The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

Bernard and Alex are back considering: SNP Registration of candidacy - Stephen Flynn, Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf have all thrown their hats in the ring. Can Flynn really be an MP and MSP despite party attitudes and are Sturgeon and Yousaf's intentions even real? PLUS Neil Gray - Does anyone believe the story of why ministerial trips were taken to watch Aberdeen football matches and does his...

Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie reaction and analysis of the first budget statement from Rachel Reeves - the first woman Chancellor to deliver a budget in British history. Is it a "workerist", old-Labour budget that the likes of Harold Wilson, James Callaghan and Denis Healey would be happy with? Bernard and Alex discuss. Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great poli...

Catherine MacLeod, former Political Editor of The Herald and Special Adviser (SPAD) to UK Chancellor, Alistair Darling, joins Bernard and Alex to preview Rachel Reeves first budget of the new Labour Government. Catherine's insights into how the Treasury and Chancellor prepare for a budget. PONSONBY - "This is the real day one of the new Labour government." MASSIE - "The most keenly anticipated bud...

Poet and writer Jenny Lindsay tells her story: Being cancelled and "hounded" for being gender critical Her new book telling the story of her experience - "Hounded: Women, Harms and the Gender Wars" She says that gender is an open goal for politicians who should apologize to women and admit they got it wrong. Jenny's book is available here: https://amzn.eu/d/7gTBdKO Focussing on UK, Scottish and Gl...

PART 2 of a 2 part exploration of the life and times of Alex Salmond who died at the weekend at the age of 69. Bernard and Alex pick up the story in 2011 through the zenith of his career at the 2014 Independence Referendum and onto the challenges of legal battles and the Alba Party in his post-SNP world. The programme concludes with a summary of what his legacy might be. Bernard Ponsonby knew Alex...

Part 1 of a 2 part special reflecting on the life of "the most consequential Scottish politician of our time", Alex Salmond, who died at the weekend at the age of 69. It's a sincere attempt to capture in some depth the complexity and calibre of the man, his highs and lows. Bernard Ponsonby knew Alex Salmond professionally and personally for 35 years. they worked and spent time together over the pa...

Bernard and Alex are joined by David Frum, Staff Writer at the The Atlantic for a deep dive into the US Presidential race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. David Frum is widely quoted as the man who coined the phrase "Axis of Evil" while working for George W Bush. Today, he is a renowned writer and a Republican who won't vote for Trump. David offers valuable insight into the state of America...

Bernard and Alex discuss the significance of First Minister, John Swinney, bringing former SNP strategist, Stephen Noon, back into his close circle as a Special Advisor (SPAD). What does it say about the SNP's current strategy and given the positions both Swinney and Noon have taken in the past, does it mean Independence has been kicked into the long grass for the time being? Also What can we read...

Bernard and Alex discuss whether the New Scottish Conservative leader, Russell Findlay, will face an existential crisis with the party at the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election. Do a series of factors, including the emergence of Reform, mean there is "no chance they're going to hold second place in 2026"? Also, Rosie Duffield's resignation from Labour - "I cannot recall seeing a more direct assault...

Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie delve into the challenges facing the new Labour government in the aftermath of Keir Starmer's first conference speech as Prime Minister. Labour stood on a platform of "Change" but is it immediate enough for the electorate? Where will the money come from in Rachel Reeves upcoming budget? Is the new government facing mid-term blues already, only months after the elec...

Bernard is in the USA. Alex is on the Isle of Jura. Bernard says Keir Starmer needs to deliver growth or face the anger of the electorate over growing errors. Alex says that naive and loose-lipped press briefing by new staff in Government and the freebie scandal raise questions over Starmer's judgement. Bernard analyses the US Presidential race from Vermont - it's edging towards Harris but it's ti...

It's 10 years since Scotland's Independence Referendum. Bernard and Alex reflect on what happened, where we are now and will there be an Indy Ref II? Including Bernard's insights into what really happened behind the scenes at the TV debates and on referendum night. Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents,...

PART 2 - Bernard and Alex were consulted during the production of BBC Scotland's "Salmond and Sturgeon: A Troubled Union". In this episode, released directly after the documentary's broadcast, Bernard and Alex focus on part two of the two part series. They give their thoughts and analysis of both the programme and relationship between Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon. SNP Scottish Politics Scottis...

PART 1 - Bernard and Alex were consulted during the production of BBC Scotland's "Salmond and Sturgeon: A Troubled Union". In this episode, released directly after the documentary's broadcast, Bernard and Alex focus on part one of the two part series. They give their thoughts and analysis of both the programme and relationship between Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon. SNP Scottish Politics Scottis...

Labour's Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Michael Marra MSP, tells the podcast A 2026 victory for Labour in the Scottish Parliamentary Election is "nowhere near a done deal" The best case scenario is a minority Labour government His political roots in family life in Dundee He regards Anas Sarwar's transformation of Scottish Labour as "profound" Recorded at the Kilderkin pub on the Royal Mile....

In the aftermath of the SNP's Annual Conference, Bernard and Alex ask - where are the new policies and the strategy for independence that the party will need to win voters back who switched to Labour at the General Election? The need for a clear policy prospectus. The challenges of economic growth and public services.  The conference talked about Independence but not the trickier subject of s...

On the eve of the SNP Annual Conference, former Minister Alex Neil warns First Minster John Swinney to bin the "political weans" and "bring in heavyweights" as losing 2026 election will mean an independent Scotland is "in the freezer for 10-30 years" Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Quest...

Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie tackle the issues of the week including Fallout from SNP Minister, Angus Robertson, meeting with Israeli diplomats. Can anything be done to stem drug deaths in Scotland The Scottish Conservative leadership race. Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions T...

Scottish Conservative leadership candidate, Meghan Gallacher, does not hold back in laying out her campaign stall. Says she'll investigate allegations that former boss and party leader, Douglas Ross, had a long term plan to dump Holyrood colleagues in favour of Westminster seat. Proposes 1p cut to Scottish Income Tax Proposes a re-evaluation of Scottish Council Tax bands. Complete rebuild of the S...

He's only 35 but Labour's Paul Sweeney has already been an MP and now sits as an MSP. He joined Bernard and Alex in the Press Bar in Glasgow to discuss.; 2026 Scottish Parliament Election is "high stakes" in terms of determining the long term future of the UK. "I've seen How hard Anas Sarwar works" - I don't think I'd be up to the job. "My faith in the Labour tribe" was rocked by the Iraq War. "Gl...

Bernard and Alex recapture the lost art of a leisurely political conversation over a pint in the pub - in this case Glasgow's famous journalists pub, The Press Bar. Is this the era of SNP austerity? The Winter Fuel Allowance means test New GERS figures. We examine the state of Scotland's finances. Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Re...

Former Tory MSP and Constitutional Law expert, Professor Adam Tomkins, joins us for a fascinating insight into the constitutional issues Scotland faces plus .... Prof Tomkins voted Labour for Blair McDougall at the General Election Role of Lord Advocate needs fixed - "it's extremely dangerous" He's enthused by the "boring" serious nature of Keir Starmer's new Labour administration in Westminster....

Scottish Conservative Leadership Candidate and former Olympian, Brian Whittle, takes on challengers. "I'd struggle to vote for Russell Findlay" Douglas Ross standing in General Election was "disrespectful" and cost Tories the seat. "We got what we deserved" in General Election. Scottish Tory leaders have failed on communication. Scottish Tories - too much PR and not enough policy. Focussing on UK,...

Against a backdrop of riots in the UK, misinformation and heightened tensions, a calm analysis of the riots and what they mean. How has the new Labour Government handled the crisis so far? Who is behind the riots? What this says about the UK? Why no riots in Scotland? Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agent...

Bernard and Alex get heated with each other when the subject of a legitimate route to a second independence referendum arises. Also, Tory leadership contest. From the Press Bar on Albion Street in Glasgow. Questions and comments from Lee Carney Jonny Gray Wings Over Scotland Gordon Innes Follow us on Twitter, Youtube and Facebook Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other gre...