The Stooshie: the politics podcast from DC Thomson Media

Human cost of budget cuts

While MPs debate small fixes to budgets, we look at the human cost of years of cuts and austerity. From hollowed out health services, to public sector strikes, the problems run deep. The team also looks at Unison’s targeted industrial action in Perth…

Alex Salmond remembered

In a special episode of The Stooshie, The Press and Journal's Adele Merson and The Courier's Alasdair Clark are joined by Perth MP Pete Wishart and former Scottish political editor Alan Roden to remember former first minister Alex Salmond after his s…

Labour's Dundee hangover, Grampian breast cancer wait anger, and MP's Russia warnings

From Scotland to Georgia, this week’s episode covers a lot of ground. We get to grips with Labour’s shaky start, Dundee election setbacks and winter fuel payment woes. We discuss our exclusive reporting on the human cost of long waits for breast canc…

Nairn banker murder hits Holyrood

Alistair Wilson was murdered on his doorstep 20 years ago. The case was raised with First Minister John Swinney in the Scottish Parliament last week. Crime reporter Bryan Rutherford describes why this case is now at boiling point, and why the governm…

Scots aid worker Linda Norgrove's Afghan legacy

The parents of Linda Norgrove, the Scottish aid worker killed in Afghanistan in 2010, speak to the Stooshie about her life and legacy. John and Lorna described their daughter’s determined efforts to help women in the country, one month after 19 stude…

Scottish referendum 10 years on, with Yes Scotland chief Blair Jenkins

We look back at the pro-independence campaign in a two-part special featuring the leading figures from both sides. In this interview, we hear from Blair Jenkins, the chief of Yes Scotland. He reflects on the highs and lows, reveals what happened next…

Scottish referendum 10 years on, with Better Together chief Blair McDougall

We look back at the pro-independence campaign in a two-part special featuring the leading figures from both sides. In this interview, we hear from Blair McDougall, the chief strategist of pro-UK group Better Together. He recalls working with the late…

How Perth prison scheme aims to cut reoffending and ease prison overcrowding

Prison overcrowding is back in the headlines as some inmates are released early. But it’s not just prisoners serving their sentences, there are also big problems with the number of people on remand. We speak to Hamish Robertson, from the Wise Group, …

All change, no cash

The Stooshie team is back from summer break to find the Scottish bank account has been cleared out. What do these cuts mean? Does John Swinney’s SNP or Keir Starmer’s Labour have a plan? Are the Conservatives really still scrapping over who should le…

What next for the SNP and Tories, and what's it like to be an MP?

Scotland has had its say, and a week on from the election we survey the wreckage of the SNP and Conservative campaigns and try to work out what they might do next. We also hear from Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy's Melanie Ward, who shares an audio diary …