Lesley Riddoch talks about Scottish Votepods
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We have now completed 6 Big Debates and everyone has been kind enough to thank us for our efforts. That's great and we appreciate it. However, we would like to hear your personal story. If you were an organiser, a participant, a member of the audience or even a panelist, what did you think ? If you have watched the video clips on YouTube or listened via iTunes, what was it like for you ? Did the event work for you ? Are you feeling more connected to the issues ? Do you think this method of engagement works ? Lots of people have expressed opinions - let's have a debate about the Big Debates. After we all need to connect. Right.
As everyone at the Big Green Debate knows, there was a lot of voting went on. It has taken a wee while to turn these results into a small presentation. Please click here to Download the_big_green_debate.pdf - it contains all the results of all the questions.
Enjoy !
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.
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 video clips will feature shorter highlight clips. The evening also featured electronic voting by the audience. You can access the results here.
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
AUDIO
Section 1: The debate started off with a question from the floor about transport policy and climate change.
You can download the file here
Section 2: In this section the panel are asked to outline their policies on energy use to tackle global warming.
You can download the file here.
Section 3: 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.
Download the file here
Section 4: The next question to the panel of politicians sought their views on dealing with serious ill health brought about by chemical pollution.
Download the file here
Section 5: 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.
Download the file here.
Section 6: Proposals to create a Marine National Park for Scotland and other marine issues prompted the next question from the floor.
Download the file here
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
This video features questions, comments and opinions from the audience at The Big Green Debate.
The panel respond to a question about congestion charging and the future of the Forth Road Bridge.
The panel attempt to answer a question about the link between toxins in the environment and disease/neurological disorder.
The panel respond to questions about Scotland's marine environment, and the possibility of a Marine National Park
Using electronic pads, the audience vote on the topics discussed
Videos produced by journalism students at Napier University.
The Big Green Debate on April 17th at The Hub in Edinburgh promises to be the biggest of the Scottish Votepod Events. There'll be music from Capercaille and most of the party leaders are taking part. It's being organised as part of the Everyone Campaign, by a network of charities
'dedicated to establishing the environment as a serious mainstream issue in Scotland, with political decisions taken in the interest of the environment, not simply social and economic considerations'.
Groups involved include the National Trust for Scotland, RSPB, Ramblers Association, Sustrans and Friends of the Earth. A full list and links to their campaigns can be found here.
If you'd like to submit a question for possible inclusion add a comment to this post or email us.
Incidentally the Everyone campaign is organising a whole series of smaller hustings meetings at locations throughout Scotland. Have a look here to see if there's one near you, and make your voice heard.
There was never any doubt that environmental issues will feature strongly in the coming election. Well their importance is confirmed by the fact that the party leaders are queuing up to take part in the Big Green Debate at The Hub, Edinburgh on April 17th at 7.30.
We're delighted to announce that Alex Salmond, the SNP Leader and Nicol Stephen, Leader of the Liberal Democrats have just agreed to take part. They'll join Robin Harper, Tommy Sheridan and Colin Fox, Leaders of the Green, Solidarity and Scottish Socialist Party on the platform.
Here's hoping that the busy election diaries of both Annabel Goldie and Jack McConnell can be juggled to allow The Big Green Debate to become The Big Green Leaders Debate.
And with Capercaille providing the music, it promises to be quite a night!
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.
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
Have you been to one of the Big Debates or have you watched or listened to any of it online. We'd love to get some feedback. Click on the debate above and scroll down to post your comment.
You can still help shape the remaining debates by asking a question or raising on issue. Contribute here
You can also e-mail us.
