Lesley Riddoch

Riddoch Questions 1st February - US Elections

This week’s Riddoch Questions looks Stateside and brings the battle of Obama versus Clinton to Scotland. Lesley’s guests are Karin Robinson, the organiser of the Barack Obama campaign in the UK, and Margot Miller, who’s running Hillary Clinton’s British camp. They’ll fight the corner for each of their candidates and explore the possibilities and consequences of either America’s first black president or its first woman president. There’ll also be contributions from across the pond – joining Lesley live will be Justin Shrager, the political editor of all-news radio station 1010 WINS, British author and journalist in Washington Suzanne Goldenberg and Republicans Abroad representative Robert McGeehan.

With the endorsement of key black celebrities and now the Kennedy family, can Obama triumph over former First Lady Hillary? Will her previous experience in the White House prove more popular with voters? Or will both prove so controversial a choice that a Republican will swoop in and take the most powerful position in the world?  And whatever the result, will it end America's reputation for warmongering interventionism and improve relations with Britain and the rest of the world?

Have your say on Obama vs Clinton on Friday – lines open from 1pm so call 0500 92 95 00 or email Lesley@bbc.co.uk and text 80295

Prison Commission

It’s strange to be news-making, when you’ve spent a lifetime news-reporting.

But last week, I was watching news break during in a Prison’s Commission meeting in Edinburgh, hearing evidence from groups like COSLA, SACRO and the new Lothian and Borders Community Justice Authority. Our mission is to try and find out why Scotland locks up twice as many offenders as Norway and Ireland. And to consider the impact of ending automatic and unconditional early release on prison numbers and services. So far we’ve been to Barlinnie and Cornton Vale and on Monday we’ll be seeing round Saughton and speaking to prisoners and the Governor, Dan Gunn. Anyway, in the midst of Thursday’s evidence session, we got word that Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill had decided to make a statement on the terrible case of Robert Foye, who was at the Castle Huntly open prison near Dundee, half way through a 10-year sentence for attempting to murder a policeman when he was allowed out to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting but did not return.

Foye was on the run for almost a week and raped a 16-year-old girl in Cumbernauld. He pleaded guilty to the offence last week and the story was front-page news.

Kenny MacAskill decided to ask the Commission to look at the role of open prisons in Scotland – and we spent the best part of two hours discussing how best to tackle that task. With a meeting a week at present – and commission members are all volunteers – it will be quite a challenge. But public and media confidence has been rattled by the case – and there’s no point in conducting this Commission in a vacumn. If you’ve an interest in all of this, the Prisons Commission website is about to spring into action – watch this space.

New truths need peddling about pedalling

In the  wake of Jason MacIntyre's death in Fort William, fair weather cyclists across Scotland may be tempted to throw in the towel.

Cycling here is already a triumph of hope over experience with an over-supply of hills, headwinds and rain. The first tottering experience back on a bike can be a shock for adults with childhood cycling memories of long sunny days, endless downhill freewheels, trousers stuffed into socks or skirts tucked into pants. No worries, no responsibilities, no special protective gear, no deadlines for arrival, and – above all – no traffic.

Cycling bells ...the Aftermath

This week's Aftermath is all about bells, paths and parkies and folding bikes. The crew get to grips with a series of bike related banter, as they say, in the trade. Check it out as Sean,David, Richard and Lesley try to make sense of cycling.

Baroness Basher

Just to say we will also have Baroness Basher, alias Baroness Sharples – an 84 year-old peer who bashed a cyclist jumping a red light and almost running her down outside the House of Lords. She was applauded after raising her actions in the House of Lords and said she wanted to make cyclists display registration plates on their bikes. Meanwhile Scottish cyclists – angry and upset after the death of Commonwealth cyclist Jason MacIntyre – have suggested a ban for all motorists who hit cyclists. Should be an interesting debate!

Riddoch Questions- We need more cyclists on the road. January 25

Lesley’s guest on Riddoch Questions this week is Anthony Robson, the editor of online magazine City Cycling.  After the tragic death of Scots cycling champion Jason McIntyre in a road accident last week, Anthony wants to encourage more cyclists on to the streets.  He believes more bikes on the roads will make conditions safer and lead to fewer accidents.  He’ll claim more mutual respect is needed between motorists and cyclists and wants to see Scotland becoming more like other European countries where bicycles and cars sharing road space is the norm, and there’s less tension between those on two wheels and those on four.  Are you a driver who thinks cyclists cause accidents?  Are you a cyclist who thinks motorists drive like they own the road? Has Jason’s tragic death stopped you or your kids cycling? Is it time to consider the solution of putting cyclepaths on pavements?  Will it ever be safe to take to two wheels in Scotland?

Finally, it is entirely appropriate to mention  the Jason McIntyre memorial fund, which has been set up following Jason's untimely death.

  To have your say on Friday, call from 1pm on 0500 92 95 00 or email Lesley@bbc.co.uk and text 80295.

Look to Burns, Hillary - even if he was like Bill

Poet may have been flawed as a man, but his words stirred a nation; politicians should take note THE bumper sticker "Monica Lewinsky's ex-boyfriend's wife for president" suggests Bill Clinton still has a lot to answer for. And yet, as the former president looms back into focus while Hillary gears up for Super Tuesday, Scotland is also set to focus on a man whose promiscuity led to his impoverishment and downfall.

Tele-medicine web site address

If you were listening to the Riddoch Questions...the telemedicine web site referred to is www.sct.scot.nhs.uk

Burns Suppers

This weekend I am off to Glen Prosen for a Burns supper and the memories of previous suppers prompted me to write about it in the month's No1 magazine. 

You can download and read it here.

Riddoch Questions - James Ferguson Telemedicine - January 18th

Lesley’s guest James Ferguson – a leading Scottish GP – says patients should be fighting for broadband instead of local hospitals. James works for the Scottish Centre for Telehealth and wants to see e-mail, the internet and mobile technology speeding up the process of seeing a doctor, getting a diagnosis and monitoring progress. He claims telemedicine could transform political debate because waiting lists and even controversial proposed hospital closures at Monklands and Ayr  will become irrelevant as patients are “seen” online almost immediately by top consultants. And money and time saved as patients stop trailing into centralised hospitals for minor procedures.

So what’s the problem? Why aren’t we doing medicine online already? Are some doctors reluctant to accept telemedicine? Are patients wary of anything except a doctor in the flesh standing right before them – even if that doctor isn’t the expert in their field? Would you rather sit in a GP’s waiting room or have an e-consultation from the comfort of your own home? Would you like text reminders about taking medication? Can telemedicine nudge the NHS into the 21^st century or will fear of change and a lack of training scupper the whole idea?

On Friday, call from 1pm on 0500 92 95 00 or email Lesley@bbc.co.uk and text 80295