Another side of Lesley Riddoch

My wheels of steel

As everyone can guess by now, I am a bike person. I recently took delivery of a folding bike and it has proved to be a real zinger. As you can see, although it folds down to a wee diddy thing, it unfolds into a thing of beauty. To date, my adventures have included trains, parking it outside  Historic Scotland protected  buildings  ( nae bike racks - they don't like'em ) , up Glen Prosen and generally zipping around the place. Great fun and the source of lots of good natured banter...

The Prison Commission ...the real deal.

After the Sunday Times piece, the Scottish Government issued a press release. It gives details of who is on the panel and a few more details.

Beyond Faslane

What might Scotland look like without Trident on the Clyde? I was chairing this part of Alex Salmond's National Conversation at the Oran Mor in Glasgow Monday, but to be honest I had no idea what to expect. Like many of the folk present, I've been anti Trident for years. But I've never been in an"official" environment where that was taken as read. Perhaps it's my BBC training, but it seemed odd to be focusing on just one side. Four hours later, though, we'd gone through every imaginable "side" of the nuclear debate -- except that well rehearsed status quo. Should Faslane remain a naval base post Trident? What about the non-Trident submarines based there? Local councillors want to keep a naval base but some pacifists want the MOD out of the Clyde altogether. Could tourism fill the jobs gap, or could a highly trained work force attract some kind of construction industry -- like renewable energy turbine manufacture? I'm sure the Arnish yard in Lewis (amongst others) would be mildly peeved to see"their" work waltzing south. But perhaps there is enough work to go round. Should "anti-Trident" planning authorities throw spanners in the works of Westminster's work to renew Trident? Is it sufficient to invoke public opinion polls and anti-Trident Holyrood votes when the Commons voted solidly to go ahead with a new generation of Trident missiles? And what are the chances for a new bill at Holyrood that seeks to argue Trident is a weapon of mass destruction and a breach of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty? It's amazing. As soon as the dull business of cliché is pushed aside there's still a world of argument over Trident.                                                                                                                                                             Bruce Crawford (the SNP Minister who promised this summit during a June debate on nuclear weapons) and John Mayer the lawyer who drafted the Holyrood bill look mightily relieved at the end!

The Sunday Times

According to the Sunday Times Ecosse section of 21 October , I am “one of the main outsiders at the court of King Alex,” – one of a “coterie of advisors drawn from outwith politics,” to “help keep Alex Salmond on his Holyrood throne.”

The article asks why “civilians” like me are on such commissions – after all, what on earth do I know about prisons?

Well apologies to Richard Wilson who wrote the piece. He left a message I didn’t get because my mobile phone was winging its way from the Hebridean island of Islay where I left it in a hired car on the Book Tour -- part 23, ably organised by Stuart and Celia Todd. We stayed in Portnahaven, home to a noisy colony of harbour seals, and a thriving colony of chatty, colourful Ileachs.

Jackie at Ardbeg Distillery opened specially on Saturday night, and though I don’t drink, I could’ve “nosed” the drams all night. Is that sad? I could also have kissed Maureen from MacKenzie Car Hire who matter of factly parcelled the wee blighter and sent it guaranteed next day delivery without asking for anything other than the address. This is why people come back over and over to Islay.

Anyway, why do Scots go back over and over again to prison?

And how can I help find out why? My impression from the civil servants who asked me to join the Prisons Commission was that explanations and solutions favoured by experts are often not favoured by the public or by parts of the media who insist politicians and judges must be “tough on crime.” The government’s figured that the public’s apparent hostility to prison reform is part of the problem. And having taken the measure of Scottish public opinion for the last ten to fifteen years on radio shows nearly every day – they think I might have some expertise there.

I have served on a previous commission – a two year epic that asked why poor people don’t participate in public life. Properly known as the Commission on People, Power, and Participation we met every month and took evidence from visits all around the UK. It brought me a lifelong friend – Ann Soutar from Easterhouse – and some great contacts around the UK, including Jim Deery who runs the Star Neighbourhood Centre in Belfast and the then Bishop of London, now Archbishop of York, John Sentamu.

I’m also on the Board of Encounter, a group set up by the British and Irish governments in the 1980’s to keep civic dialogue going even when they weren’t officially speaking to one another. There are board members from all five jurisdictions (Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England) and the meetings with top people in the relevant field are eye-opening and hugely entertaining.

So who knows what I can contribute to this Commission experience. It’s straining the language somewhat to describe Commission members as “advisors to Alex Salmond.” And flattering but wide of the mark to suggest “civilians” on commissions have the power to make or break a government.

But my mum liked the Ecosse picture – so that’s a start.

When I’ve attend the first Commission meeting on Wednesday I’ll find out how the public can register views on why we jail so many Scots. And you will be the first to know.

Another week ends or starts

Back from a relaxing weekend in Islay, courtesy of Islay Arts, Ardbeg Distillery was a great venue but unlike President Clinton, I did inhale. Didn't sip or even drink it, but the aroma was enough. As ever, the Book Event was great fun and, as ever, being on an island meant lots of issues and observations. Thanks again to everyone, Stewart and Celia were grand. This week holds the promise of a number of things...including having an outside broadcast at the SNP conference ...more details here.

Exciting recording with Jeremy Bowen

As regular readers will know, I was down in Wigtown and recorded a programme with Jeremy. Due to technical difficulties, the interview in front of a live audience took place but the recording didn't. The reaction to Jeremy's views and insights was remarkable. So, we got together in studio and did one doon the line, as they say. I have known Jeremy a wee while and he is always worth listening to. Having been there, done it and got the t-shirt in 70 plus wars in recent times; he has an unique view on the current state of TV news. This Friday ( Ocotber 19 ) , we will broadcast this interview and please join in with your thoughts through the usual channels.

This weekend ...it's Islay

The Book Tour heads west again this weekend, when I’ll be “performing” at 7.30pm at Ardbeg Distillery on Islay on Saturday 13th October. The cost is a bargain £2 which covers some of Islay Arts Association’s costs – and you’ll get a free dram. Contact Stuart Todd for more details at toddsislay@tiscali.co.uk

What exactly is a Book Tour gig...?

These people have turned up to hear me talk about "Riddoch on the Outer Hebrides". What should they expect? Indeed, what should you expect to hear if you were to come along to one of these events ? I have recorded a wee snippet to illuminate.

Wigtown and the crowds

Wigtown Book Festival was great fun. As you can see, there was a large audience that seemed to enjoy my wee presentation. Lots of people were kind enough to come up and have a blether.

Given a hectic schedule which included chairing an "unique" meeting between Glenn Patterson and Malachi O'Doherty ( great fun ), trying to record a live session with Jeremy Bowen (fabulous insights - but hampered by unforeseen technical difficulties) and doing my own Book Tour thing ( a hoot ) and getting my column into the Scotsman ( Sunday morning - nuff said) ; it was quite busy. All this and I managed to catch a couple of sessions myself including John Pick on Neil Gunn ( excellent ) .

However, Friday night with Northern Ireland's First Minister Ian Paisley was extraordinary and got me thinking...this week's Riddoch Questions will reflect these ponderings...watch this space as they say.

Finally, if you haven't made it down to Wigtown and especially the Book Festival, then 'catch yourself on' and toodle down. It's worth it! And there is still time - it ends Sunday October 7 - for more details click here.