Could Reform surge in Scotland?

Could Reform surge in Scotland?

Author: The Times May 5, 2026 Duration: 35:51

This week Scottish voters will head to the polls for the Holyrood parliamentary elections. To understand what's on people's minds, we visited Motherwell - a town where, for decades, Labour used to dominate. This year Labour appear to be haemorrhaging support across Scotland and may even fall to third place. And an unlikely party is emerging from the fallout.


This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory


Guests:

  • Ross Thomson, editor, Wishaw Press
  • Richard Bolton, community development officer, Forgewood Housing Cooperative
  • Paul Murphy, corporate services office, Forgewood Housing Cooperative
  • Justin Parkes, industrial history curator, North Lanarkshire Council Museums

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producers: Taryn Siegel

We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com


Further listening: Is Labour facing a bloodbath in Wales?

Photo: Getty Images.

This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Each morning, The Story arrives with a clear purpose: to move beyond the headlines and explore the forces and people shaping our world. Guided by the experienced reporting of Manveen Rana and Luke Jones, this daily podcast from The Times delves into the most significant political developments and news events with a level of depth and context that only their global network of journalists can provide. You’ll hear more than just summaries; you’ll get a nuanced understanding of why a story matters, who it impacts, and what might happen next. The analysis is sharp and the storytelling is compelling, designed to fit into your morning routine seven days a week. It’s a direct line to the frontline reporting and editorial expertise of one of the world’s most respected news organizations. This consistent, in-depth approach makes the podcast a reliable resource for anyone looking to truly comprehend the day’s events. Supported by readers of The Times and The Sunday Times, the production maintains a commitment to journalistic integrity and thorough exploration, ensuring every episode provides substance and clarity.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 108

The Story
Podcast Episodes
Planet Hope: Rewilding the Earth with Kris Tompkins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:41
This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by The Story as a bonus weekly series each Sunday.The Southern Cone of South America is home to some of…
The wipe out scenario haunting the Conservatives [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:49
In 1993 the Canadian Conservative party went into the election in power but lost all but two of its seats. A party called Reform came to dominate right wing politics, and went on to merge with the Conservatives. Could th…
The TikTok election wars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:45
It’s being described as the UK’s first TikTok election - so can a flying pig, Cilla Black, and Nigel Farage have the power to change the result on the night?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of reader…
The Green vote: every colour of the rainbow? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:39
Who’s voting Green in this election? There’s the fruit bowl analogy - mangos, melons and figs (we’ll explain) - and, more unkindly, the carpark. With sky-high levels of disenchantment driving support, could this be their…
The new science of ageing and the quest to live forever [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:59
The super-rich are trialling innumerable whacky theories to radically extend their lives, from not eating after 11pm to taking hundreds of supplements a day and even blood transfusions from their children. But what does…
Could the 'blue wall' fall? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:54
Surrey has always been a bastion of support for the Conservatives but this election the Liberal Democrats believe they stand a chance of taking some of the truest of blue seats. So, what’s changed? We visit Guildford to…
Planet Hope: Solving hidden hunger with Felix Brooks-Church [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:10
This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative, hosted by The Story as a bonus weekly series each Sunday.Amidst a population of 8 billion, a staggering quarter…
The UK economy’s broken. Can Labour fix it? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:00
As Election Day looms, the one thing everyone can agree on is that the British economy is in a pretty parlous state. So, what's Labour offereing to get Britain out of its stagflation doom-loop, and will it work?This podc…
Football’s civil war: Man City vs Premier League [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:21
Abu Dhabi-owned Manchester City, England's top club, has launched unprecedented legal action against the Premier League - the league it plays in. With such vast sums at stake, what does it mean for the future of British…
Young, French, and voting hard-right [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:39
French president Emmanuel Macron has called a snap election after his party was soundly defeated by the hard-right opposition in Sunday’s EU elections. The National Rally has been boosted by young voters, personified by…