Manifestos: Social Policy (General Election 2024)

On election eve, the team considers the state of the parties after the six week campaign. From gaffes to being grilled in front of live audiences, wacky stunts to serious statements, the team looks back at the 2024 general election campaign in Scotland and the wider UK, and discuss how the parties have shaped up ahead of the polls opening on Thursday July 4th. What have been the defining moments of the campaign, how might the political landscape change on Friday, and just how far can the Podlitical team stretch the "Ming vase" metaphor?

Martin Geissler sits down with SNP leader John Swinney. His party are coming into this general election off the back of what he himself described as a “rough time”. They’re offering voters “a new chapter”, with calls for more powers for Scottish Parliament, and eventually, they hope, full independence for Scotland, but given they’ve been in power in Holyrood for 17 years, how is that message landing with voters? In this audio version of the BBC Scotland Sunday Show interview, Martin asks Swinney about Scottish independence, taxation, and what exactly makes a mandate for a referendum.Part of a series of interviews with party leaders over the course of the general election campaign. To hear them all, subscribe to Podlitical on BBC Sounds.

What do the manifestos say about welfare, LGBTQ+ rights, social issues, and more? The team deep dives into the party manifesto offers on social issues for the 2024 general election, comparing and contrasting pledges, and what they might mean for Scotland.Part of a series looking at the 2024 party manifestos. For more coverage on more manifesto topics, subscribe to Podlitical on BBC Sounds, or visit the BBC News website.

What do the manifestos say about climate change, green policies, and oil & gas? The team deep dives into the party manifesto offers on climate policy for the 2024 general election, comparing and contrasting pledges, and what they might mean for Scotland.Part of a series looking at the 2024 party manifestos. For more coverage on more manifesto topics, subscribe to Podlitical on BBC Sounds, or visit the BBC News website.

What do the manifestos say about the Scottish Independence, Brexit, immigration and more? The team deep dives into the party manifesto offers on statehood, foreign policy, immigration, military support and more for the 2024 general election, comparing and contrasting pledges, and what they might mean for Scotland.Part of a series looking at the 2024 party manifestos. For more coverage on more manifesto topics, subscribe to Podlitical on BBC Sounds, or visit the BBC News website.

What do the manifestos say about the NHS, social care, and health? The team deep dives into the party manifesto offers on public health and care for the 2024 general election, comparing and contrasting pledges, and what they might mean for Scotland.Part of a series looking at the 2024 party manifestos. For more coverage on more manifesto topics, subscribe to Podlitical on BBC Sounds, or visit the BBC News website.

What do the manifestos say about tax, spending, and the pound in your pocket? The team deep dives into the party manifesto offers on money and the economy for the 2024 general election, comparing and contrasting pledges, and what they might mean for Scotland.Part of a series looking at the 2024 party manifestos. For more coverage on more manifesto topics, subscribe to Podlitical on BBC Sounds, or visit the BBC News website.

Martin Geissler sits down with Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross. It’s fair to say it’s been a rough campaign for the Tories, but is it all doom and gloom in the camp? In this audio version of the BBC Scotland Sunday Show interview, Martin asks Ross about his policies, his plans for the future, and the ups and downs of a few weeks on the campaign trail.Part of a series of interviews with party leaders over the course of the general election campaign. To hear them all, subscribe to Podlitical on BBC Sounds, or tune in to the Sunday Show every Sunday from 10am on BBC One Scotland and Radio Scotland.

Martin Geissler sits down with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. The polls suggest Labour are doing well just now – but of course, two weeks is a long time in politics. Can they keep up the pace they’ve set themselves? In this audio version of the BBC Scotland Sunday Show interview, Martin asks Sarwar about tax, just how Labour will get that growth they need to fund their pledges, immigration, and independence.Part of a series of interviews with party leaders over the course of the general election campaign. To hear them all, subscribe to Podlitical on BBC Sounds, or tune in to the Sunday Show every Sunday from 10am on BBC One Scotland and Radio Scotland.

This week, investigations into bets on the general election, and talk of tactical votes. As the Conservative Party’s director of campaigning is investigated by the Gambling Commission for placing a bet on the timing of the general election, alongside a Tory candidate and one of Rishi Sunak's closest aides, the team discusses the news from the campaign trail and what they've been up to this week. Also, Lucy, Rajdeep, and Phil chat tactical voting, just how much it will play into this election, and why there are more candidates than ever for voters to choose from.