The Ordinary Elite

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Solicitor Advocates John McGovern and Mike Dailly discuss the topical issues and stories of the week from Scotland and further afield. Politics, law, culture, and much more.

The Ordinary Elite


    • May 15, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 43m AVG DURATION
    • 60 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Ordinary Elite

    The Ordinary Elite - E5 - Letter from Grangemouth

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 50:25


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence lawyer and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 5th episode of Season 5, we examine Scotland's energy policy with Dr. Ewan Gibbs. Ewan is a lecturer in Global Inequalities at the University of Glasgow, specializing in Economic and Social History. With Scotland's last refinery no longer refining oil at Grangemouth from 29 April this year, we ask has the renewable energy transition been just for workers and communities in Scotland?

    The Ordinary Elite - E4 - Fill yer boots!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 32:35


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence lawyer and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 4th episode of Season 4, we consider this week's judgment of the UK Supreme Court in For Women Scotland v the Scottish Ministers. The Scottish Government lost this case in the same month that the First Minister agreed to award ministers a £19,000 pay rise. Are we getting value for money from our senior public servants or are we rewarding failure?

    The Ordinary Elite - E3 - Invasion of the Tariff Snatchers

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2025 47:25


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence lawyer and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 3rd episode of Season 4, we examine the race to the economic bottom with President Trump's tariff's wars. We also look at the political achievements of Prime Minister Starmer so far. While we give a passing grimace to the "hottest and most expensive" ticket in Edinburgh - a meet and greet with Nicola Sturgeon!

    The Ordinary Elite - E2 - Reform UK & Cllr Thomas Kerr

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 45:33


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence lawyer and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 2nd episode of Season 4, we talk with Cllr Thomas Kerr - a Glasgow city councillor who left the Tories to join Reform UK earlier this year. Thomas was joined by Reform UK's Deputy Leader, Richard Tice MP, in Glasgow today for the announcement of two further Scottish Cllr defections to Reform: Renfrewshire Cllr John Gray and South Lanarkshire Cllr Ross Lambie - now giving Reform 8 Scottish Cllrs. There is talk of a 9th defection next week - so what's going on?

    The Ordinary Elite - E1 - Reeves and Mortimer

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2025 47:06


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence lawyer and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 1st episode of Season 4, we consider the performance of Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The last 7 months has been the world's shortest honeymoon for the Labour Party. We also look at the Scottish employment tribunal case of Peggie v. Fife NHS Health Board and Dr Upton.

    The Ordinary Elite - E12 - Year in Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2024 51:38


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence lawyer and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 12th episode of Season 3, we present our eve of Hogmanay, Year in Review. We look at of the ups and downs of politics in Scotland & the UK in 2024. We hand out our prestigious "Gongs for Gonks Awards" - the Scottish Oscars - to the most outstanding movers and shakers in UK political life.

    The Ordinary Elite - E11 - With Gideon Levy

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2024 50:42


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence lawyer and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 11th episode of Season 3, we discuss wars and human rights atrocities in the Middle East with Israeli journalist and author, Gideon Levy. Gideon writes opinion pieces and a weekly column for the newspaper Haaretz that often focus on the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories. He has won prizes for his articles on human rights in the Israeli-occupied territories. In 2021, Gideon won Israel's top award for journalism, the Sokolov Award. His new book, "The Killing of Gaza: Reports on a Catastrophe" is available in bookshops and Amazon.

    The Ordinary Elite - E10 - With Jon Trickett MP

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 48:29


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence lawyer and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 10th episode of Season 3, we discuss current political issues in the UK and beyond with Jon Trickett MP. Jon was the only Labour MP to vote against the cut to the Winter Fuel Payment. Jon is a former Leader of Leeds City Council and a former member of Labour's Shadow Cabinet.

    The Ordinary Elite - E9 - With John McDonnell MP

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2024 55:19


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence lawyer and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 9th episode of Season 3, we discuss the UK Government's first Labour budget with former Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, John McDonald MP. Will Labour's policies transform the lives of ordinary people for the better in the UK?

    The Ordinary Elite - E8 - They whom the truth would indite

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2024 39:48


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence lawyer and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 8th episode of Season 3, we pay tribute to the legacy and memory of Scotland's former First Minister, Alex Salmond, who died suddenly at the weekend while speaking at a diplomatic conference in North Macedonia. Alex was fond of quoting from the poems and writings of Robert Burns. The words from Rabbie's "Here's a health to them that's awa" seem fitting: "There's nane ever fear'd that the truth should be heard,But they whom the truth would indite".

    The Ordinary Elite - E7 - Starmer's 100 days of chaos

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2024 42:31


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence lawyer and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 7th episode of Season 3, we consider Prime Minister Keir Starmer's first 100 days in government. From "Freebiegate"; cutting the Winter Fuel Allowance for over 10 million UK pensioners; the replacement of the top team at Number 10 and backtracking on tax hikes for the most wealthy in our society, it has been a bad start. Will the PM turn things around or run aground?

    The Ordinary Elite - E6 - Negative Energy

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2024 40:45


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence lawyer and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 6th episode of Season 3, we consider the big political stories of the week. We examine the disasterous decision from Prime Minister Keir Starmer & Co., to cut the Winter Fuel Allowance for over 10 million UK penioners. We consider the grim news that Scotland's only oil refinerty in Grangemouth is due to close next year.

    The Ordinary Elite - E5 - Dare to be honest and fear no labor

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2024 43:38


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence lawyer and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 5th episode of Season 3, we consider the big political stories of the week in Scotland and the UK. We reflect on key themes from our recent senior political guests - former PM of Australia Malcolm Turnbull; former FM of Scotland Alex Salmond; and Major of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.

    The Ordinary Elite - E4 - With Andy Burnham

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2024 63:02


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence lawyer and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 4th episode of Season 3, we are delighted to be joined by Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester. We discuss Andy's approach to putting people first in politics and his ability to work with all political parties to deliver fantastic change for people across Greater Manchester.

    The Ordinary Elite - E3 - With Alex Salmond

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2024 76:41


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence lawyer and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 3rd episode of Season 3, we are delighted to be joined by the former First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, now leader of the Alba Party. As we approach the 10th anniversary of the Scottish independence referendum, we ask Alex for his reflections on that campaign, while looking at the last decade of Scottish politics and government. We examine the need for good governance, competence and strategy at Holyrood and consider the future for Scotland.

    The Ordinary Elite - E2 - Scotland's drug death crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 43:57


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence lawyer and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 2nd episode of Season 3, Annmarie Ward the Chief Executive of the charity Faces and Voices of Recovery (FAVOR UK) joins us. The latest figures for drug related deaths were published yesterday - 1,172 people died in Scotland in 2023, representing a 12% increase in the loss of life from the previous year; with Scotland having the highest drug death rate in Europe. Five years ago, the Scottish Ministers declared drug related deaths a public health emergency in Scotland. But what has changed?

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 1 - With Malcolm Turnbull

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024 69:25


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence lawyer and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 1st episode of Season 3, we're delighted to be joined by the former Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull. Before his political career, Malcolm had a very successful career in law and business. In 1986, he made legal history beating the UK Government in the Spycatcher trial: HM Attorney General for the United Kingdom v Heinemann Publishers Proprietary Ltd & Peter Wright. The litigation had been raised by Margaret Thatcher's government to prevent publication of a book which was to be published in Australia. ‘Spycatcher' was the selected memoirs of a retired MI5 agent then living in Tasmania. We also discuss truth and candour in 21st century politics; Brexit and the use of referenda in constitutional politics.

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 18 - The New Order

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 49:12


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 18th episode in Season 2, we examine the outcome of the UK General Election which resulted in a landslide victory for Labour with 412 MPs. We consider what it means for Labour, the Tories, the SNP and other political parties; and most importantly for public policy in Scotland and the UK.

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 17 - The Forgotten Strike

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 46:59


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 17th episode in Season 2, we talk with the sports broadcaster and journalist, Jim Spence. Jim was previously a college of further education lecturer in Dundee. College lecturers in Scotland have been in a pay dispute with industrial action since 2022. They are still flighting for fair pay and so far they have been offered a 6.9% deal over three years - much less than many other public sector workers. We also talk with Jim about Scotland's national football team who are now out of Euro 2024.

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 16 - The Battle of Orgreave

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2024 56:23


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. On 18 June 1984, 8,000 striking miners picketed lorry drivers outside of the Orgreave coking plant. Pickets were peaceful but at Orgreave, miners were met with 6,000 police officers in riot gear with batons, shields and horses. In our 16th episode in Season 2, we talk with two Scottish miners - Brendan Moohan and Pat Egan who were at Orgreave on 18 June 1984. We discuss police brutality that day, being arrested, charged and prosecuted for peacefully protesting against the loss of people's livelihoods.

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 15 - Wings over Scotland

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2024 48:10


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 15th episode in Season 2, we speak with Stuart Campbell of the popular political website, Wings over Scotland. In October 2020, Wings highlighted that according to the SNP's 2019 accounts it only had £97,000 in its bank account and total net assets of £272,000. His news article "You've Been Robbed" invited donors who were "concerned about this state of affairs" to ask the SNP what has happened to their donations. The rest, as they say, is history. We discuss the UK General Election and all things UK and Scottish politics.

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 14 - Things Can Only Get Better

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2024 26:05


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 14th episode in Season 2, we discuss the big political events over the last 24 hours. A UK General Election will take place on 4 July 2024. At Holyrood today, the Standards Committee has proposed a ban on Michael Matheson MSP from attending the Scottish Parliament for 27 sitting days, as well as docking his pay for 54 days. All of this and more.

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 13 - The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2024 52:47


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 13th episode in Season 2, we talk with Ash Regan MSP, the Alba Party's Holyrood leader, about all things Scottish politics. Ash was the first government minister to resign on a question of principle since the SNP came to power in 2007. Ash has contributed a chapter to the forthcoming book, "The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht". The book represents a collection of over thirty essays and photographs, where some of the women involved tell the story of the five-year campaign to protect women's sex-based rights. Other contributors include: J.K. Rowling and SNP MP Joanna Cherry. Available on Amazon from 30 May 2024: https://amzn.eu/d/hm7I3jY

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 12 - New or old broom?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2024 40:51


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 12th episode in Season 2, we ask whether John Swinney will bring fresh ideas and leadership to the SNP and Scottish Government as the new First Minister of Scotland? Or will it be more of the same old same? How will the SNP operate as a minority administration and who will support them?

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 11 - Political will for land reform in Scotland?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2024 46:09


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 11th episode in Season 2, we discuss the Scottish Government's Land Reform (Scotland) Bill. We're joined by former MSP and Scottish land expert Andy Wightman. Andy believes in the fundamental democratisation of land ownership in Scotland. We ask will the Land Reform Bill make a difference and is their a political will in Scotland to revolutionise land ownership and use? Or is it simply virtue signalling? Visit Andy's website here: https://andywightman.scot

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 10 - Vortex of Doom

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2024 56:22


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 10th episode in Season 2, we discuss the future of Glasgow's city centre, night time economy and public transport, including black taxis. We're joined by Glasgow entertainment and club guru, Donald MacLeod of the Garage and Cathouse nightclubs. We ask is Glasgow's city centre and night time economy in a vortex of doom? If so, how can we turn this around?

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 9 - Party before country? The SNP

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2024 37:16


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 9th episode in Season 2, we ask has the SNP put party before country following the proposed resignation of First Minister, Humza Yousaf? We're joined by Eva Comrie, a political activist for Scottish independence, former councillor, solicitor and independent candidate for the Alloa and Grangemouth constituency in the forthcoming UK General Election.

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 8 - A Debt Protection Nothing Burger?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2024 40:30


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 8th episode in Season 2, we discuss the Bankruptcy and Diligence (Scotland) Bill due to undergo Stage 3 consideration in the Scottish Parliament. Several years in the making, but will help that many Scots who are financial vulnerable? Might it be a debt protection nothing burger? We talk with Alan McIntosh, an approved money advisor with Advice Scotland Ltd.

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 7 - Hate Incidents

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2024 42:10


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 7th episode in Season 2, we discuss the recording of hate incidents in Scotland and the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021; due to come into force on April Fools Day. Police Scotland's guidance on recording non-crime hate incidents hasn't been updated - unlike in England and Wales - following the England and Wales Court of Appeal decision in Miller v. The College of Policing [2021] EWCA Civ 1926. Is the Scottish guidance lawful? That and much more.

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 6 - The Hate Monster

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2024 36:26


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 6th episode in Season 2, we discuss the Hate Monster campaign in Scotland and the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021; due to come into force on April Fools Day. Is the Hate Crime Act workable or will it cause more problems that it seeks to resolve?

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 5 - Criminal justice, mince & tatties

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2024 46:41


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 5th episode in Season 2, we discuss criminal justice in Scotland - including the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 (in force from 1 April) and the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill. We also reflect on a certain MSP's gripe that the heavily subsidised food in the Parliament's restaurant and cafe isn't good enough.

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 4 - Immediate ceasefire in Gaza

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2024 43:19


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 4th episode in Season 2, we are joined by Father Jim Lawlor of the Immaculate Conception parish in Glasgow's Maryhill. The war in Gaza has now been ongoing since 7 October 2023, with no end in sight. Over 29,000 Palestinians have been killed with over 69,000 people wounded. We discuss with Fr. Jim the need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 3 - Who will fix Scotland & the UK?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2024 53:16


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 3rd episode in Season 2, we are joined by the former MSP and social justice campaigner Neil Findlay. Is Holyrood and Westminster broken and if so who will fix them? We discuss with Neil the desire of the many millions of people across Scotland and the UK to see solutions to the myriad of social, health, housing, economic and governance problems now facing us. Neil's books are available at http://www.neilfindlaybooks.com

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 2 - The UK Covid Inquiry in Edinburgh

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2024 40:25


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 2nd episode in Season 2, we ask what have we learned from the UK Covid-19 Inquiry sitting in Edinburgh over the last three weeks? We consider the questions asked and the key evidence given in relation to the handling of the pandemic in Scotland.

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 1 - Posted missing: The Post Office Scandal

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2024 44:15


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our first episode of 2024, we examine the week in Scottish & UK politics with a focus on the Post Office scandal. 3,500 sub-postmasters and mistresses wrongly accused of fraud and theft due to a faulty computer system over many years; 700 prosecutions; 236 people imprisoned - and so far few people have yet to have their convictions overturned or receive full financial redress.

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 25 - The Year in Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 31, 2023 58:44


    The Ordinary Elite is a new Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 25th episode, we provide an omnibus hour long discussion looking back at 2023 in terms of Scottish and UK politics; the highs, the lows, the good, the bad, the feckless, the reckless, the fickle and the downright incredulous. Pour yourself a glass, put your feet up and join us for a review of the year that was 2023!

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 24 - Scotland's drug death crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2023 34:59


    The Ordinary Elite is a new Scottish podcast series brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 24th episode we're joined by Annmarie Ward, the founder and CEO of the charity Faces & Voices of Recovery UK. FAVOR UK challenge the stigma of addiction and are campaigning for a proposed Right to Addiction Recovery (Scotland) Bill in the Scottish Parliament. We last spoke to Annmarie in April this year and asked her what progress had been made to address the fact Scotland has the highest death rate from drug overdoses in Europe?

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 23 - Scotland's homeless crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2023 33:12


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 23rd episode, we talk with Colin McInnes, the founder of Homeless Project Scotland. This is a Glasgow charity providing a range of social welfare services including a nightly soup kitchen which feeds 310 people each day, providing 55,000 hot meals each week. Last week the Scottish Parliament declined to declare a housing and homelessness emergency in Scotland - despite a 15% rise in homeless applications, more rough sleeping and almost 10,000 children/young persons in temporary accommodation - the highest since records began in 2002. We discuss these and other homeless issues facing Glasgow with Colin.

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 22 - Parliamentary whoppers

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2023 41:24


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 22nd episode, we discuss the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Michael Matheson MSP's personal statement given to the Scottish Parliament on his iPad mobile expenses claim of almost £11,000. For some 11 months, the claim was said to be for purely legitimate parliamentary business when Mr Matheson was on a family holiday in Morocco last December. Yesterday he admitted that was not true. Should he stay or should he go as Health Secretary?

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 21 - The journey to net zero

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2023 45:45


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 21st episode, we talk with Stephen Sheal, Director of Government Affairs and Policy at the Net Zero Technology Centre in Aberdeen. Scotland is committed to reaching net zero in carbon emissions by 2045. We've already reduced emissions by 49% since 1990, but the final journey to 100% will be much harder to reach. We discuss the choices available to governments and individual citizens and the impact they may have on our day to day life in achieving net zero.

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 20 - A buffet of buffoonery?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2023 41:48


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 20th episode we ask do have a buffet of buffoonery in UK and Scottish politics? With the come back of former Prime Minister David Cameron as a member of the House of Lords to act as Foreign Secretary and Scottish Health Secretary, Michael Matheson MSP's bumper iPad expenses, what has become of our democracy?

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 19 - Land reform for the common good

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2023 38:52


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 19th episode, we talk with Dr Calum McLeod about the need for meaningful land reform in Scotland. 67% of large-scale private rural landownership is owned by 0.025% of the population in Scotland. Yet, we have a national housing crisis where thousands of people in rural and urban areas can't get a home. Dr MacLeod recently published a discussion paper on all of these issues and more for The Jimmy Reid Foundation, available here: https://reidfoundation.scot/2023/07/land-reform/

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 18 - Missing evidence & the Covid-19 Inquiry

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2023 39:20


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 18th episode we examine the astonishing revelation this week that the Scottish Government had 137 message groups used by 70 individuals during the Covid-19 pandemic, but "no WhatsApp or other informal messaging material" had been handed over to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry. It would appear that many witnesses have deleted their messages. We ask why and what might be the consequences of doing so?

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 17 - Another council tax freeze

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2023 43:48


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our 17th episode we discuss the First Minister's big policy announcements from last week's party conference in Aberdeen - a council tax freeze and new Scottish bonds. We also consider wider developments and news from across the UK and the Middle East.

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 16 - Rutherglen, Hamilton West & the rise of Scottish Labour

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2023 42:44


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our sixteenth episode we discuss the last few horrific days in international politics; the Rutherglen and West Hamilton by-election and Keir Starmer's speech and vision for the UK at yesterday's Labour Party conference.

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 15 - Does Scotland have a problem with political satire?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2023 36:09


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. A couple of weeks ago, satirical cartoons of Scottish politicians were deleted from social media by BBC Scotland following complaints by Scottish Ministers and others. In episode 15, we look at the proud tradition of political satire in other countries over the centuries and ask: Does Scotland have a problem with political satire?

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 14 - The Importance of Being Earnest

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2023 37:35


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In episode 14 we consider the importance of being earnest when politicians communicate with the public. In recent years has being disingenuous with the electorate become a default position for some?

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 13 - The Scottish Parliament and potted hough

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2023 42:43


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. Back from a few weeks hols in the But 'n' Ben, in our thirteenth episode we imagine our wish list for reforming the Scottish Parliament. With the Parliament approaching its 25th anniversary, what should be changed to ensure it meets its original founding principles?

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 12 - What's wrong in Glasgow and how do we fix?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2023 45:57


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In episode 12, we ask what has went wrong in Glasgow and how do we fix it? We are joined by Paul Sweeney, a Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow Region and a former MP.  

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 11 - The tragic touch of the Scottish Greens

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2023 31:24


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our eleventh episode we consider the reverse Midas touch of the Scottish Greens in Government on policies such as heat pumps, deposit return schemes and highly protected marine areas - where everything turns to tragedy.

    The Ordinary Elite - Episode 10 - David v. Goliath: Environmental justice in Scotland

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2023 41:29


    The Ordinary Elite is a Scottish podcast brought to you from Glasgow by John McGovern and Mike Dailly. Both are Solicitor Advocates - John a criminal defence practitioner and Mike a civil litigation practitioner and social justice campaigner. In our tenth episode we ask how easy is it to access environmental justice in Scotland if your local woodland or park is under threat? We are joined by Hannah Moneagle, a practising solicitor, former Director of Grampian Community Law Centre, an environmental justice campaigner and former police officer.

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