In this episode we begin by reflecting on why there have, as yet , been no far-right riots in Scotland. Is it because, as George Kerevan has suggested in The National, that the development of a civic , progressive Scottish "nationalism" has created a different social/political landscape? We also consider his point that a continuing independence project is central to combatting racism.
Lesley reflects on the response to her call for independence supporters to turn out in solidarity against the planned "Pro UK" rally in Glasgow on September the 7th.
Meanwhile Elon Musk has launched a vitriolic attack on Humza Yousaf with spurious claims of racism. What malignant role is Musk and X playing in fuelling the far-right ? Should we be abandoning the platform?
Musk also "interviewed" Trump on X. Pat listened so you didn't have to. We ask, has Trump lost the plot completely in the aftermath of Biden's withdrawal?
The Harris/Walz ticket has turned the fortunes of the Democrats round in the US Presidential election campaign. Who is Tim Walz. Why was he selected? What can the SNP learn from this?
Tommy Sheppard writing in The National has put forward a 4 point plan to "win back" the half million disillusioned SNP supporters lost between 2019 and 2024. We analyse it.
The go-ahead for Eastern Green Link 2 was given today. This massive energy transfer project will carry green electricity in the main from Scotland to England. Should we be celebrating or bemoaning another North Sea Oil rip off?
Plus a lesson learned on genetics and other nonsense.

This episode is devoted almost in its entirety to the far right, Islamophobic, anti-migrant riots taking place across England and in Northern Ireland.
Much blame has been laid at the foot of social media but how much responsibility does the press and broadcast media bear for platforming and forwarding far right commentators and views?
We also examine the culpability of both the Tories and Labour for allowing the immigration is bad and the root cause of social deprivation narrative to dominate political discourse.
Scotland has not seen any of these racist riots but with a "Pro UK" rally planned for George Square in Glasgow on September the 7th what should the response of anti-fascists be?
No matter what happens has the majority of the media already written its negative headlines?
We also give our thoughts on the Olympics and Lesley has a book recommendation and news of a rally on the 10th anniversary of the independence referendum.
https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-bookseller-of-inverness/s-g-maclean/9781529414219
https://www.believeinscotland.org/rally_for_independence?utm_campaign=rally_for_independence_if_you&utm_medium=email&utm_source=believeinscotland

The Portree Broadcasting Corporation was a pilot for a series that was never commissioned by BBC Scotland - recorded on Skye and produced by myself in 2004, with the object of letting islanders who never meet one another explore their cultures and take o'er the airwaves for one glorious hour of mayhem.

It features Gaelic speakers Prof Norman Macdonald and Cailean Maclean plus Shetlander Phil Goodlad and Orcadian Dave Gray. I made myself the cynical newshound sent north from Glasgow to lick the islanders into shape after the Gaels who took over BBC Scotland decided to shift the newsroom to Skye - hence the name, the Portree Broadcasting Corporation. It's a wee bit of history - 20 years ago there were still tolls on the Skye Bridge and the great Dave Gray was wise-cracking as only he knew how. Dave (just retired as Station Manager at Radio Orkney) died suddenly in February 2024. The historian and BBC Skye reporter Prof Norman Macleod died a year earlier in 2023.

Happily Phil, Cailean and myself are still going strong. This piece of largely unscripted banter is a tribute to the humorous, un-biddable ways of islanders the world over.

Joe Biden has been replaced by his Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Presidential candidate in what seems like lightning speed.
We look at how and why it happened , the impact she might have on the Democrats' electoral fortunes, who her running mate might be and the inevitable less than gracious response from Trump and his supporters.
However we kick off with the news that Stephen Flynn and the SNP's amendment on scrapping the two child benefit cap will be debated and voted on this evening. Given the ,apparent opposition to the cap by Scottish Labour, how will those 37 Scottish Labour MPs vote?
Though we may be sceptical about how much change this new Labour government may bring there is an air of activity and energy about it.
In comparison is the SNP leadership still wedded to old ways of centralised party management and control? is this exemplified by the draft agenda for its annual conference in August? An agenda drawn up before the crushing General Election defeat. Is the party , as John Swinney recently claimed, in a strong position with secure foundations?
The First Minister was also in the news announcing two new "green" pieces of funding. Nearly £42 million on zero emissions buses and a nationwide charging network and £2 million on the Acorn Project carbon capture project. Which of these will garner the headlines? Which of these will be of practical value in tackling climate change?
Here's the promised link to the Progress Playbook, if like me you need cheering up
https://theprogressplaybook.com/

The King's Speech. The first opportunity to test the reality of Labour's "Change" mantra. We examine what was in it and more importantly what wasn't.
The "nationalisation" of rail was much trumpeted in particular but what's the reality of the claim? How symbolic of Labour's "Don't frighten the horses" approach to government is this policy?
How will the SNP respond to the apparent vigour of the new Labour government? Will it hunker down and take refuge in old centralised certainties or open itself up to new ideas and ways of working?
If we see ourselves as being ignored in Scotland think how it feels in Wales where the resignation of First Minister Vaughan Gethings was ousted from front website news on BBC Wales by Gareth Southgate's resignation as England football manager.
We don't fall into that trap but don't just look at Gething's downfall but what it might mean for Welsh Labour and lessons for the SNP.
In the flurry of news and opinion on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump many seem to have missed the selection of JD Vance as his running mate. Vance at 39 is part of a new generation of isolationist nationalist Republicans and his appointment as Trump's putative Vice President and the baleful influence of the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 should sound a warning to all who fear for US democracy.
There's also a bit of fitba chat but honestly it all, well almost all, of it has some political relevance.

In this special Lesley reports from her time at the 2024 Orkney Folk Festival.
Celebrating its 41st year the programme featured 52 events, including concerts, ceilidhs, lounge performances, workshops, talks and family events, at venues across Orkney. Designed to offer something for everyone with local and visiting artists, as well as contemporary and traditional folk music.

No matter how it's spun last week's General Election result was a disaster for the SNP.
Can a detailed analysis of the drop from 50% of the popular vote in 2014 to 30% and the reduction to just 9 MPs be carried out without descending into bitterness and the rabbit hole of recrimination?
Where did the disconnect between half the Scottish electorate's desire for independence and the party's poor showing come from?
Was it all about getting the Tories out or a verdict on domestic governance?
Does the fall in voter turnout signal something deeply broken about politics?
Focus is now being turned on what happens next now that Labour is in power at Westminster. Three interviews, one with Anas Sarwar, the others with Ian Murray and Jackie Baillie offered more than a glimpse into the Scottish dimension.
Both of these took place within the framework of Rachel Reeves' first statement as Chancellor and the appointment of Sir Alan Milburn as advisor to Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
Lesley appeared on The Tortoise podcast which gave her an insight into the thoughts and attitudes of the English left towards the new Labour government.
Meanwhile the second round of votes in the French General Election took place on Sunday and The New Popular Front emerged as the largest party grouping. The far right National Rally fell to third place behind NPF and Macron's Ensemble. A lesson in cooperation and standing up to the right?

It's been a disastrous night for the Tories and the SNP but a great one for Labour. In this podcast special we give our immediate reaction to the result of the 2024 General Election.
What now for the SNP?
How significant is the rise in support for Reform?
Can Labour live up to the trust placed in them by the voters?