The Stooshie: the politics podcast from DC Thomson

Scotland Office minister on energy jobs promises

Labour politicians are getting flak over energy job promises again, but seem to think the public don’t really mind. Do you?
We spoke to UK Government Kirsty McNeill, and Scottish Labour’s Michael Marra, about economic fortunes.
And after big SNP promises of budget boosts, what do Fife paramedics on the frontline think about reality for the NHS?

Justice for tragic Elgin bus driver Keith Rollinson, another NHS reset and a complex NHS Fife trans doctor tribunal

After the death of Elgin bus driver Keith Rollinson, is justice too soft for young offenders?
How are doctors reacting to John Swinney’s big NHS speech?
And we explain the upcoming NHS Fife trans doctor tribunal, with all its implications.
 

Who’s securing Scotland’s sea borders?

Donald Trump is back in the White House and the world is braced for what comes next.As he eyes up taking over the continent from North Pole to Panama, how will Russia react?And crucially, are we exposed to increased risk of sabotage in our waters around the Atlantic and North Sea coasts?We also look closer to home on the future of mental health support for new mums, and how institutions such as Dundee’s Carseview are performing for those in need.And why do governments keep spending money on reports they don’t want to read, like charging motorists to drive in Aberdeen?

Maybe the public don't like honesty after all

The polls are in, and it’s grim reading for Keir Starmer.
Reform are on the rise, and the SNP shows no sign of rolling over for Scottish Labour.
As Scottish Secretary Ian Murray wonders aloud if the public like honesty after all, we look at the tough road ahead.
We also take a look inside Donald Trump’s mind and wonder what’s in store for us after his inauguration this month.
And is it really true he’s the one making the case for oil and gas jobs in Scotland?

What’s coming up in 2025?

The team returns for a new year to consider what the big stories will be. 
Budgets take centre stage, including alarm over university finances and the NHS. Money can be found for a broken mountain railway in the Cairngorms, so why not everywhere else?And will our politicians find a way to respond to Donald Trump and social media doomscroller-in-chief Elon Musk?

2024 Politics Quiz

When you really think about, 2024 seems more like a fever dream than anything else.
Remember Rishi Sunak’s rain-drenched resignation?
Ed Davey’s bizarre attention grabbing stunts?
Humza Yousaf’s abrupt, self-inflicted implosion?
Play along with our team of politics reporters in our end-of-year quiz to see if you’ve been switched on or turned off.

University crisis and featured interview on cancer surgery

We discuss the crisis at Dundee University after weeks of difficult headlines over finances and senior leadership.
Is there a problem in Scottish higher education?
We also have a featured interview with a Stonehaven cancer survivor who spent £30,000 on a private breast reconstruction op to avoid the prospect of years waiting on NHS.
Why are so many women faced with this difficult choice in the first place?

Skye shooting gun control, ferry to Europe, and NHS crisis

This week’s Stooshie focuses on the political questions for gun control in the wake of the Skye shooting spree, which ended in court last week.
We hear from P&J investigations reporter Dale Haslam for the inside story.
We also speak to Labour MP Graeme Downie about his hopes to restart talks to bring back the ferry link between Rosyth and Europe.
And we look at the budget crisis engulfing NHS services, including troubled Grampian health board.

Dundee and Angus College plans - and the university funding crisis

We are joined by The Courier’s Dundee Area Editor Laura Devlin to discuss her exclusive on Dundee and Angus College’s £265 million transformation plans.
The college’s ambitious plans involve creating two new campuses, in the City of Discovery and Angus, and expanding its third campus at Gardyne.
We also discuss some of our exclusive coverage on the funding crisis hitting Scottish universities, including Dundee and RGU. 
And we look at SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn’s decision to ditch his double jobbing plan.
Finally, we discuss calls for a general election – after a new petition attracted almost three million signatures. 

SNP justice secretary on prisoner release

Scotland’s justice secretary, Angela Constance, explains plans to release more prisoners earlier in their sentences.
We hear about aims to improve prisons in places such as Inverness, as well as her hopes to focus on community-based justice.
The team wraps up a week of SNP intrigue sparked by our exclusive coverage of Stephen Flynn’s ambition to sit at Westminster and Holyrood.
And we look at Scottish Labour’s change of plan on the the UK party’s approach to winter fuel payments, just as the snow starts falling