Holyrood Sources
The Holyrood Sources podcast analyses Scottish politics through the experiences of those who have lived and breathed it as Special Advisers to the Scottish Government, SNP and opposition parties. Join hosts Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (Chief of Staff to the First Minister, 2007-2014) and Andy Maciver (Former Head of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives) as they take you inside Scottish politics. Their insight is second to none - they've been there, lived it, and maintain remarkable connections to Scotland's politicians and the world of Scottish politics. Join our mailing list and check out our latest live events: click holyroodsources.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Labour civil war erupts just weeks before a make-or-break Budget. In this explosive Holyrood Sources episode, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein and Andy Maciver unpack the extraordinary Number 10 briefing against Wes Streeting — and what it reveals about Keir Starmer’s leadership, Labour’s internal divisions, and the growing panic over a potential leadership challenge.
From Anas Sarwar’s impossible position defending a tax rise in...
What happens when Labour breaks its biggest election promise?
This week on Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond), and Andy Maciver (former Scottish Conservative comms director) unpack Rachel Reeves’ budget gamble — and why it could reshape Scottish politics.
We break down:
- 💸 How Labour’s tax rise could hit Scottish voters
- ⚖️ The political fallout for Rachel Reeves and Anas Sarwa...
Scotland is heading into one of its most unpredictable elections ever — and the usual rules of politics might not apply.
In this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Scottish Conservative comms director) unpack the key trends shaping Scotland right now:.
💬 Join the debate:
Who wins Scotland’s next election — the SNP, Labour, or Reform UK?
🎟...
Labour’s century-long dominance in Wales could be about to collapse — with polls showing Reform UK and Plaid Cymru overtaking them in the Caerphilly by-election.
In this week’s Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Scottish Conservative communications director) unpack:
🗳️ The Wales by-election and what a Labour defeat would mean for Keir Starmer’s leadershi...
John Swinney’s independence strategy is set — but is it realistic?
In this week’s episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein, and Andy Maciver dive deep into what really happened at the SNP Conference.
They unpack Swinney’s “Fresh Start with Independence” plan, the internal reaction to his threshold for triggering a new referendum, and what the polls really say about the SNP’s chances in 2026.
Plus:
- Nicola Sturge...
The Holyrood Sources team — Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond), and Andy Maciver (former Scottish Conservative Director of Communications) — unpack an intense week in UK and Scottish politics.
🇬🇧 At the Tory Conference in Manchester, Kemi Badenoch’s leadership faces open revolt as polling shows half of Conservative members want her replaced. Andy and Geoff debate whether she deserves more time ...
The Holyrood Sources podcast takes you inside the heart of Scottish politics. This week, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Director of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives) discuss Labour Party Conference 2025.
👉 In this episode we ask:
- Has Keir Starmer miscalculated by branding Nigel Farage and Reform UK’s policies “racist and immoral”?
- Is Labour playing int...
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure from both the left and centre of his party ahead of conference. With questions over his leadership, his political voice, and Labour’s direction on key issues like energy policy, immigration, and economic growth, this episode asks:
- Does Starmer have the authority to unite his party?
- Could figures like Andy Burnham challenge him?
- Is Labour heading for a damaging split – or a cha...
In this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Scottish Conservative Head of Comms) deep dive into the week’s biggest political stories.
👉 We ask: has it been a good week for John Swinney and a bad week for Keir Starmer?
👉 We discuss the fallout from the Mandelson–Epstein scandal, Starmer’s leadership under fire, and what it means for Scottish L...
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has secured a rare audience in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump — a diplomatic coup that could shape both Scotland’s international standing and the next Holyrood election.
In this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff, Andy Maciver and Ayesha Hazarika break down:
- Why this Oval Office meeting is such a big win for Swinney’s leadership.
- The Scotch whisky tariffs — Scotl...
Part 2
The future of energy in Scotland is at a crossroads. In this special podcast edition, leading politicians Michael Shanks, Claire Coutinho, and Kate Forbes join the discussion on:
- ⚡ Offshore wind challenges – 400% increase in transmission charges threatening Scottish projects
- 🏠 Fuel poverty – 1 in 3 Scottish households face rising bills despite Scotland’s energy wealth
- 🔌 Grid reform – Can strategic energy planning and inves...
The future of oil and gas in the UK is one of the most pressing political questions of our time — and it’s at the heart of this debate. With the North Sea basin still a major source of energy and jobs in Scotland, how should the UK balance the demands of energy security, climate change targets, and community livelihoods?
In this special discussion, UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks MP (Labour), UK Shadow Secretary of State for Energ...
Scotland’s energy future is at a crossroads.
In this special episode of Holyrood Sources, recorded live at Offshore Europe in Aberdeen, we bring together leading voices to debate oil, gas, renewables, community power projects, and the politics driving the UK’s energy transition.
Guests include:
- Claire Mack – Chief Executive, Scottish Renewables
- Andrew Bowie MP – Conservative MP for West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine, Shadow Minis...
Nicola Sturgeon’s new book is causing controversy. On this episode of Holyrood Sources, Geoff Aberdein - former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond - directly challenges several claims, including:
- Did Alex Salmond really leak allegations against himself?
- Was Salmond disengaged from the 2013 independence White Paper?
- Did he oppose same-sex marriage?
Geoff says these stories are “falsehoods and fabrications” — and sets the record str...
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has released her long-awaited memoir Frankly — and it’s already sparking old feuds, reigniting the Alex Salmond debate, and deepening divisions inside the SNP.
In this episode of the Holyrood Sources Podcast, Calum Macdonald and Andy Maciver unpack:
- Sturgeon’s claims about Alex Salmond during the independence referendum
- The SNP’s internal factions: Team Sturgeon, Team Salmond & Team Swinne...
Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has announced she will step down at the 2026 Holyrood election. In this bonus episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Director of Comms for the Scottish Conservatives) unpack the political shockwave.
👉 What does this mean for John Swinney's leadership?
👉 Is the SNP losing its most economically credible ...
In this powerful episode of Holyrood Sources, historian and author James Hawes explains why Scottish independence is inevitable and argues the UK has been in terminal decline since 1922.
Speaking with host Calum Macdonald, Hawes discusses:
- Why Labour’s 2024 landslide won’t save the Union
- The rise of Reform UK and Nigel Farage’s “naked English nationalism”
- The SNP’s crisis — and its historical parallel with Irish nationalism after P...
Donald Trump’s whirlwind visit to Scotland left behind more than photo ops — it’s shifted the tone of UK and Scottish politics. In this episode of Holyrood Sources, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to Alex Salmond) and Andy Maciver (former Scottish Conservative Director of Communications) unpack the chaos, optics, and opportunities of Trump’s trip to Ayrshire and Aberdeen.
From whisky tariffs and oil politi...
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