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Holyrood Sources

Shortbread Media
  • 4.5 (68)
  • NEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Holyrood Sources podcast analyses Scottish politics through the experiences of those who have lived and breathed it as Special Advisers to the Scottish Government, SNP and opposition parties. Join hosts Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (Chief of Staff to the First Minister, 2007-2014) and Andy Maciver (Former Head of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives) as they take you inside Scottish politics. Their insight is second to none - they've been there, lived it, and maintain remarkable connections to Scotland's politicians and the world of Scottish politics. Join our mailing list and check out our latest live events: click holyroodsources.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    Hogmanay Special

    Happy New Year from everyone at Holyrood Sources! On a special episode of the podcast, Calum Macdonald takes a look back at our first ever Christmas Pub Quiz. You can hear a live Q&A session with Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver as they answer questions from attendees at Malones in Edinburgh. Be sure to listen out for their heckles as well, as we bring you some of the best moments from the Scottish politics round of the quiz, hosted by Calum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 min

  2. 24/12/2025

    Christmas Special 🎄 | Swinney, Sarwar, Reform UK & the Future of Independence

    The Holyrood Sources Christmas Special is recorded live in Edinburgh with a packed audience as Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver review the biggest moments in Scottish and UK politics in 2025 — and make bold predictions for 2026 and the Holyrood election. In this wide-ranging discussion, the panel debates: Anas Sarwar’s U-turn on gender recognition reformJohn Swinney’s independence referendum strategyThe legacy of Nicola Sturgeon and Kate Forbes’ decision to stand downLabour’s UK Budget fallout and Rachel Reeves’ credibilityReform UK’s electoral breakthrough in ScotlandEnergy policy, the North Sea, offshore wind and deindustrialisationWhy politicians struggle to explain a credible energy transitionWhether Swinney could serve a full five-year term as First MinisterPredictions on Farage, Badenoch, Reform UK and the next political realignmentThis live Christmas episode captures Scottish politics unfiltered — with audience reaction, behind-the-scenes stories, and sharp disagreement between insiders who’ve shaped modern Holyrood. 🎙️ Holyrood Sources takes you inside Scottish politics every week. 📌 Subscribe for weekly episodes and clips 📌 Recorded live at Malone’s, Edinburgh 📌 Christmas Special 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    42 min

  3. 17/12/2025

    Angela Constance and the Resident Doctors

    Reform UK is rising in Scotland — but can the political system cope with what comes next? From tribunal chaos to ministerial pressure and a volatile pre-election landscape, this week exposed deep fault lines at Holyrood. In this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver to unpack a turbulent week in Scottish politics. They assess Reform UK’s momentum, Malcolm Offord’s challenges, and why broadcasters and parties alike are struggling to respond. The panel also examines Angela Constance’s survival of a no-confidence vote, the growing controversy around the Sandy Peggie tribunal ruling — including questions over errors and credibility — and a blistering debate on resident doctors, strikes, and the NHS. With elections looming, the discussion reveals why trust, competence, and clarity are becoming the real political battlegrounds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    51 min

  4. 10/12/2025

    New Scottish Poll SHOCKS Labour: Reform UK Surges to 2nd

    A major new Ipsos poll drops — and the implications for Holyrood 2026 are huge. The SNP hold a stable lead. Labour has fallen sharply. Reform UK has surged into second place in the constituency vote, fuelled by the rise of immigration as a top concern for Scottish voters. • Why Reform UK is gaining Scottish voters from both Labour and the Conservatives • How immigration became a top-three issue in Scottish politics • Why the SNP vote remains “sticky” • Labour’s worsening poll numbers after Keir Starmer’s difficult months • The Greens’ highly effective regional-vote strategy • Whether Reform has reached its ceiling in Scotland • What demographic groups are driving Reform’s rise We also speak to Mark McGeoghegan of Ipsos, who analyses the polling in depth — approval ratings, demographic breakdowns, voting-intention shifts, and how Scottish voters feel about taxation and public spending. And later: an interview with Michael Matheson, the outgoing SNP MSP, and former Transport Secretary. Will the A9 ever be fully dualled? Has the Scottish Government failed on delivery? Matheson responds. Finally, we react to your messages about Malcolm Offord’s defection to Reform UK, including whether he boosts their credibility, fundraising and appeal — or whether he’s tied to rhetoric that will hurt the party in Scotland. 📲 Send us a message anytime WhatsApp: 0333 404 6507 Email: hello@holyroodsources.com If you enjoy Holyrood Sources, hit subscribe — we drop new episodes weekly, plus bonus interviews. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 3m

  5. 08/12/2025 · BONUS

    DEFECTION: Malcolm Offord Explains his move from Tory to Reform UK

    Former Conservative Minister Malcolm Offord has defected from the Scottish Conservatives to Reform UK — and he joins Calum, Geoff and Andy for an in depth reaction. In this flash episode, Offord details why he left the Conservative Party, why he believes Reform UK offers a “centre-right alternative” in Scotland, and how energy policy, the economy, welfare, and Scotland’s political direction shaped his decision. The conversation covers: • Why Offord says the Scottish Conservatives “gave up” • His critique of UK energy policy and the 30-year failure of wind subsidies • Whether Reform UK is actually “far-right” • Nigel Farage, Scottish identity & the question of English nationalism • What Reform UK would do on immigration, welfare & work • Geoff and Andy challenge Offord on Richard Tice’s letter to energy companies • Could Reform UK hurt Scotland’s renewables industry? • Would Offord debate Swinney, Sarwar, Findlay in 2026? • Could Reform UK do a deal with the Conservatives? • Is this the beginning of a major shift in Scottish centre-right politics? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min

  6. 03/12/2025

    Scottish Reaction to Rachel Reeves’ Budget – Starmer Crisis & SNP Boost?

    The fallout from Rachel Reeves’ first Labour budget has dominated Scottish politics — and in this episode of Holyrood Sources, recorded live in Malone’s Pub in Edinburgh, we unpack the political chaos, the polling shockwaves, and what it all means for the 2026 Holyrood election. This episode previews our live Christmas special and pub quiz, and dives into budget politics, polling trends, and party strategy across the UK. 👇 Tell us what you think in the comments. 👇 Should Rachel Reeves resign? 👇 Is Scottish Labour in trouble for 2026? We also take your questions which have come in from listeners all over Scotland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min

  7. 28/11/2025 · BONUS

    Budget Shockwaves: Two-Child Cap, Oil & Gas Crisis & Reeves Booed at Business Dinner

    In today’s deep-dive episode of Holyrood Sources, we break down one of the most contentious and politically charged budgets in years — Rachel Reeves’ first full Labour Budget. With Scotland at the centre of the economic and political fallout, the team scrutinises what this Budget means for Scottish jobs, taxation, public services, welfare, the North Sea, and the Scottish Government’s own finances ahead of its budget in January. Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver offer a forensic, often fiery discussion about the political strategy behind the Budget, the reaction from business, the impact on the working-class vote, and why Scotland’s oil and gas sector has been thrown into turmoil. We are also joined by Mairi Spowage, Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, who delivers an expert, evidence-based explanation of what the Budget really means for Scotland’s economy, the Barnett consequentials, and the decisions now facing the Scottish Government. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min

  8. 26/11/2025

    It's Budget Day and the future of the Scottish Conservatives with Maurice Golden MSP

    In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, hosts Calum MacDonald, Geoff Aberdein, and Andy Maciver are joined by Scottish Conservative MSP Maurice Golden In this episode, we chat about: 🔹 Budget Day – Rachel Reeves’ survival strategy, the U-turn on income tax, the OBR downgrading UK growth, and how Labour MPs may break with leadership. 🔹 Reform UK’s surge – After a razor-thin by-election in Dumfries & Galloway, what does Reform’s rise mean for the Scottish Tories? 🔹 Maurice Golden’s candid take – On why the Conservatives can’t “out-Reform Reform”, populist positioning under Russell Findlay, and internal disagreements over energy policy. 🔹 The Net Zero fight – Offshore wind vs fishing, oil & gas realities, community benefit, and whether the Conservatives now want a moratorium on offshore wind. 🔹 Scottish infrastructure and manifesto strategy – A9 dualling, airport links, ports, rail freight, and whether voters want practical projects or political theatre. 🔹 Inside the Scottish Parliament exodus – With over 40 MSPs standing down, what does that mean for the quality of debate? 👉 Subscribe for full episodes, political insight, and analysis ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary Election. 📺 Watch more episodes: Holyrood Sources 🔗 Join our mailing list: HolyroodSources.com 📱 Follow our clips on X & TikTok 💬 WhatsApp your questions: 0333 404 6507 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min
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About

The Holyrood Sources podcast analyses Scottish politics through the experiences of those who have lived and breathed it as Special Advisers to the Scottish Government, SNP and opposition parties. Join hosts Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (Chief of Staff to the First Minister, 2007-2014) and Andy Maciver (Former Head of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives) as they take you inside Scottish politics. Their insight is second to none - they've been there, lived it, and maintain remarkable connections to Scotland's politicians and the world of Scottish politics. Join our mailing list and check out our latest live events: click holyroodsources.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Channel
    Shortbread Media
  • Creator
    Shortbread Media
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    203
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Shortbread Media
  • Show Website
    Holyrood Sources
  • Provider
    Shortbread Media

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