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Holyrood Sources

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Holyrood Sources
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237 episodes

  • Holyrood Sources

    £22 Million Tax Drop and Inside the Scottish Labour Leadership Contest

    29/07/2026 | 56 mins.
    Why did Scotland’s new 48p top rate of income tax actually backfire and lose £22 million in revenue?

    On this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein, and Andy Maciver analyse the fallout from Scotland's tax policy with tax expert Dan Neidle from Tax Policy Associates.

    Will John Swinney reverse a major policy decision originated by his predecessors, Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon?

    We also discuss the Scottish Labour leadership contest following Anas Sarwar’s departure to the House of Lords. We're joined by Francesca Brennan, Inverclyde Councillor and Scottish Representative for Labour in Local and Regional Government.
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
  • Holyrood Sources

    Live on Downing Street | Andy Burnham Becomes PM

    24/07/2026 | 1h
    Andy Burnham has officially become the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, marking the country’s 7th PM since 2016.

    Join host Calum Macdonald live from Downing Street on this special episode of The Sources Podcasts as we break down every moment of this historic handover of power. From Keir Starmer’s departure speech to Andy Burnham’s note-free address to the nation, we cover the immediate reactions, political strategy, and shock Cabinet appointments shaping the new UK government.

    In this episode:
    - Keir Starmer’s final speech and exit to Buckingham Palace.
    - Andy Burnham’s vision: Ending rough sleeping, re-industrialisation, and cost-of-living relief.
    - Expert analysis with Patrick Maguire (The Times), Cathy Newman (Times Radio/Sky News), Anna Mikhailova (Times Radio), Peter Cardwell (Talk), Alexander Brown (Daily Mirror), Stefan Boscia (The Times), Andrew Quinn (The Scotsman), and Kate Ferguson (Sun on Sunday).
    - Breaking Cabinet Announcements: John Healey as Chancellor, Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary, Shabana Mahmood as Home Secretary, and Louise Haigh as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

    💬 What do you think of Andy Burnham's new Cabinet? Will his 10-year plan stabilise UK politics? Let us know

    🔔 Don't forget to LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more expert UK political analysis from The Sources Podcast network!

    #AndyBurnham #KeirStarmer #UKPolitics #DowningStreet #Number10 #BritishPolitics #LabourParty #UKPrimeMinister #TheSourcesPodcast
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
  • Holyrood Sources

    Sarwar to the Lords? As Burnham becomes PM

    22/07/2026 | 39 mins.
    On today's episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver are joined by Scottish Labour MSP, Paul Sweeney to discuss the shock news that Anas Sarwar is set to resign to join new PM Andy Burnham's team in Westminster.

    What will Sarwar's departure mean for Scottish Labour and the UK Labour Party overall.

    Has Sarwar blindsided his Holyrood colleagues by accepting a job out of the blue?

    And what kind of leader is Burnham going to be, now he is officially the top dog in Westminster?
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
  • Holyrood Sources

    Scotland & Andy Burnham: What Happens Next?

    15/07/2026 | 48 mins.
    Andy Burnham is preparing to become Prime Minister—but what does that mean for Scotland, Labour and the future of UK politics?
    In this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver to discuss what Burnham's government could look like, who could join his Cabinet, and whether Labour can truly deliver the change voters are demanding.

    What is Andy Burnham's leadership style?

    Who will sit round the cabinet table... What does the future hold for Ed Miliband, Wes Streeting, Douglas Alexander and other prominent figures in the Labour party.

    Will the new Prime Minister reset Westminster's relationship with Scotland and could his premiership lead to further devolution to Holyrood and right across the country?
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
  • Holyrood Sources

    An Independent Scottish Labour Party? | with Jack McConnel

    12/07/2026 | 36 mins.
    On a summer special of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver are joined by the 2026 Scottish Labour candidate for Galloway and West Dumfries, Jack McConnel (the other one).

    Jack is one of the leading voices in a growing movement within the Scottish Labour Party, that wants to break away from UK Labour and stand as an independent body.

    Jack explains why he thinks a breakaway party would be good for the Scottish Labour movement and Scottish politics as a whole and compares the move to similar political arrangements in other countries.

    You can read more about the just for Scotland movement here at https://www.justscotland.win/
    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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About Holyrood Sources
The Holyrood Sources podcast analyses Scottish politics through the experiences of those who have lived and breathed it as Special Advisers to the Scottish Government, SNP and opposition parties. Join hosts Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (Chief of Staff to the First Minister, 2007-2014) and Andy Maciver (Former Head of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives) as they take you inside Scottish politics. Their insight is second to none - they've been there, lived it, and maintain remarkable connections to Scotland's politicians and the world of Scottish politics.Join our mailing list and check out our latest live events: click holyroodsources.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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