The Stooshie: the politics podcast from DC Thomson

Stooshie Special: Labour Party Conference

An inside look ahead of the Labour Party Conference held in Edinburgh.
Courier political editor, Derek Healey is joined by political reporters, Rachel Amery and Justin Bowie to unpack Scottish Labour's influence now that Nicola Sturgeon has resigned as First Minister.
Justin also takes to the streets of Edinburgh to find out what the public think of Labour's position in Scotland.

Stooshie special: Nicola Sturgeon resigns as First Minister

A shock resignation from Nicola Sturgeon earlier today has caused ripples across Scottish politics.
Courier political editor, Derek Healey is joined by Rachel Amery and Calum Ross to unpack her biggest triumphs and tribulations and examine what this means for the future of the SNP.

’Bad law’ at Holyrood

Professor James Mitchell tells us how the Scottish Parliament has struggled with big-ticket law making. Gender reform has been blocked and other proposals could hit the rocks.
In our interview, he warns the Supreme Court cannot just become Holyrood's revising chamber.

Brexit three years on

Brexit is three years old. Is this time to celebrate or commiserate?
We listened to one Aberdeenshire fishing industry figure who says the 'poster boys' have been let down.
And we discuss the latest economic pressures hitting health boards including Grampian and Tayside.

What is happening to the NHS?

We look at NHS Tayside where proposals emerged to cut back beds to save cash.
Labour's Michael Marra talks to us about the political pressure on Nicola Sturgeon.
And we look at shocking levels of bullying in secondary schools as politicians face calls to act.

Life after oil and gas?

We speak to Guy Ingerson, a former oil and gas employee who went green. He questions the view that Aberdeen and the north-east really wants to cling onto oil and gas. Younger people are crying out for change, he says.
We also catch up with campaigners trying to save St Fittick's park near Torry from development as part of the shift to low-carbon industry. Can you fix the world by destroying more countryside? Our team also discusses the controversial UK Government block to equally controversial gender reform laws in Scotland.

US pastor in Aberdeen on Trump’s ’dangerous’ legacy

We speak to Jared Stacy, an ex US pastor who moved to Aberdeen after the insurrection, on the lessons we can learn from Trumpism in the UK.
Mr Stacy is now studying at Aberdeen university for a PhD on conspiracies linked to Trump and paranoia. Could it happen here?
We also discuss the announcement of freeports in Scotland, and what they might mean for communities and the economy.
And we take stock of the political stewardship of the NHS in Scotland.

End of year politics quiz!

Our resident quiz master takes the politics team on a trip down memory lane in a wrap of 2022.
From Covid rules in spring to elections and multiple prime ministers, it's been a rollercoaster year for Scottish politics.
Test your memory and see how you do.

Gordon Brown is back to reform the UK but are voters listening?

Gordon Brown has drawn up his blueprint to reform devolution across the UK. We discuss the plans and hear from unconvinced Dunfermline SNP MP Douglas Chapman, who wishes independence was offered as an alternative.
We also discuss the new leader of the Westminster SNP group, Stephen Flynn.

NHS Tayside cancer scandal special

In this special edition of The Stooshie, we discuss the headlines from our exclusive NHS Tayside breast cancer investigation.
Our separate feature-length video documentary on the scandal, published on The Courier website, explores the lack of evidence around government claims women were put at increased risk of their cancer returning. We hear from patients and senior health professionals.
And we reveal how officials missed repeated warnings that botched reports risked collapsing a once highly-respected breast cancer department.
On The Stooshie, Andy Philip chats to Courier political editor Derek Healey to get the inside story, the growing calls for an inquiry and what it means for the SNP Government.