We pick over the detail of last week's UK Budget. Did it signal the "end of austerity" as Anas Sarwar claims? What's the reality of the increase in the Scottish Block Grant? What impact will it have on December's Scottish Budget and what challenges does it lay down for the Scottish Government?
It's election day in the USA. What's the state of the polls? Will early voting decide the outcome again? Are the Republicans already laying the ground for another "stolen election" narrative?
Meanwhile the Tories have elected a new UK leader, Kemi Badenoch. The contest came down to a choice between two right wing candidates, Badenoch and Jenrick. Badenoch has now appointed her new front bench and among the ranks of " Who's that?" and "Never heard of them!" some old familiar faces are back signalling that shift even further to the right.
Stephen Flynn has been "given" a seat on the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster. What is this committee and why is the Labour Party so focused on it in the run up to the Holyrood elections in 2026?
Plus a tribute to Janey Godley an icon of Scottish popular culture.
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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.