In the last podcast of 2023, we give our initial reaction to the Scottish Budget. How will the much trumpeted 1.5 billion pound "blackhole" be filled?
Baroness Michele Mone and her husband Douglas Barrowman appeared on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Baroness Mone conceded she will benefit from the profits made by PPE Medpro, which is led by her husband. She also admitted she repeatedly lied about her non-involvement with the company. Will she be used as a lightning rod by the Tories to divert attention from the bigger scandal of cronyism at the heart of the UK government response to the Covid crisis? Will she spill the beans? And how did Kuenssberg handle the interview?
Nadine Dorries, remember her, has made accusations that Sir Robbie Gibb, one of the non-exec directors on the BBC Board who is responsible for upholding and protecting its independence, sought to influence the appointment of the Head of Ofcom.
Speaking at an event in Italy, Rishi Sunak said "enemies" could use immigration as a "weapon" by "deliberately driving people to our shores to try to destabilise our society". and hinted at the need to change international law on immigration, telling the crowd at Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Atreju political festival: "If we do not tackle this problem, the numbers will only grow. "It will overwhelm our countries and our capacity to help those who actually need our help the most.
Have far right policies become so embedded in the Conservative Party that the UK Prime Minister can address a far-right convention and talk of shared values?
With yet more horror stories emerging from Gaza how long can the international community, yes you the USA and UK, stay silent on an immediate ceasefire?
We asked you to get in touch with your experiences of Curriculum for Excellence and Lesley goes through some of your replies.
We also look back at our favourite things from 2023.
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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.