The Stooshie: the politics podcast from DC Thomson

Stooshie Special: Liz Truss resigns

It’s emergency stations for The Stooshie as Liz Truss resigns.
We are joined by Courier columnist and director of the John Smith Centre for Public Service Kezia Dugdale to discuss where it all went wrong for the shortest-serving prime minister in history.
Those who fancy themselves as next in line to the keys of 10 Downing Street are already putting their names forward.
But could there be a general election looming? And what could that mean for the political landscape in Scotland?

Week 41: Green conference special

The Scottish Greens are heading to Dundee for their first party conference since reaching a power sharing agreement with the SNP.  
We spoke to North East MSP Maggie Chapman about the party’s successes and challenges since entering government.  
A plot by frustrated members to split the leadership from their ministerial roles has been delayed... for now.  
And we run the rule over another week of turmoil for the Conservatives that saw Kwasi Kwarteng sacked after just 38 days in the job.  
Subscribe to the Courier or Press and Journal today to stay up to date on Local and Scottish news. Go to www.thecourier.co.uk/subscribe/ or www.pressandjournal.co.uk/subscribe/ to get unlimited access to the news that matters to you.

Week 40: SNP conference special

Nicola Sturgeon will be in Aberdeen for the SNP’s three-day conference, the first in-person gathering for the party since the pandemic.
We spoke with John Swinney, the deputy first minister, on what to expect.
The SNP agenda gets scrutinised in our wrap up of the highlights.
And we look back at the turmoil of the Conservative conference, which closed with shock polls and infighting.

Week 39: Time to send back the money? North-east ‘slave’ fund interview special

Historian David Alston explains why he thinks a £1.8m fund built off the backs of the historic slave trade should be returned. The so-called Dick Bequest, which helps teachers in the north-east, “belongs in Jamaica”, he tells Calum Ross in our featured interview.
We also take stock of Liz Truss’s terrible week which saw the Bank intervene and the pound sink.
Labour have rocketed up in the polls, as we discuss implications for Scotland.
And we look at the important stories of the week across the regions, including major job losses in Aberdeen and concerns about council funds in Tayside.

Week 38: Who’s looking after the carers?

Lib Dem MP Wendy Chamberlain tells us in our featured interview about her proposals to improve carers’ rights. The North East Fife politician spoke to reporter Rachel Amery about unpaid leave and the need for better work-life balance.
We also assess Prime Minister Liz Truss’s first acts in office as her new chancellor unpicks their own party’s finance and tax policies in the Commons.
And we discuss the growing concern over delays to major road improvements on the A9 and A96 where lives are being lost.

Week 37: King, country and cold comfort

What a summer. New prime minister Liz Truss barely had time to get into Downing Street before the Queen died and the UK went into national mourning. We have a new prime minister, a new King and a lot of problems being stored up for winter. Does Ms Truss have what it takes to lead he UK out of a tough time? Will she be put off by the “attention seeker” in Bute House? Can Nicola Sturgeon forge ahead with her plans for a referendum next year? And what does the new monarch mean for a long national debate on our constitution

Special edition: Boris Johnson resigns… now what?

After an utterly chaotic few days, the Prime Minister finally conceded he had to resign. What does that mean for the future leadership of the UK, and what, ultimately, will it mean for Scotland? Join a really quite tired politics team at DC Thomson as we try to take stock and look to what’s coming next.
Subscribe to the Courier or Press and Journal today to stay up to date on local and Scottish news. Go to www.thecourier.co.uk/subscribe or www.pressandjournal.co.uk/subscribe to get unlimited access to the news that matters to you.

Week 26: Tornado crash special, as Holyrood goes on summer holiday

It’s the week in which we mark 10 years since the Tornado fast-jet tragedy in northern Scotland. What are campaigners saying about the lack of safety improvements and answers for bereaved families? We speak to campaigner Jimmy Jones. MSPs head off for their summer break from parliament. What did we learn in a session which ended with a major announcement on independence? We run through the highlights.
Subscribe to the Courier or Press and Journal today to stay up to date on Local and Scottish news. Go to www.thecourier.co.uk/subscribe/ or www.pressandjournal.co.uk/subscribe/ to get unlimited access to the news that matters to you.

Week 25: Maternity care special episode

It’s the week in which Ian Blackford has faced calls to resign and the country’s railways come to a standstill as workers go on strike over a pay dispute. We also speak to Marj Adams from the campaign group Keep Mum about their anger at the lack of maternity care in Moray.
Subscribe to the Courier or Press and Journal today to stay up to date on Local and Scottish news. Go to www.thecourier.co.uk/subscribe/ or www.pressandjournal.co.uk/subscribe/ to get unlimited access to the news that matters to you.

Week 24, 2022: IndyRef, freedom of speech and a tale of two ferries

It’s the week in which Nicola Sturgeon heralded a new dawn for independence but didn’t have a legal route or date to show for it. Conservatives continue to stand firmly against a second referendum and point to failings on domestic issues including two ferries on the Clyde. But there’s better news sailing down the Forth. And we rake over the eye-opening judgement in the strange case of ‘Lady Whistledown’.
Subscribe to the Courier or Press and Journal today to stay up to date on Local and Scottish news. Go to www.thecourier.co.uk/subscribe/ or www.pressandjournal.co.uk/subscribe/ to get unlimited access to the news that matters to you.