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

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

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 From corruption and sleaze scandals to an outdated, archaic form of political discourse, there’s plenty to be said.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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Some of the best bits of Scotland’s Choice. Part Two of our special episodes showcasing some of the key points made on Scotland’s Choice. With 2022 set to be a huge year for the independence movement, it’s vital that we familiarise ourselves with the facts. Ahead of us is a year in which plans for

Some of the best bits of Scotland’s Choice. Part One of two special episodes showcasing some of the key points made on Scotland’s Choice. With 2022 set to be a huge year for the independence movement, it’s vital that we familiarise ourselves with the facts. Ahead of us is a year in which plans for

With Hannah Bardell MP and Sally Donald. With Hannah Bardell MP and Sally Donald. According to UN analysis early this year, at the current rate, gender equality in the highest positions of power will not be reached for another 130 years. This shows just how much work is needed to create more gender-balanced and better

With Alyn Smith MP, and Yes Stirling activists Greg and Gerry. A view from Stirling. In this episode, the first of our Yes Places series, Drew talks with members of the Stirling independence movement about their activism, their views on the route to Independence and the relationship between grassroots activism and political representation. Local Yes

Few areas of policy were more divisive in the lead up to the 2014 Independence Referendum than Pensions. People were told repeatedly that one of the most significant risks of independence was losing pension security and the infamous ‘triple lock’. We know this issue was hugely influential in shaping the views of older voters who

Twelve-month waits for payment,  a culture of suspicion, punishing bureaucracy are just some of the features of the UK Social Security system people living with disabilities face. In this episode, Drew chats to Councillor Laura Brennan-Whitefield, a SNP Councillor for North Ayr, a mother, a disabilities campaigner, a trekie and someone who lives with a

When we think of politics we probably think of the grand halls of Westminster Palace or the postmodern structure of the Scottish Parliament. With that, we also likely think of key political figures in the main parties. The First Minister, the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Presiding Officer. Cast your mind back

Wellbeing is something we’re all a lot more in tune with today. And there is a growing number of people who support the idea of a well-being economy – one that promotes looking after individuals and the environment. To discuss the (not so new) idea, Ariane Burgess, Green MSP for the Highlands and Islands Region,

Trade is the beating heart of any economy. In its simplest form, it allows goods or services to be transferred between one party to another, in return for other goods/services, or, more commonly, money. So where has the UK lost its way with regards to trade? What’s changed in recent years that’s had such a

Grassroots activism has an extremely important part to play in politics. When we think of politics we probably think of the grand halls of Westminster Palace or the postmodern structure of the Scottish Parliament. With that, we also likely think of key political figures in the main parties. The First Minister, the Prime Minister, the

The Just Transition. Everyone will have heard the phrase, and many will have at least a vague idea of the meaning behind it. But, looking in-depth and in specific terms, what do politicians mean when they talk about it? Stephen Flynn MP is the SNP’s Energy spokesperson at Westminster and so is well-versed in the

Scotland’s land is one of our greatest assets in so many ways, but decades and even centuries of mismanagement have held Scotland back. Rob Gibson was an MSP in the Highlands for 13 years and served as convener of the Rural Affairs, Climate Change, and Environment committee. A well-respected author, Rob has written many books

Jenny Gilruth MSP has been the MSP for Mid-Fife and Glenrothes since 2016, serving in the Scottish Government’s justice and education committees. Now, she serves as our minister for Culture, Europe and International Development in Holyrood. In 2014, the Better Together campaign infamously told Scotland that the only way to guarantee EU membership was to

Joining Scotland’s Choice host this week is Michelle Thomson MSP. Currently the MSP for Falkirk East, she previously represented Edinburgh West in Westminster and also held the brief of Business, Innovation, and Skills for the SNP. During the 2014 referendum, business and the economy were, and remain, a huge part of the argument for independence. A

In this episode of Scotland’s Choice, Drew sits down with Gavin Newlands MP to discuss all things Transport. Transport plays a huge part in all of our lives. Whether it’s commuting to working, travelling for a holiday or supermarket supply chains, transport plays a vital role in modern life. SNP transport spokesperson Gavin Newlands MP

Drew sits down with activist, Charlotte Armitage to discuss the role of young people in the independence movement. Young people are a key part of the independence movement. One of the strengths of the 2014 Yes campaign’s was the grassroots element, and young people were front and centre. The YSI is the SNP’s youth wing

In this episode Drew sits down with John Nicolson MP to discuss Scotland’s media. Scotland’s media came under much scrutiny in the run-up to the first independence referendum in 2014. John Nicolson MP is SNP spokesperson for Digital, Media, Culture, and Sport. Scotland’s national broadcaster in the UK is the BBC. Studies have shown they

Drew sits down with Angus Robertson MSP to discuss Scotland’s relationship with artic neighbours. Scotland is the world’s northernmost country which isn’t technically in the Arctic region. After independence, therefore, it is vital that we look to our Arctic neighbours and form real and lasting partnerships with them. There’s also a lot that we can

Feminist foreign policy is the topic we’re covering this week on Scotland’s Choice podcast. Joining host Drew Hendry MP, is one of the leading voices in the matter, Prof. Caron E. Gentry. Caron is currently a Professor in the School of International Relations at the University of St Andrews. Her main research focuses on gender

In this episode, Drew sits down with activist, Ruaridh Hanna to discuss his journey from No to Yes. If you haven’t already listened to the first special, you can click here to do so or search for Episode 12. Ruaridh was very much involved with the Better Together campaign in 2014 but has since changed

This is the second part of Drew’s conversation with Andrew on the financial case for independence. If you haven’t already listened to part one, we recommend you do so before listening to this episode. Andrew is one of the leading voices when discussing the financial aspect of independence. His CV shows an economist who is

Drew is joined by Economist and former MSP Andrew Wilson to discuss the financial case for independence. Following on from the round-up compilation specials, we’re back to new content this week. Economist and former MSP Andrew Wilson joins Drew to discuss the financial case for independence. This conversation was so interesting that we’ve split it

Part One of a Compilation of Scotland’s Choice. This week’s episode is a round-up of some of the best bits of Scotland’s Choice so far. With 13 episodes worth of content to choose from, it’s not an easy task to pick standout moments for an episode such as this. The thinking was to condense some

In this episode of Scotland’s Choice Podcast, host Drew Hendry MP is joined by the leader of Plaid Cymru’s Westminster Group. Together they discuss the common ground between the independence movements of Scotland and Wales. Advocates of independence for Scotland and Wales share many of the same concerns regarding the current Westminster political system. For

In 2014, Michael Sturrock voted No in the Scottish Independence Referendum. But he, like many others, has since changed his mind and now campaigns for Independence. Then, in late 2020, he founded the NoToYes.vote website. It shares the stories of people with similar experiences of moving from No to Yes. This makes Michael the perfect

In this episode of Scotland’s Choice, Drew sits down with Mike Russell to discuss potential routes to independence. In this episode of Scotland’s Choice, Drew sits down with Mike Russell and outlines the road to independence and what it looks like. Mike is former Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs, President of

In this episode, Drew is joined by Alison & Roger to discuss Scotland’s Finances. During the 2014 referendum, much was made of Scotland’s finances by the Unionist campaigners. We all heard the arguments asserting that Scotland is subsidised by Westminster, we are too reliant on oil, and, perhaps most prominently, that we didn’t have a

Your host Drew Hendry MP is joined by Stewart McDonald MP to why it’s in our interest to weed out the fact from the fiction. Disinformation and Fake News – what is it and why is it important? At the time of publishing, Stewart has just published a report on Disinformation in Scotland (can be

In this episode, host Drew Hendry MP chats with Stephen about Scotland’s place in the world. Nation to Nation is a book written by former MP for North East Fife, Stephen Gethins. Brexit has changed the argument surrounding independence since 2014. The UK has isolated itself from its closest neighbours in deeply damaging ways,. What

Host Drew Hendry MP is joined by Deidre Brock MP to discuss COP26 Scotland was one of the first countries in the world, and the first in the UK, to declare a climate emergency. This is all the more important, as a recent report published by Oxfam shows that climate change will result in an

Scotland’s social security ambitions are the theme for episode 6 in which Drew is joined by Neil Gray MSP. These changes are critical to a healthy society involving people and communities in setting their future. The UK’s choice, through Westminster, to pursue an austerity agenda has undoubtedly harmed people across society. Many people fell through

In this episode of Scotland’s Choice, Drew is joined by Ann Ballinger of the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and Brendan O’Hara MP, whose constituency includes Faslane and Coulport, as they discuss the nuclear weapons housed in Scotland by Westminster and their decision to break the nonproliferation treaty, which has stopped the nuclear arms race,

Scotland’s Choice What difference does it make, how does being in the UK restrict us and what would we do differently if Independent? These are just some of the questions posed to Stuart C McDonald MP, SNP Shadow to the UK Tory Home Secretary, Priti Patel in this episode of Scotland’s Choice podcast. Recent events

Scotlands Choice: In this episode, Drew discusses realising Scotland’s energy potential with Alan Brown MP, the SNP spokesperson on Energy and Climate Change. Alan and Drew discuss the UK Government’s approach to energy and locking out potential opportunities. They discuss the missed opportunities and Wesminsters long-standing obsession with Nuclear power. Alan makes particular reference to

Scotland’s Choice In this second episode of Scotland’s Choice, Drew discusses the impact choices made at Westminster have on children born here and those whose home it has become with Angela Crawley, MP for Lanark and Hamilton East. Drew and Angela discuss her extensive work on child poverty and the impact of austerity policies on Scotland’s

In conversation with David Linden MP. The Scottish people have returned a pro-independence majority of SNP and Green MSPs to the Scottish Parliament, providing the mandate for a new Independence Referendum. In this first episode of Scotland’s Choice, Drew discusses what this result means for the Scottish people with David Linden, the Member of Parliament