The Stooshie: the politics podcast from DC Thomson

Raac and ruin

Reporter Lindsay Bruce joins the podcast to describe what’s happening in communities affected by the crumbling concrete crisis caused by Raac in housing.
Lindsay has spent months speaking with people who are losing their homes in places such as Torry in Aberdeen.
Parts of Dundee are also caught up in the crisis, leaving local government with a hefty bill.
And while we campaign for justice for those affected by the crisis, what are our politicians doing other than blaming each other?

Leading doctor on Scotland's fragile NHS

Inverness GP Dr Iain Kennedy, the British Medical Association's Scottish council chairman, joins us for a full interview on the stresses and strains in the NHS.We look into the findings of our own survey which explores real-life experiences of the health service.Dr Kennedy has clear messages to the political leaders who will find the NHS front and centre of the May 2026 Scottish elections.He points out where the service is struggling, and where it shows encouraging signs of progress.

Union chief Roz Foyer interview

The STUC’s Roz Foyer joins us in Dundee where union members held their annual congress.
Roz sets out the big challenges ahead for jobs, the decline of Grangemouth refinery, higher education and the future of the economy.
She reflects on speeches to union members from First Minister John Swinney and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.
And she warns Labour in particular have not lived up to promises at last year’s election, saying she wanted to hear some more 'humility' from the party leader.

Supreme Court 'biological women' fall-out

We look at the fall-out from the Supreme Court ruling on women being defined by their biological sex in equalities law.
What does it mean in practice? And how are politicians and activists responding?
One MSP, the newly elected Dundee University rector Maggie Chapman, is at the centre of a backlash for calling the court “bigoted”.
We also discuss whether John Swinney’s “summit” on tackling the far-right can achieve its aims.
And we wonder if the people of Torry in Aberdeen will be delighted that Michael Gove has decided to use the name in his title at the House of Lords.

Strikes at Robert Gordon University, John Swinney's reset and MSPs deal with 'burn-out'

It’s Holyrood recess, but the headlines keep coming.
This week, the team speaks to striking staff outside Robert Gordon University fighting cuts in an education funding crisis.
We also look at First Minister John Swinney’s latest reset while the world tries to get used to Donald Trump’s tariff whims.
And we take a close look at MSP “burn-out” as politicians wonder if it’s worth going for public office with one year to the next Scottish election - and just weeks from a big byelection.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey interview

We speak to Lib Dem leader Ed Davey in Inverness as his party looks to the Highlands ahead of next year’s Holyrood election.
He discusses the party’s hopes of making gains across the region – including in the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency currently held by Kate Forbes.
The Lib Dem leader also talks international affairs including the UK’s approach to handling Donald Trump and his party’s priorities over the next 12 months.
 Finally, Ed explains the lasting impact of the late Charles Kennedy, former leader of the party, who was a Highland MP for 30 years.

New Dundee University rector interview

We speak to Maggie Chapman, who saw off a challenge from TV Gladiator Sabre in an election to the role of Dundee University rector.
She tells us about her plans to help fix the crisis-hit institution and how she learned from her previous rector post at Aberdeen University.
We also bring the story up to date on the political angles and on-campus worries for jobs.

Assisted dying interview

We speak with Willie Rennie, the former Scottish Lib Dem leader, on his decision to go public in support of assisted dying proposals.
The MSP for North East Fife tells us what swayed his opinion while the debate plays out across Scotland and in all parts of the UK.
We also hear what’s in store for his party’s upcoming conference in Inverness

Dundee University finance scandal deepens

Bosses at Dundee University admit the institution could have run out of cash by June without support.The revelations from parliament are the latest in a long-running saga.We discuss an extraordinary evidence session heard by Holyrood’s education committee on Wednesday.Plus, our reporters look at the big names leaving Holyrood at the next election.And we hear from Mid Scotland and Fife Tory MSP Liz Smith, one of those headed for the exit door.

Dundee University jobs crisis

More than 600 jobs are at risk at Dundee University.While managers take desperate measures to cut a £35 million deficit, what happens next?We discuss our exclusive coverage including an interview with principal Shane O’Neill.Our reporters describe the impact among staff outside the university.And we look at what this means for Dundee, Scotland and government policy.