Live debate on Radio 4 in Blantyre Old
Celebrating church’s 450th year
A Radio Four panel was put to the test during a live broadcast from Blantyre last week.
The ‘Any Questions’ event, hosted by Jonathan Dimbleby, aired from Blantyre Old Parish Church on Friday (April 28).
As reported in last week’s Advertiser, the audience was able to question the panel about the week’s major talking points.
In the hot seats for the political debate were Labour Peer, Lord Charlie Falconer; Minister for Social Security, Jeane Freeman MSP; Director General of the Institute for Economic Affairs, Mark Littlewood, and Professor Adam Tomkins MSP, Scottish Conservative Communities, Social Security, the Constitution and Equalities spokesman.
The event came about as part of the church’s 450th anniversary celebrations, with tickets for the event being sent “far and wide.”
Audience members were asked to submit their questions on arrival, and a selection were read discussed live on air.
The vent was quite specialtopics included Scottish independence and the forthcoming General Election.
Jack Donaghy kicked the questions off by asking, “Is a vote for the SNP a vote for a second independence referendum?”.
A question from John Collard on “Does nationalism contribute to unity or division in a society?” paved the way for great debate.
Blantyre Old Parish’s Rev Sarah Ross was delighted with the turnout and support for the event.
She said: “The BBC Radio 4 event was quite special and wellattended.
“With questions that focussed on Scottish independence, whether nationalism is divisive, the rape clause and whether there should be live TV debates in the run-up to the General Election, there was much debate between the panel, and plenty of audience participation.”
The event was quite special and well-attended - Rev Ross