Scottish Votepods.com

Photos of everything

Over at our associate Scottish Votepods Unplugged there are photos of all of the Debates.

If you want to see images form the events then please take a look. Indeed, if you have a better shot that you would like to share then please send it to us for consideration.

Yours aye.

Grey Power Debate - Glasgow

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.

AUDIO

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

Download the file here.

Section 2: 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.

Download the file here.

Section 3: 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.

Download the file here.

VIDEO

The first clip features some of the passionate comments and questions from the audience.

The panel are asked about their support for a local income tax to replace council tax

The tax discussion continues with Rhona Brankin and Bill Aitkin defending the Council Tax

Videos Produced by students from Napier University

Come to Grey Power Debate in Glasgow Today

If you're in the Glasgow area, why not come along to the Grey Power debate in the City Chambers, George Square at 2.00pm today. Lesley Riddoch will be chairing the latest of the Votepod events and there's a top line up of politicians there to answer your questions. On the panel are
Labour - Rhona Brankin
Lib Dems - Robert Brown
SNP - Sandra White
Conservative - Bill Aitken
Green - Robin Harper
Solidarity - Tommy Sheridan
SSP - Colin Fox
Scottish Senior Citizens Party - John Swinburne.

If that isn't enough there'll be music from Sheena Wellington who sang at the opening of the Scottish Parliament. The debate is taking place in the Banqueting Hall of Glasgow City Chambers, so there's the added bonus of seeing round the Victorian splendour of this magnificent building.

Entry is free

Are we connecting ?

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.

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