Shortbread Media

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Channel • 4 Shows

Politics

Politics

Updated weekly
News Commentary

News Commentary

Updated weekly
News

News

Updated weekly

Politics

Politics

Updated weekly
News

News

Updated weekly
News Commentary

News Commentary

Updated weekly
Politics

Politics

Updated weekly

05/06/2025

Irish Unification in the EU

In this episode of Stormont Sources, we discuss the SDLP motion for Irish unification with guests Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan. The conversation explores the implications of the motion, the role of the SDLP in advocating for constitutional change, and the challenges of accountability and meaningful debate within the Northern Ireland Assembly. Matthew O'Toole, the leader of the opposition, shares insights on the need for reconciliation and the importance of a constructive opposition in Northern Ireland politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

05/06/2025

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51 min
06/08/2025

Scottish Politics Needs Big Ideas... So Where Are They?

In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, hosts Calum MacDonald, Geoff Aberdeen, and Andy Maciver take your questions. They discuss the departure of Kate Forbes from the SNP and its implications, touching on her appeal to centrist voters and the challenges facing the party. The conversation then moves onto the broader political landscape, including the potential return of Ian Blackford, coalition possibilities, and the role of mayors in Scotland. The hosts engage with listener questions, reflecting on the need for bold political ideas and the current state of political engagement in Scotland. The episode concludes with a call for more substantive political discourse. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

06/08/2025

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39 min
20/06/2023

Sturgeon, Labour, Energy... with Kezia Dugdale

Kezia Dugdale, the former leader of the Scottish Labour party, joins Calum, Geoff and Andy. We discuss Nicola Sturgeon after she made her second public comments since being arrested and released without charge. Kezia also shares her take on Sir Keir Starmer's energy strategy and her doubts about whether the widely-reported surge in Labour support is real. The Bute House Agreement comes up in the context of energy strategy. Kezia tells us about her work on democracy and about encouraging more people from more diverse backgrounds into politics. Email us your thoughts: hello@holyroodsources.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20/06/2023

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1 hr
23/03/2024

Live: 25 Years of Devolution (Part 2)

Join Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver for a Holyrood Sources podcast special. We’re bringing together guests who have been at the heart of the story of devolution over the last 25 years to reflect on how devolution happened, what’s happened since and what should happen next. As part of the night, we’ll reveal the results of exclusive polling assessing how people across Scotland view devolution, 25 years since the establishment of The Scottish Parliament. In part two: Alex Salmond, Susan Deacon, Liz Smith, Kate Forbes, Brian Taylor, Bernard Ponsonby. Open the Doors! By Edwin Morgan, narrated by Fiona Macdonald Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23/03/2024

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1h 14m
12/04/2023

Crisis Comms and Campervans

Calum, Geoff and Andy reflect on the last couple of weeks since our exclusive with former SNP leadership candidate and Scottish Government Finance Secretary Kate Forbes and conversation with former Health Secretary Jeane Freeman in our previous two episodes. Plus, we consider the woes of the SNP - has Kate Forbes dodged a bullet? How is Humza Yousaf handling the fallout from the police investigation into financial mismanagement within the SNP? How can the party that, for years, has claimed to speak for the people of Scotland, show this much contempt for the people of Scotland so as to hide things from them? Plus we look at the suggestion from Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party leader, Douglas Ross, that tactical voting should be used to keep the SNP out. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12/04/2023

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54 min
22 JAN

Scottish Voters Focus Group: Swinney, Sarwar, Starmer & Farage Assessed

Voters in Falkirk, one of Scotland’s key constituencies, give their brutally honest verdict on the politicians who will shape the 2026 Scottish Parliament election. In this special episode of Holyrood Sources, we partner with polling experts More In Common to bring you a rare focus group of Labour 2024 voters — now drifting towards the SNP, Reform UK, or undecided. 🎧 You’ll hear unfiltered views on: John Swinney and whether the SNP has “lost its way”Anas Sarwar and Labour’s Westminster problemSir Keir Starmer’s leadership, trust, and the winter fuel payment backlashNigel Farage and Reform UK — and why his brand may be “detoxified” in ScotlandThe issues voters care about most: cost of living, NHS waiting times, education, immigration, and trust in politicsHosts Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein, former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond and Andy Maciver, former Director of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives are joined by Luke Tryl, UK Director at More In Common. This episode takes you inside the minds of undecided Scottish voters — and shows why the next Holyrood election could be far closer than many expect. 📩 Join the conversation: WhatsApp us on 0333 404 6507 or send a voice note to feature in a future episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 Jan

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1h 8m
26/06/2025

John Swinney & Anas Sarwar | The Battle for Bute House

With John Swinney and Anas Sarwar. This podcast special focuses on the upcoming Scottish parliamentary elections, featuring discussions on the current political landscape, the impact of geopolitical issues, and the challenges facing the Scottish government. Key themes include the need for bold political conviction, the implications of welfare reforms, and the ongoing debate around independence. The conversation also highlights the importance of education and energy policy in shaping Scotland's future. Sponsored by the Scotch Whisky Association's Made to be Measured campaign. Find out more about the campaign at scotch-whisky.org.uk/madetobemeasured. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26/06/2025

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1h 41m
09/05/2023

Exclusive: Polling on IndyRef and party support

A new Survation poll, commissioned by strategic advisory firm True North and shared exclusively with the Holyrood Sources podcast, shows the SNP is losing the support of people who believe in independence. Calum, Geoff and Andy are joined by Fergus Mutch from True North, and Professor Sir John Curtice from the University of Strathclyde to discuss the results and the implications. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

09/05/2023

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51 min
06/06/2023

Advice... from Jack McConnell

Former First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish Labour Party, Jack McConnell, joins the podcast to talk about election victories and defeats. He remembers campaigns he won and lost. He tells us about 2007, when Labour lost control of Holyrood and how early he knew something was going wrong. He discusses Labour's current position on North Sea oil and gas. He tells us about his relationship with other First Ministers, either present or former. As he reflects on his time as First Minister, he says he thought he was inheriting a tough job - but on reflection, in comparison to Humza Yousaf, he says: "I had it easy." He tells us about his vision for democracy and power in Scotland to be decentralised. What do you think of what Lord McConnell says? Email us: hello@holyroodsources.com to have your email read out next week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

06/06/2023

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1h 3m
12/04/2024 · BONUS

25 Years of Devolution: Susan Deacon

Susan Deacon was Labour MSP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh (Constituency) from 1999 - 2007 and Scotland's first health minister. We spend more time with one of the stars of our live podcast recording event. Calum, Andy and Susan discuss the 25-year anniversary of devolution in Scotland and reflects on the successes and challenges of the Scottish Parliament. We highlight the need for constructive reflection and improvement rather than getting stuck in nostalgia. We discuss the performative nature of politics, the unintended consequences of policies, and the lack of leadership and intellectual capacity in Scottish politics. They also emphasise the importance of engaging with wider civic society and fostering meaningful debate. The episode concludes with a discussion on the need to move away from comparing Scotland to England and instead benchmark against global peers. The conversation explores the challenges and shortcomings of the Scottish political system, particularly in relation to the media, healthcare, and candidate selection processes. It highlights the tendency for political discourse to focus on comparisons and not on addressing underlying issues. The conversation also discusses the need for decentralisation and regional leadership, as well as the importance of bringing in diverse expertise and allowing for independent thinking within political parties. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12/04/2024 · Bonus

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55 min

Bringing you behind the door, with those who have lived and breathed jobs about which we need to know more, from politics and elsewhere. By Shortbread Media Ltd.

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Top Shows

Irish Unification in the EU

Scottish Politics Needs Big Ideas... So Where Are They?

Sturgeon, Labour, Energy... with Kezia Dugdale

Live: 25 Years of Devolution (Part 2)

Crisis Comms and Campervans

Scottish Voters Focus Group: Swinney, Sarwar, Starmer & Farage Assessed

John Swinney & Anas Sarwar | The Battle for Bute House

Exclusive: Polling on IndyRef and party support

Advice... from Jack McConnell

25 Years of Devolution: Susan Deacon

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