The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

Saturday the third of February 2024 was an historic moment as Michelle O'Neil became the first republican to hold the position of First Minister in the 103 year history of Northern Ireland. Both she and the DUP's Deputy First Minister Emma Little- Pengelly have a family background in the paramilitaries and yet both made impressive speeches emphasizing cooperation and conciliation. We look at this and the promises and potential pitfalls on the return of Stormont.
Sir Keir Starmer's Labour continue to lead in the polls but internal party polling shows that it is losing support among the Muslim community over its stance(s) on Gaza. What do the polls show and will Labour lose votes not only among Muslims over this? Meanwhile in the latest U-turn Starmer has abandoned the pledge to reform/abolish the House of Lords and threatened MPs who don't toe the party line with deselection for the upcoming General Election.
Details of Michael Gove's secret State of the Union poll have now been made public post the Scottish Covid Inquiry and it makes very interesting reading.
Lesley reflects on Nicola Sturgeon's appearance at the inquiry.

Meanwhile  has Rishi Sunak sunk to a new low with his Piers Morgan Rwanda bet?
If you want to see Lesley's Denmark movie here's the link
https://www.lesleyriddoch.com/events-mobile

All this plus Lesley's mystery patient experience, the coverage of King Charles' cancer diagnosis and the usual meanderings frae Pat.


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What is The Lesley Riddoch Podcast?

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.