Christmas Special 🎄 | Swinney, Sarwar, Reform UK & the Future of Independence

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Holyrood Sources

Shortbread Media

195 episodes

6 days ago

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.

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Join our mailing list and check out our latest live events: click holyroodsources.com

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

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Christmas Special 🎄 | Swinney, Sarwar, Reform UK & the Future of Independence

Holyrood Sources

42 minutes 17 seconds

1 week ago

Christmas Special 🎄 | Swinney, Sarwar, Reform UK & the Future of Independence

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:

Anas Sarwar’s U-turn on gender recognition reform
John Swinney’s independence referendum strategy
The legacy of Nicola Sturgeon and Kate Forbes’ decision to stand down
Labour’s UK Budget fallout and Rachel Reeves’ credibility
Reform UK’s electoral breakthrough in Scotland
Energy policy, the North Sea, offshore wind and deindustrialisation
Why politicians struggle to explain a credible energy transition
Whether Swinney could serve a full five-year term as First Minister
Predictions on Farage, Badenoch, Reform UK and the next political realignment

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.

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📌 Recorded live at Malone’s, Edinburgh

📌 Christmas Special 2025

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