The Stooshie: the politics podcast from DC Thomson

Electoral crystal ball gazing with Ballot Box Scotland

The Scottish Parliament election is three months away and every party is starting their campaign conference, beginning with Jeremy Corbyn’s new left alternative party meeting in Dundee this weekend.
We mark the start of the campaign phase by speaking to Ballot Box Scotland guru Allan Faulds on what the public mood is for each party.
Will the SNP get their referendum election? How does Labour respond to UK polling slump and are the Tories locked in a dogfight with Reform?
Can the Lib Dems make gains beyond their core vote areas, will Greens get a bounce or a dent from their time in government, and is Alba ever going to take off?

Did the Cold War ever really thaw out?

Scotland is certainly feeling the heat now, and for the first time in years, it seems faraway threats are beginning to appear alarmingly close.
From Donald Trump and Greenland, to Russia and a confused world order.
We spoke to Andrew Neal, Professor of International Security at Edinburgh University, to make sense of the threat and impact across the north of Scotland.

Trump’s Greenland tantrum felt as far as Glenrothes

There is a link, honestly.
While Donald Trump throws his toys out of his pram, his words are felt everywhere.
In Fife, Nigel Farage was holding court and tried to defend his friend’s attitude, saying he’s sure he wouldn’t invade.
The prime minister and Tory leader were also all in Scotland to talk about energy.
Will the people who see the pylons go up ever see their bills go down?
We asked UK energy minister Michael Shanks.
 

Budget wrap and energy future

The Stooshie looks at this week's Scottish budget from the SNP Government.
Was it an election special? Who wins and loses?
We also look at question marks over the future set-up of national treatment centres.
And UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks answers questions about when communities in rural Scotland will finally see bills come down while they see pylons and turbines go up.

Happy new election year

The refreshed DC Thomson politics team reconvenes to get ready for a Scottish Parliament election in May.We start with First Minister John Swinney's new year speech - does his quest for independence chime with community priorities?The team also reflects on the top stories over Christmas and discusses what the talking points will be in 2026.
Will single issue flashpoints like immigration really trump concerns about the NHS and public spending

End of 2025 politics quiz

Join us, and potentially beat us, in our comprehensive quiz tour of hyper local and random international political highs and lows.
Were you paying attention to the regional list for Mid Scotland and Fife at Holyrood?
Do you know how many times John Swinney said “independence” in a speech?
Did you follow the Holyrood dog of the year competition?
And are you aware of the prime minister of a country called Australia?
If so, this is the quiz for you.
Play along and join us again in the new year as we gear up for the Scottish election in May.

Sandie Peggie transgender tribunal latest | SNP's Stephen Flynn on energy bill pledge

A two-parter on this week’s Stooshie as we delve into the decision on the Sandie Peggie transgender changing room tribunal.
What does it mean for the nurse, the transgender doctor and NHS Fife?
We go over the promises and policies from SNP leader John Swinney on energy.
He promised to reduce energy bills…if he gets a majority, if he gets another referendum, if he wins, and so on.
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn joins us to talk about the idea in the run up to next May’s election.

Eljamel victim interview

We speak to one of the patients harmed by disgraced surgeon Sam Eljamel, who worked at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee for years.Jules Rose has been a leading campaigner in the long fight for a public inquiry, which is now under way.But a shock development last week has fuelled their anger even further.Around 40 surgery theatre logbooks were destroyed by NHS Tayside, and there are more questions than answers.
 

Aberdeen economy warning and Eljamel inquiry bombshell

Mike Tholen from Offshore Energies UK joins us to explain why oil and gas firms are so angry at Chancellor Rachel Reeves' budget.
What happens next? Will windmills and green technology save the day? Or are we now witness a rapid demise of industry with worrying echoes of coal in the 1980s?
Our agenda-setting coverage of the Sam Eljamel surgery scandal continues with more on shocking revelations at NHS Tayside.
As documents are destroyed, patients and the health secretary are fuming, and we have more details.

Fife chemical plant closure shock - what happens next?

We take a close look at the dramatic plan to shut Mossmorran plant in Fife with the potential loss of hundreds of jobs.
Is this another nail in the coffin of "net zero"?
Does anyone in government have an actual plan for energy and jobs?
We're joined by Green MSP Mark Ruskell to look at the options, the missed opportunities and ask - what can happen next?