Latest episodes

• 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?

• It's No Fair

  In this episode we begin by reflecting on why there have, as yet , been no far-right riots in Scotland. Is it because, as George Kerevan has suggested in The National, that the development of a civic , progressive Scottish "nationalism" has created a different social/political landscape? We also consider his point that a continuing independence project is central to combatting racism.
  Lesley reflects on the response to her call for independence supporters to turn out in solidarity against the planned "Pro UK" rally in Glasgow on September the 7th.
  Meanwhile Elon Musk has launched a vitriolic attack on Humza Yousaf with spurious claims of racism. What malignant role is Musk and X playing in fuelling the far-right ? Should we be abandoning the platform?
  Musk also "interviewed" Trump on X. Pat listened so you didn't have to. We ask, has Trump lost the plot completely in the aftermath of Biden's withdrawal?
  The Harris/Walz ticket has turned the fortunes of the Democrats round in the US Presidential election campaign. Who is Tim Walz. Why was he selected? What can the SNP learn from this?
  Tommy Sheppard writing in The National has put forward a 4 point plan to "win back" the half million disillusioned SNP supporters lost between 2019 and 2024. We analyse it.
  The go-ahead for Eastern Green Link 2 was given today. This massive energy transfer project will carry green electricity in the main from Scotland to England. Should we be celebrating or bemoaning another North Sea Oil rip off?
  Plus a lesson learned on genetics and other nonsense.

• Disinformation

  This episode is devoted almost in its entirety to the far right, Islamophobic, anti-migrant riots taking place across England and in Northern Ireland.
  Much blame has been laid at the foot of social media but how much responsibility does the press and broadcast media bear for platforming and forwarding far right commentators and views?
  We also examine the culpability of both the Tories and Labour for allowing the immigration is bad and the root cause of social deprivation narrative to dominate political discourse.
  Scotland has not seen any of these racist riots but with a "Pro UK" rally planned for George Square in Glasgow on September the 7th what should the response of anti-fascists be?
  No matter what happens has the majority of the media already written its negative headlines?
  We also give our thoughts on the Olympics and Lesley has a book recommendation and news of a rally on the 10th anniversary of the independence referendum.
  https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-bookseller-of-inverness/s-g-maclean/9781529414219
  https://www.believeinscotland.org/rally_for_independence?utm_campaign=rally_for_independence_if_you&utm_medium=email&utm_source=believeinscotland

• The Portree Broadcasting Corporation
  The Portree Broadcasting Corporation was a pilot for a series that was never commissioned by BBC Scotland - recorded on Skye and produced by myself in 2004, with the object of letting islanders who never meet one another explore their cultures and take o'er the airwaves for one glorious hour of mayhem. 

  It features Gaelic speakers Prof Norman Macdonald  and Cailean Maclean plus Shetlander Phil Goodlad and Orcadian Dave Gray. I made myself the cynical newshound sent north from Glasgow to lick the islanders into shape after the Gaels who took over BBC Scotland decided to shift the newsroom to Skye - hence the name, the Portree Broadcasting Corporation. It's a wee bit of history - 20 years ago there were still tolls on the Skye Bridge and the great Dave Gray was wise-cracking as only he knew how. Dave (just retired as Station Manager at Radio Orkney) died suddenly in February 2024. The historian and BBC Skye reporter Prof Norman Macleod died a year earlier in 2023.

  Happily Phil, Cailean and myself are still going strong. This piece of largely unscripted banter is a tribute to the humorous, un-biddable ways of islanders the world over.
• Dropping The Pilot

  Joe Biden has been replaced by his Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Presidential candidate in what seems like lightning speed.
  We look at how and why it happened , the impact she might have on the Democrats' electoral fortunes, who her running mate might be and the inevitable less than gracious response from Trump and his supporters.
  However we kick off with the news that Stephen Flynn and the SNP's amendment on scrapping the two child benefit cap will be debated and voted on this evening. Given the ,apparent opposition to the cap by Scottish Labour, how will those 37 Scottish Labour MPs vote?
  Though we may be sceptical about how much change this new Labour government may bring there is an air of activity and energy about it.
  In comparison is the SNP leadership still wedded to old ways of centralised party management and control? is this exemplified by the draft agenda for its annual conference in August? An agenda drawn up before the crushing General Election defeat. Is the party , as John Swinney recently claimed, in a strong position with secure foundations?
  The First Minister was also in the news announcing two new "green" pieces of funding. Nearly £42 million on zero emissions buses and a nationwide charging network and £2 million on the Acorn Project carbon capture project. Which of these will garner the headlines? Which of these will be of practical value in tackling climate change?
  Here's the promised link to the Progress Playbook, if like me you need cheering up
  https://theprogressplaybook.com/

• Let's See Action

  The King's Speech. The first opportunity to test the reality of Labour's "Change" mantra. We examine what was in it and more importantly what wasn't.
  The "nationalisation" of rail was much trumpeted in particular but what's the reality of the claim? How symbolic of Labour's "Don't frighten the horses" approach to government is this policy?
  How will the SNP respond to the apparent vigour of the new Labour government? Will it hunker down and take refuge in old centralised certainties or open itself up to new ideas and ways of working?
  If we see ourselves as being ignored in Scotland think how it feels in Wales where the resignation of First Minister Vaughan Gethings was ousted from front website news on BBC Wales by Gareth Southgate's resignation as England football manager.
  We don't fall into that trap but don't just look at Gething's downfall but what it might mean for Welsh Labour and lessons for the SNP.
  In the flurry of news and opinion on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump many seem to have missed the selection of JD Vance as his running mate. Vance at 39 is part of a new generation of isolationist nationalist Republicans and his appointment as Trump's putative Vice President and the baleful influence of the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 should sound a warning to all who fear for US democracy.
  There's also a bit of fitba chat but honestly it all, well almost all, of it has some political relevance.

• Orkney Folk Festival Special

  In this special Lesley reports from her time at the 2024 Orkney Folk Festival.
   Celebrating its 41st year the programme featured 52 events, including concerts, ceilidhs, lounge performances, workshops, talks and family events, at venues across Orkney. Designed to offer something for everyone with local and visiting artists, as well as contemporary and traditional folk music.

• The Blame Game

  No matter how it's spun last week's General Election result was a disaster for the SNP.
  Can a detailed analysis of the drop from 50% of the popular vote in 2014 to 30% and the reduction to just 9 MPs be carried out without descending into bitterness and the rabbit hole of recrimination?
  Where did the disconnect between half the Scottish electorate's desire for independence and the party's poor showing come from?
  Was it all about getting the Tories out or a verdict on domestic governance?
  Does the fall in voter turnout signal something deeply broken about politics?
  Focus is now being turned on what happens next now that Labour is in power at Westminster. Three interviews, one with Anas Sarwar, the others with Ian Murray and Jackie Baillie offered more than a glimpse into the Scottish dimension.
  Both of these took place within the framework of Rachel Reeves' first statement as Chancellor and the appointment of Sir Alan Milburn as advisor to Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
  Lesley appeared on The Tortoise podcast which gave her an insight into the thoughts and attitudes of the English left towards the new Labour government.
  Meanwhile the second round of votes in the French General Election took place on Sunday and The New Popular Front emerged as the largest party grouping. The far right National Rally fell to third place behind NPF and Macron's Ensemble. A lesson in cooperation and standing up to the right? 

• General Election-Podcast Special

   In this podcast special we give our immediate reaction to the result of the 2024 General Election.
  What now for the SNP?
  How significant is the rise in support for Reform?
  Can Labour live up to the trust placed in them by the voters?

• Two Sleeps To Go

  With less than 48 hours until the polls open we focus on Lesley's interviews with Lorna Slater, Alex Salmond and Stephen Flynn.
  What did we learn about their party policies and strategies? Were there any unexpected revelations?
  We also reflect on the drubbing Macron's centrist Ensemble party received in the first round of the French elections. Will a Republican coalition front emerge to stop Le Pen's National Rally gaining power? What lessons are there for other centrists like Starmer's Labour ?
  Lesley will be commentating on the election results on BBC Scotland from 3am-9am on Friday morning, somehow fitting a wee podcast in.

• Tunnel Vision

  For Scotland the men's Euros are over. We try and go beyond the football itself and look at the coverage of Scotland's games ,and if this latest set of defeats at a major competition tells us anything about our Scottish psyche.
  If the team lost the Tartan Army definitely won the hearts of the German people. What is so special about Scottish fans?
  It was the turn of the Scottish Tories to launch its manifesto on Monday. Rishi Sunak dutifully took a break from Gamblegate( more of this later) to pop up and offer his support to Douglas Ross. Two soon to be departed leaders? We go over it, so you can avoid the pain.
  Ross also appeared on Good Morning Scotland and Gary Robertson grilled him on devolution, reserved issues, and the democratic road to indy ref2.
  Yet another manifesto launch. This time the SNP's Climate and Just Transition. John Swinney has made a direct plea to Sir Keir Starmer to revisit and reinstate Labour's £28 billion green investment spending plan. Has the SNP managed to square that circle of protecting jobs while tackling climate change?
  Meanwhile Anas Sarwar struggled to explain what Great British Energy was and how it would cut bills and create jobs. However we finally had confirmation that it wouldn't generate energy but would be a vehicle seeking to secure private investment. But, and it's a big but, that question over the inefficiency over the National Grid and where and how it could be upgraded to meet Labour's 2030 Net Zero target remains. We discuss.
  Hard on the heels of his D Day "gaffe" Sunak dithered, delayed, then finally after days of prevarication withdrew support for two Tory candidates who apparently used inside information to place winning bets on the General Election date. Is this symbolic of the end of days for both Sunak and the Tories?
  Everybody to Kenmure Street
   Felipe Bustos Sierra (director) is a BAFTA-winning Chilean-Belgian filmmaker based in Scotland, living just a few minutes away from Kenmure Street when the protest against the Home Office detention of two local asylum seekers began. His first feature "Nae Pasaran" (2018) uncovered the true impact of the solidarity of Scottish factory workers for victims of Pinochet's military coup in Chile. As a result of the film's research, the men involved received recognition from the Chilean government and a public monument was erected to commemorate their gesture 40 years later. The film became, on release, the most successful Scottish documentary in UK cinemas. It was nominated for Best Documentary at the BIFA 2019 and won Best Feature Film at the BAFTA Scotland Awards 2018.
  Here's the link to the Crowdfunder
  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/debasers/everybody-to-kenmure-street
  Facebook page
  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560781820130

• All To Play For

  It's half time in the General Election campaign and the manifestos are coming thick and fast.
  It was Scottish Labour's turn this morning. We give our immediate reaction to the launch event, its narrative and themes , and wonder how, if at all, Scottish it was.
  Reform have overtaken the Tories in UK polling and look set to damage them in constituencies across England. For Pat's sins he took a look at Reform's manifesto.
  Much has been made of the predicted demise of the SNP given early polling. There is a fight between the SNP and Labour across Scotland but have certain polls exaggerated Labour support? We discuss the most recent MRP polls and the impact polling can have on voters and suggest that there is a different story unfolding.

  Scottish Opinion Polls (electoralcalculus.co.uk)
  The battle for Scottish marginals will be vital on July 4th. Best for Britain claims to give impartial advice on how to vote for pro EU candidates . Lesley questions their judgement and impartiality given their advice to vote Labour in Scotland.
  All this plus rants on Scotland at the Euros and the dreaded, not all of them English, commentators and pundits.

  If you want to submit your questions for Lesley to put to Lorna Slater,Stephen Flynn and Alex Salmond follow this link

  We're interviewing the pro-independence leaders – have your say | The National

• Debate Night

  In this late night episode we give our immediate reaction to the Scottish Leaders' debate on BBC Scotland.
  We also look back at a week which saw SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn receive rounds of applause in the 7 way UK equivalent particularly when he took on Farage and the great unspoken-Brexit .Meanwhile on Radio 4's Any Questions John Nicolson got exactly the same rousing response from the audience in Rutland( Yup it does exist in reality not just the fertile imaginations of Eric Idle and Neil Innes).
  You can listen to John here
  https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001zw62
  Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse for Rishi Sunak he decided to skip the international element of the D Day 80th anniversary commemorations and return home for an ITV interview and an election planning meeting. Is there a Labour plant in the Tory campaign team given the stupidity of that decision?
  Today also saw the launch of the Tory Party Election Manifesto. Over 70 pages worth but given the state of the polls and the crumbling campaign is it worth the paper it's written on?

• Debates Deselections and the Donald

  Monday saw the first election debate on STV and the return of Farage as leader of Reform and a candidate in the General Election. 
  Farage captured the headlines across the media but how relevant is he and his party to Scotland?
  STV's "Leaders' Debate" was an odd affair in that it featured four male MSPs none of whom is standing for election to Westminster.
  We look at the debate and the attack and defence lines all four took.
  North Sea development and energy issues were central to the debate and Anas Sarwar punted a different line on the role of Labour's Great British Energy Company than that taken by Sir Keir Starmer. He also made promise after promise on spending and borrowing commitments which contradicted Rachel Reeves. Where does the truth lie?
   Labour sticking to rigid fiscal rules has come under attack by John Swinney and respected economic institutions such as the IFS. How effective will the SNP's ABC mantra- Austerity, Brexit , Cost of Living Crisis- prove to be with the electorate?
  Diane Abbott has now been given the all clear, by Starmer not by the NEC, to stand as a Labour candidate but disquiet is growing, not just on the Labour Left, with the selection process which has seen Starmer loyalists being parachuted into safe seats.
   Donald Trump was convicted on all 34 felony  counts of falsifying business records in the Stormy Daniel's "hush money" case. What impact will this have on the upcoming US Presidential Election?
  Meanwhile we await to see the outcome of President Biden's Gaza Peace Plan. Will Netanyahu accept it or will he bow to pressure from the far right Zionists on whom he depends for his Knesset majority? How will the Israeli public react?
  All this plus Tayport dooks, windae cleaner interruptions, and a great Scottish sporting triumph( spoiler not the 2 nil win v Gibraltar).

• Campaign Pains

  The General Election campaign is well under way and we look at how it's been going both in Scotland and the UK.
  Will devolved matters dominate the debate in Scotland. How can the SNP focus voters minds on Westminster issues? 
  Lesley has particular insights on this after her sojourn in Orkney, Shetland and Caithness.
  Can the Tories recover from the shambles of the first week? How will they solve the black hole of missing candidates? Are they focusing all their attention on capturing Reform supporters?
  Labour has received backing from big business but can it withstand pressure from UNITE over watering down its New Deal for Working People?
  Starmer has also maintained a distinct fence sitting position over the ICC arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant even after the latest Rafa outrage. 
  However he's been extremely vocal in demanding that the election debates should be head to head with Sunak, excluding all other parties in particular the SNP.
  We ask how fit for the rough and tumble of the campaign trail are both Anas Sarwar and Douglas Ross after less than stellar recent media appearances?
  Much has been made of the recent Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce survey on Energy Transition. It's safe to say no political party nor either government comes out well. However there are some nuggets not so far covered by either the press or broadcasters contained within it.
  All this plus Bambie Thug, fitba( not Dundee United), and the Orkney folk festival.

• YesWeDidnae-Podcast Extra

  In this podcast extra we speak with Stewart Kirkpatrick, the former head of digital for Yes Scotland who has launched a survey designed to find out just why the 2014 referendum was lost.
  Since then Stewart has worked for the petition and campaigns website 38 Degrees before moving to openDemocracy as their head of impact.
  His experiences there  taught him the “power of asking people what they think”.
  This is precisely what this survey sets out to do.
  If you want to take part, and why wouldn't you, go to
  https://yeswedidnae.scot/