{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6655a16405d9ed0012fc800b/680e469ad844aaafbf132291?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"IS RELIGION RELEVANT IN MODERN SCOTLAND?","description":"<p>Bernard and Alex discuss:</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Religion's relevance today:</strong> They explore how religion is now more comfortably discussed by Scottish politicians compared to 20–30 years ago. There's a nuanced conversation about Scotland’s move from a heavily religious society to a secular one, and a new resurgence of faith among younger Scots.</p><p><strong>The gender recognition legal ruling:</strong> They analyse the fallout from the UK Supreme Court ruling and how politicians like John Swinney and Keir Starmer have been caught between public opinion and previous statements on gender identity.</p><p><strong>Swinney’s summit on extremism:</strong> They critique John Swinney’s call for political unity against the far-right, warning that mislabelling politicians like Nigel Farage as \"fascist\" risks backfiring and emboldening populism.</p><p><strong>Reform UK’s rise in Scotland:</strong> They suggest Reform’s growing support could fragment the anti-SNP vote, paradoxically helping the SNP win the upcoming by-election and Scottish Parliament election with even a modest share of the vote</p>","author_name":"Solid Media"}