Lesley and Fraser are back at the mic — though Fraser's proper kit is officially goosed apologies for the less than stellar sound quality. This week we look at Kemi Badenoch and her suggestion of a review and roll-back of Holyrood’s devolved powers, handing John Swinney an open goal. Meanwhile, PM Andy Burnham threatens to crash the party in Aberdeen with his own unsolicited foray into Scottish local government reforms with a possible added big energy policy announcement up his sleeve.
In this week's episode, the hosts break down what First Minister John Swinney needs to deliver to capture the public's imagination amidst voter exhaustion and a yearning to "get back to normal." Plus, a deep dive into the impending Jackdaw gas field decision, Green Party conference post-mortems, Stephen Flynn's gallus transport committee grilling, Hannah Mary Goodlad’s broad Shetlandic clapback to tabloid froth, and the constitutional standoff over Portadown's Garvaghy Road.
Key Topics Discussed:
- Badenoch's Devolution Review & Burnham’s Conference Gatecrashing: Kemi Badenoch threatens to clip Holyrood's wings, while Andy Burnham plans a cheeky Friday trip to Scotland right in the middle of the SNP conference. Fraser Thompson and Lesley Riddoch analyse whether Burnham is staying in his own lane as he wafts around regional devolution and rejoining the EU single market. Plus, Lesley previews the Build Local Scotland fringe meeting at the SNP conference (Friday 9:15 AM, Conference Room 3 — hot bacon rolls included!).
- Jackdaw, Rosebank & Scotland's Energy Crossroads: With rumours mounting that an official decision on the Jackdaw gas field off Shetland is imminent, Lesley unpacks the crucial differences between Jackdaw’s gas reserves and Rosebank’s oil. Will local extraction actually lower household energy bills, or are we just trapped on an endless fossil fuel hamster wheel?
- Green Party Conference & By-Election Fallout: Following the Holborn & St Pancras by-election, Green deputy leader Zack Polanski faces heat over a contentious conference motion defining Zionism as racism. Meanwhile, reports of entryism, internal slates, and Welsh Greens threatening to split off add to a proper post-conference stramash.
- Stephen Flynn’s Gallus Transport Grilling: Stephen Flynn faces a sticky patch after Holyrood’s Transport Committee appearance and subsequent FOI revelations of who sent what when. Was "FaceTiming the bairns" a valid defence for a lack of briefing, or does the former Westminster leader need to drop the gallus put-downs and get fully read into his cabinet secretariat brief?
- Hannah Mary Goodlad & The Shetland Trowies: Tabloid newspapers get themselves into a right fankel over Shetland MSP Hannah Mary Goodlad advertising for an "artist in residence" comms role. Hannah Mary takes to Facebook in Shetlandic to set the record straight on parliamentary office budgets and political mischief-makers.
- Garvaghy Road, Drumcree & The Northern Ireland Standoff: A major jurisdictional row erupts after Secretary of State Chris Bryant bans an Orange Order parade along Portadown’s Catholic Garvaghy Road, overruling a legal determination by the Parades Commission and placing First Minister Michelle O'Neill right on the protest line.
Links Mentioned in This Episode:
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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 co-host Fraser Thompson. 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.