Anas Sarwar is less hard man than hard man to find. Tucked away trying to find an excuse for another broken promise by his masters in London. He cannot boast about broad shoulders of the union & wash his hands of responsibility for the austerity we face. Stephen Flynn at #SNP24

There will never be a seamless route to independence. And we may have mistakenly given that impression. Neither Yes nor No has yet persuaded bulk of Scots about indy or the union. All still there to do. Stephen Flynn at #SNP24

I’d be interested in Andy Wightman and Dr Craig Dalȝell response to Kate Forbes who said - I think - that a new Scotland-wide land tax would need WM permission. Did I hear that right?

Angus Robertson at #SNP24 apologises again if any impression was given by his Israeli Ambassador meeting that Scotgov relations with Israel have been normalised. Waiting to see if any critical questions from members are chosen by the session chair.

Question to Angus Robertson at #SNP24 - does party agree with ICC that Netanyahu is a war criminal? ‘We believe in the international rules based system…. If they [Israel] have committed genocide it’s justice they should face.’

Resolution at #SNP24 calls for National Land Tax to finance affordable housing. Objectors insist Scotgov cannot create a new NATIONAL tax without WM permission. That should be debated & if true highlighted as outrageous. Meantime surely we should TRY.

Overwhelming backing for West Fife and Chris Hanlon motion calling for National Land Tax to finance affordable housing at #SNP24. Excellent.

‘I voted Yes for transformational change. But timid managerialism is what we have now from SNP - why would anyone vote for that? You’re as well voting Labour.’ Gordon Martin from RMT whose membership voted for a Yes vote in 2014 at #SNP24.

Former MP Chris Stephen’s tells #SNP24 that in General Election campaign ‘SNP should have tapped into people’s anger & announced a tax on the surplus profits of the utilities.’ Big applause.

Chris Stephens tells #SNP24 v few trade unions backed Labour candidates in last election. ‘200 MPs were backed by Labour Together - not the unions.’ Interesting that SNP Trade Union Group has 11k members & is largest affiliated org within the SNP

These are the headlines. Listen to last week's podcast @ lesleyriddoch.com/podcast How long can Labour get away with its austerity agenda? Those Scottish govt cuts. Can the SNP counter Labour's "mismanagement" narrative? It's Scotland's Energy! A new independence rallying cry?

A wee correction from proposer Chris Hanlon SNP. His idea is for land tax enabled by Holyrood but delivered by councils with money to non gov body for affordable housing cos new national tax needs WM approval. Actually I’d like to see Scotgov ask. V bad look if Starmer says no.

Local ornithologists say almost every swallow & sand martin in Scotland plus north of England comes to Tay Estuary for a wee party before migrating south. Sad to see them go but pretty spectacular.

These are the headlines. Listen to last week's podcast @ lesleyriddoch.com/podcast How long can Labour get away with its austerity agenda? Those Scottish govt cuts. Can the SNP counter Labour's "mismanagement" narrative? It's Scotland's Energy! A new independence rallying cry?

'If you are honestly impressed by a boring man standing beside another boring man in a boring suit promising to do nothing to mitigate the challenges Brexit Britain faces, [you have] an astonishing tolerance for political mediocrity.' PeatWorrier on form. thenational.scot/politics/24554…

No podcast today folks - Pat still sunning himself stylishly in Italy. Grandad duties mean he's not free tomorrow. So it'll be Thursday am to cover Shona Robison statement today, SNP Conference, Swinney & Prog for Govt plus Labour's half-hearted ban on arms to Israel. And more.

With all respect, the real experts on NC500 issues & solutions are the locals who live on the route. thenational.scot/news/24552559.…

These are the headlines. Listen to last week's podcast @ lesleyriddoch.com/podcast How long can Labour get away with its austerity agenda? Those Scottish govt cuts. Can the SNP counter Labour's "mismanagement" narrative? It's Scotland's Energy! A new independence rallying cry?

Think a citizens assembly organised by The Highland Council formed of NC500 locals would be a great way to form strategy not just quick fixes.

These are the headlines. Listen to the podcast @ lesleyriddoch.com/podcast Grenfell. A predictable but avoidable tragedy? The SNP Annual Conference. Will the leadership listen to the members? Time for the Scottish Govt to get on the front foot over successful policies?