When you really think about, 2024 seems more like a fever dream than anything else. Remember Rishi Sunak’s rain-drenched resignation? Ed Davey’s bizarre attention grabbing stunts? Humza Yousaf’s abrupt, self-inflicted implosion? Play along with our team of politics reporters in our end-of-year quiz to see if you’ve been switched on or turned off.…

We discuss the crisis at Dundee University after weeks of difficult headlines over finances and senior leadership. Is there a problem in Scottish higher education? We also have a featured interview with a Stonehaven cancer survivor who spent £30,000 on a private breast reconstruction op to avoid the prospect of years waiting on NHS. Why are so many…

This week’s Stooshie focuses on the political questions for gun control in the wake of the Skye shooting spree, which ended in court last week. We hear from P&J investigations reporter Dale Haslam for the inside story. We also speak to Labour MP Graeme Downie about his hopes to restart talks to bring back the ferry link between Rosyth and Europe. A…

We are joined by The Courier’s Dundee Area Editor Laura Devlin to discuss her exclusive on Dundee and Angus College’s £265 million transformation plans. The college’s ambitious plans involve creating two new campuses, in the City of Discovery and Angus, and expanding its third campus at Gardyne. We also discuss some of our exclusive coverage on the…

Scotland’s justice secretary, Angela Constance, explains plans to release more prisoners earlier in their sentences. We hear about aims to improve prisons in places such as Inverness, as well as her hopes to focus on community-based justice. The team wraps up a week of SNP intrigue sparked by our exclusive coverage of Stephen Flynn’s ambition to si…

We discuss our exclusive on SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn hoping to move to Holyrood. We hear from energy historian Ewan Gibbs on lessons from the past on a “just transition” for oil workers. And we hear climate lawyer Tessa Khan as the Court of Session looks at the future of the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields off the Scottish coast…

Conservative MP Andrew Bowie joins us to talk about his new role shadowing the Scotland Office, and admits they promised lots but fell short in government. The Aberdeenshire politician is also quizzed on his energy brief as rural pylon plans generate opposition. We look at Donald Trump’s shock return, the Scottish reaction, and the way-off predicti…

While MPs debate small fixes to budgets, we look at the human cost of years of cuts and austerity. From hollowed out health services, to public sector strikes, the problems run deep. The team also looks at Unison’s targeted industrial action in Perthshire, as council staff look for elusive money.Di DC Thomson

In a special episode of The Stooshie, The Press and Journal's Adele Merson and The Courier's Alasdair Clark are joined by Perth MP Pete Wishart and former Scottish political editor Alan Roden to remember former first minister Alex Salmond after his sudden death on Saturday. They discuss Alex Salmond's complex legacy and the difficult set of emotion…

From Scotland to Georgia, this week’s episode covers a lot of ground. We get to grips with Labour’s shaky start, Dundee election setbacks and winter fuel payment woes. We discuss our exclusive reporting on the human cost of long waits for breast cancer surgery and reconstruction in Grampian. And we speak to Arbroath and Broughty Ferry MP Stephen Ge…

Alistair Wilson was murdered on his doorstep 20 years ago. The case was raised with First Minister John Swinney in the Scottish Parliament last week. Crime reporter Bryan Rutherford describes why this case is now at boiling point, and why the government and chief constable need to find answers.Di DC Thomson

The parents of Linda Norgrove, the Scottish aid worker killed in Afghanistan in 2010, speak to the Stooshie about her life and legacy. John and Lorna described their daughter’s determined efforts to help women in the country, one month after 19 students were able to come to Scotland to continue their studies. They talk about Linda’s adventurous spi…

We look back at the pro-independence campaign in a two-part special featuring the leading figures from both sides. In this interview, we hear from Blair Jenkins, the chief of Yes Scotland. He reflects on the highs and lows, reveals what happened next behind the scenes, and suggests the country would say Yes if asked again. Look out for our second i…

We look back at the pro-independence campaign in a two-part special featuring the leading figures from both sides. In this interview, we hear from Blair McDougall, the chief strategist of pro-UK group Better Together. He recalls working with the late Alistair Darling, political rivals, and considers if they took the right approach for a more defini…

Prison overcrowding is back in the headlines as some inmates are released early. But it’s not just prisoners serving their sentences, there are also big problems with the number of people on remand. We speak to Hamish Robertson, from the Wise Group, about a new project to tackle root problems, starting with a mentoring scheme in Perth.…

The Stooshie team is back from summer break to find the Scottish bank account has been cleared out. What do these cuts mean? Does John Swinney’s SNP or Keir Starmer’s Labour have a plan? Are the Conservatives really still scrapping over who should lead them back from election disaster?Di DC Thomson

Scotland has had its say, and a week on from the election we survey the wreckage of the SNP and Conservative campaigns and try to work out what they might do next. We also hear from Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy's Melanie Ward, who shares an audio diary of her first days in Westminster as a new MP. And finally, will John Swinney and Keir Starmer find s…

The opinion polls all agree who will be next prime minister. But lots of local contests are still far too close to call. What will the parties learn from crucial regional shifts in opinion? Some people won't get a say at all because of postal vote delays. We discuss the real-life impact and the anger building over the timing of this election.…

The prime minister was back in Scotland to help Douglas Ross in a tight contest. Were they words of encouragement or damage limitation? Can Lib Dems pull of a Highland surprise? And will Reform have any impact in Scotland? All that and analysis of the latest election coverage from political reporters across the P&J, The Courier and the Sunday Post.…

We discuss how Labour suspended its candidate in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East after exclusive reporting from our politics team. What happens next in the big contest between the SNP and Tories in the crucial region? Does Gordon Brown's impact still resonate in Fife - and can the Kingdom turn red? And we make some rash predictions about how man…

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross rocked his own campaign, leaving us to wonder what can possibly happen next. We look at new polling on the picture in Scotland, and what's happening with Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak. And we wonder if everyone's made up their mind already and just wants to watch Scotland at the Euros.…

In an exclusive interview, John Swinney says he feared for his party when he stood to become leader earlier this year. Speaking to David Clegg, the first minister reflected on the fast-paced first weeks in office, propelled from a think-tank event in London into the top job in Scottish politics. Mr Swinney explains why he'd turned down a job from H…

Rishi Sunak came to the Highlands where he doesn’t even have a candidate. Keir Starmer promised Scotland the earth, but not a location for his fabled GB Energy HQ. John Swinney found himself in an election moments after becoming First Minister. We discuss week one, we test the water among the people of Perth, and all the rest in the first of our el…

Simon Barker, a children's orthopaedic surgeon in Aberdeen, explains the growing concern over the use of new “physician associates” in a stretched health service. Are they valuable, quickly-trained additions, or is this “mission creep” to paper over gaps doctors can’t always cover? Dr Barker is deputy chairman of the British Medical Association’s S…

Douglas Ross tells us drug addiction and death is a problem in rural areas like his Moray constituency, not just cities with problems such as Dundee and Glasgow. The Tory leader explains why his ‘right to addiction recovery bill’ should get support at Holyrood. We also look our coverage of the Men’s Sheds scheme which forced the SNP into a funding …

Becoming first minister was the easy bit for John Swinney. Now the handshakes and warm words are over, the hard work of governing begins. We speak with Kayleigh Quinn, who knows a thing or two about wrangling a difficult group at Holyrood. The former Scottish Labour organiser tells us what might be going through the new leader’s head as he looks at…

Humza Yousaf folded on April 29 after losing authority by ditching his Green coalition partners. We ask people in the outgoing first minister’s home city of Dundee what they think of his year in charge. We also hear from Green MSP Maggie Chapman, who was asked if she still has confidence in her own party leaders. Our political reporters look at the…

A long-running plea for justice in the north of Scotland is being described as similar in scale to the Post Office scandal. At its heart are the dozens of families devastated by conman Alistair Greig. He was a respected financial advisor based in Aberdeen who ended up duping 184 victims out of £13 million. Now they want justice. To tell the story, …

Jennifer Lees-Marshment has studied political marketing and management since the rise of Tony Blair. In this episode, she tells us how the main parties are approaching the phony war before the election date is set. She also describes concerns that politicians are simply not trained to actually do their job when in power. Would you go to a surgeon w…

Ahead of their conference in Dundee next week, Justin Bowie sits down with Roz Foyer, general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress, to discuss what she thinks a potential Labour win in Westminster will mean for workers in Scotland. Roz Foyer also shared her passion for ensuring Dundee women subject to years of unequal pay finally receive…

Our team takes stock of a turbulent end of term at the Scottish Parliament. We look at the reaction to the Hate Crime Act, and the high profile interventions from JK Rowling to Ally McCoist. Meanwhile, there's an election looming - are social policy problems like housing making an impact? And we speak to North East Scotland College principal Neil C…

We speak to Liam McArthur, the MSP steering controversial assisted dying laws through Holyrood at the third time of asking. Are the safeguards enough to convince sceptics? Has Scotland’s parliament changed its mind since the last time it was debated? The Bill will be lodged at Holyrood on Friday - and then the serious job of scrutiny will begin.…

Description: Survivors of historical abuse at Fornethy House in Angus tell us about their experience, and fury at being snubbed for compensation. Four women join us to explain what happened to them as children, with harrowing memories. And they react to Deputy First Minister Shona Robison’s comments in the Scottish parliament about why they can’t g…

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton speaks to The Stooshie about his party's hopes for the General Election, and how they want to oust the SNP as the third largest party in Westminster. We also discuss his position on the windfall tax for oil and gas giants, and how he thinks "fair minded" voters in the north east will understand th…

Alarm bells are ringing that people don’t realise the sheer scale of lifestyle changes needed to meet climate targets and “net zero”. At the same time, voters see governments balance the books off their backs, and fail to hit the big targets and big business. The authors of an annual “state of the state” report pull all that together in our feature…

Michael Gove is the special guest for a feature length interview. The Aberdeen-raised UK Government minister has plenty to say in the run-up to Conservative party conference in the Granite City. He responds to concerns about “Islamophobia” in his party, gets into the future of energy in the north-east and offers frank views on his rivals in t…

We're joined by Nicola Sturgeon's former chief of staff, Liz Lloyd, and ex Scottish Labour communications director Alan Roden for a conference special. The weekend gathering in Glasgow saw a set-piece speech from leader Anas Sarwar and UK party boss Sir Keir Starmer. What do our panel of political experts make of the party's pitch to voters?…

Anas Sarwar tells The Stooshie how he attempts to lead his party by channelling legendary football managers Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson. And he reveals which premiership manager he'd compare First Minister Humza Yousaf with. We also discuss Labour's plan to attract voters across Tayside, Fife, the north and north east; and why he think thos…

We speak to the people of Dundee, Scotland’s Yes City, to test the mood on a difficult year for the SNP and independence. Have attitudes changed as the dust settles on Nicola Sturgeon’s appearance at the Covid inquiry? Perth and North Perthshire SNP MP Pete Wishart shares his thoughts on the way the inquiry was handled too.…

Covid adviser Jason Leitch has been a recurring character in the Covid inquiry. We discuss how he has also become central to a second inquiry, one which looks into harm caused by ex Dundee surgeon Sam Eljamel. We're joined by MSP Liz Smith who raised questions about the Tayside links and campaigners' concerns over potential conflict of interest. Th…

Human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar speaks to us about the damage of the Covid inquiry. He represents bereaved families who are furious at the drip-feed of private messages emerging from government figures and officials. We discuss the impact on national clinical director Jason Leitch, and what to expect next from Nicola Sturgeon. And we look at reacti…

We hear from the man behind exciting plans to send rockets from Shetland. Scott Hammond tells us schools are changing their classwork, jobs are coming to the islands and offshore workers are finding new employment. The first launch could be this summer - could Scotland really lead Europe with this spaceport? Our politics team also rounds-up the lat…

Myra Philp’s mother, Mary, died before getting to clear her name in the Post Office fraud miscarriage of justice. In our featured interview, Myra, from Fife, tells us about the devastating impact of the flawed investigation in a national scandal. We also discuss the shock collapse of Stewart Milne Group and the knock-on impact for jobs, home owners…

You can play along as our top team takes part in an end of year quiz. We nominate our picks for Stooshie of the year. And we race through some news too, one day after a tough budget in parliament. See you in 2024!Di DC Thomson

We discuss our exclusive report on Labour’s Glenrothes candidate who has been ditched by party bosses over his “sexy” and “satanic” fiction output. Altany Craik is already a long-serving Fife councillor, but it seems he is no longer considered eligible for Westminster. We dig into the bigger picture - including Irvine Welsh’s withering reaction. Th…

SNP Westminster boss Stephen Flynn joins The Stooshie for a featured interview on his rollercoaster first year in the job. The Aberdeen South politician reflects on everything from replacing Ian Blackford in the post to being named the UK’s ‘hardest’ MP. He responds to the polls, to SNP splits and scandals, and speculates on his next move. Could he…

We speak about the P&J’s new true crime podcast and how Arlene Fraser’s murder 25 years ago, and the murder of Suzanne Pilley, could lead to a change in the law. Our team discusses Humza Yousaf’s trip to COP28 climate conference in Dubai, days after shock for Grangemouth workers here. And we hear from people in Dundee about the proposed national cr…

As fighting in Gaza is temporarily halted, disputes within the Labour Party over whether to call for a permanent ceasefire show no sign of slowing down. With First Minister Humza Yousaf's family now safely back in Scotland and sharing details of their ordeal, we look at how the conflict is shaping politics closer to home. Sir Keir Starmer's refusal…

David Cameron is back in government. The SNP are calling for independence in Europe. We look at the odd new political landscape, which looks eerily like it did in 2014. Our featured interview is with Kemnay mum Tracey Gibbon, who tells us about her son Kyle’s ordeal in Carstairs, the secure Scottish state hospital. She was at the Scottish Parliamen…

Ex MP Stephen Gethins famously got into parliament by a two-vote margin in 2017. He’s been out since 2019 but wants back at the next election. We discuss why anyone would want to do that, the unfinished business at Westminster, independence and Humza Yousaf’s first year. The DC Thomson politics team also discuss Rishi Sunak’s oil and gas plans. And…