A Question of Leadership

Does the murder of Alexei Navalny signal the end or a new beginning of anti Putin activism in Russia? Is it also a wake up call for those of us in the West who have taken our eyes off the developments in Russia, Ukraine, and the destabilization of the region?Despite the row over accusations of antisemitic statements by prospective Parliamentary candidates the Labour Party romped to two outstanding victories in the Kingswood and Wellingborough by-elections. We examine Rishi Sunak's response to these losses and ask if he might call a snap election. If he is still Tory leader.Meanwhile Scottish Labour held its annual conference with a significant focus on Anas Sarwar as leader. Sarwar was quite willing to state his willingness to stand up to Starmer. Will this show of independence stretch to his two Scottish MPs following the Scottish Labour conference position and voting with the SNP on its motion calling for an immediate Gaza ceasefire?In response to Scottish Labour’s plans for a windfall tax on oil profits, more than 800 oil ,engineering, and business executives have raised concerns that this could lead to massive job losses in the North East. The SNP is even more committed to phasing out of oil and gas production in an independent Scotland. We ask where stands the Just Transition and the development of local industry and training?All this plus the origins and consequences of the Right to Buy policy and the thorny question of Ullapool and its train station.If you want to see Lesley's Denmark movie check out this linkhttps://lesleyriddoch.com/events ★ Support this podcast ★