That stunning defeat for the Tories in the North Shropshire by-election and can Boris Johnson survive this latest disaster is the primary focus of this week's episode. We also look at what might lie behind the result, the splits in the Tory ranks, what, if anything Starmer's Labour is doing to position itself as a potential government, and the political impact of the Omicron variant.
Show Notes
The Liberal Democrats pulled off a stunning victory in the North Shropshire by-election taking a constituency which had been true blue Tory for 200 years. We look at the result, the events that led to the contest, what it says about the changing political climate in England, and the future, if any, for the Johnson premiership.
This latest disaster for Johnson came hard on the heels of a back bench rebellion over new Covid measures where he depended on Labour votes to secure a majority. We examine not just these splits in Tory ranks, and potential leadership challengers, but what the Starmer's Labour is doing to position itself as a potential government.
Meanwhile in Holyrood the Scottish government has once again been forced to go cap in hand to Westminster to plead for support to mitigate the impact of the restrictions to combat the spread of the Omicron variant. Once again throwing into sharp relief the burning need for independence.
And while we are lining up for booster jags, variants, like Omicron, are spawning across the developing world. Is nobody safe until everyone is safe and is vaccine justice not just the moral thing but the smart thing to implement?
All of this plus much more in the final podcast episode of 2021
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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 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.