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 countries with hopes of summer holidays dashed. The team pick up on the varying approaches to lockdo...
Jun 03, 2021•24 min
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't need to die" during the Coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile in Holyrood, the SNP and the Scottish Gre...
May 27, 2021•30 min
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 editor Glenn Campbell joins the team to analyse the moves made, and which ministers may be facing diffic...
May 20, 2021•27 min
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 the First Minister is given a very important purse.
May 13, 2021•27 min
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 and UK Governments, including the constitutional question, the pandemic and recovery, as well as the ...
May 10, 2021•27 min
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.
May 05, 2021•21 min
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’.
Apr 30, 2021•24 min
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 accusing the government of being "mired in sleaze", will this flat fiasco damage the Prime Minister...
Apr 29, 2021•25 min
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 their lives to save the planet?
Apr 28, 2021•24 min
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 unionist strategies going forward.
Apr 22, 2021•21 min
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.
Apr 21, 2021•22 min
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 the so-called "Ground War" ground to a halt? You’ll be able to see a full list of candidates and pa...
Apr 15, 2021•23 min
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 team discuss this and the latest news from the campaign trail.
Apr 08, 2021•27 min
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 parties standing for both the regional list and constituency seats will be available on the BBC website. V...
Apr 01, 2021•23 min
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.
Mar 31, 2021•17 min
Holyrood enters recess and the election period begins ahead of the May 6th vote. BBC political journalist Kirsten Campbell joins the team to talk about the last week of madness in Scottish Parliament, the last-minute NHS pay rise announcement, and the friendly end to this term of Holyrood which has been punctuated by intense debate and anger. As the Coronavirus pandemic continues, what will the parties' election campaigns look like?
Mar 25, 2021•26 min
Andy Wightman MSP joins the team to share his experiences inside the Salmond committee. Nick, Lynsey, and Phil have a frank discussion with him, as he reveals an insider perspective to the committee which found the First Minister has misled the inquiry in her evidence, and concluded The Scottish government's handling of harassment complaints against Alex Salmond was "seriously flawed". We find out about the independent MSP's reaction to the leaks to the press, hearing evidence from the complaina...
Mar 24, 2021•44 min
Lines are drawn, anger flares, and election rhetoric begins as Holyrood heads for recess. In the last week before we enter the election period ahead of the May 6th vote, the team discusses the clash between the First Minister and Conservative Holyrood leader Ruth Davidson at FMQs, the potential effect of the Hamilton inquiry, and the upcoming Scottish independence bill.
Mar 18, 2021•24 min
Following the killing of Sarah Everard, the team talk about women's safety and the political response to her death with campaigner Ashley Crossan. Speaking to Lucy Whyte, Lynsey Bews, and Phil Sim, they discuss what legislation is being introduced, issues surrounding the political debate of women's safety, and ask: How can we make society safer for women?
Mar 17, 2021•21 min
Professor Sir John Curtice joins the team to discuss how Scottish parties are polling. How has the pandemic influenced voters? Will the Salmond inquiry dent or bolster support for the SNP? Professor Curtice shares his insight on this and more with Lucy, Phil, and Lynsey, as we head towards the Holyrood elections in May.
Mar 11, 2021•22 min
The team digest the First Minister's marathon evidence session at the Holyrood committee, as Nicola Sturgeon rejects suggestions she broke the ministerial code, and claims that allegations of conspiracy made against her by Former First Minister Alex Salmond are "absurd". BBC Scotland political editor Glenn Campbell joins the team to pick through the nearly eight hour hearing, how opposition parties have reacted, and whether we heard the smoking gun of evidence, or if it was a misfire.
Mar 04, 2021•31 min
There are rows over redactions and claims of conspiracy as the Salmond inquiry continues. From a fiery session of FMQs to the Scottish Parliament publishing a revised version of a submission from Alex Salmond after the Crown Office raised "grave concerns" about it, the team explains the anger on both sides - and what impact it could have on the landscape of Scottish politics.
Feb 25, 2021•23 min
As the vaccine rollout continues, the team discuss the pitfalls of positive promises, and the additional caution both First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Prime Minister Boris Johnson appear to be taking ahead of the planned release of a road map out of this lockdown. With political concern over promising a definitive timetable being met with businesses seeking clarity, the team chat about the fine line politicians are having to walk to avoid any further lockdowns while also sharing the good news ...
Feb 18, 2021•19 min
The team discusses what's next for the Holyrood inquiry if Alex Salmond doesn't appear, after the two sides failed to come to an agreement and the committee said the former First Minister had set conditions that they "simply could never meet". Ahead of the potential appearance by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon next week, what kind of impact will this have on the Hamilton and Salmond inquiries, and what will Alex Salmond do next?
Feb 11, 2021•31 min
Tensions grow in the SNP, as Joanna Cherry is dropped from the Westminster front bench. In a public row, she claims she was 'sacked', while the party says it had made a number of changes to its Westminster team before the upcoming Holyrood election. Ahead of next week's potential appearance of Alex Salmond at the inquiry into how the Scottish Government handled sexual misconduct complaints, and with the row over the Gender Recognition Act still simmering away, just what is going on inside the SN...
Feb 04, 2021•27 min
Ahead of standing down from Holyrood, MSPs Aileen Campbell and Jenny Marra discuss if family life and political work can mix. Is it possible to balance raising children and a career on the campaign trail? Lucy and Rajdeep sit them down for a frank talk on the reasons they are choosing to leave frontline politics for now, as well as what they hope changes in the future to ease the difficulties of being a parent in Parliament.
Feb 03, 2021•30 min
Political planning around a potential second independence referendum ramps up a notch as the SNP release their 11-step 'roadmap' to independence, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson heads to Scotland. As both Unionist and Independence parties plead their case to the voting public ahead of the Holyrood election in May, the team discuss what arguments are being made, as well as what's happening behind the scenes.
Jan 27, 2021•20 min
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard has stood down, so what's next for the party? With the Holyrood Elections in May, BBC Scotland political editor Glenn Campbell joins the team to discuss the party's prospects, as the leadership race between Anas Sarwar and Monica Lennon begins. They discuss the difficulties facing Scottish Labour in introducing a new leader to the public ahead of the election, all while trying to wrangle the elephant in the room - the prospect of a second Independence Refer...
Jan 21, 2021•26 min
Brand new year, brand new political problems? The team discuss the busy start to 2021, including another lockdown and fears over Coronavirus mutations, Brexit finally being done and the so-called 'teething problems' surrounding fishing, as well as the growing split between First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her former mentor Alex Salmond.
Jan 14, 2021•26 min
As tougher Christmas guidance is issued, what is the political thinking behind the rules? From bubbles to baubles, the team discuss the political dilemma leaders of the four nations face, and the potential risks to public health as we enter the new year. In the final episode of the year, Lucy, Phil, Rajdeep, Nick, and Lynsey also look back on 2020 and discuss their standout moments.
Dec 17, 2020•20 min
