In this week’s episode, we look at Kier Starmer’s ongoing Mandelson woes. We discuss the wildly oscillating Scottish opinion polls and MRP extrapolations that come from them and what they mean for the Scottish election campaign and the future of the independence movement. We discuss what you need to get over the line on the regional list and the prospect of smaller independence-supporting parties.

We also look at the brouhaha which got up around Labour and Reform and whether Anas Sarwar had asked Malcolm Offard to do a deal to keep the SNP out of power. We take a dig into the recent party manifestos and the reaction to some of the more eye-catching ideas.

Watch the Finland Film on YouTube
https://youtu.be/J1mpytgMIBU

Lesley and Fraser dive into a week of high-stakes testimony, "shadowy" Westminster figures, and the emeerging cross-party consensus in Scotland on when our children should actually start school.

The Whitehall "Schmozzle" We look at the recent Foreign Affairs Committee sessions featuring the "Whitehall Mandarin" Philip Barton and Keir Starmer’s strategist, Morgan McSweeney. It was a masterclass in the "dark arts" of Number 10, with Emily Thornberry leading a blistering critique of the decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as US Ambassador before his security vetting was even complete. From the "knife through the soul" of the Epstein revelations to the bizarre "Blitzkrieg" strategy to install Mandelson over George Osborne, we ask: is this just "jobs for the boys" by another name?.

The Kindergarten Revolution Lesley reports back from a fascinating Upstart Scotland hustings where, for once, there was a strange glimmer of cross-party agreement. Even the "new man" Tory candidate seemed to accept the logic of raising the school starting age to seven. But while the Greens and Lib Dems are on board, the SNP government remains oddly "wobbly" on putting a proper kindergarten stage in their manifesto.

We also look at the latest news on Ferry procurement, the SNP pledge on a section 30 order vote and constitutional convention and much more!

Links
NOKUT (Norway): Developed a toolkit for recognising refugees' qualifications
https://www.sciencenorway.no/immigration-integration-refugees/who-is-best-at-getting-refugees-into-the-workforce-norway-sweden-or-denmark/2082005

Highland Clearances; communities fight back
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/highland-clearances-two-communities-fight-back

In this week’s episode, Lesley and Fraser navigate the "actual apex of insults to humanity," as AI-generated imagery and global conflict collide. From Donald Trump’s bizarre portrayal of himself as a "healer of men" to the first American Pope taking a stand against the destruction of civilization, we analyse a world that feels increasingly discombobulated.

Closer to home, the Scottish election is picking up pace with the first leaders debate we look at what was said, and how it came across. With a "contemptuous, sniffy" response from Labour’s Wes Streeting regarding independence we also discuss why Anas Sarwar "hardly needs enemies" with friends like these.

Links
Hungarian dancing MP

https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/hungary-mp-dancing-orban-video-b2957061.html

Upstart Scot hustings - online
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/upstart-scottish-parliamentary-election-hustings-2026-tickets-1985674562068