The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast
Solid Media
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
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Top 10 The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
SNP 2026 CANDIDATES
The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast
11/16/24 • 37 min
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.
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HOUNDED: JENNY LINDSAY
The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast
10/19/24 • 45 min
Poet and writer Jenny Lindsay tells her story:
- Being cancelled and "hounded" for being gender critical
- Her 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
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WARNING FOR STARMER + US Elections + SNP / Labour Coalition in 2026?
The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast
09/22/24 • 37 min
Bernard is in the USA. Alex is on the Isle of Jura.
- Bernard says Keir Starmer needs to deliver growth or face the anger of the electorate over growing errors.
- Alex says that naive and loose-lipped press briefing by new staff in Government and the freebie scandal raise questions over Starmer's judgement.
- Bernard analyses the US Presidential race from Vermont - it's edging towards Harris but it's tight.
- Alex questions Stewart McDonald's suggestion that the SNP should consider a centre left coalition with Labour after 2026 Scottish Parliament Election.
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UK BUDGET PRE-BRIEFING
The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast
10/24/24 • 50 min
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"
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DAME JACKIE BAILLIE
The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast
11/20/24 • 44 min
- Scots are paying too much tax for failing services
- Her admiration of the SNP's Kate Forbes
- Her belief that the NHS is broken
- Why 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 family
- Why Margaret Thatcher motivated her to get into politics.
- Her fear of Labour complacency in the run up to the 2026 election
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Alex Neil - 30 year wait for Independence if SNP lose in 2026
The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast
08/29/24 • 48 min
On the eve of the SNP Annual Conference, former Minister Alex Neil warns First Minster John Swinney to bin the "political weans" and "bring in heavyweights" as losing 2026 election will mean an independent Scotland is "in the freezer for 10-30 years"
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Should SNP Ministers Meet Israelis and Palestinians?
The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast
08/24/24 • 39 min
Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie tackle the issues of the week including
- Fallout from SNP Minister, Angus Robertson, meeting with Israeli diplomats.
- Can anything be done to stem drug deaths in Scotland
- The Scottish Conservative leadership race.
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Assisted Dying - Liam McArthur MSP
The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast
11/23/24 • 55 min
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
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IS SNP INDY DREAM ON HOLD ..
The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast
10/05/24 • 39 min
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.
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PT2 - ALEX SALMOND 1954 - 2024
The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast
10/16/24 • 62 min
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.
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FAQ
How many episodes does The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast have?
The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast currently has 50 episodes available.
What topics does The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast cover?
The podcast is about News, Political, News Commentary, Podcasts, Politics and Government.
What is the most popular episode on The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast?
The episode title 'I VOTED LABOUR - Former Tory MSP, Prof Adam Tomkins' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast?
The average episode length on The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast is 42 minutes.
How often are episodes of The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast released?
Episodes of The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast are typically released every 3 days, 10 hours.
When was the first episode of The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast?
The first episode of The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast was released on Jun 1, 2024.
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