The refreshed DC Thomson politics team reconvenes to get ready for a Scottish Parliament election in May.We start with First Minister John Swinney's new year speech - does his quest for independence chime with community priorities?The team also reflects on the top stories over Christmas and discusses what the talking points will be in 2026. Will single issue flashpoints like immigration really trump concerns about the NHS and public spending

Join us, and potentially beat us, in our comprehensive quiz tour of hyper local and random international political highs and lows. Were you paying attention to the regional list for Mid Scotland and Fife at Holyrood? Do you know how many times John Swinney said “independence” in a speech? Did you follow the Holyrood dog of the year competition? And are you aware of the prime minister of a country called Australia? If so, this is the quiz for you. Play along and join us again in the new year as we gear up for the Scottish election in May.

A two-parter on this week’s Stooshie as we delve into the decision on the Sandie Peggie transgender changing room tribunal. What does it mean for the nurse, the transgender doctor and NHS Fife? We go over the promises and policies from SNP leader John Swinney on energy. He promised to reduce energy bills…if he gets a majority, if he gets another referendum, if he wins, and so on. SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn joins us to talk about the idea in the run up to next May’s election.

We speak to one of the patients harmed by disgraced surgeon Sam Eljamel, who worked at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee for years.Jules Rose has been a leading campaigner in the long fight for a public inquiry, which is now under way.But a shock development last week has fuelled their anger even further.Around 40 surgery theatre logbooks were destroyed by NHS Tayside, and there are more questions than answers.  

Mike Tholen from Offshore Energies UK joins us to explain why oil and gas firms are so angry at Chancellor Rachel Reeves' budget. What happens next? Will windmills and green technology save the day? Or are we now witness a rapid demise of industry with worrying echoes of coal in the 1980s? Our agenda-setting coverage of the Sam Eljamel surgery scandal continues with more on shocking revelations at NHS Tayside. As documents are destroyed, patients and the health secretary are fuming, and we have more details.

We take a close look at the dramatic plan to shut Mossmorran plant in Fife with the potential loss of hundreds of jobs. Is this another nail in the coffin of "net zero"? Does anyone in government have an actual plan for energy and jobs? We're joined by Green MSP Mark Ruskell to look at the options, the missed opportunities and ask - what can happen next?

Our extended featured interview with Professor Nigel Seaton marks what could be a major turning point for Dundee University. One year after the financial crisis hit the headlines, is the university safe? What happens next? And does he regret taking that call to take on the difficult job? The Courier editor David Clegg joins political journalists Alasdair Clark and Andy Philip to look at the institutional failures, how the city has responded to the crisis and how this saga is a warning for the entire country.

Scottish prisons are creaking at the seams with inmates, and staff are bearing the brunt. Some prisoners are being released in a third “emergency” pressure release. Phil Fairlie of the Scottish Prison Officers Association joins us to explain what it’s like on the front line. We also look at the latest stories behind the headlines, including a glimmer of good news for people caught up in the crumbling concrete housing crisis in Aberdeen. And we look at an update on disgraced NHS Tayside surgeon Sam Eljamel as the public inquiry gets closer.

From Russian aggression, to culture wars in the aisles of a Dundee Hobbycraft, this week’s Stooshie covers ground. We start with a catch up after Scottish Parliament recess and what we gleaned from a few days in Whitehall and Westminster. Defence is a hot topic, with German planes using RAF Lossiemouth and big questions about the threat from Russia off Scotland’s coasts. The team gets into the new plan to use an Inverness barracks as migrant accommodation – how are locals reacting? And we look at toxic culture wars on gender and freedom of speech, including a Tory “joke” about Rangers, and a gender rights row in a craft shop.

On this week's episode, The Courier's campaigns editor Sean O'Neill joins The Stooshie to talk about the Voice for Victims campaign which pushed for changes to legislation to improve the parole system for victims and their families. Sean discusses why this is so important and how locals let down by the system inspired the campaign. And most importantly - what comes next?

We look at a hard-hitting series about the institutional failures which added to an abuse survivor’s ordeal in the Highlands. The Stooshie delves into the repercussions of The Chameleon, published by the P&J. We look at the political impact, the need for big changes and how survivors can be better protected. Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole Hamilton also joins us for a run-through of his ambitions for next May’s elections, as the party heads to its conference this weekend.

The SNP conference is being held in Aberdeen this weekend, and there’s an election around the corner. SNP MP Graham Leadbitter joins the Stooshie to look at the big talking points. We cover the ever-present focus of independence, the policies getting people talking and the challenges for John Swinney. And we look at the political challenge from a bruised Conservative party and an upstart Reform group.

Maurice Golden is calling time on dog thieves. He hopes a new law that could seem them caged for five years will pass its first Scottish Parliament hurdle. In the Stooshie, the North East MSP sets out why dog theft is different and describes surprising links to organised crime gangs. First, the team discusses the impact of placing asylum seekers at a university campus in Aberdeen full of international students. And how a wall of silence in Perth & Kinross led to important discussions about reporting immigration stories.

Labour MP Graeme Downie talks to us about the health of the party before conference begins in Liverpool. He was in Dunfermline with deputy leadership candidate Lucy Powell this week, after the resignation of Angela Rayner. What do MPs think of Keir Starmer’s leadership? How are they fighting Reform’s advance? And what is the mood in Scottish Labour before a crucial Holyrood election next spring?

Asylum seekers are being moved from hotels to student halls of residence - what do people in Aberdeen think? Why is the Home Office being so terrible at explaining what’s happening? We look at a Reform/Tory turf war in an SNP target seat. And what do changes to the law mean for victims of crime? SNP MSP Kevin Stewart also joins to go over his high points and experience with mental health struggles as he prepares to leave parliament next spring.

We look at the big Offshore Europe conference on the energy industry, hearing how there might be grounds for optimism despite upheaval. Business journalist Kelly Wilson describes the changes over time and the mood in the “energy capital” of Aberdeen. Also in the Granite City, Nicola Sturgeon was there to promote her book. Political journalist Denny Andonova was in the audience to hear about everything from roller skating to the battle for Scotland’s flag.

The Stooshie team is refreshed from our summer break … in which we did a lot of work. Things that got in the way of cocktails by the pool include: Golf course chats with Donald Trump Protests outside hotels for asylum seekers from Aberdeen to Perth The rise of Reform, and trouble for Tories Investigations into the future of Dundee university. All that and a look ahead to a parliamentary election year in Scotland.

Some stark contrasts in this week’s episode as we look at splits and partnerships in politics. We look at Fergus Ewing’s dramatic exit from the SNP after decades of service, only to stand against his former party next May. And we speak to a husband and wife team who secured the top two slots for the Liberal Democrats on the North East Scotland regional ballot paper.

Dundee and the wider Tayside region has served as the pilot for a scheme to tackle public debt.National charity Aberlour have been helping families in poverty unable to pay their rent or council tax.But how has the project worked for the local community, and can it actually save taxpayers’ cash?

Scottish Conservative chief Russell Findlay joins us ahead of his party’s conference in Edinburgh this weekend. He speaks candidly about his first year in the job and addresses Tory council defections to Reform. We also hear exclusively about his party’s proposals for an emergency law to fast-track A9 dualling.