The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

Solid Media
  • 4.5 (47)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

The two biggest names in Scottish political journalism, Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie, join forces to bring you a regular “must listen” insider briefing on the political and wider world. Bernard has been Scotland's leading TV political editor for many years while Alex is the unavoidable commentator and columnist for the Times and Sunday Times. Together they bring decades of experience and unsurpassed contacts books to provide you with a valuable insider briefing behind the headlines - all in time to cover the UK General Election. Scottish, Scotland, Scottish Politics, Political Podcast, Scottish Political Podcast, UK Politics, Scottish Independence, Indyref, Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon, Salmond, Sturgeon, SNP, Scottish Labour, Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Lib Dem, Scottish Greens, Alba Party, Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves, John Swinney, Anas Sarwar, Holyrood, Westminster, Brexit, Budget, Devolution, Policy, News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    2024 PONSONBY & MASSIE POLITICAL AWARDS

    Who will win a coveted Ponsonby and Massie coffee mug as Bernard and Alex convene in the Kilderkin Bar on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh to hold their own annual Scottish political award ceremony over pints. Also, after Nicola Sturgeon was paid £25,000 to take part in an ITV election programme, Bernard reveals for the first time how much the BBC offered him to take part in an election leaders debate programme. Who do you think got more? It's the awards show that's got it all. CATEGORIES Resignation of the Year Backbencher of the Year Brass Neck of the Year Consequential Scandal of the Year Inconsequential Scandal of the Year NOMINEES INCLUDE Nicola Sturgeon Humza Yousaf Anas Sarwar Douglas Ross Operation Branchform The Ferries Michael Matheson Neil Gray Fergus Ewing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 3m

  2. 30 NOV

    STV's JOHN MACKAY: New Book on Biggest Stories of His Career

    Anchorman, John Mackay, is one of the best known faces on television in Scotland as the lead presenter of STV's top rated news programmes. In his new book "Scotland Today & Yesterday" John records the biggest stories of his career from Dunblane to the Independence Referendum and tells Bernard and Alex what it was really like living in front of the camera through historic moments - and the personal effect it's had on him. John's book is published on 1st December and is available here -> https://amzn.to/4fI5sT1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    46 min

  3. 27 NOV

    EXCLUSIVE: ANAS SARWAR: "I Won't Wait for Westminster to Fix Scotland's Problems"

    In his most revealing and in-depth interview yet, Anas Sarwar outlines Scottish Labour’s agenda for government should he become First Minister in 2026 and what motivates him in politics. •On post 2026 co-operation with SNP “"On individual issues, I will not turn my back or close my eyes to any politician of any party." •Swingeing cuts to SNP bureaucracy and red-tape •“We don’t need 50 health boards” •Planning applications should take 16-18 weeks not 59 •Advocates "streamlining public sector bodies, including reducing the number of enterprise agencies." •Clarifies position on “tapering” Winter Fuel Allowance.  •"The next stage of devolution is pushing power out of Holyrood into Scotland’s regions." •"The two darkest moments of my professional life—losing in 2015 and the leadership race in 2017—shaped me into a better human being and politician." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    58 min

  4. 23 NOV

    Assisted Dying - Liam McArthur MSP

    There are currently two bills on Assisted Dying - Kim Leadbeater MP introduced a Bill to the UK Parliament in October and Liam McArthur introduced a bill to March in the Scottish Parliament. Liam joins Bernard and Alex to discuss this sensitive subject, the legislation and its ramifications. If you'd like to find out more or this issue affects you the there are a number of campaign organisations. VARYING DEGREES OF SUPPORT Dignity in Dying: A leading UK organization campaigning for the right to die with dignity. Twitter: @DignityinDying Humanists UK: A charity supporting assisted dying, emphasizing autonomy and compassion. Twitter: @Humanists_UK My Death, My Decision: A grassroots movement advocating for a compassionate law on assisted dying. Twitter: @MyDeathMyDecision Assisted Dying Coalition: A group of like-minded organizations seeking to legalize assisted dying for the terminally ill or incurably suffering. Twitter: @AssistedDyingUK Exit International: A not-for-profit organization based in Scotland providing information about voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide. Twitter: @ExitInternational All-Party Parliamentary Group for Choice at the End of Life: A cross-party group of members of the British Parliament and Peers supporting better end-of-life options, including assisted dying. Twitter: @APPGEndofLife VARYING DEGREES OF OPPOSITION Care Not Killing: An alliance comprising faith-based and pro-life organizations, Care Not Killing advocates for improved palliative care and opposes any changes to current laws prohibiting euthanasia and assisted suicide. Twitter: @CNKAlliance Christian Action, Research and Education (CARE): A Christian charity that campaigns against assisted dying, emphasizing the sanctity of life and the potential risks to vulnerable individuals. Twitter: @careorguk Disability Rights UK: A leading organization representing disabled people, it has expressed concerns that legalizing assisted dying could pressure disabled individuals into ending their lives prematurely. Twitter: @DisRightsUK Our Duty of Care: A group of healthcare professionals opposing assisted suicide and euthanasia, focusing on ethical considerations and the potential impact on the doctor-patient relationship. Twitter: @OurDutyofCare @alexmassie @Liam4Orkney @kimleadbeater @DavidDavisMP @CarolineLucas @patrickharvie @GordonBrown @HackneyAbbott @EdwardLeighGB @JohnSwinney @SueJWebber Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min

  5. 20 NOV

    DAME JACKIE BAILLIE

    Scottish Labour Deputy Leader, Dame Jackie Baillie, joins Bernard and Alex in the Press Bar to discuss: Scots are paying too much tax for failing servicesHer admiration of the SNP's Kate ForbesHer belief that the NHS is brokenWhy she'd like to be Health and Social Care Minister if Labour are elected in Scotland. Her early life in Hong Kong and her Portuguese familyWhy Margaret Thatcher motivated her to get into politics. Her fear of Labour complacency in the run up to the 2026 election Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min

  6. 16 NOV

    SNP 2026 CANDIDATES

    Bernard and Alex are back considering: SNP Registration of candidacy - Stephen Flynn, Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf have all thrown their hats in the ring. Can Flynn really be an MP and MSP despite party attitudes and are Sturgeon and Yousaf's intentions even real? PLUS Neil Gray - Does anyone believe the story of why ministerial trips were taken to watch Aberdeen football matches and does his explanation make matters worse? US Elections - What Trump's victory means. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 min

  7. 30 OCT

    AN "OLD LABOUR" BUDGET?

    Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie reaction and analysis of the first budget statement from Rachel Reeves - the first woman Chancellor to deliver a budget in British history. Is it a "workerist", old-Labour budget that the likes of Harold Wilson, James Callaghan and Denis Healey would be happy with? Bernard and Alex discuss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min

  8. 24 OCT

    UK BUDGET PRE-BRIEFING

    Catherine MacLeod, former Political Editor of The Herald and Special Adviser (SPAD) to UK Chancellor, Alistair Darling, joins Bernard and Alex to preview Rachel Reeves first budget of the new Labour Government. Catherine's insights into how the Treasury and Chancellor prepare for a budget.PONSONBY - "This is the real day one of the new Labour government."MASSIE - "The most keenly anticipated budget since Geoffrey Howe's first budget"MACLEOD - "I think Rachel Reeves has boxed herself in" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min
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4.5
out of 5
47 Ratings

About

The two biggest names in Scottish political journalism, Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie, join forces to bring you a regular “must listen” insider briefing on the political and wider world. Bernard has been Scotland's leading TV political editor for many years while Alex is the unavoidable commentator and columnist for the Times and Sunday Times. Together they bring decades of experience and unsurpassed contacts books to provide you with a valuable insider briefing behind the headlines - all in time to cover the UK General Election. Scottish, Scotland, Scottish Politics, Political Podcast, Scottish Political Podcast, UK Politics, Scottish Independence, Indyref, Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon, Salmond, Sturgeon, SNP, Scottish Labour, Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Lib Dem, Scottish Greens, Alba Party, Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves, John Swinney, Anas Sarwar, Holyrood, Westminster, Brexit, Budget, Devolution, Policy, News Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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