# Why This Election Campaign is "Dispiriting"

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/holyrood-sources-6059290/why-this-election-campaign-is-dispiriting
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/holyrood-sources-6059290/why-this-election-campaign-is-dispiriting.md
Podcast: [Holyrood Sources](https://stenobird.com/podcast/holyrood-sources-6059290)
Published: 2026-04-23T07:43:09+00:00
Episode link: https://www.holyroodsources.com/
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/643d6492ae2be60011a66c8d/e/69e9cd8dd2febdbec919398c/media.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/holyrood-sources-6059290/episodes/why-this-election-campaign-is-dispiriting
Duration seconds: 2165

## Resource

The Holyrood Sources team is back to break down a week of political name-calling, tactical blunders, and Westminster turmoil. In this episode, Calum Macdonald, Geoff Aberdein (former Chief of Staff to the First Minister), and Andy Maciver (former Director of Communications for the Scottish Conservatives) dive into the "immature" state of the current election campaign. From Anas Sarwar and Graham Simpson’s public spats to John Swinney’s decision to skip the BBC Question Time leaders' debate, the team asks: where are the big ideas? We also analyse the "terminal" situation for Sir Keir Starmer at Westminster. With Ollie Robbins sacked and Cabinet ministers struggling to defend the Prime Minister, is Starmer being held "hostage" by his own colleagues until May 7th? In this episode: The "Pathetic" Campaign: Why the focus on deals and name-calling is failing Scottish voters. SNP’s Food Price Cap: Is the cap on food prices a "gimmick" or a strategic masterstroke? The Starmer Crisis: Analysing the dismissal of Olly Robbins and the silence of the Labour Cabinet. John Swinney’s Debate Absence: Is the First Minister "running scared" or making a tactical calculation? Follow Holyrood Sources: ✉️ Email: hello@holyroodsources.com 💬 WhatsApp: 0333 404 6507 🌐 Website: holyroodsources.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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## Transcript

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