Holyrood Sources

John Swinney’s independence strategy is set — but is it realistic? In this week’s episode of Holyrood Sources , Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein, and Andy Maciver dive deep into what really happened at the SNP Conference. They unpack Swinney’s “Fresh Start with Independence” plan, the internal reaction to his threshold for triggering a new referendum, and what the polls really say about the SNP’s c...

The Holyrood Sources team — Calum Macdonald , Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond), and Andy Maciver (former Scottish Conservative Director of Communications) — unpack an intense week in UK and Scottish politics. 🇬🇧 At the Tory Conference in Manchester , Kemi Badenoch’s leadership faces open revolt as polling shows half of Conservative members want her replaced. Andy and Geoff de...

The Holyrood Sources podcast takes you inside the heart of Scottish politics. This week, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Director of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives) discuss Labour Party Conference 2025 . 👉 In this episode we ask: Has Keir Starmer miscalculated by branding Nigel Farage and Reform UK’s policies “racist...

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure from both the left and centre of his party ahead of conference. With questions over his leadership, his political voice, and Labour’s direction on key issues like energy policy, immigration, and economic growth , this episode asks: Does Starmer have the authority to unite his party? Could figures like Andy Burnham challenge him? Is Labour head...

In this episode of Holyrood Sources , Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Scottish Conservative Head of Comms) deep dive into the week’s biggest political stories. 👉 We ask: has it been a good week for John Swinney and a bad week for Keir Starmer? 👉 We discuss the fallout from the Mandelson–Epstein scandal, Starmer’s leadership under f...

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has secured a rare audience in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump — a diplomatic coup that could shape both Scotland’s international standing and the next Holyrood election. In this episode of Holyrood Sources , Calum Macdonald, Geoff, Andy Maciver and Ayesha Hazarika break down: Why this Oval Office meeting is such a big win for Swinney’s leadership...

Part 2 The future of energy in Scotland is at a crossroads. In this special podcast edition, leading politicians Michael Shanks, Claire Coutinho, and Kate Forbes join the discussion on: ⚡ Offshore wind challenges – 400% increase in transmission charges threatening Scottish projects 🏠 Fuel poverty – 1 in 3 Scottish households face rising bills despite Scotland’s energy wealth 🔌 Grid reform – Can...

The future of oil and gas in the UK is one of the most pressing political questions of our time — and it’s at the heart of this debate. With the North Sea basin still a major source of energy and jobs in Scotland, how should the UK balance the demands of energy security, climate change targets, and community livelihoods ? In this special discussion, UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks MP (Labour) ,...

Scotland’s energy future is at a crossroads. In this special episode of Holyrood Sources , recorded live at Offshore Europe in Aberdeen , we bring together leading voices to debate oil, gas, renewables, community power projects, and the politics driving the UK’s energy transition. Guests include: Claire Mack – Chief Executive, Scottish Renewables Andrew Bowie MP – Conservative MP for West Aberdeen...

In this episode, David Linden, a candidate for the SNP, shares his journey and motivations for running in the upcoming Holyrood election. Having previously served as a Westminster MP, Linden discusses his return to politics after a stint in the private sector. He emphasises the importance of experienced candidates in the evolving landscape of Scottish politics, particularly as the SNP faces challe...

Nicola Sturgeon’s new book is causing controversy. On this episode of Holyrood Sources , Geoff Aberdein - former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond - directly challenges several claims, including: Did Alex Salmond really leak allegations against himself? Was Salmond disengaged from the 2013 independence White Paper? Did he oppose same-sex marriage? Geoff says these stories are “falsehoods and fabricat...

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has released her long-awaited memoir Frankly — and it’s already sparking old feuds, reigniting the Alex Salmond debate, and deepening divisions inside the SNP. In this episode of the Holyrood Sources Podcast , Calum Macdonald and Andy Maciver unpack: Sturgeon’s claims about Alex Salmond during the independence referendum The SNP’s internal factions: Team Sturg...

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, hosts Calum MacDonald, Geoff Aberdeen, and Andy Maciver take your questions. They discuss the departure of Kate Forbes from the SNP and its implications, touching on her appeal to centrist voters and the challenges facing the party. The conversation then moves onto the broader political landscape, including the potential return of Ian Blackford, coa...

Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has announced she will step down at the 2026 Holyrood election. In this bonus episode of Holyrood Sources , Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Director of Comms for the Scottish Conservatives) unpack the political shockwave. 👉 What does this mean for John Swinney's leadership ? 👉 Is the SNP...

In this powerful episode of Holyrood Sources , historian and author James Hawes explains why Scottish independence is inevitable and argues the UK has been in terminal decline since 1922 . Speaking with host Calum Macdonald , Hawes discusses: Why Labour’s 2024 landslide won’t save the Union The rise of Reform UK and Nigel Farage’s “naked English nationalism” The SNP’s crisis — and its historical p...

Donald Trump’s whirlwind visit to Scotland left behind more than photo ops — it’s shifted the tone of UK and Scottish politics. In this episode of Holyrood Sources , Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Scottish Conservative Director of Communications) unpack the chaos, optics, and opportunities of Trump’s trip to Ayrshire and Aberdeen. F...

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources Podcast, we reflect on, the recent Tall Ships event in Aberdeen, the Hebridean Celtic Festival in Stornoway and the ongoing debate about zonal pricing in electricity. The conversation also touches on infrastructure challenges in Scotland, the implications of President Trump's visit, concerns over social unrest, and the trust deficit in political leaders, par...

In this conversation, Ross Greer discusses his candidacy for the leadership of the Scottish Greens, his relationship with the SNP, and the party's stance on various issues including taxation, council tax reform, and the impact of second homes on rural communities. He emphasises the importance of policies over personalities and addresses the complexities of political alliances in a minority governm...

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, the hosts discuss Labour's recent welfare reforms, and the potential emergence of new political parties in Scotland. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by political leaders and the implications of their decisions on the future of governance in Scotland. We're joined by Calum Steele, a former General Secretary of the Scottish Police Fed...

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, the discussion revolves around the upcoming 2026 Scottish parliamentary election, featuring insights from political analysts including Professor Sir John Curtice on the performances of key figures like John Swinney and Anas Sarwar. The conversation highlights the current public sentiment, the challenges faced by both the SNP and Labour, and the impl...

With John Swinney and Anas Sarwar. This podcast special focuses on the upcoming Scottish parliamentary elections, featuring discussions on the current political landscape, the impact of geopolitical issues, and the challenges facing the Scottish government. Key themes include the need for bold political conviction, the implications of welfare reforms, and the ongoing debate around independence. Th...

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, the hosts discuss the potential for a coalition between the SNP and Labour, the implications of John Swinney's renewed focus on independence, and the challenges surrounding economic policies in Scotland. They also explore the concept of a minimum income guarantee and its feasibility in addressing poverty while maintaining economic sustainability. Ho...

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, the hosts discuss the latest developments in Scottish politics, including the upcoming spending review and its implications for key projects like carbon capture and a new supercomputer. They analyse the recent by-election results, focusing on the defection of Councillor Jamie McGuire from Scottish Labour to Reform UK, and explore the reasons behind...

Labour defeats the SNP to win the by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse - a Scottish Parliament seat - with Reform UK finishing third. We bring you instant analysis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, hosts Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein, and Andy Maciver focus on retail politics, election strategies, and the implications of Nigel Farage's recent visit to Scotland. They discuss the effectiveness of political messaging, the challenges faced by the Labour Party, and the need for a more substantial political offer in the upcoming election. The conv...