The Lesley Riddoch podcast

#Society #UK Politics #News #Politics #Lesley Riddoch #Pat Joyce #Political Chat #Political Commentary #Scottish Independence #Scottish Politics

10:41

Are you tired of releasing episodes week to week and getting no download growth? In this episode, I’m kicking off a brand-new series where I’ll be breaking down the exact strategies you need to expand your podcast audience—starting with the essential foundations. In this first episode, I’m covering: Why podcast growth matters (and why it’s NOT just about big numbers) The 3 core growth strategies: organic, collaborations, and paid growth What sustainable, realistic growth actually looks like Whether you’re just getting started or looking to scale, this series will give you the tools you need to grow your show strategically. Today's episode is brought to you by Mic Check Society , our community for podcasters who are looking to take their podcast from good to great. Come join us for educational trainings, a private member's only community, and monthly calls! Get $10 off per month with code PODCAST at micchecksociety.com . Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced by Gaffin Creative , a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com , plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast. Time-stamps: Why podcast growth matters (2:09) Three pillars of podcast growth (3:39) Organic growth (3:52) Collaboration and borrowing audiences (4:31) Paid growth opportunities (5:11) What sustainable growth looks like (6:36) Connect with Haylee: instagram.com/hayleegaffin Gaffincreative.com micchecksociety.com Review the Transcript: https://share.descript.com/view/Plzue2YOIAh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

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Scottish politics dissected from a left, pro-independence stance. Each week, award-winning broadcaster and journalist, Lesley Riddoch chews over the week’s news with former media lecturer and Dundee United fan, Pat Joyce. If you like intelligent, quirky chat about Scottish society and culture, and Scottish, UK and international politics analysed from a Scottish perspective; this podcast is for you.

233 епізодів

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

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updated 3 дні тому

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233 епізодів

#Society #UK Politics #News #Politics #Lesley Riddoch #Pat Joyce #Political Chat #Political Commentary #Scottish Independence #Scottish Politics

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The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

1
A Bag of Spanners 1:10:13

3 дні тому1:10:13

1:10:13

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. ★ Support this podcast ★…

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

1
Elections and Selections 1:05:46

10 днів тому1:05:46

1:05:46

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 ★ Support this podcast ★…

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

1
You're Being Had 1:09:27

17 днів тому1:09:27

1:09:27

Lesley appeared on Debate Night last week. We look back at this, the issues that were raised by the audience, and the replies of the panel. Here's the link to Lesley's justified rant over the energy rip off. https://www.facebook.com/reel/984639903833195 Kneecap have clarified their position and apologised to the families of David Amess and Jo Cox after the accusations made over statements made during gigs. John Swinney has called for the group to be removed from the TRNSMT line-up, echoing those made by Kemi Badenoch and others over Glastonbury. Is this furore simply, as Kneecap have claimed, a distraction from the real issue of Israel's actions in Gaza? Meanwhile Louis Theroux has made a follow up documentary on the Israeli " settler" movement. We look at Daniella Weiss, the so called "Godmother" of the movement her actions ,the Zionist nationalist tradition she comes from, and the influence she has on the Israeli government. We turn our attentions to three sets of elections. The result of the Canadian General Election, the English local elections, and the Runcorn and Helsby by election. There has been a landmark decision at appeal giving Poet's Neuk, a local community group, the right to buy privately owned land under a compulsory purchase order. It's taken nine years after the passing of the 2016 Land Reform Act for this to happen for the first time. Will this set a precedent? All of this plus gig reviews and TV recommendations. ★ Support this podcast ★…

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

1
Muzzled Passion 1:09:17

24 дні тому1:09:17

1:09:17

Lesley's latest article in the National asking if the SNP’s passion for independence has been so thoroughly and habitually muzzled of late that nothing will now let it off the leash has certainly set some hares coursing throughout both the SNP and the wider independence movement. We discuss. https://www.thenational.scot/politics/25096446.independence-front-centre-snps-campaign/ The ripples of the Supreme Court judgement on the question of the definition of a woman continue to spread. Has the decision settled the apparent conflict between women's and trans rights? Could it even have been expected to? The latest More In Common opinion poll of over 16000 people shows devastating results for the Labour Party. We look at the poll and its findings plus the upcoming English local elections and the Runcorn and Helsby by election. We also reflect on the tenure and legacy of Pope Francis. To get tickets for Lesley's Denmark film follow the link below https://lesleyriddoch.com/events ★ Support this podcast ★…

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

1
Take 2 53:16

4 weeks тому53:16

53:16

Westminster was recalled last Saturday for and an emergency bill to save British Steel's Scunthorpe plant became law. It took around six and a half hours in total for Parliament to pass the legislation and the King to approve it. Sir Keir Starmer said "We are acting to protect the jobs of thousands of workers, and all options are on the table to secure the future of the industry". We ask where was this urgency and commitment over Grangemouth, and Port Talbot steel works. Lesley questions the casual way every commentator accepts that energy prices in Britain are 50% higher than Germany and double the price of the United States. Ofgem has announced a change in the queuing regulations for wind and solar farms to eliminate so called "Zombie projects" and speed up the process of getting real projects up and running. Great news but have we been here before? Find Out Now has released results from an opinion poll carried out for The National showing a rise in support for Scottish independence. We drill down into the poll and its potential significance. Ash Regan of Alba has issued a call for a cross party pro independence convention before next year's Holyrood elections. We look at the response from the SNP and the Greens. Meanwhile the Greens appear to be caught up in internecine conflict which doesn't seem to have been calmed down by its recent conference. The 15th of April is the 36th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster which saw 97 Liverpool football supporters losing their lives. Starmer promised that the Hillsborough Law would be enacted by today. What was in that draft law? What has stalled its progress? What does the failure tell us about this Labour government and Starmer? Pat is still recovering from the nerve shredding final round of The Masters golf in Augusta and his beloved Dundee United achieving a top 6 finish in their first season back in the top flight. This doesn't stop him from talking about them both though and wondering why sport can grip even the most rational of us so fiercely. There's still a chance to catch Lesley's Denmark movie. To check out where it's showing click the link below https://lesleyriddoch.com/events ★ Support this podcast ★…

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

1
One Game In Town 1:00:39

5 weeks тому1:00:39

1:00:39

There's no escaping Donald Trump, unfortunately, in this week's episode as we begin by picking apart the tariffs he introduced last week. Has he condemned the US to recession? How did he come up with tariffs he placed on each country? Has he lost the support of the billionaires whose businesses are dependent on freedom of trade? Amidst this Trumpian economic doom and gloom Lesley highlights the work of We Don't Have Time. To listen to the views of its CEO Ingmar Rentzhog click this link https://app.wedonthavetime.org/posts/6a458e55-a614-4886-b348-242282e514c7 Trump also welcomed Netanyahu to the White House where the two leaders openly discussed, once again, the ethnic cleansing of Gaza. We look at this plus the massacre of Palestinian paramedics and the cover up by Israel that unravelled in the light of video footage recorded by one of the workers murdered by the IDF. We also examine the links between the UK Labour Party at the highest level and Labour Friends of Israel and question the influence of the LFI over UK government policy. On the domestic front there's the announcement by Patrick Harvie that he won't be standing for co-leadership of the Scottish Greens. Lesley speculates on who might run in the upcoming election and what the contest could say about the relationship between the party and its MSPs and the party's direction of travel. Lesley also pays tribute to Christina McKelvie and Willie Wilson both sad recent losses. Christina and Willie were stalwart proponents of Scottish independence and this week saw two polls which showed increasing support for Welsh independence. We discuss. Finally while in Donegal Lesley saw at first hand the effects of radical, progressive land reform and asks when will Scotland take note. ★ Support this podcast ★…

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

1
Our Friends In The North 50:10

6 weeks тому50:10

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 ★…

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

1
The World Has Changed 1:02:41

7 weeks тому1:02:41

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 ★…

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

1
The Mutt's Nuts 1:10:37

8 weeks тому1:10:37

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 ★…

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

1
Tomorrow Is Another Day 1:16:05

9 weeks тому1:16:05

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 ★…

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

1
Brave New World 1:07:27

10 weeks тому1:07:27

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 ★…

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

1
Matthew Zajac-Podcast Extra 22:16

11 weeks тому22:16

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 ★…

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

1
Turning Points 1:02:17

11 weeks тому1:02:17

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 ★…

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

1
Matthew Zajac-Podcast Extra 22:16

12 weeks тому22:16

22:16

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

1
Culture and Wars 1:03:11

12 weeks тому1:03:11