Building a Democracy for the 21st Century On 26th April the Electoral Reform Society held a conference in Edinburgh called A Scottish Spring with a range of excellent speakers covering topics such as the rise of polarisation in democracy, Scottish public opinion, Civic and local democracy in Scotland , engagement and debate. Indypodcasters Fiona and Marlene were there and very much enjoyed the discussions and presentations. It was a full day event so we weren't able to film every session in its entirety but these are some of our particular highlights of the day:

00:03:00 Willie Sullivan, ERS Senior Director in conversation with Professor Nicola McEwen, Director of the Centre for Public Policy

00:15:16 Marlene's question

00:16:40 Mark Diffley provides an overview of Scottish public opinion including exclusive polling commissioned for the conference

00:31:00 Esther Roberton, former Co-ordinator of the Scottish Constitutional Convention on the aspirations for the Scottish Parliament and how well it has lived up to those

00:40:17 Pauline Smith, Chief Executive, Development Trusts Association Scotland on local democracy

00:45:00 Mark Drakeford, former First Minister of Wales on alternative forms of democracy for the Uk

#democracy #scottishpolitics #electoralreform

Find our previous episode on building a local democracy in Scotland here https://yescowal.podbean.com/e/building-a-local-scotland/

find out more about the Electoral Reform Society here https://electoral-reform.org.uk/ers-scotland/

The Scottish Independence Podcasts team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. Remember to like and subscribe!

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Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Scotland in Europe: Our journey to the European Parliament! In this special episode of our podcast, Indypodcasters Fiona and Marlene share our exciting journey to Brussels where they joined a delegation organised by campaign groups Yes for EU and Europe for Scotland. Our mission? To promote Scotland's place in Europe and meet with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs ) in support of an independent Scotland rejoining the EU. From behind the scenes moments to exclusive MEP interviews, this episdoe captures the warm welcome and strong support we received in the heart of the EU. Our trip was not only inspiring for all the delegates but also formed part of the Europe Day celebrations on May 9th with footage featured in an event held in Edinburgh and also livestreamed.

Key chapters: 00:00:21 Arriving in Brussels 00:02:53 Elise Tallaron, Heather Anderson, Alyn Smith and Marlene Halliday share their hopes for the visit 00:06:27 Emotional arrival at the European Parliament 00:11:48 Inside the Parliament 00:13:40 A message from Thomas Waitz MEP 00:18:15 Fiona and Marlene go exploring 00:20:47 Elise introduces her team 00:21:33 A message from Vicent Marza Ibanez MEP 00:23:46 A glimpse of the debating chamber 00:24:38 A message from Olga Perez Vitoria, EFA Advisor 00:28:55 A chat with Hana from Coppieters Foundation 00:32:30 A message to our young people from Rina Hajdari and Charlotte Bechert 00:37:57 A message from Valentina Servera Clavell, EFA Campaigns 00:41:27 End of the day reflections from Heather Anderson and Alyn Smith 00:44:53 A message from Terry Reintke, MEP 00:46:19 Europe Day event excerpt from Q and A session

Watch the video version of this podcast here: https://youtu.be/4L8rWoGFeJc?si=zpYPE61Kv-nDrbtC

Watch the Europe Day event here: https://www.youtube.com/live/QoCJN_b5RDA?si=aiwUlBAelhQhAVCw

#scotlandineurope #grassroots #scottishpolitics

The Scottish Independence Podcasts team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. Remember to like and subscribe!

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English Council Elections Fallout: What can Scotland learn? In this episode, Fiona and Marlene are joined by regular guests Bill Ramsay and Isobel Lindsay to discuss the recent English local council election results and the growing momentum behind far right organisation Reform Uk. What do these political shifts mean for Scottish politics? could they signal change - or opportunity - north of the border?

We explore the dangers of politicians clinging to the centre ground, how to re-energise a disillusioned electorate and whether the Scottish government should adopt a more radical, even rebellious, stance.

Key themes:

00:01:49 Lessons from the English election results 00:06:30 Broken Britain 00:16:55 The independence lifeboat 00:23:49 Indy parties vs the indy movement 00:25:02 Housing crisis or opportunity? 00:28:40 Turnout is key 00:33:53 Can the SNP be the anti-Trump? 00:38:40 Time to get radical again? 00:44:16 Tactics to counter Reform UK

#scottishpolitics #ReformUk #politicalstrategy

The Scottish Independence Podcasts team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. Remember to like and subscribe!

Contact Us: indypodcasters@gmail.com

Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes

Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips. video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm

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Music:

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Join Fiona, Marlene and Lynne as they look back at everything April threw their way - from local activism to international campaigning. In this NOT-a-livestream episode, the trio break down their month, share behind the scenes stories and react to standout moments from Holyrood and Westminster. Subscribe for sharp chat, smart laughs and solid political insight - even when it's pre-recorded!

Key themes included are:

00:00:19 Believe in Scotland's litter picking campaign 00:02:27 Yes4EU's Brussels delegation 00:07:00 Electoral Reform Society's Scottish Spring conference 00:12:14 Scottish election study polling 00:20:14 Dave Doogan takes on Starmer 00:21:53 Stephen Flynn on Grangemouth v Scunthorpe 00:24:41 Sarah Sultana calls out Rachel Reeves 00:25:50 Downie at the bottom of the barrel 00:27:41 Holyrood petitions committee considers the ICCPR 00:34:57 Angus Robertson unconvincing on independence 00:38:26 Tories digging for dirt get put back in their box 00:46:20 Democratic senator Jon Ossoff in the lion's den 00:49:49 Poundshop Trump gets the Led by Donkeys treatment 00:53:08 More dates for your diary in May

Get tickets for Yes4EU's Europe Day Event here (in person and online options) https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/scotland-in-the-eu-good-for-scotland-good-for-europe-tickets-1279560011439

Find our podcast about the ICCPR here https://scottishindypod.scot/all-scottish-independence-podcasts-episodes/iccpr-claiming-our-rights/

Find out more about the Scottish Election Study here https://scottishelections.ac.uk/

The Scottish Independence Podcasts team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. Remember to like and subscribe!

Contact Us: indypodcasters@gmail.com

Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes

Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips. video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm

If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcasts or choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause.

Music:

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod Industrial Cinematic by Kevin MacLeod

Holyrood 2026: What Makes a Great Manifesto?

In this episode, Indypodcasters Fiona and Marlene take you to Govan, where the Scottish Independence Convention held a lively and inspiring event on 5th April 2025 to kick-start conversations around the Holyrood 2026 elections. The big question: What do we want to see in party manifestos?

We feature insights from three standout speakers, each bringing bold, fresh ideas and proposing three key topics they believe should be included in their 2026 manifestos of any party seeking their vote.

Plus, Fiona and Marlene reveal their own top 3 manifesto wish lists, rounding off the episode with some thought-provoking discussion and a few surprises.

Key chapters:

00:01:57 Simon Barrow - what makes a great manifesto

00:12:57 Selma Rahman - what women tell us

00:29:53 Ian Black - mission orientated market making

00:47:12 Marlene and Fiona's manifesto wish lists

Whether you're passionate about Scottish independence, curious about policy priorities, or just love a good political debate, this episode is packed with ideas to get you thinking ahead of Holyrood 2026.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share if you're ready to shape Scotland’s future.

We're grateful to our friend and indy media colleague Lewis Cedar of https://SPVR.org for sharing the audio from this event with us.

#Holyrood2026 #ScottishPolitics #ManifestoMatters #ScotlandFuture #ScottishIndependence #GovanEvent #PoliticalPodcast #SIC

The Scottish Independence Podcasts team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. Remember to like and subscribe!

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Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes

Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips. video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm

If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcasts or choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause.

Music:

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Laurie MacFarlane from Future Economy Scotland gave, in our opinion, the standout speech at the recent Independence Forum for Scotland conference held in Edinburgh on 1st March 2025.

Land Reform is one of those key topics where the public mood seems to be for further, faster reform than our politicians seem able to keep up with but the stakes are high and the potential benefits to Scotland are immense.

Find out more from https://futureeconomy.scot

#landreform #socialjustice #scotland

The Scottish Independence Podcasts team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. Remember to like and subscribe! Contact Us: indypodcasters@gmail.com

Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes

Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips. video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm

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Music: Inspired by Kevin MacLeod

Peace and Poetry : Scottish CND's Annual Poetry fundraiser event, Glasgow 2025

Join us for an inspirational podcast episode recorded live at the Scottish CND's Annual Peace and Poetry Event in Glasgow - a celebration of art, activism and reflections on war, peace and hope for the future.

This special fundraiser brought together an exceptional line-up of poets who shared moving and thought-provoking work on the themes of peace, war, beauty, tragedy, hope, love and the future of our planet.

Whether you are here for the poetry, the politics or the passion - this episode is not to be missed.

Support the movement and learn more about Scottish CND's campaigns: https://banthebomb.org

Poetry recitals included in this episode are:

00:01:25 Lynn Jamieson - welcome

00:04:54 Hugh McMillan - A Poet Reacts in an Age of Horror

00:07:03 Finola Scott - The Dipper, by Kathleen Jamie

00:07:51 Cait O'Neill McCullagh - In Irpin

00:09:02 Jim Aitken - What I Told Riona

00:10:57 Hugh McMillan - The Most Incompetent Branch

00:11:40 Clare Phillips - Greenham Common, by Helen Dunmore

00:13:53 David Kelly - Talks About Talks by Maura Dooley

00:15:56 Magi Gibson - Rage

00:18:21 Julie McNeill - War

00:18:56 Hugh McMillan - Blackbird by George Gunn

00:19:29 Magi Gibson - In the event of a lack of oxygen by Ali Whitelaw 00:23:09 Ken Benjamin - Why I went to Faslane by Gerry Loose

00:24:40 Kat Knak-Watt - the Messages

00:26:38 Simon Barrow - The Permanence of the Young Men by William Souter

00:27:26 Clare Phillips - Protest by Chris Salt

00:29:13 David Kelly - Whitey's on the Moon by Gil Scott Heron

00:31:28 Cait McNeill McCullagh - Blaeberries

00:33:30 Jim Aitken - Uday, One day

00:35:35 Finola Scott - The IceCream Man by Michael Langley

00:36:46 Hugh McMillan- Dania Ersheid on her way home from school 00:38:06 Lynn Jamieson - George Square, by Jackie Kay

00:39:28 Magi Gibson - Cracked

00:42:12 Simon Barrow - Unwounding

00:43:05 Julie McNeill - Beautiful

00:44:35 Finola Scott - Close range - Coulport

00:46:28 Marlene chats to Kat, Finola and Clare

#scottishCND #peaceandpoetry #poetrypodcast

The Scottish Independence Podcasts team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. Remember to like and subscribe! Contact Us: indypodcasters@gmail.com

Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes

Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips. Video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm

If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcasts or choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause.

Music: Inspired by Kevin MacLeod and Bass Walker by Kevin MacLeod

Audio version of the recent TNT show where host John Drummond interviews Professor Alf Baird about the concept of Scotland as a colony of England in the light of the recent application to the UN to add Scotland to the list of colonised countries.

You can watch the video version of the TNT show here https://www.youtube.com/live/zoX3jbDb710?si=BTTYqVupU9esAqIX

More information about the application to the UN is on the Liberation Scotland website here https://liberation.scot

Alf's Book "Doun-Hauden " is published by Kindle direct Publishing and available on Amazon .

#scotlandcolony #liberationscotland #decolonisation

The Scottish Independence Podcasts team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. Remember to like and subscribe!

Contact Us: indypodcasters@gmail.com

Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes

Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips. video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm

If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcasts or choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause.

Music:

Inspired by Kevin MacLeod