The Old One Two

No new FPNs. Has Johnson survived Partygate? The Speaker calls in the editor of The Mail On Sunday over that Angela Rayner article. What does Macron's victory over Le Pen mean? What is gillnet fishing and should we care? What's wrong with SNP 1 and 2 in the local elections?

Show Notes

We begin with the sexist and classist Mail on Sunday article on Angela Rayner. It's been roundly condemned right across the political spectrum. But what does it say about the Mail, its readers ,and certain elements among Tory MPs.
The Met has, apparently, issued more fines to those who attended the notorious "Bring your own booze" Downing Street party that took place on May the 20th 2020.However, it appears that Boris Johnson has not received one. We wonder how and why it looks like he's  escaped scot free.
We examine Macron's victory over Le Pen in the recent French presidential elections, what it means for the EU, European security and at the underlying reasons behind the growth in support for the far right not just in France.
Gillnet fishing around Shetland seems to have spilled over into some sort of fishing war with claims and counter claims over so called "ghost fishing" and who is responsible for the abandoned gillnets which are causing such environmental damage. Lesley looks at this in depth and in particular at the inaction of both the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, and Marine Scotland.
Finally we delve into the Scottish local elections. What are the party manifestoes saying? Why are Labour so agin formal coalitions? What "Vote until you boak" actually means and what's wrong with SNP 1 and 2 in the local elections. And why is no party committed to reforming local government along Nordic lines?
If you want to know more about how Norway's local governance works register at Home | Nordic Horizons for this Thursday's Zoom event

★ Support this podcast ★

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 co-host Fraser Thompson. 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.