Sometimes a series of events can encapsulate the state of the United Kingdom, the cynical manipulation of tensions surrounding Gaza for party political and personal advantage., the relationship between the media and the political establishment , and the reality of the position of the  SNP at Westminster.
Last Wednesday saw the House of Commons descend into chaos as the Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle , broke with Parliamentary procedure, and the advice of the Clerks, to allow a Labour amendment to the SNP Opposition Day motion calling for an immediate ceasefire and an end to Israeli collective punishment. We examine those events , the role of the Speaker, the ramifications of his decision and his reasons for making it.
We also give our immediate reaction to the UK government's statement on Gaza this Tuesday afternoon. The statement given as the reason for Hoyle to reject the SNP call for an SO24 debate. A debate he had promised to grant the SNP last week.
The focus has shifted from the situation in Gaza, aided by political commentators , on to alleged threats to MPs' security hard on the heels of Lord Walney's report on political violence. Who is Walney? What was in his report? Can he be trusted as an impartial actor in the current context of pro Palestinian protests?
Meanwhile , while claiming "words are important" , the Tory Party is mired in an Islamophobia crisis with Rishi Sunak and a string of ministers refusing to say that ex Deputy Chair of the party Lee Anderson was racist in his attack on Sadiq Khan. This while ignoring Suella Braverman and ex PM Liz Truss's recent similar outbursts. Weakness or a symbol of a hierarchy of racism within the Conservative Party?
Today is the 50th anniversary of the long secret McCrone Report with its revelations on the potential impact on the Scottish economy of North Sea oil and its implications for Scottish independence.
The National has published the report in full. Read it and weep.
https://www.thenational.scot/news/17461406.westminster-doesnt-want-read-mccrone-report-full/
Simon Forrest CEO of Nova Innovation has written about the  current "  tragedy played out in Scotland " with the failure of both the UK and Scottish governments to reap the benefits of Scotland's new energy bonanza. Renewables.
https://www.thenational.scot/politics/24145789.top-renewables-firm-ceo-scotlands-energy-story-tragedy/
Tickets for Lesley's Denmark film are still available right here
https://lesleyriddoch.com/events