Matthew Zajac-Podcast Extra The Lesley Riddoch podcast

50:10

Lesley's back on her old stomping ground in the north of Ireland showing her Denmark movie at the Imagine! Belfast Festival. She talks about the reaction to the film and the festival itself. This leads us into chat on the forgotten history of radical Presbyterianism, border polls, and the disputatious nature of the debates over both the Irish language and Ulster/Scots. We examine the ongoing controversy over the impact of Rachel Reeves Spring Statement on PIP claimants and ask if Trump's latest tariffs have already wiped out the fiscal headroom she gained on the back of her cuts. The UK government still appears to be clinging to the misplaced belief that sooking up to Trump will result in a US trade deal but at what cost as the MAGA government zealots seem to be placing "free speech" conditions within any deals. This support for "free speech" doesn't extend to anyone speaking out against the Trump administration. We ask, in the light of recent UK events and government statements if Labour isn't immune from this authoritarian contagion? All this plus updates on the continuing crisis at Dundee University, the barrage of price rises hitting folk today, and spurious references to a classic Will Hay comedy. ★ Support this podcast ★…

1
The World Has Changed 1:02:41

8 days ago1:02:41

1:02:41

We speculate on what will be in Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement. Will the extra spending on building social/affordable housing be enough to stave off a revolt over social security cuts? Is she repeating the failures of a previous Labour government in thrall to iron clad ,self imposed fiscal rules? What impact has the Bank of England's monetary policy had on creating the "debt crisis"? Cowal Community Energy has had its bid to take over the lease for a large scale windfarm rejected by Forestry Land Scotland. Are the rules stacked against any community winning a contract? Why won't the Scottish Government step in, create winnable contracts, or even openly favour community bids? We also look at why Ferguson Marine failed to win the contract for seven new electric ferries, losing out to Poland. Oscar winner Hamdan Billal has vanished after being removed from an ambulance following an attack on his home by Israeli settlers. We examine the escalation of illegal Israeli violence on the West Bank since October the 7th 2023. 23 year old Al Jazeera journalist Hossam Shabat became the 208th media worker to be killed in Gaza after his car was specifically targeted by the IDF. Will his plea that we "Do not stop talking about Gaza Do not let the world look away." be heeded by the western media? On a lighter note here's the link to the Mark Carney, Mike Myers video we spoke about. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=972fCFe0Nt8 ★ Support this podcast ★…

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The Mutt's Nuts 1:10:37

15 days ago1:10:37

1:10:37

Liz Kendall revealed Labour's much speculated welfare "reforms" in the House of Commons this lunchtime. We give our immediate reaction to the speech and try and pick our way through the dense details. The University of Dundee has announced over 600 job losses, with more to come, to address the £30 million financial blackhole it finds itself in. Where does the blame lie for this disastrous situation? Nicola Sturgeon is the most prominent SNP MSP to announce that they will not stand for Holyrood in 2026. Lesley reflects on her legacy and we discuss the impact of not only so many front benchers leaving but also the potential influx of ex MPs to the Scottish Parliament. Israel launched a devastating attack on Gaza last night killing over 400 folk. Was the ceasefire doomed from the moment Israel refused to move to Phase 2. Is this latest massacre an attempt by Netanyahu to appease his ultra right coalition partners and stave off mounting opposition at home? We also discuss the results of the Greenland elections and indulge in all the usual non political badinage. ★ Support this podcast ★…

1
Tomorrow Is Another Day 1:16:05

22 days ago1:16:05

1:16:05

In this bumper edition we begin with Labour's leaked plans to cut welfare spending by £6 billion. £5 billion to come from making it harder to claim Personal Independence Payments. Five Scottish Labour MPs have put their names to a letter supporting these "reforms" as " truly progressive". We look at the cuts, wonder if this could be the final nail in the coffin of Scottish Labour, and Lesley compares and contrasts the UK response to the Ukraine crisis with that of Germany. The USA's change in stance under Trump to the Ukraine war and the Western Alliance in NATO prompted erstwhile Westminster SNP leader Ian Blackford to call for the SNP to switch to a multilateral position on nuclear disarmament. We examine the UK's independent nuclear deterrent and question both its independence and its value as a deterrent. Lesley watched the C4 documentary about Michael Sheen's campaign to not only personally pay off £1 million of debt owed by folk from his local area but also his long term project aimed at highlighting social injustice and the impact of credit finance companies on vulnerable communities. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/mar/10/michael-sheen-interview-secret-million-pound-giveaway-port-talbot Our attention also turns to the USA. Are we deluding ourselves over popular opposition to Trump's policies? Will the Democrats find the spine to use the disruptive tactics employed by the Republicans during the Obama and Biden presidencies? All this plus Elaine C Smith, Brian Cox, and Gone With The Wind. ★ Support this podcast ★…

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Brave New World 1:07:27

29 days ago1:07:27

1:07:27

As the Trump administration pauses military aid to Ukraine we look back at the events of the past week which led up to this. We begin with Starmer's "charm offensive" at the White House, his attempts to appease Trump, and his attempts to bridge the growing gap between the US and Europe. It all seemed to come crashing down with that appalling pool spray ambush of Zelenskyy by Trump and Vance, aided by a right wing "journalist" . We ask where this leaves Ukraine, the UK/US special relationship, and Scotland. As Trump cuts aid to Ukraine it continues to pour into Israel as it looks as if Netanyahu may be engineering a return to the IDF's assault on Gaza while stopping all humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. John Swinney has called a summit to counter the rise of Reform and has invited political parties, trade unions, civic and faith leaders to attend. Lesley questions whether warm words are enough and that action on progressive economic policies are what is really required to combat the right. Labour's New Deal for Working People has suffered yet another watering down in its progress through Parliament. Is Labour totally in thrall to business interests in its drive for growth? It's the 30th anniversary of the groundbreaking publication of The Scotswoman edition of the Scotsman. Lesley looks back and how it why it happened . If you want to watch the videos she's made about this and other topics nip over to her YouTube channel where you can like and subscribe. https://www.youtube.com/@Lesley_Riddoch ★ Support this podcast ★…

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Matthew Zajac-Podcast Extra 22:16

5 weeks ago22:16

22:16

In this podcast extra we speak with actor and playwright Matthew Zajac about his stage adaptation of James Robertson's novel, "The Testament of Gideon Mack". We also venture into the trials and travails of running Dogstar, a European touring theatre company based around Inverness and how it's grown from its early Highland tours. To find out where you can see its production of "The Testament of Gideon Mack" click the link below http://www.dogstartheatre.co.uk/ ★ Support this podcast ★…

1
Turning Points 1:02:17

5 weeks ago1:02:17

1:02:17

This week's episode focuses mainly on the rapidly changing shape of international relations under the influence of the Trump administration. Keir Starmer made a major speech at Westminster signalling an increase in defence spending from 2.3 to 2.6% from 2027 onwards. This at the expense of aid and development. We analyse the speech and how he sought to secure not only support in the Commons but across the nation. Starmer flies out to meet Trump on Thursday in the wake of the USA siding with Russia at the United Nations over the war in Ukraine. How will he handle this? What does the UK's abstention in the UN Security Council vote tell us about this? In Germany the CDU/CSU became the largest party after the recent elections. However the far right AfD surged into second place. Will Merz, the leader of the CDU be able to form a coalition with the Social Democrats? Do his outspoken statements on Trump, NATO and Russia mean a complete change in pan European defence and security policy? Anas Sarwar claimed that the £200 million pound "investment" by the National Wealth Fund had secured the future of Grangemouth and showed the benefit of a Labour government. We subject both those statements to scrutiny. Along the way we look at the threat of AI legislation to the creative industries, Michael Shanks on Eigg, and biscuits. ★ Support this podcast ★…

1
Matthew Zajac-Podcast Extra 22:16

5 weeks ago22:16

22:16

In this podcast extra we speak with actor and playwright Matthew Zajac about his stage adaptation of James Robertson's novel, "The Testament of Gideon Mack". We also venture into the trials and travails of running Dogstar, a European touring theatre company based around Inverness and how it's grown from its early Highland tours. To find out where you can see its production of "The Testament of Gideon Mack" click the link below http://www.dogstartheatre.co.uk/ ★ Support this podcast ★…

1
Culture and Wars 1:03:11

6 weeks ago1:03:11

1:03:11

The new Trump administration has continued its assault on the norms of political activity by appeasing Putin and Russia over the war in Ukraine. Representatives of the USA and Russia are meeting in Saudi Arabia but there's no place for Zelensky. Meanwhile the USA has made a bid to "buy" Ukraine's rare earth minerals. What does this tell you about Trump's foreign policy? is there any more to it than an admiration for so called strong men and a desire to extend economic colonialism? Meanwhile Vice President JD Vance in a speech in Munich lambasted the European liberal democracies claiming that they were in retreat from their most fundamental values, and that this ,not China or Russia, was the true threat to Europe. This was echoed by Kemi Badenoch, hard on the heels of the mutually shameful exchange on Palestinian refugees at PMQs with Starmer, in a another speech given at the ARC -Alliance for Responsible Citizenship- conference in London. She clearly played the anti-immigration culture wars card. Not to be left out UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting was quick to concur with Richard Madeley on Good Morning Britain that immigration was a key factor in pressures on the NHS. Are we seeing the ground that the next UK General Election being fought on laid out in front of us as both Labour and the Tories seek to see off Reform? Streeting has mad no secret of his intention to expand private involvement in the English health system this while privatised Thames water staggers from crisis to financial crisis. Brewdog's James Watt has announced his intention to start up a "Shadow UK DOGE" mimicking Musk's cost cutting regime in the USA. How practical are Watt's ideas? Has he completely misread the reality behind the rhetoric in the States? We also discuss David Tennant's BAFTA kilted singing exploits plus the other usual other meanderings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUr8QyTCph8 The Brewdog forest and Parkswatch https://parkswatchscotland.co.uk/2024/02/14/brewdogs-lost-forest-at-kinrara-lost-trees-lost-carbon-and-lost-finances/ ★ Support this podcast ★…

1
Hot Water 1:04:54

7 weeks ago1:04:54

1:04:54

I support Tory MSP Liz Smith is the bombshell from Lesley. Has Lesley lost it or has Liz finally come up with a proposal on outdoor education that all sensible Scots can rally behind? We discuss. Turning from the Tories it's been another helluva week for both UK and Scottish Labour. Is UK Labour running so scared after the latest polls that it's aping Reform in policies and media messaging? Meanwhile a gloves off doorstep interview with Anas Sarwar by STV's Colin Mackay over Sarwar's pre-election pledges on Grangemouth, has made it a difficult week for the Scottish Labour leader. There also appears to have been a rethink by the party hierarchy over its 2026 election strategy with a pledge( yup more of these) to "protect" the achievements of "devolution" such as free prescriptions, the baby box, free tuition. As UK Labour apes Reform is Scottish Labour doing the same with the SNP ? Sarwar, at the end of the Mackay car crash piece, reiterated Labour support for the expansion of nuclear energy in Scotland to tackle climate change, provide jobs and ( wait for this one) reduce bills. Lesley has a few thoughts on this. The latest headlines suggest that the Scottish Government is, finally, set on creating a "fairer","better" system of local taxation. Do its actions match the headline? There's all the usual stuff plus more on Sustainable Aviation Fuel, a movie review and wisdom teeth extractions. ★ Support this podcast ★…

1
Seizing The Moment 58:05

8 weeks ago58:05

58:05

Rachel Reeves' big speech on growth. We ask where was Scotland in the raft of major projects? Hard on the heels of this came the shock, not to anyone who'd been paying attention, news that the CEO of GB Energy, Juergen Maier, could not only give no date for the £300 reduction in consumer bills promised by Labour at the General Election but also that the one thousand Scottish jobs would take around 20 years to materialise. Sticking with Labour is there another U-turn on policy in the pipeline despite the Court of Session ruling by Lord Ericht putting a stop on oil and gas production in the Rosebank and Jackdaw fields? Will Starmer side with Rachel Reeves, the GMB and Scottish Labour, and give the go ahead to drill? Or will Ed Milliband stand up to those voices and refuse to issue new licences? We, in the light of listener Simon Brooke's excellent contribution, re-examine the validity of the claims made by the industry on so called sustainable aviation fuel? Donald Trump has called time out on his plans to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico. What's the reality behind the bluster? What's in store for the UK and the EU? Lesley looks at the historical precedence for US expansionism and just why Trump might be so keen on taking over Greenland. Suella Braverman trotted off to the USA to display her MAGA credentials at Trump's inauguration. She hung around to go "full Trump" in her speech to the Heritage Foundation . Is she signalling a potential jump to Reform, or is this an ongoing part of a campaign to oust Kemi Badenoch as Tory leader by shifting even further to the right? All of this within the context of Reform's rise in the polls. Plus Last in Iceland series that explains why Icelanders pay £60 pcm for heat, hot water & electricity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXBEDk_o_hI&t=610s Why does Trump want Greenland explainer video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYfSlQaIEXk Brave New Music book about Martyn Bennett https://luath.co.uk/products/brave-new-music?variant=54829697007992 ★ Support this podcast ★…

1
Relocation,Relocation, Relocation. 1:02:30

9 weeks ago1:02:30

1:02:30

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn MP will introduce a 10 Minute Rule Bill on WASPI women compensation on which the SNP say they will force a vote. Even if it makes it past this stage it has limited, if no chance, of being implemented as Private Members Bills normally require government support to pass. What then does Stephen Flynn hope to achieve? Just as there seems to be dissent in Labour ranks both at Holyrood and Westminster over this issue Labour MP Brian Leishman has been extremely vocal over the future of Grangemouth. Is there more to his opposition than standing up for his constituents? Where do the Unions stand ? Why has a Labour government decided to continue with the Tory £600 billion loan to Ineos to set up a plant in Antwerp? What's the controversy surrounding that plant? Just like its U-Turn on WASPI women Labour now seems intent on reversing its position on a third runway at Heathrow. What does this, when allied to Rachel Reeves making concessions after listening to the "non dom community" tell us about the direction of travel of this government? Meanwhile the Trump "revolution" is in full swing in the USA. Deportations, threats of trade wars against nations who stand up to him, plans to take over Greenland, and a raft of distinctly dodgy health decisions. He has also shown his true colours on Gaza with his " we just clean out that whole thing" , and relocate one and half million Palestinians to neighbouring Arab nations. We discuss. Lesley has updated her YouTube channel with two short films on Iceland and (soon) a Greenland (explainer) - if you can like and subscribe to this channel, I'd be very grateful and you will get notified about new videos as soon as they are posted. https://www.youtube.com/@Lesley_Riddoch If you want to see/listen to the podcast on YouTube follow this link. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWnxyoRlJxfMqJInR8kGf5iuVGThuEpL2 Again like and subscribe thanks. ★ Support this podcast ★…

1
Gordian Knots 1:11:01

10 weeks ago1:11:01

1:11:01

Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th US president on Monday. We look at the inauguration, Trump's raft of immediate Executive Orders and the worldwide implications of what his presidency heralds. Those potential effects are having to be factored into the UK government's economic strategies and diplomatic actions. Meanwhile apparent splits are appearing in Scottish Labour which were writ large in the "painting by numbers" interview with Kirsty McNeill Labour Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State for Scotland on the BBC's Sunday Morning Show. The Scottish government is currently arguing that measures such as creating a wealth tax and setting up a National Energy Company are snookered by The Scotland Act. Are there bold, innovative ways to circumvent it and why is the SNP leadership so committed to playing by the UK's rules? Axel Rudabukana has pleaded guilty to the Southport murders. Yvette Cooper has promised an inquiry into why so many warning signs were missed by so many agencies. However big questions still remain over the Labour governments clampdown on the release of information on Rudakubana which may have squashed the anti immigrant, anti Muslim internet rumours which fuelled the subsequent riots. Lesley reacts to the first episode of An t-Eilean (The Island) – the UK’s first ever high-end Gaelic drama series. Lesley has also launched the first of her YouTube films on Iceland and its green energy/heating revolution Hot Springs Town check it out here https://lesleyriddoch.com/films There's also chat about music. Bob Dylan and Sibelius. Not so strange cultural bedfellows. ★ Support this podcast ★…

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That's Nothing 1:19:53

11 weeks ago1:19:53

1:19:53

It's a bumper episode this week as we try and navigate our way through the news. First up, BBC Scotland has launched Scotcast a brand new podcast. We give our considered verdict on this latecomer to the Scottish podcast scene, Its maiden episode focused heavily on the opening of Scotland's first Drug Consumption Room/ Overdose Prevention Centre. How was it covered? In the political argy bargy Whose voices are being heard? Whose are not? It also dealt with both the ending of the marriage between Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell and the fall out over Nicola's recent comments on the behaviour of the late Alex Salmond. We follow suit. Lesley recently wrote a column questioning John Swinney's saying, “I don’t think people would understand what I was doing if I refused to meet with the president of the United States.” Lesley reckons the First Minister has misread the mood of the Scottish people when it comes to the Donald. There are strong suggestions that Dominic Cummings is the eminence grise behind Elon Musk's recent fetid tweets on UK politics and the Labour Party in particular. We ask why Musk is so fixated on Britain and what is the odd symbiotic relationship between him and the BBC? Sticking with Labour there's trouble afoot with both the latest YouGov opinion poll and the volatility of the UK economy. We also look at the LA wild fires,Trump's fuelling of the flames with disinformation and the climate change as their root cause. Along the way there's chat about the UK's toxic relationship with processed foods, terrible puns, a tour of "The Testament of Gideon Mack" and a multi-million pound Gaelic noir series "An t- Eilean"-BBC Alba tonight 9pm Lesley's best selling book "Blossom" also gets a few mentions. Follow these links for more information on all of the above- except Pat's puns. https://www.channel4.com/programmes/eat-smart-secrets-of-the-glucose-goddess http://www.dogstartheatre.co.uk/ https://lesleyriddoch.com/books-mobile ★ Support this podcast ★…

1
A Thin Time 1:04:37

12 weeks ago1:04:37