Lesley Riddoch

There's a new Aftermath Available

The gang is back together after their travels and recorded a new exclusive to www.lesleyriddoch.com podcast. It's available right here.

Riddoch Questions, Friday 31st October - BBC Radio Scotland 1-2pm

Lesley’s guests on Riddoch Questions this week are Johann Lamont, the Scottish Labour deputy leader and Glasgow Pollok MSP, Pete Wishart, the SNP MP for Perth and North Perthshire, David McLetchie, the Conservative Edinburgh Pentlands MSP and Jeremy Purvis, Lib Dem MSP for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale.

Making the headlines so far this week:

• RUSSELL BRAND – the comedian’s quit and Jonathan Ross is suspended after more than 20 thousand complaints to the BBC over their prank phone calls to Andrew Sachs. But has the incident been blown out of proportion? Has the reaction become the story? Is the outrage confined to the older generation? And did anyone find it funny?

• BANKS – the First Minister’s spoken to Lloyds TSB bosses about the planned merger with HBOS but there’s still no guarantee on Scottish jobs. Labour wants the government to ditch plans for local income tax, claiming it would put businesses off coming to Scotland, and the Lib Dems are urging MSPs to back a motion calling for HBOS to remain independent. What next for Scotland’s oldest bank?

• RIGHT TO DIE – an MS sufferer has lost her court case, attempting to clarify the law on assisted suicide; Independent MSP Margo Macdonald’s now bidding to change the law in Scotland. Should it remain a crime to help someone with a terminal illness who has chosen to end their own life?

• INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS – four of Scotland’s private schools have been told to pull their socks up or lose their charitable status. Can independent schools really be classed as charity? Should these schools lose their status? Is a high quality of education alone enough to qualify as public benefit?

Email your questions on these stories now to riddoch@bbc.co.uk. Add your phone number if you want to put the question in person. On Friday text your views to 80295 and call 0500 92 95 00.

Elitist yacht-loving politicians are sailing in dangerous waters

James Bond has a lot to answer for.

Every film features power, mayhem and seduction aboard a yacht. Clearly, young George Osborne, David Cameron, and Peter Mandelson took these celluloid messages over-fondly to heart. Without the glamourising influence of 007 these Brits would know their place when it comes to the sea. And that place is on their knees – humble, respectful, clutching life jackets, waterproof clothing and membership of the RNLI.

The Glenrothes By Election Hustings

What a hustings event that was! A hustings is a Question Time event during an election with all the candidates and an audience of party supporters and public. In the past rotten tomatoes were thrown. Nowadays it’s just curved balls in the form of really tough questions. And in Methil – part of the Glenrothes constituency -- they were in plentiful supply. No wonder – their by-election is just two weeks away. Should Peter Mandelson decide whether HBOS merges with Lloyds TSB? When will new schools be built in Fife? Will there be free school meals next year or not? What will Gordon Brown spend, spend, spend on to revive our failing economy? And should he have sent himself and not his wife to canvas in Glenrothes this week?p

We’re very grateful to the staff at Kirklands School in Methil for holding the event – in particular their fabulous sound guy Gareth – and a big thanks to local organisers, the Gingerbread group. And just as an encouragement to be a Feisty partner recording a debate in your neck of the woods – here’s what you get – a free plug! So here’s what Gingerbread want to see from this election:

Lone parents are due to be affected by the Welfare Reforms - and forced to switch from claiming Income Support to Job Seekers Allowance, therefore actively joining the labour market. In the current financial climate where thousands are predicted to join the dole queue can lone parents really compete with freshly skilled workers who do not have the complexities and responsibilities of sole childcare? Is it fair to put families under this pressure?

Lone parents are further disadvantaged by inadequate childcare provision. In England, the Childcare Act states a duty of childcare must be available to all parents who wish to study, train and work . Scotland's families do not enjoy this benefit -- the scale of provision is left to local authorities.

Families are caught in the crossfire between Westminster and Holyrood - We want this inequality addressed and resolved, ensuring all Scottish families have the same opportunities as those south of the border.

For more info contact e-mail: rhona@fifegingerbread.org.uk

www.fifegingerbread.org.uk

Riddoch Questions, Friday 24th October, BBC Radio Scotland 1.15-2pm

As campaigning hots up in the Glenrothes by-election, Riddoch Questions has teamed up with lone parent charity Fife Gingerbread to hold a hustings in Methil. The candidates for the vacant Westminster seat face a grilling from voters on the problems facing local single parent families and other crucial issues.

They’ll be asking:

• Is the Prime Minister right in planning to spend his way out of recession?

• Is Gordon Brown – or his wife - welcome in the constituency?

• Can Fife Council provide free school meals – or build new schools?

• How can single parents return to work when childcare places are scarce?

The panel includes Lindsay Roy for Labour, Peter Grant for the SNP, Harry Wills from the Liberal Democrats and Maurice Golden, the Conservative candidate. Also having their say will be those standing for the SSP, Solidarity, UKIP and the Scottish Senior Citizen’s Unity Party.

You can listen to the heated debate from 1.15-2pm – there will be no calls, emails or texts read out – but send your reactions to riddoch@bbc.co.uk as usual.

Glenrothes By election comes to Methil. Fife Gingerbread hosts BBC Radio Scotland programme “Riddoch Questions”.

Venue  - Kirkland Community Use School

Date – Thursday 23rd October 4pm.

Sturgeon's Jimmy Choos are taking a walk towards the Left

SNP strategists are not unhappy that the party is adopting some socialist overtones.ep

It was a strange feeling of déjà vu.

The deprivation debate at the SNP conference in Perth sounded almost like Old Labour in full flood.

As mentioned in this week's Renewable Energy Debate on Riddoch Questions

In the course of the Renewable Energy Debate, Lesley mentions there are organisations who can help with community renewable energy schemes. 

Glasgow can ill-afford to be smug

So Glasgow is the only British city to make it in to the Lonely Planet's list of top 10 cities, and Dubai money will be used to build a new super-deluxe hotel in Argyle Street.

Scots will be delighted. The city's ruling Labour politicians (still smarting from the shock of Glasgow East) will take comfort. And the SNP will bask in some reflected glory.

In short, we're set for a communal outbreak of smugness which Glasgow can ill-afford.

Riddoch Questions Friday 17th October - BBC Radio Scotland 1.15-2pm

What a week. Banks nationalized. The financial landscape of Britain changed forever. As the dust settles, a special edition of Riddoch Questions asks if the economic crash will help or hinder the development of renewable energy. The programme was recorded at a live debate organised by the Scotsman newspaper in Jedburgh, one of the epicentres of wind-farm Scotland. The questions cut right to the core of the energy debate…

• Are wind farms being put in the right place?

• Are wind turbines efficient?

• Has Scotland fallen behind with wave power?

• Is Scotland’s claim to be the world's renewable energy capital empty rhetoric?

The panel include Cllr Martin Ford - the man who said no to Donald Trump as former Head of Planning in Aberdeen, Professor Jane Bower - a leading wind- sceptic, Duncan McLaren - Chief Executive of Friends of the Earth Scotland, Patrick Harvie - Scottish Green MSP, Dr Sian McGrath - from Aqua Marine Energy, and Bob Graham - chairman of the Highlands Against Windfarms.

You can listen to the heated debate from 1.15-2pm – there will be no calls, emails or texts read out – but send your reactions to riddoch@bbc.co.uk as usual.