Scotland's Choice

E77: “The Ping Pong Pantomime” with Stuart McDonald

E76: ”The Loss of a Hero.” with Amy Callaghan MP

E75: “Is This Place Collapsing?” with Stewart Hosie MP

E74: “Lies.” with Kirsty Blackman MP

E73: “An Incredible Lack of Respect” with Kirsty Blackman MP and Ben Lake MP

E72: “Security Tags on Butter” with Kirsty Blackman MP and David Linden MP

Hosted by Drew Hendry MP and Brendan O'Hara MP. With guests Kirsty Blackman MP and David Linden MP.

E71: “Who Would Boycott a Cost of Living Debate?” – Tommy Sheppard MP & Marion Fellows MP

Hosts Drew Hendry MP and Brendan O'Hara MP are joined by fellow SNP MPs Tommy Sheppard and Marion Fellows on this edition of the Scotland's Choice Westminster Roundup.

E70: “Scotland Doesn’t Need Another Tory Party” – Owen Thompson MP & Deidre Brock MP

E69: “New FM’s Westminster Visit” – Kirsty Blackman MP

E68: “‘Mon The Jags” – Mhairi Black MP

E67: YSI International Conference Special

E66: “We’re Scotland’s Voice” – Stephen Flynn MP

E65: Mean, Nasty and Expensive.

E64: Once the Genie’s Out of the Bottle, it’s Out of the Bottle!

E63: It’s something when May sounds liberal!

E62: “The Golden Ticket”

E61: “Some Things Don’t Cut Through, THIS Does.”

E60: “We Have Never Seen ANYTHING Like This.”

MPs Drew Hendry, Brendan O'Hara and Alison Thewliss discuss events unfolding at Westminster including the UK Government's Anti-Strike Bill. https://linktr.ee/scotchoice

E59: “Independence is now ESSENTIAL.”

Drew Hendry MP and Brendan O'Hara MP discuss the events unfolding at Westminster and why independence for Scotland is now essential.

E58: Democracy with Stephen Gethins

E57: Cost of Westminster Crisis (Part 2)

Joining host Drew Hendry MP in Part 2 of the Cost of Westminster Crisis special of Scotland's Choice are SNP MPs Stewart Hosie and Alan Brown and Plaid Cymru MP Ben Lake.

E56: Cost of Westminster Crisis

Drew Hendry MP is joined by fellow SNP MPs David Linden, Alison Thewliss and Brendan O'Hara to discuss the crisis unfolding at Westminster.

E55: SNP22 Conference Special

E54: Fair Media with Linda Graham, Ruth Watson and Jack Paterson

Just how fair is Scotland's media? And, if it's unfair, how do we fix that? Our panel discuss the current state of affairs in Scotland, and the opportunities that Scottish independence would bring. Joining host Drew Hendry MP are Linda Graham, owner and founder of Broadcasting Scotland, Ruth Watson from the National Yes Network, and Jack Paterson, founder of the SNP's Independence Magazine. From Broadcast media to the press, it's quite clear that coverage of the issue of Scottish independe...

E53: Failing Labour, Failing Union with Tommy Sheppard MP

E52: Scotland’s Business with Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp

Founder of Business for Scotland and head of Believe in Scotland Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp is Drew Hendry's guest on the Scotland's Choice podcast this time. Gordon set up Business for Scotland in 2011 and now has 4,000 associated members. They describe themselves as "an agenda setting, independent and political party neutral business network and business policy think tank." A key argument in the referendum campaign will be rejoining the EU. Regular listeners of the Scotland's Choice podcast w...

E51: A View from Ireland with Neale Richmond TD

Fine Gael TD (that's a Teachta Dála - a member of the Irish Parliament) Neale Richmond is Drew's guest on Scotland's Choice this week to provide a view from Ireland. Having international guests on the podcast has been an ambition of ours for a while now - we want views from around Europe, and possibly even beyond, as to why they think Scotland would flourish as an independent country. After all, as the First Minister said as she launched the first prospectus paper, "why not Scotland?" Neal...

E50: The State of the Union (Part 2) with Ben Lake MP and Michelle Thompson MSP

E49: The State of the Union (Part 1) with Carol Monaghan MP and Brendan O’Hara MP

The first of two episodes looking at the current state of the Union. From corruption and sleaze scandals to an outdated, archaic form of political discourse, there's plenty to be said. Joining Drew this week are fellow SNP MPs Carol Monaghan and Brendan O'Hara. Together, they discuss areas such as the UK's immigration policy and the hostile environment it's created, nuclear weapons based on the Clyde, the declining state of the UK economy and much more. It's clear that Scotland can and wi...

E48: Progress to Yes Conference (Live) – With Stephen Gethins, Stewart Hosie MP and Iona Fyfe

This special edition of the Scotland's Choice Podcast was recorded in front of a live audience at the Aberdeen Independence Movement's (AIM) conference in Aberdeen. It's the first-ever live recording Scotland's Choice has done and we really enjoyed it - let us know if you'd like to hear more like this! Joining Drew on the panel are friends of the podcast, Stephen Gethins and Stewart Hosie MP - both back for their second time. Joining them is Scotland's Choice first-timer, folk singer and act...

E47: Polling and Data – With Mark McGeoghegan

On this episode of Scotland's Choice, Drew is joined by polling expert and doctoral researcher Mark McGeoghegan to discuss how important good and accurate polling is in politics. Mark has extensive experience in the polling industry and is currently working towards his PhD at the University of Glasgow, researching secessionist movements from around the world. He explains how certain issues have shifted opinions since the 2014 referendum, and offers plenty of insight into how to make sense of...

Episode 46: Election Special (Part 2)

In this second of a two-part Local Government election special of Scotland's Choice, Drew is joined by: Fergus Mutch & Laura Doherty  Local Councils decide how to deliver education in our schools, where to develop housing, how much to invest in roads and what local services to support. These are important decisions that impact our communities and Laura and Fergus delve into the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for local authorities.  Check out other episodes here. 

E46: [SPECIAL] Local Government Election – With Cllr Laura Doherty & Fergus Mutch

In this second of a two-part Local Government election special of Scotland's Choice, Drew is joined by: Fergus Mutch & Laura Doherty  Local Councils decide how to deliver education in our schools, where to develop housing, how much to invest in roads and what local services to support. These are important decisions that impact our communities and Laura and Fergus delve into the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for local authorities.  Check out other episodes here. 

Election Special: Local Government

With Local Government elections fast approaching, Drew sits down with three candidates standing for election on the 5th of May.  In this first of a two part election special of Scotland's Choice, Drew is joined by: Emma Knox (Aird & Loch Ness SNP candidate) Lloyd Melville (Monifieth and Sidlaw SNP candidate) Olaf Stando (Burntisland, Kinghorn & Western Kirkcaldy SNP Candidate) Local Councils decide how to deliver education in our schools, where to develop housing, how much to invest in r...

E45: [SPECIAL] Local Government Elections – With Emma Knox, Olaf Stando & Lloyd Melville

With Local Government elections fast approaching, Drew sits down with three candidates standing for election on the 5th of May.  In this first of a two part election special of Scotland's Choice, Drew is joined by: Emma Knox (Aird & Loch Ness SNP candidate) Lloyd Melville (Monifieth and Sidlaw SNP candidate) Olaf Stando (Burntisland, Kinghorn & Western Kirkcaldy SNP Candidate) Local Councils decide how to deliver education in our schools, where to develop housing, how much to invest in r...

Episode 45: Election Special – Local Government

With Local Government elections fast approaching, Drew sits down with three candidates standing for election on the 5th of May.  In this first of a two part election special of Scotland's Choice, Drew is joined by: Emma Knox (Aird & Loch Ness SNP candidate) Lloyd Melville (Monifieth and Sidlaw SNP candidate) Olaf Stando (Burntisland, Kinghorn & Western Kirkcaldy SNP Candidate) Local Councils decide how to deliver education in our schools, where to develop housing, how much to invest in r...

Episode 44: Escaping Brexit

With Toni Giuliano. Scotland voted overwhelmingly against Brexit. All 32 local authorities voted to remain in the European Union and every poll since has shown this number only increases. Yet, we are having to ensure the fallout of a Tory Brexit with its empty Global Britain rhetoric. The UK’s exit from the EU has made the case for independence and Westminster continues to make the case on a daily basis. In this week’s Scotland’s Choice, Drew sits down with SNP Policy Development Convenor, ...

E44: Escaping Brexit – With Toni Giuliano

With Toni Giuliano. Scotland voted overwhelmingly against Brexit. All 32 local authorities voted to remain in the European Union and every poll since has shown this number only increases. Yet, we are having to ensure the fallout of a Tory Brexit with its empty Global Britain rhetoric. The UK’s exit from the EU has made the case for independence and Westminster continues to make the case on a daily basis. In this week’s Scotland’s Choice, Drew sits down with SNP Policy Development Convenor, ...

E44: Escaping Brexit – With Toni Giugliano

With Toni Giuliano. Scotland voted overwhelmingly against Brexit. All 32 local authorities voted to remain in the European Union and every poll since has shown this number only increases. Yet, we are having to ensure the fallout of a Tory Brexit with its empty Global Britain rhetoric. The UK’s exit from the EU has made the case for independence and Westminster continues to make the case on a daily basis. In this week’s Scotland’s Choice, Drew sits down with SNP Policy Development Convenor, ...

Episode 43: Cost of Living Crisis

Cost of Living Crisis with David Linden MP & Councillor Jen Layden.  The Office for National Statistics recently reported those earning below the UK average wage will pay up to an extra £255 per year, with the forthcoming Tory national insurance hike.  The lowest earners have seen their universal credit cut by £20 a week by the Tories, all while they were trying to grapple with inflation running at over five per cent and climbing. For example, foods such as rice have shot up over three hund...

E43: Cost of Living Crisis – With David Linden MP and Cllr Jen Layden

Cost of Living Crisis with David Linden MP & Councillor Jen Layden.  The Office for National Statistics recently reported those earning below the UK average wage will pay up to an extra £255 per year, with the forthcoming Tory national insurance hike.  The lowest earners have seen their universal credit cut by £20 a week by the Tories, all while they were trying to grapple with inflation running at over five per cent and climbing. For example, foods such as rice have shot up over three hund...

Episode 42: International Women’s Day

What better way to celebrate International Women's Day (8th of March 2022) than to hear from three talented and inspiring activists in the Independence movement. In this episode Drew is joined by independence campaigners and women's rights champions Sue Lyons, Sally Donald and Charlotte Armitage.  We hear from all three on why International Women's Day is such an important day to them and find out their thoughts on the challenges women still face in the workplace, politics and in society.  ...

E42: International Women’s Day – With Sue Lyons, Charlotte Armitage & Sally Donald

What better way to celebrate International Women's Day (8th of March 2022) than to hear from three talented and inspiring activists in the Independence movement. In this episode Drew is joined by independence campaigners and women's rights champions Sue Lyons, Sally Donald and Charlotte Armitage.  We hear from all three on why International Women's Day is such an important day to them and find out their thoughts on the challenges women still face in the workplace, politics and in society.  ...

Episode 41: Farming

In Conversation with Fergus Ewing MSP & Emma Harper MSP Few sectors have been harder hit by Brexit than agriculture and farming. Drew sits down with Fergus Ewing MSP and Emma Harper MSP to talk about Westminster's role in the fate of rural economies and the farming community on this week's podcast. Scotland's farmers and crofters are having to deal with the impacts of labour shortages, barriers to trade and supply chain issues resulting from Brexit. To make matters worse, they know much m...

E41: Farming – With Fergus Ewing MSP & Emma Harper MSP

In Conversation with Fergus Ewing MSP & Emma Harper MSP Few sectors have been harder hit by Brexit than agriculture and farming. Drew sits down with Fergus Ewing MSP and Emma Harper MSP to talk about Westminster's role in the fate of rural economies and the farming community on this week's podcast. Scotland's farmers and crofters are having to deal with the impacts of labour shortages, barriers to trade and supply chain issues resulting from Brexit. To make matters worse, they know much mo...

Episode 40: Devo Max

There are few words so synonymous with Scottish Independence than the phrase Devo Max. Over the years, Devolution Max - a full fiscal autonomy alternative to Independence has been floated by many a unionist. Unsurprisingly, their Devo Max musings always seem to coincide with growing support in the polls for Scottish Independence. Like clockwork, when there is a rise in the polls for support for Independence, devo max is touted by union supporters. Devo Max doesn't reflect our nation's int...

E40: Devo Max – With Pete Wishart MP, Kirsten Oswald MP and Activist Michael Sturrock

There are few words so synonymous with Scottish Independence than the phrase Devo Max. Over the years, Devolution Max - a full fiscal autonomy alternative to Independence has been floated by many a unionist. Unsurprisingly, their Devo Max musings always seem to coincide with growing support in the polls for Scottish Independence. Like clockwork, when there is a rise in the polls for support for Independence, devo max is touted by union supporters. Devo Max doesn't reflect our nation's int...

E39: Yes Places, North East – With Gillian Martin, Fatima Joji & Theo Forbes

With Gillian Martin MSP and AIM activists Fatima Joji and Theo Forbes. Drew sits down with Aberdeen Independence Movement organisers Fatima Joji, Theo Forbes and North East MSP Gillian Martin in this Yes Places series episode of Scotland's Choice. The guests share their views on the opportunities ahead for Scotland as an independent nation, and we hear more about their thoughts on the work ahead of us to pave the way for a future Yes Vote. Theo, Fatima, and other grassroots activists set ...

Episode 39: Yes Places, North East

With Gillian Martin MSP and AIM activists Fatima Joji and Theo Forbes. Drew sits down with Aberdeen Independence Movement organisers Fatima Joji, Theo Forbes and North East MSP Gillian Martin in this Yes Places series episode of Scotland's Choice. The guests share their views on the opportunities ahead for Scotland as an independent nation, and we hear more about their thoughts on the work ahead of us to pave the way for a future Yes Vote. Theo, Fatima, and other grassroots activists set u...

E38: Economic Opportunities – With Kate Forbes

With Kate Forbes. In this Scotland's Choice episode Drew sits down with Kate Forbes to the discuss economic opportunities for an Independent Scotland. Kate is the MSP for Skye, Lochaber, and Badenoch (which includes Dingwall, the Black Isle, and the Great Glen). Kate is the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy in the Scottish Government, which means she can offer a unique insight into the tangible economic benefits of independence. The issues that dominated the 2014 independence ...