Scottish Votepods

Work Debate - School Meals

Tue, 1 May 2007 13:46:00 GMT

The final section debated the issue of free school meals for all schoolchildren.

Work Debate - Trident

Tue, 1 May 2007 13:13:00 GMT

The next point was about Trident and the war in Iraq.

Work Debate - Fair Trade

Tue, 1 May 2007 12:49:00 GMT

The panel were then asked about how Scotland could do more to help the developing world through developing Fair Trade policies.

Work Debate - Skills

Tue, 1 May 2007 12:14:00 GMT

Education and training for young people and proposals for Skills academies were the next topic.

Work Debate - Job Creation

Tue, 1 May 2007 10:49:00 GMT

The debate then moved on to consider how the loss of manufacturing jobs could be halted and new jobs created in Dundee.

Work Debate - Disabled

Tue, 1 May 2007 10:06:00 GMT

The focus changed to the employment difficulties faced by disabled people following this point from a lady in a wheelchair.

Work Debate - Carers

Tue, 1 May 2007 08:48:00 GMT

The last Votepod event took place at Abertay University, Dundee with a stormy discussion on a range of work related topics. With the election campaign in the final stage, an audience of around 120 tackled the panel of politicians about low pay and carers, public service jobs, training and education.

As usual, we have broken the debate down into managable sections that you can listen and view directly on this page. You can also view videos on the Scottish VotePod Channel on You Tube, subscribe to the audio podcasts on iTunes or directly download the audio files. Our audio clips allow you to listen to the discussion in detail, while the videos will feature shorter highlight clips.

The panel for the debate were

Alex Neil - SNP
John McAllion - SSP
Murdo Fraser - Conservative
Alex Cole-Hamilton - Lib Dem
Shiona Baird - Green
Iain Luke - Labour

The evening started off with discussion on carers allowance following this question from Jim Milne of the Anti-Poverty Forum.

Neighbourhood Debate - Final Q&A

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 10:55:00 GMT

The final section includes some quickfire Q&A's on smoking, skatebopard facilities, shops on Leith Walk and the state of the roads.

Island Debate - Recycling

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 10:10:00 GMT

This part of the evening finished with a short discussion on recycling, land fill and how it could be improved on the islands.

Island Debate - Energy Leadership

Mon, 30 Apr 2007 10:06:00 GMT

The debate over energy continued with a range of questions from the floor including the role of Scottish Natural Heritage and the lack of political leadership delaying decisions.

Neighbourhood Debate - A&E

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 12:50:00 GMT

Concern over access to an Accident and Emergency unit prompted this question to the panel.

Neighbourhood Debate - Smell

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 12:16:00 GMT

SecThe issue of the stench from the sewage works at Seafield in Leith, raised considerable passion amongst bothe the panel and this member ofthe audience.

Island Debate - What will change

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 10:52:00 GMT

The final question of the evening asked the politicians what difference there would be should they be in government after the election.

Island Debate - Housing

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 10:49:00 GMT

In common with other rural areas housing is a major issue on Skye. Provision of water supplies, affordibility and the impact of 2nd homes were all raised.

Island Debate - Provision of Services

Sat, 28 Apr 2007 10:46:00 GMT

Difficulties in providing health and other professional services comparable to other areas, is an issue of major concern to island communities. The father of a young autistic adult talked about his experience

Big Island Debate - Gaelic

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 17:35:00 GMT

Skye is, of course, one of the heartland areas of Gaelic and the ongoing development of the language was the next topic to be raised.

Big Island Debate - Wind Farm Alternatives

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 20:58:00 GMT

There was a full house at the Aros Centre in Portree on Skye for the Big Island Debate. The issues under discussion included energy, wind farms, political leadership and the future of the Gaelic language.

The debate has been broken down into managable sections that you can listen and view directly on this page. You can also view videos on the Scottish VotePod Channel on You Tube, subscribe to the audio podcasts on iTunes or directly download the audio files. Our audio clips allow you to listen to the discussion in detail, while the videos will feature shorter highlight clips.

The panelists were

Anne MacLeod - Solidarity
Dr Stephen McCabe - Local GP
Jamie McGrigor - Scottish Conservative Party
John Farquhar Munro - Scottish Liberal Democrats
Donnie Nicolson - Scottish Socialist Party
Michael Russell - Scottish National Party
Eleanor Scott - Scottish Green Party
Rhoda Grant â Scottish Labour Party

The audience was particularly interested in discussing wind farms and the impact they are having both locally and nationally. This question from the floor rstarted the debate.

Neighborhood Debate - Class Divide

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 09:33:00 GMT

The second half of the debate started off with discussion the regeneration of Leith is having on the traditional working class nature of the area. It then moves on to the lack of support local people get for their own regeneration projects.

Neighborhood Debate - Green Spaces

Thu, 26 Apr 2007 08:19:00 GMT

The debate over housing widened out to discuss the impact new builds have had on reducing the amount of parks, recreational and other green spaces in the city.

Neighbourhood Debate - Housing

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 20:27:00 GMT

Ocean Terminal, a symbol of the ongoing regeneration of Leith, was the venue for the Big Neighbourhood Debate. The issues under discussion affect many similar parts of Scotland and included affordable housing, regeneration of communities, youth unemployment and training.

The panel were
Labour - Malcolm Chisolm
Conservative - Iain Whyte
SNP - Davie Hutchieson
Lib Dems - Siobhan Mathers
Green - Stuart Callicon

All around Leith there are major new housing developments. However for many local people the properties are too expensive. The debate started off with this question from a young local woman, Danielle.

Grey Power Debate - Healthcare

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 10:09:00 GMT

In the final section of a fiery hustings, the panel were tackled on funding for health care, dementia, care in the community and hospital car parking.

Grey Power Debate - Law and Order

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 19:26:00 GMT

A very lively and extensive discussion took place around the theme of law and order. Policing, anti-social behaviour, youth crime and lack of support for voluntary work and community facilities brought a lot of passionate points and questions from the audience.

Grey Power Debate - Council Tax

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 17:34:00 GMT

The Victorian splendour of the Banqueting Hall of Glasgow City Chambers played host to over 200 pensioners in the latest Votepod Debate. In a very lively event, Grey Power was on show tin tackling a panel of leading politicians on the Council Tax, law and order and the provision of care and health services to the elderly.

As usual, we have broken the debate down into managable sections that you can listen and view directly on this page. You can also view videos on the Scottish VotePod Channel on You Tube, subscribe to the audio podcasts on iTunes or directly download the audio files. Our audio clips allow you to listen to the discussion in detail, while the videos will feature shorter highlight clips.

On the panel were

Labour - Rhona Brankin
Lib Dems - Robert Brown
SNP - Sandra White
Conservative - Bill Aitken
Solidarity - Tommy Sheridan
SSP - Colin Fox
Scottish Senior Citizens Party - John Swinburne.

Section 1: The afternoon started with a topic of considerable concern to pensioners - the Council Tax.

Cairngorm Debate - Elderly

Sat, 21 Apr 2007 16:57:00 GMT

The debate concluded with questions about care of the elderly and the particular difficulties faced in rural areas.

Cairngorm Debate - Wind and Pylons

Sat, 21 Apr 2007 16:12:00 GMT

The proposals for many more wind farms in the Highlands and the running of giant pylons through the National Park provoked passionate debate amongst both politicians and audience.

Cairngorm Debate - Birds or Bikes

Sat, 21 Apr 2007 15:29:00 GMT

The discussion then considered the conflict between the leisure interests such as mountain biking and the protection of wildlife.

Cairngorm Debate - Funicular

Sat, 21 Apr 2007 15:08:00 GMT

The next question raised issues of access to the plateau of Cairngorm from the funicular railway that takes tourists and others up the mountain.

Cairngorm Debate - Young Person

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 21:56:00 GMT

One younger member of the audience was not impressed with what he'd heard from the panel.

Cairngorm Debate - Housing

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 21:27:00 GMT

The Big Cairngorm Debate in Aviemore took placed the new MacDonald Highland Resort, one of the developments built to boost the area.i. Over 200 people tackled a panel of politicians on a range of election issues including, National Parks, the environment and housing.

On the panel were

Danny Alexander Liberal Democrat
Fergus Ewing Scottish National Party
Mary Scanlon Conservative Party
Eleanor Scott Green Party
Linda Stewart Labour Party

The most pressing issue in the Cairngorms is the affordability of housing for local, particularly young, people. The first question came from Ian Brodie of the Scottish Enterprise Party

Energy Debate - Flights

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 10:48:00 GMT

As the debate draws to a close, the panel are given the choice to answer a question on either the climate change swindle or whether cheap flights are damaging the environment.

Energy Debate - Tolls

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 09:48:00 GMT

The contentious issue of tolls on the Tay and Forth Bridges prompted this question.

Energy Debate - Efficiency

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 08:49:00 GMT

Having discussed generatiojn the discussion moves on to discuss how best to use energy for efficiently.

Energy Debate - Renewables

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 00:39:00 GMT

The potential for offshore wind farms and the contentious issue of onshore wind farms and their impact on Scotland's landscape provoked much debate.

Big Energy Debate - Nuclear Power

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 23:34:00 GMT

Over two hundred people attended the Big Energy Debate in Dundee last night. Organised by Solar Cities and sponsored by BT, the panel of politicians answered questions on a range of energy related issues.

The panel also included one non politician.

LABOUR: Brian Wilson
SNP: Richard Lochhead
TORY: Alex Johnstone
LIB DEM: Alex Cole Hamilton
GREEN: Shiona Baird
SSP: Felicity Garvie
SOLIDARITY: Jim MacFarlane
Davie Black - Wildlands Officer, Ramblers Association Scotland

The evening started with a question from the floor about the future of nuclear power.

Green Debate - Marine National Park

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 11:37:00 GMT

Proposals to create a Marine National Park for Scotland and other marine issues prompted the next question from the floor.

Green Debate - Food

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 10:29:00 GMT

The candidates were then asked to comment on how the Scottish Executive could best use its massive spending power on food in hospitals, prisons and schools to increase local sourcing and improve the quality.

Green Debate - Chemical Pollution

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 09:59:00 GMT

The next question tothe panel of politicians sought their views on dealing with serious ill health brought about by chemical pollution.

Green Debate - Wind Farms

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 09:14:00 GMT

The next question from the audience raised concerns that industrial scale onshore wind farms in Scotland are detrimental to the landscape and damaging the case for renewable energy.

Green Debate - Energy Use

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 00:13:00 GMT

The Big Green Debate continues with a question to the panel about their policies on energy use and how they will tackle global warming.

Green Debate - Transport

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 23:22:00 GMT

A rousing set by Capercaille set the scene for the Big Green Debate at the Hub in Edinburgh. Organised by Scottish Environmental Link the event attracted 350 people anxious to quiz leading politicians about a range of environmental issues.

The panel of politicians were;

SSP: Colin Fox - Party Convenor
Conservatives: Alex Johnstone - Environment spokesperson
SNP: Richard Lochhead - Environment spokesperson
Liberal Democrats: Ross Finnie - Minister for Environment and Rural Development
Labour: Sarah Boyack - Deputy minister for Environment and Rural Development
Greens: Mark Ballard - Transport spokesperson
Solidarity: Patricia Smith

The debate started off with a question from the floor about transport policy and climate change.

Wellbeing Debate - General

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 10:21:00 GMT

In th efinal section of the Wellbeing Debate, Lesley gives the audience an opportunity to raise further issues for the panel of politicians to respond to.

Wellbeing Debate - Promoting Personal Wellbeing

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 09:01:00 GMT

In an attempt to find common ground amongst the panel, this questioner sought to discover what the politicians would most like to do to improve their own personal wellbeing.

Wellbeing Debate - Stress

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 08:06:00 GMT

In the third section the panel are asked if the stress induced by our attitude to work is a major contributor to ill health and whether more could be done to assist voluntary organisations involved with wellbeing.

Wellbeing Debate - Drinking

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 00:04:00 GMT

In the second excerpt from the debate in Perth, the effect of alcohol on the health and wellbeing of teenagers prompted this question from a member of the audience.

Wellbeing Debate - Arts

Mon, 16 Apr 2007 23:59:00 GMT

In a hustings organised by the Perth Association for Mental Health, a lively audience filled the theatre at the AK Bell Library in Perth to discuss wellbeing and health.

The following party representatives took part.

SOLIDARITY - Jim Malone
LAB - Doug Maughan
SNP - Roseanna Cunningham
CONSERVATIVE - Mary Scanlon
LIB DEM - Alex Cole-Hamilton
GREEN - Mark Ruskell
SSP - Charlie McCarthy

Seniors Debate 4

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 08:07:00 GMT

In the final section of the Big Seniors Debate, we hear calls for a Pensioners Parliament, discussion over pension credits and concerns over transport provision and the closure of rural post offices.

Seniors Debate 3

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 22:46:00 GMT

This section of the Big Seniors Debate deals with how well older peoples views are represented and tackles the difficult subject of pensioners having to sell their homes to fund their care.

Seniors Debate 2

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 20:05:00 GMT

In the second excerpt from the Big Seniors Debate in Stirling, the discussion focuses on the efficiency of local government and the crucial issue for many pensioners of Care in the Community.

Seniors Debate 1

Thu, 12 Apr 2007 18:56:00 GMT

The second Votepod Debate took place in the Albert Halls, Stirling this afternoon, chaired by Lesley Riddoch, The politicians are keen to court Scotland's 700,000 pensioners and today they were put through their paces by 250 seniors anxious to get their views across.

The event started off with an extended discussion on Council Tax and whether or not it should be replaced by a local income tax. In the first excerpt each of the party representatives outline their position on an issue of great importance to senior citizens.

New Voting System for Council elections

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 13:55:00 GMT

As well as the parliamentary election on May3rd, the people of Scotland will also be voting in local Council elections. For the first time anew voting system will be used - the Single Transferable Vote - where candidates are ranked numerically rather than simply putting a cross against someones name.
Lesley Riddoch spoke to Andy O'Neill of the Electoral Commission about the changes. As well as asking him to take the Just a Minute Challenge, she found out about the complexities of adding the votes up and about how things will look a bit different for those of us who sit up all night watching the results come in on the TV.

Just a Minute Challenge - STV System

Fri, 30 Mar 2007 13:50:00 GMT

In the latest Just a Minute Challenge, Andy O'Neill of the Electoral Commission explains the Single Transferable Voting system that has been introduced for the council elections.

Just A Minute Challenge - New Voting System 3

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 14:41:00 GMT

In the third of our Just a Minute Challenges, Kevin Pringle Campaign Manager for the SNP explains the new ballot paper and outlines the politics involved.

Just A Minute Challenge - New Voting System 2

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 14:31:00 GMT

In the second Just a Minute Challenge, Andy O'Neill of the Electoral Commission trys to explain the complexities of the new voting system in less than 60 seconds.

Just A Minute Challenge - New Voting System

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 14:26:00 GMT

Does anyone understand the relationship between the two votes on the ballot paper for the Scottish Parliament? We've asked three people to explain in aminute. First up student Richard Wilson.

Student Debate - Sport

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 17:15:00 GMT

There's been speculation recently that a single University for Sport will be created in Scotland. Concern over this was raised in this question from the floor.

Student Debate - Crichton Campus

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 11:33:00 GMT

Some members of the audience had travelled up from Dumfries to ask about Glasgow University's decision to close their part of the Crichton Campus.

Student Debate - Voting Age

Mon, 19 Mar 2007 20:14:00 GMT

A significant number of school students were in the audience and there was a lively exchange about lowering the voting age to 16 and about why some young people are apathetic about politics.

Student Debate - Trident

Mon, 19 Mar 2007 18:45:00 GMT

The recent decision to replace Trident received little support in the hall but students were concerned about what MSP's could do about the decision.

Student Debate - Fees / Debt

Mon, 19 Mar 2007 17:19:00 GMT

Over 300 students, school students and members of the academic community packed the McEwan Hall at Edinburgh University to participate in a debate about educational and other issues, chaired by Lesley Riddoch.

The party political representatives were

Labour - Sarah Boyack MSP (Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development)
SNP - Fiona Hyslop MSP (Education and Lifelong Learning)
Conservative - Murdo Fraser MSP (Deputy Leader and Enterprise)
Green - Mark Ballard MSP (Transport )
SSP - Colin Fox MSP (Leader )
Solidarity - Tommy Sheridan MSP (Leader)
LibDems - Margaret Smith MSP (Chief Whip)
Independent - Margo MacDonald MSP (Independent)

This section of the debate tackled the issues of student debt and top-up fees. The debate starts with a question from an older member of the audience who had graduated in the McEwan hall 39 years ago!

Lesley Riddoch Introduces Scottish Votepods

Thu, 8 Mar 2007 18:29:00 GMT

Scottish Votepods aims to inspire citizens who are already active in society through unions, business groups, voluntary agencies and grassroots organizations to create better events and new democratic possibilities. Using digital communication we plan to bring good, old fashioned hustings into the 21st Century. We've 10 Big Debates with election candidates and (sometimes) an outspoken people's champion on the panel. Each debate will be organised by grassroots/ business/ voluntary groups with our support. It'll open and close with music or stand up comedians. And it'll be recorded and highlights podcast on the Herald newspaper website. Questions to our website will be put to politicians by Votepod co-founder and Feisty Chair for the Ten Debates - broadcaster Lesley Riddoch. Visit scottishvotepods.com