The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

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 belowhttp://www.dogstartheatre.co.uk/ ★ Support this podcast ★

02-24

22:16

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=yUr8QyTCph8The Brewdog forest and Parkswatch https://parkswatchscotland.co.uk/2024/02/14/brewdogs-lost-forest-at-kinrara-lost-trees-lost-carbon-and-lost-finances/ ★ Support this podcast ★

02-18

01:03:11

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. ★ Support this podcast ★

02-11

01:04:54

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.PlusLast in Iceland series that explains why Icelanders pay £60 pcm for heat, hot water & electricityhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXBEDk_o_hI&t=610sWhy does Trump want Greenland explainer videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYfSlQaIEXkBrave New Music book about Martyn Bennett https://luath.co.uk/products/brave-new-music?variant=54829697007992 ★ Support this podcast ★

02-04

58:05

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 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=PLWnxyoRlJxfMqJInR8kGf5iuVGThuEpL2Again like and subscribe thanks. ★ Support this podcast ★

01-28

01:02:30

Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th US president on Monday. We look at the inauguration, Trump's raft of immediate Executive Orders and the worldwide implications of what his presidency heralds.Those potential effects are having to be factored into the UK government's economic strategies and diplomatic actions. Meanwhile apparent splits are appearing in Scottish Labour which were writ large in the "painting by numbers" interview with Kirsty McNeill Labour Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State for Scotland on the BBC's Sunday Morning Show.The Scottish government is currently arguing that measures such as creating a wealth tax and setting up a National Energy Company are snookered by The Scotland Act. Are there bold, innovative ways  to circumvent it and why is the SNP leadership so committed to playing by the UK's rules?Axel Rudabukana has pleaded guilty to the Southport murders. Yvette Cooper has promised an inquiry into why so many warning signs were missed by so many agencies. However big questions still remain over the Labour governments clampdown on the release of information on Rudakubana which may have squashed the anti immigrant, anti Muslim internet rumours which fuelled the subsequent riots.Lesley reacts to the first episode of An t-Eilean (The Island) – the UK’s first ever high-end Gaelic drama series.Lesley has also launched the first of her YouTube films on Iceland and its green energy/heating revolution Hot Springs Town check it out herehttps://lesleyriddoch.com/filmsThere's also chat about music. Bob Dylan and Sibelius. Not so strange cultural bedfellows. ★ Support this podcast ★

01-21

01:11:01

It's a bumper episode this week as we try and navigate our way through the news.First up, BBC Scotland has launched Scotcast a brand new podcast. We give our considered verdict on this latecomer to the Scottish podcast scene,Its maiden episode focused heavily on the opening of Scotland's first Drug Consumption Room/ Overdose Prevention Centre. How was it covered? In the political argy bargy Whose voices are being heard? Whose are not?It also dealt with both the ending of the marriage between Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell and the fall out over Nicola's recent comments on the behaviour of the late Alex Salmond. We follow suit.Lesley recently wrote a column questioning John Swinney's saying, “I don’t think people would understand what I was doing if I refused to meet with the president of the United States.” Lesley reckons the First Minister has misread the mood of the Scottish people when it comes to the Donald.There are strong suggestions that Dominic Cummings is the eminence grise behind Elon Musk's recent fetid tweets on UK politics and the Labour Party in particular. We ask why Musk is so fixated on Britain and what is the odd symbiotic relationship between him and the BBC?Sticking with Labour there's trouble afoot with both the latest YouGov opinion poll and the volatility of the UK economy.We also look at the LA wild fires,Trump's fuelling of the flames with disinformation and the climate change as their root cause.Along the way there's chat about the UK's toxic relationship with processed foods, terrible puns, a tour of "The Testament of Gideon Mack" and a multi-million pound Gaelic noir series "An t- Eilean"-BBC Alba tonight 9pmLesley's best selling book "Blossom" also gets a few mentions.Follow these links for more information on all of the above- except Pat's puns.https://www.channel4.com/programmes/eat-smart-secrets-of-the-glucose-goddesshttp://www.dogstartheatre.co.uk/https://lesleyriddoch.com/books-mobile ★ Support this podcast ★

01-14

01:19:53

It's welcome back to the podcast after our Christmas and New Year break.We kick off by reflecting on how we both spent Hogmanay in our different ways, Lesley's island sojourn sounds affy braw.Much criticism has been levelled at BBC Scotland in particular for its pallid Hogmanay programming and Lesley takes the opportunity to compare the "official" media offerings with the work of the late Martyn Bennett and the Grit Orchestra. Suffice to say the authorised ones don't stand the comparison well.....It seems now is the time for a complete rethink on BBC and STV Hogmanay fare.We also discuss the cancellation of the official Edinburgh celebrations. Is it time for the capital to have a complete rethink ?Martyn Bennett's music and Danny MacAskill's cycling on the Cuillin - 81 million views!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ_IQS3VKjAGrit Orchestra gig - just two seats left!!https://tickets.glasgowlife.org.uk/34209/34210Lesley talks about her new, self filmed, series of short videos she's filming on her travels around Scotland.Lesley also reflects on the recent funeral of 'John the Bird' Chester on Eigg.https://x.com/LesleyRiddoch/status/1876598275693859210Anas Sarwar in his most recent speech talked about reducing the number of quangos but was somewhat less than comprehensive in how he would do this and even less specific on what a Labour administration would cut other than reducing the number of Health Boards.However is there a kernel of truth in Sarwar's statement?  Has the growth of quangos led to the creation, as Robin McAlpine said, of " A feudal system of nested fiefdoms each insulated from the transparency and accountability nominally radiating from the one above"?We also discuss Sarwar's appearance on Good Morning Scotland where Laura Maxwell grilled him on his stances on the 2 Child Benefit Cap, Winter Fuel Allowance, and the WASPI women. We also discuss Neil Mackay's recent Herald article analysing the growth in support for Scottish independence as UK Labour tanks in the polls.Is the SNP in a fit state to profit from this? Is it radical enough to get independence over the line?Listener Leslie Wilson got in touch after our chat on swimmer Duncan Scott to highlight the  television coverage-lack of- of Bruce Mouat's champion curling rink. We discuss. ★ Support this podcast ★

01-07

01:04:37

Iceland has a stunning landscape with glaciers galore … but is more properly fire island. Lava, earthquakes eruptions and volcanoes dominate life and world headlines. Before Christmas 2023, an eruption forced people from their homes in the fishing port of Grindavik. One year and six eruptions later – the townspeople are back. But another eruption nearby is spewing lava across the car park of the famous Blue Lagoon. By the time you hear this podcast, that eruption could be over… or much worse.Yet despite all the risk and uncertainty, many Icelanders say they live here because of their volcanoes not despite them. Why? That’s what this podcast is all about. CreditsThanks to Easyjet for flights – direct to Reykjavik every weekday from Edinburgh. Lesley travelled to the Westman Islands in a Europcar vehicle (complete with winter tyres) from Keflavik airport, took the dual fuel Herjolfur ferry (government owned and council run) courtesy of Business Iceland and stayed at the Hotel Vestmannaeyjar thanks to Visit South IcelandAccommodation in Reykjavik was kindly provided by podcast listener Scott Riddell. Big thanks also to interviewees – Laufey Sif Lárusdóttir who runs a pizzeria and Ölverk brewery using geothermal steam in Hveragerði with husband Elvar. She also manages to be mum to three small boys.Páll Zóphóníasson was once Mayor of Heimaey (main town on Westman Islands) and town engineer at the time of the 1973 eruption. Tax office staff, Jóhanna Kristín Gunnlaugsdóttir and Ròsa Sveinsdòttir were just children at the time.Kári Valgeirsson is Science Communicator at the Hellisheiði power plant – one of the largest single-site geothermal power plants on the planet. Daily tours available via https://www.on.is/en/geothermal-exhibition/Thanks also to Limma and Gudrun Hannesdottir, Researched, recorded and produced by Lesley RiddochEdited by Pat Joyce ★ Support this podcast ★

12-17

43:58

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) ★ Support this podcast ★

12-10

01:05:40

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. ★ Support this podcast ★

12-05

01:11:11

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.Here's the link to the Neal Ascherson article Lesley mentionedhttps://www.thenational.scot/politics/24746186.neal-ascherson-scotland-needs-take-as-if-approach/ ★ Support this podcast ★

11-26

01:04:06

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? ★ Support this podcast ★

11-19

54:16

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 linkhttps://diffleypartnership.co.uk/the-big-land-question/ ★ Support this podcast ★

11-12

01:02:58

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. ★ Support this podcast ★