack of detail on costs and powers, and Glasgow City Council’s separate workforce dispute. They also discuss Scotland’s drug deaths, access to addiction treatment, and the growing gap between political rhetoric and outcomes. In this episode: • Scotland’s proposed council reorganisation • Glasgow’s workforce dispute • Drug deaths, rehabilitation and political accountability • Homelessness and the Scottish Government’s record • Labour conference, the Budget and Burnham’s electoral strategy Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:07 Scotland’s council shake-up 10:27 Glasgow’s workforce dispute 14:03 Scotland’s drug deaths 25:41 Promises versus results 26:39 Could Burnham call an early election? 30:30 The pressure on Labour’s first Budget 38:26 Reform, the Conservatives and Labour’s path to victory 43:22 Closing thoughts Subscribe for weekly analysis of Scottish and UK politics with Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie. #ScottishPolitics #UKPolitics #PonsonbyAndMassie Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 25, 202644min
Number 3: MICHAEL MARRA - NEW SCOTTISH LABOUR LEADER
Michael Marra has been elected as the new Scottish Labour Leader. Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie take a deep dive into the issues he'll face. Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 19, 202637min
Number 4: SCOTTISH EDUCATION - NO LONGER BEST IN UK. WHY?
Poor marks for Scottish Education in PISA figures, Burnham’s referendum blunder and a bad week for the SNP succession hopefuls? Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie examine Andy Burnham’s confusion over the route to a second Scottish independence referendum—and what it reveals about his command of constitutional politics.Scotland’s latest PISA results make grim reading. Why has Scottish education fallen behind England, and are John Swinney and Education Secretary Màiri McAllan confronting the scale of the problem?A difficult week for possible SNP successors Màiri McAllan and Stephen Flynn leaves John Swinney looking increasingly secure—while Glasgow’s new council leader Ricky Bell inherits a formidable set of problems.Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 11, 202643min
Number 5: SCOTLAND'S £5bn ABYSS - Is Swinney Austerity Inevitable?
In this edition of The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast, Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie analyse the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government and John Swinney’s radical plans for public-service reform. They examine the proposed restructuring of Scotland’s NHS, social care, councils and quangos; the £5 billion funding gap; and the prospect of conflict with public-sector trade unions. Turning to UK politics, they assess Andy Burnham’s early premiership, Keir Starmer’s resignation, the Holborn and St Pancras by-election and the changing fortunes of Labour, the Greens, Reform UK and the Conservatives. Topics discussed: Scottish Government’s public-service reform agendaNHS, social-care, council and quango restructuringScotland’s £5 billion funding gap and trade-union conflictPolitical support and opposition to John Swinney’s reformsBus-fare caps, supermarket price controls and GP walk-in centresAndy Burnham’s early premiership and the UK economic outlookKeir Starmer’s resignation and the Holborn and St Pancras by-electionThe Greens, Reform UK and Britain’s increasingly fragmented politics Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 04, 202650min