Lesley Riddoch

Riddoch Questions 31st July - Programme 100!

This week it’s the 100th - and final - Riddoch Questions and we’re going out on a big one with a climate change special featuring Scottish climate change minister Stewart Stevenson. Also joining Lesley this week will be green campaigner George Monbiot, Ecological Design Architect Howard Liddell ( whose latest book I reviewed ), and Scottish Green Party leader and MSP Patrick Harvie.

They’ll be discussing the targets set by the UK and Scottish governments to reduce carbon emissions by 34% and 42% respectively – are these realistic? Too little, too late? Or ambitious and achievable?

And what do we have to do now in order to reach them? Is it a case of tweaking our green habits and recycling a bit more? Or must we drastically change our lifestyles, abandon our cars and put solar panels on all our homes?

Email your questions now on these topics 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.

The Dragons Glen...my pitch

There was a very positive response to my “Dragon’s Glen” proposal on Saturday at the Diaspora Forum – so I have posted the proposal in its entirety here to make it easier for people to access – and comment upon.

Scottish Development International and the Clan Donald Trust are amongst those who expressed an interest in taking things further. If you’d like to get involved email me here.

Delightful mismatch in country of contradictions

If Scotland aims to be a world leader in the art of contradiction, the nation surpassed itself this Diaspora Weekend.

The skies over the 30 thousand revellers in Holyrood Park mimicked the mood of contrast and extremes – one moment black with torrential rain, the next blue with blinding sunshine.

Riddoch Questions - Friday 24th July - BBC Radio Scotland

Lesley’s guests on Riddoch Questions this week are: Charles McGhee, former editor of The Herald; Brian McNair, Professor of Journalism & Communication at the University of Strathclyde, and Pete Wishart, MP and the SNP’s culture and media spokesperson.

They’ll be discussing the result of the Norwich North by-election – how much does the press shape public opinion on Labour?; swine flu – is unnecessary panic being whipped up by the media?; job cuts – there’s concern about a lack of journalists at Westminster reporting for Scottish newspapers; and the future for Scottish media in the age of Google and Twitter.

Email your questions now on these topics – or any other - 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.

Ferry sails, but it's a victory for the Free Church

In Stornoway this Sunday, the Free Church finally won.

Not because the bizarre “act of God” which halted Cal Mac sailings to Lewis on Friday struck again. The MV Isle of Lewis became the first fare-paying passenger boat to depart Stornoway harbour on the Sabbath at 2.30pm yesterday.

The last Riddoch Questions ever...we are going out on a big one

The final programme ( ever ) of Riddoch Questions on the 31st;July features Scottish climate change minister Stewart Stevenson and green campaigner George Monbiot.

Now the Scottish and UK governments have nailed their colours to the mast – in Scotland’s case the biggest proposed reduction in carbon emissions in the world -- can politicians and the public deliver the level of changes we need?If you’ve questions email here.....Riddoch@bbc.co.uk or even leave a comment below here.

Riddoch Questions, Friday 17th July

Lesley’s back in the hot seat for this week’s Riddoch Questions. She’ll be joined by Stewart Hosie, Dundee East MP; David Pratt, foreign editor for the Sunday Herald and Rev David Robertson from St Peter’s Free Church in Dundee.

They’ll be analysing and discussing the stories making the headlines this week, including: Afghanistan and a report from MPs which claims a lack of helicopters is costing soldiers’ lives; controversial Sunday ferry sailings in the Western Isles – the first boat is due to sail this weekend; Blair for President of Europe? And the return of the wrinkly rockers – Bruce Springsteen versus Chrissie Hynde.

Email your questions now on these topics – or any other - 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.

Obama puts democracy first in African policy

President Barack Obama did an unexpected thing this weekend. The United States' first black president chose to endorse Africa's most democratic state, Ghana instead of its most populous, Nigeria, its most powerful, South Africa or its most influential, Kenya. Obama sent a clear message – the spread of democracy will henceforth dictate US policy in Africa, not the renewal of ancestral ties. 

To read more - click here.

Derek Bateman hosts Riddoch Questions Friday 10th July

Derek Bateman sits in for Lesley on this week’s edition of Riddoch Questions. He’ll be joined by Conservative MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands David McLetchie, former First Minister Henry McLeish and principal solicitor at Govan Law Centre, Mike Dailly.

They’ll be analysing and discussing the stories making the headlines this week, which so far include the G8 summit, Alistair Darling’s banking overhaul and Michael Jackson’s extraordinary memorial service.

Email your questions now on these topics – or any other - 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.

Carbon-based life, the universe and everything

The Ultimate Answer in The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy has been given a new lease of life thanks to the Scottish Parliament.

In Douglas Adams’ novel, a supercomputer takes 7½ million years to decide the number 42 answers the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything. Holyrood took only 7½ hours to arrive at the same conclusion – 42 is the percentage by which Scotland must reduce its carbon emissions by 2020.

Green campaigners are delighted.

To read more click here