Scottish Independence Podcasts

Data Centres in Scotland: Gold Rush or Bubble? We join campaign group Pensioners for Independence at the Bacchus Bar in Glasgow to find out more. Dr Craig Dalzell, Head of Policy at the Scottish Common Weal, takes on the most pressing question facing Scotland's energy-rich future and unpacks the real economics behind the hype: Can Scotland afford to pass this up? Or are we about to cover our landscape with massive infrastructure for an industry that could collapse faster than it arrived? Data centre operators are circling our abundant renewables. Potentially massive investment, likely some jobs, and mitigation of the scandal of curtailment payments — but also ecological concerns, energy competition with households, and the risk of backing tomorrow's obsolete technology. Should Scotland seize the opportunity to become Europe's AI powerhouse, or are we chasing the next tech bubble? Is it fracking all over again? If you care about Scotland's economic future, energy policy, or simply want straight answers instead of corporate spin, this is essential viewing. Key topics: 00:02:17 Why do they want AI?00:05:25 What are data centres?00:10:25 The AI bubble00:12:19 Why so many data centres?00:14:47 What will AI be useful for?00:21:09 Who owns the data centres?00:24:18 Digital sovereignty00:27:33 How to regulate a data centre00:32:08 Will Scotland rein AI in?00:33:40 Commonweal's prospectus for Scotland 00:34:44 Audience Q+A Find out more about Commonweal's crowdfunder here:https://www.commonweal.scot/crowdfunder Bella Caledonia article: https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2026/09/23/where-are-we-in-the-fight-against-hyperscale-data-centres/ #AIdatacentre #hyperscale #techbubble The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. Remember to like and subscribe! Get in touch:Email: [email protected] Bluesky: @scottishindypod Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips. Video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm We're also on TikTok : scotindypodcasters If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcastsor choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause. Music: Inspired by Kevin MacLeod Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political. Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

The Scottish and Welsh parliamentary elections in May this year resulted in three of the four nations of the UK electing First Ministers who support self determination for their people. This week a meeting took place in Cardiff between the party leaders of the SNP, Plaid Cymru and Sinn Fein to explore areas of common cause in which they can co-operate to further their respective agendas. They then held a press conference address and Q+A session.In this episode, Fiona and Marlene pick out some highlights from the press conference and alsohome in on a couple of areas where Scotland seems to be lagging behind the other two nations in making preparations for constitutional change. Key themes:00:01:08 Lewis from SPVR.org describes the vibe in the room00:07:26 Opening remarks from Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid Cymru00:09:27 Opening remarks from John Swinney, SNP00:13:23 Opening remarks from Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Fein00:16:25 Opening remarks from Michelle O'Neill, Sinn Fein00:21:00 Q: Won't this be just as divisive as Brexit?00:29:13 Q: When and how will Westminster come to an end?00:38:59 Q: What is each nation's ask of Andy Burnham00:47:09 Q: Is this all smoke and mirrors to distract from the day job? We are grateful to Lewis from https://SPVR.org for sharing his footage from the event with us. Links from the discussion: Believe in Scotland petition: https://www.believeinscotland.org/indyref_petition Commonweal New Prospectus info and crowdfunder: https://www.commonweal.scot/prospectus-for-a-new-state #celticalliance #scottishindependence #cardiff The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. Remember to like and subscribe! Get in touch:Email: [email protected] Bluesky: @scottishindypod Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips. Video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm We're also on TikTok : scotindypodcasters If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcastsor choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause. Music: Inspired by Kevin MacLeod Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political. Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

What does the future of public transport in Glasgow really look like? In this episode, we chat with Susie Wood from the Get Glasgow Moving campaign to explore one of Scotland's most ambitious transport initiatives. We look at: The campaign's manifesto — what are they fighting for, and what's their vision for Glasgow's commuters?The franchising framework — what d opportunities does this model present for the city and how can we overcome the barriers?The petition - how can you get involved? Find out more about the campaign here: https://www.getglasgowmoving.org/ Sign the petition here: https://petitions.parliament.scot/petitions/PE2246 #getglasgowmoving #betterbuses #busfranchise The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. Remember to like and subscribe! Get in touch:Email: [email protected] Bluesky: @scottishindypod Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips. Video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm We're also on TikTok : scotindypodcasters If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcastsor choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause. Music: Inspired by Kevin MacLeod Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political. Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

Pensioners for Independence hosts guest speaker Gordon Morgan, Commonweal energy researcher, who delivers an insightful presentation on nuclear energy generation and the broader nuclear industry. In this episode, Gordon explores the history of nuclear power and changing attitudes within the Uk political sphere . Following his presentation, Gordon engages directly with our audience, answering a wide range of thoughtful questions on nuclear technology, decommissioning, renewable alternatives and related topics. Key chapters: 00:02:20 The history of nuclear power to date00:09:06 The true cost of nuclear power generation- and who pays for it00:13:07 The fantasy of Small Modular Reactors00:19:30 Changing attitudes in Uk and Scottish politics00:25:34 Questions from the audience We are grateful to Pensioners for Indy for sharing their event with us. You can find out more about Pensioners for Indy here https://pensionersforindependence.scot/ #nuclearpower #scottishgovernment #grassroots The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. Remember to like and subscribe! Get in touch:Email: [email protected] Bluesky: @scottishindypod Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips. Video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm We're also on TikTok : scotindypodcasters If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcastsor choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause. Music: Inspired by Kevin MacLeod Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political. Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.

Join us for an enlightening discussion with Bill Kidd, former Scottish MSP and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, as he shares his expertise on one of the most pressing global issues: nuclear weapons and energy policy. In this Pensioners for Independence meeting, Bill draws on his extensive background in peace activism to explore the complex intersections of nuclear weapons proliferation, energy security, and international diplomacy. As a key advocate for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), he offers valuable insights into the mechanisms of nuclear disarmament and the challenges facing the global peace movement. Throughout the episode, Bill addresses audience questions on topics including: 00:04:09 Nuclear power incidents 00:05:45 Kazakhstan - USSR test bombs 00:07:43 Nuclear power plants - illusions of safety 00:09:44 UK government plans for nuclear bomb testing in Sutherland 00:11:08 The radioactive legacy of nuclear power 00:14:32 Retiring from Holyrood, not from campaigning 00:15:45 Humanity cannot live indefinitely with nuclear weapons or nuclear power Questions from the audience: 00:17:55 What vested interests do we need to be aware of? 00:24:41 Modular reactors in Scotland 00:27:09 Presenting anti nuclear views 00:32:45 Perceived influence through nuclear weapons 00:35:17 Impact on UK if weapons removed from the Clyde 00:37:31 Dark money and political parties 00:39:32 Would we rent out Faslane to UK? 00:42:45 Is nuclear weapons use now more likely? 00:48:25 Did NATO aggression start the Russian attack on Ukraine? 00:52:51 Reform UK's plans for Scotland The Indypodcasters team produce a NEW podcast episode every Friday search for Scottish Independence Podcasts wherever you get your podcasts. Remember to like and subscribe! Get in touch:Email: [email protected] Bluesky: @scottishindypod Visit our website https://scottishindypod.scot for blogposts, newsletter signup and more episodes Subscribe for free to our Youtube channel @scottishindypodExtra for more of our video footage and clips. Video premieres most Tuesdays at 8pm We're also on TikTok : scotindypodcasters If you've enjoyed this podcast you might like to buy us a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/scottishindependencepodcastsor choose us as your Easyfundraising good cause. Music: Inspired by Kevin MacLeod Scottish Independence Podcasts is pro independence but not party political. Opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily represent our views.