Debates Deselections and the Donald

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

Monday saw the first election debate on STV and the return of Farage as leader of Reform and a candidate in the General Election.
Farage captured the headlines across the media but how relevant is he and his party to Scotland?
STV's "Leaders' Debate" was an odd affair in that it featured four male MSPs none of whom is standing for election to Westminster.
We look at the debate and the attack and defence lines all four took.
North Sea development and energy issues were central to the debate and Anas Sarwar punted a different line on the role of Labour's Great British Energy Company than that taken by Sir Keir Starmer. He also made promise after promise on spending and borrowing commitments which contradicted Rachel Reeves. Where does the truth lie?
Labour sticking to rigid fiscal rules has come under attack by John Swinney and respected economic institutions such as the IFS. How effective will the SNP's ABC mantra- Austerity, Brexit , Cost of Living Crisis- prove to be with the electorate?
Diane Abbott has now been given the all clear, by Starmer not by the NEC, to stand as a Labour candidate but disquiet is growing, not just on the Labour Left, with the selection process which has seen Starmer loyalists being parachuted into safe seats.
Donald Trump was convicted on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the Stormy Daniel's "hush money" case. What impact will this have on the upcoming US Presidential Election?
Meanwhile we await to see the outcome of President Biden's Gaza Peace Plan. Will Netanyahu accept it or will he bow to pressure from the far right Zionists on whom he depends for his Knesset majority? How will the Israeli public react?
All this plus Tayport dooks, windae cleaner interruptions, and a great Scottish sporting triumph( spoiler not the 2 nil win v Gibraltar).

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