The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast Trailer Bonus Episode 699 Season 1

Living with the bear

Living with the bearLiving with the bear

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Lesley brings her knowledge of post Soviet states to examine the ramifications of Russian troops entering eastern Ukraine. Our reaction to the UK government's "Living with Covid" plans. We ask if it's an almost impossible job being BBC Scotland political editor these days in the light of Sarah Smith's "misogyny and bile" claims.

Show Notes

We recorded this episode just minutes before Germany announced its decision to shelve its Russian gas pipeline.
Russian troops crossed the border into the self declared Peoples Republics of Donetsk and Lubansk. We ask if the West will present a united front in terms of sanctions given the obvious divisions, particularly in Europe, in terms of energy dependency and Russian financial clout in the UK.
Clear divisions are once again emerging between England and the devolved administrations over tackling Covid with the announcement of the UK's dropping of all regulations and ending of free testing. Is this a strategy based on any scientific evidence or yet another attempt of Johnson to curry favour with the right wing of his party?
Sarah Smith hit the headlines this week saying she felt relieved to have left the country after enduring years of misogynistic “bile and hatred” in her role as BBC Political Editor. We try and delve beneath this very personal take on her tenure and question whether anyone within the current BBC climate can successfully navigate what is essentially a situation where Scotland is evenly split on independence.
The UK government has announced its "Living with Covid" plans and the reaction from the devolved governments, the BMA, and the scientific community has been almost entirely negative. Is this yet another attempt by Johnson to play to the Covid Recovery Group of right wingers to stave off a leadership challenge?
The Scottish Climate Change Assembly has published its reply to the Scottish government's response to its findings, and they're no very happy.
Along the way there's also talk of driving in the snow, why wind in the SE of England is more important than wind in the Highlands plus a wee reference to a draw at Tannadice.
Nordic Horizons links
The Nordic Verdict - which focuses on the way district heating works in Denmark and Sweden
 https://www.nordichorizons.org/latest-event-cop26-success-or-cop-out-the-nordic-verdict-mon-29th-november-2021-1900-2130-gmt-by-zoom/ 
The next Nordic Horizons event on the response of Nordic neighbours (inc Finland) to Russian invasion on March 10th. Free but register please 
https://www.nordichorizons.org/nordic-reactions-to-the-russian-challenge/ 
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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.