Holyrood Sources

In today’s deep-dive episode of Holyrood Sources, we break down one of the most contentious and politically charged budgets in years — Rachel Reeves’ first full Labour Budget. With Scotland at the centre of the economic and political fallout, the team scrutinises what this Budget means for Scottish jobs, taxation, public services, welfare, the North Sea, and the Scottish Government’s own finances ahead of its budget in January.

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In this episode of the Holyrood Sources podcast, hosts Calum MacDonald, Geoff Aberdein, and Andy Maciver are joined by Scottish Conservative MSP Maurice Golden

In this episode, we chat about:

🔹 Budget Day – Rachel Reeves’ survival strategy, the U-turn on income tax, the OBR downgrading UK growth, and how Labour MPs may break with leadership.

🔹 Reform UK’s surge – After a razor-thin by-election in Dumfries...

Scotland are going to the World Cup — and the Holyrood Sources team are buzzing. But after the celebrations, Geoff, Andy and Calum dig into a huge week in Scottish and UK politics.

➡️ ExxonMobil shuts Mossmorran, putting 400 jobs at risk — Geoff explains why government policy has directly contributed and why this marks a deeper de-industrialisation crisis in Scotland.

➡️ Fresh YouGov polling reveals a dramatic collapse in support fo...

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?

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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...