The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

Reform UK Scotland manifesto launchPresented as the first major manifesto of the 2026 election campaignFramed as more about political messaging than a detailed governing programmeTax cuts versus realityBig promises on cutting income taxStrong scepticism about whether the sums add up or the savings are deliverableManifestos as political brandingDiscussion that modern manifestos are often just headline documentsCostings are often vague once properly examinedLaw and order agendaReform proposals on tougher sentencing, more prisons, ending early release, and scrapping hate crime lawsArgument that these policies are popular-sounding but very expensivePressure on Scottish public financesWider discussion that all parties face a difficult fiscal backdropConcerns about long-term affordability of spending promises and welfare growthReform’s electoral strategy and vulnerabilitiesReform portrayed as a home for angry or disillusioned votersBut also as vulnerable to scrutiny, weak candidates, and campaign mistakesCandidate controversyMention of a Reform candidate being suspended over alleged Covid loan misuseUsed as an example of how election campaigns expose candidate problemsAssisted dying vote at HolyroodReview of the bill being defeatedFocus on lobbying, safeguards, and why MSPs may have changed positionParliament doing its jobArgument that rejecting a bill after detailed scrutiny is part of how democracy should workEmphasis on lawmakers judging the actual legislation, not just the principleWar in Iran and economic falloutThe conflict presented as the biggest external event shaping politicsConcern about its effects on oil, gas, inflation, and wider economic stabilityRisk of a new cost-of-living crisisDiscussion of rising energy bills, persistent mortgage pressure, and fewer hopes of interest-rate cutsQuestion of whether the UK is heading into “cost of living crisis part two”Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves and Labour instabilityDiscussion of shrinking fiscal headroom and pressure on the governmentSpeculation about Starmer’s future and Angela Rayner positioning herself for a leadership moveA broader failure of political honestyFinal theme that politicians are not being frank with voters about the scale of the economic problemsSuggestion that leadership across politics is avoiding hard truths

On the eve of the SNP's one day conference ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections in May, the party looks like winning on around a third of the vote but with little talk of Independence. What now for the SNP? Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie discuss.

The conflict in Iran has given cover to a lot of stories in the news this week but Bernard and Alex are on watch. Sally Donald has stood down as an SNP candidate amid allegations and the candidacy and position of Irshad Ahmad on the Labour Lothian list is drawing controversy. A warning for all parties that there may be more to come. Also, the challenges facing the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves.

A new MRP "Mega Poll" is showing that the SNP are on track for a landslide victory in the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election with tactical voting working in their favour. Plus, in the wake of Labour's By Election defeat (coming third behind the Greens and Reform UK) and refusing Andy Burnham's application to be a candidate, was Anas Sarwar right all along to call for Keir Starmer to resign?Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie discuss.

Bernard and Alex discuss political accusations made of the Lord Advocate, Dorothy Bain KC. They explain the nature of her role, the controversies and pontential conflicts of interest and ask if it's time for reform of the Lord Advocate's position.

What a week in politicsBernard and Alex discuss the newspaper reports on the charges Peter Murrell (Nicola Sturgeon's former husband) will face in court and analyse where Anas Sarwar's calls for the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, to resign in the wake of the Epstein / Mandelson scandal have left the Scottish Labour Leader in the run up to the Scottish Parliament Elections.

Recorded on the morning of Friday 6th Feb 2026 (It may all have changed by lunchtime)Includes a moment to reflect on the life of Alex's Father, Allan Massie, who died earlier this week.

New polls report that 1 in 5 Scots claim they will vote for Reform UK at the Scottish Parliament Elections in May. Bernard and Alex analyse what is ahead. Tributes to Lord Jim WallaceScottish Parliament PollingBurnham and StarmerWill unpopular Tories be any more popular in Reform?