PoliticsJOE Podcast Starmer safe, for now
Feb 10, 2026
Laura Beveridge, Scotland correspondent who explains Scottish political context and Holyrood stakes. She unpacks Scottish Labour's tactical distancing from Westminster. They discuss Mandelson and Epstein revelations overshadowing other stories. The conversation covers party discipline, selection fights and who might benefit from leadership change. Tension around business ties and accountability also features.
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Scottish Labour Separates From Westminster
- Scottish Labour deliberately distances itself from Westminster to protect local electoral prospects.
- Anas Sarwar framed criticism of Downing Street as putting Scotland first ahead of Westminster politicking.
Two Layers To The Mandelson Fallout
- The Mandelson-Epstein link created two separate grievances: moral outrage and political frustration.
- Many Labour women expressed palpable anger focused on the moral dimension of those ties.
Party Cleanup Left Staff Traumatized
- Ava-Santina recounts Labour staff describing the Corbyn-to-Starmer transition as traumatic and controlled by 'psychopaths'.
- She says people blamed Morgan McSweeney for legal threats, forced exits, and a culture of fear.