It's really nice to see someone point out similarities between indy and Brexit arguments, i've noticed for a while but never seen anyone bring it up

This! More of this please! I really am beginning to miss the days where you'd have someone come in and hash it out over the course of a lengthy interview, in a reasonably civil manner! The modern day iteration of 30 second soundbites on deeply complex and nuanced issues can get in the bin!

Congratulations on a highly informative podcast. Personally, I observed a more assertive approach from both of you in the initial stages of the interview, which gradually transitioned into a more amicable tone. It is evident that Humza possesses exceptional communication skills when provided with the opportunity. Regrettably, the values between Scotland and England, as intended under the Union, seem to have diverged and I hope you give him an opportunity to return in the not too distant future to discuss further.

Rory Stewart's and to a lesser extent Alastair Campbell's, opinion is that of such traditional politicians from Westminster that can only see the status quo as the way forward. I'm English, have no Scottish ancestry as far as I'm aware, but when Rory brings up Liam Fox saying that it would be easy after leaving the EU because we'd been aligned for decades to Scotland being able to join the EU quicker than countries that have never been a member, I find the comparison utterly ridiculous mainly because the former campaigned on diverging from EU regulation whereas the latter is remaining aligned, because we haven't been gone for too long and so haven't diverted very far at all yet. I'm also not saying (and I'm taking as someone from the UK) we can borrow and borrow, but it's funny how money can always be found by the UK government. I used listen to this podcast and think Rory was a moderate Tory, but it's evident now why whilst he was an MP he voted for Osbourne (and Cameron's) austerity that he put the country in the position it is now. It sounds like to me he is putting all the blame for the state of the country on Liz Truss' disastrous budget, which was uncoated and ideological. Borrowing for tax cuts, in most cases and especially for the rich, will take out of the economy and put it into their bank accounts for a rainy day, whereas borrowing for investment in creating jobs, growing the economy, whilst it can go wrong is a much better plan, it will increase tax take, increase spending on communities where the investment is made, maybe not too pay back all the investment quickly but at least it's trying to correct course. I'm not sure what Rory's plan would be, maybe he thinks more austerity is needed.

As an Irish person because of our past the word "nationalist" is simply a completely different word than what it means to someone from England. If someone told me they were a nationalist I would assume they were a republican and/or in favour of a united Ireland. In short, someone in favour of an independent Irish nation in some form. I agree that it's silly for Scotland to shy away from the word. The most popular nationalist party is left wing here too.

I don't understand why the FM doesn't want to see EFTA as a stepping stone for an independent Scotland. Plus, I reckon if the FM really wanted to have Alex Salmond as an advisor, AS and his party would happliy work with the SNP.

Do nothing for Scotland instead of selling it to foreign bankers What a joke he's got Idea

I’d like to see him on again - for longer

Humza: "I love talking about policy" Rory: "asks policy question" Humza: "I love talking about policy"

So refreshing to hear a political leader talk to openly about mental health and willingness to seek professional counseling. I find that far more innately trustworthy that someone putting across some sort of front that they aren't affected by the normal stresses of life.

What a masterclass in talking for an hour and saying absolutely nothing.

the volume on this is SUPER low guys, please make sure when you export / upload that you are peaking into the red without artifacting - it's kinda unforgivable of a podcast like yours that you'd upload something that's 50% the volume of the KZfaq ads, while at max volume. EDIT: watching through now, it seems you guys need compression on your mics to level out the loud and quiet parts.

Hes never had a proper job 😂😂😂😂😂

A while back Rory said he would do a segment on his defence of private schools like Eton. What vid and time stamp is this please? I'm fascinated to hear it.

I'm pro indy, but gotta say the SNP are doing a bit stale at the minute. Need to be putting more into substantive policy up North in Holyrood. But I like them as a strong voice in Westminster, and there's no way I could vote for Labour with Starmer at the helm.

I'm not a fan of the SNP but I think Humza is actually quite personable!

Why did Rory crop on Sam Harris? They seemed to get along well and had a great conversation. Seems a very unfair comment he made

I think he did very well against two people who are ardent unionists. The truth is, he doesn't need to convince Alistair and Rory about anything, he just has to convince enough Scottish voters. And that might not be a tough call, considering that the Labour Party is beginning to look like a more competent version of the Conservatives.

What happened to getting the tables out pushing for independence 🤔 .

I've got to say I was disappointed with Rory's comments about Sam Harris. I listened to the whole podcast & felt that Rory misrepresented what actually happened & was actually quite unfair to Sam.

Good interview

Wow! I was really disappointed about Rory's comments on Sam Harris after what seemed such an amicable conversation? 10 minutes of good faith asking questions about the role that religious beliefs have in behaviour is summarised as 'Hammering me for an hour and wouldn't let it go'. Disappointed by Rory.

The ten, per capita, wealthiest countries in Europe are all small countries. A big country is richer in terms of total GDP, but isn't usually richer in GDP per capita. Many more citizens of high total GDP countries are living on the breadline. Smaller countries are usually more equitable with a more even spread of wealth, better healthcare, education and welfare provision, etc. Small countries don't have the same grandiose ideas as big countries; like buying nuclear weapons and £7 billion aircraft carriers that don't work properly or have any aircraft to put on them!

Thanks for calling him on 'productivity' bullshit Rory!

Very good

Why has nobody asked him why he sent hundreds of thousands of pounds in the last five months to Gaza, against advice from his advisors.

How quickly would shipbuilding return to Portsmouth in the event of Scottish independence? It may or may not go to Portsmouth as there are multiple places in rUK where, specifically, “complex warships” can be constructed. What is clear, however, that it would quite literally be illegal for Royal Navy vessels/complex warships to be built anywhere that is now abroad. The Clyde would no longer house it’s “frigate factory” and something that we are truly world class at would be lost forever. Some may think that it is a price worth paying. I don’t.

A very personable individual, i disagree with him massively regarding independence wlbeing a good thing for anyone. But i certainly respect the individual.

Serial failure.

Having heard Rory on the Sam Harris podcast I don't think the characterisation of that conversation which Rory gives here is fair... and, seemingly, suggests a general misunderstanding of Sam's views.

One of the most stupid & dangerous politicians in Britain

Very good conversation with good contributions from everyone.

Useless is a Stan Laurel clown without any of Stan Laurels talent

Scotlands future is not in industrialisation its in resources, culture,tourism ,etc...and resuming relations within the nordic and baltic nations.

Have Humza back on the podcast after he resigns lol

Hi both , it would be super good if Rory and Alistair can explain the difference between the UN and UNRWA

Opening twenty minutes of Humza telling us what a great guy he is. Followed by forty minutes of trotting out a load of juvenile tripe.

"We've spent a fair period of time.....publishing papers" yes,and money,public money.Plus these Papers are utterly risible.One of which was described by Nationalist blogger Robin McAlpine as "utter pish".In my opinion he was being generous.The Paper in question he described was regarding a Central Bank.I read that paper as it was being announced by Nicola Sturgeon and I was astonished at how vacuous it was.The other Independence papers are in the same vein-heavy on aspiration and utterly empty of detail.Yousaf replicates that approach here.

A very cosy chat between 3 very devisive individuals.

Did you really need to make Scotland look a tiny part of GB?!

The current tribulations of the SNP, which have been in power in devolved government for a while now, amplified by unionists as a convenient distraction from the ungodly car crash that is Westminster and the UK government, in no way diminish the case for Scottish independence, much as the unionists would like it to be that way. There is only one direction of travel, and that’s independence. It’s just a matter of time

Great Podcast really came across well might move to Scotland 😂 so refreshing as a Politician in terms of honesty and frankness.

Three people being SO NICE,!!!!!

I'm an Independence supporter - Not an SNP supporter. Saw this and the beginning of it I thought - Ach here we go again. After watching it - Brilliant stuff! Good to see Humza's humanity and a proper discussion about Indy. Well done to the Rest of Politics team who put this together.

Keep them coming guys! 😅

Thank you for giving Carlisle back to Scotland in the thumbnail map 😂

Ireland had all the same issues re independence. Has anyone seem them asking to get back into the Uk?

As a Scot, I was thinking of voting Labour in the next general election as a way to give it to the Tories. But after watching this, Humza genuinely seems to want the best for Scotland and that's what we need. I don't see Keir or Rishi really caring for us up north.

Impressive and likeable.. Who is his equal in British politics?

Keep on talking to each other!!

Humza had the golden ticket in Scottish politics.

God the discussion around the 30 minute mark is frustrating. Absolutely right that the SNP need to be clear about the challenges involved and specifically how they plan to tackle them but does it need to be so compared to Brexit? Like I get making the connection but after a while it's getting tired, like let the Scottish independence movement be it's own thing. Also in the same vein the whole "you can't just blame Westminster" seems like such an odd thing to say I mean they are literally in charge. You wouldn't say it to anyone else like "Oh you can't just blame Westminster for like the NHS" I mean, you can?? The SNP has done pretty well domestically compared to most places in the UK (bar is on the floor though), Scotland is not doing great but also not drowning to the same extent as England and Wales at least - I don't know much about standard of living in NI and anyway it's a whole other kettle of fish. Realistically Westminster controls a lot of stuff, glad to see Humza push back against this you can't just blame them. It's easy to make someone sound (and feel) childish by saying they're pointing fingers when actually the first step in fixing something is to locate the source of the problem.

"WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE SNP?" WHAT'S GOING wrONg WITH THE SNP?

We are a company working in low carbon heating and solar, we can't even recruit a heating engineer as there a huge shortage of tradesmen in Scotland

Why didn't Rory jump in with an explanation for international viewers on the significance of the Celtic - Rangers (old firm) rivalry? 😂

It's good that Campbell and Rory challenge Huz. But they can hardly do so from a position of...we know how to do this, and you can't leave us, cos governance is hard! Indeed, the state of the Government and the poor social and economic management by Sunak et al is the biggest reason why Scotland MUST leave.

The SNP doesn't seem National at all anymore.

Whatever independence delivers we will take our chances to get out of this Tory/Red Tory hell hole.

Humza why not join together for Scotland united 💙

Well gents I thoroughly enjoyed that podcast very informative thank you.

Excellent interview, I would have like more probing around the governance of the party and the Nicola/Peter show which Rory let him off the hook with a “no alarm bells comment”

What has SNP given us in Scotland, Free school meals, free bus passes for under 22 and pension age, free prescriptions, free tuition fees for our students, Right To Roam Anywhere in Scotland, SNP looks after the people of Scotland, I will always vote for a party that puts people first, do The tories and labour do that?

Everything that's wrong with politics....... Career politician.

@HumzaYousaf 👏👏👏👍

Lets all be pals and pretend that Alistair Campbell isnt a massive shit

If the SNP hadn't faltered in the 2017 election and lost a few seats to the Tories we'd have had a Labour government. And if Labour voters had backed the SNP in those seats at hose Tory seats would have given us that Labour government. We'd never have had a hard Brexit, likely no Brexit at all, And we've have the electoral reform that would end the pattern of endless Tory victories on the basis of elections where most people vote against them. We're going to have a Labour government now. If it’s a minority government dependant on the SNP it'll be a much better Labour government , more open to more progressive policies. And we'll get the electoral reform which Starmer the Tories dread.

In this country, Scotland don't ever forget the english so called united kingdom isn't a country Scotland is.

Just no very sure. No words really. 🙃 💜

Hamas Useless, "let's be honest" - the snp have never been honest 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

He’ll try and shrink public services what he actually needs to do, as those services are already threadbare, is reduce the level of dependency on public services in Scotland which is monstrous. But he’ll no dae that because they’re his voters.

The hardest ride any politician has had on this podcast. Dealt with it brilliantly.

The SNP has no future with this guy; no man can serve two masters.

I’m still listening to everything, but I remember how distraught he was about his wife’s family in Gaza and how the PM wouldn’t return his calls. He’d be well within his rights to hate or distrust Westminster. I’m in the US and may not be up to speed but that’s what I remember. Shameful.

If we knew Scotland was going to be getting ripped out of the EU, we wouldn’t have voted against independence

Good interview, great style. More please!

Union Scotland v''s Scotland freedom! Vote 2024! EU - Scotland 2025! Imperial masters goodbye :)

England has the right to impede a law or regulation passed by the Scottish Government if it thinks the law interferes with England's freedoms, but Scots do not have the right to block laws imposed by Westminster if they restrict the freedoms of Scots.

The Erskine Hotel is in Erskine not Inchinnan

Ireland used to export 90% of its exports to the UK. Now its less than 10% Their GDP is now more than double the UK per person.

A pathetic example of a leader……never my leader, nor for the people of Scotland!!

Weasel is fawning over Yousaf here. Not ageing well, this interview.

I dislike this guy immensly. So disingenuous. Trying to trap a local bussiness and slander them for racism. And he wasn't really vindicated before letting it go. The investigation sided with the bussiness, with regards to racism, merely pointing out they were disorganised (the bussiness in question was owned by a family also of South Asian decent, and so racism was nothing to do with it). Basically attempting the same "sting operation" he claimed his mother did. He then dismisses it, and states he believes it was actually against his religion, with absolutley no proof whatsoever. He is a dangerous man, that much is clear. Like the Labout party, he has no "ideas". Other than raising taxes and bashing the Tories. Now I'm not saying the current crop of Tories don't deserve a bashing, but he should be putting forward a case for voting for him, and his party, rather than simply not voting for the Tories. Notice is plan of action here is to say that Labour have already won it, so we might as well vote SNP so that Scotland has a voice. Not putting forward any case for why we should actually vote for them to govern Scotland. Well done Alastair for pointing out that it is not a done deal, and Scotland could indeed prove key in the next general election. Not only is he disingenuous, but he obviously has no ideas of his own here. The SNP made a mistake not electing someone with intelligence, such as Kate Forbes in the last leadership election. I suspect she may have given a reason to vote SNP, rather than the reasons not to vote Conservative.

I like him, very good interview. Should they call for ceasefire be also coupled with a call for hostage release?

Humza Useless

Scottish independence would just be another Brexit. Nobody really knows what it would look like and the idea that Scotland would magically enter the EU single market seems very naive

Labour have done more for Scottish Independence than the actual SNP if you think about it. They’re so full of it we need to get rid of them now and clear the road for actual independence supporting parties. The fact that we have been proved to be in an involuntary union with the rest of the UK, what is he doing about that?

Failing upwards because of his race - Scotlands shame!

1hr 1min 51sec……..How’d he do that!

I dislike humza as a politician but I’ll still probably vote SNP if I vote at all, no better options for Scotland

He came across very well except when he was asked about the future in detail. Very few people are going to read those white papers they publish and they still talk of borrowing to finance public services. KZfaq is full of clips with Andrew Neil asking senior SNP politicians those hard questions and they always fell back on rhetoric and the grass is always greener. As you said, i always felt that they were selling Scottish independence like Brexit was sold to the UK.

Rory did a great job probing the Productivity issues. A perfect example of SNP lack of policy substance. Once the lid comes off the box, it is clear there is not much in there!

Humza - the worst politician I have ever seen. God help Scotland.

Interesting comment about multiculturalism and whether it's failed. You can't cite the fact that Britain has a Hindu prime minister as evidence that it's okay to have no limits on the multiculturalism of a place. Rishi Sunak's "culture" is virtually indistinguishable from the politics of other political conservatives, and that's a good thing. Terrific interview.

My opinion of Humza went up massively as a person... policy points not so much comsidering his future Scotland is Hedgfund finance and further privatisation and outsourcing of the public sector

Great episode and convo, well spoken guy

Random question : what mug are these guys drinking from.....is it those swanky temperature controlled ones 🤔

Screw that

Humza Yousless, the master of failing upwards. Unbelievable where he is, but then again, The SNP is full of absolute failures. No surprise he's got the top job. I wonder what will come out about him in the years to come.

So telling what n who he cares about. He sees his self through color and religion.

he specificaly said its not going to be easy .