The National Podcast

Editor Laura Webster and Political Reporter James Walker explain why Scottish newspapers aren't immune from injunctions, discuss the impact of the massive Microsoft outage, and other big stories of the day Join The National from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe If you're affected by the issues raised today you can call Rape Crisis Scotland on 08088 01 03 02

Former MEP Clara Ponsatí joins Hamish Morrison on The National Podcast to discuss Spain’s election, the state of the Catalan independence movement and why she believes it needs new voices and ideas. Join The National from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Journalist, author and campaigner Lesley Riddoch joins Editor Laura Webster on The National Podcast to discuss the push for Scottish independence and her frustration with the lack of action. Support The National with a subscription from £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Editor Laura Webster and Political Reporter Adonis Storr discuss a senior MEP's comments on Scotland and the EU, Scottish Labour's new position on Europe, a Scotland-based oil firm pulling out of an 'illegal' Gaza gas project, and more. Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe from just £1

Editor Laura Webster and Multimedia Reporter Lucy Jackson discuss the news that David Walliams has been named as the man who lost an injunction bid in an effort to stop the publication of sexual misconduct allegations. They also discuss the Scottish Government's debate on devolving broadcasting and whether the royals should be 'guest editing' publications. Join The National from just £1 at thenati...

Political Reporter interviews Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori, who is currently challenging the UK Government's proscription of the group.  Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Land reform campaigner and former MSP Andy Wightman sits down with Political Reporter James Walker to discuss the reality of Scotland's land ownership and what can be done about it. Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe from just £1

Scottish Green MSP Kate Nevens speaks to The National Podcast after returning to Scotland from Jordan. She tried to visit the Palestinian West Bank, but was detained, interrogated, and turned back by Israeli forces illegally occupying the region. She tells her story to Political Editor Xander Elliards. Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Laura Webster is joined by Hannah Shedden on The National LIVE podcast. The pair discuss Andy Burnham's secret Scottish independence polling operation, the latest concerning AI data centre news, and Neil Oliver backing his rapist 'friend' Russell Brand. Join The National from £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Join Editor Laura Webster and reporters Hamish Morrison and Lucy Jackson to discuss how John Swinney risks an internal SNP revolt, why some MSPs are getting a 20% pay rise, and a bid for an ICC arrest warrant for Donald Trump. Join The National from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe Sign up to Worst of Westminster and Media Watch newsletters at thenational.scot/newsletters Follow Hamish, Lucy...

Robin McAlpine of Common Weal and Professor Alf Baird join Editor Laura Webster to debate the path to independence. While Professor Baird and Liberation Scotland are working on the decolonisation of Scotland, McAlpine says the argument needs to focus much more on people's everyday lives and needs. It's a lively debate, exploring whether independence is a legal or a political issue.  Join The Natio...

How has the right-wing media reacted to the US midterms? And what do a protest outside BBC Scotland and a journalist’s refused UK travel authorisation tell us about media coverage and press freedom? Lucy Jackson is joined by digital editor Laura Pollock on this week’s Media Watch. They discuss coverage of Abdul El-Sayed, his exchange with a Sky News journalist, and campaigners’ criticism of the BB...

Editor Laura Webster and Foreign Affairs Editor David Pratt discuss the US elections results, and the latest Scottish headlines. Support The National with a subscription from £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Editor Laura Webster and Political Reporter Hamish Morrison discuss the BBC's latest 'insulting' comments on the Tartan Army, John Swinney's defence of foreign trips, neo-Nazis in Scotland, and more. Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe Sign up for the free Worst of Westminster newsletter at thenational.scot/newsletters

Digital editor Laura Pollock and is joined by political reporter Hamish Morrison to discuss Andy Burnham's latest devolution pitch – this time to the leaders of Scotland and Wales in Glasgow at the National Economic Council. Later, the pair discuss the DUP blocking Sinn Fein from the meeting, Palestine rights activist Andreas Malm being barred from entering the UK in another extraordinary interven...

Lucy Jackson is joined by Xander Elliards to ask why the BBC broadcast FORTY ONE minutes of uninterrupted Reform UK coverage. They also look at the move to bring the filming of Doctor Who to Scotland and if this is a positive move for the country's television industry. Subscribe here for £1 for three months: www.thenational.scot/subscribe

Political editor Xander Elliards and political reporter Adonis Storr give their takes on the 2026 UK Budget and what it means for Scotland. Announced by Healey from 12.30 on Wednesday, he laid out a number of commitments for the government's spending and future economic plans. Key policies to come out of the speech were: a £100 household energy bill payment (which has been put to Holyrood to match...

Digital editor Laura Pollock and political reporter James Walker discuss the latest Scottish and international news, including the latest independence poll which is the sixth poll since Andy Burnham became Prime Minister to show a lead for Yes. Elsewhere, the pair take you inside the conference where the case was made for a Scottish pound, give a short overview of the Scottish Greens conference an...

Campaigner Coll McCail joins Digital Editor Laura Pollock to discuss the wave of protests across major European cities, and examine what's really causing them. Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe from just £1

Editor Laura Webster and Political Editor Xander Elliards on the Chancellor's £1 trillion North Sea oil fund admission, Stephen Flynn's ScotRail row and the row over mummies in museums   Support The National from £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Comedian Marc Jennings speaks to Editor Laura Webster in a wide-ranging interview about his comedy career, what he has learned about Scottish politics by making fun of it, and his favourite things about Scotland. Subscribe to The National at thenational.scot/subscribe Keep up to date with Marc here https://www.marcjenningscomedy.com/  

On this episode of Media Watch from The National, host Lucy Jackson is joined by political reporter Adonis Storr to examine three major developments in public service broadcasting and media accountability. Following announcements around the planned closure of BBC Scotland channel in favour of BBC iPlayer, they discuss the political reaction at Holyrood, the implications for Scottish commissioning...

Editor Laura Webster is joined by Zack Polanski, Green Party of England and Wales leader, and SNP MSP Jack Middleton, to discuss Labour's approval of new North Sea gas drilling. Later, new Political Reporter Adonis Storr joins for his debut National Podcast, to discuss Andy Burnham rejecting an inquiry into the Gaza genocide. Support The National with a subscription from £1 at thenational.scot/sub...

Political Reporter Hannah Shedden speaks to Ellie Harrison of Get Glasgow Moving. Support The National with a subscription from £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Editor Laura Webster and Political Reporter Hannah Shedden discuss the latest headlines: Including a Reform MSP's sudden resignation from the party, reaction to the SNP's bus franchising plan, and more. Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe from just £1