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). Does this mean a shift towards gradualism? What does it say about the SNP's current strategy and given the positions both Swinney and Noon has taken in the past, does it mean Independence has been kicked into the long grass for the time being?

Also

What can we read into the recent SNP victories in the Dundee by-elections?

And the Tories will reduce the candidates for leadership of the UK party to two this week.

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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 on the integrity and standing of a party leader than the letter that she sent to Sir Keir Starmer just within the last 48 hours".

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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 election?
• Anas Sarwar has said no austerity but how do you define austerity?

ALSO

• The Scottish Tories and Reform?
• Will the Scottish Tories even make it to 3rd place in the 2026 election?
• Are there any ideas in the race to be Scottish Tory Leader?
• Does Reform have a constituency in Scotland?

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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 tight.
• Alex questions Stewart McDonald's suggestion that the SNP should consider a centre left coalition with Labour after 2026 Scottish Parliament Election.

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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.

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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

Scottish Labour

Scottish Conservatives

Scottish Libdems

Scottish Greens

Alba Party

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Scottish Labour

Scottish Conservatives

Scottish Libdems

Scottish Greens

Alba Party

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.