With Scotland's parliamentary elections just around the corner, we're bringing you Countdown to Holyrood—our take on the 2026 campaign.

In this series, we sit down with politicians from across the independence spectrum to discuss their vision for Scotland's future. From policy priorities to campaign strategies, hear directly from the candidates and party representatives shaping the conversation leading up to May's election.

Our first guest is Laura Moodie, South of Scotland candidate for the Scottish Green Party.

Key themes:

00:01:06 Campaigning in Southern Scotland region 00:04:30 Transport issues 00:07:21 Infrastructure preparations for an independent Scotland 00:09:10 Energy security 00:10:20 Overcoming the extractive model 00:11:15 The Deposit Return Scheme 00:13:50 Pushing at the boundaries 00:15:52 Assisted dying bill 00:20:22 Our PR parliament subverted? 00:28:36 Iceland's EU referendum implications 00:32:02 Personal priorities for government 00:34:46 Community wealth building 00:37:51 Joining up the dots

Find out more about the Scottish Green Party election manifesto here : https://greens.scot/collections/2026-holyrood-election

Whether you're passionate about Scottish independence, curious about the key issues, or simply want to understand what's at stake, this series offers in-depth interviews with the voices driving Scotland's political debate.

New episodes come out regularly throughout the campaign. Subscribe to stay updated as we count down to one of Scotland's most significant electoral moments.

#holyrood2026 #scottishgreenparty #scottishindependence

The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. Remember to like and subscribe!

Get in touch: Email: indypodcasters@gmail.com Bluesky: @scottishindypod

Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes

Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips. Video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm

We're also on TikTok : scotindypodcasters

If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcasts or choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause.

Music:

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political. Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

The Believe in Scotland march and rally in Edinburgh last Saturday was a colourful, noisy and joyful affair. In this bonus podcast we bring you Marlene's vox Pops - people she chatted with while waiting for the march to get going. Then we head on up to iconic Calton Hill for some of the speeches from the stage.

00:00:47 Vox Pops from the Royal Mile

00:18:09 Speeches from the rally

You can watch our video of the march here https://youtu.be/fVGNpsXvXCU?si=P5-_tVk0t3r3m2qi

In addition to our regular Friday episodes, look out for more bonus Tuesday podcasts from us as we head towards that crucial Holyrood election on 7th May.

#holyrood2026 #believeinscotland #scottishindependence

The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. Remember to like and subscribe!

Get in touch: Email: indypodcasters@gmail.com Bluesky: @scottishindypod

Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes

Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips. Video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm

We're also on TikTok : scotindypodcasters

If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcasts or choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause.

Music:

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political. Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

Join us for the 5th Annual Jim McVicar Memorial Lecture, hosted by the Scottish Socialist Party. The event is opened by Richie Venton who shares heartfelt personal memories of Jim McVicar, painting a picture of the man who inspired this moving tribute. This year's lecture is delivered by SSP's national co-spokesperson and former MSP Colin Fox. The topic is both timely and provocative- Socialist answers to ReformUK, an incisive examination of why the socialist left stands in opposition to Reform's far right political agenda. Key sections: 00:00:17 Introduction by Richie Venton 00:11:03 Memorial Lecture delivered by Colin Fox

Find out more about the Scottish Socialist Party here https://scottishsocialistparty.org/

#scottishsocialistparty #scottishpolitics #jimmcvicarlecture

The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. Remember to like and subscribe!

Get in touch: Email: indypodcasters@gmail.com Bluesky: @scottishindypod

Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes

Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips. Video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm

We're also on TikTok : scotindypodcasters

If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcasts or choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause.

Music:

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political. Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.