Apolitical - A Scottish Politics Podcast

In Episode 25 of Apolitical we speak with James McEnaney, an educator and writer who contributes a regular column to Common Space. We chat about diversity in the ‘Yes’ movement; the impact of Jeremy Corbyn’s election on Scottish politics; and the Scottish education system.     Amongst the topics we discuss with James on the podcast are: • […] The post #25: James McEnaney appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 24 of Apolitical we speak with David Torrance, the political writer and journalist known for his biographies of Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon and for his regular television appearances. We chat about his work; the scope of political debate in the UK; and his current take on the constitutional situation in Scotland.     […] The post #24: David Torrance appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 23 of Apolitical we speak with John MacKay, the STV anchorman and author whose new book, Notes of a Newsman, tracks the changes in Scotland over his career. We chat about his work; memorable moments from a long news career; and about the inspiration behind his new book.     Amongst the topics we discuss with John on […] The post #23: John MacKay appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 22 of Apolitical we speak with Christopher Silver, a writer and film-maker who has authored a book titled The Case for a Scottish Media, available soon. We chat about his thoughts on the traditional Scottish media and where he thinks improvements are required.     Amongst the topics we discuss with Christopher on the podcast are: […] The post #22: Christopher Silver appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 21 of Apolitical we speak with Jack McConnell, the former First Minister of Scotland who now represents Labour in the House of Lords as Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale. We chat about his time as First Minister; his thoughts on House of Lords reform; the prospects for Scottish Labour; and his international development work.   Apologies […] The post #21: Lord McConnell of Glenscorrodale appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 20 of Apolitical we speak with David Clegg, the Daily Record’s Political Editor and reigning Scottish Political Journalist of the Year. We chat about his work; the Daily Record’s decision to endorse Jeremy Corbyn for the Labour Party leadership; the challenges facing traditional media outlets as they adapt to developing technology and changing consumer behaviours; and […] The post #20: David Clegg appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 19 of Apolitical we speak with Councillor David Meikle, the sole Conservative representative on Glasgow City Council. We chat about his political background; the Scottish Conservatives’ prospects at Holyrood; and the controversial tale of selection to the Conservative regional list for Glasgow at the 2011 Scottish Parliament elections.     Amongst the topics we discuss […] The post #19: Cllr. David Meikle appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 18 of Apolitical we speak with Carolyn Scott who is a writer, presenter and producer on NewsShaft and a founder of News Scotland CIC. We chat about ‘new media’, News Scotland CIC’s programming and her interest in issue-based politics.     Amongst the topics we discuss with Carolyn on the podcast are: • Her introduction to […] The post #18: Carolyn Scott appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 17 of Apolitical we speak with Humza Yousaf MSP, Minister for Europe and International Development in the Scottish Government. We chat about his meteoric rise as a politician; the migration crisis in Calais; faith in politics and the way Scotland’s International Development budget is used.     Amongst the topics we discuss with Humza on the […] The post #17: Humza Yousaf MSP appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 16 of Apolitical we speak with Fraser Stewart, a CommonSpace columnist, about the financial crisis in the Eurozone, with particular focus on Greece, Syriza and their recent negotiations with the EC/ECB/IMF ‘Troika’.     Among the topics we touch on with Fraser on the podcast are: • His own politics and his perspective on the crisis; […] The post #16: Fraser Stewart appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 15 of Apolitical we speak with James Cook, until recently the Scotland Correspondent and now Los Angeles Correspondent for BBC News. We chat about his experiences covering the Independence Referendum in 2014 and the General Election in 2015; allegations of bias in BBC reporting; and the things he’ll miss about Scottish politics when he […] The post #15: James Cook appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 14 of apolitical we speak with George Foulkes, the former Labour MP and MSP who now sits in the House of Lords as a life peer. We chat about his early involvement with politics; his views on Iraq, including the morality of regime change and where he believes criticism is due; the challenges facing Labour in […] The post #14: Lord Foulkes of Cumnock appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 13 of Apolitical we speak with Jamie Szymkowiak, ambassador for the One in Five campaign. We chat about the campaigns goals and ambitions; their success so far; and the measures they think will make a difference in the future.     Amongst the topics we discuss with Jamie on the podcast are: • Why the […] The post #13: One in Five appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 12 of apolitical we speak with Tommy Sheridan, Co-convener of the Solidarity Party and a former MSP. We chat about his grounding in activist politics; his role in the anti-poll tax movement; Donald Dewar’s secret, last-ditch attempt to retain warrant sales; the rise and fall of socialist politics in the Scottish parliament; the fallout from […] The post #12: Tommy Sheridan appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 11 of Apolitical we speak with Terry Anderson, a cartoonist who put together The Auld Acquaintance, a referendum-themed exhibition. We chat about Terry’s political involvement; the exhibition; freedom of speech; and future prospects for Scottish political cartoonists.     Amongst the topics we discuss with Terry on the podcast are: • Challenges facing cartoonists around the world; • […] The post #11: Terry Anderson appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 10 of apolitical we speak with Colin Fox, National co-spokesperson of the Scottish Socialist Party and a former MSP. We chat about his introduction to politics and activism; his disenchantment with the Scottish Labour Party; the decline in support for the SSP over the past decade; and what the future holds for the Left in Scotland. […] The post #10: Colin Fox appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 9 of apolitical we speak with Ian Dunn, Deputy Editor of the Scottish Catholic Observer and a columnist with CommonSpace. We chat about the part religion plays in politics; the influence of the Catholic Church on the voting habits of its adherents; and his challenging views on the difficulties facing the SNP in the future. […] The post #9: Ian Dunn appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 8 of apolitical we speak with Patrick Harvie MSP, co-convener of the Scottish Green Party and prospective candidate for the Glasgow Kelvin constituency in 2016’s Scottish Parliament elections. We chat about Patrick’s grounding in Green politics, his prospects in the Holyrood elections and what distinguishes the Scottish Greens from other parties of the left.   […] The post #8: Patrick Harvie MSP appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 7 of apolitical we speak with Angela Haggerty, Editor of CommonSpace, a new media news service created by the Common Weal think tank. We chat about political journalism in Scotland, threats to freedom of speech and Angela’s experiences with criminal levels of abuse on social media.     Amongst the topics we discuss with Angela on the […] The post #7: Angela Haggerty appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 6 of apolitical – recorded prior to the General Election – we speak with Cllr. Paul Kelly, a Scottish Labour councillor for Motherwell who was Frank Roy’s election agent during the 2015 Election. Outwith a dicey election prediction, we chat about local government, Jim Murphy’s leadership and why he can’t see Labour working with the SNP.   […] The post #6: Cllr Paul Kelly appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.