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Holyrood Sources

Shortbread Media
SNP
Scotland
Scottish Parliament
Reform UK
Scottish Government
Labour Party
Scottish Politics
Anas Sarwar
Scottish Independence
John Swinney
Scottish Labour Party
Scottish National Party
Scottish Labour
Devolution
Scottish Conservatives
Renewable Energy
Nicola Sturgeon
Donald Trump
Offshore Wind
Scottish Conservative Party

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 Scottis... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes247Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for Holyrood Sources

Latest Episodes

In this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver unpack another week Scottish politics.

The team reacts to the official Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) figures, analysing Scotland's £25.3 billi... more

Calum MacDonald, Geoff Aberdein, and Andy Maciver break down Scotland's latest GERS figures, examining revenue vs. public spending, the Barnett Formula, and Scotland's fiscal deficit. 

Plus, the Holyrood Sources team discuss the realities of North S... more

YouTube

Nicola Sturgeon faces fierce backlash from her own former cabinet colleagues after criticising the SNP's election strategy in a new book foreword. Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver break down the response from the First Minister and Ca... more

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 exper... more

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Recent Guests

Laurie Macfarlane
Co-director of Future Economy Scotland Think Tank
Future Economy Scotland
Episode: Nicola Sturgeon vs SNP Cabinet... and Tax Debate Continues.
Francesca Brennan
Councillor for Scottish Labour and Scotland's Rep on Labour in Local and Regional Government
Scottish Labour
Episode: £22 Million Tax Drop and Inside the Scottish Labour Leadership Contest
Paul Sweeney
Scottish Labour MSP (guest on the episode)
Scottish Labour
Episode: Sarwar to the Lords? As Burnham becomes PM
Andy Maciver
Guest; former Director of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives
Episode: Scotland & Andy Burnham: What Happens Next?
Torcuil Crichton
Labour MP (introduced as guest), political reporter
Labour Party
Episode: What Kind of PM will Andy Burnham Be? | Live from Westminster
Catriona Stewart
Education correspondent at The Scotsman
Scotsman
Episode: Murrell Jailed, Sarwar Challenged & Douglas Lumsden MP
Douglas Lumsden
Conservative MP for Aberdeen South
Conservative Party
Episode: Murrell Jailed, Sarwar Challenged & Douglas Lumsden MP
Ivan McKee
SNP MSP for Glasgow East/Barrow? and Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform
SNP
Episode: Jack McConnell, Alex Cole-Hamilton & Ivan McKee | Scotland 2050
Katherine Sangster
Scottish Labour MSP for Edinburgh and Lothians East
Scottish Labour
Episode: Scotland's New MSPs: Live from Edinburgh Gin Distillery

Hosts

Calum Macdonald
Host of Holyrood Sources; long-time insider with Holyrood/Social Media presence
Geoff Aberdein
Chief of Staff to the First Minister (2007-2014); co-host with insider perspective
Andy Maciver
Former Head of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives; co-host with strategic communications insight

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 193 ratings
  • Va

    Enjoyed this at the beginning of pod but the two commentators are so obviously SNP through and through, they now need someone with a different political point of view. To say that this PMurell issue wouldn’t have had a bearing on the election outcome is unbelievable. Read the room Andy

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    SNP bias
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • another all male blokey irrelevant podcast

    see above….

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    scotsnik
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Progressive Taxation

    I have listened to Graeme McCormick’s AGFR tax proposals on numerous occasions and to me it is revolutionary, the structure is in place, can be implemented almost immediately, lift everyone out of poverty and impact on land ownership because of the work done on land registry, all in the one parcel. I have constantly begged people to tell me why it cannot work. All I can see is that it will anger landowners and the MOD - that’s it. It was passed at last year’s Alba conference and then disappeared... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    🔬8
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • The best bar none for Scottish political thought

    The weekly listen - and more often when there’s a party being kicked out of government and an FM resignation! - for the best informed take on politics in Scotland. And Calum, Andy and Geoff all seem to like each other too which is fun! 😉

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    robbie77
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Making Scottish politics Informative and entertaining

    Guid banter atween i loons! As a quine fae Aiberdeen it’s affa fine tae hae yon loon Geoff gie a voice tae NE Scotland!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Michelle Shortt
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Smart, insider take on Scottish politics with rigorous analysis.
Consistently cited as a top source for in-depth Scottish political discussion.
Often praised for access to senior politicians and candid interview style.
Some reviews note a perceived bias or non-partisan attempts that skew to insider perspectives.
Entertaining yet informative; host banter adds personality without sacrificing depth.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#205
United Kingdom/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Nicola Sturgeon vs SNP Cabinet... and Tax Debate Continues.
Q: Is changing the top rate purely for revenue, or is it also about signaling and political messaging?
They argue that while revenue considerations matter, the top-rate change is heavily political, used to shape perceptions of fairness and to secure social buy-in across the tax base.
Nicola Sturgeon vs SNP Cabinet... and Tax Debate Continues.
Q: How does the broader context of Scotland's budget gap influence views on the top tax rate?
The panel stresses that even small revenue changes matter in a tight budget, but the political optics and fairness considerations can overshadow pure economics, making tax policy as much about public buy-in as about revenue.
Nicola Sturgeon vs SNP Cabinet... and Tax Debate Continues.
Q: Why is Laurie taking issue with Dan Neidle's analysis, and what should be considered beyond the headline numbers?
Laurie argues that Neidle's conclusions rely on strong assumptions and fail to account for volatility and non-tax drivers in incomes; once you adjust for these factors, the revenue impact could be positive or at least not as negative as claimed.
£22 Million Tax Drop and Inside the Scottish Labour Leadership Contest
Q: Francesca, how important is a public leadership contest versus a more quiet transition for Scottish Labour?
Francesca suggests a balance: a dignified, less public transition could preserve energy for membership debates while still allowing a contest to test ideas, with the party ultimately choosing a leader who can connect with voters.
Murrell Jailed, Sarwar Challenged & Douglas Lumsden MP
Q: What is your take on the immediate implications of the Murrell sentencing for Scottish politics?
The panelists describe a mix of accountability questions for the SNP, a possible shift in media narratives around the party, and a belief that more legal and governance inquiries could follow, with ongoing interest in how Nicola Sturgeon and others respond in the public sphere.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Holyrood Sources

What is Holyrood Sources about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A analytically rigorous, insider-focused look at Scottish politics, hosted by three veterans with deep government and party experience. Episodes typically feature cross-party debate, live paneling with party leaders or senior insiders, and in-depth discussions on governance, constitutional questions, public services, and energy policy. The show is known for its frank, insider perspectives, candid questioning, and a mix of policy analysis with lively banter. Notable strengths include access to high-profile politicians, a willingness to challenge guests, and a steady stance on practical governance over partisan theatre, making it a strong fit for listeners who want well-informed, nuanced political discourse and cross-party viewpoints.

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How many listeners does Holyrood Sources get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Holyrood Sources?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Holyrood Sources:

1. Scotcast
2. The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast
3. Electoral Dysfunction
4. How To Win An Election
5. The State of It

How many episodes of Holyrood Sources are there?

Holyrood Sources launched 4 years ago and published 247 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Holyrood Sources?

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What guests have appeared on Holyrood Sources?

Recent guests on Holyrood Sources include:

1. Laurie Macfarlane
2. Francesca Brennan
3. Paul Sweeney
4. Andy Maciver
5. Torcuil Crichton
6. Catriona Stewart
7. Douglas Lumsden
8. Ivan McKee

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