Is this a democrat outrage or actually what the UK needs?

What does it mean for Scotland and Holyrood?

And what early signs can we see on what Andy Burnham will actually do in office?

Do you have the brains to take on the toughest test in hyper-niche political questioning?

Then you should play along with our traditional end of term Stooshie quiz.

There is no prize other than personal glory. Enjoy.

The team assesses what’s gone wrong and digs into the political backlash.

It’s also the week of three big UK by-elections, including two covering Dundee and Aberdeen.

We spoke to voters in Aberdeen South for their views.

Join us for a 90-minute special edition with candidates from the Conservatives, SNP, Reform, Labour, Liberal Democrats and Green party.

We spoke to an engineer who builds tunnels around the world – but not our own islands.

Andy Sloan has been talking to Westminster and Holyrood recently, and says infrastructure upgrades on that scale are a reality – it just needs political ‘champions’.

Mr Yousaf spoke candidly about Peter Murrell’s embezzlement conviction and the SNP campervan controversy.

He also opens up about his in-laws being trapped in Gaza in late 2023 and gives his thoughts on the rise of Reform UK at the Holyrood election.

The team looks at the upcoming Westminster by-elections in Aberdeen South, and in Abroath and Broughty Ferry.

John Swinney is sworn in as first minister once again - but what challenges lie ahead for his new government?

We look at the leaders, asking who is safe and whose coat is on a shoogly peg.

We also assess the under-reported stories and concerns about a “spoiler” party targeting the Greens.

Six candidates from all main parties across the region join host Andy Philip in front of an audience at The Press and Journal offices in the city.

Debate, including sharp questions from the public, covers the energy economy, transport, a housing emergency, colleges and universities, and the NHS.

Listen to the full two-hour event here, recorded on April 30, in the run-up to the Scottish Parliament election on May 7.

Six leaders of Scotland's main political parties join host Sean O'Neil in front of an audience at The Courier's offices in the city.

Can the  SNP win big or will they be pegged back?

Who will win the battle for second place?

And for the losers, what happens next?

Dr Chris Williams, based in Grantown-on-Spey, talks about the strain on GPs at the moment.

What does he think the next government can do to help after May 7, and will walk-in clinics help ease pressure?

This week, the decline of the high street and what can be done to fix it.

We also look at the state of play for political party manifestos while we wait for the SNP and Lib Dems to complete the set.

Tories and SNP start in Aberdeen with an energy focus, while Labour goes island hopping.

Lib Dems think they should be back in parliament already.

Reform are still trying to work out who their own candidates are.

And the Greens had an almighty scrap with themselves.

Onwards to May 7!

We hear from Stephen Flynn and Stephen Gethins, two MPs hoping to win a berth at Holyrood on May 7.

Aberdeen University has become caught up in the Iran war at its Qatar campus.

And we get a look inside a fighting Green party branch where bullying claims are causing bitter fall-outs.

MSP Liam McArthur explains how he's trying to convince wavering politicians to back the legislation next week.

We also reflect on a week of turmoil in the economy from inside the energy debate in London.

And we catch up on Scottish election developments, including a look ahead to Reform's candidates being revealed.

That’s a good thing because Chancellor Rachel Reeves' latest spring statement looked out of date the minute she started speaking this week.

Forecasts were ripped up as oil prices shot up and conflict spread across Iran and the middle east.

Notes: Read more about this week’s topic from the Fraser of Allender’s report here: https://fraserofallander.org/uk-energy-transition-at-a-crossroads-could-the-moment-be-missed/

And see how policies are hitting businesses already, like here: https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen-aberdeenshire/6953706/cafe-neuk-hospitality-taskforce-government-tax/

We spoke to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Lib Dem leader Ed Davey about their chances while the SNP continues to stay far in front.

We also look ahead to Labour in Paisley this weekend and set out our own election planning 10 weeks from polling day.

She knows a thing or two about what it's like to turn on the UK Labour leader, having worked with Jeremy Corbyn.

Also joining us is Murray Foote, the former Daily Record editor and ex-SNP chief executive.

He'd quite like to send Anas Sarwar some flowers as a thank you for sowing more turmoil in Labour while the election contest picks up pace.

We also hear a bit from Jeremy Corbyn in Dundee as the turmoil swirls around Downing Street.

We mark the start of the campaign phase by speaking to Ballot Box Scotland guru Allan Faulds on what the public mood is for each party.

Will the SNP get their referendum election? How does Labour respond to UK polling slump and are the Tories locked in a dogfight with Reform?

Can the Lib Dems make gains beyond their core vote areas, will Greens get a bounce or a dent from their time in government, and is Alba ever going to take off?

From Donald Trump and Greenland, to Russia and a confused world order.

We spoke to Andrew Neal, Professor of International Security at Edinburgh University, to make sense of the threat and impact across the north of Scotland.

While Donald Trump throws his toys out of his pram, his words are felt everywhere.

In Fife, Nigel Farage was holding court and tried to defend his friend’s attitude, saying he’s sure he wouldn’t invade.

The prime minister and Tory leader were also all in Scotland to talk about energy.

Will the people who see the pylons go up ever see their bills go down?

We asked UK energy minister Michael Shanks.

Was it an election special? Who wins and loses?

We also look at question marks over the future set-up of national treatment centres.

And UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks answers questions about when communities in rural Scotland will finally see bills come down while they see pylons and turbines go up.

Will single issue flashpoints like immigration really trump concerns about the NHS and public spending

Were you paying attention to the regional list for Mid Scotland and Fife at Holyrood?

Do you know how many times John Swinney said “independence” in a speech?

Did you follow the Holyrood dog of the year competition?

And are you aware of the prime minister of a country called Australia?

If so, this is the quiz for you.

Play along and join us again in the new year as we gear up for the Scottish election in May.

What does it mean for the nurse, the transgender doctor and NHS Fife?

We go over the promises and policies from SNP leader John Swinney on energy.

He promised to reduce energy bills…if he gets a majority, if he gets another referendum, if he wins, and so on.

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn joins us to talk about the idea in the run up to next May’s election.

What happens next? Will windmills and green technology save the day? Or are we now witness a rapid demise of industry with worrying echoes of coal in the 1980s?

Our agenda-setting coverage of the Sam Eljamel surgery scandal continues with more on shocking revelations at NHS Tayside.

As documents are destroyed, patients and the health secretary are fuming, and we have more details.

Is this another nail in the coffin of "net zero"?

Does anyone in government have an actual plan for energy and jobs?

We're joined by Green MSP Mark Ruskell to look at the options, the missed opportunities and ask - what can happen next?

One year after the financial crisis hit the headlines, is the university safe? What happens next? And does he regret taking that call to take on the difficult job?

The Courier editor David Clegg joins political journalists Alasdair Clark and Andy Philip to look at the institutional failures, how the city has responded to the crisis and how this saga is a warning for the entire country.

Some prisoners are being released in a third “emergency” pressure release.

Phil Fairlie of the Scottish Prison Officers Association joins us to explain what it’s like on the front line.

We also look at the latest stories behind the headlines, including a glimmer of good news for people caught up in the crumbling concrete housing crisis in Aberdeen.

And we look at an update on disgraced NHS Tayside surgeon Sam Eljamel as the public inquiry gets closer.

We start with a catch up after Scottish Parliament recess and what we gleaned from a few days in Whitehall and Westminster.

Defence is a hot topic, with German planes using RAF Lossiemouth and big questions about the threat from Russia off Scotland’s coasts.

The team gets into the new plan to use an Inverness barracks as migrant accommodation – how are locals reacting?

And we look at toxic culture wars on gender and freedom of speech, including a Tory “joke” about Rangers, and a gender rights row in a craft shop.

Sean discusses why this is so important and how locals let down by the system inspired the campaign. And most importantly - what comes next?

The Stooshie delves into the repercussions of The Chameleon, published by the P&J.

We look at the political impact, the need for big changes and how survivors can be better protected.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole Hamilton also joins us for a run-through of his ambitions for next May’s elections, as the party heads to its conference this weekend.

SNP MP Graham Leadbitter joins the Stooshie to look at the big talking points.

We cover the ever-present focus of independence, the policies getting people talking and the challenges for John Swinney.

And we look at the political challenge from a bruised Conservative party and an upstart Reform group.

He hopes a new law that could seem them caged for five years will pass its first Scottish Parliament hurdle.

In the Stooshie, the North East MSP sets out why dog theft is different and describes surprising links to organised crime gangs.

First, the team discusses the impact of placing asylum seekers at a university campus in Aberdeen full of international students.

And how a wall of silence in Perth & Kinross led to important discussions about reporting immigration stories.

He was in Dunfermline with deputy leadership candidate Lucy Powell this week, after the resignation of Angela Rayner.

What do MPs think of Keir Starmer’s leadership?

How are they fighting Reform’s advance?

And what is the mood in Scottish Labour before a crucial Holyrood election next spring?

Why is the Home Office being so terrible at explaining what’s happening?

We look at a Reform/Tory turf war in an SNP target seat.

And what do changes to the law mean for victims of crime?

SNP MSP Kevin Stewart also joins to go over his high points and experience with mental health struggles as he prepares to leave parliament next spring.

Business journalist Kelly Wilson describes the changes over time and the mood in the “energy capital” of Aberdeen.

Also in the Granite City, Nicola Sturgeon was there to promote her book.

Political journalist Denny Andonova was in the audience to hear about everything from roller skating to the battle for Scotland’s flag.

Things that got in the way of cocktails by the pool include:

• Golf course chats with Donald Trump
• Protests outside hotels for asylum seekers from Aberdeen to Perth
• The rise of Reform, and trouble for Tories
• Investigations into the future of Dundee university.

All that and a look ahead to a parliamentary election year in Scotland.

We look at Fergus Ewing’s dramatic exit from the SNP after decades of service, only to stand against his former party next May.

And we speak to a husband and wife team who secured the top two slots for the Liberal Democrats on the North East Scotland regional ballot paper.

He speaks candidly about his first year in the job and addresses Tory council defections to Reform.

We also hear exclusively about his party’s proposals for an emergency law to fast-track A9 dualling.

In Aberdeen, Nigel Farage unveiled his latest north-east defector from the Tories. And in Glasgow, Keir Starmer outlined the impact of his defence spending plans.

We look through the developments - including a weird Reform attack on the media - to see what it means locally. And we look at the timing as voters in a crucial Holyrood by-election prepare to cast their ballots.

We reveal the behind-the-scenes efforts to secure £2m from a spooked donor, and allegations of hate crimes in the ancient university town.

The by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse is turning poisonous. 

We look at Reform leader Nigel Farage and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar's comments on minority communities and values.

And we focus on how one grandmother's stress over the future of her sheltered home illustrates the real-life impact of tough budget choices

We look closely at UHI Perth, and at Nescol in Aberdeen, Peterhead and Fraserburgh to see what it means.

If they can't train the workers of the future, what's the point of worrying about that fabled energy industry 'just transition' anyway?

We also look at polling showing Reform on track to stun Conservatives - and everyone else - with a focus on multiple defections in one council, Aberdeenshire.

Lindsay has spent months speaking with people who are losing their homes in places such as Torry in Aberdeen.

Parts of Dundee are also caught up in the crisis, leaving local government with a hefty bill.

And while we campaign for justice for those affected by the crisis, what are our politicians doing other than blaming each other?

Roz sets out the big challenges ahead for jobs, the decline of Grangemouth refinery, higher education and the future of the economy.

She reflects on speeches to union members from First Minister John Swinney and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.

And she warns Labour in particular have not lived up to promises at last year’s election, saying she wanted to hear some more 'humility' from the party leader.

What does it mean in practice? And how are politicians and activists responding?

One MSP, the newly elected Dundee University rector Maggie Chapman, is at the centre of a backlash for calling the court “bigoted”.

We also discuss whether John Swinney’s “summit” on tackling the far-right can achieve its aims.

And we wonder if the people of Torry in Aberdeen will be delighted that Michael Gove has decided to use the name in his title at the House of Lords.

This week, the team speaks to striking staff outside Robert Gordon University fighting cuts in an education funding crisis.

We also look at First Minister John Swinney’s latest reset while the world tries to get used to Donald Trump’s tariff whims.

And we take a close look at MSP “burn-out” as politicians wonder if it’s worth going for public office with one year to the next Scottish election - and just weeks from a big byelection.

He discusses the party’s hopes of making gains across the region – including in the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch constituency currently held by Kate Forbes.

The Lib Dem leader also talks international affairs including the UK’s approach to handling Donald Trump and his party’s priorities over the next 12 months.

 Finally, Ed explains the lasting impact of the late Charles Kennedy, former leader of the party, who was a Highland MP for 30 years.

She tells us about her plans to help fix the crisis-hit institution and how she learned from her previous rector post at Aberdeen University.

We also bring the story up to date on the political angles and on-campus worries for jobs.

The MSP for North East Fife tells us what swayed his opinion while the debate plays out across Scotland and in all parts of the UK.

We also hear what’s in store for his party’s upcoming conference in Inverness

Arbroath and Broughty Ferry SNP MP Stephen Gethins was in the country with Dunfermline and Dollar Labour MP Graeme Downie.

They explain what it’s like to see a day in the life of a Ukrainian sheltering from Russian drones.

And they reflect on the UK and Scottish response to Donald Trump, after his shock interaction with Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House.

Can he get over the obstacles since Labour’s general election win and be next first minister of Scotland?

The Glasgow MSP joins us to discuss policies, polling set-backs and more.

We spoke to UK Government Kirsty McNeill, and Scottish Labour’s Michael Marra, about economic fortunes.

And after big SNP promises of budget boosts, what do Fife paramedics on the frontline think about reality for the NHS?

How are doctors reacting to John Swinney’s big NHS speech?

And we explain the upcoming NHS Fife trans doctor tribunal, with all its implications.

Reform are on the rise, and the SNP shows no sign of rolling over for Scottish Labour.

As Scottish Secretary Ian Murray wonders aloud if the public like honesty after all, we look at the tough road ahead.

We also take a look inside Donald Trump’s mind and wonder what’s in store for us after his inauguration this month.

And is it really true he’s the one making the case for oil and gas jobs in Scotland?

Budgets take centre stage, including alarm over university finances and the NHS. Money can be found for a broken mountain railway in the Cairngorms, so why not everywhere else? And will our politicians find a way to respond to Donald Trump and social media doomscroller-in-chief Elon Musk?

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.

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 women faced with this difficult choice in the first place?

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.

And we look at the budget crisis engulfing NHS services, including troubled Grampian health board.

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 funding crisis hitting Scottish universities, including Dundee and RGU. 

And we look at SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn’s decision to ditch his double jobbing plan.

Finally, we discuss calls for a general election – after a new petition attracted almost three million signatures. 

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 sit at Westminster and Holyrood.

And we look at Scottish Labour’s change of plan on the the UK party’s approach to winter fuel payments, just as the snow starts falling

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.

Finally, we look at the annual ambulance service review and hear from its chief executive on the strains in the NHS.

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 predictions of a Kamala Harris victory.

And we join Holyrood presiding officer Alison Johnstone in Aberdeen, also taking to Ross Mackay of the Grampian Regional Equality Council.

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.

They discuss Alex Salmond's complex legacy and the difficult set of emotions many of his friends and former colleagues are dealing with, as well as tales from his early days and an insight into what it was like to cover him as a reporter. 

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 Gethins on why political unrest in Georgia, on the border of Russia, matters here.

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.

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 spirit, her commitment to supporting young women in Afghanistan and the shock of losing her.

They say how pleased Linda would be to see the opportunities open up for the students now safely studying in Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow and St Andrews.

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 interview, published at the same time, with Better Together chief strategist Blair McDougall.

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 definitive result. 

Look out for our second interview, published at the same time, with Yes Scotland chief Blair Jenkins.

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.

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?

And finally, will John Swinney and Keir Starmer find some common ground after years of dysfunction and rivalry between the Scottish and UK governments? 

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.

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.

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 many seats the Conservatives might win or lose in Scotland.

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.

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 Humza Yousaf only a month before he resigned, and details why he thinks he's the right man to reverse his party's decline in the polls as voters become fatigued from 17 years of SNP dominance. 

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 election podcasts.

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 Scottish council, and works in NHS Grampian.

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 U-turn.

And we explore Scottish Labour’s problems getting local candidates into constituencies.

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 reshaping the SNP.

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 wreckage and discuss what might happen next as another SNP leadership contest looms.

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, we’re joined by Dale Haslam, an investigations reporter with the Press and Journal newspaper.

He has just returned from Westminster to hear from MPs including Alistair Carmichael pushing the campaigner’s case for answers.

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 who hasn’t been trained? Why should we expect to be governed well by people who don’t know how to put their promises into practice?

Roz Foyer also shared her passion for ensuring Dundee women subject to years of unequal pay finally receive compensation from the city council after a years-long battle for justice. 

And Justin asks what trade unions want see for those working in Scotland's oil and gas sector as politicians debate what comes next in our commitment to net zero. 

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 Cowie for a featured interview on the impact of cuts regionally and nationally.