Scottish Votepods.com

Help Shape the Debate - Post a Comment

While we want as many people as possible to attend the events, we realise that not everybody will be able to go. So if you've got a question you want to ask or an issue that you would like Lesley to raise, please let us know. We'll do our best to include them at the event.

You can contribute here or by clicking on the comments tab at the bottom of each individual entry on this site. If you prefer, you can e-mail us directly.

Don't just sit there - get involved and Shape the Debate.

The Scottish Podcast Events

Here is the list of events with date and location.

For ticket requests contact us or where listed below the local organiser. Not all events require tickets.

Further details of participants, musicians, timing and arrangements for tickets etc will be announced as and when they are confirmed.

• March 19th The Big Student Debate – McEwan Hall, Edinburgh University. Starts at 12 Noon.
No tickets required. Stand-up comedy from Janey Godley. Organised by Edinburgh University Students Association.

• April 12th The Seniors Big Debate, 2.00pm Albert Halls, Stirling. Music from Sheena Wellington. Organised by West of Scotland Seniors Forum.

• April 16th The Big Wellbeing Debate –  AK Bell Theatre, Perth. Starts 7.30. Ticket arrangements to follow. Music from St. Andrew of the Woolen Mill (including Michael Marra and Kevin Murray). This event is organised by the Perth Association for Mental Health.

• April 17th The Big Green Debate - The Hub, Edinburgh. Starts 7.30. No tickets - entry first come, first served. Musical entertainment from Capercaille. The event is organised by the EveryOne campaign

• April 19th The Big Energy Debate - Caird Hall, Dundee. Solar Cities Scotland is hosting this debate on the evening of Thursday 19th April 2007. There will be an energy fair and music from the Hazey Janes. Tickets are free but limited. Email the local organiser.

• April 20th  The Big Cairngorm Debate - MacDonald Aviemore Centre. Doors open 7.00 for 7.30pm start. Music from Babelfish. The event will be advertised locally and tickets are required. Organised by The Inner Wheel of Spey Valley  there will be a small charge, proceeds going to charity. Please email local organiser.

• April 23rd, The Big Grey Power Debate -  Banqueting Hall, City Chambers, Glasgow. 2.00pm. Music from Sheena Wellington. No tickets required. Organised by the Scottish Pensioners Forum.

• April 25th The Big Neighbourhood Debate – 7.00pm, Ocean Terminal, Leith. 

• April 26th The Big Island Debate – 7.00pm, Aros Centre,  Music from Babalfish.

• April 30th  The Big Work Debate – 7.00pm, Main Lecture Theatre, Abertay University,  Dundee. Music from Sheena Wellington. Free tickets by emailing the organisers Dundee Voluntary Action or phone 0138 2221545

About the Scottish Votepods Project

Are Scots really apathetic – or just fed up with un-entertaining political events?

The Holyrood election could be the most closely run thing since Scotland regained its parliament in 1999. But turnout figures suggest large numbers will fail to vote. Little wonder. Political engagement often means lack-lustre events in draughty halls – badly attended even by the party faithful.

Votepods aims to rekindle the excitement that should surround elections. The project 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. We believe the use of music, e-voting, podcasting and strong chairing could energise communities and create exciting events -- using digital communication to bring good, old fashioned hustings into the 21st Century.

Creating more lively meetings – Entertainment events use warm-up acts and great venues to lift the mood of the audience. Non entertainment events like political debates rarely do. What would happen if we changed that? Would non traditional voters attend more entertaining, accessible sounding events? Would politicians rise to the occasion? The musicians, presenters, organizers, sponsors and academic partners want to devise dynamic and impartial political events. Our aim is to make a positive contribution to civic society – not to any individual political party.

The votepods in detail – 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 – 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.

The project will formally launch on Friday 16th March.

Please bookmark this site and return shortly.

You can subscribe to an RSS feed to get all the latest updates from this site.

You can subscribe to get the latest audio podcasts in iTunes.

You can visit the Scottish Votepads Video Channel on You Tube.

Information on Ticketing arrangements.

For further information please contact us

Lesley Riddoch welcomes you to ScottishVotepods.com

Get off your bahookeys this election and come and tackle the politicians on the subjects you care about!

There are ten Big Debates. They’ll start with music including Capercaillie, the Hazey Janes, Sheena Wellington and Michael Marra. They’ll have Lesley Riddoch provoking politicians in her usual feisty manner and they’ll have video and audio highlights here and on the Herald newspaper website.

All they need – is YOU.

• Dates and tickets  for the 10 major events.

• About the Scottish Votepod Project

Get involved by sending an email question in advance  or by posting a comment to the website.

Just make the decision to come - the worst that happens is you hear great music!