The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie delve into the challenges facing the new Labour government in the aftermath of Keir Starmer's first conference speech as Prime Minister. Labour stood on a platform of "Change" but is it immediate enough for the electorate?Where will the money come from in Rachel Reeves upcoming budget?Is the new government facing mid-term blues already, only months after the election?Anas Sarwar has said no austerity but how do you define austerity?ALSOThe Scottish Tories and Reform?Will the Scottish Tories even make it to 3rd place in the 2026 election?Are there any ideas in the race to be Scottish Tory Leader?Does Reform have a constituency in Scotland?

It's 10 years since Scotland's Independence Referendum. Bernard and Alex reflect on what happened, where we are now and will there be an Indy Ref II?Including Bernard's insights into what really happened behind the scenes at the TV debates and on referendum night.

PART 2 - Bernard and Alex were consulted during the production of BBC Scotland's "Salmond and Sturgeon: A Troubled Union".In this episode, released directly after the documentary's broadcast, Bernard and Alex focus on part two of the two part series. They give their thoughts and analysis of both the programme and relationship between Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon.SNPScottish PoliticsScottish LabourScottish ConservativesScottish LibdemsScottish GreensAlba Party

PART 1 - Bernard and Alex were consulted during the production of BBC Scotland's "Salmond and Sturgeon: A Troubled Union".In this episode, released directly after the documentary's broadcast, Bernard and Alex focus on part one of the two part series. They give their thoughts and analysis of both the programme and relationship between Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon.SNPScottish PoliticsScottish LabourScottish ConservativesScottish LibdemsScottish GreensAlba Party

Labour's Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Michael Marra MSP, tells the podcastA 2026 victory for Labour in the Scottish Parliamentary Election is "nowhere near a done deal"The best case scenario is a minority Labour governmentHis political roots in family life in DundeeHe regards Anas Sarwar's transformation of Scottish Labour as "profound"Recorded at the Kilderkin pub on the Royal Mile.

In the aftermath of the SNP's Annual Conference, Bernard and Alex ask - where are the new policies and the strategy for independence that the party will need to win voters back who switched to Labour at the General Election? The need for a clear policy prospectus.The challenges of economic growth and public services. The conference talked about Independence but not the trickier subject of strategy.If the SNP and Scottish Government continue to say they cannot deliver with the powers and budget they have, Scottish Labour will say it can.

On the eve of the SNP Annual Conference, former Minister Alex Neil warns First Minster John Swinney to bin the "political weans" and "bring in heavyweights" as losing 2026 election will mean an independent Scotland is "in the freezer for 10-30 years"

Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie tackle the issues of the week includingFallout from SNP Minister, Angus Robertson, meeting with Israeli diplomats.Can anything be done to stem drug deaths in ScotlandThe Scottish Conservative leadership race.