Lesley Riddoch – Aye We Can https://ayewecan.com Fortune Favours the Brave Tue, 08 Apr 2025 13:05:05 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 147730315 The Lesley Riddoch Podcast | One Game In Town https://share.transistor.fm/s/987d6a5f Tue, 08 Apr 2025 13:05:05 +0000 https://ayewecan.com/2025/04/08/the-lesley-riddoch-podcast-one-game-in-town/


The Lesley Riddoch Podcast | One Game In Town




















Trailer
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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 ★

What is The Lesley Riddoch Podcast?

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.

All audio, artwork, episode descriptions and notes are property of Lesley Riddoch and Pat Joyce, for The Lesley Riddoch Podcast, and published with permission by Transistor, Inc.



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]]> 21334 Our Friends In The North https://share.transistor.fm/s/2be7fd82 Tue, 01 Apr 2025 11:55:52 +0000 https://ayewecan.com/2025/04/01/our-friends-in-the-north/


The Lesley Riddoch Podcast | Our Friends In The North




















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Bonus

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 ★

What is The Lesley Riddoch Podcast?

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.

All audio, artwork, episode descriptions and notes are property of Lesley Riddoch and Pat Joyce, for The Lesley Riddoch Podcast, and published with permission by Transistor, Inc.



Broadcast by

]]> 21317 The World Has Changed https://share.transistor.fm/s/0ba95793 Tue, 25 Mar 2025 14:34:10 +0000 https://ayewecan.com/2025/03/25/the-world-has-changed/ 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

]]> 21313 The Mutt’s Nuts https://share.transistor.fm/s/cfe0d47f Tue, 18 Mar 2025 15:41:45 +0000 https://ayewecan.com/2025/03/18/the-mutts-nuts/ 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.

]]> 21309 The Lesley Riddoch Podcast | Tomorrow Is Another Day https://share.transistor.fm/s/bb00347a Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:34:03 +0000 https://ayewecan.com/2025/03/11/the-lesley-riddoch-podcast-tomorrow-is-another-day/ 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.

]]> 21303 The Lesley Riddoch Podcast | Brave New World https://share.transistor.fm/s/f1fb7659 Tue, 04 Mar 2025 14:38:23 +0000 https://ayewecan.com/2025/03/04/the-lesley-riddoch-podcast-brave-new-world/ 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

]]> 21297 Matthew Zajac-Podcast Extra https://share.transistor.fm/s/36e99c2d Wed, 26 Feb 2025 09:00:00 +0000 https://ayewecan.com/2025/02/26/matthew-zajac-podcast-extra-2/


The Lesley Riddoch Podcast | Matthew Zajac-Podcast Extra




















Trailer
Bonus

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 ★

What is The Lesley Riddoch Podcast?

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.

All audio, artwork, episode descriptions and notes are property of Lesley Riddoch and Pat Joyce, for The Lesley Riddoch Podcast, and published with permission by Transistor, Inc.



Broadcast by

]]> 21278 Matthew Zajac-Podcast Extra https://share.transistor.fm/s/536fd426 Mon, 24 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000 https://ayewecan.com/2025/02/24/matthew-zajac-podcast-extra/


The Lesley Riddoch Podcast | Matthew Zajac-Podcast Extra




















Trailer
Bonus

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 ★

What is The Lesley Riddoch Podcast?

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.

All audio, artwork, episode descriptions and notes are property of Lesley Riddoch and Pat Joyce, for The Lesley Riddoch Podcast, and published with permission by Transistor, Inc.



Broadcast by

]]> 21274 Turning Points https://share.transistor.fm/s/2b2116f0 Tue, 25 Feb 2025 15:11:28 +0000 https://ayewecan.com/2025/02/25/turning-points/ 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.

]]> 21276 Hot Water https://share.transistor.fm/s/2032b7e2 Tue, 11 Feb 2025 17:32:22 +0000 https://ayewecan.com/2025/02/11/hot-water/ 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.

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