The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

Scottish Labour Deputy Leader, Dame Jackie Baillie, joins Bernard and Alex in the Press Bar to discuss:Scots are paying too much tax for failing servicesHer admiration of the SNP's Kate ForbesHer belief that the NHS is brokenWhy she'd like to be Health and Social Care Minister if Labour are elected in Scotland. Her early life in Hong Kong and her Portuguese familyWhy Margaret Thatcher motivated her to get into politics. Her fear of Labour complacency in the run up to the 2026 election

Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie reaction and analysis of the first budget statement from Rachel Reeves - the first woman Chancellor to deliver a budget in British history. Is it a "workerist", old-Labour budget that the likes of Harold Wilson, James Callaghan and Denis Healey would be happy with? Bernard and Alex discuss.

Catherine MacLeod, former Political Editor of The Herald and Special Adviser (SPAD) to UK Chancellor, Alistair Darling, joins Bernard and Alex to preview Rachel Reeves first budget of the new Labour Government.Catherine's insights into how the Treasury and Chancellor prepare for a budget.PONSONBY - "This is the real day one of the new Labour government."MASSIE - "The most keenly anticipated budget since Geoffrey Howe's first budget"MACLEOD - "I think Rachel Reeves has boxed herself in"

Poet and writer Jenny Lindsay tells her story:Being cancelled and "hounded" for being gender criticalHer new book telling the story of her experience - "Hounded: Women, Harms and the Gender Wars"She says that gender is an open goal for politicians who should apologize to women and admit they got it wrong.Jenny's book is available here:https://amzn.eu/d/7gTBdKO

PART 2 of a 2 part exploration of the life and times of Alex Salmond who died at the weekend at the age of 69. Bernard and Alex pick up the story in 2011 through the zenith of his career at the 2014 Independence Referendum and onto the challenges of legal battles and the Alba Party in his post-SNP world. The programme concludes with a summary of what his legacy might be. Bernard Ponsonby knew Alex Salmond professionally and personally for 35 years. they worked and spent time together over the past few months. Alex Massie has covered Alex Salmond closely throughout his career and despite their differences, revealed in part 1 that Salmond's team once courted Massie to be his speechwriter.

Part 1 of a 2 part special reflecting on the life of "the most consequential Scottish politician of our time", Alex Salmond, who died at the weekend at the age of 69. It's a sincere attempt to capture in some depth the complexity and calibre of the man, his highs and lows.Bernard Ponsonby knew Alex Salmond professionally and personally for 35 years. they worked and spent time together over the past few months. Alex Massie has covered Alex Salmond closely throughout his career and despite their differences, reveals that Salmond's team once courted Massie to be his speechwriter.Personal reflections from both Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie.The rise of Alex Salmond - from the SNP's '79 GroupSalmond's strategic ability to see the end game and retrofit his strategy to make it happen.His ability to read the political temperature of the country and adapt to it.Salmond's rebranding of the SNP and nationalism to make an electoral success.

Bernard and Alex are joined by David Frum, Staff Writer at the The Atlantic for a deep dive into the US Presidential race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.David Frum is widely quoted as the man who coined the phrase "Axis of Evil" while working for George W Bush. Today, he is a renowned writer and a Republican who won't vote for Trump. David offers valuable insight into the state of American politics, the Presidential race, the candidates and the ramifications of this historic vote."The most consequential Presidential election of our lifetime""His only interests in politics are adulation, stealing and revenge""The Trump campaign is a war on Taylor Swift to stop Haitians eating pets""Trump's going to lose"

Bernard and Alex discuss the significance of First Minister, John Swinney, bringing former SNP strategist, Stephen Noon, back into his close circle as a Special Advisor (SPAD). What does it say about the SNP's current strategy and given the positions both Swinney and Noon have taken in the past, does it mean Independence has been kicked into the long grass for the time being?AlsoWhat can we read into the recent SNP victories in the Dundee by-elections?And the Tories will reduce the candidates for leadership of the UK party to two this week.