Rebel Rebel

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

In this week's episode
The much trumpeted and poured over Tory rebellion in the Commons over the Rwanda Bill fizzled out but it looks like it will face defeat in the Lords. We cheer the humanitarian victory but what does it say about the state of British politics when we rely on the unelected chamber?
As DeSantis drops out of the race to be the GOP presidential candidate the circus moves on to New Hampshire and its primaries. Nikki Haley is the last candidate standing as the Trump juggernaut rumbles on. The Donald is way ahead in local Republican polls but what part will the 40% Independents play in the final result?
Biden is not on the ballot in the Democratic primary but will a low turnout and lack of "write ins" be blow to his re-election strategy?
We discuss Lesley's latest National article which looks at the contest and what lessons the SNP could learn from Biden's lack of popular appeal.
Talking of the SNP Humza Yousaf has expressed his unease at the "National" element of the party name. Where did the name come from? Should it be changed and to what?
Meanwhile the Covid Inquiry Scottish phase has begun. We try and get our heads around the WhatsApp messages kerfuffle.
Emily Thornberry was the latest politician to claim that Netanyahu's rejection of the two-state solution was somehow an outlier within Israeli politics and that there were significant opposition voices. We question that assumption.
According to a new report for Centre for Cities, the average person in the UK has lost out on an average of £10,200. The figures are even worse in Scotland. It rises to £45,240 for Aberdeen, which is the worst-hit city in the report.
https://www.centreforcities.org/publication/cities-outlook-2024/
For those of you who don't know the great Dick Gaughan and his work here's a few wee links.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThuBz6ly-ts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmwHHUsWM_M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWyWe-udK7M&list=OLAK5uy_lS2djP85J9fMir5R2zW5ETNv7xez7H6qQ

Meanwhile Lesley continues her tour with the new Denmark film. If you fancy seeing it, here you go.
https://lesleyriddoch.com/events

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