With Labour’s conference approaching, Bernard and Alex discuss Andy Burnham’s first Budget, the speculation about an early general election, and whether a divided opposition could help Labour hold on to power.

Could Scotland’s councils be radically reorganised within months? And as drug deaths rise, are the Scottish Government’s promises matching the results?

Bernard Ponsonby and Alex Massie examine the proposed shake-up of local government, the lack of detail on costs and powers, and Glasgow City Council’s separate workforce dispute. They also discuss Scotland’s drug deaths, access to addiction treatment, and the growing gap between political rhetoric and outcomes.

In this episode:

• Scotland’s proposed council reorganisation

• Glasgow’s workforce dispute

• Drug deaths, rehabilitation and political accountability

• Homelessness and the Scottish Government’s record

• Labour conference, the Budget and Burnham’s electoral strategy

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:07 Scotland’s council shake-up

10:27 Glasgow’s workforce dispute

14:03 Scotland’s drug deaths

25:41 Promises versus results

26:39 Could Burnham call an early election?

30:30 The pressure on Labour’s first Budget

38:26 Reform, the Conservatives and Labour’s path to victory

43:22 Closing thoughts

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Focussing on UK, Scottish and Global politics, if you like other great political podcasts like The Rest is Politics, The News Agents, Newscast, Questions Time, Holyrood Sources, Planet Holyrood, The Stooshie, The Steamie, Scotcast, Americast etc etc then The Ponsonby and Massie Podcast could be a great show to add to your list of favourites.

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