Howzat!

If a week is a long time in politics, what's a fortnight?Yup, it's definitely a catch-up episode after the hiatus for the Joyce flit.After a labyrinthine link from the Lord's test match to the SNP Independence Convention in Dundee we get down to analysing Humza's speech and strategy of "A vote for the SNP is a vote for independence", at the next General Election.On a day when Orkney Council debated its future with the UK and Scotland we try and look behind the media feeding frenzy at the underlying issues of too much power being vested not only in Westminster and Holyrood but also in massive "local" authorities. This American Independence Day also sees the “thanksgiving” ceremony at St Giles’ Cathedral where King Charles will be  presented with the Honours of Scotland. Is it a piece of pointless vanity and should Humza attend?The Climate Change Committee has issued a report condemning the UK government's lack of action on implementing its policies on meeting Net Zero and missing key opportunities to reap the benefits of a Green Industrial Revolution. Is Sunak,and indeed Starmer, too focused on fiscal targets to see the big picture?And it's your last chance to buy Thrive for two weeks while Lesley is off cycling in the mists of Lochaber. You need to get your order in tonight to hit the post before she's on her way up the road on Wednesday.https://lesleyriddoch.com/books/thrive ★ Support this podcast ★