Lesley Riddoch

Friday's programme from Glenrothes ...our new home.

Fridays programme should be a stoater with three outspoken folk I've known for some time – Bruce Crawford is the local SNP MSP and Minister for Parliament – he asked me to chair the National Conversation on a Future without Trident last year and with the credit crunch that future may be closer than many imagine. Margaret Curran is Labour MSP for Glasgow Baillieston and stood unsuccessfully for the Westminster seat of Glasgow East last summer. Right woman, right place, wrong time in the view of many.

And finally the outspoken Telegraph columnist Alan Cochrane – never knowingly in agreement with any prominent politician in the same studio. All three have been sitting through the SNP's budget debate and have their views about what went wrong this week and who should shoulder blame. Did John Swinney bungle talks with Patrick Harvie? Should an almost solitary Green have more sway over the budget of Scotland than the massed ranks of Labour? Or have the parties who made up the last Scottish government failed to learn the new game of give and take in opposition?

We'll also discuss the controversial payments for victims families in Northern Ireland – and the allegations about cash for amendments in the Lords. As well as the latest gloomy IMF forecast that predicts Britain's recession will be the worst in Europe. After 1pm on Friday do call 0500 92 95 00. Text 80295 or email anytime riddoch@bbc.co.uk.

PS If you want to understand some of the background to the programme...visit Lesley's blog

Riddoch Questions Friday 9th January BBC Radio Scotland 1.15-2pm

The first Riddoch Questions of 2009 on 9^th January kicks off with an interview with Scotland's Finance Secretary John Swinney. Lesley will grill the minister on issues topical and financial:

• Does the SNP back the Euro? Or would an independent Scotland keep the Pound?
• When will the much-vaunted Scottish Futures Trust begin delivering new schools and hospitals?
• How will funding for the new Forth Bridge affect the Scottish budget?
• And what does he think about M&S in meltdown and more job losses on the High Street?

John Swinney will be on the programme between 1.15 and 1.35 so email your questions now to Lesley now to ensure your views are heard.

As usual, Lesley will also be joined later in the programme by a panel of guests who will analyse and discuss the week's main news stories, such as Gaza, Marks and Spencer and the ongoing woes in the retail sector. Email your questions on these stories now to riddoch@bbc.co.uk. On Friday text your views to 80295 and call 0500 92 95 00.

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.

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. 

Interested in having Riddoch Questions at your event ?

We’ve been asked by the BBC to have two outside broadcast with panels per month. We’ve already recorded three such events – a Scotsman Islands debate in Benbecula and a Question Time organized by Edinburgh University Students Association (EUSA). On October 14th we recorded a Scotsman debate on Renewables in Jedburgh and last week we recorded a Glenrothes By Election hustings organised by a poverty group there.

The basic idea is that a group that already wants to have a Question Time or panel type event and has contacted guests and booked a hall can invite me to chair the event (free of charge), and our team record it and broadcast 45 minutes of the highlights in the Riddoch Questions slot on Radio Scotland every Friday.

Island frustration

Just a quick note from the Outer Hebrides, thanks to everyone who was part of the Island Debate, feedback has been very good. Except that it was not broadcast on the islands and Highlands. However, courtesy of the BBC Listen Again service, you can listen to the Island Debate by clicking here.

The Islands Debate Panel for today's Riddoch Questions

The panel for today's Riddoch Questions - from left to right: David MacLennan of SNH, Lionacleit S6 student Kevin Donkers, Jane Farmer of UHI, Lesley (but I'm sure you got that one), Gaelic columnist Angus Peter Campbell, Storas Uibhist Chairman Angus MacMillan, and Lochboisdale Community Council chairman Ronald MacKinnon.

The photo is courtesy of Eileen Bell at the Stornoway Gazette.

Burma websites

A number of people have been asking about the Burma websites referred to on today's Riddoch Questions. The first is the Burma Campaign UK ; www.burmacampaign.org.uk and the other for the Disasters Emergency Committee ; www.dec.org.uk . Hope this helps.

It's ALL Change on the Email front

Just to let everyone know...the BBC email address for me has changed ! I am now Riddoch@bbc.co.uk ...please feel free to update your records and use it !

Comments from the Gaelic programme

The Caithness folks would be better to throw their lot in with us in Orkney, we (like Tom's Shetlander's I guess) have no truck with the gaelic up here for the same reasons as Mr Smith has outlined ie our heritage is Norse and before that probably pictish and gaelic has no place here.

We suffer a different type of nonsense up here in Orkney where evangelising archaeologists seek to change long established names for neolithic sites because they think they know best.  A good example is "Brodgar" as in the Ring of Brodgar which they have attempted to change to "Brogar" to the bemusement of most Orcadians - these initiatives are infuriating and a waste of time and resources.

Rant over!!

Douglas

Why batter people over the head and force an issue such as signs. If the gaelic language is to survive it has to come through education and giving people the chance to learn the language and the history. It is only when we have an educated and culturally aware population will Gaelic language make any inroads. The sign issue is a real "red herring"with regards language and I wish some of these evangelical gaels would realise that they are turning more people against them rather than creating popular support. The money should be used to create Gaelic schools and the revival has to come from grass roots rather than from on high. Being so heavy handed is just agitating people against the language.

Bruce

I find it rather hypocritical that the people of Caithness refuse to acknowledge their gaidhlig heritage, to the extent that they find it a problem having bilingual signs, however, are quite happy to accept and reap the eaconomic and cultural benefits the National Mod will bring them later on this year.

Marina, Isle of Lewis