It’s a tale of two islands and two very different political visions this week. With Lesley broadcasting from the quiet, remote shores of Gola Island in Donegal and Fraser pitching up on the Isle of Bute, the pair unpack a massive week of infrastructure breakthroughs, constitutional questions, and sporting heartbreak. From Shetland finally securing a green light for subsea tunnels to Andy Burnham’s bold decentralisation agenda shaking up Manchester and Westminster alike, we ask whether Scotland’s highly centralised governance is ready to respond to fresh thinking. Plus, we mourn the Tartan Army's World Cup exit, take a look at the state of youth football coaching (not our area).

Links
https://labourlist.org/2026/06/is-fiscal-devolution-the-missing-piece-of-manchesterism/

Could a little noticed Bill passed in Holyrood this spring transform Scotland into a prosperous and powerfully local country?

Neil Mcinroy believes it can.

He's Global Community Wealth Building lead for the Democracy Collaborative – an American tank. But this well travelled, experienced Scot works across the world from his home in Argyll and is helping drive the CWB agenda here.

The new Act requires public bodies from councils and hospitals to quangos and central government to use their procurement clout and purchasing power to support local businesses, coops and individuals instead of boosting the profits of multinationals.

It's already transformed Cleveland, Ohio where the idea began and Preston, Lancashire. Neil was involved in both places.

The new Scottish legislation places a duty on all public bodies to ensure prosperity flows towards workers, families, and neighbourhoods by retaining and circulating wealth within communities.

Every council will be drawing up plans so it's vital local activists get up to speed now.

Links
Scottish Parliament briefing https://spice-spotlight.scot/2025/11/11/an-introduction-to-the-community-wealth-building-scotland-bill/

Lesley's National column https://www.thenational.scot/politics/25867601.holyrood-act-prove-revolutionary-empowering-communities/

King of the North, By-Election Blues, and Tartan Army Joy

Well, the by-elections were well worth waiting for. In this delayed "wait for it" by-election special, Lesley and Fraser digest a massive week in UK and Scottish politics. Andy Burnham has secured a predictable but comprehensive landslide in Mackerfield, leaving everyone wondering how quickly he might challenge Keir Starmer for the keys to Number 10. Meanwhile, the SNP faces a disappointing loss in Aberdeen South, prompting questions about energy policy, land taxes, and rural trust. Plus, the Tartan Army takes over America with an incredible display of joy and cultural diplomacy.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Burnham's Path to Number 10: Andy Burnham defeated Reform, Restore, and the Tories combined with 55% of the vote in Mackerfield. We look at his victory speech, the rumors of cabinet resignations, and why Keir Starmer is stubbornly hanging on despite plummeting popularity.

• Aberdeen South & SNP Frustrations: The SNP lost the Aberdeen South by-election to the Conservatives, the first Tory by-election win in Scotland since 1973. We discuss how Stephen Flynn's move to Holyrood triggered the vote and whether he will take a hit for it. We also dive into the Scottish Government's lack of action on community wealth-building opportunities like onshore wind repowering and land taxes.

• Tartan Army Takeover: From securing Haggis approvals in Massachusetts to twinning with Glasgow, the Scotland fans are outclassing everyone with their energy and charity work. We contrast their joyful behavior in Boston with the rather more hostile chants coming from England fans in Dallas.

• Highland Clearances on Film: Lesley shares updates from a poignant filming trip to the clearance site at Rosal in Strathnaver. We discuss the rich oral traditions kept alive by the community, the struggle to find authentic black Highland cows, and how crofters actually lived in longhouses the size of modern three-bedroom bungalows.

• Upcoming Schedule: There will be no podcast next week as Lesley heads off to an island in Donegal with her bike, panniers, and absolutely no Wi-Fi or potable water.

Links

• Highland Clearances Interview: Watch the interview with Professor James Hunter on the main Lesley Riddoch YouTube channel.
  https://youtu.be/U5dCbYELJa8
• Equitable Energy research about communities taking on repowering contracts - https://ruralsehub.net/onshore-wind-re-powering-report/