Susan Deacon was Labour MSP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh (Constituency) from 1999 - 2007 and Scotland's first health minister. We spend more time with one of the stars of our live podcast recording event. Calum, Andy and Susan discuss the 25-year anniversary of devolution in Scotland and reflects on the successes and challenges of the Scottish Parliament. We highlight the need for constructive reflection and improvement rather than getting stuck in nostalgia. We discuss the performative na...
Apr 12, 2024•55 min•Season 3Ep. 20
This week Calum, Geoff and Andy are joined by Michael Foran, a lecturer in public law at the University of Glasgow, to pick apart the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act. What does it mean? What does it say? Your (and our) questions are answered. Plus, Labour leads the SNP for the first time in a decade, according to new polling by YouGov, and Scottish new builds will no longer be allowed to have wood burners. All on today's episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa...
Apr 10, 2024•57 min•Season 3Ep. 19
The Hate Crime And Public Order (Scotland) Act is now in force, and more Police Scotland is logging yet more complaints, so what happens next? Calum, Geoff and Andy discuss JK Rowling's comments - which are not being treated as criminal - as well as a new MRP poll predicting a Conservative wipeout to less than 100 seats across the UK after the General Election, but the SNP holding onto 41 seats. Plus, as discussion continues from our 25 Years of Devolution event, what has the last quarter-centur...
Apr 03, 2024•49 min•Season 3Ep. 18
First Minister Humza Yousaf has defended police after Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser threatened to take them to court for keeping a record of a hate incident made against him, despite concluding he had not committed a crime. Calum, Andy and Geoff assess the political fallout. Plus we reflect on last week's 25 Years of Devolution live recording. Plus, should MPs and MSPs keep talking about potholes, and is the First Minister right to still be saying it's the 'honour of a lifetime' to be in the rol...
Mar 27, 2024•41 min•Season 3Ep. 17
Join Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver for a Holyrood Sources podcast special. We’re bringing together guests who have been at the heart of the story of devolution over the last 25 years to reflect on how devolution happened, what’s happened since and what should happen next. As part of the night, we’ll reveal the results of exclusive polling assessing how people across Scotland view devolution, 25 years since the establishment of The Scottish Parliament. In part two: Alex Salmond...
Mar 23, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 3Ep. 16
Join Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver for a Holyrood Sources podcast special. We’re bringing together guests who have been at the heart of the story of devolution over the last 25 years to reflect on how devolution happened, what’s happened since and what should happen next. As part of the night, we’ll reveal the results of exclusive polling assessing how people across Scotland view devolution, 25 years since the establishment of The Scottish Parliament. In part one: Fergus Ewing...
Mar 22, 2024•1 hr 36 min•Season 3Ep. 15
BUY YOUR TICKETS FOR OUR 25 YEARS OF DEVOLUTION SPECIAL For the full lineup and for tickets, click: https://holyroodsources.com/live John Lamont is the Conservative MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk since 2017, and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland since 2022. He joins Calum to discuss devolution, the shift from Holyrood to Westminster, how to balance being a minister and constituency MP and whether he thinks he'll still have a job after the next general election. Hoste...
Mar 20, 2024•34 min•Season 3Ep. 14
BUY YOUR TICKETS FOR OUR 25 YEARS OF DEVOLUTION SPECIAL For the full lineup and for tickets, click: https://holyroodsources.com/live This week Calum, Andy and Geoff discuss the big question for the SNP: what is the electoral strategy? Plus should SNP MPs walk out of Westminster? As murmurings of a Boris Johnson return to politics make waves around Westminster and beyond, could Nicola Sturgeon follow suit and come back? And how do you get the NHS in Scotland back in working order again? All in to...
Mar 13, 2024•45 min•Season 3Ep. 13
BUY YOUR TICKETS FOR OUR 25 YEARS OF DEVOLUTION SPECIAL Announced guests so far: Jack McConnell, Alex Salmond, Henry McLeish Click: https://holyroodsources.com/live After weeks of speculation, briefings and headlines the Chancellor's budget is here. And with it the windfall tax on profits for oil and gas firms has been extended for another 12 months, despite opposition from Scottish Conservatives. The former Political Editor of The Herald and former Special Advisor to Alistair Darling, Catherine...
Mar 06, 2024•45 min•Season 3Ep. 12
eBUY YOUR TICKETS FOR OUR 25 YEARS OF DEVOLUTION SPECIAL Announced guests so far: Jack McConnell, Alex Salmond, Henry McLeish Click: https://holyroodsources.com/live We're back at the pub in Aberdeen, this time for Scottish Conservative Party Conference - and we're bringing you a brilliant lineup: ▶️ The Leader: Douglas Ross on distinguishing the Scottish Conservatives from the wider party; ▶️ The Secretary of State: Claire Coutinho with her pitch for the energy sector; ▶️ The Minister: Andrew B...
Mar 02, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 3Ep. 11
BUY YOUR TICKETS FOR OUR 25 YEARS OF DEVOLUTION SPECIAL Announced guests so far: Jack McConnell, Alex Salmond, Henry McLeish Click: https://holyroodsources.com/live Almost exactly a year on from our first episode, Calum and Andy are joined by Iain Anderson, founder and Executive Chairman of the lobbying group Cicero , who has switched allegiances to Labour after being a Conservative supporter for four decades. They discuss Labour's prospects as the self-proclaimed party of business, and how that...
Feb 28, 2024•44 min•Season 3Ep. 10
BUY YOUR TICKETS FOR OUR 25 YEARS OF DEVOLUTION SPECIAL Announced guests so far: Jack McConnell, Alex Salmond, Henry McLeish Click: https://holyroodsources.com/live Calum, Geoff and Andy debrief after Scottish Labour Conference and assess how Anas Sarwar handled the occasion, as well as discussing how ceasefire amendments have come into the political fray. Also on the agenda is how Alex Salmond spoke at the Scottish Affairs Committee about the stage we find ourselves at with devolution, and Humz...
Feb 22, 2024•50 min•Season 3Ep. 9
BUY YOUR TICKETS FOR OUR 25 YEARS OF DEVOLUTION SPECIAL Announced guests so far: Jack McConnell, Alex Salmond, Henry McLeish Click: holyroodsources.com/live ****** Scottish Labour Party leader, Anas Sarwar, discusses the party's conference and the need for change and momentum. He emphasises the importance of message discipline and staying grounded. We discuss the perception that Scottish Labour is not as far ahead as UK Labour and highlights the need for a UK Labour government to strengthen the ...
Feb 17, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 8
We have a massive announcement for you. Plus, we preview Scottish Labour Party conference. We're joined by Jim Murphy, former leader of the Scottish Labour Party, who discusses his work advising candidates in elections around the world and navigating political risk. He also addresses the issue of antisemitism in British and Scottish politics and the recent suspension of Labour Party parliamentary candidates. The conversation touches on the relationship between Anas Sarwar and Keir Starmer, the i...
Feb 14, 2024•52 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Humza Yousaf has reshuffled the cabinet - Neil Gray replaces Michael Matheson as Health Secretary. Is the NHS's gain, a loss for business? Plus where is Kate Forbes? Also - Labour have committed news by reversing their £28 billion green investment plan - we assess why they've done it. In association with The Royal Bank of Scotland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 09, 2024•32 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Calum, Geoff and Andy recap the energy special debate in Aberdeen and discuss the key takeaways. They also analyse recent polling data, including the surge in support for Labour and the challenges facing the SNP. We finish by discussing Nicola Sturgeon's emotional testimony at the COVID inquiry and the issue of authenticity and trust in political leaders. In association with The Royal Bank of Scotland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Feb 07, 2024•49 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Calum, Geoff and Andy are joined in Aberdeen by an audience of 300 to discuss Scotland's Energy policy. Answering questions are Gillian Martin, SNP MSP (Aberdeenshire East, Constituency) and Energy Minister; Sarah Boyack, Labour MSP (Lothian Region), and Party Spokesperson on Energy, Just Transition and Net Zero and Douglas Lumsden, Conservative MSP (North East Scotland Region) and Party Spokesperson on Energy, Net Zero and Transport. In association with SSE Berwick Bank. Find out more: https://...
Jan 31, 2024•1 hr 33 min•Season 3Ep. 4
We discuss the COVID inquiry and the revelations about Nicola Sturgeon and Jason Leitch's WhatsApps. Plus, Alex Meredith from SSE Berwick Bank joins to preview our Energy Special in Aberdeen next week. Sandy Begbie, the Chief Executive of Scottish Financial Enterprise, joins us to discuss the impact of COVID on the economy, the Scottish budget, attracting talent, and the education system in Scotland. In association with SSE Berwick Bank. Find out more: https://www.berwickbank.com/ Hosted on Acas...
Jan 24, 2024•59 min•Season 3Ep. 3
*LEAVE US A REVIEW // Join the mailing list: holyroodsources.com We discuss this week's YouGov poll, which suggests that the SNP is set to lose nearly half of the seats it won in the last general election. We debate the implications of the poll, as well as the SNP's strategy and messaging. Our guest today is former SNP MP - and election candidate - Stephen Gethins, who argues that the SNP is still in a strong position and highlights the importance of motivating volunteers and engaging with voter...
Jan 17, 2024•59 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Calum, Geoff and Andy are back for 2024. Today, we discuss the speeches by Humza Yousaf and Anas Sarwar, focusing on the themes of independence, economic growth and tax cuts. We consider the setting of direction for election campaigns, we analyse Humza Yousaf's speech on independence and the economy, we discuss Anas Sarwar's speech on tax cuts and economic growth. Plus, the importance of Scottish Labour in the UK Labour government, the influence of the Scottish Green Party and potential coalitio...
Jan 09, 2024•49 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Our guests from the Lib Dems and Alba parties of 2023. In association with SSE Berwick Bank. Find out more: https://www.berwickbank.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 07, 2024•28 min•Season 2Ep. 32
How Scottish Labour's 2023 unfolded... In association with SSE Berwick Bank. Find out more: https://www.berwickbank.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 03, 2024•40 min•Season 2Ep. 31
How the SNP's 2023 evolved... In association with SSE Berwick Bank. Find out more: https://www.berwickbank.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 02, 2024•38 min•Season 2Ep. 30
Calum, Geoff and Andy reflect on the podcast moments of the year, including interviews with politicians like Ruth Davidson, Jack McConnell, and Kate Forbes. They discuss the value of insights from non-politicians and the issues raised and discussed - like the importance of decentralisation and local decision-making. The conversation also touches on the different types of politicians and the need for more consideration in politics. The hosts highlight the interview with Humza Yousaf as a signific...
Dec 27, 2023•38 min•Season 2Ep. 29
The conversation discusses the Scottish government's budget and its impact on businesses and individuals. The lack of a clear vision and identity crisis within the Scottish National Party (SNP) is highlighted. We're joined by Sara Thiam, the CEO of Prosper Scotland – which brings together government, business and civil society to create a prosperous Scotland... and Mairi Spowage is Director at the Fraser of Allander Institute. The budget's focus on fair and green policies is criticised for not p...
Dec 20, 2023•54 min•Season 2Ep. 28
In this episode, Calum, Geoff and Andy are joined by Douglas Ross - Scottish Conservative leader, MP for Moray and MSP for the Highlands and Islands. The discuss topics including the Rwanda Bill, the difficulties within the Conservative Party, opportunities for the Scottish Tories, election forecasts, and David Cameron's letter to Scottish ministers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 13, 2023•54 min•Season 2Ep. 27
In this conversation, the hosts discuss various topics including the legacy of Alistair Darling, education standards in Scotland, and an emergency cabinet meeting to address a budget black hole. The hosts reflect on Alistair Darling's political achievements and the consensus of sympathy and affection for him. They express concern over the decline in education standards in Scotland and the need for a serious plan of action. The emergency cabinet meeting is seen as a significant event, with specul...
Dec 07, 2023•39 min•Season 2Ep. 26
Calum, Geoff and Andy answer and discuss your questions on the Lib Dems, Humza Yousaf, the SNP and whether politicians really tackle the issues which are important to you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 29, 2023•51 min•Season 2Ep. 25
Labour MP - and Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland - Ian Murray, joins the podcast to discuss the toughest two weeks he's experienced in politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 22, 2023•52 min•Season 2Ep. 24
Calum, Andy and Geoff take a tour through the political stories of the week - £11,000 on Michael Matheson's iPad data roaming; Rishi Sunak's reshuffle and Geoff's memories of David Cameron, the politics of a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 15, 2023•35 min•Season 2Ep. 23
