The Lesley Riddoch Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

Lesley Riddoch and Pat Joyce

News

Society & Culture

Frequency: 1 episode/6d. Total Eps: 20

Scottish politics dissected from a left, pro-independence stance. Each week, award-winning broadcaster and journalist, Lesley Riddoch chews over the week’s news with former media lecturer and Dundee United fan, Pat Joyce. If you like intelligent, quirky chat about Scottish society and culture, and Scottish, UK and international politics analysed from a Scottish perspective; this podcast is for you.

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https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/debasers/everybody-to-kenmure-street
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https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560781820130
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Score global : 52%

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Ten Years After

Episode 841

Tuesday, September 17, 2024 • Duration 01:12:03

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

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Cold Comfort.

Episode 840

Tuesday, September 10, 2024 • Duration 01:05:32

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/

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Tim Rideout-Podcast Extra

Episode 839

Friday, September 6, 2024 • Duration 52:38

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

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Are You Experienced?

Episode 838

Thursday, September 5, 2024 • Duration 01:01:51

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/

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Things Can Only Get Worse?

Episode 837

Monday, August 26, 2024 • Duration 01:03:11

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

Rules of Engagement

Episode 836

Monday, August 19, 2024 • Duration 01:11:26

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?

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It's No Fair

Episode 835

Tuesday, August 13, 2024 • Duration 01:04:53

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.

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Disinformation

Episode 834

Tuesday, August 6, 2024 • Duration 01:00:17

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

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The Portree Broadcasting Corporation

Episode 833

Tuesday, July 30, 2024 • Duration 33:44

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.

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Dropping The Pilot

Episode 832

Tuesday, July 23, 2024 • Duration 01:06:56

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/

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The Lesley Riddoch Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Lesley Riddoch Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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