Latest episodes

• Award Season

  The latest Norstat poll for the Sunday Times put support for independence at 54% and the SNP on track to be the largest party after the 2026 election and a pro independence majority  at Holyrood. It also showed a startling drop off for Labour and the continuing rise of Reform.
  We look at the data and discuss what is happening. Is Labour caught in a pincer movement between Reform on the Right and the SNP on the Left? What hopes are there for a united front between pro independence parties to secure the biggest Yes majority?
  
  The SNP has launched another "grassroots" membership independence campaign while John Swinney is looking to secure that Holyrood victory by highlighting its record in government and offering a positive message of "Hope" for the future. We discuss.
  
  Pat McFadden has been all over the media promoting the idea of bringing the "tech bros" into government to drive efficiency and reform while defending Israel's bombing campaign in Syria and tip toeing around the thorny question of how to engage with the Syrian rebels primarily led by HTS. The same HTS whose origins are in Al Qaeda and are currently a proscribed terrorist organisation.
  
  We also look at what's been a good couple of weeks for the Irish language rap group Kneecap. Seven wins at the British Independent Film Awards, including best film, and a victory in their court case over the withdrawal by Kemi Badenoch of funding for the movie .
  
  Sticking with awards the short list for BBC Sports Personality of the Year has been announced. The omission, once again, of Duncan Scott Britain's third most decorated Olympian prompted us to cast a critical eye over the Anglocentric, male dominated , borefest.
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duncan_Scott_(swimmer)

• Cap In Hand

  Lesley reflects on Alex Salmond's memorial service in this week's episode. How was the service itself? Can it prove to be a significant moment in unifying the struggle for Scottish independence?
  Wednesday saw the first Scottish Budget since the return of a UK Labour government. We give our first impressions on what it, and just as importantly ,what  it didn't contain. We also examine Scottish Labour's response to the challenges the Budget laid down for them.
  As Reform makes headway in recent Scottish and Welsh opinion polls and Nigel Farage is set to make his 38th appearance on Question Time Lesley says it's time to take off the gloves and oppose not appease the Right.
  Amnesty International has issued a 296 page report claiming that  Israel intended to commit genocide against the Palestinian people. Thus joining the UN and many other international bodies in this conclusion. It also stated that the international community had not only failed miserably to condemn this but through its delay in calling for a ceasefire and continuing to supply arms to Israel it was complicit in this atrocity. Meanwhile there was a record attendance at the Labour Friends of Israel lunch including Starmer, Reeves, Lammy and many other Cabinet members amongst the 100 Labour MPs. Starmer was a keynote speaker along with the far right Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely.
  We also cast our eyes over the crises in Germany, France, and South Korea.

• Show Us The Money

  MPs are scheduled to vote on the Private Members’ Bill proposed by Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP, to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults on Friday.
  However a cross party group has co-sponsored a so-called “fatal motion amendment” that could kill the Bill if enough MPs support it.
  The amendment comes amid concern in the Commons that such a significant change was proposed as a Private Members’ Bill, meaning there is limited detailed assessment and analysis of the provisions it includes.
  We examine the detail of both the Leadbeater Bill and Liam McArthur's proposed Scottish Bill and ask what impact Friday's Westminster vote may have in Holyrood.
  
  Meanwhile there's much heat being generated in the media over the " Call a General Election Now" petition which has apparently garnered over 2 million signatures in the past four days.
  How significant is this in reality? Should Labour be concerned? Should the Tories be more concerned?
  
  Rachel Reeves has announced the payment to the Scottish Government to compensate for the impact of her raise in employers' National Insurance contributions.
  How fair was the package?
  
  After recent polling and by election results we look at the state of play of the parties in Scotland. How much of an impact have they had on Anas Sarwar's U-turn on Winter Fuel Allowance payments? How concerning is the rise of Reform? Will we face a Holyrood impasse in 2026 with no viable coalitions in prospect?
  
  And as Donald Trump makes his final nominations for his Cabinet we cast our eyes over the array of right wing, reality TV, Fox News hosts, dubious characters he's selected.

• Cute Moves

  Anas Sarwar has announced a U turn on Scottish Labour's stance on Winter Fuel Payments. If they form a Holyrood government in 2026 he has pledged to reverse the cuts and reintroduce the payments to pensioners on a universal but means tested basis. What lies behind this sudden change of heart. Political expediency in the light of recent polls and upcoming by elections? No matter his reasons it does present a challenge to the Scottish Government. How will it respond? How should it respond?
  
  The row over Stephen Flynn, and other SNP MPs , plans to seek a dual mandate in 2026 and become MSPs rolls on. Lesley has always highlighted the accident of the election cycle for the absence of so many talented SNP politicians from Holyrood. Why is she so opposed to Stephen's bid?
  How damaging are the revelations to the SNP of the use of ministerial cars to attend sporting events? How naive were these politicians to how this would look given the furore over Starmer's freebies?
  
  A lot has been made over the proposed appointments Trump has made to his Cabinet with much of the focus falling on Robert Kennedy Jr and Matt Gaetz. However in terms of foreign policy the nomination of Mike Huckabee as US ambassador to Israel has tended to go unreported. Who is Huckabee? What are his beliefs and why should  all who believe in a just peace be concerned?
  
  Meanwhile the 30 day deadline imposed by the Biden administration  for Israel to take specific steps to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has come and gone with none of the promised "consequences" coming to pass.
  This denial of genocide was not only echoed but amplified by Sir Keir Starmer at Westminster.  What is the UN definition of genocide?  Is Starmer a hypocrite given his stance on Serbian actions in Croatia before the ICJ in 2014?
  
  The narrative of farmers under threat after the changes to include them in inheritance tax is picking up pace. What's the reality?
  
  Talking of reality Femke Halsema the Mayor of Amsterdam has signalled her regret at claiming there was an anti-Jewish pogrom after the Ajax v Maccabi Tel Aviv football match.  A welcome retraction but is it too late?

• What Happened?

  It's the aftermath of the US Presidential Election and there are lots of questions.
  Did Trump win or did the Democrats lose?
  What do Trump's first appointments tell us about what to expect from his administration?
  Will the next four years totally redefine the US?
  What impact will a Trump Presidency have on Europe and the UK?
  
  The reaction to the events before and after the Maccabi Tel Aviv v Ajax football match in Amsterdam laid bare the thrall in which the vast majority of the media and almost all world political leaders are held by the pro Israel lobby. We discuss.
  Stephen Flynn has announced that he's put his name forward to stand as an MSP in 2026. How significant a decision is this ?
  We're also joined by special guest Max Wiszniewski, Campaigns Manager for REVIVE to talk about last weekend's The Big Land Question Conference co-hosted by Lesley and actor David Hayman.
  To take part in REVIVE'S survey and have your say follow this link
  https://diffleypartnership.co.uk/the-big-land-question/

• Remember Remember

  We pick over the detail of last week's UK Budget. Did it signal the "end of austerity" as Anas Sarwar claims? What's the reality of the increase in the Scottish Block Grant? What impact will it have on December's Scottish Budget and what challenges does it lay down for the Scottish Government?
  It's election day in the USA. What's the state of the polls? Will early voting  decide the outcome again? Are the Republicans already laying the ground for another "stolen election" narrative?
  Meanwhile the Tories have elected a new UK leader, Kemi Badenoch. The contest came down to a choice between two right wing candidates, Badenoch and Jenrick. Badenoch has now appointed her new front bench and among the ranks of " Who's that?" and "Never heard of them!" some old familiar faces are back signalling that shift even further to the right.
  Stephen Flynn has been "given" a seat on the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster. What is this committee and why is the Labour Party so focused on it in the run up to the Holyrood elections in 2026?
  Plus a tribute to Janey Godley an icon of Scottish popular culture.

• A Square Go
  As the US Presidential election enters its final days Donald Trump held a rally at Madison Square Garden where speaker after speaker spewed racist, misogynist bile. Has this harmed or enhanced his campaign in those seven vital swing states where the presidency will be won or lost?
  
  World leaders have condemned the overwhelming decision by the Knesset to ban the UNWRA from operating inside Israel,Gaza and the West Bank. Israel has claimed that UNRWA has colluded with Hamas in Gaza. This is the culmination of decades of  anti UNRWA activity by Israel.
  The USA government has said it is "deeply concerned". Is it concerned enough to use legislation which allows the stopping of military aid to countries that restrict US humanitarian aid?
  
  King Charles acknowledged “painful aspects” of Britain’s past while sidestepping calls to directly address reparations for slavery at the summit of Commonwealth leaders, saying “none of us can change the past, but we can commit … to learning its lessons”.
  What lessons can we learn by examining the role of the Royal Family in the slave trade? Reparations are justified but who should pay them?
  
  We look forward to Rachel Reeves' first Budget. Will there be any surprises? Just what is a "working person"?
  
  
  Kemi Badenoch appeared on the Sunday Show and was skewered by Martin Geissler over the "voluntary" union and her plans-lack of- for reprogramming devolution. It looks likely that she will defeat Robert( Pensioners waking up with illegal migrants in their bedrooms) Jenrick to become Tory leader. No matter which of the two win it signals yet another shift to the Right in UK politics.
  
  

  All this plus a surprise guest appearance of the Masked Postie!
• A Waste Of Energy

  Lesley's back from her trip to Iceland with lots to talk about and share including disturbing news about The Gulf Stream.
  https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/2024/feb/09/atlantic-ocean-circulation-nearing-devastating-tipping-point-study-finds
  
  There seem to be more leaks from within this new Labour government than a set of Thames Water's pipes. This time on what might be in next week's Budget. BBC Scotland's Sunday Show focused on this. We look at who was on the show and what questions were asked. What questions weren't asked,especially  of Energy Minister Michael Shanks in terms of GB Energy and Carbon Capture and Storage.
  
  Sticking with energy Lesley takes the lid off a looming crisis particularly impacting Scotland over smart meters.
  
  Meanwhile Labour held a swanky Investment Summit trumpeting a £63 Billion post-election boost in investment.What's the reality behind the boast, what have Labour promised the likes of Blackrock, and just how many new jobs will all this cash create?
  
  All this plus the new movie about the early years of Trump's rise ,"The Apprentice" reviewed.

• Alex Salmond-Riddoch Questions May 11 2007

  In this episode of Riddoch Questions Lesley spoke with Alex Salmond who had just led the SNP to become the largest party in the Scottish Parliament. He was literally in the throes of trying to form that first ever SNP government and spoke from the car park outside a pub in the pouring rain. 

• A Country Not A County

  This episode focuses on our  reflections on the life, career and  political legacy of Alex Salmond in the aftermath of his sudden death.
  The great "What ifs". What if he hadn't resigned in 2014? What if he was re-elected to Holyrood in 2026?
  Away from the political sphere Lesley talks about her personal encounters with him over the years.
  
  In his final post on Twitter Alex criticised the attendance of John Swinney at UK Government’s first Council of Nations and Regions, “Of course the First Minister has the right to insist on bilateral JMC meetings with the Prime Minister. I am not sure in which world that correct business approach includes a convivial group selfie with the political opponent who is freezing Scots pensioners." “Part of becoming independent is about thinking independently, not subserviently. John should have politely declined the meeting with the words ‘Scotland is a country not a county.”
  Was Alex correct? Does the creation of this Council signal a move from Labour to impose another layer of centralised "local" government  Metro Mayors on Scotland?
  Lesley is off  to Iceland.If you want to get video updates on her travels subscribe to her Youtube channel here
  https://www.youtube.com/@Lesley_Riddoch
  All of this plus gratuitous references to former leaders of the TGWU and health updates.

• Dr Jon Egilsson-Podcast Extra

   Lesley was at the Scottish currency group conference and like most of the audience, was struck by  Dr Jon Egilsson's contribution. He warned  against handing over control of a new Scottish currency by joining the euro - still a mandatory condition for new members of the European Union. saying that despite the mess Iceland landed in 2008, it was having its own currency that allowed the country to spring back.
  
  Jon is the chairman and co-founder of Monerium and former chairman of the supervisory board of the Icelandic Central Bank. In addition to co-founding four software companies, he has also served as an adjunct professor at Reykjavik University, as a lecturer at the University of Iceland in the economics and engineering departments and as a visiting scholar at Columbia University in New York.
  
  Jon holds a Ph.D. degree in Economics and a master's degree in Engineering.

• Gang of Four

  Labour slumping disastrously in polls just 11 weeks after its General Election victory. The Tory leadership election becoming a who can move far enough to the Right to defeat Reform contest. Have all the SNP's Christmases come at once or should they beware a do nothing, fingers crossed, complacency?
  Lesley appeared on Debate Night from Dundee where Kenny Farquharson pushed the need for a settled agreement between the UK and Scottish governments on a mechanism to allow a second independence referendum.
  We examine the proposals contained in Glasgow University's "Scotland and the Constitution.Agreeing a Way Forward" report for just such a mechanism based on the Good Friday Agreement and a Northern Irish border poll.
  Scotland’s minimum price of alcohol went up on September 30  by 15p, from 50p to 65p. Just how successful has  Minimum Unit Pricing  been in combating alcohol related deaths?
  We ask, "Who is Russell Findlay?" in the aftermath of his election as leader of the Scottish Conservatives.
  
  To find out more about and book tickets for Owning Our Futures-Autonomy Movements in Europe click below.
  https://independenceconvention.scot/europes-independence-movements-come-to-scotland#:~:text=Conference%20and%20Ceilidh%20Tickets%20Major%20International
  
  To listen to the marvelous "Hermless" by Michael Marra
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F44WfZoIN4
  As a proud "Arab" Pat couldn't resist adding this one-Hamish the Goalie
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqoGqoFCi2A
  If these have whetted your appetite the Michael Marra A Can Of Mind And A Tin Of Think So Book Boxed Set 2024 link
  https://assai.co.uk/products/michael-marra-a-can-of-mind-and-a-tin-of-think-so-book-boxed-set-2024?_pos=1&_sid=5d7c312fb&_ss=r

• Speech Bubbles

  It's been a big week, is there any other kind these days, in politics.
  In Scotland we've seen events to mark the 10th anniversary of the 2014 independence referendum. Lesley was not only a central figure during that campaign but has also taken part in many of those events. We reflect on them and where the Yes movement and the SNP stand today.
  Lesley also reports back from last weekend's Scottish Currency Group Conference. There were some stellar speakers with some surprising viewpoints on currency and the EU.
  Check these two sites for possible future videos from the conference
  https://www.spvr.org
  https://www.reservebank.scot
  Meanwhile in Liverpool it was the Labour Party Conference. We watched it so you didn't have to. Monday saw Rachel Reeves, Ian Murray, and Anas Sarwar( yup he showed up) take centre stage. We analyse their speeches , particularly what Labour's strategy for Holyrood 2026 will be,  and the "big one" on Tuesday from Sir Keir Starmer. Is there "light at the end of the tunnel", as he claims, or simply a train heading towards us?
  Sarwar also appeared on Good Morning Scotland, two sightings in two days-we're blessed- where he was questioned on the means testing of the winter fuel allowance. Did he fare any better than Ian Murray in his interview with Martin Geissler on Sunday?
  Much focus has been placed on Labour "freebies" but little has been said about the influence Lord Alli may have had within the party or the massive donation from Quadrature Capital which only became public post election. We redress that balance.

• Ten Years After

  Ten years after the Scottish independence referendum Lesley interviewed First Minister John Swinney in an exclusive for The National. We focus on this and the state of the independence movement and the SNP in the first half of this extended episode.
  Anas Sarwar emerged from hiding to pontificate on Glasgow hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games. We have our say.
  Much was made in the media of Scotland's lack of spending on remediation work in the wake of the Grenfell Inquiry. The reality is a bit more complicated and nuanced.
   As Sir Keir Starmer comes under scrutiny for the variety of donations and hospitality he's received we look at both this and Anushka Asthana's new book Taken As Red which lifts the lid on the campaign to undermine and remove Jeremy Corbyn as leader of the Labour Party.
  A significant element of the strategy was to paint Corbyn and his supporters as antisemitic. Stephen Pollard, when editor of the Jewish Chronicle, declared "I'm proud that we were relentless in our pursuit of Corbyn".
  Under the new editor Jake Wallis Simons the pursuit of journalistic standards seems to have been less than relentless with the unfolding Elon Perry scandal.
  As promised in this week's episode here are some links
  Scottish Currency Group conference
  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scottish-currency-group-conference-tickets-965256055847
  Grenfell
  https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/society/housing/67805/grenfell-report-social-housing-respect
  Glasgow Commonwealth Games: Athletes Village
  https://www.landcommission.gov.scot/our-work/housing-development/housing/glasgow-commonwealth-games-village-a-lasting-legacy
  Rally for Independence
  https://www.believeinscotland.org/rally_for_independence

• Ten Years After

  Ten years after the Scottish independence referendum Lesley interviewed First Minister John Swinney in an exclusive for The National. We focus on this and the state of the independence movement and the SNP in the first half of this extended episode.
  Anas Sarwar emerged from hiding to pontificate on Glasgow hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games. We have our say.
  Much was made in the media of Scotland's lack of spending on remediation work in the wake of the Grenfell Inquiry. The reality is a bit more complicated and nuanced.
   As Sir Keir Starmer comes under scrutiny for the variety of donations and hospitality he's received we look at both this and Anushka Asthana's new book Taken As Red which lifts the lid on the campaign to undermine and remove Jeremy Corbyn as leader of the Labour Party.
  A significant element of the strategy was to paint Corbyn and his supporters as antisemitic. Stephen Pollard, when editor of the Jewish Chronicle, declared "I'm proud that we were relentless in our pursuit of Corbyn".
  Under the new editor Jake Wallis Simons the pursuit of journalistic standards seems to have been less than relentless with the unfolding Elon Perry scandal.
  As promised in this week's episode here are some links
  Scottish Currency Group conference
  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scottish-currency-group-conference-tickets-965256055847
  Grenfell
  https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/society/housing/67805/grenfell-report-social-housing-respect
  Glasgow Commonwealth Games: Athletes Village
  https://www.landcommission.gov.scot/our-work/housing-development/housing/glasgow-commonwealth-games-village-a-lasting-legacy
  Rally for Independence
  https://www.believeinscotland.org/rally_for_independence

• Cold Comfort

  In this episode we begin with today's (Tuesday's) debate and vote on Labour's proposal to scrap winter fuel allowance payments for the vast majority of pensioners.
  Who among Labour MPs rebelled? How many abstained? Which way did Scotland's new batch of Labour MPs vote?
  Why did Labour select this particular payment and what does it presage for Reeve's budget in October?
  We also examine the narratives surrounding the proposal being peddled by both Labour and Conservatives.
  Naturally we pay particular attention to the impact in Scotland.
  
  Lesley was part of the Stand Up To Racism anti-racist counter demonstration in George Square Glasgow last Saturday. She reflects on the day and its events.
  Lesley also took part in the launch of Building a Local Scotland.
  https://www.thenational.scot/news/24572042.campaigners-say-scottish-council-areas-large-work-properly/
  If you want to support this campaign go to
  https://buildlocal.scot/sign-the-declaration/

• Tim Rideout-Podcast Extra

  In this podcast extra we speak with Dr Tim Rideout of the Scottish Currency Group.
  The Currency Group's conference in Dunfermline on Saturday  the 21st and Sunday the 22nd of September " Preparing the Way for the Scottish Pound & Central Bank" features a stellar line up of economists and banking experts.
  We focus on the conference but also find out about Tim's background and some really interesting stuff, trust me on this, about the Isle of Man.
  To find out more about the conference follow this link
  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scottish-currency-group-conference-tickets-965256055847

• Are You Experienced?

  It's back tae auld claes and porridge fir Pat and it's back frae the SNP annual conference fir Lesley.
  However we begin with the damning Grenfell Inquiry report detailing the systematic dishonesty of companies, neglect and disregard of local and national governments- Labour ,Tory and LibDem/Tory.
  The SNP conference saw feisty motions passed from the floor on matters such as creating and implementing a Land Tax. But will it be the same old story of a party leadership too stuck in its centralising ways, and too timid to challenge Westminster "supremacy", to implement these as government policy?
  Shona Robinson outlined the £500 million cuts to Scottish spending plans. She laid the blame, correctly, at the feet of the new Labour government. However should she have been bolder in declaring precisely what an independent Scotland could do if it had full control of all its resources and fiscal powers? Could she also have taken steps to introduce those tax and spending options suggested by groups like Commonweal and the STUC?
  Lesley has been arguing for a complete reform of Scotland's overly centralised local government system for years. September the 9th sees the launch of Building a Local Scotland.
  If you want to sign the declaration go to
  https://buildlocal.scot/

• Things Can Only Get Worse?

  As the SNP annual conference looms large on the horizon an air of pessimism seems to be permeating even the most committed supporters of independence. Not about the movement but the performance of the Scottish government and the internal operations of the party.
  The latest Holyrood opinion polls still suggest that the SNP will be the largest party post 2026 but that Labour could be in the position of cobbling together a Unionist governmental coalition of some sort.
  Stephen Flynn has been talking about the essence of a team approach. Has the SNP been a team? Why have  innovative ideas from both withing and outwith the closed leadership ranks fallen on deaf ears?
  We explore what might lie behind this malaise and what can be done to combat it.
  Part of the fightback might be to focus on Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves austerity measures particularly the means testing of the winter fuel allowance and the 10% rise in consumer electricity and gas prices.
  Could "It's Scotland's Energy" be the new "It's Scotland's Oil" battle cry?
  The usual suspects have been making political hay over the scrapping of the rail fares peak reduction pilot scheme, the axing of Creative Scotland's open fund, and the shifting of local authority monies allocated for improving nature and improving biodiversity to pay for council employees' pay rises.
  What is the Scottish government not telling us about what seems to be a black economic cloud emanating from Westminster?
  Lesley focuses on what might be behind the "failure" of the rail fares pilot and asks why no progress has been made on regional integrated transport systems.
  There's a whole host of great events coming up. Starting with a showing of Lesley's Denmark movie
  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stonehaven-lesley-riddoch-film-denmark-a-state-of-happiness-tickets-951493612007
  
  Special screening by the National of 'To see ourselves' film with Q&A. Tuesday, 17th Sept 6pm. The Social Hub, Candleriggs, Glasgow.
  https://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/
  
  Scot Currency group Carnegie Conference Centre Dunfermline Sept 21 - 22
  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scottish-currency-group-conference-tickets-965256055847
  
  Revive - the Big Land Question
  Nov 10. Perth
  https://www.perththeatreandconcerthall.com/whats-on/revive-national-conference-the-big-land-question-319802
  
  BiS indy rally Scottish Parliament
  Sept 18th 7pm
  https://www.believeinscotland.org/rally_for_independence
  
  2014 - 2024: Scottish Independence And The British State Ten Years On - September 14th, at Glasgow Caledonian University.
  https://www.conter.scot/2024/7/26/2014-2024-scottish-independence-and-the-british-state-ten-years-on/
  All this plus Murdo Fraser playing the Rangers card, the BBC and propaganda, Tayport ceilidhs, and Freddie Flintoff.

• Rules of Engagement

  Two meetings with Daniela Gradsky, Israel's deputy ambassador to the UK , have dominated the stage this week.
  We question both the morality and the lack of political judgement of the Scottish government in sanctioning the one with External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson. This has engendered anger and condemnation within the SNP and the wider independence movement.
  The SNP has been swift in removing the whip from MSP John Mason who tweeted after his meeting with Gradsky. However he has doubled down on his abhorrent comments. Mason is part of the cross party Building Bridges with Israel Group in Holyrood. Who are they and who are their bedfellows?
  The Labour government seems intent on undermining the devolved settlement that they introduced with the handing over of around £150 million to the Scottish Office to spend directly. Is this a toe in the water to test reaction? Given the somewhat muted response to the means testing of the Winter Fuel Allowance is the SNP government up for the fight?
  Lesley explores the minutiae of the new Eastern Green Link 2 and the transformative effect the green energy revolution could have on Scotland. She also reveals the absurdities of the current pricing and delivery systems.
  It's the Democratic National Convention this week. Harris and Walz continue to outpace Trump and Vance in the polls at a national level. However it's the votes in the Electoral College that count. What is the Electoral College? What are its racist and anti-democratic roots?