WHAT is Scotland's energy policy now? The SNP's decision to scrap new nuclear has formalised Scottish Labour's carefully scripted policy of nuclear reluctance. And though some Labour MSPs may want to overrule Alex Salmond's planning veto, the Scottish public (and many Labour MSPs in private) have given the unambiguous anti-nuclear stance a cautious thumbs-up.
In part that's because of worries over nuclear waste disposal, connections with nuclear weapons manufacture and the blank nature of the government cheque needed to subsidise nuclear production and decommissioning. But in part that's also because the public believes new technologies like clean coal and marine energy can take over when nuclear stations close and large onshore wind farms have finally been vetoed by Western Isles voters, thanks to the SNP's election commitment to heed local referendums on the three current proposals there. Unfortunately, it isn't going to be that simple.
Continue reading "Time and tide wait for no-one - even Scotland" »
At the risk of sounding like an advert for M&S, the Edinburgh tram is not just a local transport issue. The Edinburgh tram is a national governance issue. And the way this “little local difficulty” is handled by the SNP at Holyrood and the Lib Dem-SNP coalition at Edinburgh City Council, will speak volumes about this country’s real appetite for new politics.
The SNP have made no secret of their intention to ditch plans for the £592m Edinburgh trams project, along with EARL, the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link.
Last week, on Radio Scotland the SNP’s Kenny MacAskill summarised their reasons.
Continue reading "Class is the dividing line in debate over trams" »
It's a new regular Feisty Productions series for Radio Scotland.
Every Friday
1.15-2pm
With myself in the chair
Grilling the top newsmaker of the week
With your phone calls, texts and emails
Starting May 11th with special guest Alex Salmond –coalition talks permitting! If you’ve a question email here. If you want to make a call on the subject on Friday put CALL at the top of your email and give us a phone number. Your number won’t be passed on anywhere else – and it won’t cost you a penny to call!
Continue reading "I am back with Riddoch Questions" »