Today, four of the BBC’s top political brains preview the local elections coming up on May 2. Adam and Chris are joined by Alex Forsyth and Henry Zeffman to chat about what they will be looking out for in the lead-up to the local elections, how the results could shape the political landscape for the general election and nerd out about a weekend of “rolling psephological fun”. Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Gray with Miranda Slade. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

The Ultimate Guide to the local elections

The UK’s flagship daily news podcast from the BBC, Newscast dives into the day’s big stories so you’re never out of your depth.
 
Newscast picks the brains of BBC News experts so you’re ready if someone picks yours, covering the latest developments in politics in Westminster and beyond, what the cost of living means for the money in your pocket and the impact of climate change.
 
Can Rishi Sunak turn the Conservatives fortunes around? Will Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party win the next general election? Newscast will give you all the best insights from BBC News so you’re across all the day’s top stories. 
 
Newscast is hosted by trusted journalists including Adam Fleming, BBC Political Editor Chris Mason, Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. Joined by special guests, including Lyse Doucet, Katya Adler, Marianna Spring, John Simpson and Victoria Derbyshire among others. In this election year, Newscast will track all the developments from Westminster - as well as following all the big developments around the world, from the race to the White House, to the war in Ukraine. Catch Newscast seven-days a week and watch on BBC One at 23:40 on Thursday night or later on BBC iPlayer
 
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News

Today, we look Humza Yousaf stepping down as Scotland’s first minister.
 
In an emotional resignation speech, Yousaf said he had “clearly underestimated" the hurt he'd caused the Scottish Greens by ending the SNP's power-sharing deal with them in the way he did. As a result, the SNP leader was facing two votes of no confidence later this week. Yousaf says he will stay on as first minister until the Scottish National Party chooses his replacement. Who will become the new first minister? What does this mean for Scottish independence? Adam is joined by Chris and BBC Scotland Editor James Cook.
 
You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
 
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Natasha Mayo and Sam McLaren. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Yousaf Resigns! What Next For Scotland?

Dr Dan Poulter has quit the Conservatives and joins Labour, saying that he “found it increasingly difficult to look my NHS colleagues in the eye”.   Laura, Paddy and Henry discussion all the ramifications; what it means for Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer. And the inevitable question - could it affect when the Prime Minister calls an election? In Scotland, it’s set to be a bumpy week for  Humza Yousaf. Laura’s been speaking with his former boss and head of the Alba party, Alex Salmond, who’s suggested his party could offer support to the SNP. But the First Minister has pledged to battle through without his support. The question is: how? Listen to the Newscast Ultimate Guide to the local elections here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0hmkdy4 You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Chris Gray with Rufus Gray. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham

Conservative Defects!

Diplomatic correspondent James Landale talks to Paddy and Laura about why Britain is considering working in tandem with the United States to deliver aid from a new sea route - and what problems it could throw up for the government before the next election. And there’s been a week of widespread American student protests against Israel's military campaign in Gaza. Laura has spoken to the former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, who has urged protestors to direct their anger to Hamas, as well as Israel. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere Today's Newscast was presented by Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Gray with Rufus Gray. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Could British troops be sent to Gaza?

Today, we look at Humza Yousaf facing a vote of no confidence in the Scottish Parliament. The First Minister says he won’t resign and is ‘very confident’ he’ll win the vote. The vote was triggered after he ended a power-sharing agreement between the SNP and Scottish Greens, because of disagreements over climate policy and the use of puberty blockers for under 18s.
Adam is joined by Laura Kuenssberg and BBC Scotland Editor James Cook. And Tim Shipman, author of All Out War and No Way Out, speaks to Adam about the Brexit years and the role of the ‘mating porcupines’.
 
You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
 
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Gemma Roper, Sam McLaren and Natasha Mayo. The technical producer was Michael Regaard. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

WhatSNPpening with Scotland’s First Minister!?

Today, we look at Labour’s plan to renationalise most rail services within five years, if it wins the next election.  Labour say a new public body would take over current contracts when they expire, taking on the responsibility for running services. But transport secretary Mark Harper said the plans were "unfunded". Labour’s shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh joins Adam and Alex to talk through the plans, and answers the question - why is wifi so bad on some trains? And, comedian and social media star Michael Spicer talks about his new sketch podcast No Room.  You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhere
 
Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Miranda Slade.  The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

The Ultimate Guide to the local elections

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