Insight and analysis with a Scottish focus from political commentators from The Courier, The Press & Journal, the Evening Telegraph and the Evening Express.
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A private, internal-only podcast where we experiment with content and format to learn out-loud about what works and what doesn’t for DC Thomson Media. It’s not intended to be anything but messy! Please send feedback to cphin@dctmedia.co.uk.
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The Stooshie team is back from summer break to find the Scottish bank account has been cleared out. What do these cuts mean? Does John Swinney’s SNP or Keir Starmer’s Labour have a plan? Are the Conservatives really still scrapping over who should lead them back from election disaster?By DC Thomson
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What next for the SNP and Tories, and what's it like to be an MP?
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Scotland has had its say, and a week on from the election we survey the wreckage of the SNP and Conservative campaigns and try to work out what they might do next. We also hear from Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy's Melanie Ward, who shares an audio diary of her first days in Westminster as a new MP. And finally, will John Swinney and Keir Starmer find s…
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The opinion polls all agree who will be next prime minister. But lots of local contests are still far too close to call. What will the parties learn from crucial regional shifts in opinion? Some people won't get a say at all because of postal vote delays. We discuss the real-life impact and the anger building over the timing of this election.…
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The prime minister was back in Scotland to help Douglas Ross in a tight contest. Were they words of encouragement or damage limitation? Can Lib Dems pull of a Highland surprise? And will Reform have any impact in Scotland? All that and analysis of the latest election coverage from political reporters across the P&J, The Courier and the Sunday Post.…
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Election latest, and an Aberdeenshire shock
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26:30
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We discuss how Labour suspended its candidate in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East after exclusive reporting from our politics team. What happens next in the big contest between the SNP and Tories in the crucial region? Does Gordon Brown's impact still resonate in Fife - and can the Kingdom turn red? And we make some rash predictions about how man…
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Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross rocked his own campaign, leaving us to wonder what can possibly happen next. We look at new polling on the picture in Scotland, and what's happening with Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak. And we wonder if everyone's made up their mind already and just wants to watch Scotland at the Euros.…
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In an exclusive interview, John Swinney says he feared for his party when he stood to become leader earlier this year. Speaking to David Clegg, the first minister reflected on the fast-paced first weeks in office, propelled from a think-tank event in London into the top job in Scottish politics. Mr Swinney explains why he'd turned down a job from H…
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Rishi Sunak came to the Highlands where he doesn’t even have a candidate. Keir Starmer promised Scotland the earth, but not a location for his fabled GB Energy HQ. John Swinney found himself in an election moments after becoming First Minister. We discuss week one, we test the water among the people of Perth, and all the rest in the first of our el…
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Why Scotland's doctors are worried about Physician Associates
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Simon Barker, a children's orthopaedic surgeon in Aberdeen, explains the growing concern over the use of new “physician associates” in a stretched health service. Are they valuable, quickly-trained additions, or is this “mission creep” to paper over gaps doctors can’t always cover? Dr Barker is deputy chairman of the British Medical Association’s S…
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Scotland's new drug addiction recovery plan explored
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32:12
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Douglas Ross tells us drug addiction and death is a problem in rural areas like his Moray constituency, not just cities with problems such as Dundee and Glasgow. The Tory leader explains why his ‘right to addiction recovery bill’ should get support at Holyrood. We also look our coverage of the Men’s Sheds scheme which forced the SNP into a funding …
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We search for words of wisdom as John Swinney becomes First Minister
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Becoming first minister was the easy bit for John Swinney. Now the handshakes and warm words are over, the hard work of governing begins. We speak with Kayleigh Quinn, who knows a thing or two about wrangling a difficult group at Holyrood. The former Scottish Labour organiser tells us what might be going through the new leader’s head as he looks at…
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Humza Yousaf quits - what next for the SNP?
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Humza Yousaf folded on April 29 after losing authority by ditching his Green coalition partners. We ask people in the outgoing first minister’s home city of Dundee what they think of his year in charge. We also hear from Green MSP Maggie Chapman, who was asked if she still has confidence in her own party leaders. Our political reporters look at the…
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A long-running plea for justice in the north of Scotland is being described as similar in scale to the Post Office scandal. At its heart are the dozens of families devastated by conman Alistair Greig. He was a respected financial advisor based in Aberdeen who ended up duping 184 victims out of £13 million. Now they want justice. To tell the story, …
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Jennifer Lees-Marshment has studied political marketing and management since the rise of Tony Blair. In this episode, she tells us how the main parties are approaching the phony war before the election date is set. She also describes concerns that politicians are simply not trained to actually do their job when in power. Would you go to a surgeon w…
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Scotland's trade unions chief on hopes for a Labour government, equal pay and the future for oil and gas
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22:29
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Ahead of their conference in Dundee next week, Justin Bowie sits down with Roz Foyer, general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress, to discuss what she thinks a potential Labour win in Westminster will mean for workers in Scotland. Roz Foyer also shared her passion for ensuring Dundee women subject to years of unequal pay finally receive…
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Recess rewind: Hate crime, budget cuts and election fever
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Our team takes stock of a turbulent end of term at the Scottish Parliament. We look at the reaction to the Hate Crime Act, and the high profile interventions from JK Rowling to Ally McCoist. Meanwhile, there's an election looming - are social policy problems like housing making an impact? And we speak to North East Scotland College principal Neil C…
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Assisted Dying: Scotland prepares for third attempt at law change
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We speak to Liam McArthur, the MSP steering controversial assisted dying laws through Holyrood at the third time of asking. Are the safeguards enough to convince sceptics? Has Scotland’s parliament changed its mind since the last time it was debated? The Bill will be lodged at Holyrood on Friday - and then the serious job of scrutiny will begin.…
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Fornethy House abuse survivors on their fight for justice
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Description: Survivors of historical abuse at Fornethy House in Angus tell us about their experience, and fury at being snubbed for compensation. Four women join us to explain what happened to them as children, with harrowing memories. And they react to Deputy First Minister Shona Robison’s comments in the Scottish parliament about why they can’t g…
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Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton speaks to The Stooshie about his party's hopes for the General Election, and how they want to oust the SNP as the third largest party in Westminster. We also discuss his position on the windfall tax for oil and gas giants, and how he thinks "fair minded" voters in the north east will understand th…
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Alarm bells are ringing that people don’t realise the sheer scale of lifestyle changes needed to meet climate targets and “net zero”. At the same time, voters see governments balance the books off their backs, and fail to hit the big targets and big business. The authors of an annual “state of the state” report pull all that together in our feature…
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Michael Gove interview as Tories meet in Aberdeen
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Michael Gove is the special guest for a feature length interview. The Aberdeen-raised UK Government minister has plenty to say in the run-up to Conservative party conference in the Granite City. He responds to concerns about “Islamophobia” in his party, gets into the future of energy in the north-east and offers frank views on his rivals in t…
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Liz Lloyd and Alan Roden reflect on Scottish Labour conference
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19:57
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We're joined by Nicola Sturgeon's former chief of staff, Liz Lloyd, and ex Scottish Labour communications director Alan Roden for a conference special. The weekend gathering in Glasgow saw a set-piece speech from leader Anas Sarwar and UK party boss Sir Keir Starmer. What do our panel of political experts make of the party's pitch to voters?…
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Interview special with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar
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Anas Sarwar tells The Stooshie how he attempts to lead his party by channelling legendary football managers Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson. And he reveals which premiership manager he'd compare First Minister Humza Yousaf with. We also discuss Labour's plan to attract voters across Tayside, Fife, the north and north east; and why he think thos…
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We speak to the people of Dundee, Scotland’s Yes City, to test the mood on a difficult year for the SNP and independence. Have attitudes changed as the dust settles on Nicola Sturgeon’s appearance at the Covid inquiry? Perth and North Perthshire SNP MP Pete Wishart shares his thoughts on the way the inquiry was handled too.…
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Covid adviser Jason Leitch has been a recurring character in the Covid inquiry. We discuss how he has also become central to a second inquiry, one which looks into harm caused by ex Dundee surgeon Sam Eljamel. We're joined by MSP Liz Smith who raised questions about the Tayside links and campaigners' concerns over potential conflict of interest. Th…
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Covid bereaved lawyer Aamer Anwar on 'shattered trust'
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Human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar speaks to us about the damage of the Covid inquiry. He represents bereaved families who are furious at the drip-feed of private messages emerging from government figures and officials. We discuss the impact on national clinical director Jason Leitch, and what to expect next from Nicola Sturgeon. And we look at reacti…
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We hear from the man behind exciting plans to send rockets from Shetland. Scott Hammond tells us schools are changing their classwork, jobs are coming to the islands and offshore workers are finding new employment. The first launch could be this summer - could Scotland really lead Europe with this spaceport? Our politics team also rounds-up the lat…
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Myra Philp’s mother, Mary, died before getting to clear her name in the Post Office fraud miscarriage of justice. In our featured interview, Myra, from Fife, tells us about the devastating impact of the flawed investigation in a national scandal. We also discuss the shock collapse of Stewart Milne Group and the knock-on impact for jobs, home owners…
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You can play along as our top team takes part in an end of year quiz. We nominate our picks for Stooshie of the year. And we race through some news too, one day after a tough budget in parliament. See you in 2024!By DC Thomson
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We discuss our exclusive report on Labour’s Glenrothes candidate who has been ditched by party bosses over his “sexy” and “satanic” fiction output. Altany Craik is already a long-serving Fife councillor, but it seems he is no longer considered eligible for Westminster. We dig into the bigger picture - including Irvine Welsh’s withering reaction. Th…
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Stephen Flynn interview on his first year as SNP Westminster leader
25:48
25:48
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SNP Westminster boss Stephen Flynn joins The Stooshie for a featured interview on his rollercoaster first year in the job. The Aberdeen South politician reflects on everything from replacing Ian Blackford in the post to being named the UK’s ‘hardest’ MP. He responds to the polls, to SNP splits and scandals, and speculates on his next move. Could he…
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We speak about the P&J’s new true crime podcast and how Arlene Fraser’s murder 25 years ago, and the murder of Suzanne Pilley, could lead to a change in the law. Our team discusses Humza Yousaf’s trip to COP28 climate conference in Dubai, days after shock for Grangemouth workers here. And we hear from people in Dundee about the proposed national cr…
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Labour in a tangle over Gaza ceasefire call
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As fighting in Gaza is temporarily halted, disputes within the Labour Party over whether to call for a permanent ceasefire show no sign of slowing down. With First Minister Humza Yousaf's family now safely back in Scotland and sharing details of their ordeal, we look at how the conflict is shaping politics closer to home. Sir Keir Starmer's refusal…
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David Cameron is back in government. The SNP are calling for independence in Europe. We look at the odd new political landscape, which looks eerily like it did in 2014. Our featured interview is with Kemnay mum Tracey Gibbon, who tells us about her son Kyle’s ordeal in Carstairs, the secure Scottish state hospital. She was at the Scottish Parliamen…
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SNP challenger Stephen Gethins on ”unfinished business”
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26:46
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Ex MP Stephen Gethins famously got into parliament by a two-vote margin in 2017. He’s been out since 2019 but wants back at the next election. We discuss why anyone would want to do that, the unfinished business at Westminster, independence and Humza Yousaf’s first year. The DC Thomson politics team also discuss Rishi Sunak’s oil and gas plans. And…
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Alex Salmond and Ash Regan on Alba’s future
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17:50
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Former first minister Alex Salmond joins us for a featured interview with Derek Healey on his political plans. The ex leader discusses frustration with SNP policy and the route to a referendum. He also describes his hopes for a meeting with Humza Yousaf. Defector Ash Regan joins Andy Philip to discuss her reasons for quitting the SNP and signing up…
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Storm Babet caused fatal devastation in parts of eastern Scotland, and there’s likely more extreme weather to come. Are our emergency services funded well enough to cope? We speak to Aberdeen fire fighter Simon Leroux from the Fire Brigades Union who raises alarm about the strain on a vital service. We also hear from Dr Sarah Halliday, from Dundee …
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Nicola Sturgeon’s former chief of staff, Liz Lloyd, and ex Scottish Labour communications director Alan Roden join our team to discuss the SNP’s fortunes as Humza Yousaf attends the party conference in Aberdeen.By DC Thomson
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MP Pete Wishart on independence, Alba and a Rutherglen ’gubbing’
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Pete Wishart MP joins us for a look ahead to the conference in Aberdeen where he hopes to shape the SNP’s independence strategy. He shares his views on next steps, the mood of the party, working with Alba and how to get over the Labour defeat in the Rutherglen byelection. Our panel looks at what’s coming up for Humza Yousaf when he addresses activi…
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Three years since Margaret Ferrier caught Covid and boarded a train, we have a new Labour MP in Scotland. Labour’s win in Rutherglen and Hamilton West puts Sir Keir Starmer on course for Downing Street, experts say. The SNP was comprehensively beaten - what now for Humza Yousaf? And the Tories round off a difficult week by losing their deposit in a…
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The massive Rosebank oilfield has been approved for business in the North Sea. We look at the political splits and future of energy policy. Tory MSP Maurice Golden tells us why he couldn’t back his party on Rishi Sunak’s climate U-turns. Meanwhile, just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water in Fife, massive amounts of sewage spew int…
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Kate Forbes and Meghan Gallacher on birth, maternity and better support for families
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24:01
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The SNP’s Kate Forbes told us about her difficult experience giving birth as we discuss an exclusive interview in the P&J and The Courier. We also feature a discussion with Conservative MSP Meghan Gallacher on the gaps in maternity care and family support. And we wonder if Liz Truss hopes we’ve all got amnesia as she continues her bizarre political…
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The Stooshie is now officially moving to a Wednesday with all of your major Scottish political news. In this episode, DC Thomson's politics team - host Andy Philip, along with Derek Healey, Adele Merson and new recruit Alasdair Clark - look at the big stories from summer and what lies ahead for Humza Yousaf and his independence campaign. We also lo…
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The Stooshie returns from summer to mark a stunning victory for campaigners harmed by former NHS Tayside doctor, Sam Eljamel. We have reported on this scandal for years and spoken to victims on previous episodes of the podcast. This week, we talk through the key moments, speak to campaigners and hear from senior politicians. We also bring you a dis…
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Join in as we test our political knowledge on the week the Scottish Parliament breaks for summer. Our political team discusses the highs and lows of Humza Yousaf's first 100 days in charge. And we cross all our fingers that this summer is quieter than last year.By DC Thomson
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Humza Yousaf comes to Dundee to chart a course to independence. Is this just a talking shop? Meanwhile, he’s got big problems with discipline as rebels such as Fergus Ewing test his patience. Nicola Sturgeon continues to cast a shadow. And, Labour has a tough sell on energy policy for Scotland.By DC Thomson
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Eljamel surgery inquiry, fishing ban campaign, and the end of Boris
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Campaigners demand an inquiry into disgraced Dundee surgeon Sam Eljamel. Fishing leaders call for a halt to SNP-Green ban plans. We discuss Boris Johnson's cowardly exit. And we consider what next for the SNP after Nicola Sturgeon was questioned by police.By DC Thomson
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Succession: How the SNP and Labour are shaping up for the future
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30:44
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We look at Humza Yousaf’s newly appointed adviser, Kevin Pringle, reflecting on his long history with the SNP. Former Labour MSP Neil Findlay tells us what goes on in the background in a party with eyes on government power. Meanwhile, MP Ian Blackford is leaving parliament and Kevin Stewart quits as SNP transport minister.…
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Interview special: Sister of murdered man Alan Geddes on justice reform
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36:21
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Sandra Geddes’s brother Alan was murdered in Aberdeen in 2019. The killer had just got out of Peterhead prison and had nowhere to go. On May 31, Sandra met SNP Justice Secretary Angela Constance to discuss how the system needs reformed for prisoners and victims. Listen to our interview with Sandra as she explains her campaign for justice. Also: Lab…
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Police Scotland ’institutional racism’ bombshell
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29:50
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Is Police Scotland institutionally racist? We reflect on Sir Iain Livingstone’s verdict and the reaction. Two polls offer a snapshot of SNP fortunes. Keir Starmer comes to Kirkcaldy. And can a school violence summit deliver changes?By DC Thomson
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