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Hello, I'm Michael Simmons and this is Coffee Out of Scots.

Today I'm joined by Katie Bowles and Alex Matty.

For anyone who's listened to our first few episodes, whenever we have a new guest or presenter on,

we make them justify their Scottishness and earn their right for the place on Coffee Out of Scots.

I feel a bit bad asking this of Alex because he is our Scotland editor, so it sort of goes without saying,

but Alex, state your claim for a place on the podcast.

Well, it's one of these unavoidable curses that's inflicted upon one at birth, frankly, isn't it?

But, you know, there's no point complaining about it.

You just have to get on and deal with it.

We'll take that as a pass.

So, there's been two big developments since we last did a podcast.

And those are, of course, yesterday the votes have opened.

There's now two weeks of member voting.

But also, in a surprise to some, John Swinney, the Deputy First Minister, has come out in support of Hamza,

and he's backed him as his candidate.

Katie, do you think this is because the sort of Hamza campaign is worried?

I think that's what lots of people are taking from this.

I think the timing, particularly of the endorsements, which is before the polls have been,

...