x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Holyrood Sources

Shortbread Media

The Holyrood Sources podcast analyses Scottish politics through the experiences of those who have lived and breathed it as Special Advisers to the Scottish Government, SNP and opposition parties. Join hosts Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (Chief of Staff to the First Minister, 2007-2014) and Andy Maciver (Former Head of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives) as they take you inside Scottish politics. Their insight is second to none - they"ve been there, lived it, and maintain remarkable

news

All Episodes

43:44

Scottish Labour’s Shadow Government

Holyrood Sources ·

2025/09/24

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure from both the left and centre of his party ahead of conference. With questions over his leadership, his political voice, and Labour’s direction on key issues like energy policy, immigration, and economic growth, this episode asks:Does Starmer have the authority to unite his party?Could figures like Andy Burnham challenge him?Is Labour heading for a damaging split – or a chance to reset?Will Ed Miliband’s reported U-turn on North Sea oil and gas

en

46:18

Healthier, Wealthier, and Better Educated... with...

Holyrood Sources ·

2025/09/17

In this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Scottish Conservative Head of Comms) deep dive into the week’s biggest political stories.👉 We ask: has it been a good week for John Swinney and a bad week for Keir Starmer? 👉 We discuss the fallout from the Mandelson–Epstein scandal, Starmer’s leadership under fire, and what it means for Scottish Labour. 👉 Then we welcome Lord Malcolm Offord, UK Government Minister

en

53:43

Swinney in the Oval Office & Starmer's Reshuffle......

Holyrood Sources ·

2025/09/10

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has secured a rare audience in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump — a diplomatic coup that could shape both Scotland’s international standing and the next Holyrood election.In this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff, Andy Maciver and Ayesha Hazarika break down:Why this Oval Office meeting is such a big win for Swinney’s leadership.The Scotch whisky tariffs — Scotland’s largest export industry is on the line. Could Swinney negotiate a

en

31:47

Offshore Wind & Fuel Poverty | The Future of Energy...

Holyrood Sources ·

2025/09/04

Part 2The future of energy in Scotland is at a crossroads. In this special podcast edition, leading politicians Michael Shanks, Claire Coutinho, and Kate Forbes join the discussion on:⚡ Offshore wind challenges – 400% increase in transmission charges threatening Scottish projects🏠 Fuel poverty – 1 in 3 Scottish households face rising bills despite Scotland’s energy wealth🔌 Grid reform – Can strategic energy planning and investment finally cut costs?🏘️ Community benefit & ownership – Should

en

1:09:23

North Sea Oil: Jobs vs Net Zero? | The Future of...

Holyrood Sources ·

2025/09/03

The future of oil and gas in the UK is one of the most pressing political questions of our time — and it’s at the heart of this debate. With the North Sea basin still a major source of energy and jobs in Scotland, how should the UK balance the demands of energy security, climate change targets, and community livelihoods?In this special discussion, UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks MP (Labour), UK Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Claire Coutinho MP, and Deputy First Minister of Scotland Kate

en

33:33

“Drill Baby Drill?” Oil & Gas, Renewables, Consumers...

Holyrood Sources ·

2025/09/02

Scotland’s energy future is at a crossroads. In this special episode of Holyrood Sources, recorded live at Offshore Europe in Aberdeen, we bring together leading voices to debate oil, gas, renewables, community power projects, and the politics driving the UK’s energy transition.Guests include:Claire Mack – Chief Executive, Scottish RenewablesAndrew Bowie MP – Conservative MP for West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine, Shadow Minister for EnergyAngus Macdonald – Community energy company director from

en

29:34

The SNP, Reform UK and 2026 – David Linden, SNP...

Holyrood Sources ·

2025/08/26

In this episode, David Linden, a candidate for the SNP, shares his journey and motivations for running in the upcoming Holyrood election. Having previously served as a Westminster MP, Linden discusses his return to politics after a stint in the private sector. He emphasises the importance of experienced candidates in the evolving landscape of Scottish politics, particularly as the SNP faces challenges related to independence and public service reform. Linden highlights the socio-economic issues in

en

32:15

Nicola Sturgeon’s Memoir... analysed by Geoff Aberdein

Holyrood Sources ·

2025/08/20

Nicola Sturgeon’s new book is causing controversy. On this episode of Holyrood Sources, Geoff Aberdein - former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond - directly challenges several claims, including:Did Alex Salmond really leak allegations against himself?Was Salmond disengaged from the 2013 independence White Paper?Did he oppose same-sex marriage?Geoff says these stories are “falsehoods and fabrications” — and sets the record straight.Later, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein, and Andy Maciver (former

en

45:56

Nicola Sturgeon’s "Frankly" & Scotland’s Elected Mayors

Holyrood Sources ·

2025/08/12

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has released her long-awaited memoir Frankly — and it’s already sparking old feuds, reigniting the Alex Salmond debate, and deepening divisions inside the SNP.In this episode of the Holyrood Sources Podcast, Calum Macdonald and Andy Maciver unpack:Sturgeon’s claims about Alex Salmond during the independence referendumThe SNP’s internal factions: Team Sturgeon, Team Salmond & Team SwinneyHer reflections on Gender Recognition Reform and the Isla Bryson caseHow

en

39:10

Scottish Politics Needs Big Ideas... So Where Are They?

Holyrood Sources ·

2025/08/06

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, hosts Calum MacDonald, Geoff Aberdeen, and Andy Maciver take your questions. They discuss the departure of Kate Forbes from the SNP and its implications, touching on her appeal to centrist voters and the challenges facing the party. The conversation then moves onto the broader political landscape, including the potential return of Ian Blackford, coalition possibilities, and the role of mayors in Scotland. The hosts engage with listener questions,

en

20:38

Kate Forbes Quits Scottish Politics

Holyrood Sources ·

2025/08/04

Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has announced she will step down at the 2026 Holyrood election. In this bonus episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Director of Comms for the Scottish Conservatives) unpack the political shockwave.👉 What does this mean for John Swinney's leadership?👉 Is the SNP losing its most economically credible voice?👉 Could this pave the way for Stephen Flynn or Màiri

en

29:02

"The UK Is Finished" - Historian James Hawes

Holyrood Sources ·

2025/08/01

In this powerful episode of Holyrood Sources, historian and author James Hawes explains why Scottish independence is inevitable and argues the UK has been in terminal decline since 1922.Speaking with host Calum Macdonald, Hawes discusses:Why Labour’s 2024 landslide won’t save the UnionThe rise of Reform UK and Nigel Farage’s “naked English nationalism”The SNP’s crisis — and its historical parallel with Irish nationalism after ParnellWhether the UK is becoming a modern-day Habsburg EmpireWhat a

en

17:30

Swinney’s Independence Plan...Will it backfire?

Holyrood Sources ·

2025/07/30

Donald Trump’s whirlwind visit to Scotland left behind more than photo ops — it’s shifted the tone of UK and Scottish politics. In this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Scottish Conservative Director of Communications) unpack the chaos, optics, and opportunities of Trump’s trip to Ayrshire and Aberdeen.From whisky tariffs and oil politics to Trump’s unexpectedly measured comments on Scottish independence,

en

48:08

Zonal Pricing, Trump’s Visit & Why Scotland Can’t Build

Holyrood Sources ·

2025/07/23

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources Podcast, we reflect on, the recent Tall Ships event in Aberdeen, the Hebridean Celtic Festival in Stornoway and the ongoing debate about zonal pricing in electricity. The conversation also touches on infrastructure challenges in Scotland, the implications of President Trump's visit, concerns over social unrest, and the trust deficit in political leaders, particularly among young people. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

en

59:27

Swinney Should AVOID Trump, says Ross Greer

Holyrood Sources ·

2025/07/16

In this conversation, Ross Greer discusses his candidacy for the leadership of the Scottish Greens, his relationship with the SNP, and the party's stance on various issues including taxation, council tax reform, and the impact of second homes on rural communities. He emphasises the importance of policies over personalities and addresses the complexities of political alliances in a minority government. The discussion also touches on the recent Sandie Peggie case and the implications of meeting with

en

45:07

Crisis in Police Scotland

Holyrood Sources ·

2025/07/09

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, the hosts discuss Labour's recent welfare reforms, and the potential emergence of new political parties in Scotland. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by political leaders and the implications of their decisions on the future of governance in Scotland. We're joined by Calum Steele, a former General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, and former general secretary of the International Council of Police Representative

en

33:51

Sir John Curtice - How did Swinney and Sarwar perform?

Holyrood Sources ·

2025/07/02

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, the discussion revolves around the upcoming 2026 Scottish parliamentary election, featuring insights from political analysts including Professor Sir John Curtice on the performances of key figures like John Swinney and Anas Sarwar. The conversation highlights the current public sentiment, the challenges faced by both the SNP and Labour, and the implications of the independence debate. The role of the reform party and the fragmentation of the unionist

en

1:40:48

John Swinney & Anas Sarwar | The Battle for Bute House

Holyrood Sources ·

2025/06/26

With John Swinney and Anas Sarwar.This podcast special focuses on the upcoming Scottish parliamentary elections, featuring discussions on the current political landscape, the impact of geopolitical issues, and the challenges facing the Scottish government. Key themes include the need for bold political conviction, the implications of welfare reforms, and the ongoing debate around independence. The conversation also highlights the importance of education and energy policy in shaping Scotland's

en

39:55

Will John Swinney deliver independence?

Holyrood Sources ·

2025/06/18

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, the hosts discuss the potential for a coalition between the SNP and Labour, the implications of John Swinney's renewed focus on independence, and the challenges surrounding economic policies in Scotland. They also explore the concept of a minimum income guarantee and its feasibility in addressing poverty while maintaining economic sustainability. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

en

46:57

By-election Aftermath... and Reform UK defector

Holyrood Sources ·

2025/06/11

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, the hosts discuss the latest developments in Scottish politics, including the upcoming spending review and its implications for key projects like carbon capture and a new supercomputer. They analyse the recent by-election results, focusing on the defection of Councillor Jamie McGuire from Scottish Labour to Reform UK, and explore the reasons behind this shift. The conversation also touches on the language used in political discourse, the potential for

en

180 results

Similar Podcasts

DW Noticias

DW

JIJI English News-時事通信英語ニュース-

時事通信社

Legal AF by MeidasTouch

MeidasTouch Network

Mark Levin Podcast

Cumulus Podcast Network

朝日新聞AJW 英語ニュース（The Asahi Shimbun Asia & Japan Watch）

朝日新聞ポッドキャスト