Lesley Riddoch

Turn, turn, turn

We're back after our two week hiatus just in time for the Holyrood inquiry into the mishandling of the investigation into complaints against former FM Alex Salmond,and the airing of,the much trailed, Kirsty Wark documentary, The Trial of Alex Salmond . I don't think either of us really wanted to watch it, but watch it we did and we give our canid opinions, you'd expect nothing less, on the programme.

Students across the UK have won their fight to have their teacher estimated grades for this year upheld. What went wrong? What can be learned for the future?

And *that* Holyrood inquiry, how did the first morning go?

The latest Yougov opinion poll backed up previous Panelbase results showing a growing majority support for independence. John Curtice dug down into the statistics and we examine what he reckons is driving this surge.

All this plus,Dundee United are back and Lesley's wee trip up north.

Proxy wars?

Sometimes there's absolutely no doubt what will be the first item in the podcast. And this week we had to begin with the SNP NEC decision which resulted in Joanna Cherry withdrawing her candidacy for the Edinburgh Central constituency at next year's Holyrood elections.

We try and work our way through the noise and make a plea for natural justice to prevail and allow the local party to decide for itself.

Douglas "Red card, red card" Ross seems about to be crowned, unopposed, as the new Tory leader in Scotland. Lesley wonders just what difference will this change of figurehead make to Conservative fortunes.While I sense the hidden,Machiavellian, hand of Dominic Cummings pulling the strings.

Ruth Davidson, as much trailed, is about to take the ermine.What credibility does this "blue collar", anti Brexiteer take with with her as she enters the Lords?

Thousands of Scottish workers are employed in sealed buildings, what threat do these modern workplaces pose to community health, especially during the Covid pandemic?

Finally we pay tribute to the politician who was central to the Good Friday Agreement, the late John Hume.

Gut instincts

As the English media treated Boris Johnson's flying visit to Orkney with virtual contempt we ask what way will unionism jump.Will it be up front confrontation as Ruth Davidson puts the boot in or Michael Gove's soft soaping?

The PM may also have bitten off more than he chew if he decides to take on the Scottish legal establishment over judicial reviews.

The UK government has launched its tackling obesity strategy with a focus on banning adverts, food labelling, and BOGOF deals. But where is the will to introduce a whole health programme and address the link between poverty and obesity.

Alexander Dennis is a world leading bus and coach builder with a track record in green innovation, will the Scottish government step in to save it? And will it grab this opportunity to introduce a public bus system.

All this plus the battle to be the SNP candidate for Edinburgh Central, yet another comeback for George Galloway, and why my mod tee shirts are back in the wardrobe.

Wakey Wakey!

In this edition of the podcast we welcome Les Huckfield as our special guest.Les, a former Labour MP, government minister,and MEP is now a supporter of Scottish independence.

As well as finding out why he made that political journey we use his expertise and insight into Westminster to ask him to disentangle the Tory power surge spin ,what lies behind the power grab, and try and discover just what the Scottish government and SNP MPs can do to counteract it.

However we begin with our instant reactions to the release, finally, of the Russia Report. All the media have been trailing the alleged Russian interference into the independence referendum in 2014. We examine that element, but there's definitely a lot more to the report than that.

Along the way we chat Triumph motor cycles,compare academic qualifications(I don't do well) and pay tribute to the late, great Jack Charlton.

Party Fears.Too many?

As the UK government performs, yet another, volte face, this time on mandatory face coverings. We ask how, given their track record, the Tories can be trusted on the post Brexit trade deals they're negotiating. Lesley also questions if Scotland ,even if independent , could be insulated from the rigged regulations these agreements contain.

Mike Russell was on GMS this morning claiming that the proposals by Westminster to take control of state aid away from the devolved governments was the final pillar of the power grab.

I try to make sense of the EU state aid regulations  and just why it seems to be the last straw for the Scottish government.

Priti Patel's points based immigration system has been condemned by unions and employers.How much does her claim that it will attract the "brightest and the best" and "encourage employers to invest in the domestic workforce" stand up to scrutiny?

The Ferret published an investigation into the operation of the Scottish Land Fund. We ask if it's fit for purpose and look at Andy Wightman's suggestions for reform.

All this,plus, I learn a brand new Scottish phrase.