The National Podcast

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

In our third Leaders' Interview, the Scottish Greens' co-leaders Ross Greer and Gillian Mackay talk to Political Editor Xander Elliards. Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Zack Polanski, Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, sits down with Political Reporter Abbi Garton-Crosbie on his trip to Scotland to discuss the Scottish election, independence, trans rights, fighting right-wing media narratives and much more.  Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

The fallout from the row over Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US has added to Labour’s unease and fuelled speculation about the Prime Minister’s position. After Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Questions session, digital editor Laura Pollock and political reporter Abbi Garton-Crosbie discussed the fallout.

Steph Brawn and Xander Elliards sit down to analyse the Scottish election manifestos and compare and contrast the policies of the big six. Support The National with a subscription from just £20 in our Spring Sale at thenational.scot/subscribe

Editor Laura Webster and Political Reporter Abbi Garton-Crosbie discuss the new SNP manifesto and its reaction, from comparisons to the Soviet Union and cries of "communism". Elsewhere, the BBC face criticism for their approach to an interview with John Swinney, and Keir Starmer's under even more pressure to resign. Support The National with a subscription from just £20 for a WHOLE YEAR at thenational.scot/subscribe

Scottish entertainment LEGEND Elaine C Smith joins Digital Editor Laura Pollock to discuss Scottish independence, the 2014 referendum, the Holyrood election, Two Doors Down, her incredible decades-long career and lots more. Support The National with a subscription from just £20 for an entire year at thenational.scot/subscribe

Political Reporter Abbi Garton-Crosbie sits down with Niall Christie, who was the Scotland rep on the Your Party central committee until suddenly resigning last week with the rest of the Scottish executive committee. They discuss what went wrong, and why the project failed. Support The National with a subscription from just £20 for a WHOLE YEAR at thenational.scot/subscribe

Political Editor Xander Elliards and Editor Laura Webster discuss the fall-out from the Channel 4 Leaders' Debate, and whether Anas Sarwar or Malcolm Offord are telling the truth. Elsewhere, Malcolm Offord is under fire from a HIV charity, and Nigel Farage did not receive a warm welcome to Shetland. Get a subscription to The National from just £20 for a whole year at thenational.scot/subscribe

Editor Laura Webster sits down with legendary Scottish actor Alan Cumming to discuss politics, theatre, Scottish arts and culture and much more.  Support The National with a subscription from just £20 at thenational.scot/subscribe during our Spring Sale!

Editor Laura Webster and Digital Editor Laura Pollock discuss Anas Sarwar's new battle bus, Plaid Cymru's manifesto launch and the SNP's new plans for young people trying to get on the housing ladder. Get a year of access to The National for just £20 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Political Reporter Abbi Garton-Crosbie interviews SSP chief Colin Fox as part of our Leader's Interviews series. Get a whole year of The National for £20 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Political Editor Xander Elliards interviews the award-winning author Peter Oborne from Jerusalem. Join The National from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Comedian extraordinaire Susie McCabe joins Political Editor Xander Elliards to discuss her new show, what it's like to be heckled and the state of politics in Scotland and the UK. Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe

Our wonderful columnist Assa Samake Roman hosts our election hustings! On the panel are: Jack Middleton for the SNP, Holly Bruce for the Scottish Greens, Christine Jardine for the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Eva Comrie for Alliance to Liberate Scotland and Richie Venton for the Scottish Socialist Party. Support The National from just £20 a year in our Spring Sale at thenational.scot/subscribe  

We commissioned an MRP poll! In this Scottish Parliament election projection, the SNP are expected to win a majority, with a boost for the Greens meaning a sizeable pro-independence majority. Xander Elliards and Laura Pollock discuss the findings.  Support The National from just £20 a year in our Spring Sale at thenational.scot/subscribe

Political Editor Xander Elliards and Editor Laura Webster discuss the news that Reform have backed out of our election hustings at the last minute. Elsewhere, they discuss Donald Trump's latest unhinged threats to Iran and some eyebrow-raising new polling numbers. Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Editor Laura Webster and Political Reporter Steph Brawn discuss the return of Independent Green Voice - a "front" party for far-right campaigners which the Greens say lost them MSPs at the last election. They also discuss Reform UK's latest shambles, as another two candidates disappear, as well as a key official. Finally, is there too much large-scale advertising in Edinburgh and other Scottish cities? A new KFC ad is prompting debate around the rules on marketing campaigns.  Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe

Editor Laura Webster and Political Editor Xander Elliards discuss the UK Government's silence on the new Israeli death penalty law for Palestinians, how the closure of Grangemouth has left us in a mess during the energy crisis and Reform's threat to Gaelic and Scots. Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe 

Political Reporter Steph Brawn introduces Leader's Interview number one, as Scottish LibDem chief Alex Cole-Hamilton steps into the studio. They discuss conversion therapy, working with Reform, Donald Trump and whether his party faces an identity crisis.  Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe 

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn talks to Political Reporter James Walker about a range of topics from the Scottish election, energy costs, America's illegal war on Iran and John Swinney's "secret" independence plan. Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Editor Laura Webster and Westminster correspondent Hamish Morrison discuss the biggest issues on today's National Podcast. Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe

Editor Laura Webster and Political Reporter James Walker discuss the latest Reform mess as a fifth candidate drops out a week after their announcement. Later, they get into the UK Government's decision to block a £1.5bn factory investment in Scotland due to its Chinese links, and Question Time's latest Reform-related controversy. Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe

Political Editor Xander Elliards and Editor Laura Webster discuss Malcolm Offord's disgusting homophobic joke, and why we decided to publish it. Elsewhere, the latest on the Morgan McSweeney phone saga, and some rather eye-catching poll findings.   Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe

Professor John Curtice is back in the studio talking to us about the state of play going into the Scottish Parliament election. He gives a fantastic overview of where we are and what to expect over the next few weeks of campaigning. Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Multimedia Journalist Lucy Jackson is in conversation with streaming phenomenon Hasan Piker, who has just been in Cuba as part of the Nuestra America Convoy, about how the US is crushing Cuba. They also discuss Iran, and how Scotland is being dragged into Trump's war.  Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Editor Laura Webster, Digital Editor Laura Pollock and Political Reporter James Walker discuss Laura Kuenssberg's 'dumbest question ever' on Israel and why it could possibly want to lie. They also get stuck into the latest polling finding a huge pro-independence majority, plans for a Queen Elizbeth memorial in Scotland, and Laura Pollock goes inside the far-right Unite the Clans rally at Holyrood. Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe from just £1

Digital editor Laura Pollock and political editor Xander Elliards sit down and reflect on a crazy Reform-filled 24 hours for the newsroom, from candidate suspensions after just one day and the party manifesto ... Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot.subscribe

As MSPs vote against assisted dying proposals, we look at how the debate ended up at this point - and the reserved issue that caused a major problem in the end. Elsewhere, the Scottish Election Study tells us 5 key things about what to expect from the Holyrood vote in May, and new data debunks Tory claims about Scotland's tax system.  Support The National with a subscription at thenational.scot/subscribe from just £1

Editor Laura Webster is joined by Novara Media co-founder and political commentator Aaron Bastani to discuss the media's coverage of the US-Israel attacks on Iran, the voices not being heard and the real long-term consequences of this military action.   Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

As Jeremy Corbyn's Gaza Tribunal reveals its report, we take a look into the key findings. Elsewhere, we recap the main SNP conference motions - including members telling the UK to prepare for Scotland's exit from the Union - and the SNP's position on the House of Lords.  Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Editor Laura Webster joins Political Editor Xander Elliards to discuss THAT leaked Keir Starmer memo, and dig into political attacks on a new petition aiming to investigate pro-Israel influence in UK politics. They also take a look at Kay Burley's appearance on BBC Question Time, and dive into the murky world of the London media/politics sphere. Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

The Scottish Secretary is in trouble. Political Reporter Abbi Garton-Crosbie and Multimedia Reporter Lucy Jackson discuss the day's biggest stories, including the latest from the Glasgow fire, Holyrood's assisted dying bill mammoth debate, and Alex Cole Hamilton's claims of anti-English hate. Support The National with a subscription from just £1 at thenational.scot/subscribe

Our Editor Laura Webster and Digital Editor Laura Pollock discuss the horrendous fire by Glasgow Central, and what it means for Glasgow's built environment after a decade of devastating blazes. Elsewhere, Alba cease to be a proper party, Tony Blair wants to privatise Scotland's NHS, and Franz Ferdinand aren't happy with the IDF. Support The National with a subscription from just £1 for 3 months at thenational.scot/subscribe