Can Burnham revive Labour in Scotland and Wales?
Summary
Recorded from the Edinburgh Festival, Steve Richards contrasts Westminster’s focus on Andy Burnham with the dramatic rise of the SNP in Scotland. He discusses the SNP’s recent electoral victory and the resulting trauma for the Scottish Labour Party, noting their weak leadership contest and historical struggles under devolution. The episode also features listener questions on political accountability, the potential for an early UK election, and recommendations for political fiction and non-fiction books.
Topics discussed
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Sponsors: Perk, Lowe's, and Acast podcasting insights
Intro: Recording from Edinburgh Festival and Scottish politics
SNP victory and the resilience of Scottish politics
Scottish Labour's defeat and the Book Festival panel
Scottish Labour leadership contest and lack of engagement
Devolution, independence, and the Westminster-Edinburgh disconnect
Historical context: Wilson era and Burnham's devolution plans
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Listener Q&A: Methods of political accountability and mayors
Listener Q&A: Probability of an early UK election
Listener Q&A: Ed Miliband's localism and John Curtice
Listener Q&A: AJP Taylor's influence on a listener's mother
Book recommendations: Waldegrave and Gilmore on Thatcher
Sponsors: ActiveCampaign, Perk, and Lowe's
Listener Q&A: Recommendations for political fiction
Upcoming shows: Media, the Right, and 'Taking Back Control'
Outro and sign-off
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