The Stooshie: the politics podcast from DC Thomson Media

Strikes at Robert Gordon University, John Swinney's reset and MSPs deal with 'burn-out'

It’s Holyrood recess, but the headlines keep coming. This week, the team speaks to striking staff outside Robert Gordon University fighting cuts in an education funding crisis. We also look at First Minister John Swinney’s latest reset while the worl…

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey interview

We speak to Lib Dem leader Ed Davey in Inverness as his party looks to the Highlands ahead of next year’s Holyrood election. He discusses the party’s hopes of making gains across the region – including in the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency …

New Dundee University rector interview

We speak to Maggie Chapman, who saw off a challenge from TV Gladiator Sabre in an election to the role of Dundee University rector. She tells us about her plans to help fix the crisis-hit institution and how she learned from her previous rector post …

Assisted dying interview

We speak with Willie Rennie, the former Scottish Lib Dem leader, on his decision to go public in support of assisted dying proposals. The MSP for North East Fife tells us what swayed his opinion while the debate plays out across Scotland and in all p…

Dundee University finance scandal deepens

Bosses at Dundee University admit the institution could have run out of cash by June without support.The revelations from parliament are the latest in a long-running saga.We discuss an extraordinary evidence session heard by Holyrood’s education comm…

Dundee University jobs crisis

More than 600 jobs are at risk at Dundee University.While managers take desperate measures to cut a £35 million deficit, what happens next?We discuss our exclusive coverage including an interview with principal Shane O’Neill.Our reporters describe th…

An eye-opening trip to Ukraine

We’re joined by two Scottish MPs fresh from Ukraine where they saw first hand what Russia’s war means. Arbroath and Broughty Ferry SNP MP Stephen Gethins was in the country with Dunfermline and Dollar Labour MP Graeme Downie. They explain what it’s l…

John Swinney interview

Scottish First Minister John Swinney speaks to The Stooshie for a feature-length interview as he nears a year in the top job.He talks about the vital support of family, and how early morning runs listening to The Jam (and his friend Pete Wishart's ba…

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar interview

Anas Sarwar joins us as his party’s conference gets under way in Glasgow this weekend. Can he get over the obstacles since Labour’s general election win and be next first minister of Scotland? The Glasgow MSP joins us to discuss policies, polling set…

Scotland Office minister on energy jobs promises

Labour politicians are getting flak over energy job promises again, but seem to think the public don’t really mind. Do you? We spoke to UK Government Kirsty McNeill, and Scottish Labour’s Michael Marra, about economic fortunes. And after big SNP prom…