The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

Lesley and Fraser are back at the mic to dissect another packed week of Scottish, UK, and international news. From breaking celebrity injunctions and corporate media cover-ups to the political fallout of the US "AI election," the pair tackle the big stories shaping public debate. They dive into local government battles over business rates and councillor powers, debate North Sea drilling, examine Holyrood scrutiny over undisclosed prison riots, and look overseas to coalition struggles in Israel and the future the Catalan independence campaign.In this episode, we discuss:Media Misconduct & Corporate Protection: Following the naming of David Walliams after injunction attempts, Russell Brand's 10.5-year sentencing, and fresh revelations around the Al Fayed estate in the Highlands, Lesley and Fraser ask why media institutions consistently look the other way and examine how UK defamation laws can stack the deck against victims.Emergency Panic & Geopolitical Bluster: A look at the sudden spike in sales of tinned meat and bottled water following the UK Government's Be Ready campaign, US military aircraft diversions, Donald Trump's post-midterm shift on Iran, and Republican efforts to impeach War Secretary Pete Hegseth.The AI Backlash & Subsea Data Centres: The anti-AI political wave in the US midterms sends tech stocks tumbling, while back home, grid constraints threaten to force UK data centres onto new gas power. North Sea Oil & SNP Strategy: John Swinney’s pushback against Labour’s ban on new North Sea drilling licenses highlights the divide within the independence movement between immediate oil revenue retention and net-zero commitments.Devolving Business Rates to Regional Councils: Unpacking BiGGAR Economics’ proposal to let local councils retain 50% of business rate growth from onshore renewables, giving rural areas like the Highlands and Borders a direct economic stake in the green transition.Councillors vs. Officials – Who Runs Scotland’s Councils?: Four local authorities challenge the Standards Commission after Glasgow councillor Fiona Higgins faced scrutiny for using FOI requests to uncover hidden teaching cuts, raising big questions about democratic oversight versus official secrecy.Holyrood Scrutiny & Prison Riots: Committee Chair David Linden MSP gives Justice Secretary Neil Gray MSP a tough ride over undisclosed riots at YOI Polmont, proving the necessity of robust backbench scrutiny.Colonial Debates, Gaza & Catalan Resurgence: Weighing Robin McAlpine and Alf Baird’s debate on colony status versus public persuasion for independence, Jeremy Corbyn’s 100,000-signature petition for a UK inquiry into Gaza, and upcoming Spanish elections that could reignite the Catalan independence movement.LinksHerald: Call to Devolve Business Rates to Regional CouncilsHerald: John Swinney Urged to Overhaul Scotland's Standards CommissionThe National: Edinburgh AI Data Centre Protest Backed by 75 GroupsBella Caledonia: Statement on Artificial IntelligenceBBC News: Microsoft's Orkney Subsea Data Centre TrialThe Guardian: World’s First Wind-Powered Underwater Data Centre in ChinaYouTube: Robin McAlpine vs. Alf Baird on Colony Status & Indy StrategyPolitico: Return of Spanish Right Risks Reigniting Catalan FlameBella Caledonia: Changes on the Horizon in Catalonia 9 Years On ★ Support this podcast ★

News is coming at us thick and fast this week! Lesley and Fraser take a deep dive into the big breaking story: a draft plan circulating to EU members proposing the UK aligns with EU food and vetenary rules. They unpack what removing this post-Brexit red tape means for Scottish food producers, island shellfish exporters, and seed potato growers who have suffered years of mountain-high paperwork, and lost European markets. They also examine whispers from Brussels reported by Politico suggesting the EU might offer flexibility on the Euro and Schengen opt-outs if the UK ever seeks to rejoin.The duo then turns to broadcasting and culture, examining recent criticisms of BBC Radio Scotland's style. Lesley reflects on the historical snobbery faced by working-class Glaswegian accents on the airwaves and explores how much of Scots grammar and phrasing is rooted directly in Gaelic.Across the Atlantic, as Americans head to the polls for the midterms, the hosts look at the massive influence of money—including election campaign pacts backed by Elon Musk’s spending record-breaking $446 million —and the widespread anxiety over whether Donald Trump will accept the election results if his party loses.Also discussed:Slavery Reparations & Commonwealth Diplomacy: Prime Minister Andy Burnham plays cricket in Antigua while King Charles gets caught in a tropical downpour ("a drucket King") without an umbrella amidst intense discussions around historic accountability and debt restructuring.Immigration Policy Updates: Shabana Mahmood's long-term settlement rules and the rollbacks for care workers.Scottish Politics & The Union: Listener emails on CalMac board representation, the 60th anniversary of Aberfan, and an academic's proposal for a "third" confirmatory independence referendum.Culture Corner: Lesley shares her visit to the new David Bowie exhibition at V&A Dundee, complete with handwritten lyrics on graph paper and memories of Bowie scaling the Caird Hall!LinksThe Third Referendum ArgumentTrump's Revenge on Europe if He LosesUK Won't Have to Join Euro (Politico) Scotland's first Festival of Human Rights is running this year from 9th to 13th December with over 60 events across Scotland, all of which seek to celebrate our rights, plus explore where they are being challenged, and need defended. The event is being led by the Scottish Human Right Consortium, details here: https://www.hrcscotland.org/scotlands-human-rights-festival/  ★ Support this podcast ★

It’s budget eve, the new microphone has arrived, and Lesley and Fraser are back to dissect another week of political and global news. From the impending UK budget and minor tariff reductions (would you like gherkins with that?) to the devastating realities on the ground in Gaza and the West Bank, the pair chew over the big stories. Plus, we look ahead to a fascinating upcoming conference in Glasgow celebrating the centenary of Hugh MacDiarmid’s legendary poem, A Drunk Man Looks at the Thistle.In this episode, we discuss:The Budget & Tiddly Fixes: As the Chancellor prepares to deliver his budget, we look at the minor tariff reductions—such as cheaper marmalade and gherkins—that do little to offset massive energy bills and fuel costs. With 60% of people ranking energy prices as their number one concern, these micro-policies feel entirely inadequate against the Scottish Rowntree Foundation's warning that household incomes after housing costs could drop by £800 a year by 2029.North Sea Wealth & Gas Addiction: We examine the Treasury’s long-overdue modelling of a North Sea Energy Wealth Fund, which suggests receipts of £200 billion over the years could have led to a one trillion pound wealth fund —a fraction of Norway’s multi-trillion nest egg. Lesley tears into the UK's continued "gas, gas, gas" addiction and complete failure to invest in local heat networks.The Israeli Election & Gaza Despair: Following harrowing Channel 4 News reports on civil defense teams digging through ruins with shonky bulldozers to recover bodies in Gaza, we look at the high-stakes Israeli election. With both Netanyahu and his so called centrist challenger offering little hope for a two-state solution or an end to settler violence, the outlook remains profoundly grim.BBC Scotland & The "Scottish Six": Reflecting on the ongoing struggles of BBC Scotland, Lesley shares insider perspective on why the original vision for a "Scottish Six" news hour was killed off by London management, leaving audiences with a disconnected service that struggles to compete in a digital-first world.Hugh MacDiarmid Centenary Conference: We preview a major upcoming one-day conference in Glasgow celebrating 100 years of A Drunk Man Looks at the Thistle. Featuring a stellar line-up including Sir Tom Devine, Gerda Stevenson, and Murray Pittock, the event explores the contested legacy of Scotland's most complex creative genius.LinksA Drunk Man Looks at the Thistle: Hugh MacDiarmid and a Hundred Years of the Scottish Renaissance Centenary Conference – Saturday, November 21st at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this week's episode, Lesley Riddoch and Fraser Thompson reflect on a more lively couple of days at the SNP Conference in Aberdeen. Far from the half-empty halls predicted by the right-wing press, Lesley reports a perkier atmosphere powered by an articulate new wave of young independence campaigners, frisky debates on land tax, and big questions on local democracy.Topics Covered This WeekA Perkier SNP Conference: Lesley gives her view from the Aberdeen floor, where Young Scots for Independence set an energetic tone right out of the gates. Meanwhile, Dave Doogan delivered a sharp, witty address as Westminster leader, landing cheeky jabs at both Andy Burnham's ten-year plans and Stephen Flynn's hair.SNP Policy Debates: key motions from the conference floor. Hannah Mary Goodlad and Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth brought forward a motion on investigating a Scottish Land Tax—provoking spirited discussion on shell companies, unregistered land, and compulsory purchase powers for tax dodgers.Bus Franchising & Andy Burnham’s Interventions: Re-regulating buses is firmly back on the menu. As John Swinney announced plans for public control over routes and fares, private bus operators threw a proper paddy, while Andy Burnham made a cheeky wee jaunt into proceedings from Motherwell to lecture Holyrood on centralisation.Local Democracy & Mega-Councils: At a packed Build a Local Scotland fringe meeting, Dave Watson (Jimmy Reid Foundation) and Cabinet Secretary Ivan McKee joined the fray. Lesley and Fraser discuss the confusion surrounding council reorganisation, comparing Scotland's remote mega-councils with Sweden’s hyper-local municipal setup, and making the case for a genuine Citizens' Assembly.De-Xing Holyrood: A near-unanimous conference vote backing an exit from X (formerly Twitter) sparks lively debate on toxic algorithms versus the practical need for public transport operators like CalMac to reach folk.Film Review – NAZA: Lesley shares her experience watching NAZA at the Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA). The documentary presents clinical, unvarnished testimony from IDF soldiers detailing automated targeting systems, collateral civilian damage ("Naza" counts), and the total destruction in Gaza.Links Better Buses Strathclyde Campaign: bringbackbritishrail.org/strathclydeLesley Riddoch on Bus Franchising: The National Column (2024)The National Podcast with Ivan McKee: Watch on YouTubeNAZA Film Documentary Review: RogerEbert.comLocal Government Reform Article: Sceptical Scot ★ Support this podcast ★

Lesley and Fraser are back at the mic — though Fraser's proper kit is officially goosed apologies for the less than stellar sound quality. This week we look at Kemi Badenoch and her suggestion of a review and roll-back of Holyrood’s devolved powers, handing John Swinney an open goal. Meanwhile, PM Andy Burnham threatens to crash the party in Aberdeen with his own unsolicited foray into Scottish local government reforms with a possible added big energy policy announcement up his sleeve.In this week's episode, the hosts break down what First Minister John Swinney needs to deliver to capture the public's imagination amidst voter exhaustion and a yearning to "get back to normal." Plus, a deep dive into the impending Jackdaw gas field decision, Green Party conference post-mortems, Stephen Flynn's gallus transport committee grilling, Hannah Mary Goodlad’s broad Shetlandic clapback to tabloid froth, and the constitutional standoff over Portadown's Garvaghy Road.Key Topics Discussed:Badenoch's Devolution Review & Burnham’s Conference Gatecrashing: Kemi Badenoch threatens to clip Holyrood's wings, while Andy Burnham plans a cheeky Friday trip to Scotland right in the middle of the SNP conference. Fraser Thompson and Lesley Riddoch analyse whether Burnham is staying in his own lane as he wafts around regional devolution and rejoining the EU single market. Plus, Lesley previews the Build Local Scotland fringe meeting at the SNP conference (Friday 9:15 AM, Conference Room 3 — hot bacon rolls included!).Jackdaw, Rosebank & Scotland's Energy Crossroads: With rumours mounting that an official decision on the Jackdaw gas field off Shetland is imminent, Lesley unpacks the crucial differences between Jackdaw’s gas reserves and Rosebank’s oil. Will local extraction actually lower household energy bills, or are we just trapped on an endless fossil fuel hamster wheel?Green Party Conference & By-Election Fallout: Following the Holborn & St Pancras by-election, Green deputy leader Zack Polanski faces heat over a contentious conference motion defining Zionism as racism. Meanwhile, reports of entryism, internal slates, and Welsh Greens threatening to split off add to a proper post-conference stramash.Stephen Flynn’s Gallus Transport Grilling: Stephen Flynn faces a sticky patch after Holyrood’s Transport Committee appearance and subsequent FOI revelations of who sent what when. Was "FaceTiming the bairns" a valid defence for a lack of briefing, or does the former Westminster leader need to drop the gallus put-downs and get fully read into his cabinet secretariat brief?Hannah Mary Goodlad & The Shetland Trowies: Tabloid newspapers get themselves into a right fankel over Shetland MSP Hannah Mary Goodlad advertising for an "artist in residence" comms role. Hannah Mary takes to Facebook in Shetlandic to set the record straight on parliamentary office budgets and political mischief-makers.Garvaghy Road, Drumcree & The Northern Ireland Standoff: A major jurisdictional row erupts after Secretary of State Chris Bryant bans an Orange Order parade along Portadown’s Catholic Garvaghy Road, overruling a legal determination by the Parades Commission and placing First Minister Michelle O'Neill right on the protest line.Links Mentioned in This Episode:Rosebank & Jackdaw Explainer: Stop Cambo: Everything You Need to Know About the Rosebank Oil FieldDrumcree & Garvaghy Road Context: BBC News: Drumcree ExplainerHannah Mary Goodlad's Response: Hannah Mary Goodlad MSP Facebook Video RiposteSupport the Podcast - we might need a new mic!If you enjoy our weekly chat and independent Scottish political analysis, please consider supporting the show!Become a Pal or Buddy to access extra bonus content, archive episodes, and help keep us podcasting over at lesleyriddoch.com/podcast. ★ Support this podcast ★