Advertise on podcast: The Stooshie: the politics podcast from DC Thomson

The NHS is the number one concern for voters at the upcoming Holyrood election. Dr Chris Williams, based in Grantown-on-Spey, talks about the strain on GPs at the moment. What does he think the next government can do to help after May 7, and will walk-in clinics help ease pressure?

The Stooshie looks through the results of our survey on election priorities. This week, the decline of the high street and what can be done to fix it. We also look at the state of play for political party manifestos while we wait for the SNP and Lib Dems to complete the set.

We look at a topic which is animating voters in rural Scotland ahead of the election. Campaigners from Angus to the Highlands worry about plans for giant pylons. They say it could blight the landscape and want to see the proposed schemes ditched. Energy giants SSEN say the upgrades are necessary for the country’s grid. So how much will this matter come May 7?

We look at each party as the Holyrood election gets into full swing. Tories and SNP start in Aberdeen with an energy focus, while Labour goes island hopping. Lib Dems think they should be back in parliament already. Reform are still trying to work out who their own candidates are. And the Greens had an almighty scrap with themselves. Onwards to May 7!  

Mum Beth Morrison opens up on her decade-long fight to change restraint and seclusion laws after her disabled son Calum was left covered in bruises and traumatised at school when he was 11 years old. @Enable_Tweets @djohnsonmsp

The SNP gathered for a pre-election gathering in Edinburgh – what’s the mood in the party? We hear from Stephen Flynn and Stephen Gethins, two MPs hoping to win a berth at Holyrood on May 7. Aberdeen University has become caught up in the Iran war at its Qatar campus. And we get a look inside a fighting Green party branch where bullying claims are causing bitter fall-outs.

The landmark plan to legalise assisted dying in Scotland has reached crunch time at Holyrood. MSP Liam McArthur explains how he's trying to convince wavering politicians to back the legislation next week. We also reflect on a week of turmoil in the economy from inside the energy debate in London. And we catch up on Scottish election developments, including a look ahead to Reform's candidates being revealed.

To help us make sense of the UK Government’s economic plans, and problems, we’re joined by Mairi Spowage, Director of the Fraser of Allender Institute. That’s a good thing because Chancellor Rachel Reeves' latest spring statement looked out of date the minute she started speaking this week. Forecasts were ripped up as oil prices shot up and conflict spread across Iran and the middle east.   Notes: Read more about this week’s topic from the Fraser of Allender’s report here: https://fraserofallander.org/uk-energy-transition-at-a-crossroads-could-the-moment-be-missed/ And see how policies are hitting businesses already, like here: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen-aberdeenshire/6953706/cafe-neuk-hospitality-taskforce-government-tax/  

Tories and Lib Dems held special election conferences, both hoping to make an impact at the Scottish Parliament election on May.  We spoke to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Lib Dem leader Ed Davey about their chances while the SNP continues to stay far in front. We also look ahead to Labour in Paisley this weekend and set out our own election planning 10 weeks from polling day.  

The Scottish Information Commissioner David Hamilton sits down with The Stooshie to talk about Freedom of Information in Scotland, transparency in our NHS, the Scottish Government and local authorities - and how AI could be a gamechanger. 

Former Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale joins us to rake over the chaos after Anas Sarwar stunned everyone by calling for the prime minister to quit. She knows a thing or two about what it's like to turn on the UK Labour leader, having worked with Jeremy Corbyn. Also joining us is Murray Foote, the former Daily Record editor and ex-SNP chief executive. He'd quite like to send Anas Sarwar some flowers as a thank you for sowing more turmoil in Labour while the election contest picks up pace. We also hear a bit from Jeremy Corbyn in Dundee as the turmoil swirls around Downing Street.    

The Scottish Parliament election is three months away and every party is starting their campaign conference, beginning with Jeremy Corbyn’s new left alternative party meeting in Dundee this weekend. We mark the start of the campaign phase by speaking to Ballot Box Scotland guru Allan Faulds on what the public mood is for each party. Will the SNP get their referendum election? How does Labour respond to UK polling slump and are the Tories locked in a dogfight with Reform? Can the Lib Dems make gains beyond their core vote areas, will Greens get a bounce or a dent from their time in government, and is Alba ever going to take off?

Scotland is certainly feeling the heat now, and for the first time in years, it seems faraway threats are beginning to appear alarmingly close. From Donald Trump and Greenland, to Russia and a confused world order. We spoke to Andrew Neal, Professor of International Security at Edinburgh University, to make sense of the threat and impact across the north of Scotland.

There is a link, honestly. While Donald Trump throws his toys out of his pram, his words are felt everywhere. In Fife, Nigel Farage was holding court and tried to defend his friend’s attitude, saying he’s sure he wouldn’t invade. The prime minister and Tory leader were also all in Scotland to talk about energy. Will the people who see the pylons go up ever see their bills go down? We asked UK energy minister Michael Shanks.  

The Stooshie looks at this week's Scottish budget from the SNP Government. Was it an election special? Who wins and loses? We also look at question marks over the future set-up of national treatment centres. And UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks answers questions about when communities in rural Scotland will finally see bills come down while they see pylons and turbines go up.