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Artwork for The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

Solid Media
SNP
Labour Party
Keir Starmer
Scottish National Party
UK Parliament
Scottish Independence
Economic Growth
Scottish Government
Industrial Strategy Council
Brexit
Asylum and Immigration Bill
Planning Reforms
Public Ownership
Conservative Party
Nicola Sturgeon
Independence Referendum
Immigration
Scottish Politics
Kamala Harris
Donald Trump

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes93Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsNews Commentary

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Artwork for The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast

Latest Episodes

Bernard and Alex dig into the editorial crisis at the BBC, Comcast/SKY's potential takeover of ITV and Bernard (STV's former Political Editor and longest serving journalist of 34 years) says he no longer thinks the company has a future.

Focussing on... more

Bernard and Alex delve into one of the bigget topics of the modern political age. Why can't Westminster or Holyrood seem to manage our public finances?

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The... more

In Part Two, in marking the 25th anniversary of the death of Donald Dewar, Bernard and Alex reflect on the Office of First Minister and how it has changed since Dewar's time as the first office holder. Plus they rate every First Minister out of 10. more

In Part One, as we approach the 25th anniversary of the death of Donald Dewar, Bernard and Alex reflect on the Office of First Minister and how it has changed since Dewar's time as the first office holder.

Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politi... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

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"
Matt Forde
Political comedian and podcast host
Supreme Podcast
Episode: MATT FORDE - Joins Bernard and Alex
Stewart McDonald
Former SNP MP for Glasgow South
Scottish National Party
Episode: SNP - Explosive Interview with Stewart McDonald

Hosts

Bernard Ponsonby
Co-host and political journalist with extensive experience in Scottish politics and reporting.
Alex Massie
Co-host and political commentator for The Times and Sunday Times, bringing insights from his journalism background.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 93 ratings
  • 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 Kingdoma year ago
  • Interesting.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Michael Comiskey
    a year 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 Kingdoma year ago
  • Gorgeous whisky seasoned accents

    This podcast is worthing listening for their voices alone.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Marty555
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • The Best Political Podcast From Scotland

    This is by far the most insightful political podcast coming out of Scotland. It covers everything political and not just Scottish issues.

    It’s “must listen” on my political podcast list.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Paulhughes01itunes
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

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

The podcast is generally praised for addressing Scottish political topics with a nuanced and thorough approach.
Listeners appreciate the deep insights provided by the experienced hosts, highlighting their backgrounds in journalism.
There are occasional concerns about the delivery style of the hosts, with some feeling need for more succinct discussions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#137
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#243
Hong Kong/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
SNP - Explosive Interview with Stewart McDonald
Q: Is it just a disinclination to engage with opposing viewpoints?
McDonald acknowledges the lack of serious political discourse and the need for the party to foster debates about governance and policies.
SNP - Explosive Interview with Stewart McDonald
Q: What do you think were the sort of two or three factors that most satisfactorily or afford the greatest amount of explanation for the scale of the setback that the SNP suffered last week?
McDonald suggests that the defeat reflects broader cultural issues within the SNP, particularly regarding competence and delivery to the electorate.
SNP - Explosive Interview with Stewart McDonald
Q: At what point, either in the campaign or the night, were you aware that you were about to be an ex-MP?
McDonald sensed the likely outcome of losing his seat during the campaign and was mentally prepared for it by election night.
TRUMP & PUTIN - Carve-Up Ukraine & Rip-Up Western Defence
Q: Do you believe there are any circumstances in which Ukraine would settle?
The Ukrainians do not want to be governed by Russia and are unwilling to cede any territory without a deal that includes their terms.

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?

This podcast offers insightful commentary on Scottish and UK politics, driven by seasoned journalists with extensive backgrounds in the field. Each episode covers a wide array of topics, including current events, political strategy, and the evolving dynamics of key political figures such as Keir Starmer and Nicola Sturgeon. The hosts provide a blend of news analysis and insider perspectives, ensuring listeners stay informed about significant issues surrounding Scotland's governance and political landscape. Notably, the discussions often engage with and challenge the prevailing narratives in Scottish politics, making it a valuable resource for those aiming to understand the complexities of the region's political climate.

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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. Matt Forde's Political Party
5. How To Win An Election

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

The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast launched a year ago and published 93 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. Paul Sweeney
2. Thomas Kerr
3. John Swinney
4. Patrick Maguire
5. Jenny Lindsay
6. David Frum
7. Michael Marra
8. Matt Forde

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