Decisions Decisions

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

Humza Yousaf officially resigned as First Minister just before noon this Tuesday.
John Swinney was elected unopposed as leader of the SNP after Graeme McCormick dropped out. The theatre switched stage to Holyrood where the formality of his ascendancy to FM was played out.
We give our reaction to both of these.
What will his election to both posts mean for the furtherance of independence?
Will he manage to unify his party to fight the General Election?
Will it be simply business as usual in terms of party management and government policies?

Sir John Curtice has given his thoughts on 25 years of devolution, and despite the SNP's recent troubles, says it's been pretty positive for them.

Meanwhile the Tories took a real beating in last week's series of English elections. We look at the results and ask what, if any ,extrapolation can be made between them and the looming General Election.

After Dan Poulter's defection to Labour, the impending watering down of its New Deal For Working People, Labour Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves speech to business leaders was introduced by ex Tory Minister Nick Boles. Boles has been advising other Shadow Ministers behind the scenes. What change will Labour bring in government?
Here's the links to the Neal Ascherson and Ian McConnell pieces Lesley mentioned in the podcast
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/may/04/the-snp-may-be-laid-low-but-the-call-of-scottish-independence-is-loud-and-clear
https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/viewpoint/24295961.snp-enormous-problem-scottish-business/

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