A Country Not A County

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

This episode focuses on our reflections on the life, career and political legacy of Alex Salmond in the aftermath of his sudden death.
The great "What ifs". What if he hadn't resigned in 2014? What if he was re-elected to Holyrood in 2026?
Away from the political sphere Lesley talks about her personal encounters with him over the years.

In his final post on Twitter Alex criticised the attendance of John Swinney at UK Government’s first Council of Nations and Regions, “Of course the First Minister has the right to insist on bilateral JMC meetings with the Prime Minister. I am not sure in which world that correct business approach includes a convivial group selfie with the political opponent who is freezing Scots pensioners." “Part of becoming independent is about thinking independently, not subserviently. John should have politely declined the meeting with the words ‘Scotland is a country not a county.”
Was Alex correct? Does the creation of this Council signal a move from Labour to impose another layer of centralised "local" government Metro Mayors on Scotland?
Lesley is off to Iceland.If you want to get video updates on her travels subscribe to her Youtube channel here
https://www.youtube.com/@Lesley_Riddoch
All of this plus gratuitous references to former leaders of the TGWU and health updates.

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