The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

In this week's bumper post-election edition—recorded at a frantic 2:06 PM on Tuesday as Jess Phillips resigns and the Westminster cabinet jitters intensify—Lesley and Fraser dissect a week of "wooden" communication and grassroots resilience. From Keir Starmer’s Scunthorpe gamble to the Saltires fluttering in the background of the BBC’s Holyrood studio and the singing Welsh.We discuss some of the comings and at time of recording not yet goings at Westminster as Keir Starmer looks increasingly shoogly in Number Ten. Before turning to look at all the post election news from Scotland – muse on the outcome and commiserate on the lack of cut through for smaller indy parties. LinksAndrew Tickell on Anas Sarwar https://www.thenational.scot/politics/26092818.anas-sarwar-came-saw-lost-still-dont-learn/Psalm of the People - https://www.sailmnandaoine.co.uk/Rob MacNeacail embarks on a road trip across Scotland and Ireland to explore the tradition of Gaelic psalm singing. An entertaining and heart-warming film about the power of community, family and the resilience needed to keep a language alive.Songs to learn1. Freedom Come all Ye - Hamish Henderson Lyrics - https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/freedom-come-all-ye/Music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRyANctEHBs2. Cap in hand - Proclaimershttps://genius.com/The-proclaimers-cap-in-hand-lyrics3. Mountain Thyme - ancient Scottish/Irish https://irish-song-lyrics.com/Wild_Mountain_Thyme.shtmlPoets mentionedGerda Stevenson - Quines - poems in tribute to women of Scotland https://luath.co.uk/products/quines?srsltid=AfmBOoq45f__MfEiouXPAzL0LSYPp1-9E7Q4I6RPJxVLkloUjEtpOsE8Aonghas MacNeacail - https://www.scottishreviewofbooks.org/2012/06/black-angus-at-70/ ★ Support this podcast ★

How many legal problems can you fall into in the space of a single podcast? This week, Lesley Riddoch and Fraser Thompson navigate a potential minefield of four major legal and political controversies. We dive into the ongoing sagas involving Peter Mandelson and the Trade Ambassador formerly known as Prince Andrew.Closer to home, we dissect the row over the Lord Advocate and the revelations surrounding the timing of Peter Murrell’s charges being shared with the First Minister. We also look at the shock announcement that the Alba Party are unlikely to contest the Holyrood election, blaming financial and regulatory problems alleged to have been caused by their former General Secretary.But it’s not all legal drama; we look at the ideas that could truly transform the face of Scotland. From local control to community wealth building, we discuss how empowering communities can shift our mindset and boost the economy. In this episode:The Legal "Big Four": Mandelson, Prince Andrew, the Lord Advocate, and the Alba Party.Peter Murrell & The First Minister: the dual role of Scotland’s Lord Advocate.Transforming Scotland: Why local control and community wealth building matter more than ever.By-election Watch: Can Labour hang one?LinksSupport the podcast with a monthly or annual subscriptionhttps://lesleyriddoch.com/podcast/subscribeCommunity Wealth Buildinghttps://www.thenational.scot/politics/25867601.holyrood-act-prove-revolutionary-empowering-communities/Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@fridayseconomics/video/7594406782802464013Gordon Brown as Private Investigator articlehttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/feb/25/why-gordon-brown-delving-deep-into-epstein-filesExcellent Simon Pearson substackhttps://simonpearson1.substack.com/p/the-only-politics-on-offer?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=3669870&post_id=188725593&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=1wdpld&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=emailEverybody to Kenmure Street filmreview https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/feb/24/power-pyjamas-everybody-to-kenmure-street-glasgow-immigrationSearch local screemnngs - 'everybody to kenmure street showtimes' ★ Support this podcast ★

How many weeks have started with a ponder that this has been an extraordinary week for the Labour Party? Nothing, so far at least, could eclipse Anas Sarwar’s solo attempt to unseat Prime Minister Kier Starmer this week. In this episdoe, we look at the series of departures, Tim Allan, the press officer who hardly got noticed going in the wake of Morgan McSweeney's departure as Chief of Staff.We discuss the impact in Scotland and the May elections. We also react to the Scottish conference of Your Party, which voted decisively to be a pro-independence party and their decision to field candidates on the list and in constituencies at the Holyrood election. There’s a smattering of on the winter Olympics and renewed calls for a proper bank holiday on Saint Andrew’s Day. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this week’s episode, we digest a heavy couple of weeks of news, including the latest killing by ICE agents in Minneapolis. We ask how long can Reform in the UK continue to get away with their references to America, connections with the Trump administration, and leaning on the sort of DOGE style of efficiencies in government as their big offer in the Scottish elections? We look at Lesley’s column and discussion of whether Scotland should have boycotted the World Cup if Trump had gone further with Greenland threats. We also look at Andy’King of the North’ Burnham's knockback from standing, in the forthcoming by-election that would have let him jump in as a replacement Labour leader. Will it all just be brushed under the carpet? How successful will that be? Scottish Labour seems to have got a new tactic of ‘mandamification’ of Anas Sarwar. We digest the attempts to ape the social media style of the New York Mayor with groovy videos, the walking, talking, jazzy music, and jumping camera shots. Will that work?Edinburgh Cameo screening of the Finland filmUnfortunately the Cameo double booked themselves. The February 20th screening of the Finland film HAS MOVED to Sunday March 22nd 5.15pm. TTicket-holders for the original date will be refunded but must buy a new ticket for the March date. Sorry about that. A new booking link for March 22nd will be online soon at https://lesleyriddoch.com/events.LinksScottish Labour is a party stuck in long-term declinehttps://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25789020.scottish-labour-party-stuck-long-term-decline/Gavin Newsom World Economic Forum Davoshttps://www.youtube.com/live/ObkKhPt1QM0?si=lzSpDW8FWWTrWB_UDeacon Blue 'appalled' after Malcolm Offord quotes Dignityhttps://www.thenational.scot/news/25800409.deacon-blue-appalled-malcolm-offord-quotes-dignity/ ★ Support this podcast ★

The Scottish Budget dominates this week’s episode - did Scottish Labour produce a massive own goal by not bothering to contest or argue for anything in the budget? Has their decision to abstain made life easier for the SNP and led to muted criticism in the press? There seems to be the impression, in the press at least, that there's not an awful lot to say about the budget and the SNP have sailed through a fairly steady as she goes and uninspring pre-election budget with little pain.We look at the situations across the world at the moment, in Minnesota in the aftermath of the terrible shooting there, the situation in Iran, and the continuing pressure on Greenland. All this and more.LinksSee the latest film showings for the new Finland Filmhttps://lesleyriddoch.com/eventsGreenland filmsUncovering the history of America's secret cold war base on Greenlandhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIw8pEqJMHwHow did Greenland become part of Denmark and why does Trump want to buy it?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYfSlQaIEXk ★ Support this podcast ★