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Holyrood Sources: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Shortbread Media
The Holyrood Sources podcast analyses Scottish politics through the experiences of those who have lived and breathed it as Special Advisers to the Scottish Government, SNP and opposition parties. Join hosts Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (Chief of Staff to the First Minister, 2007-2014) and Andy Maciver (Former Head of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives) as they take you inside Scottish politics. Their insight is second to none - they've been there, lived it, and maintain remarkable connections to Scotland's politicians and the world of Scottish politics.Join our mailing list and check out our latest live events: click holyroodsources.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 6 days ago44 min
Is the End of the UK Inevitable? Inside the First Ministers’ Cardiff Summit
Are the days of the United Kingdom numbered, or was the recent Cardiff summit between First Ministers just political theatre?Calum Macdonald and Andy Maciver are joined by SNP National Secretary Alex Kerr MSP to discuss the summit and ask whether it puts Scotland (and Wales and Northern Ireland) any closer to independence. They also discuss Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s recent comments at PMQs and whether Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland share a viable constitutional roadmap to independence.Later, Andy and Calum discuss the possibility of a unionist party pact, amid reports that Scottish Labour are considering trying to form an alliance to lock out the SNP. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1 weeks ago1h 17m
The Scottish Labour Leadership Hustings | Joe Fagan v Michael Mara
On a special hustings episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver are joined by Scottish Labour's leadership candidates: Joe Fagan and Michael Marra.The two leadership contenders debate their visions for the party's future, how to reconnect with working-class voters across Scotland, and the scale of the challenge ahead.What sets Michael and Joe apart, and how they plan to rebuild Scottish Labour across every region?How can Scottish Labour become a power contender again?They also share their immediate reactions to Andy Burnham's comments on a second independence referendum at Prime Minister's Questions.To round off the show, Calum and Andy are joined by Lindsay Paterson, Professor of Education Policy at the University of Edinburgh, on fixing Curriculum for Excellence, after this year's PISA statistics were revealed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 2 weeks ago39 min
Rosebank & Scotland’s Energy Future | Holyrood Sources x Energy Voice
On the first of our Holyrood Sources energy specials in partnership with Energy Voice, Calum MacDonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver are joined by Energy Voice News Editor Erikka Askeland (live from Stavanger) and Editorial Director of DC Thomson, Dave Lord. Together, the panel breaks down the high-stakes political and economic battles that will define the energy debate in Scotland and across the UK in the coming months.Will Rosebank and Jackdaw be approved? What does the future of Scotland's renewable future look like? and how will this all affect Scotland's economy?🔔 Subscribe to Holyrood Sources for weekly inside analysis on Scottish politics!📧 Have a question or comment? Email us at hello@holyroodsources.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 3 weeks ago31 min
Is £860m Extra Actually Good News? And John Swinney's World Cup Flights
The Scottish Fiscal Commission just revealed an extra £860 million in the budget for this financial year—but is it actually good news for public spending, or a sign of deeper structural issues caused by devolution?In this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver break down the latest fiscal update, public service reform under Ivan McKee, and incoming tax pressure from the UK Treasury.Plus, they debate the headline-grabbing £45,000 taxpayer bill for John Swinney’s trip to the World Cup in America. Was it bad optics during a cost-of-living squeeze, or vital trade promotion for Scottish business? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Aug 19, 202635 min
Labour Leadership, GERS Figures and Data Centres
In this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver unpack another week Scottish politics.The team reacts to the official Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) figures, analysing Scotland's £25.3 billion public spending deficit, falling North Sea oil revenues, and what upcoming public service reforms mean for John Swinney’s government.We also dive deep into the Scottish Labour leadership contest as candidates Joe Fagan and Michael Mara prepare to battle it out following Monica Lennon’s exit.Plus, the team addresses listener questions on the environmental impact and energy demands of large-scale data centres versus net zero targets, and runs a political thought experiment: what would Scottish politics look like today if Rishi Sunak had won the 2024 general election? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Aug 12, 202628 min
Can John Swinney escape Nicola Sturgeon’s Legacy?
Calum MacDonald, Geoff Aberdein, and Andy Maciver break down Scotland's latest GERS figures, examining revenue vs. public spending, the Barnett Formula, and Scotland's fiscal deficit. Plus, the Holyrood Sources team discuss the realities of North Sea oil vs. renewables, and whether John Swinney can escape Sturgeon’s legacy.Later, George and Andy share their thoughts on former Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar's comments that the House of Lords should be abolished. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Aug 5, 202647 min
Nicola Sturgeon vs SNP Cabinet... and Tax Debate Continues.
Nicola Sturgeon faces fierce backlash from her own former cabinet colleagues after criticising the SNP's election strategy in a new book foreword. Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver break down the response from the First Minister and Cabinet Secretaries.Plus, as the Scottish Labour leadership contest opens with Monica Lennon, Michael Marra, and Joe Fagan announcing their leadership, we ask: what is Labour’s long-term plan to challenge the SNP, is there any possibility of a party win in 2031?Later, we revisit Scotland’s income tax debate. Economist Laurie Macfarlane (Co-Director of Future Economy Scotland) responds to Dan Neidle’s analysis on Scotland’s 48p top tax rate. Does the data really show a £22m loss, or are volatility and broader economic factors being overlooked? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Jul 29, 202656 min
£22 Million Tax Drop and Inside the Scottish Labour Leadership Contest
Why did Scotland’s new 48p top rate of income tax actually backfire and lose £22 million in revenue?On this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein, and Andy Maciver analyse the fallout from Scotland's tax policy with tax expert Dan Neidle from Tax Policy Associates.Will John Swinney reverse a major policy decision originated by his predecessors, Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon?We also discuss the Scottish Labour leadership contest following Anas Sarwar’s departure to the House of Lords. We're joined by Francesca Brennan, Inverclyde Councillor and Scottish Representative for Labour in Local and Regional Government. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
About Holyrood Sources
The Holyrood Sources podcast analyses Scottish politics through the experiences of those who have lived and breathed it as Special Advisers to the Scottish Government, SNP and opposition parties. Join hosts Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (Chief of Staff to the First Minister, 2007-2014) and Andy Maciver (Former Head of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives) as they take you inside Scottish politics. Their insight is second to none - they've been there, lived it, and maintain remarkable connections to Scotland's politicians and the world of Scottish politics.Join our mailing list and check out our latest live events: click holyroodsources.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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