Scottish Independence Podcasts

Join us as we take closer look at one of Scotland's most pivotal conversations: the nation's right to choose its own future. In this episode, we're taking an analytical approach to the recent Holyrood debate on the motion "Scotland is a nation that has a right to decide its own future" which took place on 22nd September 2026. We highlighting the strongest arguments from both sides while honestly examining where each perspective falls short.  We don't shy away from calling out weak arguments on both sides and we suggest tactics which might create more focussed and constructive discussion.
Key themes:
00:02:39  Best summaries for the motion00:10:32  Analysing the opposition's response00:12:11  Is Scotland a nation?  "No, because..."00:13:04  Day job bingo00:16:12  Easily rebuffed00:33:44  Some avoidable own goals00:43:06  Some unanswered questions00:48:04  Tinfoil hat time00:51:51  Best summing up - Schrodinger's mandate.
Watch the full debate on Scottish Parliament TV here https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/scottish-government-debate-scotlands-right-to-decide-september-22-2026
#holyrood #scottishindependence #debate 
Contains information licenced under the Scottish Parliament Copyright Licence.  Some speeches have been shortened to focus on the most  relevant points.
The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!
Get in touch:Email:  indypodcasters@gmail.com Bluesky: @scottishindypod
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
We're also on TikTok : scotindypodcasters
If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee?  https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcastsor choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause.
Music:
Inspired by Kevin MacLeod
Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

"To win independence we need to persuade more voters". Commonweal's research shows conclusively that one of the biggest barriers for those voters is that they don't think we have a properly worked-out plan for what happens if they vote YES. We do not have this prospectus – and we need it.
In this episdode we welcome Commonweal's Craig Dalzell back onto the podcast to tell us about Commonweal's major new project - the production of a serious and credible but concise and readable prospectus document that answers the questions people have so they can take the next step towards independence with confidence.
Key themes:00:00:46  How to start a new country00:05:17  Creating a new prospectus 00:12:50  The role of the prospectus in independence campaigning00:17:37   The Soul of the Nation00:21:27   What should we call Scotland?00:25:38   Drawing on international examples00:29:35   Severing the legal ties00:31:45   Shared history, different culture00:34:24   Gaining losers consent00:38:20   Making it accessible00:42:30   How you can help00:44:50    Getting Scotgov to engage00:45:53    Opportunities in the Celtic Alliance
Find out more about the project: https://commonweal.scot/crowdfunder
How to Start a New country - available from https://www.commonweal.scot/shop/p/package-deal-two-books-how-to-start-a-new-country-a-short-guide-to-starting-a-new-country
#commonweal #prospectus #scottishindependence
The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!
Get in touch:Email:  indypodcasters@gmail.com Bluesky: @scottishindypod
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
We're also on TikTok : scotindypodcasters
If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee?  https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcastsor choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause.
Music:
Inspired by Kevin MacLeod
Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

Scottish Currency Group Conference 2026 | Expert Panel & Live Q&A
TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW — Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear from an expert panel and make your voice heard. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scottish-currency-group-conference-2026-the-final-report-tickets-1990728596822
24th October | Dunfermline, Scotland
 
On 24th October in Dunfermline, the Scottish Currency Group is hosting a landmark conference bringing together economists, policymakers, and curious minds for an in-depth look at the case for Scottish monetary independence. Leading macroeconomist Thibault Laurentjoye (Associate Professor in Macroeconomics, Aalborg University) will present his groundbreaking report on this vital topic.
Whether you're interested in currency policy, economic sovereignty, or just want to understand the arguments, this conference is unmissable
In this week's podcast episode, we sit down with Ian Stewart, Chair of the Scottish Currency Group, to get an insider's preview of what's happening on the day. What will Professor Laurentjoye's report reveal? Who's on the expert panel? And most importantly—what questions do YOU need answered?
 
Key themes in this episode:
00:00:42 What's happening at the SCG Conference?
00:10:23 Was Salmond ambushed by Osborne in 2014?
00:12:16 Reassurance needed about Scottish currency
00:20:24 Convincing Scotgov to engage 00:27:15 Welsh Senedd more proactive approach
00:35:55 Who else is on the Expert panel
#ScottishCurrency #Economics #Scotland #Conference2026 #MacroeconomicsPanel
 
The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!
Get in touch:Email:  indypodcasters@gmail.com Bluesky: @scottishindypod
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
We're also on TikTok : scotindypodcasters
If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee?  https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcastsor choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause.
Music:
Inspired by Kevin MacLeod
Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

We chat with Grace Stevens from the Glasgow branch of Living Rent, Scotland's tenants and community union.  We cover current campaigns, tactics and aspirations for a society bult, led by and organised for the people.
Key topics discussed:00:00:40   What is Living Rent?00:02:13   How could the Tourist Tax levy be used to benefit everybody00:15:25   Catching Transport Minister Stephen Flynn's attention00:17:58   Rent controls legislation and loopholes00:29:10   Glasgow's housing crisis00:35:00   Community direct action00:42:12   How to get involved
Find out more from https://livingrent.org/campaigns
#livingrent #touristtax #directaction 
The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!
Get in touch:Email:  indypodcasters@gmail.com Bluesky: @scottishindypod
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
We're also on TikTok : scotindypodcasters
If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee?  https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcastsor choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause.
Music:
Inspired by Kevin MacLeod
Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.
 

Data Centres in Scotland: Gold Rush or Bubble? 
We join campaign group Pensioners for Independence at the Bacchus Bar in Glasgow to find out more.   Dr Craig Dalzell, Head of Policy at the Scottish Common Weal, takes on the most pressing question facing Scotland's energy-rich future and unpacks the real economics behind the hype: Can Scotland afford to pass this up? Or are we about to cover our landscape with massive infrastructure for an industry that could collapse faster than it arrived?
Data centre operators are circling our abundant renewables.  Potentially massive investment, likely some jobs, and mitigation of the scandal of curtailment payments — but also ecological concerns, energy competition with households, and the risk of backing tomorrow's obsolete technology.
Should Scotland seize the opportunity to become Europe's AI powerhouse, or are we chasing the next tech bubble?  Is it fracking all over again?
If you care about Scotland's economic future, energy policy, or simply want straight answers instead of corporate spin, this is essential viewing.
Key topics:
00:02:17   Why do they want AI?00:05:25   What are data centres?00:10:25   The AI bubble00:12:19    Why so many data centres?00:14:47    What will AI be useful for?00:21:09    Who owns the data centres?00:24:18    Digital sovereignty00:27:33    How to regulate a data centre00:32:08    Will Scotland rein AI in?00:33:40    Commonweal's prospectus for Scotland
00:34:44    Audience Q+A
Find out more about Commonweal's crowdfunder here:https://www.commonweal.scot/crowdfunder
Bella Caledonia article: https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2026/09/23/where-are-we-in-the-fight-against-hyperscale-data-centres/
#AIdatacentre #hyperscale #techbubble
The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!
Get in touch:Email:  indypodcasters@gmail.com Bluesky: @scottishindypod
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
We're also on TikTok : scotindypodcasters
If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee?  https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcastsor choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause.
Music:
Inspired by Kevin MacLeod
Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.
 

The Scottish and Welsh parliamentary elections in May this year resulted in three of the four nations of the UK electing First Ministers who support self determination for their people.  This week a meeting took place in Cardiff between the party leaders of the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Fein to explore areas of common cause in which they can co-operate to further their respective agendas.  They then held a press conference address and Q+A session.In this episode, Fiona and Marlene pick out some highlights from the press conference and alsohome in on a couple of areas where Scotland seems to be lagging behind the other two nations in making preparations for constitutional change.
Key themes:00:01:08  Lewis from SPVR.org describes the vibe in the room00:07:26  Opening remarks from Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid Cymru00:09:27  Opening remarks from John Swinney, SNP00:13:23  Opening remarks from Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Fein00:16:25  Opening remarks from Michelle O'Neill, Sinn Fein00:21:00  Q: Won't this be just as divisive as Brexit?00:29:13  Q: When and how will Westminster come to an end?00:38:59  Q: What is each nation's ask of Andy Burnham00:47:09  Q: Is this all smoke and mirrors to distract from the day job?
We are grateful to Lewis from https://SPVR.org for sharing his footage from the event with us.
Links from the discussion:
Believe in Scotland petition: https://www.believeinscotland.org/indyref_petition
Commonweal New Prospectus info and crowdfunder: https://www.commonweal.scot/prospectus-for-a-new-state
#celticalliance #scottishindependence #cardiff
The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!
Get in touch:Email:  indypodcasters@gmail.com Bluesky: @scottishindypod
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
We're also on TikTok : scotindypodcasters
If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee?  https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcastsor choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause.
Music:
Inspired by Kevin MacLeod
Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.
 

What does the future of public transport in Glasgow really look like? In this episode, we chat with Susie Wood from the Get Glasgow Moving campaign to explore one of Scotland's most ambitious transport initiatives.
We look at:
The campaign's manifesto — what are they fighting for, and what's their vision for Glasgow's commuters?The franchising framework — what d opportunities does this model present for the city and how can we overcome the barriers?The petition - how can you get involved?
Find out more about the campaign here: https://www.getglasgowmoving.org/
Sign the petition here: https://petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE2246
#getglasgowmoving #betterbuses #busfranchise
The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!
Get in touch:Email:  indypodcasters@gmail.com Bluesky: @scottishindypod
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
We're also on TikTok : scotindypodcasters
If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee?  https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcastsor choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause.
Music:
Inspired by Kevin MacLeod
Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

Pensioners for Independence hosts guest speaker Gordon Morgan, Commonweal energy researcher, who delivers an insightful presentation on nuclear energy generation and the broader nuclear industry.
In this episode, Gordon explores the history of nuclear power and changing attitudes within the Uk political sphere . Following his presentation, Gordon engages directly with our audience, answering a wide range of thoughtful questions on nuclear technology, decommissioning, renewable alternatives and related topics.
Key chapters:
00:02:20 The history of nuclear power to date00:09:06  The true cost of nuclear power generation- and who pays for it00:13:07   The fantasy of Small Modular Reactors00:19:30  Changing attitudes in Uk and Scottish politics00:25:34   Questions from the audience
We are grateful to Pensioners for Indy for sharing their event with us.  You can find out more about Pensioners for Indy here https://pensionersforindependence.scot/
#nuclearpower #scottishgovernment #grassroots
The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts.  Remember to like and subscribe!
Get in touch:Email:  indypodcasters@gmail.com Bluesky: @scottishindypod
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
We're also on TikTok : scotindypodcasters
If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee?  https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcastsor choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause.
Music:
Inspired by Kevin MacLeod
Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political.  Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.