The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

PART 2 of the Ponsonby and Massie Podcast interview with the First Minister, John Swinney

In his most in-depth and revealing interview since becoming Scotland's First Minister, John Swinney joins Bernard Ponsoby and Alex Massie:

FEAR FOR SURVIVAL OF THE SNP

On Humza Yousaf resigning after the collapse of the Bute House agreement "If I go back to that period, which was really, really difficult, I feared for the stability of the government, I feared actually for the survival of the SNP, to be honest. I thought things were in such a bad place."

COLLEAGUE CRIED WHEN HE SAID HE'D STAND

Recalling a colleague who shared his concerns "I said, well, I'm thinking about it [standing for First Minister] and they burst into tears".

CREDITS BLAIR GOVERNMENT ON CHILD POVERTY

Swinney gives credit to Labour on Child Poverty "the achievements of the Blair Brown government, the first decade of this century really made an impact on eroding levels of child poverty in our society".

DEFINES HIS RELIGIOUS FAITH

In a discussion about faith, the First Minister was asked "what does Jesus Christ mean to you personally?". He answered "the love of others, the love and service of others. That's what my Christian faith means to me..... I'd be perfectly happy to talk about that. I don't opt to go on to a podium to do so."

MAKES NO APOLOGIES ON FAMILY JOINING OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS

On taking his family to official events "sometimes there's a bit of a hullabaloo about taking members of your family to particular occasions. I make no apology for it because if I didn't do that, I'd hardly see them."

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bernard and Alex discuss the danger for Labour of dancing to the right-wing's tune on immigration. What does it mean? What (if anything) does Keir Starmer stand for? What does Labour now stand for?

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bernard and Alex discuss:

Religion's relevance today: They explore how religion is now more comfortably discussed by Scottish politicians compared to 20–30 years ago. There's a nuanced conversation about Scotland’s move from a heavily religious society to a secular one, and a new resurgence of faith among younger Scots.

The gender recognition legal ruling: They analyse the fallout from the UK Supreme Court ruling and how politicians like John Swinney and Keir Starmer have been caught between public opinion and previous statements on gender identity.

Swinney’s summit on extremism: They critique John Swinney’s call for political unity against the far-right, warning that mislabelling politicians like Nigel Farage as "fascist" risks backfiring and emboldening populism.

Reform UK’s rise in Scotland: They suggest Reform’s growing support could fragment the anti-SNP vote, paradoxically helping the SNP win the upcoming by-election and Scottish Parliament election with even a modest share of the vote

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bernard and Alex explain and analyse the significance of Donald Trump's international trade tariffs and how it might affect you personally in everything from the cost of goods to your pension.

Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariff offensive has triggered market turmoil and reignited fears of a full-blown trade war, with the FTSE 100 plummeting and central banks scrambling to respond. Trump’s protectionist policies — including steep tariffs on key trading partners such as the EU, UK, China, and Vietnam — are driving up consumer prices, fuelling inflation, and risking a global recession. Despite claims of “economic patriotism”, experts argue these tariffs amount to a form of self-inflicted economic harm, unravelling decades of free trade orthodoxy. Retaliatory tariffs, rising import costs, and disrupted supply chains are hitting exporters hard, with industries from Scotch whisky to fighter jet components feeling the sting. Critics warn this tit-for-tat tariff spiral could destabilise the world economy, weaken Western alliances, and hand geopolitical leverage to China — all in pursuit of a misguided vision of industrial revival. With headlines dominated by market shocks, IMF warnings, and international backlash, Trump’s trade war may be remembered as a high-stakes gamble with devastating global consequences.

PLUS

Scottish Conservatives keep resigning - but for contradictory reasons. Some think the party is too far to the left, others think it is too far to the right. Which is it?

Scottish Greens Co-Leader, Patrick Harvie, is set to step down after 17 years. Has he been effective as a politician?

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.