Holyrood Sources

Calum, Geoff and Andy host a special podcast in association with Phoenix at Standard Life House in Edinburgh. Along with a gathered group of experts, we discuss Scotland’s ageing population and how to pay for it. Adding policy solutions to the conversation are Kezia Dugdale, Associate Director at the Centre for Public Policy - and former leader of Scottish Labour - and SNP MSP Michelle Thomson. Ho...

In this festive special of the Holyrood Sources podcast, hosts Calum, Geoff, and Andy reflect on the significant moments of 2024 in Scottish politics. They discuss their favourite podcast moments, including their island tour and energy debates, and delve into the political landscape, highlighting the end of the Bute House Agreement and the implications of a new Labour government. The conversation...

Calum, Andy and Geoff analyse Humza Yousaf's challenges as First Minister and his political legacy, while also exploring the critical issue of infrastructure funding in Scotland. The conversation highlights Fergus Ewing's strong stance on the A96 and the need for more political accountability among MSPs. The conversation delves into the dynamics of government and party unity, highlighting the chal...

Calum, Andy and Geoff discuss the SNP's budget strategy, recent polling trends, and the challenges faced by the Labour Party. They discuss the implications of John Swinney's recent conversation with Donald Trump and the emergence of Reform UK as a significant player in the political landscape. Sponsored by the Scotch Whisky Association's Made to be Measured campaign. Find out more about the campai...

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, the hosts discuss the recent Scottish Government budget announcement, focusing on key elements such as the two child benefit cap, council tax implications, and funding for the NHS and energy sectors. The conversation highlights the political strategies behind the budget, the challenges facing opposition parties, and the potential for collaboration b...

Calum, Andy and Geoff discuss the upcoming budget announcement, reflections on Alex Salmond's memorial, and Angus MacNeil's recent move to the Alba Party. The conversation delves into the implications of the budget for the Scottish government, the challenges facing the NHS, and the importance of energy infrastructure in Scotland's future. Sponsored by the Scotch Whisky Association's Made to be Mea...

Calum, Geoff and Andy are joined by Reform UK's Scottish Campaigns Director, Martyn Greene, to discuss the challenges of building party infrastructure, the contentious net zero debate, immigration issues, the future of devolution, and the impact of Brexit on the political landscape - as Reform UK's popularity continues to grow in Scotland. Plus, Mairi Spowage, Director of the Fraser of Allander In...

In this episode, the hosts discuss various aspects of Scottish politics, focusing on the recent controversies surrounding double jobbing, particularly in relation to Stephen Flynn's ambitions within the SNP. They also reflect on the political dynamics within Scottish Labour, especially Anas Sarwar's recent statements regarding the winter fuel payment and the implications of these decisions on the...

Calum, Andy and Geoff discuss recent by-election results in Scotland, the implications of SNP's potential coalition with the Lib Dems for budget negotiations, and Stephen Flynn's bid for a dual mandate as both an MSP and MP. SNP MSP Emma Roddick also joins to give her view on the Stephen Flynn saga.  WhatsApp us: 0333 404 6507 Sponsored by the Scotch Whisky Association's Made to be Measured c...

Calum, Geoff and Andy discuss the recent reelection of Donald Trump and its implications for both US and Scottish politics. They explore voter sentiment, the effectiveness of political messaging, and the challenges faced by Scottish Labour in light of the UK government's budget. The conversation also touches on the tax strategies of former First Ministers and the public's perception of these actio...

In our first ever crossover episode with the Whitehall Sources podcast, we assess the implications of the UK Government budget. The first section of both podcasts features former advisers from across the political spectrum. The podcasts then return to their own list of guests and commentators and analysts. Search Whitehall Sources to listen to our sister podcast. Holyrood Sources is sponsored by t...

Calum, Andy and Geoff discuss Scotland's handling of the aftermath of Alex Salmond's death, and what has to change in the event another current or former First Minister dies while abroad. Plus, David O'Connor, Unison Scotland's lead for local government, discusses the reasons behind the strike, the impact of COVID-19 on education, and the challenges of negotiating fair pay in the current political...

Calum, Geoff and Andy discuss the political life and legacy of Alex Salmond: their first encounters with him, his greatest achievements, what he was like to work with and what comes next for Scotland. Sponsored by the Scotch Whisky Association's Made to be Measured campaign. Find out more about the campaign at scotch-whisky.org.uk/madetobemeasured Sponsored by SSE: to verify what you've heard, cli...

Welcome to the final episode of our Islands Tour, recorded in Lerwick, Shetland with: Kate Forbes - Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for the Economy and Gaelic  Alistair Carmichael - Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney and Shetland  Emma Macdonald - Leader of Shetland Islands Council  Andy Sloan - MD and Senior Vice President, COWI Ronan O’Hara - CEO, Crown Estate Scotland&nbs...

Calum, Andy and Geoff discuss the next leg of the Islands tour, the implications of GB Energy's announcement in Aberdeen, and the challenges facing the Scottish Conservatives (and their Westminster allies) under new leader Russell Findlay. Plus the housing crisis in Scotland, the role of private investment, and the recent political strategies of the Labour Party. Become a member at https://plus.ac...

With former Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore. The conversation revolves around the significant themes of the Scottish independence referendum, the strategies employed during the campaign, and the dynamics of coalition politics. Michael Moore reflects on the emotional and political impact of the referendum, the effectiveness of the campaigns, and the lessons learned from the past. The...

Guests Kezia Dugdale, former Scottish Labour leader and leading figure in the 2014 Better Together campaign, and Stephen Noon, former SNP strategist, and formerly Chief Strategist for Yes Scotland, join us to discuss their new paper which looks at a new way forward for political discourse and decision making in Scotland. Geoff Aberdeen and Andy Maciver analyse their suggestions as we discuss the c...

We hear from the the two men who have covered more gossip and policy and politics than anyone else in the story of Scotland. Brian Taylor, formerly of BBC Scotland, and Bernard Ponsonby, formerly of STV News consider Scotland's story of the last 25 years including the pivotal IndyRef of 2014. Sponsored by the Scotch Whisky Association's Made to be Measured campaign. Find out more about the campaig...

We hear from one of the most pivotal figures in the story of Scotland. Alex Salmond reflects on 25 Years of Devolution and the Independence Referendum of 2014. Sponsored by the Scotch Whisky Association's Made to be Measured campaign. Find out more about the campaign at scotch-whisky.org.uk/madetobemeasured Sponsored by SSE: to verify what you've heard, click sse.com/change Hosted on Acast. See ac...

We hear from former First Minister Jack McConnell who considers Scotland's story of the last 25 years including the pivotal IndyRef of 2014. Sponsored by the Scotch Whisky Association's Made to be Measured campaign. Find out more about the campaign at scotch-whisky.org.uk/madetobemeasured Sponsored by SSE: to verify what you've heard, click sse.com/change Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

We hear from the architects of devolution who consider Scotland's story of the last 25 years including the pivotal IndyRef of 2014. Sponsored by the Scotch Whisky Association's Made to be Measured campaign. Find out more about the campaign at scotch-whisky.org.uk/madetobemeasured Sponsored by SSE: to verify what you've heard, click sse.com/change Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf...

Calum, Andy and Geoff discuss the new BBC Scotland documentary on the alliance between Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon, their public feud, and the transformation of the SNP. Plus, the potential risks and strategies surrounding the Scottish budget and the support of the Scottish Greens. We also explore the possibility of an early Hollyrood general election and the implications for the different po...

The conversation discusses the recent announcement of £500 million worth of cuts in the Scottish government's budget. Calum and Andy are joined by John Boothman from The Times and The Sunday Times, as well as Mairi Spowage from the Fraser of Allander Institue, and Fergus Mutch - former SNP adviser, and Geoff's boss, to disucss: the numbers and the impact of the cuts. One area of concern is the nee...

The three candidates to be the next leader of the Scottish Conservative party join the podcast to discuss the issues of the campaign. Meghan Gallacher, Murdo Fraser and Russell Findlay talk about the difficulties of the campaign, how they'd form an effective opposition, whether they think they can ever be First Minister, how they feel about the rise of Reform UK in Scotland and what would define t...

Live from the pub at SNP Conference in Edinburgh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.