What’s the Point? | Scottish Politics

What's the Point? Political Podcast
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A fresh look at Scottish politics, local government and the issues that matter to communities across Scotland. Live every Tuesday from 7pm on Listen Lanarkshire 107.7FM. Missed the radio show? Catch the full podcast every Thursday on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Let’s start talking about what matters to you. Disclaimer: This programme features political discussion, commentary and strong opinions. Views expressed are personal to the individual contributors and are given in that capacity.

  1. 2d ago

    Who Really Owns Scotland? | Andy Wightman on Land, Power & Local Democracy. EP 66

    WHO REALLY OWNS SCOTLAND? | ANDY WIGHTMAN | WHAT'S THE POINT?Who owns Scotland's land? Who holds the power? And are the decisions shaping our communities really being made by the people who live in them?This week on What's the Point?, Greg Lennon and Gerry Brennan are joined by former Scottish Green MSP, author and land reform campaigner Andy Wightman for a fascinating discussion about land ownership, wealth, taxation and the future of local democracy in Scotland.Andy has spent decades investigating who owns Scotland and how the concentration of land and property influences political power, economic opportunity and everyday life.But the conversation goes far beyond land reform.With the Scottish Government considering significant changes to local government, Andy challenges the way Scotland is governed and asks whether we have moved too far towards centralisation.🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE:🏴 Who owns Scotland? Andy discusses his research into land ownership and why so much of Scotland's privately owned rural land remains concentrated in relatively few hands.🌳 Land, wealth and power: From historic estates to modern investment companies, we explore who benefits from Scotland's natural resources.🏘️ Community ownership: Can communities genuinely take control of their land and assets?💷 Council tax reform: Why are Scottish homes still taxed using 1991 property valuations? Andy explains why meaningful reform has proved so difficult.🏛️ The future of Scotland's 32 councils: Are councils too large to be truly local, yet too small to deliver certain regional services?⚖️ Centralisation versus democracy: Have successive Scottish Governments taken too much power away from local communities?🔥 Public service reform: Andy questions the pace of the current proposals and discusses the risks of rushing fundamental changes to democratic structures.🌍 Lessons from Europe: Could Scotland learn from countries where smaller local authorities cooperate to deliver services while retaining democratic accountability?One particularly striking moment comes when Andy discusses his research indicating that just 408 landowners hold half of Scotland's privately owned rural land.And when the discussion turns to proposed regional governance arrangements, Andy doesn't hold back in questioning how they might operate.From land ownership to council tax, local democracy and public service reform, this is a conversation about who holds power in Scotland — and whether that power should be closer to the people.🔎 Find out more about Andy's research:Land Matters: https://andywightman.scot/Who Owns Scotland: https://www.whoownsscotland.org.uk/💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATIONShould Scotland have more genuinely local councils? Is it time to replace council tax? And should communities have greater control over land and public services?Share your thoughts in the comments.🎙️ WHAT'S THE POINT?Independent conversations about Scottish politics, local government, democracy and public accountability.Presented by Greg Lennon and Gerry Brennan.#WhatsThePoint #AndyWightman #WhoOwnsScotland #LandReform #ScottishPolitics #LocalGovernment #CouncilTax #ScottishGovernment #Democracy #PublicServiceReform

    Who Really Owns Scotland? | Andy Wightman on Land, Power & Local Democracy. EP 66

  2. Oct 22

    Has Scottish Politics Failed? | Bernard Ponsonby | What’s the Point? Ep. 65

    Has Scottish Politics Failed? | Bernard Ponsonby | What's the Point? Ep. 65 After more than 25 years of devolution, has Scottish politics delivered on its promises or has something gone fundamentally wrong? This week on What's the Point?, Greg Lennon and Gerry Brennan are joined by one of Scotland's most experienced political broadcasters, Bernard Ponsonby, for a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation about Scottish politics, political leadership, independence, democracy and the future of public services. Drawing on decades of reporting from the heart of Scottish politics, Bernard offers his perspective on the personalities, decisions and defining moments that have shaped modern Scotland. From Donald Dewar's original ambitions for devolution to Alex Salmond, Nicola Sturgeon and the 2014 independence referendum, we examine how Scotland's political landscape has changed and whether Holyrood has lived up to expectations. In this episode, we discuss: 25 years of devolution: Has the Scottish Parliament delivered meaningful change? Donald Dewar's legacy: What would the founding First Minister make of Scotland today? Alex Salmond versus Alistair Darling: Bernard's behind-the-scenes recollections of the historic 2014 referendum debate. Political leadership: Has Scotland replaced bold political thinking with managerialism? Independence: Why Bernard believes the constitutional debate needs more substance and practical answers. Party politics: Are politicians too afraid to challenge their own parties? Council reform: Does Scotland need a fundamental rethink of local government and public administration? Public services: Can Scotland continue to meet growing expectations with increasingly constrained finances? Political journalism: Bernard's advice on asking difficult questions and holding those in power to account. It's a conversation about much more than political parties or constitutional divisions. It's about what government is supposed to achieve, whether Scotland's institutions are delivering and who is ultimately accountable when they don't. Has Scottish politics failed or have we simply expected too much from devolution? Join us for a thought-provoking discussion with Bernard Ponsonby. COUNCIL WATCH We're also following decisions, spending and developments across all 32 Scottish local authorities. Visit: https://councilwatch.org.uk WHAT'S THE POINT? Independent conversations about Scottish politics, public affairs, local democracy and accountability. Subscribe to the channel, share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation. What do you think? Has Scottish politics delivered on the promises of devolution? #WhatsThePoint #BernardPonsonby #ScottishPolitics #ScottishParliament #Devolution #ScottishIndependence #AlexSalmond #DonaldDewar #LocalGovernment #CouncilReform #CouncilWatch #Scotland

    Has Scottish Politics Failed? | Bernard Ponsonby | What’s the Point? Ep. 65

  3. Oct 15

    Who Really Runs Glasgow? Equal Pay, Housing & Council Decisions | Cllr Paul Leinster. Ep 64

    Who really runs Scotland’s councils and how are decisions being made?This week on What’s the Point?, Greg Lennon and Gerry Brennan are joined by Cllr Paul Leinster for a conversation about equal pay, Glasgow’s housing crisis and the democratic process.We explore how councillors in Glasgow make decisions, how those decisions are scrutinised, and what they mean for the people they represent.In the second half, we turn to Council Watch and how residents can follow spending, decisions and developments across Scotland’s 32 councils.Are you happy with your council? Do you feel represented? Join the conversation in the comments.Explore Council Watch: https://councilwatch.org.ukSubscribe to What’s the Point? for more conversations about Scotland’s councils and communities.

    Who Really Runs Glasgow? Equal Pay, Housing & Council Decisions | Cllr Paul Leinster. Ep 64

  4. Oct 2

    LOCAL DEMOCRACY UNDER PRESSURE? | AI Data Centres, Standards Commission & Council Reform

    Is Scottish local democracy under pressure — and are some of the biggest decisions facing our communities getting enough scrutiny? In Episode 63 of What’s the Point?, Greg Lennon and Gerry Brennan take on four major issues facing Scottish local government. We look at the huge claims surrounding AI data centres — billions of pounds of investment, thousands of jobs and potentially enormous community benefits. But where do those figures come from, how robust are they, and should councils independently examine the numbers being put into the public domain? We also return to the growing debate surrounding the Standards Commission for Scotland and the Ethical Standards Commissioner, including concerns about trust, transparency, councillors' freedom of expression and recent calls for change to Scotland's ethical standards framework. Then there's the potential reorganisation of Scottish local government. Could Scotland's existing 32 councils eventually give way to larger regional authorities and much smaller community authorities? And if power is supposed to move closer to communities, what powers and budgets would actually move with it? Finally, we look at council finances and council tax. With authorities facing difficult financial decisions, what could rising costs, budget pressures and changing council structures mean for households and local services? This week: AI data centres | Standards Commission | Local government reform | Council tax | Local democracy What’s the Point? — Scottish politics. Real conversations.

    LOCAL DEMOCRACY UNDER PRESSURE? | AI Data Centres, Standards Commission & Council Reform

  5. Sep 24

    Has Edinburgh Lost Faith in Scotland’s Standards Watchdog? | Adam Nols-McVey. EP 62

    Something significant has been happening at Edinburgh City Council. Former Edinburgh Council Leader and current SNP Councillor Adam Nols-McVey joins Greg and Gerry to discuss Edinburgh councillors' concerns about Scotland’s Standards Commission and the system governing elected members. We get into what happened inside Edinburgh City Chambers, the recent Court of Session case, freedom of expression for councillors, scrutiny of council officers and whether Scotland’s current standards regime needs reform. Why did Edinburgh councillors take action? What needs to change? And could what has happened in the capital have consequences for local democracy across Scotland? A fascinating conversation from the heart of Edinburgh politics. 🎙️ What’s the Point?Scottish politics | Local government | Accountability Spotify description

    Has Edinburgh Lost Faith in Scotland’s Standards Watchdog? | Adam Nols-McVey. EP 62

  6. Sep 17

    BURIED STORIES? Dan Vevers on Yes Scotland’s Missing Money, Watchdogs & Power. Ep 61

    Sunday Mail Chief Reporter Dan Vevers joins What’s the Point? for a no-holds-barred look at the stories Scotland’s powerful institutions would rather you didn’t see. Dan talks about his investigation into the missing Yes Scotland money, the legal pushback that followed, why shrinking local journalism means “councils are getting away with more”, and why councillors may now be “the last line of defence” for local scrutiny. We also get into Scottish Water and SEPA, salmon farming, Sid Perrie, Fiona Higgins, the Standards Commission, council power, NHS centralisation and whether some watchdogs are simply refusing to bite. “Good stories piss people off.” 🎙️ What’s the Point? Ep 61📺 Subscribe and help us grow. #ScottishPolitics #DanVevers #Journalism #LocalGovernment #WhatsThePoint

    BURIED STORIES? Dan Vevers on Yes Scotland’s Missing Money, Watchdogs & Power. Ep 61

  7. Sep 10

    WHO REALLY RUNS SCOTLAND? Robin McAlpine on Power, Money & a Broken System. Ep 60

    WHO REALLY RUNS SCOTLAND?Robin McAlpine joins What’s the Point? for a no-holds-barred conversation about power, money, bureaucracy and whether Scotland’s democracy is actually working.Who really makes the decisions in Scotland? elected politicians, civil servants, council officers, quangos or regulators?Robin argues that too much power has shifted away from elected representatives and into institutions most people never vote for. He also takes aim at Scotland’s economic model, the ownership of national wealth, the Standards Commission, the Fiona Higgins case, AI data centres and the future of public energy.We also ask:Why does so much Scottish wealth leave the country?Are politicians still really in control?Are AI data centres being oversold on jobs and economic benefit?Should councils own renewable energy assets?Could local authorities make money from power generation instead of simply hosting private infrastructure?Robin also discusses the idea of municipally owned energy and whether Scotland could build a national system around locally owned generation.And Greg revisits the sustainable energy company motion he brought to North Lanarkshire Council in 2022, years before energy ownership and data-centre power demand became major political issues.Power. Money. Democracy. Energy. AI.One question runs through the whole episode:Who actually runs Scotland?🎙️ What’s the Point?Scottish politics, local government, public affairs and accountability — with straight talking and no party script.#ScottishPolitics #RobinMcAlpine #Scotland #Politics #LocalGovernment #Democracy #AI #DataCentres #Energy #PublicOwnership #WhatsThePoint

    WHO REALLY RUNS SCOTLAND? Robin McAlpine on Power, Money & a Broken System. Ep 60

  8. Sep 3

    Cllr Fiona Higgins, Historic Win Against SCS & More Failed SNP Complaints. Ep 59

    THE WATCHDOG THAT BROKE THE LAW? | FIONA HIGGINS, THE STANDARDS COMMISSION & THE WEAPONISATION OF THE CODE This could be our most explosive episode yet. Fresh from her historic Court of Session victory, Cllr Fiona Higgins joins us to discuss the judgment that found the Standards Commission for Scotland acted unlawfully when it refused to admit evidence she wanted to rely on in her defence. So now the obvious question has to be asked: Who holds the watchdog to account when the watchdog itself gets it wrong? We look at a standards system with enormous power over elected councillors, a process capable of damaging reputations and political careers, and whether that system has become far too comfortable operating without meaningful challenge. We discuss the refusal of evidence, the consequences of the Court of Session ruling, and what this could mean for other councillors who have previously faced the same system. Then we go further. Has the Councillors’ Code of Conduct become a convenient weapon for senior council figures who would rather silence scrutiny than answer difficult questions? When does legitimate accountability become intimidation? When does “standards” become control? And what happens to local democracy when elected councillors start wondering whether asking the wrong question could trigger the next complaint? And because this episode apparently wasn’t explosive enough already, we turn to North Lanarkshire SNP. We examine the long-awaited investigation into the party’s handling of the Jordan Linden scandal, the treatment of those who raised concerns, the extraordinarily narrow scope of the review and the inevitable question: Just how independent was this “independent” investigation? There are some organisations that spend a lot of time demanding accountability from everybody else. Tonight, we turn the spotlight back on them. The Standards Commission. The Councillors’ Code. Council chief officers. North Lanarkshire SNP. Jordan Linden. The investigation. The fallout. Nobody gets a free pass. 🔥 This is What’s The Point? Like. Subscribe. Share it. And if you disagree with us, even better — tell us why in the comments. #WhatsThePoint #ScottishPolitics #StandardsCommission #FionaHiggins #NorthLanarkshire #SNP #JordanLinden #CouncillorsCode #LocalDemocracy #FreeSpeech #Accountability #CourtOfSession

    Cllr Fiona Higgins, Historic Win Against SCS & More Failed SNP Complaints. Ep 59
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A fresh look at Scottish politics, local government and the issues that matter to communities across Scotland. Live every Tuesday from 7pm on Listen Lanarkshire 107.7FM. Missed the radio show? Catch the full podcast every Thursday on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Let’s start talking about what matters to you. Disclaimer: This programme features political discussion, commentary and strong opinions. Views expressed are personal to the individual contributors and are given in that capacity.

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