Is Sweden the best Nordic model for Covid response?
Does land ownership reform need to wait for independence?
Believe in Scotland .Another talking shop or a the way ahead ?
Baron Moore and Paul Dacre. The new media overlords or stalking horses?
Covid is inescapable and as rumours of a Tory backbench rebellion over renewal of the Coronavirus Act grow there's been a lot of focus on how Sweden responded to the pandemic.
Lesley takes a good, hard look at this and suggests that other Nordic nations, in particular Finland, may provide a bett
er model for Scotland and the UK.
Mike Russell wrote a column in the National over the weekend praising Lesley for her new book, Huts. A place beyond. Mike agreed that reform of land ownership was essential to the creation of a fairer Scotland. However he suggested that this was only possible post independence. We, to no one's surprise, respectfully disagree, and wonder just what's stopping the SNP government from taking action now.
Believe in Scotland held a virtual conference over the weekend. Organised by Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp it featured Keith Brown, Lorna Slater, Stuart Cosgrove and oor Lesley.
Was it,yet another talking shop, or the sign of a vibrant DIY spirit among the broader Yes movement?
The media has been full of the story that Charles Moore is being lined up to become chair of the BBC and Paul Dacre to head up Ofcom.
Steve Baker claimed that they represented "moderate conservativism". I take a wee keek at Moore's track record of "moderation" and we reflect on the history of previous, controversial, appointments.
All this plus, our radio studio memories, Vitamin D, my golf travails, and an Italian proverb that may leave some men sitting cross legged.
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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.