The Stooshie: the politics podcast from DC Thomson DC Thomson

Jennifer Lees-Marshment has studied political marketing and management since the rise of Tony Blair.
In this episode, she tells us how the main parties are approaching the phony war before the election date is set.
She also describes concerns that politicians are simply not trained to actually do their job when in power.
Would you go to a surgeon who hasn’t been trained? Why should we expect to be governed well by people who don’t know how to put their promises into practice?

Ahead of their conference in Dundee next week, Justin Bowie sits down with Roz Foyer, general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress, to discuss what she thinks a potential Labour win in Westminster will mean for workers in Scotland. 
 
Roz Foyer also shared her passion for ensuring Dundee women subject to years of unequal pay finally receive compensation from the city council after a years-long battle for justice. 
 
And Justin asks what trade unions want see for those working in Scotland's oil and gas sector as politicians debate what comes next in our commitment to net zero. 

Our team takes stock of a turbulent end of term at the Scottish Parliament.
We look at the reaction to the Hate Crime Act, and the high profile interventions from JK Rowling to Ally McCoist.
Meanwhile, there's an election looming - are social policy problems like housing making an impact?
And we speak to North East Scotland College principal Neil Cowie for a featured interview on the impact of cuts regionally and nationally.

We speak to Liam McArthur, the MSP steering controversial assisted dying laws through Holyrood at the third time of asking.
Are the safeguards enough to convince sceptics?
Has Scotland’s parliament changed its mind since the last time it was debated?
The Bill will be lodged at Holyrood on Friday - and then the serious job of scrutiny will begin.

Description: Survivors of historical abuse at Fornethy House in Angus tell us about their experience, and fury at being snubbed for compensation.
Four women join us to explain what happened to them as children, with harrowing memories.
And they react to Deputy First Minister Shona Robison’s comments in the Scottish parliament about why they can’t get access to a financial compensation scheme.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton speaks to The Stooshie about his party's hopes for the General Election, and how they want to oust the SNP as the third largest party in Westminster. 
 
We also discuss his position on the windfall tax for oil and gas giants, and how he thinks "fair minded" voters in the north east will understand the need to tax their profits.