The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

Bernard Ponsonby:“I’m not sure in a sense who would lead them. I’m sure that… …Wes Streeting would run.I suspect that there would be some people within the PLP — because the minute somebody says they’re running, there’s always an alternative campaign which is not really about supporting one candidate, it’s about stopping another.John Major effectively became prime minister because he wasn’t Michael Heseltine.So I think there would be people who would start looking at Ed Miliband.And then, of course, there’s Angela Rayner……and at that point, the markets will collectively take to their lavatory pans.”Alex Massie:“Yeah, I mean, I think, although he says he’s done the job before and he doesn’t want to do it again, I think Ed Miliband is the one to keep an eye on there.It seems to me that Miliband occupies a sort of comforting place on the political spectrum for a lot of the parliamentary Labour Party and indeed for the Labour Party membership.I do not see Wes Streeting being acceptable to either the parliamentary party or the membership.And there’s the further complication for him that his parliamentary majority is only 500 votes — there is a really good chance he could lose at the next election.And I think that would also concentrate minds in an anti-Streeting kind of way.”Bernard Ponsonby:“I genuinely have no idea who would actually win it… I don’t think the PLP has coalesced around any one individual yet.But yes — there will always be people trying to stop someone rather than elect someone.And Miliband will be looked at.”

Bernard and Alex dig into the editorial crisis at the BBC, Comcast/SKY's potential takeover of ITV and Bernard (STV's former Political Editor and longest serving journalist of 34 years) says he no longer thinks the company has a future.

Bernard and Alex delve into one of the bigget topics of the modern political age. Why can't Westminster or Holyrood seem to manage our public finances?

In Part Two, in marking the 25th anniversary of the death of Donald Dewar, Bernard and Alex reflect on the Office of First Minister and how it has changed since Dewar's time as the first office holder. Plus they rate every First Minister out of 10. PART ONEDonald DewarHenry McLeishJack McConnellAlex SalmondPART TWONicola SturgeonHumza YusafJohn SwinneySummary and Ratings

In Part One, as we approach the 25th anniversary of the death of Donald Dewar, Bernard and Alex reflect on the Office of First Minister and how it has changed since Dewar's time as the first office holder.

(00:05) Set-up: Tory & SNP conference week — immigration, ECHR, and whether the Conservatives are “doomed.”(01:29) Are the Tories finished short–to–medium term? Leadership vs timing and arithmetic after a crushing defeat.(03:59) What the Conservatives are trying to sell: contrition on net migration; mooted ECHR exit; welfare/PIP tightening (incl. ADHD/mental-health references).(06:49) Both main parties “dancing to Farage’s tune” — the Reform UK gravitational pull on immigration policy.(08:56) “Can you out-Reform Reform?” Why the answer is no — and why growth/economic confidence is the real antidote to populism. Threats to Labour from the left (Greens/Corbyn).(11:18) Tory identity crisis: talk of repealing the Climate Change Act vs the real problem of UK power prices — headline-grabbing vs serious policy.(13:18) What are the Tories for now? From coherent Thatcherism to today’s knee-jerk opposition.(16:45) Scotland: Tory revival rode the constitutional (pro-Union) wave; with independence parked, what’s their offer?(19:27) A quarter-century in devolved opposition and still no centre-right blueprint for Scotland (state size, tax, business, justice, “wokery”).(23:31) Holyrood “fanning around”: dog-theft bill as a symptom; why brand toxicity blunts “common-sense Conservatism.”(26:41) SNP conference preview: independence strategy debate; polls, minorities parliament, and why activists may not “rock the boat.”(30:06) “Steady-as-you-go” Swinney: on ~35% the SNP could still be largest party (≈58–60 seats) due to fractured opposition and candidate churn.(32:23) Voter mood: if “they’re all useless,” stick with “the useless ones we know” — SNP success as least-worst option.(32:56) Longevity shocker: after 19–20 years in power, SNP still in pole position; next episode trail — Donald Dewar at 25 years.