The Stooshie: the politics podcast from DC Thomson

Dec 11 2024 100 ep. 27 mins 109

The Stooshie: the politics podcast from DC Thomson artwork

Insight and analysis with a Scottish focus from political commentators from The Courier, The Press & Journal, the Evening Telegraph and the Evening Express.

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University crisis and featured interview on cancer surgery

Dec 11 2024 22 mins

We discuss the crisis at Dundee University after weeks of difficult headlines over finances and senior leadership. Is there a problem in Scottish higher education? We also have a featured interview with a Stonehaven cancer survivor who spent £30,000 on a private breast reconstruction op to avoid the prospect of years waiting on NHS. Why are so many women faced with this difficult

Skye shooting gun control, ferry to Europe, and NHS crisis

Dec 04 2024 20 mins

This week’s Stooshie focuses on the political questions for gun control in the wake of the Skye shooting spree, which ended in court last week. We hear from P&J investigations reporter Dale Haslam for the inside story. We also speak to Labour MP Graeme Downie about his hopes to restart talks to bring back the ferry link between Rosyth and Europe. And we look at the budget cri

Dundee and Angus College plans - and the university funding crisis

Nov 27 2024 25 mins

We are joined by The Courier’s Dundee Area Editor Laura Devlin to discuss her exclusive on Dundee and Angus College’s £265 million transformation plans. The college’s ambitious plans involve creating two new campuses, in the City of Discovery and Angus, and expanding its third campus at Gardyne. We also discuss some of our exclusive coverage on the funding crisis hitting Sco

SNP justice secretary on prisoner release

Nov 20 2024 20 mins

Scotland’s justice secretary, Angela Constance, explains plans to release more prisoners earlier in their sentences. We hear about aims to improve prisons in places such as Inverness, as well as her hopes to focus on community-based justice. The team wraps up a week of SNP intrigue sparked by our exclusive coverage of Stephen Flynn’s ambition to sit at Westminster and Holyrood.

SNP election drama and oil in the dock

Nov 13 2024 24 mins

We discuss our exclusive on SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn hoping to move to Holyrood. We hear from energy historian Ewan Gibbs on lessons from the past on a “just transition” for oil workers. And we hear climate lawyer Tessa Khan as the Court of Session looks at the future of the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields off the Scottish coast. Finally, we look at the annu

Andrew Bowie interview, Donald Trump, and Holyrood comes to Aberdeen

Nov 06 2024 32 mins

Conservative MP Andrew Bowie joins us to talk about his new role shadowing the Scotland Office, and admits they promised lots but fell short in government. The Aberdeenshire politician is also quizzed on his energy brief as rural pylon plans generate opposition. We look at Donald Trump’s shock return, the Scottish reaction, and the way-off predictions of a Kamala Harris victory.

Human cost of budget cuts

Oct 30 2024 23 mins

While MPs debate small fixes to budgets, we look at the human cost of years of cuts and austerity. From hollowed out health services, to public sector strikes, the problems run deep. The team also looks at Unison’s targeted industrial action in Perthshire, as council staff look for elusive money.

Alex Salmond remembered

Oct 16 2024 27 mins

In a special episode of The Stooshie, The Press and Journal's Adele Merson and The Courier's Alasdair Clark are joined by Perth MP Pete Wishart and former Scottish political editor Alan Roden to remember former first minister Alex Salmond after his sudden death on Saturday. They discuss Alex Salmond's complex legacy and the difficult set of emotions many of his friends and former

Labour's Dundee hangover, Grampian breast cancer wait anger, and MP's Russia warnings

Oct 09 2024 27 mins

From Scotland to Georgia, this week’s episode covers a lot of ground. We get to grips with Labour’s shaky start, Dundee election setbacks and winter fuel payment woes. We discuss our exclusive reporting on the human cost of long waits for breast cancer surgery and reconstruction in Grampian. And we speak to Arbroath and Broughty Ferry MP Stephen Gethins on why political unrest

Nairn banker murder hits Holyrood

Oct 02 2024 26 mins

Alistair Wilson was murdered on his doorstep 20 years ago. The case was raised with First Minister John Swinney in the Scottish Parliament last week. Crime reporter Bryan Rutherford describes why this case is now at boiling point, and why the government and chief constable need to find answers.