Episode Details

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 episode 2 of Season 5 we consider the recent mass protests and political unrest in Iran. We speak with Kate Phillips. Kate is a retired international development worker previously based in the University of Glasgow. During a varied working life she prepared women to stand in democratic elections in Iraq, supported African women to take part in the World Women’s Conference in Beijing, get elected to and steer rights legislation through their parliaments. Kate researched the situation of girls indentured to factories in the Pearl River Delta in China, strengthened opposition movements in Iran, and trained trade unionists from many countries including Trinidad and Jamaica. With Iran due to enter into negotiations with the USA in Istanbul on Friday 6 February 2026, we ask what future for the people of Iran?