The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

MICHAEL MARRA BREAKS RANKS ON BREXIT — AND IS SCOTTISH BROADCASTING IN TERMINAL DECLINE? 00:00 Introduction — Marra, Brexit and broadcasting 01:20 Why Michael Marra wants Britain back in the EU 04:15 Should politicians be allowed to speak their minds? 06:45 Reform UK and the political obstacles to rejoining 07:54 The price Britain would pay to rejoin 08:48 David Cameron and the legacy of Brexit 13...

Ponsonby & Massie | Episode 137 Should senior MSPs receive an extra £15,000 a year? Are AI data centres becoming Scotland's next major political battleground? And has John Swinney performed a dramatic U-turn on North Sea oil and gas? Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie examine the latest developments at Holyrood and Westminster, including: MSPs' £15,000 Pay Rise: Plans to award Holyrood c...

John Swinney faces mounting criticism after refusing to say whether he supports the Rosebank oilfield — despite being asked eleven times. Is the First Minister avoiding a fundamental split within the SNP over Scotland's energy future? The big political story this week was John Healey's Budget. A masterclass in political management — or simply a way of avoiding Britain's biggest economi...

Does the SNP Energy Policy depend on where you live in Scotland? Is it Net Zero or "Drill, baby, drill". As the UK Government gives the green light to the Jackdaw gas field, the SNP faces difficult questions over its support for North Sea oil and gas and its commitment to Net Zero. Bernard Ponsonby and columnist Alex Massie examine Scotland's increasingly contradictory energy politic...

SNP CONFERENCE – INDY GROUNDHOG DAY? Is the SNP trapped in independence Groundhog Day? As John Swinney prepares to address the SNP conference in Aberdeen, Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie ask whether Scotland's governing party has any credible route to another independence referendum — and Bernard reflects on the SNPs historical stance and asks whether we're watching a repeat of Nicola Stu...

Have the Greens damaged their own momentum through extreme resolutions and accusations of "racism"? Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie examine Labour’s Holborn and St Pancras by-election victory, the Green Party’s explosive Israel and Zionism debate, and mounting questions over Zack Polanski’s leadership. Following the Green Party conference motion declaring that “Zionism is racism”, Berna...

Andy Burnham has lifted Labour’s spirits—but can he afford to deliver? Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie examine what comes after the conference applause: pension reform, social care and the prospect of a tax-raising Budget. Bernard argues that Burnham has shown how to sell difficult political choices by explaining what voters will get in return. Alex asks whether the speech’s emotional appeal and...

With Labour’s conference approaching, Bernard and Alex discuss Andy Burnham’s first Budget, the speculation about an early general election, and whether a divided opposition could help Labour hold on to power. Could Scotland’s councils be radically reorganised within months? And as drug deaths rise, are the Scottish Government’s promises matching the results? Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie exami...

Michael Marra has been elected as the new Scottish Labour Leader. Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie take a deep dive into the issues he'll face. Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then T...

Poor marks for Scottish Education in PISA figures, Burnham’s referendum blunder and a bad week for the SNP succession hopefuls? Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie examine Andy Burnham’s confusion over the route to a second Scottish independence referendum—and what it reveals about his command of constitutional politics. Scotland’s latest PISA results make grim reading. Why has Scottish education fal...

In this edition of The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast, Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie analyse the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government and John Swinney’s radical plans for public-service reform. They examine the proposed restructuring of Scotland’s NHS, social care, councils and quangos; the £5 billion funding gap; and the prospect of conflict with public-sector trade unions. Turning to U...

A new cost-of-living “winter of discontent”? Will Andy Burnham and John Swinney come clean on tightening budgets facing both Westminster and Holyrood The lighter question of casting the announced Sturgeon–Murrell Channel 5 drama. Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood S...

Either Michael Marra or Joe Fagan will be the next leader of the Scottish Labour Party. What's happening in the race, what does the new leader need to do and will it make any difference in their goal of Labour unseating the SNP? PLUS - It's reported the John Swinney's World Cup junket with entourage cost the tax payer around £95k? Was it worth it? Anger in Glasgow over the state of the City. Why c...

Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie discuss Farage's post Clacton by-election propects as it's announced that the parliamentary investigation into substantial donations made to Mr Farage by a donor is active again. Plus - the Scottish Labour leadership contest is gathering pace. It's all smiles in public but what's really happening and who will emerge victorious. GERS figures - we've read them so you...

What's going on? Former SNP FM Nicola Sturgeon criticising John Swinney's SNP? Is this a serious analysis or part of the latest round of book promotion? The SNP hit back saying John Swinney is the best First Minister yet. Also, the race for the Scottish Labour leadership is warming up. Michael Marra looks like the front runner with Joe Fagan also in contention but Monica Lennon may struggle to get...

Bernard and Alex discuss a good start for Andy Burnham in terms of communications but does it really change any of the fundamental issues facing the country. Also, who are the runners and riders for the Scottish Labour leadership after Anas Sarwar accepted a peerage and is not a Westminster Trade Minister? Michael Marra? Monica Lennon? Paul Sweeney? Daniel Johnson? Focussing on UK, Scottish and Gl...

Sir Anton Muscatelli, President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, academic and leading economic advisor, joins Bernard and Alex to give his view on some of the real issues that are facing Scotland but politicians seem unwilling to discuss, particularly around election time. Scotland faces £4.8bn gap and it was hardly mentioned at the recent election. Slower Scottish tax growth means £728m less. W...

It's Silly Season for the political media and, after forcing a by-election in his own seat, Nigel Farage discovered many of the parties were unwilling to play his game. Now, his most serious competition appears to be from by-election regular, Count Binface. Also, the latest on the SNP money and potential court cases, Andy Burnham swooping into Downing Street and the passing of some significant pol...

Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie look at how Nigel Farage is dealing with his first real crisis and also - is Andy Burnham making unsustainable promises before he even becomes Prime Minister? Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie,...

Two main topics for Alex and Bernard this week. The proposed coronation of Andy Burnham - speculation is rife around his likely cabinet picks. Starmer was relatively successful in International affairs. Will Burnham be tempted to ask him to stay on as Foreign Secretary? Also, after the sentencing of Peter Murrell, is it sustainable for there to be no inquiry into what happened at the SNP? Does the...

Andy Burnham clears the latest hurdle in his bid to become Prime Minister with a stonking by-election victory in Makerfield. The Scottish Conservative win their first Scottish by-election since 1967 after the SNP's Stephen Flynn vacated the seat to sit in the Scottish Parliament and Lara Bird holds Arbroath and Broughty Ferry for the SNP. Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie reflect on a momentous nig...

MAKERFIELD Burnham “Dicing With Political And Electoral Death” Could Makerfield Trigger Starmer’s Downfall? Reform’s Huge By-Election Test for Farage and Reform ABERDEEN Aberdeen South Tests SNP Resilience After Murrell Fallout Aberdeen South: Oil, Reform And Tactical Voting Collide ARBROATH SNP’s “What Do We Have To Do To Lose?” Moment Arbroath Shows Whether Scotland Is Cooling On Labour Focussin...

Ring-fenced SNP cash row returns to centre stage Sean Clerkin, Wings Over Scotland, Noel Dolan, Douglas Chapman and Joanna Cherry all increasing pressure for SNP probe Swinney faces VAT questions over Murrell scandal Sturgeon interview failed to kill story Murrell fallout could hit SNP by-election hopes Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like...

Increasingly, it looks like the scandal that has rocked the SNP will not go away. Peter Murrell's admission and subsequent conviction have led to more questions. Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie discuss. PONSONBY - John Swinney may need an independent inquiry into SNP governance, because a party-led response risks looking like a whitewash. MASSIE - Nicola Sturgeon’s core problem is not only “what...

Swinney’s new Scottish Government is smaller, reshuffled and designed to signal seriousness about reform. Ivan McKee’s public service reform role is framed as the key test: finding billions in savings without triggering political backlash. The SNP faces a clash between pro-growth rhetoric, welfare expansion, price controls and the hard reality of Scotland’s projected budget black hole. Jenny Gilru...