The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

Summary In this episode of the Ponsonby and Massie podcast, Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie discuss the recent program for government announced by John Swinney, analyzing its implications and the political landscape in Scotland. They explore the limited legislative agenda, the scrapping of peak fares, the promise of more GP appointments, and the shifting dynamics within the SNP. The conversation...

In a week that saw Reform UK make seismic advances in the English Local Elections and the Runcorn & Helsby Parliamentary By Election, Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie deep dive into the current state of the parties in Scotland - one year from the 2026 Scottish Parliament Elections. What does the rise of Reform UK mean in Scotland, what are the implications of the coming Scottish Parliament By...

Bernard and Alex discuss: Religion's relevance today: They explore how religion is now more comfortably discussed by Scottish politicians compared to 20–30 years ago. There's a nuanced conversation about Scotland’s move from a heavily religious society to a secular one, and a new resurgence of faith among younger Scots. The gender recognition legal ruling: They analyse the fallout from the UK Supr...

Bernard and Alex consider today's ruling from the Supreme Court in which Lord Hodge said "The unanimous decision of this court is that the terms 'woman' and 'sex' in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex." ​ "Successive SNP-led Scottish Governments have championed gender reform and opined on the definition of a woman - as did other parties in the Scottish Parliament....

Bernard and Alex explain and analyse the significance of Donald Trump's international trade tariffs and how it might affect you personally in everything from the cost of goods to your pension. Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariff offensive has triggered market turmoil and reignited fears of a full-blown trade war, with the FTSE 100 plummeting and central banks scrambling to respond. Trump’s prote...

Bernard and Alex dive deep into Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement , dissecting the harsh realities of the UK's economic growth crisis , looming tax rises , and controversial welfare cuts that could plunge 250,000 people—including 50,000 children—into poverty. They explore the political fallout within the Labour Party , a potential backbench rebellion, and Labour’s failure to control the n...

OPERATION BRANCHFORM INVESTIGATION CONCLUDES STURGEON & BEATTIE - No longer under investigation. MURRELL - Facing embezzlement charges and has appeared in court. What now? PLUS Welfare reform, intergenerational inequality and public spending pressures. Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast,...

Bernard and Alex discuss the news that after being an MSP since 1999, Nicola Sturgeon has announced that she will not stand for re-election at the next Scottish Parliament election. Why has she done this? A look back at her career What does it mean for the SNP? What was she like to work with? Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is...

PART 2 of the Ponsonby and Massie Podcast interview with the First Minister, John Swinney In his most in-depth and revealing interview since becoming Scotland's First Minister, John Swinney joins Bernard Ponsoby and Alex Massie: FEAR FOR SURVIVAL OF THE SNP * On Humza Yousaf resigning after the collapse of the Bute House agreement "If I go back to that period, which was really, really difficult, I...

Part 1 of 2. In his most in-depth and wide ranging interview since becoming First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney joins Bernard and Alex. "I was exhausted" when Nicola Sturgeon stood down in 2023. My year out revitalised me and allowed me to become First Minister. If I'm elected as First Minister in 2026, I'll stand again in 2031. 2024 General Election was a "punishing defeat" delivered by peop...

Bernard and Alex chew over: SECUIRTY CRISIS - NATO and Europe in a Security crisis as "strongmen" Trump and Putin carve up the geopolitical map. GENDER - Last week's debate around gender issues and disagreements on the ability to debate them in the Scottish Parliament puts further pressure on First Minister, John Swinney, and the role of the Presiding Officer. SCOTTISH LABOUR - With the Scottish L...

Times journalist and co-author of a new book on the current Labour Government, Patrick Maguire, joins Bernard and Alex to discuss Keir Starmer and particularly the relationship with his Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney. PATRICK MAGUIRE ON McSWEENEY "People say, ‘Why is this the Morgan McSweeney story with Keir Starmer as a supporting actor?’—because that’s what happened." "Morgan McSweeney was doi...

Alex and Bernard are joined by former SNP Defence Spokesperson in the UK Parliament, Stewart McDonald. On the Ukraine War and Trump's Role “We survived this old man one time before, we'll survive him a second time around.” – Stewart McDonald on Ukrainian resilience against Putin and Trump “This idea that their land can just be chopped up by Washington DC and the Kremlin in Moscow, over the heads o...

Alex and Bernard discuss the latest polls and fiscal challenges facing Labour so early in a new government. Also, Trump continues to cut up the rule book in America and - what's it really like backstage at BBC Question Time. 📌 On Political Polls & SNP Strategy: 🗣️ "Do I believe any poll? No. All polls are a snapshot of opinion, but when a clear trend emerges, that’s when you have to take it s...

Does Trump's "America First" start to his second term as US President, with trade wars, tough immigration policies, border controls and pulling back from international cooperation actually create an opportunity for the UK and Scotland? 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, Holy...

On Nicola Sturgeon's Criticism of Alex Salmond and His Family's Response “Telling the truth is now considered an attack and something that should be forbidden or locked away in a box.” “Nicola Sturgeon’s Financial Times interview was more candid than her ‘measured’ statements to Parliament – did she conceal critical details?” On Reform UK and Scottish Politics: “2025 will be the year of Reform UK…...

In the first episode of 2025, Alex calls out John Swinney's warnings on leaving the door open to populists "if populism is to be defined as sort of sweeping generalized single solution to all problems and so on, then isn't Scottish independence the single greatest act of populism in recent Scottish political history?" Also, the Scottish Budget, Labour woes and Elon Musk. Focussing on UK, Scottish...

As the year draws to a close, Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie convene to reflect on a year that promised to change the world with more people voting in elections across the globe than at any other time in human history. But did it really change anything for the better? Scotland, Westminster and Global politics in this episode. Merry Christmas from all at the Ponsonby and Massie team. Focussing on...

We're heading into the Christmas season but not at the expense of political news: Scottish Labour Leader, Anas Sarwar, is heading for festive fisticuffs with the Prime Minister over Waspi Women. Bernard and Alex examine the issue and whether it's all talk or can it be solved? Nicola Sturgeon has given a series of interviews but was it a sensible idea? The rise of Reform UK continues and Alex predi...

In the wake of a poll in the Sunday Times reporting that Scottish Labour are a long way from preventing the SNP forming a third decade of Scottish Government in 2026 and reports of grumblings within the party from members and supporters at a recent Scottish Labour event, Bernard and Alex ask - what's gone wrong less than 6 months after the party delivered 37 MPs in the General Election? Plus, the...

Who will win a coveted Ponsonby and Massie coffee mug as Bernard and Alex convene in the Kilderkin Bar on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh to hold their own annual Scottish political award ceremony over pints. Also, after Nicola Sturgeon was paid £25,000 to take part in an ITV election programme, Bernard reveals for the first time how much the BBC offered him to take part in an election leaders debate...

Anchorman, John Mackay, is one of the best known faces on television in Scotland as the lead presenter of STV's top rated news programmes. In his new book "Scotland Today & Yesterday" John records the biggest stories of his career from Dunblane to the Independence Referendum and tells Bernard and Alex what it was really like living in front of the camera through historic moments - and the pers...

In his most revealing and in-depth interview yet, Anas Sarwar outlines Scottish Labour’s agenda for government should he become First Minister in 2026 and what motivates him in politics. •On post 2026 co-operation with SNP “"On individual issues, I will not turn my back or close my eyes to any politician of any party." •Swingeing cuts to SNP bureaucracy and red-tape •“We don’t need 50 health board...

There are currently two bills on Assisted Dying - Kim Leadbeater MP introduced a Bill to the UK Parliament in October and Liam McArthur introduced a bill to March in the Scottish Parliament. Liam joins Bernard and Alex to discuss this sensitive subject, the legislation and its ramifications. If you'd like to find out more or this issue affects you the there are a number of campaign organisations....

Scottish Labour Deputy Leader, Dame Jackie Baillie, joins Bernard and Alex in the Press Bar to discuss: Scots are paying too much tax for failing services Her admiration of the SNP's Kate Forbes Her belief that the NHS is broken Why she'd like to be Health and Social Care Minister if Labour are elected in Scotland. Her early life in Hong Kong and her Portuguese family Why Margaret Thatcher motivat...