The Stooshie: the politics podcast from DC Thomson

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?

Dundee University principal Nigel Seaton, one year after crisis

Our extended featured interview with Professor Nigel Seaton marks what could be a major turning point for Dundee University.
One year after the financial crisis hit the headlines, is the university safe? What happens next? And does he regret taking that call to take on the difficult job?
The Courier editor David Clegg joins political journalists Alasdair Clark and Andy Philip to look at the institutional failures, how the city has responded to the crisis and how this saga is a warning for the entire country.

Scottish prisons overcrowding crisis – featured interview

Scottish prisons are creaking at the seams with inmates, and staff are bearing the brunt.
Some prisoners are being released in a third “emergency” pressure release.
Phil Fairlie of the Scottish Prison Officers Association joins us to explain what it’s like on the front line.
We also look at the latest stories behind the headlines, including a glimmer of good news for people caught up in the crumbling concrete housing crisis in Aberdeen.
And we look at an update on disgraced NHS Tayside surgeon Sam Eljamel as the public inquiry gets closer.

Inverness asylum, culture war and Russian threat to the north

From Russian aggression, to culture wars in the aisles of a Dundee Hobbycraft, this week’s Stooshie covers ground.
We start with a catch up after Scottish Parliament recess and what we gleaned from a few days in Whitehall and Westminster.
Defence is a hot topic, with German planes using RAF Lossiemouth and big questions about the threat from Russia off Scotland’s coasts.
The team gets into the new plan to use an Inverness barracks as migrant accommodation – how are locals reacting?
And we look at toxic culture wars on gender and freedom of speech, including a Tory “joke” about Rangers, and a gender rights row in a craft shop.

Inside The Courier's parole reform campaign

On this week's episode, The Courier's campaigns editor Sean O'Neill joins The Stooshie to talk about the Voice for Victims campaign which pushed for changes to legislation to improve the parole system for victims and their families.
Sean discusses why this is so important and how locals let down by the system inspired the campaign. And most importantly - what comes next?

The Chameleon stalker's political impact, and a look ahead to Lib Dem conference as Alex Cole Hamilton sets sights on the Highlands

We look at a hard-hitting series about the institutional failures which added to an abuse survivor’s ordeal in the Highlands.
The Stooshie delves into the repercussions of The Chameleon, published by the P&J.
We look at the political impact, the need for big changes and how survivors can be better protected.
Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole Hamilton also joins us for a run-through of his ambitions for next May’s elections, as the party heads to its conference this weekend.