Holyrood Sources

In this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Director of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives) break down the early battle lines of the Scottish parliamentary election.

This episode discusses:
100 days to go until the Holyrood Election
Reform UK’s tax-cut pledge and Malcolm Offord’s rise
Why SNP messaging is focused on “sacking Keir Starmer”
Labour’s “100 days to save the NHS” pitch — and why it may fall flat
The political fallout from Andy Burnham being blocked from returning to Westminster

📩 Join the conversation:
WhatsApp us on 0333 404 6507 or send a voice note to feature in a future episode.
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Voters in Falkirk, one of Scotland’s key constituencies, give their brutally honest verdict on the politicians who will shape the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.
In this special episode of Holyrood Sources, we partner with polling experts More In Common to bring you a rare focus group of Labour 2024 voters — now drifting towards the SNP, Reform UK, or undecided.

🎧 You’ll hear unfiltered views on:
John Swinney and whether the SNP has “lost its way”
Anas Sarwar and Labour’s Westminster problem
Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, trust, and the winter fuel payment backlash
Nigel Farage and Reform UK — and why his brand may be “detoxified” in Scotland
The issues voters care about most: cost of living, NHS waiting times, education, immigration, and trust in politics
Hosts Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein, former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond and Andy Maciver, former Director of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives are joined by Luke Tryl, UK Director at More In Common.

This episode takes you inside the minds of undecided Scottish voters — and shows why the next Holyrood election could be far closer than many expect.

📩 Join the conversation:
WhatsApp us on 0333 404 6507 or send a voice note to feature in a future episode.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first Scotland-wide poll of the 2026 Holyrood election year delivers a political shock: Reform UK level with Scottish Labour, the SNP ahead but without a majority, and serious questions for every party leader.

On this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald is joined by Geoff Aberdein (former SNP Chief of Staff, True North Advisors) and Andy Maciver (former Scottish Conservative communications director) to break down what the numbers really mean.

🎯 In this episode:
📊 New Holyrood poll analysis: SNP seat outlook, Labour vs Reform battle, and fragile margins
⚠️ Why Reform UK may be helping the SNP in key constituencies
🔴 Robert Jenrick sacked as Kemi Badenoch faces Tory defections to Reform
🧭 Nigel Farage in Scotland & Malcolm Offord named Reform leader
📉 Why Keir Starmer is deeply unpopular in Scotland – and why Labour wants him quiet
💷 Scottish Budget reaction: tax thresholds, mansion tax, private jet levy & 11,000 public sector jobs at risk
🗳️ Independence referendum row: Is Reform’s “10-year pause” realistic or nonsense?
This is inside-baseball Scottish politics – polling, power, personalities and the election strategies already taking shape months before voters go to the polls.
📩 Get in touch:
WhatsApp: 0333 404 6507
Email: [email protected]
🔔 Subscribe for weekly insider analysis as Scotland heads into a decisive election year.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sources Podcast hosts come together for a special New Year 2026 UK politics preview, analysing what could be the most volatile year in British politics for a generation.

With local elections in England, Scottish Parliament elections, Senedd elections in Wales, and mounting pressure on the Northern Ireland Executive, this episode explores how the rise of Reform UK, growing voter fragmentation, and Labour’s governing challenges could reshape the UK’s political map.

🎙️ Featuring voices from:

Whitehall Sources

Holyrood Sources

Stormont Sources

Senedd Sources

🔍 In this episode:

Is Reform UK becoming a permanent force in British politics?

Can Keir Starmer’s Labour government survive a brutal May election?

Why the Greens and Gaza independents are threatening Labour in cities

Will SNP dominance in Scotland finally crack — and if so, who replaces them?

Could Plaid Cymru lead Wales for the first time?

How stable is Stormont, and could it collapse again before 2027?

What a fragmented UK means for the future of the Union

This is essential listening for anyone trying to understand UK elections 2026, Nigel Farage’s influence, Labour’s political future, and the growing instability across Britain’s devolved governments.

📌 Subscribe for weekly insider analysis from Westminster, Holyrood, Stormont and the Senedd.
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The Holyrood Sources podcast brings the best analysis of Scottish politics with those who have lived it as Special Advisers, and those who are current and former politicians and political party leaders.

Join Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (Former Chief of Staff to First Minister Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (Former Director of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives).

Subscribe now
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/holyrood-sources/id1673972192
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Fj3emmRONEr8aSkhcMgoH?si=789c7874034340c6
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Happy New Year from everyone at Holyrood Sources!

On a special episode of the podcast, Calum Macdonald takes a look back at our first ever Christmas Pub Quiz.

You can hear a live Q&A session with Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver as they answer questions from attendees at Malones in Edinburgh. Be sure to listen out for their heckles as well, as we bring you some of the best moments from the Scottish politics round of the quiz, hosted by Calum.

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