The Stooshie: the politics podcast from DC Thomson

Budget blues and climate crisis

Alarm bells are ringing that people don’t realise the sheer scale of lifestyle changes needed to meet climate targets and “net zero”.
At the same time, voters see governments balance the books off their backs, and fail to hit the big targets and big business.
The authors of an annual “state of the state” report pull all that together in our featured interview with the backdrop of another painful budget.
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. But where do they find the positives?

Michael Gove interview as Tories meet in Aberdeen

Michael Gove is the special guest for a feature length interview.<p>The Aberdeen-raised UK Government minister has plenty to say in the run-up to Conservative party conference in the Granite City.<p>He responds to concerns about “Islamophobia” in his party, gets into the future of energy in the north-east and offers frank views on his rivals in the SNP and Labour.<p>He also describes how his Aberdeen childhood played a part in his political outlook - and reveals whether he intends to hit dance floor in the city again… 

Liz Lloyd and Alan Roden reflect on Scottish Labour conference

We're joined by Nicola Sturgeon's former chief of staff, Liz Lloyd, and ex Scottish Labour communications director Alan Roden for a conference special.
The weekend gathering in Glasgow saw a set-piece speech from leader Anas Sarwar and UK party boss Sir Keir Starmer.
What do our panel of political experts make of the party's pitch to voters?

Interview special with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar

Anas Sarwar tells The Stooshie how he attempts to lead his party by channelling legendary football managers Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson. And he reveals which premiership manager he'd compare First Minister Humza Yousaf with.
We also discuss Labour's plan to attract voters across Tayside, Fife, the north and north east; and why he think those worried about the future of the oil and gas sector in Aberdeen should put their faith in Keir Starmer.

Yes City revisited

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.

Jason Leitch, Eljamel and budget woes

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.

Covid bereaved lawyer Aamer Anwar on 'shattered trust'

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.

Lift-off for Shetland spaceport

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

Post Office interview special episode

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.

The 2023 Stooshie politics quiz

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!