The only podcast you need to keep your finger on the pulse of Scottish politics. Each episode, as well as an in-depth interview and top national and international politics headlines, political journalists from The Press & Journal, The Courier, Evening Express and Evening Telegraph discuss and explain the week’s biggest stories from Holyrood, Westminster and beyond. Be Better Briefed, with The Stooshie.
Episodes
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
Yes City revisited
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
We speak to the people of Dundee, Scotland’s Yes City, to test the mood on a difficult year for the SNP and independence.
Have attitudes changed as the dust settles on Nicola Sturgeon’s appearance at the Covid inquiry?
Perth and North Perthshire SNP MP Pete Wishart shares his thoughts on the way the inquiry was handled too.
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Jason Leitch, Eljamel and budget woes
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Covid adviser Jason Leitch has been a recurring character in the Covid inquiry.
We discuss how he has also become central to a second inquiry, one which looks into harm caused by ex Dundee surgeon Sam Eljamel.
We're joined by MSP Liz Smith who raised questions about the Tayside links and campaigners' concerns over potential conflict of interest.
The squeeze on budgets and terrible legacy of Liz Truss's hold on UK finances is causing major repercussions.
We look at the big health, education and transport projects now under threat.
Wednesday Jan 24, 2024
Covid bereaved lawyer Aamer Anwar on 'shattered trust'
Wednesday Jan 24, 2024
Wednesday Jan 24, 2024
Human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar speaks to us about the damage of the Covid inquiry.
He represents bereaved families who are furious at the drip-feed of private messages emerging from government figures and officials.
We discuss the impact on national clinical director Jason Leitch, and what to expect next from Nicola Sturgeon.
And we look at reaction from Eljamel inquiry campaigners upset that Prof Leitch has been linked to their investigation.
Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
Lift-off for Shetland spaceport
Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
We hear from the man behind exciting plans to send rockets from Shetland.
Scott Hammond tells us schools are changing their classwork, jobs are coming to the islands and offshore workers are finding new employment.
The first launch could be this summer - could Scotland really lead Europe with this spaceport?
Our politics team also rounds-up the latest stories, including more on the human cost of the Post Office scandal, and demands for a start date on the inquiry into disgraced Tayside surgeon Sam Eljamel
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
Post Office interview special episode
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
Myra Philp’s mother, Mary, died before getting to clear her name in the Post Office fraud miscarriage of justice.
In our featured interview, Myra, from Fife, tells us about the devastating impact of the flawed investigation in a national scandal.
We also discuss the shock collapse of Stewart Milne Group and the knock-on impact for jobs, home owners and the economy.
Is an XL Bully dog ban coming for Scotland? We look at the growing problem for the SNP Government.
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023
The 2023 Stooshie politics quiz
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023
You can play along as our top team takes part in an end of year quiz.
We nominate our picks for Stooshie of the year.
And we race through some news too, one day after a tough budget in parliament.
See you in 2024!
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
Labour’s satanic panic in Glenrothes
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
Wednesday Dec 13, 2023
We discuss our exclusive report on Labour’s Glenrothes candidate who has been ditched by party bosses over his “sexy” and “satanic” fiction output.
Altany Craik is already a long-serving Fife councillor, but it seems he is no longer considered eligible for Westminster.
We dig into the bigger picture - including Irvine Welsh’s withering reaction.
The team also gets to grip with council budgets and the financial trauma coming their way.
We hear from UK minister John Glen on new jobs for Aberdeen.
And we look at the SNP getting in a twist about Greens standing where Conservatives hope to win.
Wednesday Dec 06, 2023
Stephen Flynn interview on his first year as SNP Westminster leader
Wednesday Dec 06, 2023
Wednesday Dec 06, 2023
SNP Westminster boss Stephen Flynn joins The Stooshie for a featured interview on his rollercoaster first year in the job.
The Aberdeen South politician reflects on everything from replacing Ian Blackford in the post to being named the UK’s ‘hardest’ MP.
He responds to the polls, to SNP splits and scandals, and speculates on his next move.
Could he end up in Holyrood one day? Maybe with an eye on the leader job there?
Listen to the full interview on The Stooshie today.
Wednesday Nov 29, 2023
Time for Suzanne’s Law
Wednesday Nov 29, 2023
Wednesday Nov 29, 2023
We speak about the P&J’s new true crime podcast and how Arlene Fraser’s murder 25 years ago, and the murder of Suzanne Pilley, could lead to a change in the law.
Our team discusses Humza Yousaf’s trip to COP28 climate conference in Dubai, days after shock for Grangemouth workers here.
And we hear from people in Dundee about the proposed national crackdown on pavement parking.
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Labour in a tangle over Gaza ceasefire call
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
Wednesday Nov 22, 2023
As fighting in Gaza is temporarily halted, disputes within the Labour Party over whether to call for a permanent ceasefire show no sign of slowing down.
With First Minister Humza Yousaf's family now safely back in Scotland and sharing details of their ordeal, we look at how the conflict is shaping politics closer to home.
Sir Keir Starmer's refusal to call for a full ceasefire has seen councillors and even his own frontbenchers resign.
Along with growing pressure from MPs and campaigners, Starmer faced tough conversations when he finally visited Aberdeen to discuss oil and gas.
Our panel discusses whether the Labour leader could have better handled both of those situations. Plus, we speak to rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon about the SNP's latest independence paper and whether a breakaway Scotland could have a big say over EU marine policy.