The Go Radio Politics Show with Bernard Ponsonby

Election 2026: Manifestos, Medicine & the Mood of the Nation

Go Radio Politics Show: April 12th, 2026.

This is a catch-up version of Bernard Ponsonby's live, weekly Sunday show on Go Radio. 

In this episode of The Go Radio Politics Show, Bernard Ponsonby brings together leading voices from the SNP, Scottish Labour, and the Scottish Conservatives for a fast‑paced, revealing conversation as Scotland’s election campaign heats up.

Ivan McKee, Isla McCay, and Brian Whittle go head‑to‑head on the week’s biggest political flashpoints — from tax policy and the true state of Scotland’s public services to GP access, justice reform, and the credibility of party manifestos. 

Packed with sharp exchanges, candid insights, and real electoral stakes, this episode is essential listening for anyone trying to make sense of Scotland’s political moment.

Tax Battles & Election Tensions

• Parties clash over whether Scotland is “over‑taxed,” with Conservatives pushing tax cuts, Labour arguing for smarter spending, and the SNP defending progressive thresholds.
• Heated debate on fiscal drag and whether higher-rate burdens are driving professionals out of Scotland.

GP Appointments & NHS Pressure

• Conservatives pitch a headline promise: GP appointments within 48 hours — questioned by other parties as unrealistic without major workforce changes.
• SNP highlight new GP walk-in centres, while Labour warns rural areas risk being left behind without a credible staffing plan.

Justice System Under Fire

• Tories call current remission rules “soft touch” and argue some sentences are effectively halved.
• SNP defends early release as a response to prison capacity limits, while Labour stresses tackling causes of crime, not just sentencing.

Leaders' Debates: Game-Changer or Theatre?

• All guests weigh in on whether debates truly sway undecided voters or simply create media spectacle.
• Concerns over reform UK’s shaky campaign performance and how TV exposure could reshape perceptions.

Polls & Political Momentum

• Polling surge shows the SNP on track for a majority, Labour and Reform neck‑and‑neck for second, and Conservatives sliding.
• Panellists debate whether polls should even be allowed during campaigns due to their influence on turnout and voter psychology.

Social Media vs. Reality

• Acknowledgment that more people see debate clips than full debates — raising concerns over selective editing, polarisation, and misinformation.
• Parties concede the need to reach young voters online while maintaining ethical standards.

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Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/IzXvaUxd8Wk?si=y68d4qdn3OoEC6g4 

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Politics Without Illusions: A Hard Look at Scotland’s Future

Go Radio Politics Show: April 5th, 2026.

This is a catch-up version of Bernard Ponsonby's live, weekly Sunday show on Go Radio. 

Bernard Ponsonby is joined by Stephen Boyd, director of IPPR Scotland, Holly Bruce (Scottish Greens), Christine Jardine (Scottish Liberal Democrats) and Moira Ramage (Reform Uk).

In this episode of the Go Radio Politics Show, host Bernard Ponsonby dives deep into the defining issues of Scotland’s election campaign — guided by a new framework set out by IPPR Scotland.

Joined by representatives from the Scottish Greens, Scottish Liberal Democrats, and Reform UK Scotland, the discussion tackles five big questions shaping every party’s manifesto:

• Scotland’s £4.7 billion fiscal gap — Is it tax hikes, spending cuts, or economic growth that will close the black hole?
• Public service reform — Is the Scottish state too big, too inefficient, or simply underpowered locally?
• Economic growth reality check — Can any party truly deliver rapid growth, or is that political fantasy?
• Climate commitments — Are Scotland’s climate policies credible, or sliding backwards?
• Child poverty — With statutory targets looming, what are the real (and costly) actions needed to lift families out of poverty?

Expect sharp exchanges, candid admissions, and stark contrasts in philosophy — from wealth taxes to quango cuts, from renewables expansion to oil and gas debates, and from childcare expansion to direct cash transfers.

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Does It Matter Who Wins? Scotland’s Parties Clash Ahead of May 7

Go Radio Politics Show: March 29th, 2026.

This is a catch-up version of Bernard Ponsonby's live, weekly Sunday show on Go Radio. 

Bernard Ponsonby hosts a fiery three‑way debate between Douglas Lumsden (Scottish Conservatives), Kieron Higgins (Scottish Labour) and Alex Kerr (SNP). With Holyrood dissolved ahead of the 7 May vote, the panel wrestles with the big question: does it really matter who wins?

The conversation ranges from Scotland’s £5bn projected budget shortfall to the future of the NHS, child poverty, ferries, education, and the defining constitutional question — independence. Sparks fly as the guests clash over mandates, public service failures, and whether voters are simply fed up with all parties.

“Does it actually matter who wins?” — The opening challenge

Bernard frames the stakes: a £5bn black hole, voter cynicism, and long‑standing failures in poverty and housing.

Alex Kerr argues Scotland is the only part of the UK where child poverty is falling due to the Scottish Child Payment.

“The only place in the UK where child poverty is falling is Scotland.”

Conservatives: ‘Record bad’

Douglas Lumsden attacks the SNP on ferries, NHS waiting lists and education.

Labour: ‘Fix the mess, get the basics right’

Kieron Higgins highlights potholes, NHS access, school violence and a decade of decline.

The mandate meltdown

A chaotic exchange as Bernard repeatedly asks: What constitutes a mandate for independence? Neither Labour nor the Conservatives give a straight answer — a standout moment of the episode.

Why would anyone go into politics?

All three guests open up about abuse, burnout and the emotional toll on families.

Misogyny in Scottish politics

A rare moment of cross‑party agreement as all three acknowledge the scale of misogynistic abuse.

The Malcolm Offord controversy

The panel debates whether an eight‑year‑old joke makes Offord unfit for office — and whether outrage is amplified by election season.

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Can Voters Trust Manifestos in an Age of Economic and Political Uncertainty?

Go Radio Politics Show: March 22nd, 2026.

This is a catch-up version of Bernard Ponsonby's live, weekly Sunday show on Go Radio. 

Bernard dives straight into the political and economic turbulence shaping Scotland and the wider world.

From spiralling energy bills to the legacy of Nicola Sturgeon, the conversation brings together Willie Rennie (Former Leader of Lib Dems), Paul McLennan (SNP MSP) and Jenny Young (Scottish Labour Candidate) for a lively, sometimes fiery, hour of analysis, disagreement, and surprising consensus.

The Middle East Crisis & The Return of the Cost‑of‑Living Storm

The show opens with a deep look at global instability — especially the unpredictable signals coming from a Trump‑led White House — and how oil price spikes could trigger a new wave of inflation, shattered interest‑rate hopes, and mounting pressure on households already stretched to their limits.

Party Manifestos: Meaningful Roadmaps or Political Fairy Tales?

Reform UK Scotland’s manifesto launch sparks a bigger debate:
Are manifestos honest visions of change, or glossy brochures destined for the recycling bin?

Nicola Sturgeon’s Final Bow — Legacy, Leadership & Lessons

With Nicola Sturgeon delivering her final speech as an MSP, the panel weigh in on:

Her undeniable communication talent and crisis leadership during COVID

Her influence on women in politics

The contested record on education, climate, housing and poverty

Her leadership style — inspirational to some, aloof to others

Whether she’ll ever truly step away from politics.

A Rare Moment of Consensus

In a surprisingly unified ending, the panel agree that:

The next Holyrood Parliament will face a brutal fiscal reality

Politicians must be honest about tough choices ahead

Scotland desperately needs a healthier political culture — though Sturgeon’s own role in shaping (and sometimes sharpening) that culture doesn’t escape debate

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Assisted Dying, Buildings Burn & Starmer Under Pressure

Go Radio Politics Show: March 15th, 2026.

This is a catch-up version of Bernard Ponsonby's live, weekly Sunday show on Go Radio. 

Bernard Ponsonby leads a panel of political heavyweights through three of the most contentious topics dominating Scottish and UK politics right now.

Assisted Dying: Scotland’s Tipping Point?

With a knife‑edge vote looming, Rona MacKay (SNP,) Brian Whittle (Conservatives), Katherine Sangster (Labour) and Brian Monteith (Reform UK) dissect Scotland’s Assisted Dying Bill — its safeguards, moral dilemmas, political pressures, and whether palliative care is ready for such a historic shift.

Key highlights:

• Why this bill is “too close to call” — and why MSPs are agonising over it.
• The clash between personal conscience and parliamentary evidence.
• Does assisted dying strengthen or undermine palliative care?
• Predictions: will it pass or fall by just a handful of votes?

Glasgow Fire & Scotland’s Built Heritage Crisis

Following the devastating Union Street fire, the panel takes on the growing crisis around Scotland’s architectural heritage.
From under‑funded councils to the rise of risky, unregulated vape shops, they explore whether Scotland is doing enough to protect its historic heart.

Key highlights:

• Why Glasgow’s architectural gems are “sleepwalking into decline.”
• The real fire risks behind lithium batteries and vape stores.
• Should councils get more powers — or just more money?
• Glasgow vs. Edinburgh: are both cities losing their shine?
• Should the city compulsorily purchase iconic sites to protect them.

The Mandelson Papers & Starmer’s Judgement Under Fire

The newly released documents surrounding Peter Mandelson’s appointment ignite a fiery debate on Keir Starmer’s decision‑making.
From ignored warnings to political fallout, the panel unpacks what this means for Labour in Scotland, Reform UK’s rise — and whether the Prime Minister is now a “dead man walking.”

Key highlights:

• Did we learn anything new — or just confirm the worst?
• Why ignoring official red flags may haunt Labour in the election.
• Does Starmer’s leadership help or hurt Labour north of the border?
• Is the SNP’s best asset… the PM himself?
• Who really comes second on election night: Labour, Tories, or Reform?

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Watch the replay on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/dCNaT1-6BVw?si=Cxkg-aDM7k2SNide 

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War, Weak Growth & £10k to Leave

Go Radio Politics Show: March 8th, 2026.

This is a catch-up version of Bernard Ponsonby's live, weekly Sunday show on Go Radio. 

Bernard Ponsonby leads the panel — Patrick Harvie, Scottish Greens, Alyn Smith SNP and Scottish labour's Vonnie Sandlan — through the week’s most politically charged stories.

From a Middle East crisis reshaping global alliances to sobering UK economic forecasts and a fiercely debated asylum overhaul, this episode delivers tension, insight and the kind of unfiltered political candour listeners crave.

The Middle East in Flames — Is the World Safer or More Dangerous Now?

A U.S.–Israel attack on Iran has sent shockwaves across the globe.

The panel dissect:The assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei, Missiles hitting Gulf states, Soaring energy prices and market panic and whether the rules‑based international order is collapsing

The UK’s Bleak Economic Outlook — Has Labour’s Growth Plan Already Stalled?

Growth forecasts are grim, and inflation won’t hit target until 2027.

Key debates include: Is Labour “managing decline”?Are higher taxes now inevitable? How will soaring energy prices and Middle East instability hit the UK economy? Is the Scottish Government making the most of its funding boost?

The £10,000 Asylum Return Offer — Compassion or Madness?

The government’s tough new asylum measures take centre stage.

The panel unpack: The controversial £10k payment to failed asylum seekers Extending the route to Indefinite Leave to Remain Claims of hypocrisy within Labour’s position and concerns of rising far‑right rhetoric and its political consequences

The realities on the doorstep in Glasgow and beyond

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Voting Earthquakes & Tax Headaches — A Wild Week in Scottish Politics.

Go Radio Politics Show: March 1st, 2026.

This is a catch-up version of Bernard Ponsonby's live, weekly Sunday show on Go Radio. 

Bernard Ponsonby and a lively panel — Malcolm Offord (Reform UK Scotland), David Linden (SNP), and later Annie Wells (Scottish Conservatives) — unpack the Green Party’s historic by‑election win in Gorton & Denton, an upset that has political insiders asking whether the dominance of Labour and the Conservatives is beginning to crumble.

The Gorton & Denton Earthquake

Greens secure their first ever by‑election win — and by a wide margin.

Labour pushed to third, Reform UK surges, and the Conservatives collapse.

Debate on whether this is a mid‑term protest or a true political realignment.

Fragmentation of UK politics now mirrors what Scotland has experienced for years.

Are Scots Being Taxed Unfairly?

Over one million Scots expected to become higher‑rate taxpayers due to fiscal drag.

SNP stance: “You can’t have Scandinavian services with American tax rates.”

Reform UK argues Scotland has a 55% state share of GDP and needs a “wealth economy.”

Heated exchanges over tax bands, public spending, quangos, and who really pays.

Nurses, teachers, and police now classed as “broad-shouldered taxpayers.”

Holyrood Poll Shock — Is the Election Already Decided?

New polling suggests:

SNP: 60–67 seats

Reform UK Scotland: 19–25 seats

Labour: struggling

Tories: fewer than 10 seats

Reform UK claims they can stop the SNP; Conservatives argue Reform will hand power to the SNP.

SNP insists nothing is guaranteed — “polls are not votes in the box.”

The future of independence returns to centre stage.

The Unionist Vote Problem

Multiple unionist parties + Reform UK surge = risk of splitting the anti‑SNP vote.

Strategic dilemmas: Who is best placed to challenge the SNP in each constituency?

Reform accused of being “Tory rebranding,” Conservatives accused of having only one policy.

Council Tax, Local Services & A City That Needs a ‘Spruce Up’

Glasgow facing steep council tax rises amid financial pressures.

Debate over whether increases are fair during a cost‑of‑living squeeze.

Rows over cleansing services, funding shortfalls, and local autonomy.

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Who Pays for Scotland? The Budget Debate Gets Real!

Go Radio Politics Show: February 22nd, 2026.

This is a catch-up version of Bernard Ponsonby's live, weekly Sunday show on Go Radio. 

A fiery, fast‑paced episode with the SNP’s Ivan McKee, Labour’s Joe Fagan, and the Lib Dems’ Susan Murray — plus Bernard’s trademark sharp analysis throughout.

 

With the Lord Advocate under intense political fire, Scotland’s finances facing pressure, and councils preparing fresh tax hikes, this episode is packed with sharp exchanges, revealing insights, and a rare three‑way cross‑party debate that actually finds some agreement.

 

The Lord Advocate in the Political Crosshairs

Why a confidential note to the First Minister triggered accusations of impropriety.

Should the dual role of chief legal adviser and head of prosecutions finally be split?

Panelists clash over conflicts of interest, political optics, and public confidence.

Scotland’s Finances: Reality Check or Armageddon Hype?

The Institute for Fiscal Studies warns of tightening budgets — is the crisis real?

The panel debates whether free tuition, free bus passes, and flagship services remain sustainable.

Where past reforms have worked… and where they’ve stalled for 15 years.

Public Services: Spending More, Getting Less?

Are Scotland’s “free” policies inadvertently subsidising the middle class?

Why outcomes in education and health aren’t matching investment.

The Christie Commission’s ghosts return to haunt Holyrood.

Council Tax Rise: Cost‑of‑Living Pain or Necessary Reality?

With rises above inflation across the country, are councils simply passing the buck?

Chronic underfunding, ring‑fencing battles, and the future of local democracy.

Is it finally time to scrap or overhaul council tax?

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