tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post2853690919902090124..comments2024-03-28T17:35:29.407+00:00Comments on SCOT goes POP!: 'Please remember you're talking to the whole United Kingdom...'James Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01516007141763230886noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-28980264500232726492010-10-30T11:10:30.861+01:002010-10-30T11:10:30.861+01:00It's another small step that's moving this...It's another small step that's moving this hitherto somewhat sceptical unionist towards independence. The wilful misunderstanding of scottish politics and government by english commentators exemplifies why we need a national scottish broadcaster along the lines of RTE in Dublin.Richard Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17225331967587897653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-75579561041346843132010-10-29T18:20:27.293+01:002010-10-29T18:20:27.293+01:00Thanks for all your comments. It'll be intere...Thanks for all your comments. It'll be interesting to see if the official complaints from Joan and others have any effect - on past form it's not impossible they might eventually acknowledge that what happened was less than satisfactory, but whether any procedures will change as a result is much more doubtful. I wonder whatever happened to that excellent review they commissioned from Professor Anthony King, that pointed out their failings in dealing with the complexities of devolved politics in the UK? The recommendations seem to have completely gone out of the window, at least as far as Question Time is concerned.<br /><br />Joan hits the nail on the head in her post - it must surely breach the requirements for political impartiality if, in a discussion on the economic situation, they disallow one party (just one) from putting forward its proposals to rectify matters. The excuse Dimbleby gave for doing so was a bit reminscent of the way employers get round the laws against age discrimination - older appliacnts are welcome, just so long as they can fit into the "thrusting, vibrant, dynamic" culture of the existing workforce. Similarly, non-unionist politicians are welcome on Question Time - just so long as they don't put forward non-unionist views.<br /><br />Also, I wonder just how many Scots have ever felt like uttering (more like screaming) the words "please remember you're talking to the whole United Kingdom" during the TV coverage of an England game? This is a very high standard Dimbleby has now set for his employers!<br /><br />PS. What an absolute tragedy about Gerard Kelly.James Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01516007141763230886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-60637235752177681602010-10-29T13:57:46.570+01:002010-10-29T13:57:46.570+01:00Very well said.Very well said.Richard Thomsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00380671811598211337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-70933031205041807762010-10-29T13:54:56.327+01:002010-10-29T13:54:56.327+01:00I've now stopped watching BBC for news and pol...I've now stopped watching BBC for news and political comment and will not take in Question Time again as my individual protest.<br /><br />If there was a movement properly set-up to bring as many protesters as possible together as a mass protest from Scotland against the bias of the BBC, by with-holding the licence fee I would sign-up to it.Barontorcnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-86117337578732353992010-10-29T13:33:43.990+01:002010-10-29T13:33:43.990+01:00Yes. I agree with what Munguin said there. Additio...Yes. I agree with what Munguin said there. Additionally I find it really insulting that they send junior people from England; an junior business minister from Surbiton; a shadow for constitutional reform, from Wales (best known for his photograph in his undergarments on a gay dating site and nicknamed Captain Underpants by the Daily Mail), an historian from London, whose nearest connection to Scotland appears to be that he went to the same English school as the Noble and Hon lord Baron Foulkes! And a hedge fund manager who was born in Scotland but lives in England and likes to make a bit of a thing about himself.<br /><br />What on earth was the Deputy First Minister doing in that company? Status wise she was miles above any of them. And if you have a show from Scotland, why not have Scottish politicians and prominent people from Scottish Academe. Where was a representative of the Scottish Tories, Scottish Labour and Scottish Liberals?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-83207148441012385782010-10-29T13:11:42.779+01:002010-10-29T13:11:42.779+01:00One other thing I would say is if they want to onl...One other thing I would say is if they want to only talk about English things and they only want a representative of the SNP to respond when asked or allowed I don’t think we should be sending the Deputy First Minister or any Cabinet Secretary. If you note there when Dimbelby brought up Megrahi he asked everyone’s opinion but passed Nicola by. If they want to insult the SNP in that way I would suggest a competent back bencher should be sent along next time with instructions to be brief and stick to the party line.Munguinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16475165830302054002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-40059976746618219902010-10-29T12:31:25.701+01:002010-10-29T12:31:25.701+01:00I don't expect a great deal from the BBC, but ...I don't expect a great deal from the BBC, but I thought that David Dimbleby just completely lost the plot - if you are going to grind your axe, at least try to be subtle about it. It was anything but subtle, expecially the Megrahi question, and then the UK audience thing. The BBC is leaking legitimacy north of the border, I hear loads of people of all political persuasions complaining about its coverage and bias. Ridiculous.<br />Incidentally I thought Nicola was great, as usual - and that Hugh Hendry - eh, what a nutter.Wee Fifernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-26883717786516672022010-10-29T11:43:02.486+01:002010-10-29T11:43:02.486+01:00Joan McAlpine.
Hi Joan
Dont hold your breath that...Joan McAlpine.<br />Hi Joan <br />Dont hold your breath that Jeremy Peat will represent Scottish interests. Here is his answer to the Scottish Independence's complaint following the so called 'Leaders" debates.<br />"Arrangements for BBC broadcasting during elections are covered by the BBC Editorial Guidelines and responsibility for interpreting them, in the first instance, lies with the BBC Executive. You may therefore prefer to seek representation at the meeting from the Executive and I will be happy, with your agreement, to pass your invitation to the Director General of the BBC.<br /><br />I hope this is helpful.<br />Yours sincerely<br />Jeremy Peat <br />BBC Trustee, Scotland"<br />Well, actually no Jeremy. We thought that was YOUR jobDavid McCannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06984728176760626862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-91399458339302933162010-10-29T11:21:10.338+01:002010-10-29T11:21:10.338+01:00Well, I can see that my decision to stop watching ...Well, I can see that my decision to stop watching Question Time was a sound one. I used to enjoy it but it started to get on my nerves.<br /><br />Like Tris said above it is all about London and England east of Bristol. He mentioned Devon being all but foreign, well I live in Devon and sometimes we have to remind ourselves that we are actually a part of England or even the UK. In fact we hear more about Scotland down here than we do about our own issues.<br /><br />I also agree with Wyrdtimes, I have never heard England referred to or given any attention. It was always UK or Britain when I watched the show. It appears from this post that Scotland is now getting a bit of the same, which is a shock because I have watched QT in the past when they have been in Scotland and heard all about Scottish issues, or should that be Alex Salmond's issues?<br /><br />My honest opinion is that whether England, Scotland or Wales when it comes to the BBC it is all about keeping this ridiculous Union together and focusing on the UK. They do not like the fact that so many of us now want independence from the British nightmare.<br /><br />If QT is based in Scotland it should be about Scottish issues, in Wales, Welsh issues and England, English issues. Northern Ireland appears already to have it sorted. <br /><br />They can always introduce UK wide issues on any of the shows but only if they relate to the nation they are in. There is no point dicussing the education system regarding England if in Scotland.<br /><br />I pray Scotland will lead the way and set us all free from the imperialistic pig that is Britain.Hadyn Thomashttp://hadynthomas.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-78554357714395874842010-10-29T10:41:57.092+01:002010-10-29T10:41:57.092+01:00Good old Nicola she still got her point in though!...Good old Nicola she still got her point in though! No more to be said on what they expect the SNP to talk about if not Scotland! I did note that the supernumeraries Simon Schama and Hugh Hendry were given far more time to tub thump than our own Deputy First Minister was to answer points relevant to Scotland.<br /><br />That Hugh Hendry is a sickening idiot, where on earth do they get these extraneous people who come along with their own stupid agenda? Clearly Hendry and Schama where only their as an advert for themselves. Schama looked like a frenetic windmill with countless pointless historical allusions. While Hendry was not only rude and patronising but he kept contradicting himself. Loved when he tried to grab the moral high ground near the end, but still condoned torture, then revealed that he lived in London and was clearly part of the metropolitan mafia despite being from Glasgow. In other words he was only their as a controversial Scottish unionist quisling with a lovely English accent.Munguinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16475165830302054002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-59356886414216453342010-10-29T10:36:04.157+01:002010-10-29T10:36:04.157+01:00Well said I have just posted an official complaint...Well said I have just posted an official complaint. I have several comments on may own post from English people living in Scotland who couldn't believe what they were watching - ditto some of the Twitter comments. I think this could trip them up and I would be very interested to hear Jeremy Peat's views as our sole member of the BBC Trustjoan mcalpinehttp://www.joanmcalpine.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-20073768937686791782010-10-29T10:26:39.718+01:002010-10-29T10:26:39.718+01:00Well done, a brilliant post that is far more restr...Well done, a brilliant post that is far more restrained than I could ever manage.Grogipherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12781013801121569150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-20952260461544688132010-10-29T10:26:14.703+01:002010-10-29T10:26:14.703+01:00Dimbleby was bang out of order and Ms Sturgeon sho...Dimbleby was bang out of order and Ms Sturgeon should have put him down.<br /><br />One thing though they never ever point out the territorial extent of issues and never actually mention the word "England". This is BBC policy they want to keep the people of England in the dark so they don't start getting uppity and demand things like our own English parliament.Wyrdtimeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16640021224868439090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-62067937620511854112010-10-29T08:28:34.500+01:002010-10-29T08:28:34.500+01:00Excellent post James.
The attitude for Mr Metropo...Excellent post James.<br /><br />The attitude for Mr Metropolitan Dimbleby and the BBC in general appears to be that England = Britain, and you little Celtic people can have your own little councils and self aggrandise by calling yourselves whatever you will, but the proper law and the proper way of doing things is the English way.<br /><br />It is an English mindset, and to be fair, in the case of Monsieur Tout Le Monde as it were, that is quite understandable. England comprises the vast bulk of the population, and in any case suffers from the same problem internally in that the likes of Mr Dimbleby thinks that the London/South East way is the correct English way, and Devon and Northumbria are all but foreign. However, it isn’t in the least OK for a programme like Question Time for which we all pay, and which visits Scotland, and has Scottish politicians represented on few occasions. Surely the whole point of coming here at all is for the corporation to realise its duty to Scots. That, when it is doing that Mr Dimbleby insists on discussion on the proper English way of doing things, is quite disturbing.<br /><br />Once again I say that David and his brother Jonathon are in their jobs because their father “got them in”. Neither shows any particular talent for the job he does and both would be far better replaced by a serious presenter/chairperson, such as Sue McGregor. Caroline Quinn, Evan Davis, or James Naughtie, although the last is Scottish and that wouldn’t do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-930120922627919768.post-87994711333459162832010-10-29T07:30:47.466+01:002010-10-29T07:30:47.466+01:00Dear James,
I agree with you, I just don't kn...Dear James,<br /><br />I agree with you, I just don't know what to do about it (BBC reporting strategy).<br /><br />There has to be a way where the truth can be told and voices can be heard by everyone in Scotland. If that were to happen then these incidents would become largely irrelevant.<br /><br />We need a thinktank to get an answer to this - and soon.<br />Twitter and Facebook wont do the job on their own. Perhaps the only way forward is to get the SNP politicians to wander "off topic" any time they are interviewed on another matter.<br /><br />Nicola did brilliantly under the circumstances and came out on top as the only cool head on the platform. She still managed to slip in the point anyway but a blind man running past would have missed it.<br /><br />David Milligan (a concerned Scot)<br /><br />PS I picked your blog from Newsnet Scotland.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com