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Planet Holyrood - The Scottish Politics Show

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SNP
Scottish National Party
Labour Party
Scottish Labour
Nicola Sturgeon
Donald Trump
Peter Murrell
Glasgow
Keir Starmer
Anas Sarwar
Reform UK
Labour Party (UK)
Andy Burnham
Yes Scotland
Holyrood
UK Government
Asylum Seekers
Peter Mandelson
Independence Of Scotland
Cabinet Reshuffle

Welcome to Planet Holyrood, our weekly look at the key events in Scottish politics. Hosted by Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon, guests will chew over what has been happening at Holyrood and Westminster.

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Latest Episodes

It was a question Scottish Labour members were sick of being asked. Does Andy Burnham get Scotland?

Better yet, what can he do for the profile of newly elected Scottish Labour leader, Michael Marra? And has he given a free lunch to John Swinney and ... more

In this week's episode of Planet Holyrood, the Daily Record's Chris McCall is joined by Dan Vevers of the Sunday Mail to discuss the 'Cardiff Agreement' and what it may mean for Scottish Independence.

The duo also look at the upcoming result in the ... more

In this week's episode of Planet Holyrood, the Daily Record's Chris McCall is joined by Ben Borland of the Scottish Daily Express and John Ferguson of the Sunday Mail to look at some of the big news in politics.

On the show, the panel discuss Andy B... more

The Record's political editor Paul Hutcheon speaks to Scottish Labour leadership contender Joe Fagan.

He is asked why he wants to go for what many see as the hardest job in politics, whether it is merely about the party's managed decline and how he ... more

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Recent Guests

John Ferguson
Editor of the Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail
Episode: Planet Holyrood 05/08/26 | Nicola Sturgeon attacks the SNP's lack of 'vision'
Douglas Dickie
Content editor at The Scottish Daily Express
The Scottish Daily Express
Episode: Planet Holyrood 05/08/26 | Nicola Sturgeon attacks the SNP's lack of 'vision'
Ruth Sutter
Chief Live Reporter at The Daily Record
Daily Record
Episode: Planet Holyrood 01/07/26 | What is Andy Burnham's vision for Scotland?
Dan Vevers
Chief Reporter, Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail
Episode: Planet Holyrood 27/5/26 - Peter Murrell pleads guilty to embezzling SNP funds as party chief executive
Paul O'Kane
Former Labour MSP for West Scotland region, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education and Equalities
Scottish Labour Party
Episode: Planet Holyrood special - Former Labour MSP Paul O’Kane speaks on the future of Scottish Labour after the party’s election drubbing
Ruth Souter
The Daily Record's chief live news reporter
Daily Record
Episode: Planet Holyrood 06/05/26 | The worst election ever? Highs and lows of Scotland's campaigns
John Swinney
First Minister of Scotland during the interview
Scottish National Party (SNP)
Episode: Planet Holyrood interview | John Swinney to demand immediate indyref2 talks with Downing Street if elected
Gemma Ryder
Daily Record reporter making her Planet Holyrood debut
Daily Record
Episode: Planet Holyrood 23/04/26 | Pro-union majority forecast, Mandelson scandal and Sarwar's spat with Reform
Anas Sarwar
Scottish Labour leader
Scottish Labour
Episode: Planet Holyrood Special 14/04/26 | Anas Sarwar promises to lift 100,000 children out of poverty if elected First Minister

Hosts

Paul Hutcheon
Host of Planet Holyrood; Political Editor at Daily Record
Chris McCall
Host introducing episodes; Deputy Political Editor at The Daily Record
Ben Borland
Co-host/guest on the summer special edition; Editor of Scottish Daily Express
John Ferguson
Editor of Sunday Mail; Editor/Contributor with broad editorial insights
Douglas Dickie
Content Editor at The Scottish Daily Express; Editor/columnist

Reviews

3.4 out of 5 stars from 31 ratings
  • Rotten & Biased

    How can a political editor who has decided to fill his paper with support for the Labour Party be anything other than biased in Scottish politics. Rank rotten, wouldn’t bother listening.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DavieB719
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The format is seen as dense with political analysis and newsroom context, which can be insightful for sponsors targeting policy-focused audiences.
One reviewer criticizes perceived bias in political edits, suggesting partisan slant.
Listeners likely value insider editorial perspectives from major Scottish papers.
Production and guest diversity are noted as strengths by some audience segments.

Top Politics Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Planet Holyrood 12/8/26 - Indy ‘black hole’ revealed | ‘Drill baby drill’ u-turn | Should Sturgeon wheesht?
Q: How does leadership instability in Labour affect the broader Scottish political landscape?
They discuss how leadership contests and perceived shifts in stance from Labour figures influence coalition dynamics at Holyrood and Westminster, potentially reshaping cross-party alignments on energy and independence policy.
Planet Holyrood 12/8/26 - Indy ‘black hole’ revealed | ‘Drill baby drill’ u-turn | Should Sturgeon wheesht?
Q: What about the debate on oil and gas—should Scotland continue developing oil projects while pursuing net-zero goals?
The guests acknowledge the economic reality of energy reliance and job/tax revenue from oil and gas, arguing for a pragmatic policy that supports ongoing developments in the short term while pursuing a credible transition strategy.
Planet Holyrood 12/8/26 - Indy ‘black hole’ revealed | ‘Drill baby drill’ u-turn | Should Sturgeon wheesht?
Q: So, is it simple to say that this Gers publication proves that independence would create a 25 billion pound deficit on day one?
The panel agrees it's true in a sense, but emphasizes that the UK is also heavily indebted and that the deficit dynamics are complex; independence would likely bring a different mix of debt and fiscal levers rather than an immediate, clean deficit outcome.
Planet Holyrood 22/7/26 - Anas Sarwar’s legacy | Monica Lennon return to Holyrood? | The early days of Andy Burnham
Q: What is Monica Lennon's reaction to Anas Sarwar's decision to stand down and move to the Lords?
Monica acknowledges the surprise and notes the potential vacancy dynamics for the Scottish Parliament, stressing the need for a careful, strategic approach by the party as it recalibrates after the leadership change.
Planet Holyrood 27/08/25 - Nigel Farage returns to Edinburgh as Jeremy Corbyn eyes gains at Holyrood
Q: Why do so many Scottish voters find you to be so repellent? Secondly, you've always been a Putin fanboy. Are you hopeful that Russia gets to hold on to the land, that they illegally seized from Ukraine?
Farage defends his position by arguing that his past remarks were taken out of context and emphasizes his admiration for Putin as a political operator, while denying endorsement of his actions; the exchange highlights a communications gap between his branding and policy substance.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Planet Holyrood

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

A weekly briefing on Scottish politics that blends data-driven fiscal and policy analysis with cross-party commentary. The show often centers on Scotland's constitutional questions, the energy economy, and party dynamics at Holyrood and Westminster, fielding editors and reporters from major Scottish publications who offer insider perspectives on leadership, governance, and media narratives. Guests frequently dissect recent reports, investigations, and leadership contests, while hosts steer conversations toward practical implications for policy, elections, and public accountability. A notable strength is the mix of editorial insight and production-side context, which helps listeners understand how media coverage shapes political outcomes. Th... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Planet Holyrood?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Planet Holyrood:

1. Holyrood Sources
2. Scotcast
3. The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast
4. The Steamie by The Scotsman
5. The Stooshie: the politics podcast from DC Thomson

How many episodes of Planet Holyrood are there?

Planet Holyrood launched 4 years ago and published 191 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 Planet Holyrood?

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What guests have appeared on Planet Holyrood?

Recent guests on Planet Holyrood include:

1. John Ferguson
2. Douglas Dickie
3. Ruth Sutter
4. Dan Vevers
5. Paul O'Kane
6. Ruth Souter
7. John Swinney
8. Gemma Ryder

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