Podcast
The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast
Hosted by Solid Media · EN
The two biggest names in Scottish political journalism, Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie, join forces to bring you a regular “must listen” insider briefing on the political and wider world.
Bernard has been Scotland's leading TV political editor for many years while Alex is the unavoidable commentator and columnist for the Times and Sunday Times. Together they bring decades of experience and unsurpassed contacts books to provide you with a valuable insider briefing behind the headlines.
Scottish, Scotland, Scottish Politics, Political Podcast, Scottish Political Podcast, UK Politics, Scottish Independence, Indyref, Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon, Salmond, Sturgeon, SNP, Scottish Labour, Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Lib Dem, Scottish Greens, Alba Party, Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves, John Swinney, Anas Sarwar, Holyrood, Westminster, Brexit, Budget, Devolution, Policy, News
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32episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Sir Anton Muscatelli - The Reality Scotland's Politicians Refuse to Face
6d ago00:52:04Tap to summarizeSir Anton Muscatelli, President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, academic and leading economic advisor, joins Bernard and Alex to give his view on some of the real issues that are facing Scotland but politicians seem unwilling to discuss, particularly around election time. Scotland faces £4.8bn gap and it was hardly mentioned at the recent election.Slower Scottish tax growth means £728m less.What can be learned from "Manchesterism" and what can Andy Burnham's administration do for Scotland?Does Scotland need more immigration?Will efficiencies really save billions and will services inevitably be affected.Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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SILLY SEASON - Can Count Binface Win Farage's Backfiring By-Election?
2w ago00:49:00Tap to summarizeIt's Silly Season for the political media and, after forcing a by-election in his own seat, Nigel Farage discovered many of the parties were unwilling to play his game. Now, his most serious competition appears to be from by-election regular, Count Binface. Also, the latest on the SNP money and potential court cases, Andy Burnham swooping into Downing Street and the passing of some significant political figures in the past few days. Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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HAS FARAGE CRISIS HALTED THE REFORM JUGGERNAUT?
2w ago00:41:07Tap to summarizeBernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie look at how Nigel Farage is dealing with his first real crisis and also - is Andy Burnham making unsustainable promises before he even becomes Prime Minister?Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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WHY NO INQUIRY?... and would Burnham offer Starmer the Foreign Office?
4w ago00:41:07Tap to summarizeTwo main topics for Alex and Bernard this week. The proposed coronation of Andy Burnham - speculation is rife around his likely cabinet picks. Starmer was relatively successful in International affairs. Will Burnham be tempted to ask him to stay on as Foreign Secretary?Also, after the sentencing of Peter Murrell, is it sustainable for there to be no inquiry into what happened at the SNP? Does the First Minister not owe the members an explanation? Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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BY ELECTION RESULTS AND VERDICT
Jun 1900:39:44Tap to summarizeAndy Burnham clears the latest hurdle in his bid to become Prime Minister with a stonking by-election victory in Makerfield. The Scottish Conservative win their first Scottish by-election since 1967 after the SNP's Stephen Flynn vacated the seat to sit in the Scottish Parliament and Lara Bird holds Arbroath and Broughty Ferry for the SNP. Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie reflect on a momentous night and what it all means. Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →3 BIG BY ELECTIONS
Jun 900:38:17Tap to summarizeMAKERFIELDBurnham “Dicing With Political And Electoral Death”Could Makerfield Trigger Starmer’s Downfall?Reform’s Huge By-Election Test for Farage and ReformABERDEENAberdeen South Tests SNP Resilience After Murrell FalloutAberdeen South: Oil, Reform And Tactical Voting CollideARBROATHSNP’s “What Do We Have To Do To Lose?” MomentArbroath Shows Whether Scotland Is Cooling On LabourFocussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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SWINNEY SCANDAL STRATEGY FAILING?
Jun 500:38:08Tap to summarizeRing-fenced SNP cash row returns to centre stageSean Clerkin, Wings Over Scotland, Noel Dolan, Douglas Chapman and Joanna Cherry all increasing pressure for SNP probeSwinney faces VAT questions over Murrell scandalSturgeon interview failed to kill storyMurrell fallout could hit SNP by-election hopesFocussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Murrell, Sturgeon & Swinney - Who Knew What, When?
May 2900:34:21Tap to summarizeIncreasingly, it looks like the scandal that has rocked the SNP will not go away. Peter Murrell's admission and subsequent conviction have led to more questions. Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie discuss.PONSONBY - John Swinney may need an independent inquiry into SNP governance, because a party-led response risks looking like a whitewash.MASSIE - Nicola Sturgeon’s core problem is not only “what did she know?” but “what should she have known?” as SNP leader signing off party accounts.PONSONBY - Many mainstream journalists were “asleep at the wheel” while Sean Clerkin and Stuart Campbell kept pressing questions others dismissed.MASSIE - the SNP may face an impossible choice: stand by Sturgeon or “throw her under the campervan” to draw a line under the scandal.PONSONBY - the SNP finance scandal is sensational but may not have a lasting electoral impact — unless the party mishandles the demand for answers.Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Swinney's Cabinet - Analysis & Verdict
May 2100:40:03Tap to summarizeSwinney’s new Scottish Government is smaller, reshuffled and designed to signal seriousness about reform.Ivan McKee’s public service reform role is framed as the key test: finding billions in savings without triggering political backlash.The SNP faces a clash between pro-growth rhetoric, welfare expansion, price controls and the hard reality of Scotland’s projected budget black hole.Jenny Gilruth, Stephen Flynn, Màiri McAllan and Stephen Gethins are discussed as signs of future SNP leadership positioning.At Westminster, Andy Burnham’s by-election bid is portrayed as potentially decisive for Labour’s leadership and Keir Starmer’s future.Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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STARMER AND THE "KING IN THE NORTH"
May 1500:44:46Tap to summarizeKeir Starmer, Andy Burnham and the fight for who will be the next Prime Minister of the UK?Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie discuss the battle for Labour's leadership. Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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