The National Podcast

Editor Laura Webster and Political Editor Xander Elliards discuss Reform's behaviour in the Scottish Parliament this week, Andy Burnham's new U-turn on Scotland, and Kate Forbes's appearance at a hard-right summit   Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe

The UK's likely next prime minister wants to “tear up” the funding mechanism for Holyrood, The National revealed on Tuesday. Political Editor Xander Elliards and Editor Laura Webster discuss this story and the other big stories of the day on today's National Podcast. Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot.subscribe

*Apologies for audio issues at the beginning* Keir Starmer has resigned, so what now for Scotland? Political Reporter Steph Brawn and Digital Editor Laura Pollock discuss the aftermath, as well as the recent anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh. Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe from just £1

The BBC has "evaded tough decisions" and been "badly managed", broadcaster Stuart Cosgrove has said, after the corporation announced plans for sweeping cuts which will hit Scotland. Reacting to the news on The National podcast Cosgrove, who presents football show Off the Ball with Tam Cowan, said: "The BBC have, maybe, in the past, evaded the tough decisions." Cosgrove, who used to work on Channel 4 as controller of arts and entertainment and then as head of programmes, spoke about how the model there was largely focused on a small core team of staff and other content was commissioned from independent suppliers. Listen to the full interview with political reporter Steph Brawn.

Join our political reporters Steph Brawn and James Walker as they discuss the upcoming Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry by-elections, as well as Makerfield down south. Later, the pair chat about today's More in Common poll which found Scots have more pride in the country's men's national team compared to England and Wales ... Remember, you can subscribe now for £1 for three months of coverage! Don't miss out: www.thenational.scot/subscribe

Political Reporter Steph Brawn meets new Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Energy of Scotland Stephen Gethins to discuss Scotland on the world stage in the context of the World Cup.    Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Political Reporter Steph Brawn and Managing Editor Steward Ward discuss the result of Scotland's first World Cup game, the Tartan Army abroad, and the biggest news stories from over the weekend. Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Digital editor Laura Pollock and political editor Xander Eliiards discuss the French government report which states they have detected interference in elections in Scotland, France and New York City from an Israeli firm  Remember, you can subscribe for three months for just £1: www.thenational.scot/subscribe

Believe in Scotland founder Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp believes that with each of the devolved nations of the UK now led by pro-independence first ministers, an English independence movement will be formed that will take the shape of violent scenes we have seen this week Later, he and political reporter Steph Brawn touch on the Celtic Alliance and what's next for Scotland's independence movement Remember, it's £1 for three months on our website for all our coverage, subscribe here: www.thenational.scot/subscribe

Editor Laura Webster and Political Editor Xander Elliards discuss the disorder in Glasgow on Tuesday night and attacks on people because "of their skin colour". Elsewhere, we discuss claims of "anti-Scottish" comments on GMB and John Curtice's thoughts on the upcoming by-election in Aberdeen South. Join The National from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Tabassum Niamat livestreamed the events of Kenmure Street five years ago. Now, she continues her work as a campaigner. Here she speaks to Political Reporter Abbi Garton-Crosbie about her work. Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Political Reporter Abbi Garton-Crosbie interviews Iris Duane, a newly elected Scottish Green MSP and one of Scotland's first two trans MSPs, about what her party is aiming to achieve, her views on independence and more. Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Editor Laura Webster and Political Reporter Steph Brawn discuss the latest news that Police Scotland spied on Donald Trump protesters during his visit to the country.   Support The National from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Political Reporter Abbi Garton-Crosbie sits down with the Equality Network's Scottish Trans Policy & Public Affairs Officer Florence Oulds to discuss the EHRC guidance on single-sex spaces. Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe from just £1

Editor Laura Webster joins Political Reporters Abbi Garton-Crosbie and Hamish Morrison to discuss one Labour peer's new bid to strip Scottish Parliament powers, the latest on Peter Murrell, post-Scottish-election polling and our adventure around the Celtic Alliance nations. Support The National from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Editor Laura Webster sits down with streamer Hasan Piker to discuss his ban from the UK over 'anti-Israel' views.   Join The National from just 73p at thenational.scot/subscribe

Former SNP MP Mhairi Black sits down with Political Reporter Abbi Garton-Crosbie to discuss why she left politics, her take on where Scotland is, independence, LGBT rights and much more.    Join The National from just £1 for 3 months at thenational.scot/subscribe

There's anger towards Nigel Farage today as he ignored calls to condemn riots in England following the murder of Henry Nowak - after calling on people to respond with "pure, cold rage". Political Editor Xander Elliards and Multimedia Journalist Lucy Jackson discuss the case, as well as the day's other big news stories.   Support The National with a subscription from just 73p at thenational.scot/subscribe

The birth of the “Celtic Alliance” of nations against Westminster rule presents a “golden opportunity” to force the UK Government to listen, Sioned Williams, Welsh Deputy First Minister, told Political Reporter Hamish Morrison. Speaking to The National in the Welsh Government’s offices in Cardiff, the Plaid Cymru politician said Westminster would be forced to listen to “marginalised and ignored” voices calling for self-determination. Support The National will a subscription from just 73p at thenational.scot/subscribe

Political reporter Hamish Morrison sits down with Northern Irish First Minister Michelle O'Neill to discuss the state of the Union, Ireland's future, the Celtic Alliance and more. Join The National and get access to all our journalism from just 73p at thenational.scot/subscribe

Abbi Garton-Crosbie and James Walker discuss the court session hearing the details of Peter Murrell's crimes. Support The National with a subscription rom just 73p at thenational.scot/subscribe

Political reporters Abbi Garton-Crosbie and James Walker discuss the UK Government's decision to ban left-wing speakers Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur from entering the UK, and other major news stories from the past few days. Support The National from just 73p at thenational.scot/subscribe

Editor Laura Webster and Political Editor Xander Elliards discuss the latest news on the Peter Murrell case, why the BBC is under fire over AI on Question Time, Israel's plans to capture more of Gaza and a positive housing story from Fife. Support The National from just 73p at thenational.scot/subscribe

After the UK Government rejected devolving the relevant powers for indyref2 to the Scottish Parliament, we sat down with First Minister John Swinney to discuss what happens now. Join The National today with a subscription from just 73p for 3 months at thenational.scot/subscribe

Editor Laura Webster is joined by Digital Editor Laura Pollock to discuss the news that Downing Street has rejected calls for the Scottish Parliament to get powers over holding another referendum. They also discuss increasing energy bills and Nicola Sturgeon's 'no comment' police interview. Join The National from just 73p for 3 months at thenational.scot/subscribe

Editor Laura Webster and Political Editor Xander Elliards discuss as MSPs vote in favour of the devolution of indyref2 powers. Join The National from just 73p for 3 months at thenational.scot/subscribe

Editor Laura Webster and Political Reporter Steph Brawn discuss the news that Peter Murrell has pleaded guilty to embezzlement, news from the Global Sumud Flotilla and a new bank note featuring Scott McTominay's iconic overhead kick. Support The National with a subscription from just 73p at thenational.scot/subscribe

Ally Heather, better known online as Historic Ally, is a historian, writer and broadcaster who’s made a name for himself bringing Scotland’s stories to life online. He joins digital editor Laura Pollock to talk all things Scots, culture and independence.

Pro-independence governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should work together to secure powers to hold independence referendums, a Plaid Cymru MS has said. Political reporter Steph Brawn talks to Kiera Marshall, who became one of 43 Plaid Cymru politicians elected to the Senedd earlier this month to make them the largest party in Wales for the first time, about how convincing Westminster to transfer powers permanently to Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast should be one of the leading priorities of the Celtic Alliance. Remember, you can subscribe right now for 73p for three months: www.thenational.scot/subscribe

Laura Webster is joined by Abbi Garton Crosbie to discuss all the latest goings on inside Holyrood as a motion calling on the UK Government to devolve powers for a second Scottish independence referendum to be held has been published. MSPs are set to debate the motion – titled "ambitious for Scotland” – in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, May 26, just after 2pm. Join The National for just 73p for 3 months in our election special sale here.

Multimedia Reporter Lucy Jackson and Political Editor Xander Elliards catch you up on reports that the Treasury is set to ask large supermarkets to introduce voluntary price caps on key groceries in return for lifting some regulations. The pair also discuss the latest facing those detained by Israel who were taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla, John Swinney's new Cabinet and how the 10 richest people in Scotland have seen their wealth increase by more than 800% since the Scottish Parliament was reconvened. Remember, our limited time offer is just 73p for three months!

We all know First Past The Post is an unfair voting system which produces governments the vast majority of people in the UK – and certainly Scotland – haven't voted for. But does it have much more to answer for than we realise? We spoke to Linlithgow-based researcher and data analyst Stuart Donald for a fascinating conversation about how the UK's continued use of First Past The Post has led to inequality becoming deeply entrenched in society over many decades and is now even making Scottish politics dysfunctional.

Multimedia reporter Lucy Jackson and political reporter Abbi Garton-Crosbie discuss the latest Labour leadership chaos, our exclusive splash on Ming Yang, a Chinese energy company, which is eyeing up investment into Europe after it was blocked from building a huge new factory in Scotland, and emerging reporters of a major aid flotilla sailing to Gaza has been intercepted by Israel in international waters Remember, you can get our limited-time offer now - just 73p for three months of our coverage. You can subscribe here: www.thenational.scot/subscribe

In her first sit-down interview since the election, Holly Bruce discusses her campaign, winning former first minister Nicola Sturgeon’s seat from the SNP, and her priorities over the next five years as she is set to take her place on the Green benches in Holyrood with political reporter Abbi Garton-Crosbie

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have an “enormous opportunity” to speak with “one voice” to escape Westminster chaos following historic election results, Sinn Fein MP John Finucane has said. Here, he sits down with political reporter Steph Brawn to talk all things Irish unity, Scottish independence and the results fallout. Remember, you can subscribe right now for 73p for three months: www.thenational.scot/subscribe

Digital Editor Laura Pollock and Political Reporter James Walker discuss discuss Andy Burnham’s possible route back to Westminster via a by-election and what that means for Scotland, mark Nakba Day with reflections on James’s reporting and Scottish responses, and unpack Keir Starmer’s offer of fresh talks with the devolved first ministers on more powers and devolution And don't forget, three months for just 73p! Get the offer now

Digital Editor Laura Pollock and Political Reporter Steph Brawn discuss the SNP's plan to table a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Keir Starmer as he continues to battle to keep his job. They also unpack the pageantry of the opening of parliament and what will come out of the "independence" talks between John Swinney and Keir Starmer.

Political Reporters Hamish Morrison and Abbi Garton-Crosbie join Editor Laura Webster to discuss the fall-out of the Scottish election. Join The National from just £20 for a whole year at thenational.scot/subscribe

Political Editor Xander Elliards and Editor Laura Webster discuss the results at 5pm as the SNP are way out in the lead, the Greens are thrilled about two huge constituency wins, Labour see a dismal result and Reform underperform. Get a National subscription for £20 in our election sale at thenational.scot/subscribe

Editor Laura Webster is joined by Political Editor Xander Elliards as the Scottish election results begin to come through.   Get a National subscription for just £20 for a whole year at thenational.scot/subscribe

Editor Laura Webster is joined by Multimedia Journalist Lucy Jackson for LIVE reaction to the election polls closing in Scotland Get a whole year of The National for just £20 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Political Reporter Hamish Morrison interviews lawyer extraordinaire and human rights campaigner Aamer Anwar about the rise of the far-right, police accountability and how he really feels about rejecting a career in politics.   Get a year of The National for just £20 at thenational.scot/subscribe during the election period!

Political reporter Hamish Morrison and Editor Laura Webster breakdown the latest election news in the final day of campaigning before Scots go to the polls. Join The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot.subscribe

Editor Laura Webster, Political Reporter Abbi Garton-Crosbie and Multimedia Reporter Beth Templeton discuss the big stories just a few days out from the Scottish election. Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe from just £1

Today, the Scotch whisky news and a bombshell revelation from John Swinney, the push to ban Palestine marches in England, and schoolboys in a 'misogynistic' T-shirt scandal. Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Political Reporter James Walker interviews acclaimed journalist George Monbiot about neoliberalism, the state of UK politics, Scottish independence and lots more. Enjoy! Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Political Reporter Steph Brawn is joined by former SNP MP Philippa Whitford to discuss how a wellbeing economy could shape the Scottish independence debate.  Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe

Political Reporter Abbi Garton-Crosbie and Editor Laura Webster discuss the gobsmacking Malcolm Offord moment from the STV Debate, Scottish Labour's defence of Keir Starmer and new figures debunking a common landlord claim ... Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Our latest Leader's Interview is with SNP leader and First Minister John Swinney. Editor Laura Webster sits down with him to discuss independence, the reaction to the SNP manifesto, the Scottish Government's action on Palestine, and more. Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe from just £1

Steph Brawn and Xander Elliards to sit down and discuss the news that SNP to bring forward a vote on securing an independence referendum on first day of Scottish Parliament term Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe