CommonSpace Podcasts

Beyond the Noise is a Source news podcast, looking at the issues beyond the headlines This week, David Jamieson speaks to Willie Sullivan of the Electoral Reform Society Scotland, and how to improve Scotland's democracy beyond polling day.

Beyond the Noise is a Source podcast where David Jamieson gets beyond the headlines to look at issues in more depth. He is joined in this episode by Chris Nineham, vice chair of Stop the War Coalition, to discuss the UK Government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts bill, and the ways social movements can resist attacks on the right to protest. They discuss: 1:00 -What new anti-protest powers would the bill introduce? 5:00 – What the combination of the crackdown on protest and the new bill tells us about the future of Conservative rule. 14:30 – How did the anti-war movement deal with attempts to restrict the right to protest?

Beyond the Noise is a Source podcast with David Jamieson where he gets beyond the headlines and likes at events in the new in more depth. This week he speaks to Madison based political sociologist Michael Billeaux about dynamics on the right of US politics in the wake of the Washington DC riot and the inauguration of Joe Biden. 1:30 – How has the Capital Hill riot impacted the Republican party and exposed schisms on the US right? 13:50 – In the 2020 election Trumpism expanded and diversified its social base. Can it build on these gains? 20:04 – What happens to the hardcore of Trump’s supporters after the events in Washington DC?

Beyond the Noise is a Source news podcast where David Jamieson looks at issues in the news in more depth. This week Jamieson speaks to Neil Mackay, national organiser for All Under One Banner, about Yes Alba - an attempt to bring together a unified, activist led and organised. They discuss: 1:30 – What are the latest moves to create a broad pro-independence organisation? 8:15 – Has the Scottish independence movement suffered for not having such an organisation? 12:15 – Are these preparations being made with an eye to a coming referendum? 18:15 – Should the future independence campaign be led by grass-roots activists?

Beyond the Noise is a Source news podcast where David Jamieson goes deeper into the issues behind the headlines. This week Jamieson speaks to Pete Cannell and Willie Black of Scot E3, a group drawing together trade unionists and climate activists for a 'Just Transition' from fossil fuel. They discuss: 2:43 – Does the idea of a ‘Just Transition’ exist beyond mere rhetoric at the current time? 11:15 – Is there a lack of a ‘big picture’ for a major industrial strategy around green economic renewal? 22:30 – Is there a danger that a vicious cycle develops, where government inaction informs fears of de-industrialisation. 3:30 – How should trade unionists and climate activists respond to COP26 in 2021?

Beyond the Noise is a Source News podcast looking at the issues behind the headlines. This weak David Jamieson spoke to Nathalia Urban, a Scotland based Brazilian journalist who covers events in South America, about the coup in Bolivia which was overturned in elections last week. They discuss: 0:55 – What’s the background to the movement in Bolivia, and the significance of the this election victory? 7:17 – How the international community turned its back on democracy in Bolivia. 18:18 – What’s the future of the movement in Bolivia?

Beyond the Noise is a Source podcast that gets beyond the headlines and looks at issues in the news in more depth. This week David Jamieson is joined by Richie Venton, a trade unionist sacked by Ikea in Glasgow for informing his members of plans to cut sick pay. They discuss: 1:00 – What is the background to the campaign? Why was Venton sacked? 6:53 – What are Ikea trying to achieve with these moves? 11:54 – What does this mean for trade unionists and workers across the country?

Beyond the Noise is a Source News podcast where David Jamieson gets behind the headlines and looks at issues in the news in more depth. This week he is joined by Scottish National Union of Students President Matt Crilly, to discuss a university intake like no other, in a year like no other. The discuss: 2:25 – Why SNUS are calling for increased funding for the new student intake. 5:15 – What scale of new provision is required from the Scottish Government to cover the new intake? 8:25 – What will be the impact on already limited and expensive student housing? 15:50 – What are the prospects for a new student movement, given all these problems?

Beyond the Noise is a Source podcast with David Jamieson, looking at issues in the news in more depth. For this edition he is joined by sociology lecturer Dr Tom Mills to discuss the place of the BBC and the wider media in the Covid-19 crisis. They discuss: 3:30 – How should we understand the BBC? What is it? What is its social purpose? 10:00 – How do we understand BBC’s claim to neutrality? 12:45 – How has the pandemic upset the BBC’s balancing act? 21:45 – Has the pandemic and the BBC’s importance in relaying official information reduced the desire of some in elite circles to shrink the BBC’s influence? 27:30 – How does the BBC decide what its news agenda looks like? What is its relationship to the wider news environment and particularly the papers?

Beyond the Noise is a Source news podcast with David Jamieson that explores issues in the headlines in more depth. This week Jamieson is joined by Jonathon Shafi, a Scottish activist who recently criticised the Scottish Government commissioned Economic Recovery Group (ERG) Report in an article for the Herald. They discuss: 00: 45 – What is the context against which the ERG’s report has been published? 6:15 – Does the report keep pace with the changes in economic policy we’ve seen around the world in response to the lockdown? 15:30 – Who are the people behind the report and what does the make up of the ERG tell us about its political character. 21:40 – How does the report impact the constitutional question?

Beyond the Noise is a regular Source podcast with David Jamieson, looking in detail at stories in the headlines. For this edition Jamieson is joined by Michael Billeaux, a sociology PHD candidate at the University of Wisconsin and a participant in the Black Lives Matter movement. They discuss: 1:00 – What is the status of the movement now? Has it changed over time in terms of the tactics it is deploying the the constituencies it is drawing-in? 3:50 – How should we understand the latest manifestations in terms of both the longer Black Lives Matter movement, and the even longer tradition of anti-racist politics in US society? 8:57 – What victories has the movement achieved, and what demands are it making? 17:50 – What impact do international protests have on the movement in the US?

Beyond the Noise is a Source News podcast, looking at the ideas behind the news agenda. Earlier this month Scotland lost one of its most important contemporary intellectuals, Neil Davidson. Host David Jamieson speaks to Raymond Morell, a trade unionist and socialist who was a long-time friend and collaborator with Neil, to discuss his political activism and theoretical work. They discuss: 2:35 – How did Neil Davidson’s background in working class Aberdeen inform his approach to politics and to Scottish History? 6:15 – He was a rare ‘organic intellectual’ developing many of his ideas outside the academic circuit. Why did this make him an important voice? 12:15 – What was the substance of his intervention into Scottish history, and what political climate did it interact with? 19: 15 – Why was Davidson and important thinker in regards to the Scottish national question and the 2014 Scottish independence referendum?

Beyond the Noise is a regular Source.scot podcast, where journalist David Jamieson gets behind the headlines to explore issues in the news in more depth. This week Jamieson is joined by Professor of Retail Studies at Stirling University Leigh Sparks, to discuss the turmoil in the retail sector in pandemic and lockdown conditions. They discuss: 1:15 - What has been the scale of the impact from lockdown on the retail sector so far? 5:00 – Are the big retail firms in an even stronger position than before, and are smaller and family firms in a more precarious state? 10:50 – What might the retail economy look life after lockdown, will old shopping habits return, or are we in for longer term trend changes? 19:05 – How can the retail sector change to become more sustainable and socially just?

Beyond the Noise is a regular Source.scot podcast, where journalist David Jamieson gets behind the headlines to explore issues in the news in more depth. This week Jamieson is joined by writer and activist Jonathon Shafi, to discuss the scale of the unfolding crisis, and the forms that inevitable resistance will take. They discuss: 1:00 - Several weeks into lockdown, what picture of the crisis do we now have? How severe is it, and what is the next major turn in governing policy? 6:41 - What might emerging forms of resistance during the economic crisis look like? 13:44 - With both the EU and the US badly impacted by the pandemic and economic crisis, is Britain's position, wedged between these two spheres, even more confused and chaotic? 23:30 - What is the shape of the social movements that will emerge in this period, given that both the Corbyn moment in Labour and the Sanders movement in the US have passed?

Beyond the Noise is a regular Source.scot podcast, where journalist David Jamieson gets behind the headlines to explore issues in the news in more depth. This week Jamieson is joined by economist and journalist George Kerevan to explore the scope of the new economic crisis triggered by the global Covid-19 Pandemic. They discuss: 1:00 – Is this crisis just about the Coronavirus pandemic, or is there a wider context explaining the fragility of the global economy? 8:00 – Does the present crisis bear comparison to the 1920s and 30s, when the global capitalist system was incapable of solving its problems? 16:00 – Has the present era of ‘neoliberalism’ finally ended. 26:00 – How can the capitalist class argue again for the working class to pay for the crisis, after a decade of austerity?

Beyond the Noise is a regular podcast Source reporter David Jamieson, looking in depth at stories in the news. This week Jamieson speaks to veteran trade union activist Bill Ramsay about Coronavirus, the wider economic, social and political shocks it is promoting, and what comes next. They discuss: 1:23 – We are witnessing historic changes to the global economy. What historical eras might we draw comparisons with to try and get our bearings? 4:37 – Is the global economic orthodoxy of ‘neoliberal globalisation’ collapsing under the impact of Coronavirus? 10:00 – What might an appropriate response to the crisis at a national level in Scotland look like? 23:00 – How the UK Governments answer to the situation could threaten small businesses. What might the knock on effect be? 30:30 – Is the state going to be used to protect the wealthy and powerful through the current crisis? 33:40 - What might some immediate demands to protect working class living conditions look like? Image by Gerd Altmann

Beyond the Noise is a weekly CommonSpace podcast, where reporter David Jamieson seeks to dig behind the headlines to discuss the deeper issues at stake. This week Jamieson was joined from across the Atlantic by Pete Ramand, a volunteer organiser in the Sanders campaign, to discuss Super Tuesday and Joe Biden's arrival as the leading Democratic candidate. 1:17 - What is super Tuesday and why has it been to rough for the Sanders campaign? 7:05 – Are there any developments that could yet turn-around the situation and salvage Sanders’ campaign? 19:33 – Is Trump relishing a run-off against Joe Biden? What are his key limitations as a candidate? 25:15 – Why there are real concerns over Biden’s ability to go one on one against either Sanders or Trump.

Beyond the Noise is a weekly CommonSpace podcast, where reporter David Jamieson seeks to dig behind the headlines to discuss the deeper issues at stake. This week Jamieson spoke to Luke Devlin, a human ecologist and member of the Enough Collective - a group exploring the concept of degrowth as a response to the ecological crisis. 5:33 – Why is de-growth the correct argument for the movement against environmental destruction? 9:34 – Doesn’t the idea of degrowth ignore the reality of class society, and the danger that an austerian turn would land the heaviest burden on the working class. 21:25 – Is it fair to say that we are all morally responsible for the environmental crisis? Might that not detract from the fundamental inequalities and injustices that underpin it? 30:10 – How should those serious about confronting climate change deal with the forthcoming cop 26 climate conference in Glasgow?

Beyond the Noise is a weekly CommonSpace podcast, where reporter David Jamieson seeks to dig behind the headlines to discuss the deeper issues at stake. This week Jamieson spoke to Franny McAdam, national organiser of Cairde na hEireann (Friends of Ireland) about Sinn Fein’s historic breaktrhough in the Irish elections 0:43 – What were the reasons behind the Sinn Fein surge? 2:37 – Can the two traditional governing parties simply lock Sinn Fein out? How tenable is that position? 7:27 – What are the major obstacles to moves towards a united Ireland? 14:01 – Has co-operation between the Irish unity and Scottish independence movements improved? Is there further scope for combined action?

Beyond the Noise is a weekly CommonSpace podcast, where reporter David Jamieson seeks to dig behind the headlines to discuss the deeper issues at stake. This week Jamieson spoke to Emily Robinson, a labour historian based at Edinburgh University who has been an activist with Bernie Sander's campaign, and who has commented extensively on the ongoing movement. They discuss: 1:23 – How has Bernie Sanders’ Campaign come from behind to take poll position in the Democratic race? 6:25 – Can Sanders’ campaign hold the course over such a long campaign? What are the peculiarities of US politics his campaign is up against? 11:36 – Which candidates are the most dangerous to Sanders? Is there a real possibility of stitch-up by the Democrat party machine and elite backers to keep him out? 17:29 – Is Sanders the candidate with the edge to beat Trump? What might a collision between Trumpism and Bernieism look like?

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to the heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. IN this week’s podcast, Jamieson speaks to Kirsty Hughes Director Scottish Centre on European Relations on the week Britain leaves the EU. They discuss: 1:17 – What comes next for the UK and Scotland regarding Brexit, what’s the timeline of the coming months? 10:24 – Can ‘independence in Europe’ survive Brexit and the exit of the UK from the European single market and customs union? 16:31 – Will Brexit create further problem’s for the SNP’s position on currency in an independent Scotland?

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to the heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. IN this week’s podcast, Jamieson speaks to George Kerevan, economist, columnist at the National and former SNP MP about how the independence movement should adapt to the threat from Boris Johnson. They discuss: 1:34 – What does Boris Johnson’s rebuttal to the independence movement mean, and how will he pursue an offensive strategy against the independence movement? 9:12 – How should the Scottish Government respond to this new strategy? 13:06 – Beyond the Scottish Government, how should the broader independence movement change to face the new threat? 17: 08 – How has the case for independence been impacted by Johnson and Brexit?

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to the heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. IN this week’s podcast, Jamieson speaks to Dr Nick McKerrel, a senior law lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University and an expert on constitutional law. They discuss: 00:59 – What does the refusal of the section 30 order tell us about the balance of forces in the constitutional wrangle between Edinburgh and London? 8:30 – Has the new impasse exposed the weaknesses of SNP’s long run strategy for independence? 12:02 – Are we now living in post-referenda era Britain? 21:47 – Is there an international legal superstructure that could pressurise the UK to accept Scotland’s right to a vote?

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to the heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. IN this week’s podcast, Jamieson speaks to James Foley and Pete Ramand, co-authors of 'Yes: The radical case for independence' about the 2019 General Election and what it tells us about the future of the Scottish independence movement. 1:45 – Why Labour lost the election. 16:21 – How ‘left paternalism’ became a problem for Labour’s campaign. 27:27 – Why the Scottish independence referendum may be able to shine some light on how popular electoral politics can be approached differently. 31:50 – How the General Election outcome in Scotland poses new opportunities and problems for the independence movement. 46:04 – What form the confrontation between Edinburgh and Westminster will take in coming years.

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to the heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. IN this week’s podcast, Jamieson speaks to freelance journalist and columnist Caitlin Logan about the fallout for the 2019 General Election. 1:24 – What is the scale of Labour’s defeat? How has it changed the electoral map? 6:48 – What explains the success of the Conservatives? 10:52 – Is this the SNP’s most significant ever victory? 17:46 – Why ‘the centre’ still failed to materialise.

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to the heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. IN this week’s podcast, Jamieson speaks to CommonSpace editor Sean Bell about the nature of the 2019 General Election, the campaigns of the various parties and what they mean for Scotland. They discuss: 55:00 – How should we characterise the 2019 General Election? What have it’s main dynamics and arguments been? 11:58 – What has the SNP’s campaign been like, underlined as it is by their continuing strong polling position? 15:11 – Why the Tories have followed a policy of “studious disengagement” during the election? 17:44 – How the Liberal Democrats and Brexit Party were marginalised.

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to the heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. IN this week’s podcast, Jamieson speaks to activist and commentator Jonathon Shafi about the opening days of an historic general election. They discuss: 00:42 – How well have the three major parties – Labour, Tory and SNP – faired in the first few days of the election campaign? 3:50 – Will the SNP campaign on a clear pro-independence stance? 12:20 – Can the Lib Dem vote hold up, and will the first past the post system re-consolidate the vote around Labour and the Conservatives? 17:05 – Can Corbyn pull-off a transformative election victory that puts a cap on decades of Thatcherism?

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to the heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. IN this week’s podcast, Jamieson speaks to Stephen Smellie, trade unionist and co-convener of Scottish Solidarity with Kurdistan about Turkey's invasion of northern Syria and parts of the Kurdish territories following US military withdraw. They discuss: 1:39 – Why the Kurdish people in northern Syria are facing the threat of ‘ethnic cleansing’. 2:53 – How US President Trump gave a green light for Turkey’s attack. 3:18 – Why resistance from within Nato countries like the UK matters. 19:39 – What people in Scotland can do immediately to show solidarity.

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to the heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. IN this week’s podcast, Jamieson speaks to Walden Bello, one of the most prolific and articulate voices critiquing capitalism and globalisation in recent decades, and the author of three new books exploring the crisis of globalisation, the rise of the far right and the consequences of the Chinese model for the global system. Jamieson spoke to Bello as part of his recent visit to Scotland organised by Global Justice Now Scotland. In a wide-ranging interview, they discuss: 1:21 – What does the rise of the authoritarian new far right look like outside of the west, where it is usually studied – as exemplified by Rodrigo Duterte in the Philippines? 9:29 – Why was is the right reaping the benefit of an increasing rejection of neoliberal globalisation, when it is the left which for decades has campaigned against its damaging effects? 28:36 – How should the left in the UK respond to crisis of globalisation in the form of Brexit. In Scotland, how do supporters of independence navigate that cause around relations to the global system? 35:32 – Why the Chinese model, apparently so robust in the face of the 2008 crisis, is coming into crisis. And why it matters for the whole world.

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to the heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. IN this week’s podcast, Jamieson speaks to Bill Ramsay, veteran SNP, CND and trade union activist, about how a long term commitment to Scottish independence was impacted by the independence movement of 2014. They discuss: 2:01 – What drew people into the SNP decades before Scottish independence would become a mass movement? 11:45 – How much did the issue of Scottish independence actually inform the day-to-day politics of SNP members? Was the SNP a vehicle for other political ideas in past decades? 17:29 – The SNP’s painful shift from political party routinism to social movement activity. 31:21 – Do subsequent events, including Brexit, force us to rethink how independence might actually be achieved?

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to the heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. In this weeks podcast Jamieson speaks to Vladimir Unkovski-Korica, a lecturer in the Eastern and Central-European studies department at Glasgow Univeristy, speaks to David Jamieson about the legacy of the Kosovo War. They discuss: 1:54 – How great power conflicts shaped the disintegration of the former Yugoslavia and promoted conflict in the Balkans. 14:49 – How did the West seek to intervene into the collapse of the state? 17:45 – How the pro-war factions of the war on terror cut their teeth in the Balkans. 29:56 – How the anti-war movement also began to cohere.

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to the heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines IN this special edition Jamieson speaks to Dr Nick McKerrel, an expert in constitutional law at Glasgow Caledonian University about the Tory party's self-cannibalisation and the consequences for the UK constitution. They discuss: 0:58 – What is the meaning of the defeat in Scottish courts for petitioners against prorogation of parliament in the context of wider events? 4:56 – Will elements of the British establishment now start calling for constitutional reform? 7:45 – Can the British constitution work without a ‘pragmatic’ Conservative party that routinely complies with the ruling elite. 12:14 – Why this situation also destabilises the Labour party.

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to the heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines This week Jamieson is joined by Pensioners Forum campaigner Elinor McKenzie to discuss a new paper circulating the Tory party by the Centre for Social Justice. It argues for the raising of the pension age to 75 by 2035, indicating a new strategy among the ruling elite in the face of demographic changes: Jamieson and McKenzie discuss: 1:27 – What have been the effects of a decade of austerity on the social and economic position of pensioners and older people? 3:45 – What kind of policies are pursued in the Centre for Social Justice report? 11:35 – Why social class takes precedent over the politics of generation when it comes to pensions. 20:39 – What pensions tell us about the internal dynamics of modern capitalism.

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to the heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. In this special edition Jamieson speaks to CommonSpace editor Ben Wray about Boris Johnson's plans to suspend parliament and the spiralling constitutional crisis: 1:06 - Why the crisis indicates the dismal nature of the British constitution more than an actual coup. 6:00 - How the idea of democracy was cheapened in British politics. 11:46 - The problem with defending the British parliament. 22:56 - Hoe the crisis is impacting Scottish politics, including Ruth Davidson's resignation and Scottish Labour's latest turn.

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to the heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. This week Jamieson speaks to Layla-Roxanne Hill, a director at the Ferret, Scotland's investigative journalism cooperative, about the state of the media in Scotland and the role of new media. They discuss: 0:51 – How are The Ferret and other forms of new media contributing to the struggling media landscape in Scotland? 6:03 – How has the model of media as profitable business undermined media ecology and how can we construct a different model? 10:54 – Is the decline of the media business model connected to its failure to understand political ‘shocks’ and social dynamics? 19:00 – Can new media address the decline of local media and the geographical retraction of public information to big cities?

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to the heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. In the latest episode of Beyond the Noise Jamieson speaks to Dr Nick McKerrell, an expert in constitutional law and a lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University. At a time of acute crisis for the British state they discuss: 1:26 – How does Boris Johnson expose the crisis of the British constitution and state? 7:33 – How has the traditional stability of the British political system come to an end, and what are the consequences? 16:05 – What is the role of the monarchy, and why have people started to flag-up the idea of the intercession of the Queen into the political crisis? 26:05 – How have the British ruling elite historically toyed with authoritarian solutions to constitutional and political crisis, and what are they thinking now? 30:16 – How does the wider constitutional crisis impact independence strategy?

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to the heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. IN the latest episode of Beyond the Noise Jamieson speaks to Jonathon Shafi, a co-founder of the Radical Independence Campaign, about the how Boris Johnson becoming PM and his pursuit of a new Brexit strategy impacts the dynamics of the independence movement. They discuss: 0:54 - What are the options facing a Boris Johnson’s government in the coming months? 8:18 – Does the independence movement require a ‘plan b’ in the face of an intransigent British state? 11:34 – Has the People’s Vote strategy harmed the independence cause? 16:33 – What have we learned about how the British establishment will oppose independence from the Brexit mess?

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. IN the latest episode of Beyond the Noise Jamieson speaks to Cleo Goodman, director of the Citizen's Basic Income Network Scotland. They discuss: 0:55 – What social tasks is the idea of a universal basic income supposed to achieve? 6:31 – How would it be funded, and could it lead to the atrophy of other benefits or public services? 13:41 – Is it really the case that the workforce wouldn’t shrink if people were provided with a regular guaranteed income? 19:54 – Why wouldn’t universal free services be a better way to approach poverty and inequality?

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. In a special live edition of the podcast at Dounne the Rabbit Hole festival, David Jamieson, activist and writer Cat Boyd and a festival audience discuss identity, alienation and individualism in the modern west and Scotland. They discuss: 1:45 - What does the increase of mental ill-health tell us about the state of modern alienation? 8:55 - The importance of the decline of religious belief for the rise of individualism. 33:00 - How social movements like the 2014 independence referendum provide people with a glimpse of a non-alienated society. 45:25 - What Scotland's problem with addiction tells us about the failure of the political system to address fundamental social problems.

To mark Pride season, TIE (Time for Inclusive Education) and CommonSpace held a special event, with a guest panel sharing their defining Moments and Icons from LGBT history. We discussed what can be learned from them today in the quest to advance LGBT rights. Guest Panel: - Bryan Simpson, Unite Hospitality Organiser - Pam Currie, EIS-FELA President - Ged Killen, MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West - Mridul Wadhwa, Forth Valley Rape Crisis Chaired: Rhiannon Davies, CommonSpace Journalist

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. IN the latest episode of Beyond the Noise Jamieson speaks to US based writer and activist Pete Ramand and Canada based journalist Jamie Maxwell about President Trump's veer towards ever more flagrant racism and the openings to and dilemmas of the US left: They discuss: 1:17 - How should we interpret Trump’s attacks on the four congresswomen? 19:28 – How important is race and racism to the functioning of the US political order? 24:45 – What are the new divisions on the left of politics in the US, and how will they condition the response to Trump’s campaign? 31: 55 – Is Bernie Sanders still the right candidate to go up against Trump? 53: 51 – What does the Trump era represent in terms of the longer run of US history?

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. In the latest episode of Beyond the Noise Jamieson speaks to Bill Ramsay, chair of SNP Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (SNPCND) about their new document outlining a roadmap to nuclear disarmament in Scotland. They discuss: 1:00 - What is the roadmap to nuclear disarmament being proposed by SNPCND? 10:18 – Is there a danger that Trident could remain in Scotland as part of negotiations with Nato and/or the remaining UK state? 12:41 – Are weapons systems like Trident becoming redundant? Might this have an impact on disarmament strategies? 25:04 – What is the wider international dynamic on the question of nuclear arms. Would Scotland have international friends when it comes to disarmament?

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. This week, Jamieson speaks to Asbjørn Wahl, a Norwegian trade unionist who was a leading figure in the International Transport Workers Federation over decades, and who headed up the union’s work exploring responses to global warming. They discuss: 1:03 – After ten years of a growing debate about climate change, what is the state of play today? 5:28 – Is global warming an issue that requires a class analysis? 12:21 – Will the working class refuse to pay for the climate crisis? 16:23 – How would democratic planning of the economy allow society to avoid the worst environmental destruction?

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. THIS week Jamieson is joined by Robert Somynne, a freelance journalist and expert on the geopolitics of Iran to look at the Trump's hostile posture towards the country and the threat of escalating conflict. Among other things, they discuss: 1:10 - Are we looking at a new and more dangerous period given the new dynamics of the US’s hostile posture towards Iran? 15:42 – Why has Iran’s influence endured and grown so significantly in the wider region? 23:17 – What is motivating social movements in Iran? 27:43 – What are the divisions at the top of Iranian society and how do the intersect with hostility from the US?

This weak Jamieson is joined by Robina Qureshi, director of Postivie Action in housing, to discuss the Serco's plans to evict some 300 refugees from their homes in Scotland and the mounting campaign to stop them: They discuss: 00:38 – What are the latest developments in Serco’s drive to evict refugees from their homes? 4:51 - How did Serco, a private outsourcing corporation, come to be making these decisions about refugee accommodation? 8:45 – What happened to the rhetoric in the days of the refugee crisis about Scottish local authorities and their readiness to act? 16:58 – What are the next steps for the campaign?

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. IN THIS week's podcast Jamieson is joined by Gyekye Tanoh, Head of Political Economy Unit at Third World Network-Africa, who was in Glasgow to speak to a Global Justice Now Scotland meeting on the West's economic relationship to Africa. They discuss: 00:59 – What is the fundamental character of the economic relationship between the west and Africa? 8:47 – In the west we are constantly sold the narrative of Africa improving and ‘catching up’ with the west. What has been the real impact of neoliberalism on the continent? 18:59 – Are people in Africa resisting the growth of poverty and inequality? And what are the wider social consequences for the continent? 24:10 – How can people in the west practice solidarity with those resisting in Africa?

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. IN THIS week's podcast Jamieson is joined by Tejas Mukerji, speaking in a personal capacity as an activist in SNP socialists and SNP Campaign for an Independent Currency as well as a founder of Neutral Scotland. They discuss: 00:59 – What are the component parts of the SNP left, and how do they relate to the wider make-up of the party? 5:46 – Has the SNP left been to loosely organised until now? Has that held them back from exerting more influence over the party? 16:58 – What are the debates in the party over foreign policy, and how does the left position itself in that fight? 29:28 – What is the future of the left’s fight within the SNP and the wider independence movement?

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. IN THIS week's podcast Jamieson is joined by CommonSpace editor Ben Wray to discuss the European elections from Scotland to Brussels, London to Rome. They discuss: 00:40 – What can we learn from the election results for the SNP and Labour in Scotland? 12:04 – What are the problems surrounding any move in Labour’s position towards a second referendum on leaving the EU. 16:18 – What is the far right’s strategy? Does its diminishing interest in breaking from the EU establishment make it less or more dangerous? 20:23 – Are we seeing the emergence of politics split between the far right and a re-energised centre?

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 outrage-driven social media news circus and gets to heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. THIS week, Jamieson is joined by Gary Smith, Scottish Secretary of the GMB union - part of a coalition, 'Fife - Ready for Renewal' demanding that a new Fife windfarm be constructed in Fife. Has the rhetoric about a 'just transition' towards new green energy collapsed in the face of capitalist power? They discuss: 00:38 - What is the background the the Bifab fight for jobs? 5:05 – What is wrong with the current rhetoric around the idea of a ‘just transition’? 12:05 – Are their countries around Europe who provide a stronger model for energy transition towards more green alternative? 18:05 – Are the ideas around a Green New Deal in the United States a more effective framing for a just transition?

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. IN THIS week's podcast David Jamieson speaks to author Paul Mason about his new book, ‘Clear Bright Future: A radical defence of the Human Being’, and how his belief in radical humanism relates to the politics of Britain and Scotland in the Brexit crisis. Mason and Jamieson discuss: 00:00 - 11:56: The case for radical humanism, and what sort of emancipatory politics is dervied from that perspective 11:57 – 19:07: How radical humanism fits with the current Brexit crisis and the wider crisis of democracy 19:08 – 27:26: How the European Union fits into any radical project for democracy and freedom 27:27 – 35:33: Should Scottish independence be a project for national sovereignty?

Beyond the Noise with David Jamieson is a weekly podcast with CommonSpace journalist David Jamieson, where he gets behind the 24/7 news cycle and gets to heart of issues, trying to find the substance behind the headlines. IN THIS week's podcast Jamieson is joined by Scottish computer scientist, Marxist economist and a reader at the University of Glasgow Paul Cockshott to discuss why economic planning is both viable and necessary in the era of climate crisis. They discuss: 00:39 – What went wrong with the model of economic planning in the USSR, and does it foreclose the idea of economic planning into the future? 10:22 – What are the inefficiencies and irrationalities facing the global capitalist system today in the face of major challenges? 19:55 – How socialist economists recognised the threat of climate change in the 1970s and began urging energy development plans on that basis. 26:29 – What makes economic planning viable as a method of overcoming societies challenges today?