Yes Cowal Scottish Independence Podcast

We thought February might be a quiet month politically - how wrong we were! We start the extraordinary month's round up at the Time for Scotland torchlit march and rally to mark the anniversary of the Brexit debacle, we mull over options for plebiscite referenda, then mid month, the bombshell announcement that Nicola Sturgeon is resigning as FM and leader of the SNP.   Then, following the big announcement we more or less return to normal day job politics, while the SNP leadership contest plays out against a backdrop of Uk media feeding frenzy and interference.    

All you ever wanted to know about ferries but were afraid to ask!  Ignore all the unionist dog whistle politics where the word "ferry" is shorthand with failure and incompetence.  We have to be able to have open and honest discussions about our infrastructure, what it is like right now, how can we overcome any problems and just how good could it be? In this week's podcast, presenters Fiona and Marlene are delighted to welcome guests Mike Robertson and Geordie Sandison from Yes Orkney and Professor of Maritime Business , Alf Baird to help us get to grips with ferries, catamarans, river boats and much, much more! OK, we did get a bit excited towards the end, but that's what happens when you look at the positive future that awaits an independent Scotland. You can see Alf's slide show on our Youtube channel here  Music is Inspired by Kevin MacLeod and Upbeat Corporate by RinkevichMusic https://soundcloud.com/rinkevichmusic Video Link: https://youtu.be/U78mgVaM12M Footage from the Net Zero Committee 31st Jan 2023

Climate Justice show Rising Clyde is our guest podcast this week.  Host Iain Bruce has a conversation with three activists in Glasgow about the state of the various campaigns around the cost of living crisis and how they can combine with the climate justice movement - in the words of one of the activists "connecting the end of the world with the end of the month"! Jess Galloway of Power to the People, Stu Bretherton of Fuel Poverty Action and Chia Harrington from Together Against Debt share their experiences over recent months and discuss the way forward. Scottish Independence Podcasts have covered several of the Power to the People demos, including an interview with leader Frances Curran - find them on our website here 

Nicola Sturgeon caught us all on the hop with her surprise resignation. In this special episode, John Drummond chats with journalist Lesley Riddoch and Believe in Scotland CEO Gordon MacIntyre Kemp about the impact on the Yes movement and where we go from here. Whatever your views on her achievements as a politician and campaigner, nobody can deny that she has put in one hell of a shift as First Minister.  We thank her and we wish her well for the future, whatever it might hold.

If you are in Glasgow at noon on 23rd Feb and you are aghast at the blatant attack on our democratically elected parliament by the Uk Tory administration, then head along to the Pensioners for Independence demo outside of the UK government hub at 1 Atlantic Square. In this bonus Tuesday podcast, Mary McCabe from Pensioners 4 Indy chats to fellow member Marlene Halliday about the background and the purpose of the demo, which is to raise awareness of the existence - and the significance - of the UK's Edinburgh and Glasgow hubs Find our previous podcasts and blogs on our website scottishindypod.scot Theme music is:  Motivational Upbeat Corporate by RinkevichMusic https://soundcloud.com/rinkevichmusic Video Link: https://youtu.be/U78mgVaM12M

Still trying to find a path through our constitutional woes, this week's podcast is an episode from the TNT show in which host John Drummond chats with Professor Sionaidh Douglas-Scott, Anniversary Chair in Law at Queen Mary University of London.  The discussion ranges from current state of the British constitution to some interesting parallels between Scotland's current struggles and the situation that brought about American independence. You can watch the video version of this episode, and all other TNT shows on Independence Live's Youtube channel. Check out our website for previous  episodes of Scottish Independence Podcasts and also our regular blog.

Bonus Tuesday episode! Podcast version of the latest press briefing from FM Nicola Sturgeon where she answers journalists questions on topics of their choosing.  Topics covered include: alcohol advertising consultation deposit return scheme GRA bill sec 35 challenge teachers strike council budgets FMs tax returns recent opinion polls maternity health services in the NE Liz Truss returning to politics National care service bill You can watch the video version of the press briefing on the Scotgov website and twitter.

Our monthly round up of topical clips from the world of Scottish politics and culture.  Host Fiona is joined by guest presenter and Scottish Independence Podcast team mate James to discuss the goings on at Holyrood and Westminster where the assault on Scottish democracy continues.   Please check out our website https://podcasts.independencelive.net for previous podcast episodes and our regular blog.   "Contains information licensed under the Scottish Parliament Copyright Licence"

Women for Independence's latest AGM tackled the topic of the cost of living crisis, its impact on women and how Scotland could address the situation differently now and as an independent country. This podcast brings you two of the speeches from the event. The first speaker is Sue Lyons who is involved in the Highland third sector.  She is an activist, a PhD student and a political blogger.  She is a passionate advocate for the disadvantaged in our society and has robust views on the political changes needed to make this a fairer country for everyone. The second speaker is Dr Angela O'Hagan of the Scottish Women's Budget Group.  Angela will cover the cost of living crisis and gender budgeting in Scotland.  She has wide ranging experience of working and lecturing in equalities and public policy. You can find out more about Women for Independence from their website www.wfi.scot Music: Motivational Upbeat Corporate by RinkevichMusic https://soundcloud.com/rinkevichmusic Video Link: https://youtu.be/U78mgVaM12M

This bonus Tuesday episode comes from an "ask me anything" press briefing held by the First Minister yesterday. Topics range from the cost of living crisis, public sector pay deals, bullying in schools to Alister Jack's continuing assault on Scottish democracy.   This kind of direct broadcast from the FM proved very popular during the Covid pandemic and it will be interesting to see if it becomes an established part of  the Scottish Government's communication strategy.   Music: Motivational Upbeat Corporate by RinkevichMusic https://soundcloud.com/rinkevichmusic Video Link: https://youtu.be/U78mgVaM12M

The Supreme Court decision confirmed that the UK is NOT a voluntary union.  So how do we leave?  That is the topic under discussion in this episode. We are grateful to Yes Glasgow South Side for sharing their zoom Q+A event with Professor Aileen McHarg, prof of public law at Durham University.  In this podcast episode we have taken selected questions from that event and spliced them together with clips from the Westminster Opposition Day debate which was also on the topic of what next for Scotland's future. The outcome, at this point, is not clear.  But these two events do provide some clarity on the legal and political barriers we have to overcome, as well as giving some hints as to how we might achieve that. Music: " Inspired" by Kevin MacLeod and Motivational Upbeat Corporate by RinkevichMusic https://soundcloud.com/rinkevichmusic Video Link: https://youtu.be/U78mgVaM12M

Marlene and Fiona were delighted to be guests on the Radio Yes Cymru podcast hosted by Sion Jobbins.  The recent Supreme Court case and the latest soaring polls for Scottish independence have not gone unnoticed in Wales and it was a pleasure to chat about our respective campaigns.   Find out more about Yes Cymru from their website https://yes.cymru and you can watch the Youtube version of our interview at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH_uf0aD1VU   Music: Motivational Upbeat Corporate by RinkevichMusic https://soundcloud.com/rinkevichmusic Video Link: https://youtu.be/U78mgVaM12M      

Think and do tank Commonweal have just published their new book "Sorted" a beautifully illustrated handbook to create a better Scotland for everybody who lives here. We dropped into the book launch event in Glasgow to hear from some of the people who worked on the book, including architect Malcom Fraser, Commonweal Director Robin McAlpine and head of policy Craig Dalzell. "Sorted" is an inspirational book that should get 2023 off on a positive note, get your copy from Commonweal's website https://commonweal.scot

Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  Our final podcast for 2022 includes some of the response to the Supreme court ruling, the Time for Scotland events and we get a taste of things to come with a new SNP leader at Westminster.  We also look at some tetchy points of order and finish with a positive outlook for 2023 - there are reasons to be cheerful! You can order your copy of Sorted from https://commonweal.scot You can order your copy of Scotland the Brief 2nd edition from https://businessforscotland.com/scotlandthebrief/ You can watch our interview with Radio Yes Cymru here https://youtu.be/xH_uf0aD1VU

An episode of our Rising Clyde environmental show with host Iain Bruce talking to two activists based in South America about the legacy of COP27 and what happens next, particularly in relation to Colombia, Brazil and the Amazon rainforest.

Support for the Monarchy is lower in Scotland than the other parts of the Uk especially amongst younger people.  This week's podcast is a meeting chaired by Alan Armstrong from the Radical Independence Campaign and is on the subject of a possible response to the Coronation of King Charles on 6th May 2023.   Taking part in the discussion is a panel including Maggie Chapman from the Scottish Greens, Tristan Gray from Our Republic, who organised a successful demonstration on Calton Hill in Edinburgh on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee.    Find out more about Our Republic at https://ourrepublic.scot  Find out more about the Radical Independence Campaign at https://RIC.scot  

Looking at the impact of war on women, this is a discussion between Maggie Lennon of Women for Independence and Ohla Maksochka.  Before the Ukraine war, Ohla was a regional leader in Ukraine's leading feminist organisation.  Now based in Scotland, she contributes her views of the war from a feminist perspective. This discussion took place at the AGM of Women for Independence.  Look out for more from that meeting in January. #ukraine #WFI     

Our special guest this week is author and academic Gerry Hassan.  Gerry joined us in our studio to discuss some of the key ideas in his new book called Scotland Rising - the case for Independence (available at all good bookstores).   He explains how we can have a more nuanced discussion about Scottish independence if we realise that there are many ideas of Scotland and many ways of looking at the question.  

Regular guest Bill Ramsay from Scottish CND joins us this week to bring us an update on issues gaining prominence from the war in Ukraine.  The shelling of the nuclear power plant at Zaporizhzhia has highlighted the perils of nuclear power plants in war zones. This is particularly topical as new nuclear power plants are being touted as a green solution to the climate emergency, which suggests an increase in this very dangerous scenario.  Are new rules of engagement required to deal with the threat?  Bill takes us through the issues and also highlights an online event taking place at 7pm on 7th December looking at the Role of Peacemakers in Ukraine, a seminar with Professor Paul Rogers.  Tickets are available from Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-role-of-peacemakers-in-the-ukraine-war-tickets-472554452087 You can also watch the video version of this discussion on our Youtube channel Indylive Extra

The outcome of the Supreme Court reference resulted in a ruling that the Scottish Parliament does not have the right to legislate for an independence referendum.  First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reacts to the news and sets out the alternative course of action she now proposes.