What’s the Point? | Scottish Local Politics

🎙️ What’s the Point? | Episode 58 – The Podcast They Tried to Silence?  That’s a wrap for the season. On our final episode before the summer break, wego behind the scenes and ask why What’s the Point? has become one of Scotland’s most politically disclaimed local politics podcasts. We discuss the formal complaints made against the show’s hosts, including a complaint submitted by North Lanarkshire...

Who really runs your council? The councillors you elect, or the officers behind the scenes? This week on What’s the Point?, we tackle one of the biggest questions in local democracy: delegated authority. How much power is actually held by elected councillors, how much is delegated to officers, and where does accountability sit when major decisions are made? We break down how councils operate, who...

This week on What's the Point?, we're joined by James Marvin, better known online as Scotland by Prestige, to explore the fascinating history and heritage of North Lanarkshire and beyond. From abandoned mines and ancient priories to forgotten landmarks, museums, and hidden gems, James has built a loyal following through his engaging short videos that bring Scotland's rich history to li...

Our guest tonight is Brian Leishman MP, one of Scottish Labour's most outspoken politicians and a man who seems to have spent much of his Westminster career testing the theory that MPs are supposed to do what the party leadership tells them. A former councillor, trade unionist and professional golfer, Brian made the jump from local government to Westminster in 2024 when he was elected as the M...

This week on What's the Point? We’re joined by Reform UK MSP Graham Simpson. As Reform emerges as one of the newest and fastest-growing groupings at Holyrood, now positioning itself as a major opposition force following the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, we ask what Scotland can expect next. We’ll discuss:* What Reform UK actually stands for in Scotland* Whether local government reform is...

Former MP Hugh Gaffney joins Gerry and Greg for Episode 51 of What’s the Point? to discuss his new book "Auchengeich: Gone But Not Forgotten", which tells the story of the devastating Auchengeich Pit Disaster and the lasting impact it had on Lanarkshire communities and mining families. We also dive into Hugh’s time as both a North Lanarkshire councillor and MP, the realities and pitfalls...

What's the Point? North Lanarkshire Podcast 2d  · This week on What’s the Point? we’re joined by Glasgow’s Cllr Fiona Higgins Canal Ward for what promises to be one of our biggest conversations yet. Fiona is becoming one of the most talked about voices in Scotland around free speech, political expression and the right of elected councillors to robustly challenge decisions, scrutinise power and...

This week on What’s the Point? we discuss the latest Daily Record revelations surrounding Scotland’s highest-paid council executives, as councils continue to warn of financial pressures, service cuts, and rising council tax bills. Would communities rather save local facilities or ensure 10% rises for senior officials? We also discuss the sentencing of former SNP Council Leader Jordan Linden, who y...

This week on What’s the Point?, we dive into the Scottish Parliament elections, who’s taking your fancy, or are they all much the same? We ask whether the SNP in North Lanarkshire can overcome the recent scandals it’s faced, and whether the very people who brought us Brexit are really the ones to get us out of the cost of living crisis. Gerry also has a moment to reflect on his… unexpected admirat...

This week on What’s the Point?, we break down a chaotic Full Council meeting, the one Larson tried to stop Cameron from speaking, the growing controversy surrounding the SNP following the Jordan Linden case, and serious questions on why they submitted an amendment to protect their £10k payment to the Leader. We dig into:What really happened at Full CouncilThe political fallout for the SNP in North...

In one of the most significant episodes of What's the Point? North Lanarkshire, victim Councillor Cameron McManus speaks publicly about the Jordan Linden scandal and its devastating impact. Jordan Linden. Former SNP Council Leader. Convicted at Falkirk Court on ten counts, including Sexual Assault. But the conviction was only the beginning of the story. Because while Linden's victims were...

NLC SNP Group, Protectionism & Jordan LindenTonight’s episode tackles one of the most serious and controversial issues in North Lanarkshire politics as the Jordan Linden case reaches its conclusion at Falkirk Sheriff Court this week. We ask the difficult questions others won’t:Why did a SNP Councillor frame this as “Jordan is only guilty of being a young person” rather than something requiring...

As Bananarama once sang – the only thing we are guilty of is.. "love in the first degree" and this week we’re celebrating all our new listeners joining What’s the Point? In this episode we dive into some of the latest decisions affecting communities across Lanarkshire. While South Lanarkshire Council is building a new £20 million swimming and leisure facility, in North Lanarkshire we’re...

On this weeks What’s the Point?,We’re joined by key representatives from the Save the Aquatec campaign, who explain exactly what’s at risk, how this decision has been handled, and why people across North Lanarkshire are saying enough is enough. And yes, we couldn’t resist turning the spotlight back on Jim Logue and the Labour administration, whose talent for ducking responsibility is matched only...

What’s the Point? Episode 37: "Regional Lists, Rogue Leaders & the SNP’s North Lanarkshire Problem"This week on What’s the Point? we’re lifting the lid on the SNP’s internal power plays from the corridors of North Lanarkshire Council to the regional list campaigns kicking off across the country. Greg and Gerry are joined by special guest Cllr David Crichton as they tackle the latest...

This week on What’s the Point? we're joined by Cllr Graham Campbell from Glasgow City Council a longtime activist, internationalist, and voice of Scotland’s radical left. We’re asking some big, uncomfortable questions:Are our councils really working for the people… or just serving the party machines? What does democracy look like in Glasgow versus North Lanarkshire? Is it time to ditch party p...

EPISODE 36. Bonnie Prince Bob, North Lanarkshire vs Edinburgh CouncilsThis week on What’s the Point?, Greg, Gerry, and special guest Bonnie Prince Bob take the gloves off for a no-holds-barred look at local democracy or what’s left of it. We’re comparing Edinburgh City Council and North Lanarkshire Council, two very different beasts when it comes to public engagement, transparency, and serving the...

This week on What’s the Point?, democracy meets the Dark Side. In an episode inspired by a galaxy not so far away, we break down a chaotic week at North Lanarkshire Council, where procedure, power, and points of order took centre stage. We look closely at the widening budget crisis, and the growing concern that decision-making at NLC is becoming increasingly officer-led and tightly controlled thro...

This week on  What’s the Point? , we dive deep into Audit Scotland’s damning report on North Lanarkshire Council and the picture isn’t pretty. From a projected  £136.9 million budget gap , to  collapsing public satisfaction , to a Programme of Work described as  heavily officer-led , this report raises serious questions about how the council is being run, who is setting the direction, and where ac...

With the latest changes to political balance in North Lanarkshire, it now appears that some long-standing Independent councillors have aligned themselves with the Administration. The outcome is that Independent committee places may now be effectively determined by political groups rather than by the Independents themselves. This raises serious questions about transparency, fairness, and the concen...

We’re cutting through the noise and calling it exactly as it is. From SNP overreach to the fury sparked by one wee photo, we unpack the drama, the short memories, and the shifting sands of local politics. Progressive Change councillors have made the jump to Independents but what does that actually mean for democracy in North Lanarkshire? We also expose some of the old Big Jim tricks still being pu...

Greg and Gerry are joined by the part-time political enigma Cllr David Crichton and the blind golf world beater himself, Cllr Barry McKluskey. We dive headfirst into the latest drama gripping North Lanarkshire, including press reports on the former SNP Group Leader’s alleged conduct, and the internal fallout that’s seen eight members walk out. From there, we take you on a tour of political absurdi...

What’s the Point? Independent Thinking & the Tin Flute Dictator On this week, it’s just Greg & Gerry and that means no filters, no party lines, and no holding back. We’re diving into the idea of  independent candidates   both at  Holyrood and local council level  and asking the question: What would happen if an Independent actually led the council? Could that finally break the grip of the...

Wullie Hogg: A Independent Uprising in South Ayrshire This week on  What’s the Point? , we’re joined by straight‑talking independent councillor Wullie Hogg, who just shook up South Ayrshire politics by winning the Ayr North by‑election. While the traditional parties threw leaflets, slogans and ministers at the race, Wullie stuck to the basics: local issues, community focus, and no party tag. What...

Actor, activist, and lifelong socialist, Tam’s voice has echoed from theatre stages to Palestine rallies, from picket lines to public platforms. Now backing Your Party, the new Corbyn-aligned movement in Glasgow. Tam joins us to talk about reclaiming politics for working-class communities, the fight for justice at home and abroad, and whether Scotland’s left still has the fire to be radical again....