Joining Lesley on Riddoch Questions this week are Shadow Scottish Secretary and Conservative MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, David Mundell; Scottish Labour’s economy and skills shadow minister, Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP John Park; and the SNP’s finance spokesperson in the Commons, MP for Dundee East, Stewart Hosie.
The stories making the headlines so far this week include –
• DAVID CAMERON – he claims he wants to be the leader of the UK, not just England - is he throwing down the gauntlet to the SNP? Did his party conference speech counter the Brown bounce? And would he really be a success as Prime Minister?
• RAILWAYS – the Conservatives plan to spend millions on high-speed railways – which stop in the north of England. What about Scotland? •
TAX FREEZE – is Tory Shadow Chancellor George Osborne’s announcement of a council tax freeze a direct copy of SNP policy? Or are the London parties, as it’s claimed, “struggling to catch up with us”?
• WALL STREET BAILOUT – what’s next for the world’s financial markets? And how will it impact on British banks – including Scotland’s HBOS?
• UNDER 21 DRINKING LAW – opposition from students and the Tories is sinking the SNP’s plans to raise the age limit for buying alcohol from 18 to 21 – so where does that leave the government’s proposed Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill? And how can we effectively tackle the youth booze culture?
• FREE SCHOOL MEALS – the government’s announced all pupils up to primary three will receive free dinners. Will it help improve the diets of young Scots? And with no new funding, will local authorities be able to deliver the government’s promise?
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.