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There's been a lot of missing in action in this week's podcast. Where is the Scottish government and the SNP when an energy supplier, Octopus, calls for zonal pricing that would give Scotland the cheapest energy in Europe? They're kind of missing in action. We talk about the latest proposals by Rachel Reeves, which looks like a bonfire of the regulations on the banking sector, which kind of prompted all the chaos post 2008.

Is that really going to be such a great advance? And back to Israel and Palestine, some shocking admissions, about the connections between the current Labour government and trips to Israel that were not declared by MPs. That and more news about the July 19 march in this week's podcast on lesleyridich.com and social media.

Scottish National demonstration Saturday 19 July Assemble 1pm foot of the Mound Edinburgh
https://www.scottishpsc.org.uk/event/eggec-nakba-demo-duplicate-1/

On this week's episode, we talk about the putative new Left-wing party possibly headed by Jeremy Corbyn. We speculate on why he hasn't said he will join it and what is happening on the Scottish front with a group that's promising a meeting in October. It's not very clear whether it supports independence or not.

We talk about the victory of a left candidate for the Democratic nomination in New York City with a program that would probably make Jeremy Corbyn's heart sing.

We're still talking about the wider question of Palestine and the shameful decision by the SNP group at Westminster to abstain on the vote on Palestine Action as they succumbed to Westminster bullying tactics and were outfoxed by Labour's procedural shenanigans. We reflect that in the previous parliament, with MPs like Tommy Sheppard, Dr Phillipa Whitford and Joanna Cherry, this would not have happened. That and much more besides, including bits and bits about the Western Isles and the, uh, glorious bounciness of Greenlanders.

And we have a guest spot with Mick Napier from the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign ahead of a planned demonstration.

1 pm meeting at the foot of the Mound, Edinburgh. 

Links
Finland Film  https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/finland---the-education-superstars-a-new-film

NHS App

https://www.digitalhealth.net/2024/10/scotland-s-digital-front-door-platform-to-go-beyond-the-nhs-app/

https://www.holyrood.com/inside-politics/view%2Cplaying-catchup-will-the-rollout-of-the-long-overdue-nhs-app-help-take-pressure-off-scotlands-gps

Cnoc Soilleir

https://www.nwh.uhi.ac.uk/en/about-us/campuses-and-centres/cnoc-soilleir/

Lesley Riddoch and Fraser Thompson

You can donate to support and keep the podcast going by becoming a Pal or Buddy of the Podcast at https://lesleyriddoch.com/podcast/subscribe

By the time you listen this, you'll know what we don't, which is the result of the disability cuts vote in the House of Commons, the revised package, which will now only put 150,000 people into poverty. And that's this year. Because next year, of course, is a whole new ball game for those wishing to sign up to PIP.

We speculate on what these reforms and the opposition to them means for Labour Party support, for Keir Starmer's personal authority and popularity. We look also at, last week's Question Time where Lesley was on the panel, having just been stung in the throat by a wasp! Drawn no parallels or importance from that other than it was a strange way to prepare.

We also discuss the big events of the week, Iran, Israel, Palestine, Kneecap and Bob Vylan's and the BBC's decisions to broadcast and not broadcast, which are inadvertently helping to promote artists who are the only people able to bring this issue to the forefront. We also look at NATO spending via a quote from the late great Hamish Henderson, Fraser relfects on his time working in the Westminster Parliament and much more besides.

Links
Finland Film Crowdfunder
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/finland---the-education-superstars-a-new-film

In this week's podcast, we discuss Trump's attacks on Iran facilitating attacks by Israel and then demanding a ceasefire. It's an odd way to get diplomatic results. We react to Donald Trump's four-letter outburst as he baulks at Israel's flouting of the cease-fire and Iran's response.

We also look at the attempts to proscribe Palestine action, which look very destined to simply encourage support for this soon-to-be-banned group. And we also look at the likely rebellion against labour's cuts to PIP payments.

Listen to the end for some great tributes to Pat as he goes for his 3rd retirement so far.

Help support the Finland crowdfunder - make a donation

As the hostilities go on between Israel and Iran we try and get beneath the "We support the right of Israel to defend itself" to why Israel decided to launch its attacks, why now , and the realities of nuclear proliferation in the region.
Meanwhile a  report by the Centre For Media Monitoring has forensically examined the BBC's coverage of Gaza. The results are damning in terms of revealing BBC bias.
We take a look at the spending review  not only the decisions made but especially what impact Labour's decisions may have on Scottish politics. 
Lesley's latest article in The National not only covers this but asks if the SNP’s old attack lines are now almost gone and its claims of success belong largely to the old glory days. Will John Swinney's Scotland 2050 speech bring them back?
Despite Deputy Leader Keith Brown committing to an independence convention before the Holyrood elections at the 2024 SNP Annual Conference this has now been knocked firmly on the head by Angus Robertson. Was this a mistake? 
The trial of Kneecap member, Mo Chara, under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act will go ahead at Westminster Magistrates’ Court  tomorrow. What does this tell us about the nature of the state and its decisions on who and who not to prosecute under the Act's provisions?
As per usual there's other meanderings and maybe a wee mention of the golf.

In this week's episode we discuss the U turn by the Westminster Government on the winter fuel allowance. Where is the money coming from and how is it going to be paid for? We ask what happend to the accusations levelled at the SNP when they rose to the challenge and reinstated the payment ahead of the Westminster Government. We look too at the impact on the SNP's policy, with Labour trying to make it look as if the Scottish payment will just be £100? It won't. We try to clear some of that up.

We talk about the aftermath of the Hamilton by-election and that there's no getting away from it, it was a really bad loss by the SNP. There was no mention of independence and the candidate was not as local as the truly local David Russell. We look at how the election played out and wheter that local connection is what mattered in an era where people have lost trust in parties.

We examine what that says about the candidates chosen so far by the SNP in the Scottish election. We look as well at Israel and Gaza. Breaking news that the British government has taken sanctions out against two Israeli cabinet members. But that's not going to go anywhere near placating the 300 civil servants who've written a letter objecting to the British government's support of the Israeli government and have been told that if they want to keep objecting, they can resign.

That and much more.

Links
Watch The Applecross film on YouTube https://youtu.be/J0kUgdms368
Remember to click subscribe on YouTube and click the Bell icon to get notified when new videos are released

Scotland 2070: Healthy Wealthy and Wise
https://scotland2070.org/

Common Weal: Common Home Plan
https://www.commonweal.scot/policies/the-common-home-plan/

Build Canada Homes
https://liberal.ca/housing-plan/

Sam Cotes - Sky The five considerable problems with the chancellor's U-turn on winter fuel payments
https://news.sky.com/story/the-five-key-issues-from-chancellors-winter-fuel-payment-u-turn-13381413

SSE Press Release
Critical Skye electricity transmission upgrade granted planning consent
https://www.sse.com/news-and-views/2025/05/critical-skye-electricity-transmission-upgrade-granted-planning-consent/

Scottish Government planning case and documents
https://www.energyconsents.scot/ApplicationDetails.aspx?cr=ECU00003395

In this podcast special we speak with two energy experts Rhys Stanwix and David Pearson. The cost of energy has dominated our own far-from-expert musings for the last few weeks. So we thought it might be an idea to pull in some expertise for a special about district heating, locational pricing, why we are stuck with such high prices, poor grid connections ,the march of the pylons across much of north eastern Scotland. Do we need the better connectivity or is this just horsing Scottish renewable energy south? 
We tackle all these questions, and more, in an in depth and highly informative special.

There's a distinct European flavour to this week's episode and we kick off with our reaction to the UK/EU deal struck on Monday.
Has the Scottish fishing industry, once again, been a bargaining chip worth sacrificing to benefit other parts of the UK economy? Given that fishing and farming are devolved matters why wasn't the Scottish government either involved or at the very least consulted on the agreements reached in these areas? Despite the trumpeting of the deal will it always be a sticking plaster over the economic wounds of Brexit?
Saturday saw the latest edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. Lesley has always been a massive fan of the event, Pat not so much,  what are her reactions to the inclusion of Israel, the behaviour of the EBU and host broadcaster in apparently censoring the live audience during the Israeli performance, and the claims of massive state intervention in order for Israel to stage a propaganda coup?
The British Museum hosted a secret celebration of Israel "Independence" Day. Much of the focus has been on the appearance at it by comedian Jimmy Carr but should more have been made of the speech given by UK Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle , on the day that the Labour government was in court defending itself against claims that it had continued to supply Israel with F35 aircraft parts in breach of its own sanctions?
ScotLand( sic) Futures led by the Scottish Land Commission has called for individuals, community groups, land managers, businesses and organisations to "help shape a shared vision for how Scotland's land is owned, used and managed". Lesley asks if we need less "consultation" and more genuine action?

As we recorded last week's episode the result of the vote at Stage One of The Assisted Dying Bill vote at Holyrood was unknown. The vote was in favour. What happens next?
Andrew Tickell article - https://www.thenational.scot/politics/25171496.assisted-dying-debate-deserves-better-bad-faith-politics/
We also look at the election of the new Pope and Pat revels in the prospect of a European tour with his beloved Dundee United. Or does he?
Keli play - https://www.nationaltheatrescotland.com/events/keli

After the launch of Labour's new White Paper on immigration we ask, despite Starmer's protestations, if Farage and Reform are already dictating not just UK politics but UK government policy.
We also delve into the detail of the changes outlined in the paper.
The Labour leadership is also facing a  backbench rebellion over its cuts to disability benefits and is also being urged by 69 MPs to recognise a Palestinian state. Will they listen to either of these calls?
Lesley's latest column in The National examined the rise of Reform and speculated on its potential to break out of its unionist bubble and attract disappointed SNP voters in next year's Holyrood elections.
First Minister John Swinney was grilled by Martin Geissler on whether independence would be page 1 line 1 of the SNP manifesto at those elections. We analyse his response.
Is the UK/US trade deal worth the paper it's written on? Not according to US economist Joseph Stiglitz. Was getting such a quick sectoral agreement a sign of weakness or strength for the UK's position?
Ahead of the Holyrood vote on assisted dying Lesley gives her thoughts on this difficult decision facing MSPs.
 There are a few seats remaining for 'A Night for MAP' at the Queen's Hall, Edinburgh. Friday 30th May.
https://www.thequeenshall.net/whats-on/night-map

In this episode we give our initial reactions to  the First Minister’s Statement: Programme for Government 2025-26.
We also look back at the series of elections in England last week. What can we take from the Reform UK surge? Will  Scotland be  immune from Farageism at the 2026 Holyrood elections?
And if Starmer didn't have enough on his plate with Reform to worry about up popped Ex PM Tony Blair with his thoughts on Net Zero and climate change.
Lesley discusses this and asks if Sir Keir shouldn't take a leaf out of Mark Carney's book and stand up to Trump.
Today, Tuesday, sees the conclusion of the selection process for SNP candidates for those elections. Some weel kent sitting MSPs are fighting off challengers. Three contests in particular have hit the headlines.
Israel's security cabinet has approved a plan to expand its military offensive against Hamas which includes the "capture" of Gaza and the holding of its territory with no timeline for withdrawal. Does this move finally give the lie to Israel's claim that it's all about the return of the hostages?
If you fancy popping along to the two events Lesley will be appearing at this weekend, follow these links
https://www.republic.org.uk/republic_day_in_edinburgh_2025
https://www.believeinscotland.org/creating_scotland_a_celebration_of_scotlands_connection_to_europe?fbclid=IwY2xjawKHIfBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBmNHlMdHBjQWRmOU4yekdyAR7p9909Uu6UuhjdJp9m85xSkmbNcttzovd-Tfn-_Fu8It5oKBoA7iG9YGDAzg_aem_9gAZZkwMFNyI1UVgM48CoQ