The National Podcast

Editor Laura Webster and Political Reporter James Walker discuss the day's big stories, as Andy Burnham backtracks on his previous suggestion about the route to Scottish independence. They also discuss a major new story about AI data centres in Scotland, and a strange discovery about Reform's head of comms at the Scottish Parliament.
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Editor Laura Webster and Political Reporter Steph Brawn react to Andy Burnham's major independence intervention, and Ed Miliband's sanctions on Israel.
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In this episode of The National's Media Watch, political reporter Steph Brawn and reporter Lucy Jackson break down Channel 4’s explosive undercover documentary on Reform UK — and ask why other outlets, especially the BBC, haven’t matched that level of scrutiny. They discuss the alleged donations scandal, the resignation of two key Farage aides, and whether the tide is finally turning in how the media covers Nigel Farage and his party. They also look at press regulation, IPSO’s record (no fines issued), and why many people now want tougher rules after high-profile cases like the Jason Arday coverage.
PLUS: Katty Kay’s Gaza “genocide” remark and the BBC’s response, and the controversy over an all-English Great British Bake Off line-up.
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Xander Elliards and James Walker discuss the latest topics making the news on the The National Podcast.
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Political reporters Abbi Garton-Crosbie and James Walker discuss the latest events concerning AI data centres in Scotland and Channel 4's incredible undercover report exposing Reform UK
Reform’s head of policy James Orr and long-serving Farage aide Dan Jukes have stepped down and the party has launched an investigation following allegations they breached political donation rules by having polling paid for by an overseas company
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Political editor Xander Elliards and political reporter Abbi Garton-Crosbie reflect on John Swinney's sweeping changes to Scottish Government bodies, as health boards are to be reduced from 14 to just two while a single ferries agency could be established.
Later, the pair discuss Scottish Labour MP Brian Leishman's proposal that the party should back a second referendum IF the SNP commit to a 25-year ban to any further votes on the issue
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What would public broadcasting look like in an independent Scotland - and would it simply become a smaller version of the BBC?
In this episode of Media Watch, Steph Brawn is joined by media policy experts Dan Hind and Tom Mills to discuss their book, The BBC: From Corporation to Cooperative. They examine why the BBC is not directly accountable to the public, the influence of Westminster and government on its structure, and their proposal for a more democratic, member-run public media system.
The conversation also explores a major question for the independence movement: if Scotland becomes independent, should it create its own public broadcaster—and how can it avoid reproducing the same centralised, elite-led model critics associate with the BBC?
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Liam Shortall, the musician behind the Mercury Prize nominated jazz project corto.alto, joins Editor Laura Webster to discuss his new album, upcoming tour, jazz music's huge success in Scotland, the impact of AI on the scene, and how the country can better support emerging artists.
Visit Liam's website for tour details and album pre-orders at corto.alto
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Editor Laura Webster and Political Reporter Steph Brawn discuss the billionaire Easdale brothers' bid for a major AI data centre, performers hitting out at the Fringe, and lots more.
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SNP Westminster leader Dave Doogan joins The National Podcast for a special episode with our political editor Xander Elliards.
 
The pair chat energy, General Elections, and how the SNP will work with 'anyone' to secure a second independence referendum