The Holyrood Sources podcast analyses Scottish politics through the experiences of those who have lived and breathed it as Special Advisers to the Scottish Government, SNP and opposition parties. Join hosts Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (Chief of Staff to the First Minister, 2007-2014) and Andy Maciver (Former Head of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives) as they take you inside Scottish politics. Their insight is second to none - they've been there, lived it, and maintain remarkable connections to Scotland's politicians and the world of Scottish politics.
Join our mailing list and check out our latest live events: click holyroodsources.com
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The Holyrood Sources podcast analyses Scottish politics through the experiences of those who have lived and breathed it as Special Advisers to the Scottish Government, SNP and opposition parties. Join hosts Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (Chief of Staff to the First Minister, 2007-2014) and Andy Maciver (Former Head of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives) as they take you inside Scottish politics. Their insight is second to none - they've been there, lived it, and maintain remarkable connections to Scotland's politicians and the world of Scottish politics.
Join our mailing list and check out our latest live events: click holyroodsources.com
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Happy New Year from everyone at Holyrood Sources!
On a special episode of the podcast, Calum Macdonald takes a look back at our first ever Christmas Pub Quiz.
You can hear a live Q&A session with Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver as they answer questions from attendees at Malones in Edinburgh. Be sure to listen out for their heckles as well, as we bring you some of the best moments from the Scottish politics round of the quiz, hosted by Calum.
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The Holyrood Sources Christmas Special is recorded live in Edinburgh with a packed audience as Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver review the biggest moments in Scottish and UK politics in 2025 — and make bold predictions for 2026 and the Holyrood election.
In this wide-ranging discussion, the panel debates:
This live Christmas episode captures Scottish politics unfiltered — with audience reaction, behind-the-scenes stories, and sharp disagreement between insiders who’ve shaped modern Holyrood.
🎙️ Holyrood Sources takes you inside Scottish politics every week.
📌 Subscribe for weekly episodes and clips
📌 Recorded live at Malone’s, Edinburgh
📌 Christmas Special 2025
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Reform UK is rising in Scotland — but can the political system cope with what comes next?
From tribunal chaos to ministerial pressure and a volatile pre-election landscape, this week exposed deep fault lines at Holyrood.
In this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver to unpack a turbulent week in Scottish politics. They assess Reform UK’s momentum, Malcolm Offord’s challenges, and why broadcasters and parties alike are struggling to respond.
The panel also examines Angela Constance’s survival of a no-confidence vote, the growing controversy around the Sandy Peggie tribunal ruling — including questions over errors and credibility — and a blistering debate on resident doctors, strikes, and the NHS. With elections looming, the discussion reveals why trust, competence, and clarity are becoming the real political battlegrounds.
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A major new Ipsos poll drops — and the implications for Holyrood 2026 are huge. The SNP hold a stable lead. Labour has fallen sharply. Reform UK has surged into second place in the constituency vote, fuelled by the rise of immigration as a top concern for Scottish voters.
• Why Reform UK is gaining Scottish voters from both Labour and the Conservatives
• How immigration became a top-three issue in Scottish politics
• Why the SNP vote remains “sticky”
• Labour’s worsening poll numbers after Keir Starmer’s difficult months
• The Greens’ highly effective regional-vote strategy
• Whether Reform has reached its ceiling in Scotland
• What demographic groups are driving Reform’s rise
We also speak to Mark McGeoghegan of Ipsos, who analyses the polling in depth — approval ratings, demographic breakdowns, voting-intention shifts, and how Scottish voters feel about taxation and public spending.
And later: an interview with Michael Matheson, the outgoing SNP MSP, and former Transport Secretary. Will the A9 ever be fully dualled? Has the Scottish Government failed on delivery? Matheson responds.
Finally, we react to your messages about Malcolm Offord’s defection to Reform UK, including whether he boosts their credibility, fundraising and appeal — or whether he’s tied to rhetoric that will hurt the party in Scotland.
📲 Send us a message anytime
WhatsApp: 0333 404 6507
Email: hello@holyroodsources.com
If you enjoy Holyrood Sources, hit subscribe — we drop new episodes weekly, plus bonus interviews.
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Former Conservative Minister Malcolm Offord has defected from the Scottish Conservatives to Reform UK — and he joins Calum, Geoff and Andy for an in depth reaction.
In this flash episode, Offord details why he left the Conservative Party, why he believes Reform UK offers a “centre-right alternative” in Scotland, and how energy policy, the economy, welfare, and Scotland’s political direction shaped his decision.
The conversation covers:
• Why Offord says the Scottish Conservatives “gave up”
• His critique of UK energy policy and the 30-year failure of wind subsidies
• Whether Reform UK is actually “far-right”
• Nigel Farage, Scottish identity & the question of English nationalism
• What Reform UK would do on immigration, welfare & work
• Geoff and Andy challenge Offord on Richard Tice’s letter to energy companies
• Could Reform UK hurt Scotland’s renewables industry?
• Would Offord debate Swinney, Sarwar, Findlay in 2026?
• Could Reform UK do a deal with the Conservatives?
• Is this the beginning of a major shift in Scottish centre-right politics?
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The fallout from Rachel Reeves’ first Labour budget has dominated Scottish politics — and in this episode of Holyrood Sources, recorded live in Malone’s Pub in Edinburgh, we unpack the political chaos, the polling shockwaves, and what it all means for the 2026 Holyrood election.
This episode previews our live Christmas special and pub quiz, and dives into budget politics, polling trends, and party strategy across the UK.
👇 Tell us what you think in the comments.
👇 Should Rachel Reeves resign?
👇 Is Scottish Labour in trouble for 2026?
We also take your questions which have come in from listeners all over Scotland.
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In today’s deep-dive episode of Holyrood Sources, we break down one of the most contentious and politically charged budgets in years — Rachel Reeves’ first full Labour Budget. With Scotland at the centre of the economic and political fallout, the team scrutinises what this Budget means for Scottish jobs, taxation, public services, welfare, the North Sea, and the Scottish Government’s own finances ahead of its budget in January.
Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver offer a forensic, often fiery discussion about the political strategy behind the Budget, the reaction from business, the impact on the working-class vote, and why Scotland’s oil and gas sector has been thrown into turmoil.
We are also joined by Mairi Spowage, Director of the Fraser of Allander Institute, who delivers an expert, evidence-based explanation of what the Budget really means for Scotland’s economy, the Barnett consequentials, and the decisions now facing the Scottish Government.
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In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, hosts Calum MacDonald, Geoff Aberdein, and Andy Maciver are joined by Scottish Conservative MSP Maurice Golden
In this episode, we chat about:
🔹 Budget Day – Rachel Reeves’ survival strategy, the U-turn on income tax, the OBR downgrading UK growth, and how Labour MPs may break with leadership.
🔹 Reform UK’s surge – After a razor-thin by-election in Dumfries & Galloway, what does Reform’s rise mean for the Scottish Tories?
🔹 Maurice Golden’s candid take – On why the Conservatives can’t “out-Reform Reform”, populist positioning under Russell Findlay, and internal disagreements over energy policy.
🔹 The Net Zero fight – Offshore wind vs fishing, oil & gas realities, community benefit, and whether the Conservatives now want a moratorium on offshore wind.
🔹 Scottish infrastructure and manifesto strategy – A9 dualling, airport links, ports, rail freight, and whether voters want practical projects or political theatre.
🔹 Inside the Scottish Parliament exodus – With over 40 MSPs standing down, what does that mean for the quality of debate?
👉 Subscribe for full episodes, political insight, and analysis ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary Election.
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Scotland are going to the World Cup — and the Holyrood Sources team are buzzing. But after the celebrations, Geoff, Andy and Calum dig into a huge week in Scottish and UK politics.
➡️ ExxonMobil shuts Mossmorran, putting 400 jobs at risk — Geoff explains why government policy has directly contributed and why this marks a deeper de-industrialisation crisis in Scotland.
➡️ Fresh YouGov polling reveals a dramatic collapse in support for Scottish Labour and a worrying ceiling for the SNP. Andy breaks down why a populist insurgency could now happen in Scotland.
➡️ Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP joins the podcast to explain why she opposes the Assisted Dying Bill — and why key safeguards have been rejected.
Scotland’s biggest politics podcast — with insider analysis from across the political divide. Hosted by Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Director of Comms, Scottish Conservatives).
📩 Want to partner with us for our proposed World Cup tour in North America?
Email: hello@holyroodsources.com
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Labour civil war erupts just weeks before a make-or-break Budget. In this explosive Holyrood Sources episode, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver unpack the extraordinary Number 10 briefing against Wes Streeting — and what it reveals about Keir Starmer’s leadership, Labour’s internal divisions, and the growing panic over a potential leadership challenge.
From Anas Sarwar’s impossible position defending a tax rise in Scotland, to Labour’s identity crisis and Morgan McSweeney’s role in the chaos, the team dissects the biggest political drama since the election.
Later, they turn to the Port of Aberdeen’s job cuts, Geoff’s viral LinkedIn post about the energy transition, and the latest twist in ScotWind, as Shell walks away from a £3 billion renewables project.
Plus, we have a heated debate on the BBC Panorama editing scandal, questions of institutional bias, and whether Scots should be forced to fund a broadcaster that some say favours the “soft left.” The panel discusses Tim Davie’s resignation, the role of BBC Scotland, the challenge of local news, and the license-fee debate — before moving on to Scotland’s budget pressure and the possibility of revisiting an income-tax pledge amid Westminster fiscal changes (Shona Robison & Anas Sarwar clips included).
Key topics:
• BBC Panorama editing controversy and fallout
• Institutional bias: can any broadcaster be truly impartial?
• BBC Scotland, local news coverage and the “central belt” problem
• Licence fee debate: compulsory funding vs subscription choice
• Scotland’s fiscal squeeze: Shona Robison on budget risk & Anas Sarwar on lobbying the Chancellor
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What happens when Labour breaks its biggest election promise?
This week on Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond), and Andy Maciver (former Scottish Conservative comms director) unpack Rachel Reeves’ budget gamble — and why it could reshape Scottish politics.
We break down:
Later, Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur joins us to discuss the Assisted Dying Bill — with almost 300 amendments under scrutiny, is Holyrood getting it right?
📍 Chapters below
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Scotland is heading into one of its most unpredictable elections ever — and the usual rules of politics might not apply.
In this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Scottish Conservative comms director) unpack the key trends shaping Scotland right now:.
💬 Join the debate:
Who wins Scotland’s next election — the SNP, Labour, or Reform UK?
🎟 Come see us live: Join our Holyrood Sources Christmas Pub Quiz in Edinburgh on 2 December → holyroodsources.com/live
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Labour’s century-long dominance in Wales could be about to collapse — with polls showing Reform UK and Plaid Cymru overtaking them in the Caerphilly by-election.
In this week’s Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Scottish Conservative communications director) unpack:
🗳️ The Wales by-election and what a Labour defeat would mean for Keir Starmer’s leadership
🔥 Is Ed Miliband plotting a leadership comeback? Why he might be on manoeuvres after months of internal tension
🏴 Scottish independence — and why Labour’s defence minister warns it could “help Putin”
💷 Rachel Reeves’ upcoming Budget: tax hikes, income reform, and political messaging chaos
🌍 Chinese investment in Scottish renewables: national security vs economic growth
Plus: Trident submarines, Starmer’s strategy, and what Labour’s polling collapse tells us about British politics.
🎧 Subscribe for weekly insider analysis from Holyrood Sources – the podcast that takes you inside Scottish politics.
📩 Email: hello@holyroodsources.com
🎙️ Also listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.
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John Swinney’s independence strategy is set — but is it realistic?
In this week’s episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein, and Andy Maciver dive deep into what really happened at the SNP Conference.
They unpack Swinney’s “Fresh Start with Independence” plan, the internal reaction to his threshold for triggering a new referendum, and what the polls really say about the SNP’s chances in 2026.
Plus:
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Send a WhatsApp voice note or message to 0333 404 6507
Or email hello@holyroodsources.com
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The Holyrood Sources team — Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond), and Andy Maciver (former Scottish Conservative Director of Communications) — unpack an intense week in UK and Scottish politics.
🇬🇧 At the Tory Conference in Manchester, Kemi Badenoch’s leadership faces open revolt as polling shows half of Conservative members want her replaced. Andy and Geoff debate whether she deserves more time — and whether the party can even survive another election.
🏴 Meanwhile in Aberdeen, John Swinney prepares for the SNP Conference, focusing on the economy and independence strategy. Can Swinney steady the ship — or is the SNP losing direction?
🇵🇸 Plus: Reaction to the First Minister being heckled during remarks on Palestinian statehood, and what that moment says about the political climate in Scotland.
🎧 Stay tuned for part two with Scottish Green Party co-leaders Ross Greer and Gillian Mackay, who join the podcast to discuss their job-share leadership and policy priorities.
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#ScottishPolitics #KemiBadenoch #JohnSwinney #SNPCONFERENCE #ToryConference #HolyroodSources #SNP #Conservatives #Palestine #ScottishIndependence #ScottishGreens
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The Holyrood Sources podcast takes you inside the heart of Scottish politics. This week, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Director of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives) discuss Labour Party Conference 2025.
👉 In this episode we ask:
The panel also debates whether Labour can balance party unity vs country-first strategy, the impact of Rachel Reeves’ budget positioning, and the extraordinary missteps of Andy Burnham during conference week.
💬 Join the conversation:
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Sponsored by Electrify Britain.
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Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure from both the left and centre of his party ahead of conference. With questions over his leadership, his political voice, and Labour’s direction on key issues like energy policy, immigration, and economic growth, this episode asks:
We also compare Labour’s struggles to historic SNP and Lib Dem conferences, and discuss how Reform UK is reshaping the political battlefield.
Plus:
We also hear from listeners on Scottish education, independence rules, and whether Holyrood needs reform to handle the growing scale of devolved powers.
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In this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Scottish Conservative Head of Comms) deep dive into the week’s biggest political stories.
👉 We ask: has it been a good week for John Swinney and a bad week for Keir Starmer?
👉 We discuss the fallout from the Mandelson–Epstein scandal, Starmer’s leadership under fire, and what it means for Scottish Labour.
👉 Then we welcome Lord Malcolm Offord, UK Government Minister and author of the report Wealthy Nation, Healthy Nation, to debate how Scotland can improve outcomes in health, education, energy, and the economy after 25 years of devolution.
Topics include:
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💬 Share your thoughts in the comments – should Scotland rethink its approach to health, education, and economic growth?
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Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has secured a rare audience in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump — a diplomatic coup that could shape both Scotland’s international standing and the next Holyrood election.
In this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff, Andy Maciver and Ayesha Hazarika break down:
We also explore the optics of Swinney’s Washington trip, the political theatre around international diplomacy, and whether this moment really elevates him as Scotland’s statesman.
👉 Subscribe for more in-depth Scottish politics analysis every week.
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Part 2
The future of energy in Scotland is at a crossroads. In this special podcast edition, leading politicians Michael Shanks, Claire Coutinho, and Kate Forbes join the discussion on:
Hosted by Calum Macdonald, with post-match analysis from Geoff Aberdeen & Andy McIver, this conversation digs into the clash between industry costs, consumer bills, and community fairness.
👉 Do you think Scotland is getting energy policy right? Email us hello@holyroodsources.com
🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more debates on politics, energy, and Scotland’s future.
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