Go Radio Politics Show: March 1st, 2026.

This is a catch-up version of Bernard Ponsonby's live, weekly Sunday show on Go Radio.

Bernard Ponsonby and a lively panel — Malcolm Offord (Reform UK Scotland), David Linden (SNP), and later Annie Wells (Scottish Conservatives) — unpack the Green Party’s historic by‑election win in Gorton & Denton, an upset that has political insiders asking whether the dominance of Labour and the Conservatives is beginning to crumble.

The Gorton & Denton Earthquake

Greens secure their first ever by‑election win — and by a wide margin.

Labour pushed to third, Reform UK surges, and the Conservatives collapse.

Debate on whether this is a mid‑term protest or a true political realignment.

Fragmentation of UK politics now mirrors what Scotland has experienced for years.

Are Scots Being Taxed Unfairly?

Over one million Scots expected to become higher‑rate taxpayers due to fiscal drag.

SNP stance: “You can’t have Scandinavian services with American tax rates.”

Reform UK argues Scotland has a 55% state share of GDP and needs a “wealth economy.”

Heated exchanges over tax bands, public spending, quangos, and who really pays.

Nurses, teachers, and police now classed as “broad-shouldered taxpayers.”

Holyrood Poll Shock — Is the Election Already Decided?

New polling suggests:

SNP: 60–67 seats

Reform UK Scotland: 19–25 seats

Labour: struggling

Tories: fewer than 10 seats

Reform UK claims they can stop the SNP; Conservatives argue Reform will hand power to the SNP.

SNP insists nothing is guaranteed — “polls are not votes in the box.”

The future of independence returns to centre stage.

The Unionist Vote Problem

Multiple unionist parties + Reform UK surge = risk of splitting the anti‑SNP vote.

Strategic dilemmas: Who is best placed to challenge the SNP in each constituency?

Reform accused of being “Tory rebranding,” Conservatives accused of having only one policy.

Council Tax, Local Services & A City That Needs a ‘Spruce Up’

Glasgow facing steep council tax rises amid financial pressures.

Debate over whether increases are fair during a cost‑of‑living squeeze.

Rows over cleansing services, funding shortfalls, and local autonomy.

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