Scot Goes Popcast

Despite the perception that Andy Burnham is sailing to victory in the Makerfield by-election and will soon become Prime Minister, two of the three most recent polls suggest that the race is still too close to call. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: https://scotgoespop.blogspot.com If you like this content, please subscribe to my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@JamesKellySGP And if you'd like to help support the channel, I've set up a new Ko-Fi page: https://ko-fi.com/jameskellysgp

I know I'm not the only person who was shocked at the shameless way in which the BBC abused their broadcast rights of the Scotland v Haiti game (and other World Cup matches) as a licence fee enforcement opportunity, and forced continuity announcers and match commentators to do their dirty work. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: https://scotgoespop.blogspot.com If you like these videos, please subscribe to my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@JamesKellySGP

Somewhat problematically for the right-wing and establishment figures who for years have been telling us that our democracy is being subverted by their favourite bogey-men, it turns out that the first credible evidence of foreign interference in a Scottish election concerns interference *by Israel*. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: https://scotgoespop.blogspot.com If you like this content, please subscribe to my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@JamesKellySGP And if you'd like to help support the channel, I've set up a new Ko-Fi page: https://ko-fi.com/jameskellysgp

My thoughts on the rather heroic interpretation that ITV Good Morning Britain's now-notorious sneering about the Scottish World Cup public holiday was somehow a feature "for" a Scottish audience. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: https://scotgoespop.blogspot.com If you like this content, please subscribe to my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@JamesKellySGP And if you'd like to help support the channel, I've set up a new Ko-Fi page: https://ko-fi.com/jameskellysgp

There is limited opinion poll information with which we can judge whether the media's obsessive coverage of Peter Murrell is having a negative effect on the SNP as next week's by-elections approach, but the latest batch of Scottish subsamples from GB-wide polls is very reassuring. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: https://scotgoespop.blogspot.com If you like these videos, please subscribe to my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@JamesKellySGP And if you'd like to help support the channel, I've set up a new Ko-Fi page: https://ko-fi.com/jameskellysgp

Buried in the data tables of a pre-election YouGov poll from late April / early May is a result on the standard independence question showing a significant increase in Yes support, but it seems to have gone largely unnoticed and doesn't appear in the main online lists of polls. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: https://scotgoespop.blogspot.com If you like this content, please subscribe to my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@JamesKellySGP And if you'd like to help support the channel, I've set up a new Ko-Fi page: https://ko-fi.com/jameskellysgp

The second poll of the Makerfield by-election campaign shows Andy Burnham's position is strengthening - and the most certain cosequence of that will be Keir Starmer's quick removal as Prime Minister. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: https://scotgoespop.blogspot.com If you like this content, please subscribe to my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@JamesKellySGP And if you'd like to help support the channel, I've set up a new Ko-Fi page: https://ko-fi.com/jameskellysgp

Rupert Lowe's far-right Restore Britain party for mysterious reasons seem to be gaining genuine traction in England, at least if anecdotal evidence from the Makerfield by-election is to be believed. Thanks to the quirks of the first-past-the-post voting system, that could mean Lowe is unintentionally making a Scottish independence referendum a lot more likely. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: https://scotgoespop.blogspot.com If you like this content, please subscribe to my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@JamesKellySGP And if you'd like to help support the channel, I've set up a new Ko-Fi page: https://ko-fi.com/jameskellysgp

The data tables for the new Norstat/Sunday Times poll have been published, and although they contain very good news for the independence parties, they also show the challenge those parties face in winning Yes supporters back from unionist parties, most notably Reform UK and Labour. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: https://scotgoespop.blogspot.com If you like this content, please subscribe to my YouTube channel! Many thanks. And if you'd like to help support the channel, I've set up a new Ko-Fi page: https://ko-fi.com/jameskellysgp

Unexpectedly, we have a new full-scale Scottish poll in between the Holyrood election and the two crucial June by-elections - and the results are staggeringly good for both the SNP and independence. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: https://scotgoespop.blogspot.com If you like these videos, please subscribe to my YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@JamesKellySGP And if you'd like to help support the channel, I've set up a new Ko-Fi page: https://ko-fi.com/jameskellysgp

With less than three weeks to go until the SNP have to defend two key Westinster seats in by-elections, we are unlikely to see any new full-scale Scottish polls in the intervening period, so we'll have to ake do with Scottish subsamples from GB-wide polls. The latest one is good for the SNP, albeit major health warnings apply. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: https://scotgoespop.blogspot.com If you like this content, please subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JamesKellySGP And if you'd like to help support the channel, I've set up a new Ko-Fi page: https://ko-fi.com/jameskellysgp

Some audio commentary on the new full-scale Scottish poll from Norstat, which shows a substantial pro-independence majority (Yes 53%, No 47%) and a commanding SNP lead in Scottish Parliament voting intentions. I consider the significance of there now seemingly being three polling companies, rather than the previous two, which are consistently showing Yes ahead, and in particular the significance of the fact that this is happening even though Norstat haven't yet abandoned the questionable practice of weighting by 2014 recalled vote (as far as I know). I also question what the Sunday Times, who commissioned the poll, are playing at with the downright odd way they've presented the results - most notably their burying of the self-evidently newsworthy independence result. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: scotgoespop.blogspot.com

The Scottish subsample from the latest GB-wide YouGov poll is extraordinary, not just for the scale of the SNP lead, but also because it shows Labour on course to lose all of their Scottish seats at Westminster - not even Ian Murray would be left standing. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: scotgoespop.blogspot.com

Nicola Sturgeon's new allegations about Alex Salmond are unwelcome, because as Gerry Hassan has pointed out, the Salmond-Sturgeon war is completely toxic and the independence movement desperately needs to just move on from it. In this episode of the podcast I recall the lengthy conversation I had with Mr Salmond in 2020 just after his acquittal, and explain why - in spite of everything that has happened since - I'm still inclined to believe what he told me about the leaker to the Daily Record, and how that is very hard to square with Ms Sturgeon's claims to honestly think it's conceivable that Mr Salmond himself was the leaker. I also give my reaction to Ms Sturgeon's suggestion that in 20 years' time there will be a new "British Isles confederation" involving an independent Scotland. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: scotgoespop.blogspot.com

I suppose on some level you have to admire the chutzpah of John Swinney, winner of the coveted 100% rating in the "2025 Guide To The World's Worst Plans For Winning The Independence Of A Country", in criticising someone's else's independence plan for being "unworkable", but that's what he's just done. In this episode of the podcast I explain why the plan of the so-called "SNP rebels" is self-evidently far more workable than Mr Swinney's plan, and at the end I also point out the single worst feature of the Swinney plan - meaning that we'd practically be better off going into the election with no plan whatsoever than with the Swinney plan. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: scotgoespop.blogspot.com

The shock decision of Scotland's Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, to step down from parliament next year feels like a setback for the independence cause - but can someone seize the moment and turn it into an opportunity? One thing is for sure, though - it's a big setback for the Scottish Gaelic language, which Forbes is a fluent speaker of, and a tremendous advocate for. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: scotgoespop.blogspot.com

To my astonishment, some Scot Goes Pop readers actually believe that "nuclear deterrence" is a valid concept that works. In this episode of the podcast, I challenge them to consider the following: if a hypothetical and highly debatable "threat" from Russia is enough to mean that the UK must have an independent nuclear deterrent, surely the State of Palestine, which faces a much more imminent and proven threat from its nuclear-armed neighbour, must either have its own deterrent or be protected by another country's deterrent. And if you think that this would not reduce the risk of a nuclear attack on Palestine or might even increase the risk, doesn't that mean deep down that you don't believe nuclear deterrence works, and that it therefore can't work for Britain either? The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: scotgoespop.blogspot.com

In this episode of the podcast I go through the full text of the independence strategy motion John Swinney will be presenting to the SNP conference. I point out the numerous logical contradictions in it, and the ways in which it seems to be designed to fail. The motion should be defeated, with a plan for using the 2026 election as a de facto independence referendum, with votes for all pro-indy parties counting towards the mandate, put in its place. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: scotgoespop.blogspot.com

Drama as group of "eminent lawyers" identify disturbing evidence that recognising the State of Palestine may leave Britain in full compliance with an international convention that it hasn't actually signed anyway. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: scotgoespop.blogspot.com

"Pro-independence tactical voting" on the Holyrood list is a mug's game, and the arithmetical claims made in favour of it simply do not stack up. But when Stuart Campbell admits that his ultimate aim in calling for tactical voting is to completely destroy the SNP, something which is utterly impossible as well as being undesirable, the issue ceases to be an arithmetical one and becomes a psychological one. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: scotgoespop.blogspot.com

It's not just symbolism - here's why the UK and France will make a concrete difference by recognising the State of Palestine. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: scotgoespop.blogspot.com

All the details from this week's GB-wide voting intention poll, and its Scottish subsample. Also commentary on the dilemma faced by the pro-independence Scottish Greens if their English sister party goes into an electoral pact with the new Corbyn/Sultana party, which at best is likely to be neutral on the subject of indy. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: scotgoespop.blogspot.com

My verdict on John Swinney's unexpected statement that only a single-party SNP majority at next year's Scottish Parliament election will be enough to request an independence referendum. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: scotgoespop.blogspot.com

Why it would be strategically smart for the new left-wing party of Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana to back a change to the voting system for UK general elections. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: scotgoespop.blogspot.com

My thoughts on Mhairi Black's departure from the SNP. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: scotgoespop.blogspot.com

News of a YouGov poll on Scottish independence from June that you should know about but probably don't. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found here: scotgoespop.blogspot.com

For tonight's audio commentary, I turn my attention to the 'soft launch' of the new Jeremy Corbyn / Zarah Sultana left-wing party that looks set to start with at least 6 MPs. The home of Scot Goes Pop can be found at: scotgoespop.blogspot.com

A round-up of polling news - surprisingly high support for Scottish independence in England, large opposition throughout the UK to Israel's actions in Gaza, plus Scottish voters are keener on votes at 16 than their English counterparts. The home of Scot Goes Pop is here: scotgoespop.blogspot.com

In the latest edition of the Popcast, I speak to Jason Baird, Lynn Hastie, Sheena Jardine and Andy Oliver about the new #GetCounted campaign for independence, which asks Yessers to register their support for indy via the IndyApp. For more information about this podcast, please visit scotgoespop.blogspot.com

In this very brief episode of the Popcast, I read out a controversial tweet posted by the Alba Party's General Secretary Chris McEleny. Was he unwise to use these words?

A lightning-quick scene-setter for the grand final of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, taking place tonight in Sweden, with thoughts in particular about the controversy over Israel's participation.

Scot Goes Popcast Episode 18: Verdict on English Local Elections by James Kelly

For Episode 17 of the Popcast, I set out to discover how much of a swing from SNP to Labour there would need to be for the SNP to lose a significant number of seats at the next UK general election. But instead, I discovered a much more interesting story: the more votes Labour take from the SNP, the more Scottish seats the Tories would retain. In a very close election, a Labour surge in Scotland could easily help the Tories retain power at Westminster. That's not quite the story we're being told by Labour and the media. For the home of the Popcast, please visit https://scotgoespop.blogspot.com

In Episode 16 of the Popcast, I'm making a plucky effort to explain the notoriously hard-to-understand Single Transferable Vote (STV) system that will be used to elect Scotland's local councillors this week. I've also tried to bust some of the stubborn myths about the system, and to set out the best voting strategy for supporters of independence. For the home of the Popcast, please visit: https://scotgoespop.blogspot.com

Lisa Keogh is the Alba Party's candidate for the Arbroath West, Letham and Friockheim ward for the forthcoming elections to Angus Council. She is also very well known for her ordeal last year when Abertay University opened disciplinary proceedings against her for expressing gender critical views in an online seminar. She was eventually exonerated, but not before her preparations for her final exams were badly disrupted. In episode 15 of the Scot Goes Popcast, Lisa discusses the importance of standing up for free speech, even when you find someone's views alien or offensive. She also explains how the disciplinary process against her was "the punishment", even though she was cleared. She names poverty as the number one priority for the election campaign, and discusses the challenges of explaining the Single Transferable Vote system to voters. For the home of the Popcast, please visit: https://scotgoespop.blogspot.com

Ken McDonald is the editor of iScot magazine - a unique publication, because it's a high-quality print magazine in wide circulation that is explicitly pro-independence and run by grass-roots Yes supporters. Hear him explain how he started the magazine as an alternative to shouting at the TV when "Jackanory" Jim Murphy was being interviewed, and his thoughts on the vital importance of having a pro-Yes print publication, given that many older people can't really be reached by online New Media. For the home of the Popcast, please visit: https://scotgoespop.blogspot.com

For the latest episode of the Popcast, I was joined once again by Denise Findlay - a fellow member of the Alba Party's NEC, and a passionate supporter of the rights of women and girls. We discussed the latest coordinated bullying campaign against Joanna Cherry, the results of the Scot Goes Pop / Panelbase poll about GRA reform and related gender matters, and also the Alba Party's potential route-map for achieving independence. For the home of the Popcast, please visit: https://scotgoespop.blogspot.com

William Duguid is a Twitter legend, the benevolent dictator of Yes Perth City, and an all-round good egg. I spoke to him about the current state of the pro-independence New Media in Scotland, the SNP-Green deal, the prospects of the London government annexing Helensburgh after independence, and the new Demographics of Independence paper from Common Weal. For the home of the Popcast, please visit http://scotgoespop.blogspot.com

A few months ago I spoke to Yvonne Ridley about her experiences as a prisoner of the Taliban in 2001. I caught up with her again today to hear her thoughts on the Taliban's extraordinary return to power in Afghanistan, and her take on how mass demonstrations and people power are the most promising ways of winning independence for Scotland.

Maggie McNeill is a semi-retired escort, and author of the popular blog The Honest Courtesan. Here she discusses her opposition to the so-called Nordic Model on prostitution law, which criminalises the clients of sex workers. She explains why it would be a bad thing to eradicate prostitution, even if it were possible, and why the New Zealand model of full decriminalisation would be a better example for Scotland to follow. For the home of the Popcast, please visit: http://scotgoespop.blogspot.com

A short preview of the Eurovision Song Contest grand final in Rotterdam, with a reminder that the recent Panelbase poll commissioned by Scot Goes Pop found that 60% of the public want to be represented at the contest by a Scottish entry, not a UK entry.

Some very quick thoughts about the first day of results from the 2021 Scottish Parliament election. For the home of the Popcast, please visit: scotgoespop.blogspot.com

Chris McEleny is the Alba Party's lead candidate in the West Scotland region for Thursday's crucial Scottish Parliament election. Before joining Alba, he was leader of the SNP group on Inverclyde Council, and was twice a candidate for SNP depute leader. I spoke to him about various campaign issues, and also about the findings from the new Scot Goes Pop / Panelbase poll suggesting that most of the Scottish public would like the UK to join the international ban on nuclear weapons, and that most SNP voters would like to press ahead with an independence referendum with social distancing if the pandemic is not totally over within a year or two. For the home of the Popcast, please visit scotgoespop.blogspot.com

Alex Salmond is the leader of the newly-formed Alba Party. He was also leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) between 1990 and 2000, and again between 2004 and 2014. He was First Minister of Scotland between 2007 and 2014, and was effectively leader of the Yes campaign in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. After the Alba Party launch he spoke to me about his exclusion from the first TV debate, his reasoning for saying that SNP list votes will be wasted in this election, the future of internal democracy in the party, and whether he regrets having ever used the dread words "once in a generation". For the home of the Popcast, please visit scotgoespop.blogspot.com

Len Pennie, aka Miss PunnyPennie, is the social media sensation behind the Scots Language Word of the Day videos. Hear her explain why Scots is definitely a legitimate language in its own right, how teachers have been using her videos to teach Scots in schools, why she doesn't think Scots should become a fully standardised language like Gaelic, and what she thinks the status of the language will be in 50 years' time. Most importantly of all, I ask her the question: "is Moira a real person?"

Ellen Höfer is the creative director of EU Citizens for an Independent Scotland. Hear her views on Yes returning to the lead in the latest opinion poll, on the possibility of EU citizens being deported from Scotland if they don't sign up for the settled status scheme, on some prisoners being granted the vote, on the possibility of a post-election coalition between the SNP and the Greens, and on whether Nicola Sturgeon should resign if she is found to have broken the ministerial code.

Denise Findlay is a former member of the SNP's Conduct Committee, and is widely credited as one of the tactical masterminds behind the 'quiet revolution' at the SNP conference last November, when many of the old guard on the NEC were ousted. Hear her views on the new Survation independence poll, Nicola Sturgeon's evidence to the Salmond inquiry, and the SNP's controversial new definition of transphobia.

Dr Tim Rideout is a newly elected member of the SNP's Policy Development Committee and the head of the Scottish Currency Group. He's a leading critic of the Sustainable Growth Commission's recommendations, and thinks Scotland should move to a new currency as soon as practicable after Independence Day. In this conversation you can hear his views on the six tests the Commission says would have to be met before a currency can be set up. He also gives his thoughts on the potential name of the currency, on joining EFTA, and on who might succeed Nicola Sturgeon if she resigns as a result of the ongoing inquiries.

Dr Yvonne Ridley talks about her experience as a prisoner of the Taliban and as a Respect parliamentary candidate. She also shares her memories of the 2014 independence referendum, and gives her thoughts on the sacking of Joanna Cherry.