The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

Have the Greens damaged their own momentum through extreme resolutions and accusations of "racism"? Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie examine Labour’s Holborn and St Pancras by-election victory, the Green Party’s explosive Israel and Zionism debate, and mounting questions over Zack Polanski’s leadership.Following the Green Party conference motion declaring that “Zionism is racism”, Bernard and Alex challenge the party’s position, discuss Peter Tatchell’s objections and examine the implications of Scottish Green co-leader Ross Greer’s support for that proposition.Meanwhile, has Kemi Badenoch put the Conservatives back in the game? They assess the Tory conference, her rejection of a deal with Nigel Farage and Reform UK, and the politics behind proposals on inheritance tax and the £100,000 income tax threshold.At Holyrood, Stephen Flynn faces fresh scrutiny over the Glen Sannox ferry gas leak. What does his handling of parliamentary questions reveal about his readiness for government—and his ambitions to lead the SNP?Independent analysis and forthright debate on Scottish politics, Westminster and the choices facing Britain’s political leaders.CHAPTERS00:00 This week: Labour, the Greens, the Conservatives and Stephen Flynn02:06 Labour holds Holborn and St Pancras: a reality check for the Greens?04:30 The by-election result and what it means for Andy Burnham06:50 The Green Party split and questions over Polanski’s leadership09:15 “Zionism is racism”: Alex challenges the Greens’ position11:51 Peter Tatchell’s objections to the conference motion15:43 Israel, a two-state solution and the implications of Green policy18:24 Can the Greens withstand greater scrutiny?22:18 Kemi Badenoch and the Conservative recovery strategy26:56 Reform UK, tactical voting and the prospects for an electoral pact31:06 Tax promises, inheritance tax and the £100,000 threshold35:52 Badenoch versus Polanski: contrasting styles of leadership37:23 Are Labour and the Conservatives heading back to the 1970s?40:02 Stephen Flynn, the Glen Sannox gas leak and ministerial scrutiny43:29 What Flynn must learn if he wants to lead the SNP45:41 Closing thoughtsSubscribe to the Ponsonby & Massie Podcast for weekly political analysis from Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie. Also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Acast.#ScottishPolitics #UKPolitics #PonsonbyAndMassie

Andy Burnham has lifted Labour’s spirits—but can he afford to deliver? Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie examine what comes after the conference applause: pension reform, social care and the prospect of a tax-raising Budget.Bernard argues that Burnham has shown how to sell difficult political choices by explaining what voters will get in return. Alex asks whether the speech’s emotional appeal and promises for after the next election leave the government’s immediate financial problems unanswered.Would replacing the state pension triple lock with a double lock raise enough to fund a National Care Service? Which voters is Burnham trying to win back—and could his approach create an opening for Nigel Farage? Could electoral reform fundamentally reshape British politics?In Scotland, John Swinney faces difficult choices of his own. Bernard and Alex challenge the SNP’s pension argument and examine the looming battles over public sector jobs, compulsory redundancies, council reform and the cost of public services.Plus: the Holborn and St Pancras by-election, Kemi Badenoch and the Conservative Party conference.Subscribe to Ponsonby & Massie for independent analysis of Scottish and UK politics.Can Burnham turn renewed Labour confidence into delivery—and can Swinney persuade Scotland to accept painful reform? Share your thoughts in the comments.#PonsonbyAndMassie #ScottishPolitics #AndyBurnham

With Labour’s conference approaching, Bernard and Alex discuss Andy Burnham’s first Budget, the speculation about an early general election, and whether a divided opposition could help Labour hold on to power.Could Scotland’s councils be radically reorganised within months? And as drug deaths rise, are the Scottish Government’s promises matching the results?Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie examine the proposed shake-up of local government, the lack of detail on costs and powers, and Glasgow City Council’s separate workforce dispute. They also discuss Scotland’s drug deaths, access to addiction treatment, and the growing gap between political rhetoric and outcomes.In this episode:• Scotland’s proposed council reorganisation• Glasgow’s workforce dispute• Drug deaths, rehabilitation and political accountability• Homelessness and the Scottish Government’s record• Labour conference, the Budget and Burnham’s electoral strategyChapters00:00 Introduction02:07 Scotland’s council shake-up10:27 Glasgow’s workforce dispute14:03 Scotland’s drug deaths25:41 Promises versus results26:39 Could Burnham call an early election?30:30 The pressure on Labour’s first Budget38:26 Reform, the Conservatives and Labour’s path to victory43:22 Closing thoughtsSubscribe for weekly analysis of Scottish and UK politics with Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie.#ScottishPolitics #UKPolitics #PonsonbyAndMassie

Michael Marra has been elected as the new Scottish Labour Leader. Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie take a deep dive into the issues he'll face.

Poor marks for Scottish Education in PISA figures, Burnham’s referendum blunder and a bad week for the SNP succession hopefuls?Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie examine Andy Burnham’s confusion over the route to a second Scottish independence referendum—and what it reveals about his command of constitutional politics.Scotland’s latest PISA results make grim reading. Why has Scottish education fallen behind England, and are John Swinney and Education Secretary Màiri McAllan confronting the scale of the problem?A difficult week for possible SNP successors Màiri McAllan and Stephen Flynn leaves John Swinney looking increasingly secure—while Glasgow’s new council leader Ricky Bell inherits a formidable set of problems.

In this edition of The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast, Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie analyse the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government and John Swinney’s radical plans for public-service reform. They examine the proposed restructuring of Scotland’s NHS, social care, councils and quangos; the £5 billion funding gap; and the prospect of conflict with public-sector trade unions. Turning to UK politics, they assess Andy Burnham’s early premiership, Keir Starmer’s resignation, the Holborn and St Pancras by-election and the changing fortunes of Labour, the Greens, Reform UK and the Conservatives.Topics discussed:Scottish Government’s public-service reform agendaNHS, social-care, council and quango restructuringScotland’s £5 billion funding gap and trade-union conflictPolitical support and opposition to John Swinney’s reformsBus-fare caps, supermarket price controls and GP walk-in centresAndy Burnham’s early premiership and the UK economic outlookKeir Starmer’s resignation and the Holborn and St Pancras by-electionThe Greens, Reform UK and Britain’s increasingly fragmented politics

Either Michael Marra or Joe Fagan will be the next leader of the Scottish Labour Party. What's happening in the race, what does the new leader need to do and will it make any difference in their goal of Labour unseating the SNP?PLUS - It's reported the John Swinney's World Cup junket with entourage cost the tax payer around £95k? Was it worth it?Anger in Glasgow over the state of the City. Why can't opposition parties hold the SNP to account?

Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie discuss Farage's post Clacton by-election propects as it's announced that the parliamentary investigation into substantial donations made to Mr Farage by a donor is active again. Plus - the Scottish Labour leadership contest is gathering pace. It's all smiles in public but what's really happening and who will emerge victorious. GERS figures - we've read them so you don't have to - Alex explains and Bernard takes a critical view.