The General Election campaign is well under way and we look at how it's been going both in Scotland and the UK.
Will devolved matters dominate the debate in Scotland. How can the SNP focus voters minds on Westminster issues?
Lesley has particular insights on this after her sojourn in Orkney, Shetland and Caithness.
Can the Tories recover from the shambles of the first week? How will they solve the black hole of missing candidates? Are they focusing all their attention on capturing Reform supporters?
Labour has received backing from big business but can it withstand pressure from UNITE over watering down its New Deal for Working People?
Starmer has also maintained a distinct fence sitting position over the ICC arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant even after the latest Rafa outrage.
However he's been extremely vocal in demanding that the election debates should be head to head with Sunak, excluding all other parties in particular the SNP.
We ask how fit for the rough and tumble of the campaign trail are both Anas Sarwar and Douglas Ross after less than stellar recent media appearances?
Much has been made of the recent Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce survey on Energy Transition. It's safe to say no political party nor either government comes out well. However there are some nuggets not so far covered by either the press or broadcasters contained within it.
All this plus Bambie Thug, fitba( not Dundee United), and the Orkney folk festival.
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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.