Apolitical - a Scottish politics podcast

In Episode 45 of Apolitical we discuss the case for Leaving the European Union with Tom Harris, the former Scottish Labour MP who is heading up Vote Leave Scotland. Amongst the topics we discuss with Tom on the podcast are: • His personal reasons for supporting a Leave vote; • The infamous £350m per week figure and what […] The post #45: Leave: EU Referendum Special appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 44 of Apolitical we discuss the case for Remaining in the European Union with Ross Greer MSP, the Scottish Greens’ spokesman on Europe and external affairs. Amongst the topics we discuss with Ross on the podcast are: • His personal reasons for supporting a Remain vote; • Whether the EU’s treatment of Greece has […] The post #44: Remain: EU Referendum Special appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 43 of Apolitical we welcome the Guardian’s Scotland Correspondent, Libby Brooks, to the show. Libby is an established part of the Guardian team and has been based in Glasgow since the 2014 Independence referendum. Amongst the topics we discuss with Libby on the podcast are: • The women who inspired her to get into journalism; […] The post #43: Libby Brooks appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 42 of Apolitical we welcome musician and writer Pat Kane to the show. A long-term supporter of Scottish independence, Pat – best known to many as half of the successful duo Hue & Cry – has been a prominent voice in the constitutional debate before, during and since the referendum campaign. Amongst the topics we discuss with […] The post #42: Pat Kane appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 41 of Apolitical we welcome Jordan Daly from the TIE Campaign. After chatting with Jordan’s co-founder Liam Stevenson last year, we get an update on the campaign’s progress in 2016. Amongst the topics we discuss with Jordan on the podcast, recorded shortly before the 2016 Scottish Parliament elections, are: • Developments in the campaign’s work since […] The post #41: Jordan Daly appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 40 of Apolitical we are joined by Steven Purcell, formerly the Leader of Glasgow City Council, to discuss the outcomes from last week’s Scottish Parliament elections. Amongst the topics we discuss with Steven on the podcast are: • Where do Scottish Labour go from here; • What are the causes of the Scottish Conservatives’ success; […] The post #40: Election Review with Steven Purcell appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 39 of Apolitical we welcome back Carolyn Scott, James McEnaney and Ian Dunn for more discussion of the parties contesting this year’s Scottish elections. In this episode we look at some of our preferred policies and the best-case electoral scenario for each of the parties. Amongst the topics we discuss on the podcast are: • Who is […] The post #39: Holyrood Election Preview – Part 2 appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 38 of Apolitical we welcome former guests Carolyn Scott, James McEnaney and Ian Dunn to discuss the parties contesting this year’s Scottish elections. In this episode we consider each party’s policy platform and look for the problems and challenges they are likely to face. Amongst the topics we discuss on the podcast are: • […] The post #38: Holyrood Election Preview – Part 1 appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 37 of Apolitical we welcome Darren McGarvey as our sixth guest of Season 2. Darren, also known as ‘Loki’, is a musician, activist and political writer from Glasgow. Amongst the topics we discuss with Darren on the podcast are: • How his politics and outlook were affected by the Independence Referendum campaign; • His early […] The post #37: Darren ‘Loki’ McGarvey appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 36 of Apolitical we welcome Robin McAlpine as our fifth guest of Season 2. Robin is the Director of Common Weal and has written for a variety of publications, including Bella Caledonia and CommonSpace, on a wide range of topics. Amongst the topics we discuss with Robin on the podcast are: • His introduction to […] The post #36: Robin McAlpine appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 35 of Apolitical we welcome Naomi McAuliffe as our fourth guest of Season 2. Naomi is the head of Amnesty Scotland and has written for the Guardian and other publications. Amongst the topics we discuss with Naomi on the podcast are: • Her history in political activism; • How the Scottish Government’s approach […] The post #35: Naomi McAuliffe appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 34 of Apolitical we welcome Cat Boyd as our third guest of Season 2. Cat is the first candidate on the regional list for Glasgow for RISE, is a co-founder of the Radical Independence Campaign and writes regularly for The National, CommonSpace and many other outlets. Amongst the topics we discuss with Cat on the podcast […] The post #34: Cat Boyd appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 33 of Apolitical we welcome Councillor Monica Lennon as our second guest of Season 2. Monica is a councillor for Hamilton North & East and is placed second on Scottish Labour’s list for the Central Scotland region at the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections. Amongst the topics we discuss with Monica on the podcast, which was recorded […] The post #33: Cllr. Monica Lennon appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 32 of Apolitical we welcome back Angela Haggerty as our first guest of Season 2. Angela was also a guest early in Season 1 and joins us to discuss the fallout from her recent sacking as a Sunday Herald columnist. Magnus Llewellin, Editor-in-Chief of the Herald Group of newpapers, was offered an opportunity […] The post #32: Angela Haggerty 2 appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 31 of Apolitical we speak with Liam Stevenson, a co-founder of the TIE Campaign which seeks to ensure that all schools in Scotland are offering an LGBTI+ inclusive education. We chat about how he came to be involved in the campaign; why TIE is necessary; and what lies ahead for the campaign. Amongst […] The post #31: Liam Stevenson appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 30 of Apolitical we look back on 2015 and forward to the new year in a special mini-episode. If there are any guests you want to see on the show please let us know, but more importantly let them know! We’re keen to speak to people from all of the political parties and from the Scottish […] The post #30: Iain Bartholomew appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 29 of Apolitical we speak with Jeane Freeman OBE, a co-founder of Women for Independence and the SNP’s candidate for Carrick, Cumnock & Doon Valley in the 2016 Holyrood elections. We chat about her journey from the Labour party to the SNP; the potential impact of tax credits reform; TTIP; and the election campaign […] The post #29: Jeane Freeman OBE appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 28 of Apolitical we speak with Jen Stout, a co-ordinator of the Scottish Land Action Movement. We chat about her interest in land reform, what it could mean for the people of Scotland and try to understand what constitutes a “Mugabe-style land grab”. Amongst the topics we discuss with Jen on the podcast are: […] The post #28: Jen Stout appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 27 of Apolitical we speak with Steven Purcell, formerly a Labour Councillor and the Leader of Glasgow City Council. We chat about his time as Leader, the present situation faced by Scottish Labour and what an SNP-led council would mean for the city of Glasgow. Amongst the topics we discuss with Steven on the […] The post #27: Steven Purcell appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.

In Episode 26 of Apolitical we speak with Anas Hassan, a pharmacist and writer who recently missed out on selection to the SNP regional list for for Mid Scotland and Fife. In a chat recorded prior to that vote we discuss Anas’ political background and his views on SNP policy. Amongst the topics we discuss with Anas on […] The post #26: Anas Hassan appeared first on Apolitical Podcast.