What’s the Point? | Scottish Local Politics

In this hard-hitting episode, Greg and Gerry "The Bellshill Bowler" are joined by none other than  Tommy Sheridan   one of Scotland's most iconic and outspoken political voices. We tackle the big questions: Is the SNP’s "both votes SNP" strategy for independence still credible or has it run out of road? Is it time to take back control of the independence movement from party...

On this week's WTP? Policy & Strategy Power Plays , Jim Logue refuses amendments and mutes opposition. SNP Silence?   Their leader doesn’t propose any challenge. ory Audit Chair? Doesn’t want his own committee having more scrutiny power. The Provost’s Powers Confirmed: all competency decisions sit with him, no scoring, no impartial benchmarking. And the Cllr Barr McCluskey's Motion   B...

This week on  What’s the Point? , we’re back with another no-holds-barred breakdown of the political chaos you’re probably  already paying for . From inflated councillor salaries to MP/ MSP work, we ask: is the public footing the bill for a gravy train they never boarded? We unpack the quiet exodus happening inside North Lanarkshire Council’s senior management team — including Penman’s sudden depa...

This week on What’s the Point? we’re pulling back the curtain on the workings of local politics, from councillor expenses to silenced voices inside party machines. Councillor Pay & ExpensesWe ask the big question: are your local representatives worth the money? We break down salary figures, expenses claims, and what transparency really looks like in 2024/25.SNP Whistleblower RowAs reports circ...

This week on What’s the Point? we’re pulling no punches:School Transport Cuts – Who really made the call to axe local buses, and how far are the SNP willing to go to silence scrutiny? We ask who actually decides what’s "statutory" and what’s just convenient cost-cutting. Union Breakdown – We dig into the explosive GMB email that claims they’ve been excluded from key negotiations with Nor...

This week on What’s the Point?, Greg & Gerry are joined by Cllr David Crichton to unpack three explosive questions:Why is North Lanarkshire Council STILL being subsidised £5.9 million to cover the Bedroom Tax? Is the Saltire still a symbol of national pride or is it being hijacked by culture wars? And is Reform UK about to wipe out the Tories in working-class Scotland? No spin. No scripts. Jus...

North Lanarkshire… what on earth is going on? In tonight’s explosive episode, host Greg Lennon is joined by Gerry Brennan and David Crichton to unpack the growing chaos inside North Lanarkshire Council including:The Brown Bin Petition Scandal and Greg getting ejected from the chamber£31 million signed off to AMEY with zero council voteLabour’s Finance Convener suspended over misconduct170 school k...

In this episode, we’re joined by Neil Findlay, former MSP, bricklayer-turned-politician, and one of the most outspoken voices on the Scottish left. From challenging Jim Murphy for the Labour leadership to walking away from the party altogether, Neil gives us his take on the state of politics, the future of the left, and whether Labour still speaks for working people. We’re also joined by Cllr Barr...

One year of What’s the Point? Before we take a short summer break after next week’s episode, we’re taking a moment to hit pause and look back. In just one year, What’s the Point? has grown into more than just a podcast, it’s become a space for real conversations, education, sharp questions, and local voices that matter. From bin strikes and planning decisions to accountability in public office and...

What’s the Point? Podcast This week, we’re joined by the one-man politicalearthquake.. Fergus Ewing MSP. Once a towering figure in the SNP, now standingtall as an independent voice in Holyrood, Fergus joins us for a raw, revealingconversation about the future of Scotland, the chaos inside party politics, andwhy he believes the system is broken from the inside out. Insidethis episode: Whatreally ha...

This week we are joined by Councillor Paul Di Mascio on What’s the Point? the show where local politics gets the attention (and interrogation) it deserves. Paul has been making waves across North Lanarkshire and beyond and this Tuesday, he joined us for an unfiltered conversation on:The battle to save the John Smith PoolThe fallout from the brown bin petitionThe mysterious £31 million Amey settlem...

What’s the Point? Episode Title: Breaking Ranks In this bombshell episode, Councillor David Crichton lifts the lid on one of the most controversial issues in Scottish local government: the £1.8 billion Mears contract at the heart of North Lanarkshire Council. From the inside story of his high profile departure from the SNP, to calling out the Labour administration’s grip on council governance, Dav...

This week on What’s the Point?, we’re joined by Jamie Kerr, one of Scotland’s leading immigration lawyers. We dive into a wide-ranging conversation covering:The future of Scotland’s workforce and the migration landscapeBorders, policy shifts, and what it all means locally. How immigration is shaping communities like North LanarkshireThe human realities behind political rhetoricWhether you’re inter...

This Week on What’s the Point? We’re joined by award winning investigative journalist and Sunday Mail Political Editor, Hannah Rodger, for a deep dive into journalism, power, and political accountability in Scotland. We unpack some of the biggest stories Hannah has covered in North Lanarkshire, from SNP scandals and £1.8 billion in public contracts, to the shifting landscape of Scottish politics....

In this episode, we sit down with Ross Thomson — editor of the  Wishaw Press ,  Coatbridge and Airdrie Advertiser , and  West Lothian Courier .  With years in the thick of Scotland’s local newsrooms, Ross talks candidly about the changing face of local journalism, the fight to keep community voices front and centre, and the pressures facing regional press in 2025. We dig into politics, public trus...

On this weeks What's the Point? Kenny MacAskill UNFILTERED: Explosive Interview on Independence, the SNP, and the Future of Scottish Politics In one of his most candid interviews yet, Alba Party leader and former Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill joins What’s the Point? to lay it all out, no spin, no holding back. Is the SNP still serious about independence? Has the movement lost its way? Wher...

On this Episode of What's the Point? We welcome our guest: Cllr Ross Lambie – Reform UK Candidate for South Lanarkshire & Hamilton By-election In this energised episode of What’s the Point?, we dive into the heart of Scotland’s political battlegrounds with Reform UK’s rising voice, Councillor Ross Lambie. As the South Lanarkshire candidate and hopeful for the Hamilton by-election, Lambie joins...

This week on What's the Point? North Lanarkshire, we delve into the big issues affecting our communities and authority. First, we examine Labour’s recent refusal to appeal to their party leaders (PM) to reverse the winter fuel payment cut, a move that leaves our most vulnerable residents facing a harsh winter. Next, we spotlight the SNP’s recent action on school transport, is this the Finally we w...

Welcome to Episode 5 of What's the Point?, the podcast that cuts through the noise and gets to the heart of what's really going on in North Lanarkshire. This week, we're diving into Labour's reckless policy to scrap the Winter Fuel Payment—what does it mean for the most vulnerable in our community? We’ll also be asking the tough questions: are the council's exorbitant wages for...

In this week's podcast, we discuss the two by-elections that have just been called, delve into petitions regarding Bedlay Cemetery and school transport, and talk about the new council cycle. Join us on the peculiar journey that is North Lanarkshire politics.

In this week's podcast, we dive deep into the local government selection process. We explore what it takes to become a councillor, whether a party system is necessary at the local government level, and the true purpose of a councillor. Additionally, we examine the power dynamics in North Lanarkshire, questioning if the Councillor Code of Conduct has been misused to suppress political discourse...

What's the Point? North Lanarkshire! This week, we dive into the General Election results and explore what this means for the SNP in North Lanarkshire & can Labour deliver on their legendary "Change Mantra"?  We also delve into the Balance of Power in North Lanarkshire, examining how motions and amendments are submitted, and whether we're seeing "El Presidente" styl...

Welcome to this special edition of Past the Hour, where we tackle the pivotal questions leading up to the General Election. We'll explore the recent full council decision to cut school transport and its potential impact on Labour, especially among affected families. We'll also examine concerns about the legitimacy of opposition members who are on Labour's payroll and how this might und...

Welcome to "What's the Point," a new political podcast that dives deep into local issues in North Lanarkshire, Scotland. Hosted by three serving politicians who are also local residents, this podcast aims to break down political decision-making, explain why things happen the way they do, and simplify the often convoluted process for everyone. Tune in every two weeks for updates, news...