Scottish Independence Podcasts

Holyrood 2026: What do we want?

Holyrood 2026: What Makes a Great Manifesto?
In this episode, Indypodcasters Fiona and Marlene take you to Govan, where the Scottish Independence Convention held a lively and inspiring event on 5th April 2025 to kick-start conversations around the Holyrood 2026 elections. The big question: What do we want to see in party manifestos?
We feature insights from three standout speakers, each bringing bold, fresh ideas and proposing three key topics they believe should be included in their 2026 manifestos of any party seeking their vote.
Plus, Fiona and Marlene reveal their own top 3 manifesto wish lists, rounding off the episode with some thought-provoking discussion and a few surprises.
Key chapters:
00:01:57 Simon Barrow - what makes a great manifesto
00:12:57 Selma Rahman - what women tell us
00:29:53 Ian Black - mission orientated market making
00:47:12 Marlene and Fiona's manifesto wish lists
 Whether you're passionate about Scottish independence, curious about policy priorities, or just love a good political debate, this episode is packed with ideas to get you thinking ahead of Holyrood 2026. 
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share if you're ready to shape Scotland’s future.
We're grateful to our friend and indy media colleague Lewis Cedar of https://SPVR.org for sharing the audio from this event with us.
#Holyrood2026 #ScottishPolitics  #ManifestoMatters #ScotlandFuture #ScottishIndependence #GovanEvent #PoliticalPodcast #SIC
The Scottish Independence Podcasts team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!
Contact Us: indypodcasters@gmail.com 
Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes
Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips.  video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm
If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee?  https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcasts or choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause.
Music:
Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Standout speech: Wealth, Inequality and Land Reform

Laurie MacFarlane from Future Economy Scotland gave, in our opinion, the standout speech at the recent Independence Forum for Scotland conference held in Edinburgh on 1st March 2025.
Land Reform is one of those key topics where the public mood seems to be for further, faster reform than our politicians seem able to keep up with but the stakes are high and the potential benefits to Scotland are immense.
Find out more from https://futureeconomy.scot
#landreform #socialjustice #scotland
 
The Scottish Independence Podcasts team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. Remember to like and subscribe! Contact Us: indypodcasters@gmail.com
Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes
Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips. video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm
If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcasts or choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause.
Music: Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

SCND Peace and Poetry

Peace and Poetry : Scottish CND's Annual Poetry fundraiser event, Glasgow 2025
Join us for an inspirational podcast episode recorded live at the Scottish CND's Annual Peace and Poetry Event in Glasgow - a celebration of art, activism and reflections on war, peace and hope for the future.
This special fundraiser brought together an exceptional line-up of poets who shared moving and thought-provoking work on the themes of peace, war, beauty, tragedy, hope, love and the future of our planet.
Whether you are here for the poetry, the politics or the passion - this episode is not to be missed.
Support the movement and learn more about Scottish CND's campaigns: https://banthebomb.org
Poetry recitals included in this episode are:
00:01:25 Lynn Jamieson - welcome
00:04:54 Hugh McMillan - A Poet Reacts in an Age of Horror
00:07:03 Finola Scott - The Dipper, by Kathleen Jamie
00:07:51 Cait O'Neill McCullagh - In Irpin
00:09:02 Jim Aitken - What I Told Riona
00:10:57 Hugh McMillan - The Most Incompetent Branch
00:11:40 Clare Phillips - Greenham Common, by Helen Dunmore
00:13:53 David Kelly - Talks About Talks by Maura Dooley
00:15:56 Magi Gibson - Rage
00:18:21 Julie McNeill - War
00:18:56 Hugh McMillan - Blackbird by George Gunn
00:19:29 Magi Gibson - In the event of a lack of oxygen by Ali Whitelaw 00:23:09 Ken Benjamin - Why I went to Faslane by Gerry Loose
00:24:40 Kat Knak-Watt - the Messages
00:26:38 Simon Barrow - The Permanence of the Young Men by William Souter
00:27:26 Clare Phillips - Protest by Chris Salt
00:29:13 David Kelly - Whitey's on the Moon by Gil Scott Heron
00:31:28 Cait McNeill McCullagh - Blaeberries
00:33:30 Jim Aitken - Uday, One day
00:35:35 Finola Scott - The IceCream Man by Michael Langley
00:36:46 Hugh McMillan- Dania Ersheid on her way home from school 00:38:06 Lynn Jamieson - George Square, by Jackie Kay
00:39:28 Magi Gibson - Cracked
00:42:12 Simon Barrow - Unwounding
00:43:05 Julie McNeill - Beautiful
00:44:35 Finola Scott - Close range - Coulport
00:46:28 Marlene chats to Kat, Finola and Clare
#scottishCND #peaceandpoetry #poetrypodcast
 
The Scottish Independence Podcasts team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. Remember to like and subscribe! Contact Us: indypodcasters@gmail.com
Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes
Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips. Video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm
If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcasts or choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause.
Music: Inspired by Kevin MacLeod and Bass Walker by Kevin MacLeod

Scotland the Colony - with Prof Alf Baird

Audio version of the recent TNT show where host John Drummond interviews Professor Alf Baird about the concept of Scotland as a colony of England in the light of the recent application to the UN to add Scotland to the list of colonised countries.  
You can watch the video version of the TNT show here https://www.youtube.com/live/zoX3jbDb710?si=BTTYqVupU9esAqIX
More information about the application to the UN is on the Liberation Scotland website here https://liberation.scot
Alf's Book "Doun-Hauden " is published by Kindle direct Publishing and available on Amazon .
#scotlandcolony #liberationscotland #decolonisation
The Scottish Independence Podcasts team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!
Contact Us: indypodcasters@gmail.com 
Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes
Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips.  video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm
If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee?  https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcasts or choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause.
Music:
Inspired by Kevin MacLeod
 

The Union Dividend - Debunked

In this thought provoking interview, Marlene and Fiona sit down with data analyst Stuart Donald to discuss his fascinating research on the "union dividend".  Stuart's research delves into the origins of the Barnett formula and even further back to pre war economics to unpack the myths and misconceptions about the financial benefits Scotland supposedly receives from England and how much better off we would be if we were able to make our own political choices. Stuart also highlights how the Westminster First Past The Post electoral system disproportionately favours the right and disenfranchises poorer communities.  Could Proportional Representation hold the key to a fairer system?  Will independence come soon enough to save Scotland from the demographic time bomb created by Westminster mismanagement?
Main chapters
00:01:27  What is this Union Dividend?
00:03:10  Why does Scotland get more funding than England?
00:06:48   The Barnett formula
00:08:50   Unionist Spin
00:11:50   Debunking the myths
00:18:47  Europe to the rescue
00:26:05  FPTP, a spiral of doom
00:37:28  Prospects for PR
00:43:06  Getting the message across
Find detailed research presentations on this and other topics on Stuart's website here https://sdonald4pr.com  and read his papers for Bylines Scotland https://bylines.scot/politics/a-right-turn-that-put-first-past-the-post-onto-a-precarious-path/and  https://bylines.scot/news/economics/scotlands-union-dividend-if-ever-there-was-a-misnomer/
#Scotland #UnionDividend #BarnettFormula
The Scottish Independence Podcasts team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!
Contact Us: indypodcasters@gmail.com 
Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes
Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips.  video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm
If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee?  https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcasts or choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause.
Music:
Inspired by Kevin MacLeodIndustrial Cinematic by Kevin MacLeod
 

Labour's Poll Tax Moment?

Join Fiona, Marlene, and regular guest Lynne as they dive into the most pressing topics in Scottish and Westminster politics. From Labour's disastrous welfare cuts and the ongoing battle over PIP (Personal Independence Payments) to the Scottish Tories desperate attempts to run down Ferguson Marine,  the trio offers insightful analysis and opinion. Tune in for an eye-opening discussions on topics as diverse as the dangers of the nuclear industry, the latest Believe in Scotland litterpicking campaign, and Canada's spirited stand against Trump’s aggressive rhetoric. Stay informed with topical chat, thought-provoking clips, and expert commentary on current events shaping our world today.
Chapters:
00:00:53  Nicola Sturgeon cleared 
00:02:16  Decolonising Scotland
00:08:41  Lorna Slater - return of the Deposit Return Scheme 
00:11:03  Believe in Scotland litterpicking campaign
00:14:44  PIP - Labour's Poll Tax Moment?
00:16:04  Stephen Flynn calls out Labour's manifesto
00:18:36  What is PIP and who is affected?
00:20:07  Diane Abbot calls out Starmer
00:24:29  Richard Murphy on other options for Reeves 
00:27:50  Will Scotgov mitigate PIP?
00:31:11  David Kelly, the nuclear industry's tritium crisis
00:34:17  Graeme Downie plays patsy for Labour 
00:36:49  Dorothea Barron, women see round corners
00:38:55  Ferries bad say hypocritical Tories
00:46:33  Reform UK - not what they say on the tin
00:56:53  Elbows Up Canada!
#scottishpolitics #PIP #elbowsup
 
The Scottish Independence Podcasts team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!
Contact Us: indypodcasters@gmail.com 
Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes
Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips.  video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm
If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee?  https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcasts or choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause.
Music:
Inspired by Kevin MacLeod, Industrial Cinematic by Kevin MacLeod
 

Reclaiming Our Clyde

It's Time to Reclaim Our Clyde!Join Fiona and Marlene's discussion with passionate SCND activists David Kelly and David Peutherer as we talk about the vital need to rid the River Clyde of nuclear weapons.  We dive into the engaging new campaign "It's Time to Reclaim Our Clyde" urging young people to find out more and take action for a nuclear free Scotland.Discover why independence is the only way to ensure a safer nuclear-free future for Scotland and how the campaign is empowering the next generation to rise up and make a difference.  Key themes:00:02:40   Background to the campaign00:12:45   But what about the nuclear jobs?00:15:00   Increasing our defences?00:17:45   Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)00:18:42    Independence is key00:19:44    Campaign next steps00:25:34     Generational differences00:28:23     Trump00:31:00     Cuddly green nuclear power?00:35:49      Whatever happened to the Labour party?
It's time to act before it's too late!  Find out more including how to get involved and make your voice heard here:
Scottish CND  - https://.banthebomb.org/campaign/reclaim-our-clyde/ International Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament https://icanw.org
Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) https://disarmament.unoda.org/wmd/nuclear/tpnw/
#NuclearFreeScotland #ReclaimOurClyde #tpnw
The Scottish Independence Podcasts team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!
Contact Us: indypodcasters@gmail.com 
Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes
Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips.  video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm
If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee?  https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcasts or choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause.
Music:
Inspired by Kevin MacLeod
 

Events, Dear Boy, Events

In this insightful discussion, Fiona and Marlene are joined by expert commentators Bill Ramsay and Isobel Lindsay to analyse the latest developments from the White House. They explore the growing implications for Ukraine, the evolving UK-US relationship, and the global push for increased defence spending. As tensions rise, the panel delves into whether this military build up truly benefits nations or if it mainly serves the interests of arms manufacturersKey themes:00:01:54  -  context00:03:45  -  US vs China00:05:27  -  implications for the Russian war in Ukraine00:18:29  -  UK-US relations00:20:48  -  Re-armament in Europe00:33:31  -  Defence priorities for Scotland00:39:24  -  Ukraine peace settlement00:44:32  -  The psychology of invasion00:47:09  -  Trump's state visit00:49:23  -  Creativity from adversity
#ukraine #trump #defence
The Scottish Independence Podcasts team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!
Contact Us: indypodcasters@gmail.com 
Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes
Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips.  video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm
If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee?  https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcasts or choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause.
Music:
Inspired by Kevin MacLeod