Lesley Riddoch
@LesleyRiddoch
Followers
89,738
Following
2,010
Media
3,916
Statuses
42,363
Journalist, Blossom & Thrive, Director , Columnist . Podcast & Denmark film screenings
Fife, Scotland
Joined April 2010
Don't wanna be here?
Send us removal request.
Explore trending content on Musk Viewer
#BANOBAGIxTEN
• 121202 Tweets
Sony
• 108877 Tweets
#SmackDown
• 85755 Tweets
Star Wars
• 79353 Tweets
Hope Hicks
• 75048 Tweets
みどりの日
• 71765 Tweets
WNBA
• 61772 Tweets
Game 7
• 46957 Tweets
スパコミ
• 46690 Tweets
Mark Hamill
• 43383 Tweets
Orlando
• 29595 Tweets
Canelo
• 28272 Tweets
Cavs
• 27090 Tweets
Caitlin Clark
• 25971 Tweets
Thiago Silva
• 23845 Tweets
Cleveland
• 21686 Tweets
#TheProudDaughters
• 21162 Tweets
Kul Ka Crown
• 18492 Tweets
設営完了
• 16116 Tweets
emilia
• 14782 Tweets
Garland
• 14254 Tweets
Paolo
• 13680 Tweets
#Canucks
• 10260 Tweets
Donovan Mitchell
• 10043 Tweets
Pinned Tweet
'A tantalising glimpse of what Scotland could look like.' Val McDermid, writer.
'A truly inspiring film' - Caroline Lucas Green MP.
Denmark - the State of Happiness 15 screenings plus Q&A in 2024. Booking links -.
First event Dundee Jan 12. All welcome.
217
238
465
Liz Truss claims she grew up in a “red wall” seat. But Leeds NE was a Tory seat from 1955-97. Labour rebuilt her ‘failing’ Roundhay school so that its official rating rose from “satisfactory” under Thatcher to “outstanding” under Labour. Oops.
#BBCOurNextPM
185
4K
12K
Well, he's not Sleepy Joe anymore. That speech came from his heart. And Joe Biden has got one - unlike the man who is now mercifully history.
162
515
6K
Patrick Harvie calls on members of the Holyrood Inquiry who leaked its contents to be removed as candidates in the May elections. Boot moving fairly swiftly to the other foot.
214
1K
6K
No one saw the SNP’s epic success coming back in 2011, so tactical voting by unionist parties was virtually absent. Now it's rife. That's what makes the SNP's 64 seat win such a triumph. It's victory under fire.
238
1K
5K
Great stand by Ian Blackford who refused to withdraw what we all know to be true - Boris Johnson has misled the Commons. Speaker has made Mother of Parliaments look ridiculous by ordering him out. Why can MPs not call a spade a spade? Are they representative of the public or not?
489
947
5K
BBC insists SNP are short of a majority. Whereas Mark Drakeford’s minority Labour admin have “won” in Wales. BBC are using the grammar of FPTP Britain to describe & distort the result in proportional Scotland. Dinnae.
#indymajority
124
1K
5K
Wee Lewis from Westfield steals the show at
#AUOBGlasgow
. The laddie even the stewards could nae shift
156
1K
4K
Andrew Marr asks Keir Starmer if he'll change the voting system? 'No, it's not a priority for me.' So the inbuilt pro-Tory tilt, the safe seats that haven't changed hands since Queen Victoria, the 80 seat-majority with 44% of the votes - all continues in a Labour UK. Jings.
414
1K
4K
Is Nicola Sturgeon right to ask Covid hotspot travellers not to cross the border? Absolutely. With no deaths for a precious 72 hours, Scotland has the real prospect of being Covid free by time schools return. Scotgov must act to protect that.
291
1K
4K
Utterly toe-curling interview with Boris Johnson on
#Marr
. PM is slow thinking, meandering, hopping from cliche to cliche & talking over an interviewer who won't take conversation by the scruff of the neck. First interview on prog in 4 months. You can see why Boris ducks TV.
259
849
4K
Starmer - 'Labour will make Brexit work. You won't get that from the Tories. And conference you won't get that from the SNP either.' Too right mate. 72% of Scots would vote Remain now if given the chance. SNP not masking the catastrophe of Brexit. Why are you?
286
1K
4K
At
#pmqs
MP asks about coronavirus testing - but no-one mentions Prince Charles who broke rules to reach Balmoral where he has the test frontline staff are denied. Sympathy to him for having CV symptoms. But this epitomises the enduring power of privilege. Dare no MP raise this?
227
1K
3K
Interesting to note how Nicola Sturgeon being cleared by James Hamilton has caused the whole story to go hurtling down the news agenda. Several interviews cancelled. But never mind. I guess a'body's got the message.
94
645
3K
'I will be 53 this year. Came into parly 29. Govt since 37. Ive done this all my life. Ive been Nicola Sturgeon the politician. I've a debt of gratitude for the privilege. But maybe I want to spend a bit of time on Nicola the person. Does that sound selfish?'
Actually, no.
318
287
3K
So the referendum is going to happen next October - says Angus Robertson on Good Morning Scotland. Game on.
691
439
3K
Trying to get a bit excited about finally getting my PhD on Friday. Covid means 'graduation' is just getting a link to your digital degree. Ten years to wrestle this bit of work to the ground. I'll put my best frock on before I click.
297
129
3K
Slightly puzzled about
#Marr
line of questioning with
@NicolaSturgeon
. He's asking hard to answer questions about when travel/schools can begin again then grunting away "yip, right, ok" as if to shut her down. Distracting & weird. If you don't want to hear answers, why ask?
430
568
3K
Centre for European Reform says leaving EU free market will have bigger long term impact on UK economy than Covid-19. It found UK GDP is 5.2% smaller than a modelled “doppelgänger UK” that remained in the EU. So ignore Boris bluster - this confirms what everyone can see.
246
1K
3K
Nicola Sturgeon on top form on
#Marr
. Combative, determined & articulate - lively compelling viewing in contrast to all who preceded her.
891
613
3K
On BBC decision 2 curtail FM Covid briefings - Ian Small fm BBC Scotland says it's important to be consistent across the UK. Why? He says TV will still cover important announcements - how will BBC know in advance? How will audience know? This bad decision must be reversed.
272
983
3K
Supreme Court rules
@scotgov
does NOT have power to hold advisory indyref. So minus Section 30 powers - which WM could grant easily - Scotland's stuck in a 'voluntary union'. If that's a totally unacceptable political situation, get to the rallies tonight.
745
1K
3K
Latest YouGov poll on Westminster voting intentions puts Labour down a point on 33% with Tories on 44% - unchanged from a week earlier. Jings. What actually motivates voters down south? It's a puzzle & it's why so many Scots want independence.
571
634
3K
Brexit deal timed so Boris could appear Xmas Eve hero. But not one single council area in Scotland voted Leave. So this deal is still an affront to democracy for a multitude of reasons. Let's get this trending
#WeDidntVoteForThis
via
@WeDidntVote4
Pls RT.
#indyref2
510
1K
3K
Well, well. No-one from Scottish Conservatives available to come on Radio Scotland Drivetime to discuss Hamilton Inquiry result, clearing Nicola Sturgeon of breaching the Ministerial Code. Maybe Ross/Davidson/Fraser et al a bit dumfoonert?
131
560
3K
Danish teacher in new film: “I’m really happy to pay 37% tax because it means I have kindergarten & hospitals. By us paying tax, families without money go freely to childcare. I’m glad to do that.” Isn't this the kind of society Scots are trying to create?
654
719
3K
Two brave Greenpeace gals raise a banner asking 'Who Voted for This?' in Tory party conference interrupting Liz Truss speech. That daring interruption momentarily bolstered support for her in the hall. But protestors acted for millions watching speechless & angry outside it.
291
541
3K
@murdo_fraser
@BBCScotlandNews
These are public information broadcasts by the First Minister of the Scottish Government during a public health crisis. I think you'll find most folk find the FM's briefings far more informative than the UK equivalent. Indeed, is that your problem?
80
427
3K
What a night. On
@ScotlandTonight
at 23.10 from hotel at Edin airport. Off to Iceland 7am to talk about Scotland's possible future as new Nordic nation - if the wifi holds up. Meanwhile this beautiful image came in from Finland. Kiitos.
387
667
2K
‘Boris you were admired from Kiev to Carlisle.’ At last Liz Truss has stumbled on a partial truth. Whether Boris was admired in England or Europe is debatable. But there was NO admiration north of Carlisle - unintentional recognition of Scotland’s very different political outlook
332
575
2K
Apparently police confirmed 25k attended. Nice one.
What a beautiful sight. Ten thousand Yessers in Edinburgh. Great unscripted speech by Humza & so well organised by
@believeinscot
&
@YesforEU
.
652
405
2K
1K
701
2K
"On the whole her ability to speak like us, sound like us, behave like us & get the tone right has been impressive and I suspect even most unionists wd acknowledge that. Having clapped for the NHS, many might even join in a Clap for Nicola." Jings.
378
421
2K
Wow. What a very wrong decision.
BBC Scotland to stop broadcasting all of Nicola Sturgeon's coronavirus briefings
642
486
781
270
714
2K
Beautiful clear night in Reykjavik with warm houses everywhere tx to geothermal energy. No energy crisis here because Iceland controls its own energy strategy. Sighs.
477
500
2K
Brilliant activism Glasgow.
212
344
2K
Choked on my coffee hearing Alister Jack tell GMS that biz must get going again soon, because "what we learn from previous analysis of recession and depression is that poverty kills." How dare you. Everyday Tory austerity has been a killer for years.
142
1K
2K
The amazing thing is that despite the waiting, the uncertainty, setbacks, party splits, media hostility, absence of campaign & total opposition by Downing St, half of Scots still support
#ScottishIndependence
. That’s a beautiful, powerful thing.
#stillYes
438
781
2K
Met a Scots couple who took quick bold decision to move to Netherlands just after Brexit. Might they come home? ‘Only if we get independence & back into Europe’. I think they aren’t alone.
703
392
2K
94.5% of Scotland's MSPs have expressed no confidence in Boris. Ditto every Scottish party leader inc D Ross. Biggest parliamentary assault on WM anywhere in UK, yet just one mention on BBC's Today prog at 6.12am. As Yessers have said for years, Scotland just doesn't matter.
291
791
2K
Great to see majority of online audience applaud
@devisridhar
on
#bbcqt
as she urges everyone to forget foreign holidays this year. Not the right priority.
131
326
2K
So Suella Braverman stays as Home Secretary as a warped reward. For the right. For cruelty. For arrogance. For refugee-blaming. For a jeopardised Indian trade deal. For a sham resignation with 3 months severance pay. Braverman is a hater & her appt is the first big Sunak mistake.
307
685
2K
Thatcher was a visionary says David Lammy. Wrong. The Iron Lady was a political thug who destroyed Britain by flogging off trains, water, energy, telecoms etc. Who believes her privatisations worked? Nobody. Labour praising Thatcher is scary & shameful.
259
986
2K
Stuart Hogg on touchline to BBC - I’m a captain of a very proud nation and we’re going places now. Shivers down the spine!
#FRAvSCO
47
326
2K
Nicola reminds Douglas Ross he'd rather drink a pint of cold sick than agree to fishing deal imposed on Scotland by Boris Johnson. After some blethers Nicola points out that a First Minister has to stand up for Scotland, not take orders from Number Ten. Bullseye.
#STVDebate
50
553
2K
Jeez. Will someone on
@bbcdebatenight
point out that a Scottish Welfare State developed under Nicola Sturgeon. It’s why there’s no Bedroom Tax here & a unique Scottish Child Payment.
239
550
2K
Sassy, bold, fearless, tenacious, collaborative & likeable. Why the hell would any party NOT want
@joannaccherry
in Holyrood?
291
508
2K
Eigg is almost 25 years under community control. Critics said they wouldn't last a week. But population's doubled with self-built homes for £40k using local timber & 100% renewable Eigg Electric. A model self-reliant community & inspiration for Scotland.
71
505
2K
James Hamilton has concluded that Nicola Sturgeon "did not breach the provisions of the ministerial code".
Phew. Lets get on with the election, the mandate and groundwork for
#indyref2
.
150
448
2K
Let’s just remember Thatcher privatised energy, water (in England), gas, phone, rail etc and turned Britain into a race to the bottom, deregulated free for all - apparently impossible for Labour to fix. This is precisely why so many Scots want indy.
415
837
2K
Starmer on
#Marr
says 'Indy isn't a priority on doorsteps.' Was 'I want clean water via Loch Katrine' heard on 19th century doorsteps? Was 'I want NHS' explicitly demanded in 1940s? Politics is finding mechanisms to DELIVER the people's priorities. Indy is that mechanism 4 Scots
224
563
2K
Shami Chakrabarti quibbles when Jon Snow addresses her as "Lady Chakrabarti". Sorry lass. You accepted the "honour," & are helping perpetuate the nonsense of an unelected Upper House. Labour could have refused gongs like the SNP. You cannae slip the ermine aff when it suits u
88
566
2K
Unlike Tory leadership candidates, Nicola Sturgeon is answering questions from the press after her statement. As usual.
380
398
2K
No notice, dreich weather, working day & small island population. But still
@AyeOrkney
and
@NewsOrkney
have done Yes Movement proud getting folk organised for
#BorisFarewellTour
.
49
523
2K
Wow. Court rules Michael Gove broke the law. But it's not raised by either Keir Starmer or Ian Blackford at
#PMQs
. Education & foreign aid are important issues. But Boris response completely predictable. Where's demand for inquiry/resignations? Or is law breaking so unremarkable?
174
795
2K
Maybe I’m losing it but Gordon Brown is talking absolute nonsense on
@ScotlandTonight
. Asked about federalism he says it’s a no go cos England is 85% of UK. It was 85% in 2014 when he made ‘The Vow’. What’s changed?
223
688
2K
Flash, bang, wallop. Scots party leaders
#stvdebate
off at a hundred miles an hour. Nicola on top form. "Gentlemen, the difference between me and all of you, is that none of you think the people of Scotland should decide their constitutional future." Spot on.
107
636
2K
Nicola Sturgeon asked how long iScotland wd take to get back into EU. Says subject of forthcoming paper but shouldn't be lengthy process cos Scotland complies with 4 acquis & EU eco regs. Indy is now the ONLY way to trade in a single mkt that's x8 bigger than UK.
@ScotlandEurope
304
754
2K
Well worth staying up. Jo Swinson loses East Dunbartonshire to plucky young Amy Callaghan by 144 votes. Justice prevails & pride comes before a fall.
37
316
2K
Brexit has cost the UK £600m per week or 2.4 % of GDP since the 2016 referendum, according to Goldman Sachs report in
@FT
. Bet this doesnt get much coverage.
144
2K
2K
I have never heard more arrogant nonsense from a Prime Minister in my life. Boris has blown up his premiership by his own stupidity and desperation to keep Dominic Cummings. If England's political classes cannot force a rethink, then where is democracy?
72
587
2K
I've been critical of SNP's domestic policy agenda. But that stops for next 6 weeks. SNP is only pro indy party that can win a FPTP election. It has some brilliant candidates & strong policies on reserved issues. All hands to the pump.
136
781
2K
Half-hearted support from Nicola Sturgeon on
#bbcgms
for
@joannaccherry
whose morning thread revealed threats & intimidation over her stance on women's rights. Hard to see why SNP leader couldn't explicitly back one of her most able & hard-working MPs. Very disappointing.
239
437
2K
Lots of folk champing at the bit - so the Declaration film link is now live! You are our distributors. If you like the film, please tweet & retweet like billio. Tx especially 2
@cherlieboy
, Patrick Doyle & team, trailmaker
@chrisg_smith
& Chris Weir. Phew
139
2K
2K
Now nations of UK are following different Covid strategies, can BBC & ITV presenters stop saying the PM is addressing 'the nation.' The UK is a country composed of 4 nations. Though a small-looking point, many in Scot, Wales & NI have found this mistake maddening for years.
75
544
2K
What is Britishness asks Nicky Campbell on BBC's Big Question. Fairness says Andy Burnham. Jeez. Britain has been Europe's most unequal country 4 centuries. This pinpoints why so many Scots want 2 quit the union - a quest for REAL fairness & honesty re entrenched inequality.
292
561
2K
Boris leading the Downing St news conference says about Dominic Cummings; "I think he followed the instincts of every parent and I do not mark him down for that. In every respect he has acted responsibly, legally & with integrity.” Unbelievable arrogance.
76
463
2K
Unionists disown Boris' devo disaster' comments. Ex Tory spin doctor says if accurate, 'the union is dead'. Top medical journal alleges 'state corruption & suppression of science' at Whitehall. All this before Boris reveals shambolic Brexit deal. High time for Scotland to move on
133
544
2K
Laughter at SNP campaign launch as C5 News guy asks
@NicolaSturgeon
to spell out why Boris Johnson is unfit for office. "How long have we got? We don't have the venue for the entirety of the day." Another WM based journalist learning the hard way that Scotland is another country.
91
593
2K
V significant that Boris Johnson couldn't answer Labour's Chris Elmore who asked directly if PM tried to appoint Carrie Johnson (then Symonds) to a highly paid Foreign Office post. That'll be a yes, then.
#PMQs
193
504
2K
Historic defeat for Labour in Hartlepool by-election was predicted but still shocking. Likely losses in other Red Wall seats makes Labour victory at next general election almost impossible. So Scots face the big choice. Tory control at WM for a decade/s ... or independence.
198
557
2K
Well done Lorna Slater interrupting Douglas Ross in
#BBCLeadersDebate
to point out Tory transition deal is directed to oil and gas not renewables. Serious point here for BBC - ram-roading speakers like Douglas Ross need to be MANAGED.
44
383
2K
Dear Gordon B. In 2014 a lot of people voted No because you promised federalism. Always improbable given a Tory Govt. But they believed you. So don’t suggest ‘nae other options’ existed back then. Harsh truth - you failed to deliver federalism then - now it’s right off ur agenda
248
584
2K
Scotland imports 70% fresh fruit & veg. Why not adopt Dutch/Iceland model & use glasshouses powered by renewable energy? Importing tomatoes (95% water) depletes precious water supplies in Spain/Morocco & reduces food security here. Crazy.
@nourishscotland
279
449
2K
Gotta say, the sound of Tories who've only just had enough of Boris cos he lied to them, never mind the country - bleating on about competence, honour & integrity is enough to gie you the boak.
140
328
2K
Fierce denial by unionists continues in wake of overwhelming SNP victory, which translated into old money (Westminster's FPTP) would have yielded 110/129 seats. And that's despite huge unionist tactical voting in marginal seats (a/c to Prof John Curtice) It's a win. Get o'er it.
167
501
2K
Spectator tonight: Nicola Sturgeon was helped in no small part by the Scottish Conservatives, who jumped the gun and called for her to resign before she had given evidence. Perhaps this was nervousness from an opposition party with a relatively new leader (Douglas Ross). Indeed
139
356
2K
Arlene Foster to quit and Boris Johnson reduced to snarling at Starmer like the British bulldog he really is. Forgive me while I have a wee quiet smile.
58
213
2K
It's quite something when you feel able to wander out & feed the cat with first Prime Ministerial interview on 2021 playing on
#Marr
in the sure & certain knowledge you will be missing nowt.
70
231
2K
Ruth Davidson's welcome & frank admission of mental health problems makes it all the more extraordinary that she could watch her own party inflict stress and misery for eight long years on the unemployed, disabled and chronically ill.
@TheScotsman
column.
139
794
2K
Just told lasses at my Pilates class about Supreme Court ruling that suspending HoC was unlawful. “What a vindication for our Court of Session” said one. “And for those who bothered to fight’. I Think most Scots r so proud of
@joannaccherry
et al.
32
340
2K
What a beautiful sight. Ten thousand Yessers in Edinburgh. Great unscripted speech by Humza & so well organised by
@believeinscot
&
@YesforEU
.
652
405
2K
I hope
@BBCNews
at Ten o'clock rectifies the stunning omission of
@joannaccherry
in network six o'clock news. She's recognised by every other broadcaster & campaigner as main instigator of the legal action that led to today's Supreme Court ruling. Whats the problem?
@GarethBebb
113
592
2K
This is bloody ridiculous
Despite hard work, results & a strong reputation I’ve been sacked today from
@theSNP
front bench. My constituents & fellow party members who gave me a resounding mandate in recent NEC elections should rest assured that I will continue to work hard for them.
3K
2K
8K
277
404
2K
Why on earth is the resignation of Lord Keen not the top item in Radio Scotland's 5 o'clock news?
@BBCScotlandNews
247
563
2K
Political masterclass by
@NicolaSturgeon
on
@bbclaurak
, facing up to
#indyref2
difficulties but putting them into context. SNP's general election strategy results from UK Govt's total, blank refusal to respect democracy & repeated election mandates.
#SNP22
301
509
2K
Who prepares Labour leaders for trips to Scotland? There must be a family whose grip of the briefing function spans generations. Cos a stumbling Keir Starmer just hit the brick wall of Scottish political reality on
#bbcsundayshow
- like every recent Labour leader before him.
151
521
2K
New York FT editor tells
@Channel4News
that Britain looks Italian with chronic economic & political instability - without the good food. And as for Rees Mogg claim that tanking £ isn’t due to mini budget - ‘that’s pretty much bollocks.’
121
605
2K
Downbeat day when anyone is facing the end. Queen's failing health brings back sad memories for folk who've lost ageing mums/grandmas. And doubtless feels like end of an era for many older Scots - republican & royalist alike. No need to rub in the politics today methinks.
148
170
2K
Excellent interview of Jackie Baillie on two child benefit cap nonsense by
@BBCGaryR
. She tried to switch focus by suggesting SNP could spend £250k to eliminate cap in Scotland. 'So Scottish Govt must mitigate a UK Labour Government's welfare policies?' Exactly. It's crazy.
224
758
2K
It tears my heart out to see young people of Scotland deprived of chance to belong to European project - perhaps the greatest achievement of the last century. Great impassioned speech by Patrick Harvie in
#BBCLeadersDebate
143
315
2K
No wonder Boris has taken to snubbing Nicola Sturgeon. Ignoring her govt hasn’t worked. Laughing at her ministers hasn’t worked. Claiming there's no border hasn't worked.
But Boris beware. Belittling Scotland irritates Scots of every political persuasion.
173
498
2K