Podlitical

Boris Johnson gave an optimistic speech at conference, but does his party feel the same? As the Prime Minister shared his enthusiastic vision of the UK's future, some worry that the new era of Johnsonism is going against what the Conservative party stand for. Meanwhile, Douglas Ross and the Scottish Conservatives may aim to emulate the Tory success in toppling the Red Wall with the SNP in Scotland...

Post-Labour conference, the team discuss the Red Wall, the fuel crisis, and Indyref 2. Has Labour leader Keir Starmer managed to unite the party behind him, or is he prioritising victory in the next general election? Rajdeep shares what the mood was like inside the conference, from cheers to jeers, and talks about the new face that Labour is wearing. Where does Keir Starmer's "party of the Union"...

The team talk gas price rises, the ambulance service in crisis, and climate change. Is the outlook for winter looking bleak? The team discuss the impact that the Coronavirus pandemic and Brexit may or may not have had on the sectors under pressure, as well as the firefighting being done in Holyrood and Westminster to try and make sure our shelves are stocked and hospitals are under less pressure....

The team discusses the latest Covid plans and Nicki Minaj's online spat with Chris Whitty. Health correspondents Lisa Summers and Nick Triggle join Phil and Nick to walk through the current state of vaccine passports, plans to vaccinate children, and the looming threat of winter. Will the NHS be able to manage a sharp uptick in cases, and are booster jabs going to help?

What are the Scottish Government's priorities as set out in the programme for government? The team discusses the key plans announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon; including restarting work on a second independence referendum, reforms to the care service, extra funding for frontline healthcare and mental health services, and more. Also, in Westminster, The Prime Minister Boris Johnson manages...

The SNP and Scottish Greens agree to a power-sharing deal and form a Holyrood majority, but where can the parties compromise, and where can they not? BBC Scotland political editor Glenn Campbell joins the team to analyse the areas where the SNP-Green majority may agree or disagree - from climate goals and the Gender Recognition Act, to the upcoming test as the Scottish Parliament votes on vaccine...

Listen exclusively to the full BBC Scotland Greta Thunberg interview on COP26 and more. The team is joined by BBC Scotland Environment, Energy & Rural Affairs Correspondent Kevin Keane, who talks us through the interview, and explains the process of getting to chat with one of the world's top climate campaigners about the upcoming Glasgow climate conference, and whether or not she's more optim...

What does the announced scrapping of the SQA exams body mean for Scottish pupils? Education journalist Emma Seith joins to talk us through the current exams drama in Holyrood ahead of the Scottish parliamentary recess. Also, as we head towards the so-called "freedom day" when restrictions lift, the team take a look at the current spat between Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and First Minister Nicola...

Is the lifting of lockdown irreversible? Is the alternative too politically painful? The team discusses this and more with BBC Scotland health correspondent Lisa Summers. With further Covid legislation being rushed through Holyrood ahead of the parliament going into recess, and the Delta variant still threatening the progress the UK has made so far, what does it mean for our freedoms going forward...

The global vaccine rollout is set to be high on the agenda at the G7 Summit. Rajdeep Sandhu joins us from the train there to give us a preview of what to expect, including the meeting between Prime Minister Boris Johnson and US President Joe Biden. BBC global health correspondent Naomi Grimley also joins Lucy and Lynsey to chat through the massive logistical challenges facing developing countries...

There’s talk of us being at the start of a third wave as we hit a "bump in the road". BBC Scotland Health Correspondent Lisa Summers joins the team to share whether the "cautious optimism" she felt at the start of the vaccine rollout is still there. Nicola Sturgeon has “paused” plans for lockdown easing in some parts of the country. Meanwhile, Portugal has been removed from the UK’s green list of...

In Westminster, Ex-Chief Advisor Dominic Cummings makes bombshell claims, and in Holyrood deals are weighed. Phil and Nick are joined by BBC Scotland political editor Glenn Campbell and BBC News political correspondent Alex Forsyth to discuss the allegations levelled against the UK Government by the Prime Ministers' former chief advisor, who alleged that "tens of thousands of people died, who didn...

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has unveiled her new, slimmed down cabinet team, one that she says is "a serious government for the serious times we face as a nation". With only one minister - Kate Forbes - keeping her old position, and only one junior minister promoted into the full cabinet, what does this reshuffle mean for the next few years of the Scottish Government? BBC Scotland politics edit...

The team talk procedure and pomp as the MSPs of the 6th Scottish Parliament are sworn in, and a new presiding officer is voted for. BBC political journalist Kirsten Campbell joins the team from Holyrood to discuss the events of the day; including why no party seems to want to put forward a new presiding officer, what the SNP plans for their first 100 days in Government, as well as whether or not t...

The SNP secured its victory in the Holyrood election, but a constitutional clash looms as the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tells Prime Minister Boris Johnson the question of a second independence referendum is "when, not if". What does the result of the Holyrood election mean for the next few years of Scottish politics? The team reflect on the outcome and the biggest issues facing the Scottish a...

There's just one day to go until voters head to the polls in the Holyrood election. As political rhetoric ramps up in the final hours of the campaign and parties try to sell themselves to the voting public, the team discusses the final week ahead of the election - including which seats are worth watching, and whether or not voters have been swayed to change their votes by promises from the parties...

Politicians insist that the Holyrood election on 6 May could be one of the most important in Scotland's history. But on average, almost half of the electorate don't actually vote in these polls. Who are the silent Scots who don't take part in the democratic process, and what's holding them back? Political correspondent, Phil Sim, meets the ‘silent Scots’.

The Prime Minister faces questions over the funding of the No. 10 flat refurbishment. Chris Mason joins the team to discuss the allegations facing PM Boris Johnson, and what kind of impact it may or may not have on the Holyrood election next week. Following the allegations he said he would rather see "bodies pile high" than take the country into a third lockdown, and the Labour leader Keir Starmer...

Scottish parties are pledging to tackle climate change, but is it a vote winner? Lucy and Phil are joined by Environmental Politics expert Darrick Evensen to discuss what parties are promising in their manifestos ahead of the Holyrood election next week. How much does the general public care about environmental policies, especially during a pandemic, and to what level are people willing to change...

The team talks Scottish party manifestos and frozen treats as the sun shines, including what the public mood around the election seems to be, and the impact turnout may have on the results. With two weeks to go until polling day, the manifestos from all five major parties are out, and the team discuss what promises are being made to the electorate, as well as the respective independence and unioni...

As the European Super League is met by a less-than-super reception from fans, Lucy and Phil are joined by sports broadcasters Amy Irons and Chris McLaughlin to discuss the politics of football and the reaction to the ESL announcements in Scotland and the wider UK. The team discuss how the sport can be used by politicians to win over voters, as well as creating some political own goals.

Manifestos for the Holyrood election begin to be released, and parties hit the streets. The team discuss what we know so far about the promises pledged to the electorate, as well as what impact the resumption of door-to-door campaigning and canvassing will have for parties ahead of further restriction easing in Scotland on Friday. Will we see three frantic final weeks on the campaign trail, or has...

Campaigner Talat Yaqoob joins the team to examine if we'll have a representative Scottish Parliament, and what steps are being taken by parties to ensure that women and ethnic minority people are able to be an equal part of the political landscape after the Holyrood election. Will MSPs better reflect Scottish society as a whole after May 6th? What more can be done to turn promises into policy? The...

As the deadline to stand in the Scottish Election passes, who are the would-be MSPs? The team discusses parties old and new, and with around 700 candidates in regional lists looking to be elected to Scottish Parliament on May 6th, the team chats about at some of the parties hoping to share their vision of Scotland with the voting public over the next few weeks. A full list of candidates and partie...

BBC News Scotland editor and debate moderator Sarah Smith joins the team to discuss and dissect the first Scottish Leader Debate of the 2021 Holyrood election. From missteps to memes, the team chat about the performances of the party political leaders, and Sarah Smith shares a behind-the-scenes look at what it's like moderating.