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Artwork for The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

Solid Media
Labour Party
SNP
Scottish National Party
Keir Starmer
Scottish Independence
Reform UK
Scottish Politics
Nicola Sturgeon
Conservative Party
Scottish Government
Scottish Parliament
Scotland
Alex Salmond
Economic Growth
Donald Trump
Rachel Reeves
Brexit
John Swinney
Immigration Policy
UK Parliament

The two biggest names in Scottish political journalism, Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie, join forces to bring you a regular “must listen” insider briefing on the political and wider world.

Bernard has been Scotland's leading TV political editor for many years while Alex is the unavoidable commentator and columnist for the Times and Sunday Times. Together they bring decades of experience and unsur... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes115Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsNews Commentary

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Artwork for The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

Latest Episodes

Increasingly, it looks like the scandal that has rocked the SNP will not go away. Peter Murrell's admission and subsequent conviction have led to more questions. Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie discuss.

* PONSONBY - John Swinney may need an indepe... more

* Swinney’s new Scottish Government is smaller, reshuffled and designed to signal seriousness about reform.

* Ivan McKee’s public service reform role is framed as the key test: finding billions in savings without triggering political backlash.

* ... more

Keir Starmer, Andy Burnham and the fight for who will be the next Prime Minister of the UK?

Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie discuss the battle for Labour's leadership.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great politic... more

SNP wins again — but the victory comes with serious caveats

John Swinney secures a remarkable third decade of SNP government

Labour and Reform tied for second in seats - a brutal night for the old parties

Scottish Labour’s decline continues — and ... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Chris Hanretty
Professor at Royal Holloway University in London, expert on notional results
Royal Holloway University of London
Episode: SCOT PARL 2026 - ONE WEEK TO GO - Electoral Maths and Key Seats
Mark Diffley
Polling expert, founder of the Diffley Partnership
Diffley Partnership
Episode: SCOT PARL 2026 - 3 WEEKS TO GO - Latest Polling Insights With Mark Diffley
Paul Sweeney
Labour MSP
Scottish Labour
Episode: BY ELECTION SPECIAL: LATEST REACTION TO LABOUR WIN OVER SNP AND REFORM
Thomas Kerr
Councillor for Reform UK
Reform UK
Episode: BY ELECTION SPECIAL: LATEST REACTION TO LABOUR WIN OVER SNP AND REFORM
John Swinney
First Minister of Scotland
Scottish National Party
Episode: JOHN SWINNEY SPECIAL - PART 1
Patrick Maguire
Author and political journalist at The Times
The Times
Episode: STARMER & McSWEENEY - The Inside Story
Jenny Lindsay
Poet and author of 'Hounded: Women, Harms and the Gender Wars.'
Polity
Episode: HOUNDED: JENNY LINDSAY
David Frum
Staff writer at The Atlantic and former speechwriter for President George W. Bush.
The Atlantic
Episode: US PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL - With David Frum from The Atlantic
Michael Marra
Member of the Scottish Parliament and finance spokesperson for the Scottish Labour Party
Scottish Labour Party
Episode: MICHAEL MARRA - 2026 Labour victory "nowhere near a done deal"

Hosts

Bernard Ponsonby
Host of The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast
Alex Massie
Co-host, political columnist

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 105 ratings
  • Inaccessibility

    I value greatly your inaccessibility. If you would turn up the volume progressively too, that will ensure that I continue to receive your wise counsel

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    What, Eric?
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Journalistic perspectives on Scottish politics

    The two podcasters are thoroughly experienced journalists looking at Scottish politics - both devolved and within the UK, and able to offer insightful opinions. There are advantages and disadvantages in learning about politics through journalism and you will find them here: advantages include an analysis free of party political blinkers and able to explain what is operating below the surface. But not having an inside view of the system, and relying on secondhand briefings, means in incomplete pi... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    David Boothroyd
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Tony Collins

    Two top tier Scottish journalists, no question. Both excellent communicators and worth listening to always, though especially with Alex, I find myself in disagreement more often than not. Really hoping for substantial and in depth coverage of the attempted ‘assassination’ of Alex Salmond in a future episode, once the legals are concluded of course! Don’t let us down please gents!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    tonaidh
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Interesting.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Michael Comiskey
    2 years ago
  • Too much waffle

    There is probably a lot of very prescient and valuable analysis in this podcast, but the two presenters, and mostly Bernard fall into the trap of very much liking the sound of their own voice.

    Would probably benefit from some judicious editing to keep them on track.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    anon.653
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many appreciate balanced, non-partisan analysis despite strong viewpoints.
Listeners praise the hosts' depth of experience and insider access for informed Scottish politics.
Pace can be uneven and occasionally feel like hosts talk over each other, per some feedback.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#49
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#97
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#147
Ireland/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

SCOT PARL 2026 - ONE WEEK TO GO - Electoral Maths and Key Seats
Q: Could you describe the process by which you go about creating a notional result?
Chris explains using multi-level regression and post-stratification (MRP) to model turnout and vote choice by demographic area, then maps those results onto the new boundaries by aggregating small census-area projections to form each constituency. He notes the method's reliance on last election results and census data, plus the need to adjust for boundary changes and local factors that MRPs may not capture.
NEW POLLS - 100 DAYS TO SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS
Q: What is the significance of Jim Wallace's political career?
He was historically significant for being the first Liberal in government for decades and was known for his non-confrontational political style.
NEW POLLS - 100 DAYS TO SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS
Q: What issues, if any, can actually move the dial for Labour?
Labour must convince the electorate that, after two decades in power, the SNP are tired and out of ideas, emphasizing the need for change.
WHO IS LORD OFFORD? Reform UK's New Leader in Scotland?
Q: What does the Malcolm Offord situation say about the Scottish Conservative Party?
It indicates a perceived dysfunctionality within the party, showing that someone with Offord's history feels the need to leave them.
NEW POLLS: Will Scotland Become Independent if Nigel Farage is Prime Minister
Q: What do you think may happen in the upcoming by-election?
The expectations lean towards a comfortable SNP victory, with potential competition from Labour and Reform for place.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

What is The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two veteran Scottish political journalists provide a regular insider briefing on Scottish and UK politics, with a focus on Holyrood elections, party dynamics, and policy debates. Episodes analyze campaigns, manifestos, polling, and the strategic moves of major players like the SNP, Reform UK, Labour, and Liberals, often tying Scotland's evolving landscape to wider Westminster conversations. The format blends detailed political context, historical perspective, and sharp commentary, offering listeners practical takeaways for understanding how political narratives translate into real-world outcomes. A standout trait is the hosts' deep networks and firsthand experience, which lend access to behind-the-headlines insight and nuanced interpretatio... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast:

1. Holyrood Sources
2. Scotcast
3. Not Another One
4. How To Win An Election
5. Matt Forde's Political Party

How many episodes of The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast are there?

The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast launched 2 years ago and published 115 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast?

Recent guests on The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast include:

1. Chris Hanretty
2. Mark Diffley
3. Paul Sweeney
4. Thomas Kerr
5. John Swinney
6. Patrick Maguire
7. Jenny Lindsay
8. David Frum

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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