It's a ganging wrang

Is devolution under threat from the Tories? Was James Cook being "provocative" or just doing his job? Licences for bicycles a dead cat from Grant Shapps?

Show Notes

If we've learned anything from this Tory leadership contest it's that muscular, unitary state unionism is back with a bang. We examine the statements by Truss and Sunak at the Perth hustings and the recent musings from Lord Frost and consider just how far the Tories will go in undermining devolution to stave off independence. We also speculate that given the polls on Scottish attitudes to the EU and the powers of Holyrood in terms of calling indyref2 just how successful that strategy will be.
The Perth hustings also provided an insight into the mindset of Scottish Tory members not just on independence and the powers of Holyrood, but also social issues. However much of the media coverage focused on the abuse BBC journalist James Cook received from a tiny group of protestors. 
Does this indicate what's to come and the start of the anti-independence campaign for real?
As inflation continues to rise inexorably leading economists have pointed to Brexit as a self-inflicted trade war which accounts for 80% of core UK inflation. Yet the BBC continues to shy away from any meaningful analysis of its impact. Why?
Grant Shapps suggested that bicycles should have registration plates and cyclists should have compulsory insurance. A dead cat from a struggling Transport Secretary of yet another piece of the culture wars playbook?

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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.