Women's Scottish political speakers List for STV and BBC

Last night I was on a Scotland Tonight debate about women's representation in political debate on Scotland Tonight. On Monday discussion of Gordon Brown's speech was (once again) a male only affair on STV and Newsnight, despite the launch that day of Women for Independence. Well done to STV for taking criticism about this constructively and airing a debate with Annabel Goldie,  Lorraine Davidson and myself. One problem raised by the broadcasters has been the absence of "good available women speakers" on Scottish political issues (taking "politics" in its widest sense to discuss the allocation of power and assets in society - not just party political wrangling). So last night I put out the call to create a list -- here's a good start (mostly the work of Lily Greenan). Do feel free to suggest new names and gals mentioned here correct descriptions in comments - or check out my Facebook page. It's hard to know with some highly articulate lasses if their "day job" precludes them talking politics on TV. Lorraine M for example this means you! Anyway Ill send the finished list to STV and the Beeb and if you want to discuss this all further, women in Scottish public life is the special subject of Thursday's Scottish Six event with myself and Andy Wightman at the Festival of Spirituality in Edinburgh (see www.scottishsix.com for each nights special subject but land, power and governance is our overarching theme!). The website also takes you to the Hubs online booking service. Don't be deterred if you see a "sold out" sign there. On the day they hand all tickets back to the venue but you can always buy tickets at the door.

Scottish Women's political speakers List (plus all female MSPs and MPs)

1. Susan Stewart - Comms Director, media background

2. Jeanne Freeman

3. Clare Simpson - Parenting Scotland

4. Carolyn Leckie - SSP,

5. Jenny Kemp - Zero Tolerance, Labour

6. Lari Don - SNP? writer

7. Shelagh McKinley - The Absurdist blogger and writer

8. Kate Joester - LGBT issues, Green party, stood as candidate in Euro elections and locals, occupational therapist

9. Lily Greenan - Edinburgh Greens co-convenor; Director SWA

10. Kate Higgins - blogger, mum pro indy

11. Isobel Lindsay - peace campaigner, pro-indy

12. Michelle Thomson - MD Business for Scotland 

13. Angela O'Hagan - Scottish Women's Budget Group, social policy

14. Rosie Kane - SSP

15. Carole Ewart - human rights campaigner, Scottish Human Rights Consortium

16. Kirstein Rummery - social work academic, Uni of Stirling

17. Fiona McKay - Edinburgh Uni - politics - gender/policy

18. Alison Eliot - Church of Scotland

19. Nina Murray - Scottish Refugee Council

20. Sarah Currier - (@morageyrie)

21. Frances Curran - SSP, ex MSP

22. Catriona Grant -  criminal justice social worker, Patrick Geddes Gardening Club (guerilla gardener) SSP

23. Susan Archibald - disability campaigner

24. Lynn Henderson - PCS Scottish Secretary

25. Ann Henderson - Assistant Secretary STUC

26. Annie Donaldson - West Dumbartonshire Council

27. Marilyn Glen - ex MSP, Dundee, Labour

28. Emily Thompson - lecturer, Economics and International Business Group at GCU; co-director of WiSE (Women in Scotland's Economy research centre)

29. Barbara McLennan - economist

30. Marsha Scott - Principal Officer Health, Policy and Planning, West Lothian

31. Emma Ritch - Close the Gap, (Occupational Segregation)

32. Amanda Jones - Partner, Maclay Murray Spens, discrimination law specialist, (and non-exec director, Hibs FC)

33. Amy Rodger - last known at Electoral Reform Society Liberal Democrat

34. Helen Steven - peace activist, worked with NATO forces in the 1990s, Quaker

35. Lesley Riddoch - journalist, Nordic specialist,

36. Natalie McGarry - blogger, pro-indy

37. Lorraine Davidson - journalist, Labour

38. Alice Brown - academic; politics, gender, very long CV

39. Elaine C Smith -- Independence Convention, comedian, actress

40. Evelyn Gillan - co founder Zero Tolerance, Alcohol Concern CEO

Comments

[Lorna Martin]

Tricia Marwick would be an interesting panellist re woman in politics.

[Lily G]

Great to see this online. Can we get it to 100 women by the weekend...? I do like a challenge....

[Bill Scott]

A few more suggestions - Pam Duncan - disability campaigner & Labour activist, Independent Living in Scotland project, Tressa Burke, CEO, Glasgow Disability Alliance and Satwat Rehman, CEO, One Parent Families Scotland. All highly articulate and opinionated women with things to say on the big issues of the day.

[Lorna J. Waite]

Can you add me to list please....
Dr. Lorna J. Waite, writer, researcher, peace activist, Gaelic learner.
Cheers.
Will ask some other women if they wish to be included.

[Jenny Kemp]

Happy to stay on the list but I'm ex Labour, no longer a member. Main interest is violence against women/gender/equality issues but also shared parenting/flexi working and secularism.

[Sandra Webster]

Hello I am not one for self promotion but can I add myself to the list? I am a mature student at Glasgow Uni and mum to two sons with autism. This has made me active in disability and welfare benefit refom issues which I both write and speak about. I am also an Ambassador for the National Autistic Society Scotland and a champion for the National Theatre Of Scotland. I am also co-spokesperson for the Scottish Socialist Party. I describe myself as a republican feminist and am active in the indy ref discussions too.
Thankyou Sandra.I know a few other women who would like to be listed and will get back to you. Thanks for doing this.

[Sandra Webster]

Can I also nominate Leonna McNeil. Who is part of the Faslane Peace Camp. She is a very eloquent speaker on all issues relating to trident and nuclear disarnment and is part of the Say No to Nato coelition.

[Dave Moxham]

Sally Foster Fulton; Convenor of the Church of Scotland Church and Society Council

Robina Qureshi; Director, Positive Action in Housing

Esther Roberton, Chair, Sacro;
Commissioner,Press Complaints Commission; Former Co-ordinator of Scottish Constitutional Convention

[Jim Monaghan]

Rosemary Byrne, former Solidarity MSP and EIS Secretary. Fatima Uygun, Govanhill Baths and ant-racism campaigner. Claire Askew, poet and blogger

[Katherine Trebeck]

Judith Robertson oxfam and shabnam mustapha amnesty Scotland