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The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

Lesley Riddoch and Fraser Thompson
Scottish Independence
Labour Party
Scotland
Donald Trump
SNP
Gaza
Keir Starmer
Scottish Politics
Scottish National Party
Scottish Government
Palestine
Israel
Independence
Brexit
Iceland
Scottish Parliament
Climate Change
Iran
Elon Musk
Scottish Labour

Scottish politics dissected from a left, pro-independence stance. Each week, award-winning broadcaster and journalist, Lesley Riddoch chews over the week’s news with co-host Fraser Thompson. If you like intelligent, quirky chat about Scottish society and culture, and Scottish, UK and international politics analysed from a Scottish perspective; this podcast is for you.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes36Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

Latest Episodes

News is coming at us thick and fast this week! Lesley and Fraser take a deep dive into the big breaking story: a draft plan circulating to EU members proposing the UK aligns with EU food and vetenary rules. They unpack what removing this post-Brexit ... more

It’s budget eve, the new microphone has arrived, and Lesley and Fraser are back to dissect another week of political and global news. From the impending UK budget and minor tariff reductions (would you like gherkins with that?) to the devastating rea... more

In this week's episode, Lesley Riddoch and Fraser Thompson reflect on a more lively couple of days at the SNP Conference in Aberdeen. Far from the half-empty halls predicted by the right-wing press, Lesley reports a perkier atmosphere powered by an a... more

Lesley and Fraser are back at the mic — though Fraser's proper kit is officially goosed apologies for the less than stellar sound quality. This week we look at Kemi Badenoch and her suggestion of a review and roll-back of Holyrood’s devolved powers, ... more

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Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Holyrood Sources
Holyrood SourcesShortbread Media
Scotcast
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Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast
Page 94: The Private Eye PodcastPage 94: The Private Eye Podcast

Recent Guests

Neil McInroy
Global lead on community wealth building for the Democracy Collaborative
Democracy Collaborative
Episode: Podcast Extra - Community Wealth Building
Liam McArthur
Lib Dem MSP for the Orkney Islands and sponsor of the Assisted Dying Bill
Episode: The Assisted Dying Bill - Podcast Extra
Magnus Turpie
Young accordion player with Down syndrome, representative of inclusivity in music
Magnus Turpie and Friends
Episode: Where's Your Cameras BBC?
Gavin Hannigan
Filmmaker and resident of Helsinki, originally from Inverness
Episode: Be Prepared!
Stuart McHardy
Writer and storyteller active in Scots culture, director of Scots Language Resource Centre
Episode: Scots culture - Stuart McHardy and Roger Emmerson - Podcast Special
Roger Emmerson
Architect and academic, known for his work in architectural conservation and education
Episode: Scots culture - Stuart McHardy and Roger Emmerson - Podcast Special
Dave Pearson
Group Sustainable Development Director at Star Refrigeration Limited and visiting Professor at Edinburgh Napier University.
Star Refrigeration Limited
Episode: Energy Special Podcast
Rhys Stanwix
Energy advisor with a 30-year career in the energy industry.
Energy Scotland
Episode: Energy Special Podcast
Matthew Zajac
Actor and playwright, artistic director at Dogstar Theatre Company
Dogstar Theatre Company
Episode: Matthew Zajac-Podcast Extra

Hosts

Lesley Riddoch
Host of The Lesley Riddoch Podcast and long-time broadcaster/journalist with a focus on Scottish politics, culture, and regional empowerment.
Fraser Thompson
Co-host, engaging with sharp takes on weekly news, policy debates, and Scotland's political landscape.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 402 ratings
  • Love it’

    I love the show and tune in ardently every week.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Celtic Bhoy 1967
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Long term listener

    Thought provoking, informative, intelligent craic. Still miss Pat J but Fraser’s a good compliment and I value his input. Much appreciate both of you. Thank you!

    Mon Scotland pay attention!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jaydeebaygy
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Inspiring

    Love listening to all Lesley &Pat have to say. They just make sense. Love all the scandi stuff.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Inverbud
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Freshest of Content from the Indy Movements Old Guard

    While she has a lot of new and original views (the Scandinavia stuff) Lesley Riddoch has an ability to talk about well-worn subjects and provide new perspectives.

    Pat is a great sidekick, and their unalloyed defence of the Scottish language and culture is a joy at times (and what a slap to the mainstream Brit media), and they never seem to get too dragged in to the in-fighting which has overtaken the independence movement over the last decade.

    It’s gey refreshing - mair pooer tae thaim baith... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Daibhidh1
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Me

    Unfortunately not willing to admit some important truths regarding USA election. This means credibility is vastly reduced if not nullified.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    spatersonster
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Keeps me clued up on politics without the usual noise.
Thoughtful, insightful discussions that connect policy to everyday life.
Engaging duo with clear viewpoints and strong host chemistry.
Smart analysis with a refreshing Scottish perspective.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Yes Cymru - Podcast Extra
Q: How do you perceive the current situation and potential for Plaid in Caerphilly?
There seems to be a growing realization among the local population that Labour has not succeeded in improving lives in Wales, which could swing support towards Plaid.
Yes Cymru - Podcast Extra
Q: What do you do about the upcoming by-election in Caerphilly?
Individuals are free to decide how they vote without any pressure from YesCymru, who remains focused solely on the issue of independence.
Yes Cymru - Podcast Extra
Q: What was it that made YesCymru set up as a separate organization to Plaid?
YesCymru was inspired by the 2014 Scottish referendum and the realization that a distinct movement was needed for Welsh independence.
Alex Salmond-Riddoch Questions May 11 2007
Q: Can you give a rock-solid guarantee that your executive will honour your pre-election promise and overturn the previous executive's decision?
I'm not the First Minister or the executive yet, but I'll be moving in that direction.
Alex Salmond-Riddoch Questions May 11 2007
Q: Are you going to run Scotland by minority government?
We won't have a majority in the Parliament, so we'll be looking for consensus on issues.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Lesley Riddoch Podcast

What is The Lesley Riddoch Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show delivers sharp, left-leaning analysis of Scottish politics, with a strong pro-independence stance and a habit of tying current events to cultural life. Week after week, discussions orbit Scotland's constitutional future, energy policy, local governance, and cross-border dynamics, often through a Nordic-informed, European lens. Quick-witted banter between two seasoned hosts keeps complex policy accessible, while occasional deep dives into community economics, media coverage, and political strategy add practical, on-the-ground relevance for listeners who want thoughtful, regionally focused perspectives that challenge Westminster-centric narratives.

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How many listeners does The Lesley Riddoch Podcast get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Lesley Riddoch Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Lesley Riddoch Podcast:

1. Holyrood Sources
2. Scotcast
3. Scottish Independence Podcasts
4. The News Agents
5. Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast

How many episodes of The Lesley Riddoch Podcast are there?

The Lesley Riddoch Podcast launched 19 years ago and published 36 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Lesley Riddoch Podcast?

Recent guests on The Lesley Riddoch Podcast include:

1. Neil McInroy
2. Liam McArthur
3. Magnus Turpie
4. Gavin Hannigan
5. Stuart McHardy
6. Roger Emmerson
7. Dave Pearson
8. Rhys Stanwix

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