Holyrood Sources

In this special episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein, and Andy Maciver are joined by The Scotsman’s Catriona Stewart and former headteacher Carole Ford to dissect the "abysmal" data surrounding Scottish attainment. From the "opaque" Curriculum for Excellence to the 43% of pupils now identified with Additional Support Needs (ASN), we ask: Is the system sustainable? We are al...

On today's episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Andy Maciver and Geoff Aberdein break down another week of Scottish politics and reflect on the continued fighting in the Middle East. They discuss the global energy crisis and the impact of the Strait of Hormuz disruption and debate the future of North Sea oil and gas policy Political scientist Ailsa Henderson joins the podcast to explain t...

On this episode of the Holyrood Sources Podcast , Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver unpack the ongoing situation in Iran and across the Middle East from a Scottish perspective. They are joined by Dr Siavush Randjbar-Daemi, Lecturer at The University of St Andrews, to discuss: Whether the Iranian regime can survive the assassination of its Supreme Leader How the UK government is resp...

On this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver discuss a brand new MRP poll which suggests that the Scottish National Party (SNP) could win an outright majority at Holyrood — something not seen since 2011 under Alex Salmond. Calum, Geoff and Andy also consider the future of the Additional Member System, whether Holyrood needs reform, and what Denmark’s energy...

In this episode of Holyrood Sources , Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein, and Andy Maciver dive into the latest bombshell polling that shows a record low for Scottish Labour and a stunning breakthrough for Reform UK. With the Scottish election looming, can Anas Sarwar distance himself from a struggling Keir Starmer, or is the SNP set to dominate once again? What we discuss: The Sarwar vs. Starmer Rif...

In this episode of Holyrood Sources , Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver dissect further fallout from Anas Sarwar's dramatic calls for Keir Starmer to resign. Now the dust has settled we break down the political implications and potential outcomes heading into the Scottish Parliament election. Was this a failed coup? A bold strategic move? Or the beginning of a fundamental split betw...

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has called for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign — and the political fallout could reshape the Holyrood election. In this special Holyrood Sources episode, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver break down a day of extraordinary political drama. 👉 Is this a bold act of leadership — or a desperate gamble? 👉 Does this prove Scottish Labour is still...

In this episode of Holyrood Sources , we remember Scotland's first Deputy First Minister, Jim Wallace as Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver are joined by former Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Tavish Scott to discuss Jim's political career and legacy. Before that, this episode also discusses reports that the Scottish Greens will stand aside in most constituency seats , giving the SN...

In this episode of Holyrood Sources , Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Director of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives) break down the early battle lines of the Scottish parliamentary election. This episode discusses: 100 days to go until the Holyrood Election Reform UK’s tax-cut pledge and Malcolm Offord’s rise Why SNP mess...

Voters in Falkirk , one of Scotland’s key constituencies , give their brutally honest verdict on the politicians who will shape the 2026 Scottish Parliament election . In this special episode of Holyrood Sources , we partner with polling experts More In Common to bring you a rare focus group of Labour 2024 voters — now drifting towards the SNP, Reform UK, or undecided. 🎧 You’ll hear unfiltered vi...

The first Scotland-wide poll of the 2026 Holyrood election year delivers a political shock: Reform UK level with Scottish Labour , the SNP ahead but without a majority , and serious questions for every party leader. On this episode of Holyrood Sources , Calum Macdonald is joined by Geoff Aberdein (former SNP Chief of Staff, True North Advisors) and Andy Maciver (former Scottish Conservative commun...

The Sources Podcast hosts come together for a special New Year 2026 UK politics preview, analysing what could be the most volatile year in British politics for a generation. With local elections in England, Scottish Parliament elections, Senedd elections in Wales, and mounting pressure on the Northern Ireland Executive, this episode explores how the rise of Reform UK, growing voter fragmentation,...

Happy New Year from everyone at Holyrood Sources! On a special episode of the podcast, Calum Macdonald takes a look back at our first ever Christmas Pub Quiz. You can hear a live Q&A session with Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver as they answer questions from attendees at Malones in Edinburgh. Be sure to listen out for their heckles as well, as we bring you some of the best moments from the Scot...

The Holyrood Sources Christmas Special is recorded live in Edinburgh with a packed audience as Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver review the biggest moments in Scottish and UK politics in 2025 — and make bold predictions for 2026 and the Holyrood election . In this wide-ranging discussion, the panel debates: Anas Sarwar’s U-turn on gender recognition reform John Swinney’s independenc...

Reform UK is rising in Scotland — but can the political system cope with what comes next? From tribunal chaos to ministerial pressure and a volatile pre-election landscape, this week exposed deep fault lines at Holyrood. In this episode of Holyrood Sources , Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver to unpack a turbulent week in Scottish politics. They assess Reform UK’s momentum, Malcolm O...

A major new Ipsos poll drops — and the implications for Holyrood 2026 are huge . The SNP hold a stable lead. Labour has fallen sharply. Reform UK has surged into second place in the constituency vote, fuelled by the rise of immigration as a top concern for Scottish voters. • Why Reform UK is gaining Scottish voters from both Labour and the Conservatives • How immigration became a top-three issue i...

Former Conservative Minister Malcolm Offord has defected from the Scottish Conservatives to Reform UK — and he joins Calum, Geoff and Andy for an in depth reaction. In this flash episode, Offord details why he left the Conservative Party, why he believes Reform UK offers a “centre-right alternative” in Scotland, and how energy policy, the economy, welfare, and Scotland’s political direction shaped...

The fallout from  Rachel Reeves’ first Labour budget  has dominated Scottish politics — and in this episode of  Holyrood Sources , recorded live in Malone’s Pub in Edinburgh, we unpack the political chaos, the polling shockwaves, and what it all means for the  2026 Holyrood election. This episode previews our  live Christmas special and pub quiz , and dives into budget pol...

In today’s deep-dive episode of Holyrood Sources, we break down one of the most contentious and politically charged budgets in years — Rachel Reeves’ first full Labour Budget. With Scotland at the centre of the economic and political fallout, the team scrutinises what this Budget means for Scottish jobs, taxation, public services, welfare, the North Sea, and the Scottish Government’s own finances...

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, hosts Calum MacDonald, Geoff Aberdein, and Andy Maciver are joined by Scottish Conservative MSP Maurice Golden In this episode, we chat about: 🔹  Budget Day  – Rachel Reeves’ survival strategy, the U-turn on income tax, the OBR downgrading UK growth, and how Labour MPs may break with leadership. 🔹  Reform UK’s surge  – After a...

Scotland are going to the World Cup — and the Holyrood Sources team are buzzing . But after the celebrations, Geoff, Andy and Calum dig into a huge week in Scottish and UK politics. ➡️ ExxonMobil shuts Mossmorran , putting 400 jobs at risk — Geoff explains why government policy has directly contributed and why this marks a deeper de-industrialisation crisis in Scotland. ➡️ Fresh YouGov polling rev...

Labour civil war erupts just weeks before a make-or-break Budget. In this explosive Holyrood Sources episode, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver unpack the extraordinary Number 10 briefing against Wes Streeting — and what it reveals about Keir Starmer’s leadership, Labour’s internal divisions, and the growing panic over a potential leadership challenge. From Anas Sarwar’s impossible...

What happens when Labour breaks its biggest election promise? This week on Holyrood Sources , Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond), and Andy Maciver (former Scottish Conservative comms director) unpack Rachel Reeves’ budget gamble — and why it could reshape Scottish politics. We break down: 💸 How Labour’s tax rise could hit Scottish voters ⚖️ The political fallo...

Scotland is heading into one of its most unpredictable elections ever — and the usual rules of politics might not apply. In this episode of Holyrood Sources , Calum Macdonald , Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Scottish Conservative comms director) unpack the key trends shaping Scotland right now:. 💬 Join the debate: Who wins Scotland’s next election...

Labour’s century-long dominance in Wales could be about to collapse — with polls showing Reform UK and Plaid Cymru overtaking them in the Caerphilly by-election. In this week’s Holyrood Sources , Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Scottish Conservative communications director) unpack: 🗳️ The Wales by-election and what a Labour defeat wo...