Latest episodes

• Deal Or No Deal

  There's a distinct European flavour to this week's episode and we kick off with our reaction to the UK/EU deal struck on Monday.
  Has the Scottish fishing industry, once again, been a bargaining chip worth sacrificing to benefit other parts of the UK economy? Given that fishing and farming are devolved matters why wasn't the Scottish government either involved or at the very least consulted on the agreements reached in these areas? Despite the trumpeting of the deal will it always be a sticking plaster over the economic wounds of Brexit?
  Saturday saw the latest edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. Lesley has always been a massive fan of the event, Pat not so much,  what are her reactions to the inclusion of Israel, the behaviour of the EBU and host broadcaster in apparently censoring the live audience during the Israeli performance, and the claims of massive state intervention in order for Israel to stage a propaganda coup?
  The British Museum hosted a secret celebration of Israel "Independence" Day. Much of the focus has been on the appearance at it by comedian Jimmy Carr but should more have been made of the speech given by UK Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle , on the day that the Labour government was in court defending itself against claims that it had continued to supply Israel with F35 aircraft parts in breach of its own sanctions?
  ScotLand( sic) Futures led by the Scottish Land Commission has called for individuals, community groups, land managers, businesses and organisations to "help shape a shared vision for how Scotland's land is owned, used and managed". Lesley asks if we need less "consultation" and more genuine action?
  
  As we recorded last week's episode the result of the vote at Stage One of The Assisted Dying Bill vote at Holyrood was unknown. The vote was in favour. What happens next?
  Andrew Tickell article - https://www.thenational.scot/politics/25171496.assisted-dying-debate-deserves-better-bad-faith-politics/
  We also look at the election of the new Pope and Pat revels in the prospect of a European tour with his beloved Dundee United. Or does he?
  Keli play - https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/events/keli

• A Bag of Spanners

  After the launch of Labour's new White Paper on immigration we ask, despite Starmer's protestations, if Farage and Reform are already dictating not just UK politics but UK government policy.
  We also delve into the detail of the changes outlined in the paper.
  The Labour leadership is also facing a  backbench rebellion over its cuts to disability benefits and is also being urged by 69 MPs to recognise a Palestinian state. Will they listen to either of these calls?
  Lesley's latest column in The National examined the rise of Reform and speculated on its potential to break out of its unionist bubble and attract disappointed SNP voters in next year's Holyrood elections.
  First Minister John Swinney was grilled by Martin Geissler on whether independence would be page 1 line 1 of the SNP manifesto at those elections. We analyse his response.
  Is the UK/US trade deal worth the paper it's written on? Not according to US economist Joseph Stiglitz. Was getting such a quick sectoral agreement a sign of weakness or strength for the UK's position?
  Ahead of the Holyrood vote on assisted dying Lesley gives her thoughts on this difficult decision facing MSPs.

• Elections and Selections

  In this episode we give our initial reactions to  the First Minister’s Statement: Programme for Government 2025-26.
  We also look back at the series of elections in England last week. What can we take from the Reform UK surge? Will  Scotland be  immune from Farageism at the 2026 Holyrood elections?
  And if Starmer didn't have enough on his plate with Reform to worry about up popped Ex PM Tony Blair with his thoughts on Net Zero and climate change.
  Lesley discusses this and asks if Sir Keir shouldn't take a leaf out of Mark Carney's book and stand up to Trump.
  Today, Tuesday, sees the conclusion of the selection process for SNP candidates for those elections. Some weel kent sitting MSPs are fighting off challengers. Three contests in particular have hit the headlines.
  Israel's security cabinet has approved a plan to expand its military offensive against Hamas which includes the "capture" of Gaza and the holding of its territory with no timeline for withdrawal. Does this move finally give the lie to Israel's claim that it's all about the return of the hostages?
  If you fancy popping along to the two events Lesley will be appearing at this weekend, follow these links
  https://www.republic.org.uk/republic_day_in_edinburgh_2025
  https://www.believeinscotland.org/creating_scotland_a_celebration_of_scotlands_connection_to_europe?fbclid=IwY2xjawKHIfBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBmNHlMdHBjQWRmOU4yekdyAR7p9909Uu6UuhjdJp9m85xSkmbNcttzovd-Tfn-_Fu8It5oKBoA7iG9YGDAzg_aem_9gAZZkwMFNyI1UVgM48CoQ

• You're Being Had

  Lesley appeared on Debate Night last week. We look back at this, the issues that were raised by the audience, and the replies of the panel.
  Here's the link to Lesley's justified rant over the energy rip off.
  https://www.facebook.com/reel/984639903833195
  Kneecap have clarified their position and apologised to the families of David Amess and Jo Cox after the accusations made over statements made during gigs. John Swinney has called for the group to be removed from the TRNSMT line-up, echoing those made by Kemi Badenoch and others over Glastonbury. Is this furore simply, as Kneecap have claimed, a distraction from the real issue of Israel's actions in Gaza?
  Meanwhile Louis Theroux has made a follow up documentary on the Israeli " settler" movement. We look at Daniella Weiss, the so called "Godmother" of the movement her actions ,the Zionist nationalist tradition she comes from, and the influence she has on the Israeli government.
  We turn our attentions to three sets of elections. The result of the Canadian General Election,  the English local elections, and the Runcorn and Helsby by election. 
  There has been a landmark decision at appeal giving Poet's Neuk, a local community group, the right to buy privately owned land under a compulsory purchase order. It's taken nine years  after the passing of the 2016 Land Reform Act for this to happen for the first time. Will this set a precedent?
  All of this plus gig reviews and TV recommendations.

• Muzzled Passion
  Lesley's latest article in the National asking if the SNP’s passion for independence has been so thoroughly and habitually muzzled of late that nothing will now let it off the leash has certainly set some hares coursing throughout both the SNP and the wider independence movement. We discuss.
  https://www.thenational.scot/politics/25096446.independence-front-centre-snps-campaign/

  The ripples of the Supreme Court judgement on the question of the definition of a woman continue to spread. Has the decision settled the apparent conflict between women's and trans rights? Could it even have been expected to?
  The latest More In Common opinion poll of over 16000 people shows devastating results for the Labour Party. We look at the poll and its findings plus the upcoming English local elections and the Runcorn and Helsby by election.
  
  We also reflect on the tenure and legacy of Pope Francis.
  To get tickets for Lesley's Denmark film follow the link below
  https://lesleyriddoch.com/events
• Take 2

  Westminster was recalled last Saturday for and an emergency bill to save British Steel's Scunthorpe plant became law. It took around six and a half hours in total for Parliament to pass the legislation and the King to approve it.  Sir Keir Starmer said "We are acting to protect the jobs of thousands of workers, and all options are on the table to secure the future of the industry".
  We ask where was this urgency and commitment over Grangemouth, and Port Talbot steel works.
  Lesley questions the casual way every commentator accepts that energy prices in Britain are 50% higher than Germany and double the price of the United States. 
  Ofgem has announced a change in the queuing regulations for wind and solar farms to eliminate so called "Zombie projects" and speed up the process of getting real projects up and running. Great news but have we been here before?
  
  Find Out Now has released results from an opinion poll carried out for The National  showing a rise in support for Scottish independence. We drill down into the poll and its potential significance.
  
  Ash Regan of Alba has issued a call for a cross party pro independence convention before next year's Holyrood elections. We look at the response from the SNP and the Greens.
  Meanwhile the Greens appear to be caught up in internecine conflict which doesn't seem to have been calmed down by its recent conference.
  The 15th of April is the 36th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster which saw 97 Liverpool football supporters losing their lives.
  Starmer promised that the Hillsborough Law would be enacted by today. What was in that draft law? What has stalled its progress? What does the failure tell us about this Labour government and Starmer?
  Pat is still recovering from the nerve shredding final round of The Masters golf in Augusta and his beloved Dundee United achieving a top 6 finish in their first season back in the top flight. This doesn't stop him from talking about them both though and wondering why sport can grip even the most rational of us so fiercely.

• Take 2

  Westminster was recalled last Saturday for and an emergency bill to save British Steel's Scunthorpe plant became law. It took around six and a half hours in total for Parliament to pass the legislation and the King to approve it.  Sir Keir Starmer said "We are acting to protect the jobs of thousands of workers, and all options are on the table to secure the future of the industry".
  We ask where was this urgency and commitment over Grangemouth, and Port Talbot steel works.
  Lesley questions the casual way every commentator accepts that energy prices in Britain are 50% higher than Germany and double the price of the United States. 
  Ofgem has announced a change in the queuing regulations for wind and solar farms to eliminate so called "Zombie projects" and speed up the process of getting real projects up and running. Great news but have we been here before?
  
  Find Out Now has released results from an opinion poll carried out for The National  showing a rise in support for Scottish independence. We drill down into the poll and its potential significance.
  
  Ash Regan of Alba has issued a call for a cross party pro independence convention before next year's Holyrood elections. We look at the response from the SNP and the Greens.
  Meanwhile the Greens appear to be caught up in internecine conflict which doesn't seem to have been calmed down by its recent conference.
  The 15th of April is the 36th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster which saw 97 Liverpool football supporters losing their lives.
  Starmer promised that the Hillsborough Law would be enacted by today. What was in that draft law? What has stalled its progress? What does the failure tell us about this Labour government and Starmer?
  Pat is still recovering from the nerve shredding final round of The Masters golf in Augusta and his beloved Dundee United achieving a top 6 finish in their first season back in the top flight. This doesn't stop him from talking about them both though and wondering why sport can grip even the most rational of us so fiercely.

• One Game In Town

  There's no escaping Donald Trump, unfortunately, in this week's episode as we begin by picking apart the tariffs he introduced last week.
  Has he condemned the US to recession? How did he come up with tariffs he placed on each country? Has he lost the support of the billionaires whose businesses are dependent on freedom of trade?
  Amidst this Trumpian economic doom and gloom Lesley highlights the work of We Don't Have Time. To listen to the views of its CEO Ingmar Rentzhog click this link
  https://app.wedonthavetime.org/posts/6a458e55-a614-4886-b348-242282e514c7
  
  Trump also welcomed Netanyahu to the White House where the two leaders openly discussed, once again, the ethnic cleansing of Gaza. We look at this plus the massacre of Palestinian paramedics and the cover up by Israel that unravelled in the light of video footage recorded by one of the workers murdered by the IDF. We also examine the links between the UK Labour Party at the highest level and Labour Friends of Israel and question the influence of the LFI over UK government policy.
  On the domestic front there's the announcement by Patrick Harvie that he won't be standing for co-leadership of the Scottish Greens. Lesley speculates on who might run in the upcoming election and what the contest could say about the relationship between the party and its MSPs and the party's direction of travel.
  Lesley also pays tribute to Christina McKelvie and Willie Wilson both sad recent losses.
  Christina and Willie were stalwart proponents of Scottish independence and this week saw two polls which showed increasing support for Welsh independence. We discuss.
  Finally while in Donegal Lesley saw at first hand the effects of radical, progressive land reform and asks when will Scotland take note.

• Our Friends In The North

  Lesley's back on her old stomping ground in the north of Ireland showing her Denmark movie at the Imagine! Belfast Festival.
  She talks about the reaction to the film and the festival itself. This leads us into chat on the forgotten history of radical Presbyterianism, border polls, and the disputatious nature of  the debates  over both the Irish language and Ulster/Scots.
  We examine the ongoing controversy over the impact of Rachel Reeves Spring Statement on PIP claimants and ask if Trump's latest tariffs have already wiped out the fiscal headroom she gained on the back of her cuts.
  The UK government still appears to be clinging to the misplaced belief that sooking up to Trump will result in a US trade deal but at what cost as the MAGA  government zealots seem to be placing "free speech" conditions within any deals. This support for "free speech" doesn't extend to anyone speaking out against the Trump administration. We ask, in the light of recent UK events and government statements if Labour isn't immune from this authoritarian contagion?
  All this plus updates on the continuing crisis at Dundee University, the barrage of price rises hitting folk today, and spurious references to a classic Will Hay comedy.

• The World Has Changed

  We speculate on what will be in Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement. Will the extra spending on building social/affordable housing be enough to stave off a revolt over social security cuts? Is she repeating the failures of a previous Labour government in thrall to iron clad ,self imposed fiscal rules? What impact has the Bank of England's monetary policy had on creating the "debt crisis"?
  Cowal Community Energy has had its bid to take over the lease for a large scale windfarm rejected by Forestry Land Scotland. Are the rules stacked against any community winning a contract? Why won't the Scottish Government step in, create winnable contracts, or even openly favour community bids?
  We also look at why Ferguson Marine failed to win the contract for seven new electric ferries, losing out to Poland.
  Oscar winner Hamdan Billal has vanished after being removed from an ambulance following an attack on his home by Israeli settlers. We examine the escalation of illegal Israeli violence on the West Bank since October the 7th 2023.
  23 year old Al Jazeera journalist Hossam Shabat became the 208th media worker to be killed in Gaza after his car was specifically targeted by the IDF. Will his plea that we "Do not stop talking about Gaza Do not let the world look away." be heeded by the western media?
  On a lighter note here's the link to the Mark Carney, Mike Myers video we spoke about.
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=972fCFe0Nt8

• The Mutt's Nuts

  Liz Kendall revealed Labour's much speculated welfare "reforms" in the House of Commons this lunchtime.
  We give our immediate reaction to the speech and try and pick our way through the dense details.
  The University of Dundee has announced over 600 job losses, with more to come, to address the £30 million financial blackhole it finds itself in.
  Where does the blame lie for this disastrous situation?
  Nicola Sturgeon is the most prominent SNP MSP to announce that they will not stand for Holyrood in 2026.
  Lesley reflects on her legacy and we discuss the impact of not only so many front benchers leaving but also the potential influx of ex MPs to the Scottish Parliament.
  Israel launched a devastating attack on Gaza last night killing over 400 folk. Was the ceasefire doomed from the moment Israel refused to move to Phase 2. Is this latest massacre an attempt by Netanyahu to appease his ultra right coalition partners and stave off mounting opposition at home?
  We also discuss the results of the Greenland elections and indulge in all the usual non political badinage.

• Tomorrow Is Another Day

  In this bumper edition we begin with Labour's leaked plans to cut welfare spending by £6 billion. £5 billion to come from making it harder to claim Personal Independence Payments. Five Scottish Labour MPs have put their names to a letter supporting these "reforms" as " truly progressive". We look at the cuts, wonder if this could be the final nail in the coffin of Scottish Labour, and Lesley compares and contrasts the UK response to the Ukraine crisis with that of Germany.
  The USA's change in stance under Trump to the Ukraine war and the Western Alliance in NATO prompted erstwhile Westminster SNP leader Ian Blackford to call for the SNP to switch to a multilateral position on nuclear disarmament. We examine the UK's independent nuclear deterrent and question both its independence and its value as a deterrent.
  Lesley watched the C4 documentary about Michael Sheen's campaign to not only personally pay off £1 million of debt owed by folk from his local area but also his long term project aimed at highlighting social injustice and the impact of credit finance companies on vulnerable communities.
  https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/mar/10/michael-sheen-interview-secret-million-pound-giveaway-port-talbot
  Our attention also turns to the USA. Are we deluding ourselves over popular opposition to Trump's policies? Will the Democrats find the spine to use the disruptive tactics employed by the Republicans during the Obama and Biden presidencies?
  All this plus Elaine C Smith, Brian Cox, and Gone With The Wind.

• Brave New World

  As the Trump administration pauses military aid to Ukraine we look back at the events of the past week which led up to this.
  We begin with Starmer's "charm offensive" at the White House, his attempts to appease Trump, and his attempts to bridge the growing gap between the US and Europe.
  It all seemed to come crashing down with that appalling pool spray ambush of Zelensky by Trump and Vance, aided by a right wing "journalist" .
  We ask where this leaves Ukraine, the UK/US special relationship, and Scotland.
  As Trump cuts aid to Ukraine it continues to pour into Israel as it looks as if Netanyahu may be engineering a return to the IDF's assault on Gaza while stopping all humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people.
  John Swinney has called a summit to counter the rise of  Reform and has invited political parties, trade unions, civic and  faith leaders to attend. Lesley questions whether warm words are enough and that action on progressive economic policies are what is really required to combat the right.
  Labour's New Deal for Working People has suffered yet another watering down in its progress through Parliament. Is Labour totally in thrall to business interests in its drive for growth?
  It's the 30th anniversary of the groundbreaking publication of The Scotswoman edition of the Scotsman. Lesley looks back and how it why it happened .
  If you want to watch the videos she's made about this and other topics nip over to her YouTube channel where you can like and subscribe.
  https://www.youtube.com/@Lesley_Riddoch

• Matthew Zajac-Podcast Extra

  In this podcast extra we speak with actor and playwright Matthew Zajac about his stage adaptation of James Robertson's novel, "The Testament of Gideon Mack".
  We also venture into the trials and travails of running Dogstar, a European touring theatre company based around Inverness and how it's grown ​from its early Highland tours.
  To find out where you can see its production of "The Testament of Gideon Mack" click the link below
  http://www.dogstartheatre.co.uk/

• Turning Points

  This week's episode focuses mainly on the rapidly changing shape of international relations under the influence of the Trump administration.
  Keir Starmer made a major speech at Westminster signalling an increase in defence spending from 2.3 to 2.6% from 2027 onwards. This at the expense of aid and development. We analyse the speech and how he sought to secure not only support in the Commons but across the nation.
  
  Starmer flies out to meet Trump on Thursday in the wake of the USA siding with Russia at the United Nations over the war in Ukraine. How will he handle this? What does the UK's abstention in the UN Security Council vote tell us about this? 
  
  In Germany the CDU/CSU became the largest party after the recent elections. However the far right AfD surged into second place. Will Merz, the leader of the CDU be able to form a coalition with the Social Democrats? Do his outspoken statements on Trump, NATO and Russia mean a complete change in pan European defence and security policy?
  
  Anas Sarwar claimed that the £200 million pound "investment" by the National Wealth Fund had secured the future of Grangemouth and showed the benefit of a Labour government. We subject both those statements to scrutiny.
  Along the way we look at the threat of AI legislation to the creative industries, Michael Shanks on Eigg, and biscuits

• Culture and Wars

  The new Trump administration has continued its assault on the norms of political activity by appeasing Putin and Russia over the war in Ukraine.
  Representatives of the USA and Russia are meeting in Saudi Arabia but there's no place for Zelensky. Meanwhile the USA has made a bid to "buy" Ukraine's rare earth minerals.
  What does this tell you about Trump's foreign policy? is there any more to it than an admiration for so called strong men and a desire to extend economic colonialism?
  Meanwhile Vice President JD Vance in a speech in Munich lambasted the European liberal democracies claiming that they were in retreat from their most fundamental values, and that this ,not China or Russia, was the true threat to Europe.
  This was echoed by Kemi Badenoch, hard on the heels of the mutually shameful exchange on Palestinian refugees at PMQs with Starmer, in a another speech given at the ARC -Alliance for Responsible Citizenship- conference in London. She clearly played the anti-immigration culture wars card.
  Not to be left out UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting was quick to concur with Richard Madeley on Good Morning Britain that immigration  was a key factor in pressures on the NHS.
  Are we seeing the ground that the next UK General Election being fought on laid out in front of us as both Labour and the Tories seek to see off Reform?
  Streeting has mad no secret of his intention to expand private involvement in the English health system this while privatised Thames water staggers from crisis to financial crisis.
  Brewdog's James Watt has announced his intention to start up a "Shadow UK DOGE" mimicking Musk's cost cutting regime in the USA. How practical are Watt's ideas? Has he completely misread the reality behind the rhetoric in the States?
  We also discuss David Tennant's BAFTA kilted singing exploits plus the other usual other meanderings.
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUr8QyTCph8
  The Brewdog forest and Parkswatch https://parkswatchscotland.co.uk/2024/02/14/brewdogs-lost-forest-at-kinrara-lost-trees-lost-carbon-and-lost-finances/

• Hot Water

  I support Tory MSP Liz Smith is the bombshell from Lesley. Has Lesley lost it or has Liz finally come up with a proposal on outdoor education that all sensible Scots can rally behind? We discuss.
  
  Turning from the Tories it's been another helluva week for both UK and Scottish Labour.
  Is UK Labour running so scared after the latest polls that it's aping Reform in policies and media messaging?
  
  
  Meanwhile a gloves off doorstep interview with Anas Sarwar by STV's Colin Mackay over Sarwar's pre-election pledges on Grangemouth, has made it a difficult week for the Scottish Labour leader. There also appears to have been a rethink by the party hierarchy over its 2026 election strategy with a pledge( yup more of these) to "protect" the achievements of "devolution" such as free prescriptions, the baby box, free tuition. As UK Labour apes Reform is Scottish Labour doing the same with the SNP ?
  
  
  Sarwar, at the end of the Mackay car crash piece, reiterated Labour support for the expansion of nuclear energy in Scotland to tackle climate change, provide jobs and ( wait for this one) reduce bills. Lesley has a few thoughts on this.
  The latest headlines suggest that the Scottish Government is, finally, set on creating a "fairer","better" system of local taxation. Do its actions match the headline?
  
  There's all the usual stuff plus more on Sustainable Aviation Fuel, a movie review and wisdom teeth extractions.

• Seizing The Moment
  Rachel Reeves' big speech on growth. We ask where was Scotland in the raft of major projects? 
  Hard on the heels of this came the shock, not to anyone who'd been paying attention, news that the CEO of GB Energy, Juergen Maier, could not only give no date for the £300 reduction in consumer bills promised by Labour at the General Election but also that the one thousand Scottish jobs would take around 20 years to materialise. 
  Sticking with Labour is there another U-turn on policy in the pipeline despite the Court of Session ruling by Lord Ericht putting a stop on oil and gas production in the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields? Will Starmer side with Rachel Reeves, the GMB and Scottish Labour, and give the go ahead to drill? Or will Ed Milliband stand up to those voices and refuse to issue new licences?
  We, in the light of listener Simon Brooke's excellent contribution, re-examine the validity of the claims made by the  industry on so called sustainable aviation fuel?
  Donald Trump has called time out on his plans to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico. What's the reality behind the bluster? What's in store for the UK and the EU?
  Lesley looks at the historical precedence for US expansionism and just why Trump might be so keen on taking over Greenland.
  Suella Braverman trotted off to the USA to display her MAGA credentials at Trump's inauguration. She hung around to go "full Trump" in her speech to the Heritage Foundation . Is she signalling a potential jump to Reform, or is this an ongoing  part of a campaign to oust Kemi Badenoch as Tory leader by shifting even further to the right? All of this within the context of Reform's rise in the polls.
  Plus
  Last in Iceland series that explains why Icelanders pay £60 pcm for heat, hot water & electricity

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXBEDk_o_hI&t=610s

  Why does Trump want Greenland explainer video

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYfSlQaIEXk

  Brave New Music book about Martyn Bennett
  https://luath.co.uk/products/brave-new-music?variant=54829697007992
• Seizing The Moment
  Rachel Reeves' big speech on growth. We ask where was Scotland in the raft of major projects? 
  Hard on the heels of this came the shock, not to anyone who'd been paying attention, news that the CEO of GB Energy, Juergen Maier, could not only give no date for the £300 reduction in consumer bills promised by Labour at the General Election but also that the one thousand Scottish jobs would take around 20 years to materialise. 
  Sticking with Labour is there another U-turn on policy in the pipeline despite the Court of Session ruling by Lord Ericht putting a stop on oil and gas production in the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields? Will Starmer side with Rachel Reeves, the GMB and Scottish Labour, and give the go ahead to drill? Or will Ed Milliband stand up to those voices and refuse to issue new licences?
  We, in the light of listener Simon Brooke's excellent contribution, re-examine the validity of the claims made by the  industry on so called sustainable aviation fuel?
  Donald Trump has called time out on his plans to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico. What's the reality behind the bluster? What's in store for the UK and the EU?
  Lesley looks at the historical precedence for US expansionism and just why Trump might be so keen on taking over Greenland.
  Suella Braverman trotted off to the USA to display her MAGA credentials at Trump's inauguration. She hung around to go "full Trump" in her speech to the Heritage Foundation . Is she signalling a potential jump to Reform, or is this an ongoing  part of a campaign to oust Kemi Badenoch as Tory leader by shifting even further to the right? All of this within the context of Reform's rise in the polls.
  Plus
  Last in Iceland series that explains why Icelanders pay £60 pcm for heat, hot water & electricity

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXBEDk_o_hI&t=610s

  Why does Trump want Greenland explainer video

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYfSlQaIEXk

  Brave New Music book about Martyn Bennett
  https://luath.co.uk/products/brave-new-music?variant=54829697007992
• Relocation ,Relocation, Relocation

  SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn MP will introduce a 10 Minute Rule Bill on WASPI women compensation on which the SNP say they will force a vote. Even if it makes it past this stage it has limited, if no chance, of being implemented as Private Members Bills normally require government support to pass. What then does Stephen Flynn hope to achieve?
  Just as there seems to be dissent in Labour ranks both at Holyrood and Westminster over this issue Labour MP Brian Leishman has been extremely vocal over the future of Grangemouth. Is there more to his opposition than standing up for his constituents? Where do the Unions stand ? Why has a Labour government decided to continue with the Tory £600 billion loan to Ineos to set up a plant in Antwerp? What's the controversy surrounding that plant?
  Just like its U-Turn on WASPI women Labour now seems intent on reversing its position on a third runway at Heathrow. What does this, when allied to Rachel Reeves making concessions after listening to the "non dom community" tell us about the direction of travel of this government?
  
  Meanwhile the Trump "revolution" is in full swing in the USA. Deportations, threats of trade wars against nations who stand up to him, plans to take over Greenland, and a raft of distinctly dodgy health decisions.  He has also shown his true colours on Gaza with his "  we just clean out that whole thing" , and relocate one and half million Palestinians to neighbouring Arab nations. We discuss.
  Lesley has updated her YouTube channel with two short films on Iceland.

  Lesley has updated her YouTube channel with two short films on Iceland and (soon) a Greenland (explainer) - if you can like and subscribe to this channel, I'd be very grateful and you will get notified about new videos as soon as they are posted.
  https://www.youtube.com/@Lesley_Riddoch

   

   If you want to see/listen to the podcast on YouTube follow this link.
  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWnxyoRlJxfMqJInR8kGf5iuVGThuEpL2
  Again like and subscribe thanks.