The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

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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. OCT 30

    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

  2. OCT 24

    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

  3. OCT 19

    HOUNDED: JENNY LINDSAY

    Poet and writer Jenny Lindsay tells her story: Being cancelled and "hounded" for being gender criticalHer new book telling the story of her experience - "Hounded: Women, Harms and the Gender Wars"She says that gender is an open goal for politicians who should apologize to women and admit they got it wrong. Jenny's book is available here: https://amzn.eu/d/7gTBdKO Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    45 min

  4. OCT 16

    PT2 - ALEX SALMOND 1954 - 2024

    PART 2 of a 2 part exploration of the life and times of Alex Salmond who died at the weekend at the age of 69. Bernard and Alex pick up the story in 2011 through the zenith of his career at the 2014 Independence Referendum and onto the challenges of legal battles and the Alba Party in his post-SNP world. The programme concludes with a summary of what his legacy might be. Bernard Ponsonby knew Alex Salmond professionally and personally for 35 years. they worked and spent time together over the past few months. Alex Massie has covered Alex Salmond closely throughout his career and despite their differences, revealed in part 1 that Salmond's team once courted Massie to be his speechwriter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 2m

  5. OCT 14

    PT1 - ALEX SALMOND 1954 - 2024

    Part 1 of a 2 part special reflecting on the life of "the most consequential Scottish politician of our time", Alex Salmond, who died at the weekend at the age of 69. It's a sincere attempt to capture in some depth the complexity and calibre of the man, his highs and lows. Bernard Ponsonby knew Alex Salmond professionally and personally for 35 years. they worked and spent time together over the past few months. Alex Massie has covered Alex Salmond closely throughout his career and despite their differences, reveals that Salmond's team once courted Massie to be his speechwriter. Personal reflections from both Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie.The rise of Alex Salmond - from the SNP's '79 GroupSalmond's strategic ability to see the end game and retrofit his strategy to make it happen.His ability to read the political temperature of the country and adapt to it.Salmond's rebranding of the SNP and nationalism to make an electoral success. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min

  6. OCT 9

    US PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL - With David Frum from The Atlantic

    Bernard and Alex are joined by David Frum, Staff Writer at the The Atlantic for a deep dive into the US Presidential race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. David Frum is widely quoted as the man who coined the phrase "Axis of Evil" while working for George W Bush. Today, he is a renowned writer and a Republican who won't vote for Trump. David offers valuable insight into the state of American politics, the Presidential race, the candidates and the ramifications of this historic vote. "The most consequential Presidential election of our lifetime" "His only interests in politics are adulation, stealing and revenge" "The Trump campaign is a war on Taylor Swift to stop Haitians eating pets" "Trump's going to lose" Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min

  7. OCT 5

    IS SNP INDY DREAM ON HOLD ..

    Bernard and Alex discuss the significance of First Minister, John Swinney, bringing former SNP strategist, Stephen Noon, back into his close circle as a Special Advisor (SPAD). What does it say about the SNP's current strategy and given the positions both Swinney and Noon have taken in the past, does it mean Independence has been kicked into the long grass for the time being? Also What can we read into the recent SNP victories in the Dundee by-elections? And the Tories will reduce the candidates for leadership of the UK party to two this week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min

  8. SEP 29

    New Scot Tory Leader Facing Crisis in 2026

    Bernard and Alex discuss whether the New Scottish Conservative leader, Russell Findlay, will face an existential crisis with the party at the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election. Do a series of factors, including the emergence of Reform, mean there is "no chance they're going to hold second place in 2026"? Also, Rosie Duffield's resignation from Labour - "I cannot recall seeing a more direct assault on the integrity and standing of a party leader than the letter that she sent to Sir Keir Starmer just within the last 48 hours". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    32 min
See All (45)

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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