The Stooshie: the politics podcast from DC Thomson

SNP challenger Stephen Gethins on ”unfinished business”

Ex MP Stephen Gethins famously got into parliament by a two-vote margin in 2017.
He’s been out since 2019 but wants back at the next election.
We discuss why anyone would want to do that, the unfinished business at Westminster, independence and Humza Yousaf’s first year.
The DC Thomson politics team also discuss Rishi Sunak’s oil and gas plans.
And we hear from north-east communities on their view of Scotland’s energy future.

Alex Salmond and Ash Regan on Alba’s future

Former first minister Alex Salmond joins us for a featured interview with Derek Healey on his political plans. The ex leader discusses frustration with SNP policy and the route to a referendum.
He also describes his hopes for a meeting with Humza Yousaf.
Defector Ash Regan joins Andy Philip to discuss her reasons for quitting the SNP and signing up for Mr Salmond’s party.

After the storm

Storm Babet caused fatal devastation in parts of eastern Scotland, and there’s likely more extreme weather to come.
Are our emergency services funded well enough to cope?
We speak to Aberdeen fire fighter Simon Leroux from the Fire Brigades Union who raises alarm about the strain on a vital service.
We also hear from Dr Sarah Halliday, from Dundee University, about the wider climate change context and the ‘urban creep’ increasing flood risk in rural Scotland.
And we discuss what the destruction was like from reporter on the ground Lindsey Hamilton, the likely massive cost for residents and First Minister Humza Yousaf’s response.

SNP Conference Special

Nicola Sturgeon’s former chief of staff, Liz Lloyd, and ex Scottish Labour communications director Alan Roden join our team to discuss the SNP’s fortunes as Humza Yousaf attends the party conference in Aberdeen.

MP Pete Wishart on independence, Alba and a Rutherglen ’gubbing’

Pete Wishart MP joins us for a look ahead to the conference in Aberdeen where he hopes to shape the SNP’s independence strategy.
He shares his views on next steps, the mood of the party, working with Alba and how to get over the Labour defeat in the Rutherglen byelection.
Our panel looks at what’s coming up for Humza Yousaf when he addresses activists in Aberdeen.
And we reflect on Labour’s recent conference in Liverpool.

Rutherglen byelection special

Three years since Margaret Ferrier caught Covid and boarded a train, we have a new Labour MP in Scotland.
Labour’s win in Rutherglen and Hamilton West puts Sir Keir Starmer on course for Downing Street, experts say.
The SNP was comprehensively beaten - what now for Humza Yousaf?
And the Tories round off a difficult week by losing their deposit in a disappointing result.

Rosebank oil and Tory backlash

The massive Rosebank oilfield has been approved for business in the North Sea. We look at the political splits and future of energy policy.
Tory MSP Maurice Golden tells us why he couldn’t back his party on Rishi Sunak’s climate U-turns.
Meanwhile, just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water in Fife, massive amounts of sewage spew into the sea.

Kate Forbes and Meghan Gallacher on birth, maternity and better support for families

The SNP’s Kate Forbes told us about her difficult experience giving birth as we discuss an exclusive interview in the P&J and The Courier.
We also feature a discussion with Conservative MSP Meghan Gallacher on the gaps in maternity care and family support.
And we wonder if Liz Truss hopes we’ve all got amnesia as she continues her bizarre political resurrection.

Aye/No, what you did last summer

The Stooshie is now officially moving to a Wednesday with all of your major Scottish political news.
In this episode, DC Thomson's politics team - host Andy Philip, along with Derek Healey, Adele Merson and new recruit Alasdair Clark - look at the big stories from summer and what lies ahead for Humza Yousaf and his independence campaign.
We also look at the SNP's Fergus Ewing problem and the ground-breaking new approach to tackling drug deaths.

Eljamel inquiry victory

The Stooshie returns from summer to mark a stunning victory for campaigners harmed by former NHS Tayside doctor, Sam Eljamel.
We have reported on this scandal for years and spoken to victims on previous episodes of the podcast.
This week, we talk through the key moments, speak to campaigners and hear from senior politicians.
We also bring you a discussion between two reporters who followed this scandal from the start.