The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

We're heading into the Christmas season but not at the expense of political news:Scottish Labour Leader, Anas Sarwar, is heading for festive fisticuffs with the Prime Minister over Waspi Women. Bernard and Alex examine the issue and whether it's all talk or can it be solved?Nicola Sturgeon has given a series of interviews but was it a sensible idea?The rise of Reform UK continues and Alex predicts there will be a poll in the not too distant future showing them to be the third most popular party in Scotland.

In the wake of a poll in the Sunday Times reporting that Scottish Labour are a long way from preventing the SNP forming a third decade of Scottish Government in 2026 and reports of grumblings within the party from members and supporters at a recent Scottish Labour event, Bernard and Alex ask - what's gone wrong less than 6 months after the party delivered 37 MPs in the General Election? Plus, the SNP has its own worries. Ponsonby and Massie explore their current standing post the Scottish Budget.

Who will win a coveted Ponsonby and Massie coffee mug as Bernard and Alex convene in the Kilderkin Bar on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh to hold their own annual Scottish political award ceremony over pints. Also, after Nicola Sturgeon was paid £25,000 to take part in an ITV election programme, Bernard reveals for the first time how much the BBC offered him to take part in an election leaders debate programme. Who do you think got more?It's the awards show that's got it all. CATEGORIESResignation of the YearBackbencher of the YearBrass Neck of the YearConsequential Scandal of the YearInconsequential Scandal of the YearNOMINEES INCLUDENicola SturgeonHumza YousafAnas SarwarDouglas RossOperation BranchformThe FerriesMichael MathesonNeil GrayFergus Ewing

Anchorman, John Mackay, is one of the best known faces on television in Scotland as the lead presenter of STV's top rated news programmes. In his new book "Scotland Today & Yesterday" John records the biggest stories of his career from Dunblane to the Independence Referendum and tells Bernard and Alex what it was really like living in front of the camera through historic moments - and the personal effect it's had on him. John's book is published on 1st December and is available here -> https://amzn.to/4fI5sT1

In his most revealing and in-depth interview yet, Anas Sarwar outlines Scottish Labour’s agenda for government should he become First Minister in 2026 and what motivates him in politics.• On post 2026 co-operation with SNP “"On individual issues, I will not turn my back or close my eyes to any politician of any party."• Swingeing cuts to SNP bureaucracy and red-tape• “We don’t need 50 health boards”• Planning applications should take 16-18 weeks not 59• Advocates "streamlining public sector bodies, including reducing the number of enterprise agencies."• Clarifies position on “tapering” Winter Fuel Allowance. • "The next stage of devolution is pushing power out of Holyrood into Scotland’s regions."• "The two darkest moments of my professional life—losing in 2015 and the leadership race in 2017—shaped me into a better human being and politician."

There are currently two bills on Assisted Dying - Kim Leadbeater MP introduced a Bill to the UK Parliament in October and Liam McArthur introduced a bill to March in the Scottish Parliament. Liam joins Bernard and Alex to discuss this sensitive subject, the legislation and its ramifications. If you'd like to find out more or this issue affects you the there are a number of campaign organisations. VARYING DEGREES OF SUPPORTDignity in Dying: A leading UK organization campaigning for the right to die with dignity. Twitter: @DignityinDyingHumanists UK: A charity supporting assisted dying, emphasizing autonomy and compassion. Twitter: @Humanists_UKMy Death, My Decision: A grassroots movement advocating for a compassionate law on assisted dying. Twitter: @MyDeathMyDecisionAssisted Dying Coalition: A group of like-minded organizations seeking to legalize assisted dying for the terminally ill or incurably suffering. Twitter: @AssistedDyingUKExit International: A not-for-profit organization based in Scotland providing information about voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide. Twitter: @ExitInternationalAll-Party Parliamentary Group for Choice at the End of Life: A cross-party group of members of the British Parliament and Peers supporting better end-of-life options, including assisted dying. Twitter: @APPGEndofLifeVARYING DEGREES OF OPPOSITIONCare Not Killing: An alliance comprising faith-based and pro-life organizations, Care Not Killing advocates for improved palliative care and opposes any changes to current laws prohibiting euthanasia and assisted suicide. Twitter: @CNKAlliance Christian Action, Research and Education (CARE): A Christian charity that campaigns against assisted dying, emphasizing the sanctity of life and the potential risks to vulnerable individuals. Twitter: @careorgukDisability Rights UK: A leading organization representing disabled people, it has expressed concerns that legalizing assisted dying could pressure disabled individuals into ending their lives prematurely. Twitter: @DisRightsUK Our Duty of Care: A group of healthcare professionals opposing assisted suicide and euthanasia, focusing on ethical considerations and the potential impact on the doctor-patient relationship. Twitter: @OurDutyofCare@alexmassie@Liam4Orkney@kimleadbeater@DavidDavisMP@CarolineLucas@patrickharvie@GordonBrown@HackneyAbbott@EdwardLeighGB@JohnSwinney@SueJWebber

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.